In this game nothing can supprise me anymore
For runes my bad, this mod gives rly too much runes.
But for lds simple math tell us this : 10lvl mage have 100lds from start, 20for first stone, (2+3+...+9+10)x13=705 for lvling up, maybe 500from strategy medal, if you pick up on islands 200-300(no more on first islands banners give 10-40lds max), and if you took glory skill 3rd lvl that`s 750. It`s all 2400, you said you bought some lds items but you still need 1000lds to take 1 maelstrom.
I`m not saying impossible, but i never saw some item that gives more then 100lds on first couple islands. You might upgraded dress of mages/princess dress to get 1000lds you need for maelstrom, but for that you had to already have him in army because those items have 4x8000+hp towers.
If you have some early save from that game, pls share it seems you had nice item pick early in the game.
And where did you find 2x16EGD battle on 10th lvl ? I know RSE have 300% stronger enemy but that is just too much dragons so early in game.
Still first fight against archdemons no divine armor and heal wont help you against halfing.