A couple of questions (teleporting communions, fire gem use)

[Belac]

What Baalz said.

Lightless Lanterns are superb. Put them on your cheapest researcher, +6 RP for 3 gems with a hammer. Even a couple F1 guys can drastically improve your research power.

Flaming Arrows does go a long way for Man's offensive punch. It's castable with an F2 guy, I believe--Phoenix Power, then use 2 gems (3 in CBM). Only worth it for big battles unless you have an F4 guy, but very worth it then.

Fire Brands are also very useful (requiring a F1E1 guy). The same crosspath gives you Shields of Gleaming Gold, and F1 gives you Dragon Helms--Dragon Helm plus Fire Brand gives 100% FR to someone starting without any, which is always nice.

Flambeaus are nice, but if you only have F1 you can get by with Just Man's Crosses and Holy Scourges.

So even low-level fire can be a substantial force multiplier--I'd rather have multiple F1 guys than 1 F4.