Empowerment

[Saxon]

The cost of empowerment is based upon the already existing magic skill. I am in the office, so I can not check this quickly, but does the cost get determined by the actual level or the level modified by any items?

As a follow on, does it make sense to hand off any magic items when empowering, then getting them back the next turn. Alternatively, I think that if you have zero skill, the cost of getting level one is higher than the cost of going from one to two. Would it make sense to give someone with zero an item, so as to empower them?

I know, usually one does not empower a commander with zero power, I am just exploring this as a possible issue.

Thanks from someone who is not taking work very seriously on Friday afternoon!