Solution: The Beta is the problem. 1.19 phones home (hence the need for the internet connection and the cause of some folks not getting the game to load the data file along with the whole username password issue) and loads a data.zip for the game from the SD side of things. The game does not use the one in the data folder and is probably loading AFTER mods load which probably caused my redundant mana cost issue. Now I figured out a way to get the game to work with the local data.zip and data files that are modified.

Open your shortcut for the game (make one if you don't have one). At the end of the target line add the following after the \Elemental.exe" /LOCALDATAONLY /FASTLOAD      (make sure to include the space between the " and the / and the Y and the /F)

This allowed me to use my names and adjusted core spell costs. Woot!

 Updated for missing commandline.

Here is another good one with 1.19.

Decided to change the cost of teleportation (I didn't much like the nerfing). I copied the Strat mobility to the mods folder and changed the cost. Fired up a game and was greeted with two mana cost lines in the spell, but the spell worked and cost me the combined cost. Awesome. 

Next I gutted my mod file just to leave the mana cost element in there. Still got duel cost and now the spell does not work. I click on a new square, I get an animation, but my Sov is still stuck where he was. Mana burned.

I decided to go postal on the situation. I killed my mod file. I change the cost in the data folder core xml file. I recompiled the data.zip. Started a new game and bam! Spell shows up with its original cost.

The 64 peso question: Where did that data come from?

I'm baffled. Maybe one of the Mod Gods will know what is up.

I'd also like to get my name rulesets working again too.