Earth and Magic Item strategy?

[Saxon]

Howdy!

I was thinking of starting up a game with an earth based pretender and play with all the magic items. My thought was that if I am going to research to the top of the construction tree, I may as well get to use the big ritual spells along the way.

Now, I am going to need lots of gems to make the pretty toys and I want a race with fairly beefy commanders, as they will be using many of the items in combat.

Ulm looks interesting with the forging bonus and Johnteim with the high hit point leaders.

I am very open to suggestions and strategies, so please let me know whatever you think. And yes, I know I could search, but a fresh conversation with all the people who are lurking here is much more interesting!