Just to toss this out here, in several levequests they make reference to killing things as "returning them to the Lifestream." We also know from the Ifrit main scenario quest line that Aether is a magical energy that can be consumed by Primals, at least, and that it's inexorably bound to the health of the world. Much like Mako in FFVII, if enough Aether is ripped from the world by the Primals, the planet will die.
On this basis, I think it's a reasonable conclusion that, metaphysically, Hydaelyn is much like FFVII's Planet. There's a Lifestream that's the source of all life and magic, and its constituent energy is Aether. Think of it like the Force or Quintessence (from Mage: the Ascension) if that clicks better for you.
Living creatures aren't made of Aether per se, but they have Aether running through them and within them, and without that essential Aether, they die. However, there's enough other information available (such as characters' religious beliefs, for instance) that it's not entirely clearly cut.
On this basis, I think it's a reasonable conclusion that, metaphysically, Hydaelyn is much like FFVII's Planet. There's a Lifestream that's the source of all life and magic, and its constituent energy is Aether. Think of it like the Force or Quintessence (from Mage: the Ascension) if that clicks better for you.
Living creatures aren't made of Aether per se, but they have Aether running through them and within them, and without that essential Aether, they die. However, there's enough other information available (such as characters' religious beliefs, for instance) that it's not entirely clearly cut.
The Freelance Wizard
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((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))
