Hello, I was wondering if it is possible to start the mod without the player traveling to the nether themselves. I use Hearth Well in a pack I am working on, and it disables some of the functionality of the nether portal. Players do not actually enter the nether, but can toss an item in to have it transformed into another item. You may want to add in a cross mod compatibility where a book gets tossed through the nether portal and the beginning book is given back.

Hey there, right now you need to get back from the Nether to actually unlock the first research (you can craft the book without going to the Nether if you have the required materials, but you won't be able to actually start the mod (barring the use of commands)).
However, you do make a valid point. I'll probably make it so that simply crafting the book also unlocks the first research. I'll keep that in mind for the next update (which, unfortunately, is a long way away.. I'll come back and close this issue when the time comes).