(08-09-2014, 01:23 PM)Nakoli Chalahko Wrote: one way to think about why the calamity may have changed things, is that water, wind and earth can be considered more passive elements, to do with structure, healing and change, respectively, compared to ice, fire and lightning which could be considered detructive elements.
While I'm inclined to agree with that notion, when you talk to E-Sumi-Yan he doesn't make that sound the case.
"Mind you, there is more to conjury than that. By harnessing the power of earth, wind, and water, conjurers are also capable of weaving spells that wreak havoc. In terms of sheer destructive power, conjury may pale in comparison to thaumaturgy, but its capacity to defend one against aggression more than compensates for this relative shortcoming."
- E-Sumi-Yan
Even in the Class Quest "Trial By Earth," they do not speak so much of the elements in the capacity for regrowth as they do in their destructive capacity. What they do speak of is Corrupted Elements, which you figure out later on in the storyline are caused by Voidsent creeping into this world. This could either be caused by Ascians or by the Voidgates opened by Black Mages during the War of the Magi way back in the time of Amdapor, as it seems most of the secrets of Amdapor are bursting from the seams as of late.
"How did it feel to confront that embodiment of earth? To endure its onslaught? Has the crushing power of this element shaken the very marrow of your bones?"
-Nolanel "Trial By Earth"
"Corruption occurs when the land's wounds are prevented from healing. In vanquishing the tainted sprite, you permitted the earth's energies to flow unimpeded, and to nourish the land once more."
-Nolanel "Trial By Earth"
This second quote may lend some credence to your point. By removing tainted sprites we're healing and restoring the forest, but I don't necessarily see how limiting our scope of elements is necessary for the task. We are not required to only use Earth when fighting Earth. Nor in the Wind and Water quests are we restricted to those elements. In fact, according to Essences & Permutations, we should be cleansing the Earth with Fire. The heat of Fire turns to ash all that it touches, thus new Earth is born. This is true even in real life. Sometimes you need a forest fire to regrow a forest.
Which, speaking of forest fires, the Twelveswood has had three major ones in the last 20 years. The loss of life was said to be extensive. It seems odd that the post-Calamity conjurers (the Calamity itself being the third of these major forest fires) would not be able to communicate with the Elementals of Fire.
