I want to preface this that most of my ramblings are inferences and theories based on events occurring in-game.
I think it'd be helpful to define what magic is. Â Which I don't think there is an official definition of what magic is, I'll just say that magic is the manipulation of aether.
I'd like to address some of your bullet points:
Aether Source and Quantity: Â
I'd have to disagree with your statement that each school of magic has different sources of aether.  Aether is aether.  Aether can be found in the world around you, from yourself, or from crystals.  Each has unique advantages and drawbacks. Ambient aether.  Most magic is used from ambient aether.  However, it's not as concentrated or potent. So without special implements (Moenbryda's scepter, Tupsimati, etc.) your spells won't be your average run-of-the-mill adventurer-class spell.
Aether used from yourself is more potent. Â However, using aether drawn from yourself is very risky as it's your lifesource. Â Use all of your aether and you're dead. Â (reference the Conjurer class quests)
Aether from crystals are potent, but limited by how much a crystal can store and the ability to cart around crystals.
School of Magic
Actually, during the initial release of FFXIV, Conjurers could cast damage-dealing spells from the six elements:
http://finalfantasy.wikia.com/wiki/Conju...IV)/Legacy
I see the different schools as more philosophies versus rigid training. Â Conjury is a more spiritual practice, where Arcanima is more scientific. Â Each philosophy trains your mind in a different way on how to practice it's form of magic. Â The magic spell (or manipulation of aether) would be taught as a "prayer" in conjury, a geometric pattern/formula in arcanima, etc. etc.
Focus/Weapon
I don't think there's a lot of information about how foci hold up regarding using magic. Â There's only two instances I can think of: Â 1) Tupsimati exploding when defending against Bahamut's assault during the Battle of Carteneau, and 2) Â E-Sumi-Yan mentioning how he would find it difficult to wield Y'shtola's new staff after certain events in Heavensward.
So, I think it's safe to infer that when too much aether is channeled into a focus, it will explode. Â Our only example though is Tupsimati, and it exploded after defending against an elder primal. Â So, you'd need a -significant- amount of aether to cause a focus to explode. Â Granted, we can probably infer that Tupsimati was a top-of-the-line level of focus.
I hope you find these musings useful. Â I'm very interested in the theory and application of magic in-game, and wish there would be more lore about how magic actually works.
I think it'd be helpful to define what magic is. Â Which I don't think there is an official definition of what magic is, I'll just say that magic is the manipulation of aether.
I'd like to address some of your bullet points:
Aether Source and Quantity: Â
I'd have to disagree with your statement that each school of magic has different sources of aether.  Aether is aether.  Aether can be found in the world around you, from yourself, or from crystals.  Each has unique advantages and drawbacks. Ambient aether.  Most magic is used from ambient aether.  However, it's not as concentrated or potent. So without special implements (Moenbryda's scepter, Tupsimati, etc.) your spells won't be your average run-of-the-mill adventurer-class spell.
Aether used from yourself is more potent. Â However, using aether drawn from yourself is very risky as it's your lifesource. Â Use all of your aether and you're dead. Â (reference the Conjurer class quests)
Aether from crystals are potent, but limited by how much a crystal can store and the ability to cart around crystals.
School of Magic
Actually, during the initial release of FFXIV, Conjurers could cast damage-dealing spells from the six elements:
http://finalfantasy.wikia.com/wiki/Conju...IV)/Legacy
I see the different schools as more philosophies versus rigid training. Â Conjury is a more spiritual practice, where Arcanima is more scientific. Â Each philosophy trains your mind in a different way on how to practice it's form of magic. Â The magic spell (or manipulation of aether) would be taught as a "prayer" in conjury, a geometric pattern/formula in arcanima, etc. etc.
Focus/Weapon
I don't think there's a lot of information about how foci hold up regarding using magic. Â There's only two instances I can think of: Â 1) Tupsimati exploding when defending against Bahamut's assault during the Battle of Carteneau, and 2) Â E-Sumi-Yan mentioning how he would find it difficult to wield Y'shtola's new staff after certain events in Heavensward.
So, I think it's safe to infer that when too much aether is channeled into a focus, it will explode. Â Our only example though is Tupsimati, and it exploded after defending against an elder primal. Â So, you'd need a -significant- amount of aether to cause a focus to explode. Â Granted, we can probably infer that Tupsimati was a top-of-the-line level of focus.
I hope you find these musings useful. Â I'm very interested in the theory and application of magic in-game, and wish there would be more lore about how magic actually works.
