1mana monsters

Well in defense of Kelar Citizen's current ability at least in a thematic sense; look at Orc Farms from WCIII. You can hind peons in them to be protected and attack. Of course, Kel'sor isn't really what I'd call a "fortress" so the Citizens only gain defense (life) points from there being "buildings" (effects) arround to protect them.
I'd agree that the temp life isn't much, but it's the best idea we're gotten considering the constraints so far. Mana generation is too hard to balance as would card drawing. Not to mention that we have a limited amount of room with which to work with text-wise.