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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Ry" data-source="post: 1883995" data-attributes="member: 8314">These are just called degrees of power, and while in theory that is a  measurable effect, the terms are relegated to vagaries: "You are near the achievement of the Third Order."  Magical research in my campaign seems to go more along the lines of historical inquiry and philosophical debate, rather than experimentation - when it isn't a matter completely shrouded in mysticism, that is.Remember that there wasn't a serious roadblock to scientific enquiry in the Dark ages; systematic natural philosophy just wasn't seen as a fruitful are of enquiry.  Larger problems for science included a lack of systematicity, and a lack of a scientific community capable of seeing any particular system through.  Obviously economics and technology were aggravating factors, but "doing science" didn't necessarily require either - though results would have been limited pending those developments. Getting back to my campaign, even a movement corresponding to Scholasticism (bible+aristotle+logic) can't get off the ground due to the difficulty in agreeing on what qualifies as a canonical magical work, and the lack of association between the most organized groups (religion) and those with access to subject matter (wizards).  Wizards live in their own towers, corresponding with other wizards, and taking on apprentices.  Each has their own pet metaphysical theories, which their apprentices tend to follow, improve on, or reject.  To a certain degree, this means there are lots of wizardly researchers throughout history that seem like Plato and Aristotle; at least in the sense that their findings follow a particular theme.</blockquote>

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