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''This page is about magical research. Follow the link for information about [[Necromantic Research]].''
''This page is about magical research. Follow the link for information about [[Necromantic research]].''
{{Incomplete | Needs research/symbiosis [[Magical research#Messaging|messaging]].}}
{{RTOC}}
{{RTOC}}
There are two types of magical research: Research and Symbiosis. These were introduced as part of [[Magic 3.1]] and use the same base mechanics as [[Appraisal skill#Appraise Focus|{{tt|Appraise Focus}}]]. Therefore, you cannot do appraise focus and magical research at the same time.
==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.<br />


Research projects are completed in portions between 30 and 300 seconds. Each portion is started with: {{com|RESEARCH}} {{tt|<project> <duration>}}. When the sum of all completed portions hits the required time, your project is complete.
These research projects use the same base mechanics as [[Appraisal skill#Appraise Focus|{{tt|Appraise Focus}}]] and so cannot be performed at the same time as an appraise focus project.


The scenarios in which you will find yourself needing to use magical research to train are:
===Basic Research===
*Your guild does not have a high level spell to train a specific magic skill efficiently (e.g. locking a magic takes longer than 15 minutes of chain casting)
1) Cast the [[Gauge Flow]] spell. The potency of the spell will affect time necessary for researching.<br />
*To get the bonus from a symbiosis
2) Start a Research project - RESEARCH <type> <duration> (See the table below for the types of research.)<br />
*To guarantee of mindlocking a skill
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.<br />
*Training the Sorcery skill without memorizing a spell scroll or using runestones
4) When the project completes, you will receive a message regarding your breakthrough. Experience for research is only awarded at this step.<br />
:''Note: Some research projects, marked with an asterisk in {{tt|RESEARCH LIST}}, are inherently dangerous and may result in [[Sorcery#Backlash Effects|sorcerous backlash]] upon completion.


===Symbiosis===
==Research==
Research-type projects rely on the use of the [[Gauge Flow]] spell and give an instant lock of (or split experience among a group of) any magic skill after completion.
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) {{tt|Prepare Symbiosis}} to start the metamagic.<br />
3) Successfully cast a spell.<br />
4) See your message about a bonus.<br />
*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.


#Cast the [[Gauge Flow]] spell. The amount of mana put into the spell will affect time necessary for researching.
==Notes==
#Start a Research project by performing {{com|RESEARCH}} {{tt|<type> <duration>}} (e.g. {{com|RESEARCH}} {{tt|UTILITY 300}}).
''Things that affect Research''<br />
#:Use {{com|RESEARCH}} {{tt|LIST}} or see the table below for the types of 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.<br />
#Continue the Research project by doing {{com|RESEARCH}} <duration> until complete. You can use {{com|RESEARCH}} {{tt|STATUS}} to see how far along you are on your project.
2) Feats - Unlock Symbiosis - Each feat is tied to a skillset. Arcana Skill required for each feat.<br />
#When the project completes, you will receive a message regarding your breakthrough. Experience for research is only awarded upon completion of research.
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.<br />
#:Note: Some research projects, marked with an asterisk in {{com|RESEARCH}} {{tt|LIST}}, are inherently dangerous and may result in [[Sorcery#Backlash Effects|sorcerous backlash]] upon completion.
'''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.''' <br />


==Symbiosis==
The four scenarios in which you will find yourself needing to use Research to train are: <br />
Symbiosis-type projects 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. For example, 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.
1) Your guild does not have a high level spell to train a specific magic skill efficiently<br />
2) You want/need the bonus from a symbiosis.<br />
3) Guarantee of mindlocking a skill. <br />
4) Training sorcery without a spell scroll memorized.
<br />


#Complete a Symbiosis research project using the steps above.
Not all symbiosis are equal with respect to increasing the difficulty of a spell. In order from smallest to largest increase in difficulty:
#*From this point on you do not need to do symbiosis research again unless you die, cancel your research, or wish to change symbioses.
#Skill boosting symbiosis
#{{com|PREPARE}} {{tt|SYMBIOSIS}} to start the metamagic.
#Chaos symbiosis
#Successfully cast a spell.
#Stat boosting symbiosis
#See your message about a bonus.
#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)

Not all symbiosis increase the difficulty of spellcasting equally. In order from smallest to largest increase in difficulty, they are:
*Skill boosting symbiosis
*Chaos symbiosis
*Stat boosting symbiosis (you will not see a + next to the Stat - Prep symbiosis, then prep spell and it boosts the spell when cast)
*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)

''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. This does allow a magic user to cast a spell that would normally be below their current skill level and still learn from it.

==Notes==
*Putting more mana into the [[Gauge Flow]] cast reduces the time needed for a research project, up to 20% at maximum mana.
*[[Arcana skill]] is required to learn Research-type options. Fundamental can be researched by everyone. Chaos is free for everyone and does not need to be researched.
*[[Magical feats]] unlock Symbiosis. Each feat is tied to a skillset. There is an Arcana skill requirement for each feat. Some Feats have pre-requisite Feats.
*You need to be able to cast a spell above minimum prep to use it with a symbiosis, since the symbiosis will increase the difficulty of the spell cast.
*''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.


==Research Options==
==Options==
{|class="wikitable sortable"
{|class="wikitable sortable"
|-
|-
!Name!!Shorthand!!Backlash Chance?!!Feat Required!!Skill Required!!Minutes Needed*!!Result
!Name!!Shorthand!!Backlash Chance?!!Feat Required!!Skill Required (Arcana)!!Minutes Needed*!!Result
|-
|-
|'''Fundamental Research'''||FUNDAMENTAL||false||||||15||Magic/Arcana experience (50% full to each)
|'''Fundamental Research'''||FUNDAMENTAL||false||||60||5||Magic/Arcana experience (17/34 each)
|-
|-
|'''Augmentation Patterns Research'''||AUGMENTATION||false||||250 Arcana||15||Augment experience (34/34)
|'''Mana Stream Theory'''||STREAM||false||||60||5||Attunement Experience (34/34)
|-
|-
|'''Mana Stream Theory'''||STREAM||false||||250 Arcana||15||Attunement Experience (34/34)
|'''Augmentation Patterns Research'''||AUGMENTATION||false||||60||10||Augment experience (34/34)
|-
|-
|'''Sorcerous Research'''||SORCERY||true||||250 Arcana||15||Sorcery Experience (34/34)
|'''Utility Patterns Research'''||UTILITY||false||||60||10||Utility Experience (34/34)
|-
|-
|'''Utility Patterns Research'''||UTILITY||false||||250 Arcana||15||Utility Experience (34/34)
|'''Warding Patterns Research'''||WARDING||false||||60||10||Warding Experience (34/34)
|-
|-
|'''Warding Patterns Research'''||WARDING||false||||250 Arcana||15||Warding Experience (34/34)
|'''Sorcerous Research'''||SORCERY||true||||250||15||Sorcery Experience (34/34)
|-
|-
|'''High Energy Spellcasting'''||ENERGY||true||||500 Arcana||10||Attunement Experience (34/34)
|'''High Energy Spellcasting'''||ENERGY||true||||500||7.5||Attunement Experience (34/34)
|-
|-
|'''Mana Field Theory'''||FIELD||true||||750 Arcana||15||Magic, Sorcery, Attunement Experience (17/34 each)
|'''Mana Field Theory'''||FIELD||true||||750||15||Magic, Sorcery, Attunement Experience (17/34 each)
|-
|-
|'''Spell Research'''||SPELL||true||||1000 Arcana||20||Augmentation, Utility, Warding Experience (17/34 each)
|'''Plane of Probability'''||PLANE|| false |||| ||20|| Astrology Experience (33/34) (24 hr cool down)
|-
|-
|'''Elemental Planes'''||PLANES|| false |||| ||17|| Summoning Experience (34/34) (24 hr cool down)
|'''Strengthen Symbiosis'''||SYMBIOSIS STRENGTHEN||false||Physical Matrices||||7.5||Strength Boost
|-
|-
|'''Spell Research'''||SPELL||true||||1000||20||Augmentation, Utility, Warding Experience (17/34 each)
|'''Endure Symbiosis'''||SYMBIOSIS ENDURE||false||Physical Matrices||||7.5||Stamina Boost
|-
|-
|'''Avoid Symbiosis'''||SYMBIOSIS AVOID||false||Physical Matrices||||7.5||Reflex Boost
|'''Strengthen Symbiosis'''||SYMBIOSIS STRENGTHEN||false||Physical Matrices||300||7.5||[[Boosts::Strength (stat)]] Boost
|-
|-
|'''Spring Symbiosis'''||SYMBIOSIS SPRING||false||Physical Matrices||||7.5||Agility Boost
|'''Endure Symbiosis'''||SYMBIOSIS ENDURE||false||Physical Matrices||||7.5||[[Boosts::Stamina (stat)]] Boost
|-
|-
|'''Remember Symbiosis'''||SYMBIOSIS REMEMBER||false||Mental Matrices||||7.5||Intelligence Boost
|'''Avoid Symbiosis'''||SYMBIOSIS AVOID||false||Physical Matrices||||7.5||[[Boosts::Reflex (stat)]] Boost
|-
|-
|'''Resolve Symbiosis'''||SYMBIOSIS RESOLVE||false||Mental Matrices||||7.5||Discipline Boost
|'''Spring Symbiosis'''||SYMBIOSIS SPRING||false||Physical Matrices||||7.5||[[Boosts::Agility (stat)]] Boost
|-
|-
|'''Impress Symbiosis'''||SYMBIOSIS IMPRESS||false||Mental Matrices||||7.5||Charisma Boost
|'''Remember Symbiosis'''||SYMBIOSIS REMEMBER||false||Mental Matrices||||7.5||[[Boosts::Intelligence (stat)]] Boost
|-
|-
|'''Discern Symbiosis'''||SYMBIOSIS DISCERN||false||Mental Matrices||||7.5||Wisdom Boost
|'''Resolve Symbiosis'''||SYMBIOSIS RESOLVE||false||Mental Matrices||||7.5||[[Boosts::Discipline (stat)]] Boost
|-
|-
|'''Explore Symbiosis'''||SYMBIOSIS EXPLORE||false||Survivalist||||7.5||Athletics Boost
|'''Impress Symbiosis'''||SYMBIOSIS IMPRESS||false||Mental Matrices||||7.5||[[Boosts::Charisma (stat)]] Boost
|-
|-
|'''Watch Symbiosis'''||SYMBIOSIS WATCH||false||Survivalist||||7.5||Perception Boost
|'''Discern Symbiosis'''||SYMBIOSIS DISCERN||false||Mental Matrices||||7.5||[[Boosts::Wisdom (stat)]] Boost
|-
|-
|'''Harvest Symbiosis'''||SYMBIOSIS HARVEST||false||Survivalist||||7.5||Skinning Boost
|'''Explore Symbiosis'''||SYMBIOSIS EXPLORE||false||Survivalist||||7.5||[[Boosts::Athletics skill]] Boost
|-
|-
|'''Heal Symbiosis'''||SYMBIOSIS HEAL||false||Survivalist||||7.5||First Aid Boost
|'''Watch Symbiosis'''||SYMBIOSIS WATCH||false||Survivalist||||7.5||[[Boosts::Perception skill]] Boost
|-
|-
|'''Learn Symbiosis'''||SYMBIOSIS LEARN||false||Scholar||||7.5||Scholarship Boost
|'''Harvest Symbiosis'''||SYMBIOSIS HARVEST||false||Survivalist||||7.5||[[Boosts::Skinning skill]] Boost
|-
|-
|'''Examine Symbiosis'''||SYMBIOSIS EXAMINE||false||Scholar||||7.5||Appraisal Boost
|'''Heal Symbiosis'''||SYMBIOSIS HEAL||false||Survivalist||||7.5||[[Boosts::First Aid skill]] Boost
|-
|-
|'''Perform Symbiosis'''||SYMBIOSIS PERFORM||false||Scholar||||7.5||Performance Boost
|'''Learn Symbiosis'''||SYMBIOSIS LEARN||false||Scholar||||7.5||[[Boosts::Scholarship skill]] Boost
|-
|-
|'''Cast Symbiosis'''||SYMBIOSIS CAST||false||Symbiotic Research||||7.5||Primary Magic Boost
|'''Examine Symbiosis'''||SYMBIOSIS EXAMINE||false||Scholar||||7.5||[[Boosts::Appraisal skill]] Boost
|-
|-
|'''Harness Symbiosis'''||SYMBIOSIS HARNESS||false||Symbiotic Research||||7.5||Harness Boost
|'''Perform Symbiosis'''||SYMBIOSIS PERFORM||false||Scholar||||7.5||[[Boosts::Performance skill]] Boost
|-
|-
|'''Activate Symbiosis'''||SYMBIOSIS ACTIVATE||false||Symbiotic Research||||7.5||Arcana Boost
|'''Cast Symbiosis'''||SYMBIOSIS CAST||false||Symbiotic Research||200||7.5||[[Boosts::Primary Magic skill]] Boost
|-
|'''Harness Symbiosis'''||SYMBIOSIS HARNESS||false||Symbiotic Research||200||7.5||[[Boosts::Attunement skill]] Boost
|-
|'''Activate Symbiosis'''||SYMBIOSIS ACTIVATE||false||Symbiotic Research||200||7.5||[[Boosts::Arcana skill]] Boost
|}
|}
<nowiki>*</nowiki>This is the base time with a minimum mana [[Gauge Flow]]. More mana will reduce the time required.
<nowiki>*</nowiki>This is the base time with a minimum mana [[Gauge Flow]]. More mana will reduce the time required.


==Other Actions During Research==
==Other actions during research==
'''The following states prevent research from being started''':
The following states prevent research from being started:
*having an active [[Appraisal skill#Appraise Focus|appraisal focus]] project
*having an active [[Appraisal skill#Appraise Focus|appraisal focus]] project
*{{com|play}}ing an instrument
*[[Prepare command|preparing]] a spell
*[[Prepare command|preparing]] a spell

<br>
'''The following states will be broken upon starting a research project''':
The following states will be broken upon starting a research project:
*being [[Hide command|hidden]] (N.B.: Invisibility does not break when starting research)
*being [[Hide command|hidden]] (N.B.: Invisibility does not break when starting research)

<br>
'''The following actions interrupt research''':
The following actions interrupt research:
*Attacking or being attacked (you can engage and retreat freely)
*Attacking or being attacked (you can engage and retreat freely)
*The [[Swim command]]
*[[Cast command]]
*[[Hide command|hiding]]
*[[Charge command]]
*[[Play command|playing]] an instrument
*[[Hide command]]
*[[Locksmithing skill|Locksmithing]] in general: both {{com|disarm}}ing and {{com|pick}}ing
*making origami
*[[Study command|studying]] instructions
*[[Mine command]] (although you can still {{com|prospect}})
*{{com|pay}}ing debt
*[[Prepare command|preparing]] a spell
*[[Charge command|charging]] cambrinth or gaethzen
*[[Play command]]
*[[Prepare command]]
*[[Mining|mining]] (although you can still prospect)
*[[Study command]]
*[[Locksmithing]] in general, both disarming and picking
*[[Swim command]]
<br>

'''The following actions can be performed during research (although not all are intentional)''':
The following actions can be performed during research (although not all are intentional):
*maintaining a [[:Category:Cyclic Spells|cyclic spell]]
*maintaining a [[:Category:Cyclic spells|cyclic spell]]
*[[Harness command|harnessing]] mana
*[[Harness command|harnessing]] mana
*[[Summon command|Summoning]] the the different planes (Summon admittance, etc)
*[[Summon command|Summoning]] the different planes ({{com|summon}} {{tt|admittance}}, etc)
*[[Focus command|focusing]] on magical items
*[[Focus command|focusing]] on magical items
*[[Invoke command|invoking]] cambrinth, gaethzen, and runestones
*[[Invoke command|invoking]] cambrinth, gaethzen, and runestones
*[[Cast command|casting]] a spell, provided you can manage to prepare it in the first place. E.g. via invoking a runestone
*[[Release command|releasing]] mana or spell effects
*[[Release command|releasing]] mana or spell effects
*[[Teach command|teaching]] or listening to a class
*[[Teach command|teaching]] or listening to a class
*[[Perceive command|power-walking]]
*[[Perceive command|perceiving]] mana or health
*[[Empathic healing]]: {{com|touch}} and {{com|take}}
*[[Perceive command|health-walking]]
*[[Empathic healing]] (provided you don't use spells)
*[[Tend command|tending]] wounds
*[[Tend command|tending]] wounds
*[[Climb command|climbing]] including {{tt|climb practice}}
*[[Climb command|climbing]], including {{com|climb}} {{tt|practice}}
*[[Hunt command|hunting]]
*Moving through water using cardinal directions (and not using {{tt|swim}})
*Moving through water using cardinal directions (and not using {{com|swim}})
*[[Forage command|foraging]]/[[Collect command|collecting]]
*[[Forage command|foraging]]/[[Collect command|collecting]]
*Braiding grass/vines
*[[Appraise command|appraising]] items
*[[Appraise command|appraising]] items
*[[Assess command|assessing]] instruments
*[[Assess command|assessing]] instruments
*[[Juggle command|juggling]]
*[[Wipe command|wiping]] a wet instrument (and wringing the cloth after)
*Training stats
*Using a [[sanowret crystal]]
*Crafting (so long as you don't need to [[Study command|study]] instructions)
*Crafting (so long as you don't need to [[Study command|study]] instructions)
:*[[Blacksmithing discipline|smelting]] metal (but not using an anvil)
:*[[Blacksmithing discipline#Smelting|smelting]] metal

<br>
'''The following actions cannot be performed at all during research''':
The following actions cannot be performed at all during research:
*starting an [[Appraisal skill#Appraise Focus|appraisal focus]] project
*starting an [[Appraisal skill#Appraise Focus|appraisal focus]] project


== Messaging ==
==Messaging==
'''Start:'''<br />
===Start===
[Research] You tentatively reach out and begin manipulating the mana streams, testing their give and the amount of energy coursing through them.<br />
*[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.<br />
*[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> <Research/symbiosis project> and decide to take a break. However, there is still more to learn before you arrive at a breakthrough.

===Portion Abandonment===
If your project is interrupted (see [[Magical research#Other actions during research|Other actions during research]]), you forfeit all progress made for that research period. For example, if you were researching Warding for 300 seconds and are interrupted 259 seconds in, you lose all progress made during that period. You can also choose abandon a portion with {{com|research}} {{tt|cancel}}.
*Distracted by your devices, you forget what you were researching.
*Distracted by your spellcasting, you forget what you were researching.

===Project Completion (Breakthrough!)===
The following messaging appears when you finish a research project.
*[Augmentation Research] Breakthrough! You have woven an Augmentation pattern that had previously escaped your grasp.
*[Fundamental 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.
*[Stream Research] Breakthrough! The mana streams dance in front of your magical senses and, at least in their present configuration, you understand the nature of their warp and weave.
*[Utility Research]Breakthrough! You have woven a Utility pattern that had previously escaped your grasp.
*[Warding Research] Breakthrough! You have built a ward with previously unknown cleverness and strength.


===Project Degradation===
'''Pulse:'''<br />
If you go too long between research portions, you will forget some of what you have researched.
[Research] You continue to flex the mana streams. <br />
*As time passes, you forget some of the finer points about your project about <research project>.
[Symbiosis] You continue to research <option> symbiosis. <br />


===Project Abandonment===
'''Portion Completion:'''<br />
If too long passes without continuing your research, you will abaondon the project entirely. You can also abandon a project by doing {{com|research}} {{tt|cancel}} while you are not doing portion research.
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.<br />
*You decide to stop researching Fundamental Research.
*You have abandoned your research project entirely.


===Prepare===
'''Project Completion:'''<br />
*[Symbiosis] You recall the exact details of the <option> symbiosis, preparing to integrate it with the next spell you cast.
[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.<br />


===Spell Cast===
'''Prepare:'''<br />
*[Skill Bonus] Familiar streams of magic blend with the weave of your <spell> spell, and you sense an increase in your knowledge of <skill>.
You recall the exact details of the <option> symbiosis, preparing to integrate it with the next spell you cast.
*[Stat Bonus] Familiar streams of magic blend with the weave of your Ethereal Shield spell and you feel your <stat> increase.<br />


===Preparation Loss===
'''Spell Cast:'''<br />
*[Symbiosis] You pause for a moment as the details of the <option> symbiosis fade from your mind.
Skill Bonus - Familiar streams of magic blend with the weave of your <spell> spell, and you sense an increase in your knowledge of <skill>.<br />
Stat Bonus - Familiar streams of magic blend with the weave of your Ethereal Shield spell and you feel your <stat> increase.<br />
'''Preparation Loss:'''<br />
You pause for a moment as the details of the <option> symbiosis fade from your mind.

Revision as of 18:16, 15 July 2019

This page is about magical research. Follow the link for information about Necromantic research.

Incomplete Article
  • This article is incomplete, which means that while it is not a stub, it still lacks certain data or information.
  • [[missing:: Needs research/symbiosis messaging.]]
  • Please see Category:Incomplete articles for more articles that are incomplete.


There are two types of magical research: Research and Symbiosis. These were introduced as part of Magic 3.1 and use the same base mechanics as APPRAISE FOCUS. Therefore, you cannot do appraise focus and magical research at the same time.

Research projects are completed in portions between 30 and 300 seconds. Each portion is started with: RESEARCH <PROJECT> <DURATION>. When the sum of all completed portions hits the required time, your project is complete.

The scenarios in which you will find yourself needing to use magical research to train are:

  • Your guild does not have a high level spell to train a specific magic skill efficiently (e.g. locking a magic takes longer than 15 minutes of chain casting)
  • To get the bonus from a symbiosis
  • To guarantee of mindlocking a skill
  • Training the Sorcery skill without memorizing a spell scroll or using runestones

Research

Research-type projects rely on the use of the Gauge Flow spell and give an instant lock of (or split experience among a group of) any magic skill after completion.

  1. Cast the Gauge Flow spell. The amount of mana put into the spell will affect time necessary for researching.
  2. Start a Research project by performing RESEARCH <TYPE> <DURATION> (e.g. RESEARCH UTILITY 300).
    Use RESEARCH LIST or 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 upon completion of research.
    Note: Some research projects, marked with an asterisk in RESEARCH LIST, are inherently dangerous and may result in sorcerous backlash upon completion.

Symbiosis

Symbiosis-type projects 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. For example, 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.

  1. Complete a Symbiosis research project using the steps above.
    • From this point on you do not need to do symbiosis 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.

Not all symbiosis increase the difficulty of spellcasting equally. In order from smallest to largest increase in difficulty, they are:

  • Skill boosting symbiosis
  • Chaos symbiosis
  • Stat boosting symbiosis (you will not see a + next to the Stat - Prep symbiosis, then prep spell and it boosts the spell when cast)
  • 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)

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. This does allow a magic user to cast a spell that would normally be below their current skill level and still learn from it.

Notes

  • Putting more mana into the Gauge Flow cast reduces the time needed for a research project, up to 20% at maximum mana.
  • Arcana skill is required to learn Research-type options. Fundamental can be researched by everyone. Chaos is free for everyone and does not need to be researched.
  • Magical feats unlock Symbiosis. Each feat is tied to a skillset. There is an Arcana skill requirement for each feat. Some Feats have pre-requisite Feats.
  • You need to be able to cast a spell above minimum prep to use it with a symbiosis, since the symbiosis will increase the difficulty of the spell cast.
  • 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.

Options

Name Shorthand Backlash Chance? Feat Required Skill Required (Arcana) Minutes Needed* Result
Fundamental Research FUNDAMENTAL false 60 5 Magic/Arcana experience (17/34 each)
Mana Stream Theory STREAM false 60 5 Attunement Experience (34/34)
Augmentation Patterns Research AUGMENTATION false 60 10 Augment experience (34/34)
Utility Patterns Research UTILITY false 60 10 Utility Experience (34/34)
Warding Patterns Research WARDING false 60 10 Warding Experience (34/34)
Sorcerous Research SORCERY true 250 15 Sorcery Experience (34/34)
High Energy Spellcasting ENERGY true 500 7.5 Attunement Experience (34/34)
Mana Field Theory FIELD true 750 15 Magic, Sorcery, Attunement Experience (17/34 each)
Plane of Probability PLANE false 20 Astrology Experience (33/34) (24 hr cool down)
Elemental Planes PLANES false 17 Summoning Experience (34/34) (24 hr cool down)
Spell Research SPELL true 1000 20 Augmentation, Utility, Warding Experience (17/34 each)
Strengthen Symbiosis SYMBIOSIS STRENGTHEN false Physical Matrices 300 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 200 7.5 Primary Magic skill Boost
Harness Symbiosis SYMBIOSIS HARNESS false Symbiotic Research 200 7.5 Attunement skill Boost
Activate Symbiosis SYMBIOSIS ACTIVATE false Symbiotic Research 200 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:

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:

The following actions can be performed during research (although not all are intentional):

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> <Research/symbiosis project> and decide to take a break. However, there is still more to learn before you arrive at a breakthrough.

Portion Abandonment

If your project is interrupted (see Other actions during research), you forfeit all progress made for that research period. For example, if you were researching Warding for 300 seconds and are interrupted 259 seconds in, you lose all progress made during that period. You can also choose abandon a portion with RESEARCH CANCEL.

  • Distracted by your devices, you forget what you were researching.
  • Distracted by your spellcasting, you forget what you were researching.

Project Completion (Breakthrough!)

The following messaging appears when you finish a research project.

  • [Augmentation Research] Breakthrough! You have woven an Augmentation pattern that had previously escaped your grasp.
  • [Fundamental 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.
  • [Stream Research] Breakthrough! The mana streams dance in front of your magical senses and, at least in their present configuration, you understand the nature of their warp and weave.
  • [Utility Research]Breakthrough! You have woven a Utility pattern that had previously escaped your grasp.
  • [Warding Research] Breakthrough! You have built a ward with previously unknown cleverness and strength.

Project Degradation

If you go too long between research portions, you will forget some of what you have researched.

  • As time passes, you forget some of the finer points about your project about <research project>.

Project Abandonment

If too long passes without continuing your research, you will abaondon the project entirely. You can also abandon a project by doing RESEARCH CANCEL while you are not doing portion research.

  • You decide to stop researching Fundamental Research.
  • You have abandoned your research project entirely.

Prepare

  • [Symbiosis] 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

  • [Symbiosis] You pause for a moment as the details of the <option> symbiosis fade from your mind.