Check here:
http://members.home.net/mrkevvy/journal.html for a useful and entertaining story of a solo mage.
Can't help you with Finger of Death though, as I personally never use the spell. It should work if you've cast all those breaching-spells. Is there a saving throw which negates the effects?
EDIT: Oh, I almost forgot: WELCOME! [img]graemlins/thewave.gif[/img]
[ 01-06-2002: Message edited by: J'aran ]