(05-18-2017, 03:11 PM)Gegenji Wrote: As for Red Magic, the reason it might not be seen as dangerous or taboo is because it's a relatively unknown thing to the general populace. We know that it is borne of White and Black magic because we have a lore dump on it. Your standard denizen of Hydaelyn might not even realize it - they might think it's just some flashy Thaumaturgy mixed with a little swordplay. So, even if Alisaie is "openly" a RDM, there's no indication that the in-world onlooker would make the connection to what she's doing and two taboo schools of magic.

(05-18-2017, 04:43 PM)Gegenji Wrote: Well, considering they're survivors of a war that ended with the planet basically trying to drown them all to get rid of them... it wouldn't be that big of a stretch that they'd look into ways of using their magic in ways that won't get them discovered or - more importantly - killed. Which could feasibly include making it so their magic doesn't straight kill the planet.

(05-18-2017, 03:03 PM)Vexander Wrote: I'm not entirely sure how much Black Magic and White Magic are considered taboo anymore to be honest.

A Conjurer of Stillglade Fane investigating the rampant use and spread of Black Magic comes to terms that it is not as destruction and corrupting as the Conjurers have been led to believe. He even returns to the Fane intending to let the Warrior of Light continue wielding Black Magic, despite his original mission being to put an end to the use of Black Magic altogether.

Zhai'a Nelhah Wrote:That being said, I am a conjurer. Were I to witness black magic used with ill intent, I would not hesitate to take action. Even if it were you, Lalai, I would hunt you down without mercy. You'd do well to not forget that my order still considers your black magic forbidden.

Encyclopedia Eorzea - Conjurers' Guild Wrote:The Fifth Astral Era saw a blossoming of magic, and grand civilizations arose with command over a thousand and one varieties of the arcane arts. However, after the War of the Magi triggered the Sixth Umbral Calamity, the practice of magic was strictly forbidden. Though much knowledge was lost, some modest magicks, low in risk and easy to wield, have survived to the present day. The Gelmorrans were the heirs to such small spells, and explored the arcane arts as best they could. The mages who first communed with the elementals learned much from the beings, particularly how to harness the forces of nature. From this grew a form of magic in Gridania known as conjury. Practitioners established the Conjurers' Guild, and there instruct Hearers in their spells. From its founding, the guild has worked to prevent the dangerous abuse of magic, and today opens its doors even to adventurers seeking to learn of conjury.

(05-18-2017, 03:15 PM)Vexander Wrote: Sharlayans did teach outsiders the way of Astromancy, the elezen in Ishgard uses that magic, despite not being Sharlayan. There is a faction of Sharlayans known as the Bibliothecs who are fiercely isolationist and strictly against sharing any Sharlayan knowledge, though in particularly through the AST Job Quests, we see them focusing on Astrology. I imagine they hate the Scions incredibly.

That said, they're only a faction, not the dominant force ruling Sharlayan. As per the Lorebook, we know its Louisoix's Son who holds sway in the Forums right now, and his philosophy is that while Sharlayan as a nation will not intervene in the events of history as they unfold, every individual is free to pursue whatever path they wish. This is why the Scions of the Seventh Dawn haven't been dragged back to Old Sharlayan and put on Trial yet, and also why Alisae and Alphinaud were able to come to Eorzea to follow in their grandfather's footsteps.

Levava Wrote:Sevestre─leader of the Bibliothecs─a powerful group of conservative fundamentalists who seek to control the whole of Sharlayan's knowledge. They believe that our people should not become involved in history, only be witness to it. Then analyze it until all the lives lived and lost are but numbers on a page. You may remember Sevestre, Jannequinard, because he was the selfsame man who pushed for old Sharlayan to batten its doors and abandon Eorzea... and used my father's death as his rallying cry. And now I am certain that he had my father killed. Near the end of my father's diary, he mentions being contacted by a young Sevestre, who happened to be a classmate of his when they were both at the Studium. Sevestre, looking to make a name for himself as a politician, warned my father against continuing to disseminate knowledge of Sharlayan astrology in Eorzea. A warning my father, of course, did not heed. Soon after, several attempts were made upon my father's life. When he subsequently looked into the matter, he discovered that there was a price on his head...and that Sevestre had put it there. I discovered a contract signed by the wretch folded in my father's journal. He had planned on revealing it to the Forum on his return... But he never had the chance.

(01-16-2017, 08:25 PM)Sounsyy Wrote: After nearly twenty years since the Bibliothecs rose to political prominence in Sharlayan, it really is hard to say where the political party ends and where their influence does. The lines are very blurred. But we have a few sentiments from Sharlayans that suggest even prior to Rufin's death, that much of the Forum (and Studium) were covetous of certain advanced knowledge and practices. It was likely from this older sentiment that the Bibliothec's party rose with Sevestre at its head, guiding them to radicalism. Rufin's death was merely the necessary catalyst.

Broom Wrote:Prior to the exodus, such knowledge as was conceived here was presented to the Forum, the body of scholars which, for all intents and purposes, rules in the northern motherland. Mistress Matoya was none too fond of them, to put it mildly, for they hindered her research in the name of their so-called laws. Though envy and spite were as often the motive for their actions.

On the other hand, like I mentioned above, Sevestre's extremism and his drive to maintain his political clout (as well as hide his crimes) seems to be the driving force of the assassination attempts. The parts of the Forum not under the influence of the Bibliothecs are more likely to extradite, trial, and imprison the violator over a death sentence.

Celie Wrote:I have grown weary of this masquerade, and I am done with entrusting my fate to this realm's blundering mercenaries. My name is Celie, and I am here to take the Lady Leveva into custody so that she can be transported back to Sharlayan and tried for her crimes.

Levava Wrote:My grandfather knew the Forum would never allow us to come to Ishgard, and that their “contemplation” over the matter was merely a tactic to stall and discourage us. The stars had spoken to my grandfather, and he was not about to turn a deaf ear to them. I kept silent because I did not wish to let the petty politicking of men thousands of malms to the north stand in the way of our dream─our dream to spread the word of Sharlayan astrology.

Levava Wrote:Which means it will not be long before the Forum has heard as well. We Sharlayans may have officially abandoned this realm, but our ears remain. If the Forum deems it so, I could be arrested and imprisoned for “the theft of national resources.”

Though, it's Sevestre's last threat that bugs me. He specifically says they, the Forum, will send others. He doesn't say we will send others, you know, as the leader of the radical Bibliothecs. He doesn't say other Bibliothecs will succeed where he, the leader of the Bibliothes, failed. He implies that when the Forum finds out, it'll be them to act, with or without his involvement.

This makes me believe that, though yes it was originally the Bibliothecs who first poisoned the well with their xenophobia, the poison has successfully spread to a majority of the Forum.

Sevestre Wrote:But know that the Forum is ever listening, ever watching. Should you continue your escapades here in Ishgard, they will find out. And they will send others until they have succeeded where I have...failed.

(05-18-2017, 03:49 PM)Vexander Wrote: I mean, put it this way. If the Sharlayans as a whole were dead-set against using their knowledge to assist other nations, then the Aetheryte Networks would've never been constructed.

Encyclopedia Eorzea - Sharlayan Beliefs Wrote:They also abhor bloodshed, find war barbaric, and would never dream of allowing their wisdom to be used for martial purposes. As such, they guard closely all knowledge they deem dangerous.

Encyclopedia Eorzea pg48 Wrote:Year 902 - Sharlayan signs an agreement with Belah'dia to construct an aetheryte network across Thanalan, leading to the development of the first full-fledged aethernet in Eorzea.

Year 964 - Sasawefu's army employs Sharlayan aetherytes in an ambush on Sasagan's encampments. In retaliation, Sasagan's army destroys an aetheryte while in use, causing nearly eight hundred of Sasawefu's men to vanish without a trace.

Year 965 - Sharlayan orders the temporary suspension of their aethernet in Thanalan until a resolution can be reached in the Belah'dian civil war.

(05-18-2017, 03:15 PM)Vexander Wrote: The above having been said, I was pretty disappointed to learn that Red Mage is coming from Gyr Abania of all places. Considering the Lore Book notes that Sharlayan was founded by survivors of Amdapor and Mhach as well, one would figure it'd be the logical place. Making it Ala Mhigan feels like SE trying to go to the playerbase, "See, Stormblood isn't ALL about Doma! Ala Mhigo is getting a new Job too!"

Encyclopedia Eorzea pg169 Wrote:From within his ship, Nyunkrepf watched with grief as precious lives were snuffed out by the barbarism. Knowing those he had saved would die if they tarried in the region, he and his followers fled as soon as the rains had abated. He led them unto the Dravanian hinterlands, where they built a new ship. Though the seas remained rough and tossed them about, they nevertheless safely reached the isles in the northern seas. Having returned home, Nyunkrepf and the survivors set about building a small settlement. This humble village was to grow into the mighty city of Sharlayan.

The Sixth Umbral Era passed, and the Sixth Astral Era dawned. Nyunkrepf's village had already advanced greatly by the start of this glorious new age, and had expanded enough to rightly be called a city. The citizens of the newly-named Sharlayan had pledged themselves to Nyunkrepf's teachings: to forever renounce war and walk in the light of wisdom and reason.

Encyclopedia Eorzea pg47 Wrote:Year c.10 - The Archon Nyunkrepf leads a group of refugees away from the chaos of the mountains, sailing to an island in the Northern Empty, where they found the village that will later blossom into the city of Sharlayan.

Stormblood Lodestone Wrote:The survivors gathered from near and far, and amongst them were refugees of the sorcerous cities of Mhach and Amdapor. These sworn enemies buried their history for the sake of the future, and cast aside their vestments of black and white. Upon the remnants of their arts a new discipline was built, and the first red mages stepped forward with rapiers in hand to fight back against the rising tides of destruction.

Encyclopedia Eorzea - The Age of Restoration Wrote:Fearing that its continued use might further their woes, the art of magic was widely forbidden. Libraries housing ancient tomes were put to flame, while those who practiced - or were rumored to practice - the art of spellcraft were hunted down and tried as criminals. Many a learned man met the same demise, as the masses had become so incensed they could no longer distinguish the difference between science and sorcery.

Encyclopedia Eorzea - A Litany for Survival Wrote:The survivors were of different races and nations, and soon, they fractured into factions, fighting bitterly over what little resources there were to be had. The feuds continued for many long years. On occasion, one clan would win a string of victories, and grow larger by absorbing their defeated foes into their ranks - only to be encircled by a coalition of the remaining tribes, and hammered back down. Following its victory, the loose alliance would then dissolve for lack of a common enemy. This pattern repeated time and again, and the fray showed no signs of abetting.

Encyclopedia Eorzea pg47 Wrote:Year c.10 - Survivors of the Sixth Umbral Calamity form small communities in Gyr Abania, descending into conflict over the area’s limited resources. Many flee Abalathia entirely as the floodwaters recede.

(05-19-2017, 09:10 AM)Vexander Wrote: Likewise, I'm not sure I believe Sharlayan has White Mages and Black Mages... I mean, there doesn't seem to be a reason that knowledge wouldn't be available to them, and it would help measure up to Minfilia's statements that the Garleans fear Sharlayan's magical might.

Y'shtola Wrote:So we are to eliminate the golems. That should be a simple enough affair. The automata were employed as sentinels, and by design can be unmade with a coded command. At the time of the exodus, it was “Noughts and Crosses,” and I see no reason why it should not still work.

Encyclopedia Eorzea - Bibliotaph Wrote:Following the disappearance of several forbidden tomes on the subject of voidsent summoning... as well as the disappearance of those curators who were tasked with the books' preservation, the Great Gubal Library's mages concluded that the safest, most efficient manner to safeguard works bound to the void is to employ energies of the void itself. Bibliotaphs were created to serve as vessels for voidsent middling rank who, in return for being allowed ingress to the realm of man, would serve the library as guardians of their most dangerous collection.

(05-19-2017, 09:10 AM)Vexander Wrote: That said, I have a hard time believing a nation of Scholars, Academics, and Mages would not have something up their sleeves to defend themselves if someone launched a war on them. Red Mage seems like it would've been the ideal job Sharlayan devised to protect itself from foreign threats.

Encyclopedia Eorzea - Automaton Wrote:Outspoken purveyors of harmony, the Sharlayan shunned nearly all endeavors and advancements concerning the propagation of war. The city-state did, however, recognize the need for protection from those who did not share their love of peace, and thus begrudgingly allowed for the development of magicked automatons which would serve as ersatz soldiers designed to fight in the Sharlayans' stead.

Encyclopedia Eorzea - Centuar Wrote:These suits of hollow armor designed after the mythical half-man, half-horse warriors of legend most often served their Sharlayan creators as sentries in places of government. The enchanted creatures would sit motionless, apppearing as naught more than a lavish decoration, until an intruder was detected in their presence, at which time the centuars would come to life and impale their quarry from behind with their impressive halberds.

(05-19-2017, 01:01 PM)Sounsyy Wrote: Sharlayan has taken the golem magicks perfected by the Amdaporian White Mages and not only employed it in their defenses, but built upon it develop Quickening magic to imbue other inanimate objects and simple creatures with sentience and magical ability.

...

This is where Sharlayan's automaton servitors come in. In the Encyclopedia's beastiary it says the clockwork magi we fight in the Antitower were originally created to serve as Sharlayan's standing army should the need ever arise. Lore on the centuar statues shows more evidence of the Sharlayans employing Amdaporian golem magicks to animate stone for their defenses.