Spell Research

Researching new spells is the most common type of magical research. A Magic-User may research a standard spell, removing the need for a teacher or reference; alternately, a Cleric or Magic-User may invent an entirely new spell. No character may invent or research a spell of a higher level than they can cast. If the character is inventing a new spell, the GM must determine the spell's level and judge whether or not the spell is possible "as is." The GM does not have to tell the player whether the spell is possible, and in fact this may be preferable. The cost to research a spell is 1,000 gp per spell level for "standard" spells, or 2,000 gp per spell level for newly invented spells; in either case, one week is required per spell level to complete the research. The chance of success is 25%, plus 5% per level of the character, minus 10% per level of the spell; the maximum chance of success is 95%. If the research roll is successful, the character may add the spell to their spellbook (if a Magic-User) or may subsequently pray for the spell (if a Cleric). On a failure, the money and time are spent to no avail. Clerics of the same deity, faith or ethos may teach each other the prayers required to access new spells; this takes one hour per spell level. The procedure to exchange spells with other Magic-Users has already been explained (under Acquisition of Spells, above). As mentioned above, the GM may decide that a proposed new spell is not "correct" for their campaign; too powerful, too low in level, etc. Rather than tell the player this, there are two strategies that may be used. First, the Game Master may decide to revise the spell. If the roll is a success, the GM then presents the player with a revised writeup of the spell, adjusted however the GM feels necessary for game balance purposes. The alternative, more appropriate when the GM believes the spell should be higher level than the player character can cast, is to make the roll anyway. If the roll fails, that is all the player needs to know; but if it succeeds, the GM should then show the player the revised version of the spell and explain that the character may try again when they attain a high enough level to cast it. In this case, the GM may allow the character to reduce either the time or the cost by half when the research is attempted again at the new level.