Magic gems, magic duel and returning

[archaeolept]

confirmed. nothing affects your duel chances other than your base astral level.

The only question, I think, is whether paths lost due to some changeshape count or not... ie if you took an astral 2 dragon, in dragon form it would have zero astral - can it be mind dueled? and, if so, what level of astral does it have? Perhaps there is a similar issue for mute or feeblemind - I think that the level is your current showing one (ie. you have no astral if feebleminded), but I am not sure of this and have not tested.

[LDiCesare]

I don't know about hidden paths (dragon shape...). Could be fun to have an S2 dragon that cannot be targetted by magic duel in dragon shape.
I confirm that the gem use by an S9 mage is 3 pearls/casting.
So 3 * Magic Duel + returning = 11 pearls instead of 5.
(Too bad I could have scripted a fourth duel... Will be for my next target...)