Summon Animal
 

Anyone know the list of what you can summon with the Summon Animal spell? I know (from the scroll) that 5 life gets you a crocadile.

More broadly, is there any point to getting a lot of life magic since the healing nerf? A life mage sounds interesting, but I can't figure out how one would be effective without relying largely on other elements.

Well life magic is great for summoning and resists.
I don't know the complete list, but I do know that four life (probably three too) summons a pit viper.
There really aren't any offensive life magic spells accept summoning and life blade, but with life blade you'd need to train in a melee skill and fight undead monsters.
Summoning is fun though, for real. Summon insect is a good one. ^_^

I considered life magic but I'd get ticked and accuse my summon of killstealng too much.

I heard rumors of 17+ life summons a wolverine..

If you ever summon life, just summon monster. That nets you monopods and ghasts, the greatest summons ever.

Summon monster is useless at low life levels. It's easier to start off with animals or insects. Plus, with summon monster you never know what you're gonna' get.