Macho Mandalf's Reappearing Cream Container

Rationale: do I need one for a spell so cool?

Macho Mandalf's Reappearing Cream Container (Illusion/Phantasm)

Level: 2 
Components: V, S, M
Range: 0
Casting Time: 2 segments
Duration: Special
Saving Throw: Negates
Area of Effect: 4" x 3" area

Explanation/Description: When this spell is cast the magic user materialises a small cream container in his grasp. The hypnotic scene of the container skilfully being made to appear and then disappear will cause any creature looking at it to become fascinated and stand gazing at it as long as the spell caster continues to maintain the shifting interplay of hand and container. Note that the spell can captivate a maximum of 24 levels, or hit dice, of creatures, i.e. 24 creatures with 1 hit die each, 12 with 2 hit dice, etc. All creatures affected must be within the area of effect, and each is entitled to a saving throw. The magic-user needs to utter a certain well known phrase for the spell to take effect, and he must gesture appropriately while the spell is active. The material component is a small cream container that is consumed at the expiration of the spell.

So, what did this cost?

Dungeon Masters Guide Page 115, Spell Research                            Reappearing Cream Container

Although a great library of arcana exists in the Minas Mandalf Keep, for this spell the University Library was used for reference. 

Duration of research: 2 Week base (minimum 3)

Chance of Success: 10 base +20 (Int) +17 (level) - 4 (spell level *2) = 43%

Note that according to the above formula, adjusting the chance of success upwards is VERY expensive. A domain would need to be at least an order of magnitude more wealthy to consider such spending.

However, when you consider the conditions under which spell research is possible, the cost in time may well be a bigger loss; if you have the money then finishing the spell research ASAP could indeed be worth it.

Results

Base cost 400 gp per week.

Weekly variable of 200 to 800gp for additional materials. 

Duration of research: 2 Week base (with a minimum of 3)

Macho Mandalf was successful on week 5, and the total expenditure ended up at 5600gp.