Book: Applied Advanced Phasic Theory in Mechanical Automatons by Caseulli

Applied Advanced Phasic Theory in Mechanical Automatons: Not the actual title, as it is more of a description of the book’s contents.
This unnamed book is an original manuscript and looks to largely be the life’s work of a wizard by going by the title of Grand Artificer Casuelli D’par.
The book takes a lot for granted in that a basic knowledge of mechanical engineering, metallurgy, applied steam and electrical engineering, advanced mathematics, and magical theory is already present. (Again, this is a workbook of the artificer, not for others to read.)
As such, in those areas, a lot of background information is missing.
Basic requirements to use the book:

Intelligence of 17 or higher
Knowledge: Arcana – 5 ranks
Knowledge: Engineering – 8 ranks
Knowledge: Planes – 2 ranks
Knowledge: Nature – 2 ranks
Lore: Mathematics – 8 ranks
Profession: Blacksmith/Metal Smith – 8 ranks
A lab worth at least 15,000 gold pieces for experimentation

Where the book begins picking up is information on combining the above items in the formation of mechanical automatons.
From there it goes into a lot of the math and theory behind allowing items to phase into and out of reality.
It has some discussions just what happens when an item phases. Initially, the experimentation speaks of the idea that the item is just out of phase with the current reality, like layers of cake.
Then, later on, Caseulli seems convinced that phasing actually allows for travel to other worlds if an item phases far enough.
Overall, most of the book is dedicated to the properties of phasing and the means it can be accomplished.

It takes a minimum of 240 hours of study to work through. The number of hours is reduced by 10 hours per intelligence bonus. An intelligence bonus of +4 would reduce it to a study time of 200 hours.

A major takeaway that a reader will come away with is that magic is limited and weak in Casuelli’s world, as it takes considerable effort and power to create even minor magical effects.
As such, the reader will determine that much of what he covers could actually be accomplished by a normal high-level caster with sufficient time and study.
Finishing the book grants the following bonuses, making it possibly worthwhile to study.

Knowledge: Arcana - +1 rank
Knowledge: Engineering - +2 ranks
Knowledge: Planes - +2 ranks
Lore: Mathematics - +2 ranks
Lore: Robotics/Steam Powered - +3 ranks
Profession: Blacksmith/Metal Smith - +2 ranks

The difference seems to be more in the actual permanency of granting the ability to phase to automatons. Much of the process is physical and natural with little in the way of a magical component except for when the actual phase takes place. And then the magic is summoned, not stored – this means the automaton is not magical in and of itself, just as a mage or wizard is not magical in and of themselves. This is a new concept. Unfortunately, again the book assumes some of this knowledge already and as such these processes will need to be recreated by experimentation.
Once all conditions are met and the book is mastered, the reader will have the ability to include in all made constructs the following features. Each of these items takes roughly 20 hours to craft per 1000 gp.

The ability to phase to other realities (generator is roughly 10,000 gp at size medium, 25 lbs. at size medium)
The ability to phase out of sync with current reality (generator is roughly 3000 gp at size medium, 5 lbs. at size medium)
The ability to generate a regenerative force shield around the construct (generator is roughly 2000 gp at size medium for 10 points of absorption ability, 5 lbs at size medium)

Among other things, the reader will also be able to design the beginnings of a dimensional gyroscope which will allow for accurate location within the planes. This appears to be what Casuelli was currently working on. He was close to perfecting this device.

Significance

Magnum Opus of the Grand Artificer Casuelli D’par

Rarity

1 of a kind

Weight

8 lbs

Dimensions

16 in tall x 9 in wide x 4 in thick

Base Price

priceless