Hesperus and Phosphorus - worth it? Options

[Zarathustra]

My party has exited the Underdark and defeated most SoA enemies, with the Ranger stronghold stuff, Orcus and the Twisted Rune up next.

I did not forge Phosphorus in Chapter 3, and am wondering whether it would still be worth it. If I do forge it, it would replace FoA+4 as my Vagrant protagonist's off-hand weapon (main hand is The Truth); however, no one else in the party needs FoA. Is the Strength bonus worth the investment at this stage?

Also, while I have yet to defeat Orcus, I'm thinking that improving Anomen's shield maybe more worthwhile than creating Hesperus. After all, and if I remember correctly, there are only two difficult battles involving the Undead after Orcus; on the other hand, Anomen could use Supreme Shelter. Noe that Phosphorus would be used by the protagonist, or possibly Valygar, but that both are well-equipped as it is.

So, what are your opinions? Hesperus and Phosphorus - yay or nay?

[Kerkes]

Phosphorus will probably make game quite easier, but it's quite obsolete once you exit Underdark and forge Crom Hammer, get some girdles etc. It's big disadvantage is that you have to spend 3 Permanency scrolls to forge it, and it doesn't do any elemental dmg, unlike Crom.
I prefer Treefolk, it's really good in IA5, and usually give my fighters 18+ strenght, so it gets to 19 which is good enough for most of the time.
As for Anomen's shield, it's an ok item. Use with that Yaga Sura's hammer (immunity to fear) and Anomen gets quite immune to everything.
I still don't like him, however.