(01-22-2018, 03:39 AM)Kairu Wrote: White Magic does the same thing, right, drawing upon the Lifestream as opposed to using one's internal aether reserves? Are those the only two magic schools that do it that way?
I assume both Scholars and Summoning are similar to their root, Arcanist, in that they use sigils and geometric designs to amplify a small amount of aether into great effect. And if I remember right, Thaumatology does the same thing but via performing a ritual instead of tracing a sigil from a book.
Red Magic, I don't know anything about. And Astrologians seem to use aether drawn from outer space...?
All the schools of magic (except RDM) are explained in Sounsyy's links above. Aetherology -> Schools of Magic.
Yes, White Magic, also known as Succor, does draw its power from the world instead of the caster's aether reserves/anime in a similar manner as Black Magic. As far as we know, they're the only ones that operate that way as it's incredibly dangerous and was literally killing the planet.
Scholars and Summoners actually predate modern Arcanima. By using books with geometries outlined in aether-conductive ink, they cast by effectively flowing aether into those geometric images to cast their spells. This is why we see so many magic circles in their abilities as well.
Thaumaturges cast with their own anima/aether reserves. It's passed from the body to an aether-conductive tool, typically lined with bone or gemstones used as foci.
Red Magic, as I've seen it explained, uses the caster's aether as well, but the spells themselves resemble the older Black and White magic equivalents, minus draining the surrounding aether.