Spell pool

A character can learn any existing spell, as long as the spell level is no higher than half the caster level of the character minus 1, thus a level 1 character may learn any level 0 to 1 spell, and a level 3 character may learn any level 0 to 2 spell and so on.

Learning a spell requires an investment of 1 skill points from the character's skill point pool per spell level, and enables the character to cast the spell without the usual -5 penalty.