Magical research
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Research has been mentioned into two different contexts in recent years.
Necromantic Research
Research was originally the name for unlockable powers/spells that would be made available to Necromancers through a yet unexplained research process. It is unknown whether it will still retain this name or be related to standard magical research.
Magic Research
There are two types of magical research introduced with Magic 3.1: Research and Symbiosis.
- Research-type gives an instant lock of any magic skill after full completion of the linked research project (see below for options).
- Symbiosis-type increase the difficulty of a spell that is prepared with a symbiosis, thereby increasing the spell's learning potential for that cast. This also gives the spell an additional effect which can alter the skills the spell trains. E.g. Using a symbiosis that adds a skill buff will cause a spell to train Augmentation in addition to any skills it normally trains if it doesn't already.
Basic Research
1) Cast the Gauge Flow spell. The potency of the spell will affect time necessary for researching.
2) Start a Research project - RESEARCH <type> <duration> (See the table below for the types of research.)
3) Continue the Research project by doing RESEARCH <duration> until complete. You can use RESEARCH STATUS to see how far along you are on your project.
4) When the project completes, you will receive a message regarding your breakthrough. Experience for research is only awarded at this step.
- Note: Some research projects, marked with an asterisk in RESEARCH LIST, are inherently dangerous and may result in sorcerous backlash upon completion.
Symbiosis
1) Start a Symbiosis project - RESEARCH <TYPE> <DURATION>
2) Repeat until complete.
- From this point on you do not need to research again unless you die, cancel your research, or wish to change symbioses.
3) PREPARE SYMBIOSIS to start the metamagic.
4) Successfully cast a spell.
5) See your message about a bonus.
- Note: It is possible to use the Chaos symbiosis without researching it. Every character automatically has access to this as a default. The Chaos symbiosis only increases the difficulty of a spell and does not add any additional effects.
Notes
Things that affect Research
1) Arcana skill - required to learn Research-type options. Fundamental can be researched by everyone. Chaos is free for everyone and does not need to be researched.
2) Feats - Unlock Symbiosis - Each feat is tied to a skillset. Arcana Skill required for each feat.
3) Spells - You need to be able to cast a spell you want to symbiotically enhance with somewhat more than minimum prep when not using the symbiosis or you won't have enough skill to cast the symbiotic version at minimum prep.
Research is not designed for very low-level characters; it is primarily used to extend training for very skilled characters when using spells they can otherwise cap, and to manage attunement costs when training for moderately skilled players.
The three scenarios in which you will find yourself needing to use Research to train are:
1) Your guild does not have a high level spell to train a specific magic skill efficiently
2) You want/need the bonus from a symbiosis.
3) Guarantee of mindlocking a skill.
4) Training sorcery without a spell scroll memorized.
Research Options
| Name | Shorthand | Backlash Chance? | Feat Required | Skill Required | Minutes Needed | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fundamental Research | FUNDAMENTAL | false | 15 | Magic/Arcana experience (50% full to each) | ||
| Augmentation Patterns Research | AUGMENTATION | false | 300 Arcana | 15 | Augment experience (34/34) | |
| Mana Stream Theory | STREAM | false | 300 Arcana | 15 | Attunement Experience (34/34) | |
| Sorcerous Research | SORCERY | true | 250 Arcana | 15 | Sorcery Experience (34/34) | |
| Utility Patterns Research | UTILITY | false | 500 Arcana | 15 | Utility Experience (34/34) | |
| Warding Patterns Research | WARDING | false | 500 Arcana | 15 | Warding Experience (34/34) | |
| High Energy Spellcasting | ENERGY | true | 500 Arcana | 10 | Attunement Experience (34/34) | |
| Mana Field Theory | FIELD | true | 700 Arcana | 15 | Magic, Sorcery, Attunement Experience (17/34 each) | |
| Spell Research | SPELL | true | 1000 Arcana | 20 | Augmentation, Utility, Warding Experience (17/34 each) | |
| Strengthen Symbiosis | SYMBIOSIS STRENGTHEN | false | Physical Matrices | 7.5 | Strength Boost | |
| Endure Symbiosis | SYMBIOSIS ENDURE | false | Physical Matrices | 7.5 | Stamina Boost | |
| Avoid Symbiosis | SYMBIOSIS AVOID | false | Physical Matrices | 7.5 | Reflex Boost | |
| Spring Symbiosis | SYMBIOSIS SPRING | false | Physical Matrices | 7.5 | Agility Boost | |
| Remember Symbiosis | SYMBIOSIS REMEMBER | false | Mental Matrices | 7.5 | Intelligence Boost | |
| Resolve Symbiosis | SYMBIOSIS RESOLVE | false | Mental Matrices | 7.5 | Discipline Boost | |
| Impress Symbiosis | SYMBIOSIS IMPRESS | false | Mental Matrices | 7.5 | Charisma Boost | |
| Discern Symbiosis | SYMBIOSIS DISCERN | false | Mental Matrices | 7.5 | Wisdom Boost | |
| Explore Symbiosis | SYMBIOSIS EXPLORE | false | Survivalist | 7.5 | Athletics Boost | |
| Watch Symbiosis | SYMBIOSIS WATCH | false | Survivalist | 7.5 | Perception Boost | |
| Harvest Symbiosis | SYMBIOSIS HARVEST | false | Survivalist | 7.5 | Skinning Boost | |
| Heal Symbiosis | SYMBIOSIS HEAL | false | Survivalist | 7.5 | First Aid Boost | |
| Learn Symbiosis | SYMBIOSIS LEARN | false | Scholar | 7.5 | Scholarship Boost | |
| Examine Symbiosis | SYMBIOSIS EXAMINE | false | Scholar | 7.5 | Appraisal Boost | |
| Perform Symbiosis | SYMBIOSIS PERFORM | false | Scholar | 7.5 | Performance Boost | |
| Cast Symbiosis | SYMBIOSIS CAST | false | Symbiotic Research | 7.5 | Primary Magic Boost | |
| Harness Symbiosis | SYMBIOSIS HARNESS | false | Symbiotic Research | 7.5 | Harness Boost | |
| Activate Symbiosis | SYMBIOSIS ACTIVATE | false | Symbiotic Research | 7.5 | Arcana Boost |
Other Actions During Research
The following states prevent research from being started:
The following actions interrupt research:
- Attacking or being attacked (you can engage and retreat freely)
- playing an instrument
- making origami
- studying instructions
- preparing a spell
- charging cambrinth or gaethzen
- mining (although you can still prospect)
- Locksmithing in general, both disarming and picking
The following actions can be performed during research (although not all are intentional):
- harnessing mana
- Summoning the the different planes (Summon admittance, etc).
- focusing on magical items
- invoking cambrinth, gaethzen, and runestones
- casting a spell, provided you can manage to prepare it in the first place. E.g. via invoking a runestone.
- releasing mana or spell effects
- teaching or listening to a class
- power-walking
- health-walking
- Empathic healing (provided you don't use spells)
- tending wounds
- climbing including CLIMB PRACTICE
- foraging/collecting
- appraising items
- assessing instruments
- Crafting (so long as you don't need to study instructions)
- smelting metal (but not using an anvil)
The following actions cannot be performed at all during research:
Messaging
Start:
[Research] You tentatively reach out and begin manipulating the mana streams, testing their give and the amount of energy coursing through them.
[Symbiosis] You start to research <option> symbiosis.
Pulse:
[Research] You continue to flex the mana streams.
[Symbiosis] You continue to research <option> symbiosis.
Portion Completion:
You make definite progress in your <option> symbiosis project and decide to take a break. However, there is still more to learn before you arrive at a breakthrough.
Project Completion:
[Research]Breakthrough!You have a novel insight into the nature of spellcasting. While it probably won't make you famous, it will surely come in handy with practical magic.
Prepare:
You recall the exact details of the <option> symbiosis, preparing to integrate it with the next spell you cast.
Spell Cast:
Skill Bonus - Familiar streams of magic blend with the weave of your <spell> spell, and you sense an increase in your knowledge of <skill>.
Stat Bonus - Familiar streams of magic blend with the weave of your Ethereal Shield spell and you feel your <stat> increase.
Preparation Loss:
You pause for a moment as the details of the <option> symbiosis fade from your mind.
Bugs
Bug #1 I deleted lines for clarity.
>research symbiosis activate 300
You require some special means of analyzing the mana streams in order to begin research.
[However, since the spell enabling magical insight into the mana streams isn't written yet, you can still research.]
You start to research Activate symbiosis.
>
You continue to research Strengthen symbiosis.
>
You continue to research Strengthen symbiosis.
>research status
You believe that you're 87% complete with a portion of research about Activate symbiosis. You estimate that you will complete it about a minute from now.
>
You continue to research Strengthen symbiosis.
>
You continue to research Strengthen symbiosis.
>
You make definite progress in your Activate symbiosis project and decide to take a break. However, there is still more to learn before you arrive at a breakthrough.
Notes: This was first research into the project. Second worked as expected.
Bug #2 From Worrclan Forum Post
Symbiosis cast seems to have broken in test, it stops working immediately after being started.
>pre es
Since you're not feeding enough power into the spell pattern to make it coherent, you quickly work your way to the minimum required.
You trace a careful sigil in the air, shaping the pattern of the Ethereal Shield spell.
>pre symb
You feel fully attuned to the mana streams again.
>expe mods
The following skills are currently under the influence of a modifier:
None
>cast
You gesture.
Familiar streams of magic blend with the weave of your Ethereal Shield spell, and you sense an increase in your knowledge of elemental magic.
The ethereal shield surrounding you shimmers slightly.
>expe mods
The following skills are currently under the influence of a modifier:
None
>
You notice a decrease in your knowledge of elemental magic.
>expe mods
The following skills are currently under the influence of a modifier:
None