Magical research
This page is about magical research. Follow the link for information about Necromantic 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.
These research projects use the same base mechanics as APPRAISE FOCUS and so cannot be performed at the same time as an appraise focus project.
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) Complete a Symbiosis research project using the steps above.
- From this point on you do not need to research again unless you die, cancel your research, or wish to change symbioses.
2) PREPARE SYMBIOSIS to start the metamagic.
3) Successfully cast a spell.
4) 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 four 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.
Not all symbiosis are equal with respect to increasing the difficulty of a spell. In order from smallest to largest increase in difficulty:
- Skill boosting symbiosis
- Chaos symbiosis
- Stat boosting symbiosis
- Warding symbiosis (unreleased - the most recent proposal is that symbiotically cast spells will grant the caster/target a ward effect in addition to the spell's normal effects)
Research Options
| Name | Shorthand | Backlash Chance? | Feat Required | Skill Required | Minutes Needed* | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fundamental Research | FUNDAMENTAL | false | 60 Arcana | 15 | Magic/Arcana experience (50% full to each) | |
| Augmentation Patterns Research | AUGMENTATION | false | 60 Arcana | 15 | Augment experience (34/34) | |
| Mana Stream Theory | STREAM | false | 60 Arcana | 15 | Attunement Experience (34/34) | |
| Sorcerous Research | SORCERY | true | 250 Arcana | 15 | Sorcery Experience (34/34) | |
| Utility Patterns Research | UTILITY | false | 60 Arcana | 15 | Utility Experience (34/34) | |
| Warding Patterns Research | WARDING | false | 60 Arcana | 15 | Warding Experience (34/34) | |
| High Energy Spellcasting | ENERGY | true | 500 Arcana | 10 | Attunement Experience (34/34) | |
| Mana Field Theory | FIELD | true | 750 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 | 300 arcana | 7.5 | Strength (stat) Boost |
| Endure Symbiosis | SYMBIOSIS ENDURE | false | Physical Matrices | 7.5 | Stamina (stat) Boost | |
| Avoid Symbiosis | SYMBIOSIS AVOID | false | Physical Matrices | 7.5 | Reflex (stat) Boost | |
| Spring Symbiosis | SYMBIOSIS SPRING | false | Physical Matrices | 7.5 | Agility (stat) Boost | |
| Remember Symbiosis | SYMBIOSIS REMEMBER | false | Mental Matrices | 7.5 | Intelligence (stat) Boost | |
| Resolve Symbiosis | SYMBIOSIS RESOLVE | false | Mental Matrices | 7.5 | Discipline (stat) Boost | |
| Impress Symbiosis | SYMBIOSIS IMPRESS | false | Mental Matrices | 7.5 | Charisma (stat) Boost | |
| Discern Symbiosis | SYMBIOSIS DISCERN | false | Mental Matrices | 7.5 | Wisdom (stat) Boost | |
| Explore Symbiosis | SYMBIOSIS EXPLORE | false | Survivalist | 7.5 | Athletics skill Boost | |
| Watch Symbiosis | SYMBIOSIS WATCH | false | Survivalist | 7.5 | Perception skill Boost | |
| Harvest Symbiosis | SYMBIOSIS HARVEST | false | Survivalist | 7.5 | Skinning skill Boost | |
| Heal Symbiosis | SYMBIOSIS HEAL | false | Survivalist | 7.5 | First Aid skill Boost | |
| Learn Symbiosis | SYMBIOSIS LEARN | false | Scholar | 7.5 | Scholarship skill Boost | |
| Examine Symbiosis | SYMBIOSIS EXAMINE | false | Scholar | 7.5 | Appraisal skill Boost | |
| Perform Symbiosis | SYMBIOSIS PERFORM | false | Scholar | 7.5 | Performance skill Boost | |
| Cast Symbiosis | SYMBIOSIS CAST | false | Symbiotic Research | 7.5 | Primary Magic skill Boost | |
| Harness Symbiosis | SYMBIOSIS HARNESS | false | Symbiotic Research | 7.5 | Attunement skill Boost | |
| Activate Symbiosis | SYMBIOSIS ACTIVATE | false | Symbiotic Research | 7.5 | Arcana skill Boost |
*This is the base time with a minimum mana Gauge Flow. More mana will reduce the time required.
Other Actions During Research
The following states prevent research from being started:
- having an active appraisal focus project
- preparing a spell
The following states will be broken upon starting a research project:
- being hidden (N.B.: Invisibility does not break when starting research)
The following actions interrupt research:
- Attacking or being attacked (you can engage and retreat freely)
- The Swim command
- hiding
- 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
- paying debt (not sure why though)
The following actions can be performed during research (although not all are intentional):
- maintaining a cyclic spell
- harnessing mana
- Summoning 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
- Moving through water using cardinal directions (and not using SWIM)
- foraging/collecting
- Braiding grass/vines
- appraising items
- assessing instruments
- juggling
- wiping a wet instrument (and wringing the cloth after)
- Training stats
- Crafting (so long as you don't need to study instructions)
- smelting metal
The following actions cannot be performed at all during research:
- starting an appraisal focus project
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.