A mage's chance to learn a new spell is determined by his Intelligence (see Characteristics under Character Generation). INT also determines the base time required to learn a new spell. In order to learn a spell, the mage must have the requisite rank with the magical language of the spell, as indicated by the table below.
Spell Type | Minimum Rank to Learn |
GK | 4 |
GKR | 6 |
SK | 8 |
SKR | 10 |
Arcane | 22 |
Bonus for Extra Time
The mage gains a +5 to his chance to learn a spell if he takes triple time to learn (i.e., if it would normally take him 2 hours to learn the spell, he can take 6 hours and gain +5 to his chance of success).
Learning from a Teacher
If the mage is learning the spell from a teacher (someone who already knows the spell) he gains a bonus to his chance to learn equal to the teacher's rank in the spell. The roll is also modified by the teacher's WP. This modifier is equal to (WP - 15) x 2. For example, a mage is learning a spell from Delana, who has a WP of 9 and is rank 5 in the spell. The mage gains a +5 due to Delana's rank but this is modified by -12 due to her low WP for a total modifier of -7.
The bonuses above can be combined.
The base cost to learn from a teacher is (EXP Multiple / 4) x (Rank / 2).
For example, to learn a spell with a 250 multiple, that a teacher knows the spell at rank 8 would cost ((250 / 4) x (8 / 2)) = 250
Automatic Failure
A natural roll of 96-100 indicates failure, regardless of bonuses.
Spell Source
To learn a new spell, the mage must have a source for the spell. The most common sources are scrolls, spell books and teachers. In general, the teacher must be of the same college as the mage he is teaching but some exceptions are allowed. If the spell is generally the same and the magic language is the same, then a teacher can teach a mage of another college. For example, a Transformation Mage can teach a Lay Healer the Strength spell. Both colleges share the same magical language and the spell is generally (though not exactly) the same.
If the mage is using a scroll to try to learn the spell, the scroll is used up in the learning attempt, whether successful or not. However, if the mage rolls critical success to learn the spell, there is a 50% chance that the scroll is not used up. If he rolls grievous success, the mage learned the spell off the scroll without using it up.
If a mage fails to learn a new spell, then he cannot try again with the same source unless his INT improves.
Example:
Darius wants to learn Magic Missile. He has an INT of 21 and Magic Missile has an EXP Multiple of 300. Base time to learn for someone with a 21 INT is Mult/50 so it will take him (300 / 50 = 6) hours base time to learn. His chance to learn is 75%. If Darius takes 18 hours, instead of 6, then his chance improves to 80%. Darius really wants to learn the spell the first time so he finds an E&E mage to teach it to him. The E&E mage is rank 7 with Magic Missile and has a WP of 17. Darius gains a bonus to his chance to learn of 1% per rank of the teacher and a further +2 per point of WP above 15. This improves Darius' chance to 91%.
Optional Spell Source
The GM may allow a mage to learn a new spell without a source. The mage envisions the spell that he wants to learn and spends time thinking about it and experimenting over time. To learn a spell in this manner, the player lets the GM know he wants to learn a specific spell and then spends (EXP Mult / (INT / 2)) days thinking about the spell and occasionally practicing with it. This is not a full time commitment. The mage can do other things during this time, even adventuring. |