(04-20-2014, 12:38 AM)TheWizard Wrote: White Magic, the arcane art of succor, was developed by the Amdapori as an answer to the imbalance created by the advent of Black Magic, the arcane art of destruction.
"Succor" is the magic of the Elementals. The Elementals gifted their power to the Amdapori to balance the pure destructive force of Black Magic. And for a while it worked. Both magicks brought prosperity to the nations until the War of the Magi.
(04-20-2014, 12:38 AM)TheWizard Wrote: However with time they realized that the world will always need healing so they entrusted the ancient art to the Padjal who were sworn to never abuse it.
Now that, thanks to 2.2, we have confirmation lore about Amdapor and its connection to White Magic, I think its safe to assume the re-gifting of Succor to the Gelmorrans could have a good bit to do with the fact that the Gelmorrans were dangerously close to finding the ruins of Amdapor as it was. Just look at how close Issom-Har was to the Lost City. And after the Gelmorrans were allowed to live above ground, it was only a matter of time before they rediscovered the city.
(04-20-2014, 12:38 AM)TheWizard Wrote: Now many people may wonder how White Magic and Conjury differs, well Conjury uses the Elementals as a proxy and borrows from their power to use the myriad elemental magics you get as a Conjurer. However this binds you to their power and if something went awry they could likely revoke said power and leave you defenseless. White Magic, however, isn't linked directly to the Elementals in any way and just relies on the aether of a mage's surroundings so as long as the land has aether, you can use it.
Conjury was taught to the Gelmorrans by the Moogles a little over 500 years ago. Conjurers, through meditation, draw forth and absorb aether from their immediate surroundings and then channel that aether through a wand or cane made of unworked wood until the desired spell manifests.
It does not use Elementals as a proxy any more than Black or White Magic does. The Elementals are the aether of Nature. So when Conjurers draw upon the aether surrounding them, yes, technically they are drawing aether from the Elementals, but the Elementals do not seem to have any say in the matter. Were this the case and Elementals could flick off magic like a switch, there would be no need to flood the world in 5AE. Likewise, when fighting corrupted Elementals in the ARR CNJ quests, your own mastery over that element is not affected. There are plenty of examples in 1.0 where CNJs stand up against Elementals using Conjury. "Beckon of the Elementals" 1.0 MSQ comes to mind, as well as "The Chorus of Cataclysm" 1.0 WHM quest.
The difference between Conjury and White Magic is, one is Succor, one isn't. Conjury is manipulation of Nature's aether. White Magic is Succor - healing, protection. Conjury was created because the Gelmorrans needed a way to communicate with the Elementals of the Twelveswood to try to negotiate the right to live within the forest. By learning to manipulate Nature, the Gelmorrans learned to hear and understand Nature. With meditation, the Gelmorrans began to hear the call of the Elementals. The Elementals birthed a new race of Man from the wombs of these first select Hearers. So came the Padjal into existence. These natural born Hearers were tasked as mediators between Man and Elemental and were tasked with upholding the Pact of Gelmorra.
(04-20-2014, 12:38 AM)TheWizard Wrote: So how would you become an independent White Mage?
I agree one of the best ways would probably be to find a soulstone in Amdapor. However, having the power of Succor gifted to you is not unheard of. The only stated requirement of a White Mage is someone who is righteous and pure of heart and intention. This just happens to be limited in the game world to the Padjal (because they were born for this very purpose) and your player character who is blessed by Hydaelyn. That doesn't mean there can't be other righteous folk out there.
As for Elementals becoming irate, ARR tells us that the Elementals were considerably weakened by the Calamity and can no longer fend for themselves, much less police Succor. But were they capable, leaving the Twelveswood would not stop them. The Elementals exist everywhere, not just in the Wood.
Here is some interesting text on the subject: