I'm not that slow.

I like all of those, assuming the second is MoM style bonuses and not a massive research center that takes over as the primary research function.  The channeler should definitely be the main man when it comes to researching his own spells.  After all, if he's the only magic wielding titan, he's the only one that can figure out what titanic things he can do with his magic.

Bullets are for losers?

I like. However, I have to disagree with Psychoak on his assertion that research centres should not eclipse the channeler's power. Instead, I fell that they should become the main source of spell income for Sauron people, BUT spell research ability should increase with the amount of essence you have stored: learning the intuitive ways of magic and all that. This will, in my opinion, balance out the Gandalfs and the Saurons better than ineffective imps.

Guess it all depends on how the devs (and modders) code the thing. Since the engine is going to be moddable to some degree, if it's not possible @ the start, someone will make it possible. Which reminds me: I'm assuming that sort of thing is already layed out at this point, but would it be too much to ask for a universal cross-file tag system that will allow us to set the internal name of any "object" be it tech, spell, or building as the requirement or unlockable of any other object?

I have not had the chance to play MoM, but what you are saying makes sense. Balance is elusive, but I think that we have it here.

Oh, obviously.  I build a small library and I suddenly have more spell knowledge than the Great Arctherus?! Not a good idea.

I put in the essence mechanic because there has to be some way for the Gandalf channeler to get more research ability that the Sauron channeler cannot easily replecate. If you are spending it all on cities and stuff, it won't be around to make you better with spells.

Oh. I thought it was still being sold for cash...... thanks for the link!

heh, I thought of  a funny item (related to this)   

item:

specticles (or bifocals, or something similar):   increases research by channeler by +5%

It would be nice if you could upgrade the research of your channeler as well as cities.   I imagine that cities ultimatly are going to be your main resource and income source no matter what you do, but a very powerful channeler should be able to at least be comparable.   He could also have improvements that directly relate to the city he is in, at which point I'm not sure who would be credited for the research (say he has the "traveled scholar" trait, and he gets a bonus for every library with a connected trade network with the town where he resides.)

Perzactly. I really want to see how big a part of the game quests are (I'm guessing it will be a variable in map setup). Becoming a master explorer should be able to help a channeler who does not want much (any?) territory 'keep up with the city folks' so to speak.