Browse a book (b) or Peruse a book (P)
Each class has books it can read and books it cannot; except for warriors, who cannot read any books. When this command is used, all of the spells contained in the selected book are displayed, along with information such as their level, the amount of mana required to cast them, and whether or not you know the spell.
Gain new spells (G)
Use this command to actually learn new spells. When you are able to learn new spells, the word “Study” will appear on the status line at the bottom of the screen. If you have a book in your possession, containing spells which you may learn, then you may choose to study that book. Most classes may actually choose which spell to study, but if you are a priest or paladin, your gods will choose a prayer for you. There are five books of each realm, but hybrid classes – paladins, rogues, rangers and blackguards – can only cast from two or three of these. Higher level books are normally found only in the dungeon. This command takes some energy.
Cast a spell (m in both keysets)
To cast a spell, you must have previously learned the spell and must have in your inventory a book from which the spell can be read. Each spell has a chance of failure which starts out fairly large but decreases as you gain levels. If you don’t have enough mana to cast a spell, you will be prompted for confirmation. If you decide to go ahead, the chance of failure is greatly increased, and you may wind up paralyzed for several turns. Since you must read the spell from a book, you cannot be blind or confused while casting, and there must be some light present. This command takes some energy: the higher your level, the less it takes, but the higher the spell level, the more it takes.