I think every class, even Mage, should be able to use (poisoned) daggers.
Stone Wendigo was very easy to do. I removed icicles (pencil and smudge), and used "bucket fill" with threshold 256, mode overlay, pattern source... pattern used was Chocolate Swirl :-).
So it was some editing, and 1 click for color.
To encourage Strenght usage as mage, there should be some spells which require melee contact.
Electric Charge spell (Anyone who played Nox can skip spell description). When cast, mage is electrified for loong time. First enemy hitting mage in melee (or hit by mage) receives 50+ damage. After discharge, spell ends.
Lighting Amulet When player makes no physical contact with other beings for 10 seconds, he becomes charged, as with Electric Charge spell. (charge power would probably have to be toned down).
By the way, I strongly suggest that mage should have 10-20 more hit points. To balance this out, no invulnerability spell should be easily accessible (expensive in mana). If removing gamebreaker spell isn't enough to compensate, disadventages from having low vitality may be increased ( mean more disturbing flashes )
Ah, about spear ideas , there isn't really much to think about. Longest range, good power, but very poor rate of fire to compensate. (and swing should take some time, we don't want to see everyone using spears over and over). Ocassionaly spear may be stuck in an enemy (slower reload, perhaps more damage), simlar to 3rd punches.
Another idea: melee weapons deflected by shield could take 1 more second to reload. Not sure how it would affect gameplay, but fighter would be more cautious when facing centaurs. It might be good feature for multiplayer, but I guess this kind of things will have to wait until Korax Arena.