I am 32nd now and have most of my spells (I think the only one I'm missing
is incorporeal for renew bones ..hint hint anyone on Tunare :)
I have never failed at research and I believe my skill is at a 76 now. Im
not maxed out, I spent skill points on jewelcraft and others.
For reseach I do 3 things. One, have as a high intel as possible mine is
164 with my silver rune book. 2nd Have as high wisdom as possible (in the
choice of wisdom or intel I go with wisdom), for thoose that don't know
wisdom is what makes you suceed even if your skill fails. I believe mine is
at 99 after i put on stat jewelry. Last is someone else's hint, sorry dont
know where i got it, but it is to wait one lvl above the spell your attemping
to make .. I made the Vampiric curse (29th spell) at 30 with a skill of 70
and gained one point in skill.

Good luck all
Also I'm sitting on an extra harmshield (20th) lvl spell it is for trade for
the incorporeal word on Tunare server (please dont ask for it I had 2 copies
of this and one was gift to a younger necro so this one will not be :)

Zakrell Lu'Dan