(03-18-2015, 06:41 PM)Aaron Wrote: - What exactly separates the capability of a black mage from a THM? IC im thinking of Aleria being a "false black mage" because she's gonna get stronger but she won't actually be as strong as a legit blm. No black holes or anything lol just ice.
I'll quote myself from another thread. ^^
(01-01-2015, 02:09 PM)Sounsyy Wrote: Thaumaturgy is believed to be the original form of magic of the 5th Astral Era, close to 3000 years ago. Thaumaturgy draws from the caster's own aether and focuses the spell through a gemstone medium to cast. Over the centuries, Thaumaturgy took a dark turn and became a magic focused upon death. Skilled wielders of the magic were able to do incredible things, such as return people from Thal's realm. When Ul'dah and Sil'dih rose from the ashes of Belah'dia, Thaumaturgy took on the duality of the Traders, Nald'thal, and became the study of life and death. The religious Order of Nald'thal was formed with the belief that by using Thaumaturgy to more deeply understand Death, they might better be able to understand and appreciate Life.
Black Magic, by contrast, is actually a technique, not a true form of Magic. In the early years of the 5th Astral Era, a young Magi named Shatotto wished to further the limitations of Thaumaturgy, but was ultimately unable to perform the magicks she wished to due to her own limited aether supply. So she devised a method to curb the Lifestream and draw upon the aether of the planet instead of her own. This technique was coined "Black Magic" as it killed the land around the caster, but it afforded Shatotto unlimited power and paved the way for the War of the Magi centuries later. By the time the War of the Magi broke out at the end of the 5th Astral Era, Black Magic was capable of many incredible feats - bringing down stars, animating inanimate objects, and tearing holes in our Physical Plane, opening a portal to the Void and drawing forth unimaginable demons upon the world. However, by the end of the War, Black Mages had drained the world entirely of its aether and had nearly killed the planet. Because of this unlimited destructive force, Black Magic was forbidden and strictly outlawed.
(03-18-2015, 06:41 PM)Aaron Wrote: - What type of type do you think this is? Neutral? Chaotic good? Etc.
I can't really speak to character types or how you should RP your character, but Black Magic is a skill that takes years to learn, decades to master, and the only true point of the magic is to have unlimited power source for your spells. And many of Black Mages past have fallen into the trap of the Void seeking even greater, otherworldly powers. Usually ending in their demise. Essentially it is an incredibly long and arduous road to achieving unlimited and forbidden magic - at great personal cost. So usually it's a very megalomaniac type character that would be attracted to the role. If your character isn't seeking unlimited cosmic powers of the universe to reshape the face of entire mountains with a single spell... black magic probably isn't for them. Thaumaturgy is incredibly powerful on its own... it's just using those higher tier spells as a Thaumaturge will takes its toll on your body, while it won't for a black mage.
(03-18-2015, 06:41 PM)Aaron Wrote: - any lore on using a stardust rod IC Â or the BLM ILVL 90 GEAR?
I'm assuming you're referring to the AF1.5 or blue AF robes? Those are imitation artifacts and replicas of the original robes sold by Rowena's crafters and as such should be quite accessible ICly. The same can be said of the Stardust Rods, as it is not one rod but a whole set of "Stardust Rods."
According to lore, one of Shatotto's greatest magical achievement was bringing down a star and using its fragments to create a series of magical staves called the Stardust Rods. Now, collectors have sought after these pieces for hundreds of years and it makes it quite ICly possible to actually own one of these rods as it's never stated exactly how many were created.
Hope this helps! ^^
EDIT: DAMNIT WARREN! LOL
