Inspiration

Inspiration is a mechanic of the Invention skill. Inspiration is used to unlock blueprints of equipment and upgrades in the skill. How optimised the blueprint is during the research process determines how much inspiration is used, with poorly optimised blueprints consuming the most (up to 220% of minimum) and perfectly optimised blueprints consuming the least.

Mechanics
Inspiration can be earned by:
 * Advancing an Invention level
 * Earning experience in any skill (including Invention); a limited amount of inspiration can be earned this way on each level (resets each time an Invention level is advanced and is equal to 50% of the current level's initial inspiration gains)
 * Dismantling a level 10 or higher augmented weapon or armour piece
 * The Inspiration cap every level affects both the inspiration gained by training any skills and the inspiration gained from dismantling a level 10 weapon/armor.

If the player has pending research projects, but not enough inspiration to complete them, upon levelling up they will often receive a large amount of inspiration (enough to complete at least one project).

You can check the amount of inspiration you have by:
 * Clicking "Check inspiration" on the Invention pouch in the Inventory interface, next to the bond pouch
 * Mousing over the Invention pouch
 * Clicking Inventor's Tools on the tool belt
 * Saying the quick chat phrase "I have   inspiration."

Trivia

 * The total amount of xp given for all Inspiration related discoveries is 3,573,297
 * The total amount of inspiration needed to research all blueprints at their ideal costs is 154,520.