Simple but ironic question about gems and casting.

[BigJMoney]

First, allow me to make sure my information is correct. You may only use as many gems on a spell as you have ranks in the path. If I have an N4 mage, he can only use 4 gems on any nature spell. If the spell requires 4 gems, he may not add any extras.

Well, the first gem you use increases your path by 1. Does this affect that rule? In the above example, an N4 mage who uses 1 nature gem becomes an N5 mage temporarily. Does this mean that he actually gets to use 5 gems, total?

I have also been wondering how multiple paths and spells work. If a spell is E1N1 and the caster is E3N3, can he use up to 6 gems, AND are his extra levels for both paths added together?

=$= Big J Money =$=