[Kref]

"They're small, they're weak, they die easily..."
They are small only in CBM mod, so if you are playing CBM mod with Bakemono you can just read Baalz guide.
If you are going to learn not by guides but by yourself at initial stages, then I reccomend just one thing - take growth scales (at least one, two is enough) to protect your strongest mages from getting diseased from old age.
Generally nation of Bakemono have strong heavy infantry for newbies and strong mage for experienced players; also you may experiment to make strong thugs from your strongest mages, as well as buffing troops with them. Thinking about thugs look at next spells: soul vortex, phoenix power, phoenix pire, fire shield, breath of winter; quicken self is possible if you'll find a way to fight against double encumberance (perhaps with soul vortex it will go). There are plenty of earth spells which contribute to the thugging abilities, find them yourself. Also you can use the fact that your strong mages can bless themselfs.