Cost of Research

Page 44 of the DMG gives a general range of costs for researching new spells (100-1,000 gp per spell level, plus 1,000-10,000 gp for a laboratory). Following is an alternate way to establish research costs.

There are two categories of expenses required for research: the Basic Investment, and the Operational Cost.

The Basic Investment is a one-time expenditure, representing the funds spent to buy the scrolls and books needed, as well as the funds necessary to assemble a suitable laboratory.

The library costs for each spell level are summarized in Table 15. There are two ways a wizard can avoid the Basic Investment for a library.

1. The wizard already has a suitable library of his own (see the Wizard's Library section below).

2. The wizard has access to a large library, such as those existing in major cities or in academies of magic. (The DM decides if a library of acceptable size is available to the wizard).

The Basic Investment for a laboratory is 1,000-6,000 (1d6 x 1000) gp. The DM determines the cost of the laboratory, either by rolling randomly or setting a specific price. As with the library, there are two ways a wizard can avoid paying the Basic Investment for a laboratory:

1. The wizard has purchased a laboratory previously. Once a wizard purchases a lab, it becomes a permanent part of his possessions. He never has to buy another one unless, of course, it blew up in a lab accident or is otherwise destroyed.

2. The wizard has access to a laboratory in a major city or at a magical academy. A city or academy that has a suitable library will usually have a suitable laboratory, but the decision belongs to the DM. The DM might also require the wizard to pay a modest weekly rental fee--say, 20-120 (2d6 x 10) gp--for the use of the lab.

The Operational Cost is an ongoing expense necessary to sustain the research. The Operational Cost must be paid every week and mainly represents the price of additional books, supplies, and scrolls. The weekly Operational Cost is equal to 200-1,200 (2d6 x 100) gp. The DM determines the Operational Cost, either by rolling randomly or choosing a fixed price. There is no way for a wizard to avoid paying the weekly Operational Cost

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