(06-11-2015, 12:19 PM)Yangh Wrote: I also wonder if each 'Fist' stance is a result of moving the aether from one place or another. Earth being full body for defense, Wind being primarily legs and Fire being anywhere that would make contact with their foe such as the fists and feet.
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Melkire, Nako, and I are actually having quite the debate on the matter, and it seems the big difference is between internal and external expression of aetheric energy. THMs/ACNs take their internal aether and translate it into external expression through the use of an external focus. MNKs take their internal aether and translate it into internal expression through use of an internal focus - their Chakra.
The big question is if they are continually using the latent surrounding aetheric energies (like BLM), or if they only use the aforementioned "fight-aspected" aether to open their Chakra and make them into that internal focus. After which, the MNK merely draws on their own internal aetheric wellsprings, passing them through the Chakra to refine them into the purpose needed.
Nako, however, has made a valid point that the MNK doesn't seem to need to actually focus on a specific Chakra in order to perform their feats. Their aether simply goes where it's needed to bolster what is needed, so using the term "focus" to describe a Chakra may be a misnomer. Perhaps the Chakra is more like personal overclocking - using the aether from the battlefields to allow your aether to travel faster and more efficiently to perform what you need of it. And the opening of more Chakra results in a more efficient flow.
Or something.
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