And to add another wrinkle to this, there's a third specialization, the Arcanists. They use what appears to be symbology and writing to channel magical energy through gemstones, and can summon a familiar (Carbunkle). Since Arcanists don't exist in game yet, we don't know what their magic actually does -- but we do know they branch into a healing (Scholar) and a direct damage (Summoner) Job, and that both are based on summoning, after a fashion.
Regarding mana, Merri hit it right on the head. There's no real specification in lore about what it is, so it's a big grey area where people can have different perspectives. What mana pools tell us, though, is that more powerful spells can be cast less frequently (as they use more MP) and that there's a finite amount of casting that can be done in any particular length of time. More powerful spellcasters can do more casting for larger effects due to their larger mana pools.
EDIT: It occurs to me that I should be a bit more clear. In the above, when I say "mana," I mean "the resource referred to mechanically as MP." We could call it Quintessence, Mana, Resolve, Aether, Inner Strength, Fatigue, etc., but it's basically the "stuff what limits the use of magic."
Regarding mana, Merri hit it right on the head. There's no real specification in lore about what it is, so it's a big grey area where people can have different perspectives. What mana pools tell us, though, is that more powerful spells can be cast less frequently (as they use more MP) and that there's a finite amount of casting that can be done in any particular length of time. More powerful spellcasters can do more casting for larger effects due to their larger mana pools.
EDIT: It occurs to me that I should be a bit more clear. In the above, when I say "mana," I mean "the resource referred to mechanically as MP." We could call it Quintessence, Mana, Resolve, Aether, Inner Strength, Fatigue, etc., but it's basically the "stuff what limits the use of magic."
The Freelance Wizard
Quality RP at low, low prices!
((about me | about L'yhta Mahre | L'yhta's desk | about Mysterium, the Ivory Tower: a heavy RP society of mages))
Quality RP at low, low prices!
((about me | about L'yhta Mahre | L'yhta's desk | about Mysterium, the Ivory Tower: a heavy RP society of mages))
