Regarding living items and armor bearers.....

[Fatt_Shade]

Those items that have `neutral` race lose moral in every battle ,no matter who you fight. As you mentioned wizard mantle (trust me you`ll need those magic crystals later in game so dont use them to get that item under control). Better to fight item and use it in next 20-30 battles then waste crystals on it. If you cant suppress item wait couple lvls and get stronger, and in meantime equip some other item in it`s place. Tactical manual also loose moral in every battle.