[fantasma]

Very nice!

Just two ideas about pretenders

You never mention order+luck. I think this really helps in the long run.
I like the lady of clams. It can be pulled out easy enough if you make the forest lady dormant, take some cold or heat and maybe skip on earth.

Alternatively, what do you think about a fountain of blood? You mention reinvigoration, and patrolling your capital for some turns will not kill too many peasents, especially if you combine it with a little growth. Also blood offers other things besides that, depending on the paths (soul contracts, skulls of fire, crossbreeding, etc.).