Sry for late response (4 day without internet, f...ing provider
Well as i said mage have tough start since low lds value, and no spells available because of game randomness, but is interesting to play mid-late game. There are many mage guides to play, check rest of forum. Your main question here was about neatness, and i hope i helped you, but for mage gameplay and surviving without all great spells search for some specified tread on that