Magical research

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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:

  1. Skill boosting symbiosis
  2. Chaos symbiosis
  3. Stat boosting symbiosis
  4. 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:


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> 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.