- What are the factors in learning magic?
Depends on the discipline.
Generally speaking, conjurers have to learn to commune with nature, thaumaturges have to learn how to manipulate and externalize their own aether, and arcanists give form to their spells through geometries.
- Does it require study?
Yes. Although one may be naturally inclined and/or talented, study is the means by which most disciplines of magic in FFXIV learn and improve upon their control and their capabilities.
- Does it require a sort of "attunement" with the magic of the world?
Conjury and White Magic do. Black Magic does to an extent, as they fuel their spells by ripping aether from the land. Arcanima and the ancient arts on which it was based do not, to my understanding, require any sort of "attunement", although the circumstances that make one capable of summoning faeries or egis do.
- What kind of components are involved? IE, Vocal, Somatic, Material, Focus, etc.
Given the nature of Silence through Final Fantasy, it's implied although never outright stated that some form of vocal incantation might be necessary. That said, this is more a game mechanic than narrative, and nothing in the lore definitively indicates that one has to vocalize to cast.
There are, however, some materials required for specific disciplines. Thaumaturges typically construct their rods from bone, using gems for their foci. Conjurers often carry wands or staves, though it's never explicitly said to be required. Arcanists carry quill and parchment with which to ink and thereby depict their geometries.
There are workarounds in most of these cases, but these are the standards by which most disciplines find it easiest to cast.
- Does magic draw energy of some kind from the user?
- Does it vary depending on the kind of magic? If yes, how so?
Thaumaturgy and arcanima draw upon the user's own aether, which arguably doubles as their life energy. Conjury borrows the energy from the land, Black Magic steals the energy from the land, and White Magic draws upon an inexplicable source of energy known as Succor that very few have access to.
EDIT:
- What other obstacles would she have to deal with, and how long would it take for her to learn how to, say, heal a wound or toss a fireball?
Depends on what sort of obstacles you'd like to weave into her story. As for length of time, that'd depend on two factors:
1. How naturally inclined or gifted or talented your character ends up being in a particular discipline.
2. Whether or not they have access to a soul stone. Soul stones are gems that are imprinted with the memories and life experiences of those they once belonged to. They serve as cheat sheets to learning new arts and disciplines, since you can peek into what they knew and/or attune with the soul stone and thereby speed your progress and improvement.
Depends on the discipline.
Generally speaking, conjurers have to learn to commune with nature, thaumaturges have to learn how to manipulate and externalize their own aether, and arcanists give form to their spells through geometries.
- Does it require study?
Yes. Although one may be naturally inclined and/or talented, study is the means by which most disciplines of magic in FFXIV learn and improve upon their control and their capabilities.
- Does it require a sort of "attunement" with the magic of the world?
Conjury and White Magic do. Black Magic does to an extent, as they fuel their spells by ripping aether from the land. Arcanima and the ancient arts on which it was based do not, to my understanding, require any sort of "attunement", although the circumstances that make one capable of summoning faeries or egis do.
- What kind of components are involved? IE, Vocal, Somatic, Material, Focus, etc.
Given the nature of Silence through Final Fantasy, it's implied although never outright stated that some form of vocal incantation might be necessary. That said, this is more a game mechanic than narrative, and nothing in the lore definitively indicates that one has to vocalize to cast.
There are, however, some materials required for specific disciplines. Thaumaturges typically construct their rods from bone, using gems for their foci. Conjurers often carry wands or staves, though it's never explicitly said to be required. Arcanists carry quill and parchment with which to ink and thereby depict their geometries.
There are workarounds in most of these cases, but these are the standards by which most disciplines find it easiest to cast.
- Does magic draw energy of some kind from the user?
- Does it vary depending on the kind of magic? If yes, how so?
Thaumaturgy and arcanima draw upon the user's own aether, which arguably doubles as their life energy. Conjury borrows the energy from the land, Black Magic steals the energy from the land, and White Magic draws upon an inexplicable source of energy known as Succor that very few have access to.
EDIT:
- What other obstacles would she have to deal with, and how long would it take for her to learn how to, say, heal a wound or toss a fireball?
Depends on what sort of obstacles you'd like to weave into her story. As for length of time, that'd depend on two factors:
1. How naturally inclined or gifted or talented your character ends up being in a particular discipline.
2. Whether or not they have access to a soul stone. Soul stones are gems that are imprinted with the memories and life experiences of those they once belonged to. They serve as cheat sheets to learning new arts and disciplines, since you can peek into what they knew and/or attune with the soul stone and thereby speed your progress and improvement.