Here's an idea. What if you cast a spell to unlock a new spellbook? I don't know if spells can unlock new techs->spellbooks, but it would certainly be worth a test. Then you'd have to spend arcane research on the new book, then cast a spell to "bind" it or whatever.

OK, I've done the following:

1) Created a new spell list (CoreSpells_Tomes)

2) Created a new spell to learn (KnowledgeMobility).

3) Successfully learned KnowledgeMobility via the Spellbook interface

4) Cast KnowledgeMobility.

Isn't working so far, but...

Edit: I saw my mistake!  I copied something off of the forums here, and forgot to remove the line #'s... silly me!

Result: Success!!!!

I have successfully 'learned' the Mobility Spell list using this method!

Now if I could only figure out how to remove the KnowledgeMobility spell from the spellbook interface once it is cast, and the list is learned...

Yeah, that is no problem. Although the Sov will ignore the limit, unless you change the elementaldef.

Remove the "books" and incorporate a research queue similar to MoM. If an actual "book" is found (quest or NPC bringing it to you), it can give you spells for free and speed up the research process.

Have only Channelers stationed in a mage tower earn research points. That Channeler can be your Sovereign or an Imbued NPC Wizard or Loremaster. Keep the trait that grants Sovereigns research points where ever they are.

You are a sic, sic man Heavenfall!  Glad you are here to promote thinking outside the box!

Seriously, though, that looks interesting.  Trying now!

Edit: Umm, Success? Sorta...

The Cooldown time of 1294967295 looks kinda funky but that does gray out the Combat Spells icon at least!

Kenata deserves thanks as well, then.

I'm kinda liking my 'weak training spell' idea.  Tinkering with that now. 

Other than bumping the Int requirement through the roof, is there a 'Sovereign Only' tag for spells? No sense cluttering the Champion spell cues if I don't need to...

Also, where is this spell list?

<StartingSpellbook>BasicSpellbook</StartingSpellbook>

I've been looking for it.

Next question.  I'm looking for a check tag (similar to prereq) that will not allow a list to appear if you already have it.  I just restored Mobility to my Sov, and I'm still able to learn Mobility again via my 'hack'.

So, something like

<Prereq>

<Type>Tech</Type>

<Attribute>No_MobilitySpellBook</Attribute>

</Prereq>

I'm looking at the Condition tag as well.  Not sure if that's the way to go instead:

            <PrereqConditionDef InternalName="No_MobilitySpellbook">
                <Description>No Mobility Spellbook</Description>
                <Class>Success</Class>
                <Type>CheckForTech</Type>
                <TextData>MobilitySpellBook</TextData>
                <NumericData>0</NumericData>
            </PrereqConditionDef>

You get the idea.  How to do this... anyone know?

If this doesn't work, I'm thinking instead of 'purchasing' 25 Arcane knowledge points for 5 Sov Points, instead of selecting the lists directly... you'd then choose the lists on your first turn ingame. 

Or, I could make my KnowledgeMobility spell Available for Sovereign Creation for 5 points... trying this now... still want to know how to do the above though!

Thanks Heavenfall!

I've already tried <Is Available for Sovereign Customization> to get the 'Spell' (the one that grants the Tech) to appear in Sovereign creation.  Unfortunately, no dice.

Currently, I'm debating methods to remove spell list choice from Sov creation entirely, but compensating by allowing Players to choose spells (and spell lists) right out of the gate. The way I have this set up now, though, there is still a 'subspell' you learn along with the list, so you still get a small benefit from researching the spell (you can't learn the cantrip otherwise).  So leaving the four lists in Sov Creation is certainly not a problem.  I just don't like the 'less bang for the buck' idea without a balancer in place.

Bracers of Mobility Learning sound kinda cheezy though...

I briefly thought about tackling the interface files, but I don't have the necessary program, and looking over other modders' efforts, it's not simply drop files into Mod folder and Voila.  Plus, if these files aren't done the right way they can break your Elemental (especially if you forgot to back up the existing ones), so not a good idea.  I'll leave this to the professionals.

It sounds like removing spells from techs has some definite interest though, so maybe eventually Stardock will do this for us.  In the meantime, I'm still plugging away at this.  It's become more of a top down 'redesign' though.  Specifically: weapons tech advancement changing, plus my Spell Lists learning function, plus reorganization of the tech tree, plus a tweak of weapons and armor, not to mention fixing this so that most of the ingame units drawing off of the corestats.xml file.  The last one allows players who want to experiment with higher or lower attack/defense/hp/etc. values the opportunity to do so.

I was designing buildings earlier...