Sage might end up being better as you can get increased rune production from sciences as well as achieving higher mod wpa/tpa
I think I will end up with either a sage or artisan personality.
How would the sage build differ from what I currently have?

By the sounds of it your looking to be A/m, rather than A/M. If you wanted M you'd be using FB/Tornadoes if you didnt have MS, in which case Arti would work but you'd need 20% towers to perform. It could be done but you'll be losing some military buildings.
FB and timed spells are what I usually employ.
I think I agree with you about the A/m bit, since I would prefer to be a more capable attacker than mage, not the other way around.

If your running TD and Mystic, wouldnt you be better suited to being T/M at the minute also? Drop the TG for some forts and more towers and your there.
That strategy was test to see if I could manage A/M/t as an elf.
It didn't work that well and resulted in me being more an a/M/T which wasn't hugely effective with my playing style.
I might try T/M if there is an availability in the kd.

Thanks for the advice, cheers.