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+--- Thread: Can Someone be a Self-Serving White Mage? (/showthread.php?tid=4377)
Can Someone be a Self-Serving White Mage? - Cota Orben - 09-07-2013
The title is sort of self-explanatory, but here's a bit of follow-up information. I've been playing a Lalafell who's an Ala Mhigan (If that's possible, if not he's from Limsa Lominsa) White Mage, who serves as a mercenary with a companion and happens to not have many qualms with taking jobs from the Garlean Empire. The backstory needs some tweaking, but that's the rough idea.Â
I was talking to some people who have differing opinions on the lore. Some say they have no issues with what I'm doing, others say that there's lore that suggests that White Mages are sort of... inherently good, and wouldn't do something as self-serving as mercenary work. They cite the fact that White Mages are apparently chosen to be so by a giant tree of some description; and lore supports this.Â
So, what do -you- guys think? If there is strong lore that outright condemns this, it's no biggie. I can play Scholar and achieve roughly the same result. (Though I am going to want to change this character's magic color-coded eyes, somehow).
RE: Can Someone be a Self-Serving White Mage? - Sigyn Shieldbreaker - 09-07-2013
I'm going to whip out the backstory thing again, here.
White magic, the arcane art of succor, was conceived eras past that the world might know comfort. Alas, man began perverting its powers for self-gain, and by his wickedness brought about the Sixth Umbral catastrophe. Although the art subsequently became forbidden, it is now in the midst of a revival at the hands of the Padjal, chosen of the elementals.
Those who would walk the path of the white mage are healers without peer, possessed of the power to deliver comrades from the direst of afflictions—even the icy grip of death itself
Yes. White magic. Sounds like it was used for evil there for a while.
I thought of using the Light in WoW as having a sort of cleansing effect; over time, even Blood Knights (Blood Elves who ingested the magic and were able to use it against their opponents or for themselves in battle due to their inherent ability to manipulate magic) might eventually become better people instead of wicked people; the way that Fel magic has a tendency to corrupt.
I don't think that White Magic operates the same way. First of all, I'm not sure that any of the races are inherently magical (i.e. have magic naturally coursing through all of their bodies) or feed off of it. Not to say that that's the only way for magic to have an effect on the wielder.
If you have the skills and training or natural affinity for wielding white magic, it looks to me like you could easily wield it for whatever reason -so long as it's serving its purpose-. You probably couldn't tear someone apart with it, but whatever the reason you choose to use your ability, you'll still be healing people right? Money or fame or glory or... vengeance somehow... 'NO! I won't let you die because you're a jerk!'... it shouldn't change your ability to heal and healing shouldn't effect your personality.
I actually love your idea-- the idea of someone capitalizing on their healing abilities sounds realistic, like some doctors not helping people who can't pay-- not that -THAT- is good by any means, but if you're going to be a huge benefit for people then why not reap a bit of finance off it from those who can afford it? Doesn't mean he'd refuse to heal someone who was poor and dying, right? I -will- say, though, that I think working with the Garleans for any reason might not do so good for anyone who wants to walk around the cities. The only viable explanation for it, -maybe- to one's peers, even if it requires lying, would be to say you'd heal anyone who needs it. 'Need' being interchangeable with 'can afford'. I could see some people who know their history and who discover your character -possibly- having good reason for wanting to extinguish that merc. healer off the face of the planet if only because they might not trust the magic in the beginning and certainly don't trust someone who isn't pure of heart to begin with.
* Re-reading that paragraph at the top again, I'm not sure if they tell you in the story quest, but it seems like either people were 'abusing the magic' for immortality or maybe for something else? Sounds like the pursuit of immortality to me but maybe I'm just not 100 percent sure how White Magic works. Regardless, looks like it can be abused and thus, doesn't influence its user.
RE: Can Someone be a Self-Serving White Mage? - Skylar Steelheart - 09-07-2013
I think I will pay attention to this topic, since I hope for my character to eventually be a white mage herself. =^^=
I came across something curious and possibly relevant on the RPC Wiki's timeline a little while ago. If you scroll down to the Fifth Astral Era...
Quote:- Grand Companies come together to prepare for the Sixth Umbral Era.
- Many White Mages abuse their power and the art begins to die out.
I wonder?
RE: Can Someone be a Self-Serving White Mage? - Cota Orben - 09-07-2013
Siobhan, thanks for the input! Definitely seems like it's something that could be done. And, yeah - it's not like he's a complete plutocrat - he heals his mercenary companion all the time, and that's how they actually met.Â
As for the Garlean thing, people have already mentioned that - the idea is that our two characters aren't blatant about it. Hoods and masks when attacking people, and entirely constructed backstories. They started off as Ala Mhigan conscripts, which is why this character can use magic at all.
RE: Can Someone be a Self-Serving White Mage? - Sigyn Shieldbreaker - 09-07-2013
(09-07-2013, 11:29 PM)Devin Farraday Wrote: Siobhan, thanks for the input! Definitely seems like it's something that could be done. And, yeah - it's not like he's a complete plutocrat - he heals his mercenary companion all the time, and that's how they actually met.Â
As for the Garlean thing, people have already mentioned that - the idea is that our two characters aren't blatant about it. Hoods and masks when attacking people, and entirely constructed backstories. They started off as Ala Mhigan conscripts, which is why this character can use magic at all.
Then I say you have your bases covered. Like I said, I like the idea, I genuinely enjoy taking a class and using it differently than what is expected!
RE: Can Someone be a Self-Serving White Mage? - Cota Orben - 09-07-2013
Though I have done some thinking - It's hard to decide between White Mage and Scholar. I've heard that White Mage requires you to be a little bit more focused on the party screen, but Scholar also lacks for offense a bit. I know I can just be both, but at the same time I really don't like how my Lalafell turned out (I gave him one of the lower voices, but it just seems silly, so I'd probably be fine with starting over).
RE: Can Someone be a Self-Serving White Mage? - Sigyn Shieldbreaker - 09-07-2013
I tend to reroll like a fiend. I don't really know much about Scholars-- would you still apply the Merc background to him?
RE: Can Someone be a Self-Serving White Mage? - Cota Orben - 09-07-2013
I would (If Balmung weren't locked out right now - stupid server closures). It seems like it might fit more, but I do like the aesthetic of a White Mage.
RE: Can Someone be a Self-Serving White Mage? - Sigyn Shieldbreaker - 09-07-2013
I like the idea of a White Mage but ultimately, if you think it fits the character better, you should try Scholar! If anything, maybe you can pick up White Mage later if he decides he has the skill and it would benefit him more?
RE: Can Someone be a Self-Serving White Mage? - LiadansWhisper - 09-08-2013
Something to keep in mind...
Apparently White Mages don't just grow on trees. Â In fact, you can't be one without being taught the art and the Padjal have been restricting that teaching to their race for quite some time.
With that in mind, you'd have to have convinced one of them that you were worthy (which would seem to be no small task), and then hidden the fact that you were a completely selfish, self-serving person during the training itself. Â And then if you were to succeed in all of that, you'd still have to consider that the Padjal would be unlikely to be okay with you running around abusing your power. Â It's highly likely they'd send someone (or multiple someones) to prevent you from further abusing it.
So while I'm not saying that it's impossible by any means, I think that for it to be believable, you'd have to take the consequences of such a situation into account, as well.
RE: Can Someone be a Self-Serving White Mage? - Sigyn Shieldbreaker - 09-08-2013
(09-08-2013, 12:01 AM)LiadansWhisper Wrote: Something to keep in mind...
Apparently White Mages don't just grow on trees. Â In fact, you can't be one without being taught the art and the Padjal have been restricting that teaching to their race for quite some time.
With that in mind, you'd have to have convinced one of them that you were worthy (which would seem to be no small task), and then hidden the fact that you were a completely selfish, self-serving person during the training itself. Â And then if you were to succeed in all of that, you'd still have to consider that the Padjal would be unlikely to be okay with you running around abusing your power. Â It's highly likely they'd send someone (or multiple someones) to prevent you from further abusing it.
So while I'm not saying that it's impossible by any means, I think that for it to be believable, you'd have to take the consequences of such a situation into account, as well.
This is true.
Also, this:
After the abuse of magical energies that led to the Sixth Umbral Era, both white and black magic became forbidden arts. The Padjal are children sanctioned by the elementals to conjure at full strength, particularly in favor of white magic. More recently the elementals have allowed Conjurers to use a portion of that power under the guidance of the Padjal, but only a select few ever become White Mages.
Makes me think that even being a White Mage is rather rare. Still, so long as he's not evil and using White Magic for evil purposes, I could see him making a profit from it, so long as he's not neglecting or refusing those in actual need.
He doesn't have to be an evil person, or a particular altruistic person, to dedicate the time and energy to learning the art. He might, perhaps, even be able to excuse his desire to trade his skill for currency if he were a follower of Nald'thal? Not exactly a stretch since I can't think of a god off hand who's a deity of healing/life specifically.
Though, again, this just raises the issue of the number of White Mages or people who RP as White Mages.
RE: Can Someone be a Self-Serving White Mage? - Cota Orben - 09-08-2013
I see, I see.Â
So it might be safer to play as a Scholar, then.
RE: Can Someone be a Self-Serving White Mage? - Remilia Scarlet - 09-08-2013
Normally things can become complicating when your RP story has relations with the game's story.
RE: Can Someone be a Self-Serving White Mage? - Nimarhie - 09-08-2013
How do you abuse white magic to cause the 6th catastrophe? "if you dont bow down and worship me, I'm going to heal you!!"
RE: Can Someone be a Self-Serving White Mage? - Sigyn Shieldbreaker - 09-08-2013
(09-08-2013, 04:31 AM)Remilia Scarlet Wrote: Normally things can become complicating when your RP story has relations with the game's story.
In FFXIV, being a white mage is being a white mage. If you choose to do the profession and choose to connect it to your lore, it's much like deciding you want to join a Grand Company ICly or become a Sultansworn. You, of course, have the option of choosing another, less sparkly path, but everyone has the freedom to choose and if one decides to go with something that has a lore skeleton they need to work within, they should.
The fact that male Miqo'te are rare, like Sin'dorei being rare in Warcraft, certainly didn't slow down many RPers. So White Mages being rare doesn't mean you can't be one, it merely means you need to go through the steps. It's still not as difficult or -exceedingly- rare as making a Padjal character or one of the Circle of Knowing.
It can be 'complicating' in the sense that others might try to drive a point home with you about how they don't approve of the character you've made because it's just so uber super hard to be a White Mage according to lore, but many other people choose to do something simple or not even have any profession/job skills/affiliation whatsoever. Do what you feel is right and for every one super special snowflake there'll be fifty not-so-special snowflakes.
What's confusing for me is the (admittedly rare) occasion where someone -isn't- relating their RP to the game's story. Like... at all. Demon-cats from an alternate universe? *nod* I've seen it happen, long ago in 1.0.
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And I'm not sure what they did. Like I said, I'm thinking immortality. The only other thing I could imagine doing with White Magic is necromancy but I haven't seen any such thing relating to that so I doubt it even exists. I also imagine torturing people to death and rezzing them over and over again until they forfeit. That's a way to abuse dem White Mage powers!