I have no argument with it. The questions seem to be answered anyways. Still need that example of your ship mage though.
I don't think I saved that NPC build... but as I said, it hardly matters. Take any wizard or sorcerer capable of casting 3rd level spells, give them Invisibility, Stinking Cloud, and Summon Monster 2 or 3 (to summon
lemures), and go to town. Cast Invisibility, drop the Stinking Cloud on the deck enemy ship, and start spamming SM.