Learning Spells
Aside from the normal process through which a channeling spellcaster learns spells, each tradition gives its followers another unique way of gaining new spells. Each has its pros and cons, and each requires a large amount of time and energy. In any case, a channeling spellcaster can never learn more spells while he is at a given character level than his spellcasting ability score modifier.
For instance, Illeana is a 5th level charismatic channeler with a Charisma of 16 (+3 modifier). While she is 5th level, she can learn up to three new spells (beyond those granted by channeler levels and feats) of any level she can cast. Once she learns her 3rd spell, however, she would need to wait until reaching 6th level to learn any additional spells.
Charismatic Tradition: Experimentation
Charismatic casters love to play with the evergy that is within and around them, leading to frequent experimentation with new spells. This can take the form of anything from random and haphazard combinations of verbal and somatic components in hopes of finding something worthwhile to subtle but methodical variations of the components of one spell until it creates a similar but different effect.
This method of learning spells is quite difficutl and has a greater personal cost than either of the other methods. Learning an additional spell via experimentation requires the expenditure of two days (eight full hours of experimentation per day) per spell level and 100 XP per spell level (one day and 50 CP for 0-level spells). A;ternatively, a charismatic caster may simply experiment while traveling, at meals, during down-time, etc. When experimenting in this manner, the charismatic caster may make the Spellcraft check to learn a new spell after one week of normal activity, even adventuring, per spell level.
Regardless of which method the charismatic caster chooses, all Spellcraft checks made to learn the new spell (see below) have their DC increased by 5. The DM always has the final decision on whether or not a spell can be learned spontaneously, and he may require some quest to be fulfilled before the character can achieve such a breakthrough.
Hermetic Tradition: Study
Ensconced as they are in the trappings of books, scrolls, glyphs, and runes, hermetic casters may learn new spells by finding them in other hermetic casters' lorebooks or on scrolls. Obviously, a spell cannot be learned unless a lorebook or scroll containing the desired spell is available. learning a spell from a scroll destroys the scroll, as the learning process culminates in the successful casting of the spell.
Learning an additional spell through lorebook or scroll study requires an expenditure of two days (eight full hours of study per day) per spell level and 50 XP per spell level (one day and 25 XP for 0-level spells).
Spiritual Tradition: Communion
Spiritual casters believe in the unity of all things and creatures, and as such are able to learn additional spells directly from the minds and spirits of like-minded casters. Working with a teacher in this manner is a very efficient and fairly easy way to learn an additional spell, but requires finding a teacher and getting him to agree to the constant effort required for the transition of knowledge. In some cultures, such as among the elves, this is a fairly minor drawback. In other places, such as in occupied territory, finding a teacher can be both difficult and dangerous.
Learning a spell by communion with another spiritual caster requires one day (eight full hours of communion) per spell level and 50 XP per spell level (one day and 25 XP for 0-level spells).
The Test
At the end of each day of experimentation, study, or communion, the character must make a Spellcraft check (DC 15 + spell level, or DC 20 + spell level for spontaneous learning). Success indicates that the character has made progress and has either learned the spell or may continue his studies the next day. Failure indicates that the character has failed to grasp the necessary techniques and must repeat the day;s work. This does not increast the XP expenditure, though teachers may become quite impatient with a student who repeatedly fails to learn what he is being taught.