Thematically I want a Bard/Skald character (so bad it hurts).  Mechanically, I'm not sure how I would work this though; the Warlord already occupies the obvious (to me) design space.

Training in all Level 1 Schools seemed like an interesting idea, but it's actually boring (many tough choices, or splashing is removed).

A limited (per-game) pre-paring a spell from your discard pile? Or returning a spell from your discard to your spell book?

An interesting mechanic (maybe not right for the bard):

[# of times per game] you may pay 1 mana when casting an incantation spell, to give it the Cantrip Trait.

My first play of Mage Wars was last week.  I know what I'll be doing over the winter break!

[spellbook]
[spellbookheader]
[spellbookname]AnvilForge Toolbox[/spellbookname]
[mage]Anvil Throne Warlord[/mage]
[/spellbookheader]
[spells]
[spellclass]Attack[/spellclass]
[mwcard=DNA01]3 x  Acid Ball[/mwcard]
[mwcard=FWA04]2 x  Hurl Boulder[/mwcard]
[spellclass]Conjuration[/spellclass]
[mwcard=FWJ07]2 x  Quicksand[/mwcard]
[mwcard=MWSTX2FFJ01]1 x  Harshforge Monolith[/mwcard]
[mwcard=mw1j08]1 x  Hand of Bim-Shalla[/mwcard]
[mwcard=mw1j04]1 x  Battle Forge[/mwcard]
[spellclass]Creature[/spellclass]
[mwcard=MWSTX1CKC01]2 x  Bridge Troll[/mwcard]
[mwcard=DNC07]1 x  Mort[/mwcard]
[mwcard=MWSTX2FFC07]1 x  Gurmash, Orc Seargeant[/mwcard]
[spellclass]Enchantment[/spellclass]
[mwcard=MWSTX1CKE01]1 x  Armor Ward[/mwcard]
[mwcard=MWSTX2FFE04]3 x  Brace Yourself[/mwcard]
[mwcard=FWE09]1 x  Standard Bearer[/mwcard]
[spellclass]Equipment[/spellclass]
[mwcard=MWSTX1CKQ06]1 x  Eagleclaw Boots[/mwcard]
[mwcard=mw1q08]2 x  Elemental Wand[/mwcard]
[mwcard=mw1q11]1 x  Gauntlets of Strength[/mwcard]
[mwcard=MWSTX2FFQ05]2 x  Harshforge Plate[/mwcard]
[mwcard=FWQ05]1 x  Helm of Command[/mwcard]
[mwcard=mw1q16]1 x  Leather Gloves[/mwcard]
[mwcard=DNQ07]1 x  Veteran's Belt[/mwcard]
[mwcard=MWSTX2FFQ03]1 x  Eisenach's Forge Hammer[/mwcard]
[mwcard=DNQ10]1 x  Meditation Amulet[/mwcard]
[mwcard=FWQ08]1 x  Ring of Command[/mwcard]
[mwcard=mw1q15]1 x  Leather Boots[/mwcard]
[mwcard=mw1q18]1 x  Mage Staff[/mwcard]
[mwcard=FWQ01]2 x  Dancing Scimitar[/mwcard]
[mwcard=mw1q23]1 x  Regrowth Belt[/mwcard]
[mwcard=DNQ09]1 x  Wand of Healing[/mwcard]
[spellclass]Incantation[/spellclass]
[mwcard=mw1i23]2 x  Rouse the Beast[/mwcard]
[mwcard=mw1i19]2 x  Piercing Strike[/mwcard]
[mwcard=MWSTX1CKI02]1 x  Akiro's Battle Cry[/mwcard]
[mwcard=mw1i04]1 x  Charge[/mwcard]
[mwcard=mw1i28]1 x  Teleport[/mwcard]
[mwcard=mw1i06]1 x  Dispel[/mwcard]
[mwcard=mw1i07]1 x  Dissolve[/mwcard]
[mwcard=MWSTX2FFI03]1 x  Disarm[/mwcard]
[mwcard=mw1i12]1 x  Force Push[/mwcard]
[mwcard=FWI10]1 x  Whirling Strike[/mwcard]
[mwcard=MWSTX2FFI06]1 x  Defend[/mwcard]
[mwcard=mw1i10]2 x  Evade[/mwcard]
[mwcard=mw1i18]2 x  Perfect Strike[/mwcard]
[mwcard=mw1i02]2 x  Battle Fury[/mwcard]
[/spells]
[cost]Total cost: 120 pts[/cost]
[/spellbook]

Strategy:
Battleforge allows you to equip yourself while applying pressure to the other mage in the form of Bridge Troll or Mort. As the opponent tries to deal with your Big Men, you can react with appropriate equipment, or play an economic game with Meditation Amulet.

Turn 1 (19): Double Move to the Near Center.  Quick Cast Battle Forge. (11).
Turn 2 (20 + 1): Deploy Eisenach's Forge Hammer (13). Cast Bridge Troll (0).
Turn 3 (9 + 1): Deploy Meditation Amulet (.  Meditate (11). Quick Cast Battle Order: Fast. (10).  Troll advances to lay beatings.
Turn 4 (19 + 1): Cast Troll (6 + 1).  Rouse the Beast.  Send Troll # 2 in.

or
Turn 1 (19): Double Move to the Near Center.  Quick Cast Battle Forge. (11).
Turn 2 (20 + 1): Deploy Eisenach's Forge Hammer (13). Cast Gurmash, Orc Seargeant (2).
Turn 3 (11 +1 + 1): Deploy Meditation Amulet (9 + 1). Meditate (12 + 1).
Turn 4 (21 + 1 + 2):  Cast Bridge Troll (8 + 1 + 2).  Quick Cast Rouse the Beast on Bridge Troll (5 + 1 + 2). Gourmash casts Battle Orders: Fast. (5 + 1 + 2).