Humanoid Pretenders are too expensive

[Taqwus]

I could see the Great Sage always researching while on the go, although probably at a reduced rate. That makes more sense to me than a nationwide research bonus, which would be worth a lot (think mega-magic scale, without the MR or reduced fatigue).

If pretenders could come with certain 'favorite' spells already researched, that might also be thematic.