Date: Thu, 19 Jan 1995 19:07:28 -0500 From: leb@miteksys.com (Lars Bernstein) To: Multiple recipients of listSubject: Re: Optional Spell Law
The people I play with, kept wondering how long it takes to learn a spell list, so one day we sat down and tried to address this question.
We use "whole" list acquisition, so you might have to taylor some of these rules/times for single spell acquisition.
There are several premises to the time factors:
1) The more lists you already know, the easier it is to learn another one. 2) Instruction and runes help the learning process. 3) Knowing part of a list helps when learning the rest. 4) The better your stat bonus, the better mage you are, and therefore the quicker you learn spells.
Well, here it is: (comments are welcome)
1. Base time to learn a spell list is 30 days. 2. Time to learn is based on studying 8 hours per day. Increased hours can reduce the number of days. 3. All modifications are considered separately. 4. Time to learn a list is modified by the learner's (Magical Stat Bonus - 10%), i.e. - a Mage with a +20 Empathy bonus would reduce the time needed by 10%. 5. Minimum time is 8 days, regardless of modifications (except for studying more hours per day). MODIFICATIONS FOR # OF LISTS ALREADY KNOWN ------------------------------------------ # of lists known (1) Time Modifier (for next list) 0 x 3 1-3 x 2 1/2 4-8 x 2 9-16 x 1 17-29 x 3/4 30+ x 1/2 MODIFICATIONS FOR TYPE OF LIST ------------------------------ Type Time Modifier Open x 1 1/4 Closed x 1 1/2 Base x 1 Other Base Same Realm x 2 Open Other Realm x 1 1/2 Closed Other Realm x 2 Base Other Realm x 3 MODIFICATIONS FOR TYPE OF INSTRUCTION ----------------------------------- Instruction Time Modifier Tutoring x 3/4 Teacher w/Runes x 3/4 Teacher w/o Runes x 1 Class Instruction x 1 Normal Writings (2) x 3 New Research (3) x 10 OTHER MODIFICATIONS ------------------- Similarity Time Modifier Similar x 1/2 Hybrid x 1 1/2 Extroadinary x 2 Notes: 1 - Number of lists is based on number of list known to 10th level. One way to calculate is to take total number of spells known and divided by ten. 2 - Incomplete writings may increase the time needed. 3 - Number of researchers may reduce the time needed.
Well that's it. I'm sure many may disagree with the time figures, but it seems seem to work out decently.
For instance:
A complete novice in the ways of magic (knows no spells), who is average in ability (+10 Stat Bonus), learning their first open list, Detect Magic, Who has a normal teacher (not personal tutor) without the use of practice runes, will learn the list in:
30 days. base time x3 number of lists know (0) x(1 / 1) stat bonus 1 / (1 + (.10 - .10)) x1.25 open list - same realm x1 teacher w/o runes ------ 112.5 days
Assuming he studies for 8 hours a day 5 days a week, this will be 22.5 weeks or about 5-6 months.
A 15th level Alchemist (knows 25 lists), who has a +25 stat bonus, is trying to learn a base illusionist list from writings (complete) that he has found. This will take him:
30 days. base time x3/4 number of lists know (25) x(1 / 1.15) stat bonus +25 - 10 x2 base list (not his) - same realm x3 normal writings x2 "Extroadinary" spell pick. ------ aprox. 235 days
If he had an illusionist to teach him it would take him 1/3 as long or less. Of course for him to learn Detect Magic from a tutor takes:
30 days. base time x3/4 number of lists know (25) x(1 / 1.15) stat bonus +25 - 10 x1.25 open list - same realm x3/4 Tutor ------ aprox. 18 days
Hope you like it.
Laurence E. Bernstein