• Knowledge - If you don't understand how a spell works, you're not going to be able to cast it, but if you master it you can bring out its full potential.
  
• School of Magic - I'm sure a Conjurer could make ice and fire if they had elementals aiding them, but they focus on the less destructive elements, so it's harder/impossible for them to do it.
  
• Aether Source and Quantity - Obviously each school draws from a different source, but if you either don't have access to it or don't have enough to draw from, your spells will fail, and reverse the more you have the stronger they become.
  
• Focus/Weapon - This is the one I'm most interested in for now. I know different materials channel different spells better (Bone/metal makes good thaumaturgy tool, wood for conjury, etc.). What I'm wondering is: how does a lower-grade focus influence spells. Does it limit the aether that can be used, or is it just if you try to use more than it can handle, the tool will break and your spell most likely explode in your face?
  

(09-23-2015, 11:56 PM)Wolfeheart Wrote: Aether Source and Quantity:  
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.  However, using aether drawn from yourself is very risky as it's your lifesource.  Use all of your aether and you're dead.  (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.  Conjury is a more spiritual practice, where Arcanima is more scientific.  Each philosophy trains your mind in a different way on how to practice it's form of magic.  The magic spell (or manipulation of aether) would be taught as a "prayer" in conjury, a geometric pattern/formula in arcanima, etc. etc.

(09-24-2015, 08:57 AM)Sylentmana Wrote: It's also important to note that, while some magic can be cast through pure force of will, the majority of spells require actual vocal incantations to be fully realized.

(09-24-2015, 10:14 AM)FreelanceWizard Wrote: Well, we know from mechanics that you need both focus and the ability to speak and move to cast -- since quick movement, injury, Silence, and Paralyze all stop spellcasting. Ruin II is just as disabled when you're Silenced as Fire IV is. Some spells (the Instant ones) just require less focus than others.

Gegenji's given a good summary of things. I will note that arcanists can employ the aether in crystals as well, which factors into the summoning of the Carbuncle, and they can draw aether from the environment (Aetherflow) and opponents (Energy Drain). They're sort of a middle ground, it seems, between the fully internal practice of the thaumaturge and the fully external practice of the conjurer. Aether is aether, though, even if it's coming from different places.

I do need to go back through the AST quest text, though, as I'm pretty sure Leveva at some point says that Gates and constellations are metaphors, much as the Royal Road is, and ultimately you're using your own potential to cast the spells -- but I'm not confident in saying that 100% without rereading the dialogue.

(09-23-2015, 11:04 PM)Glacirus Wrote: Arcanism is all about the formulas and patterns written in the books, and Astrology is tracking the stars and constellations to draw upon the powers from the six gates which is all angles, spheres, geometry, etc. Where as I see Thaumaturgy and Conjury being more free-form, just imagine the spell and it will be done.

Ququruka Wrote:I do not know what came over me. I... Blinded by my own lust for power, I altered one of the incantations. It was... arrogant. And foolish. I watched as chaotic aether washed over my three friends, ripping their bodies asunder.

(09-23-2015, 11:04 PM)Glacirus Wrote: School of Magic - I'm sure a Conjurer could make ice and fire if they had elementals aiding them, but they focus on the less destructive elements, so it's harder/impossible for them to do it.

(09-23-2015, 11:04 PM)Glacirus Wrote: Focus/Weapon - This is the one I'm most interested in for now. I know different materials channel different spells better (Bone/metal makes good thaumaturgy tool, wood for conjury, etc.). What I'm wondering is: how does a lower-grade focus influence spells. Does it limit the aether that can be used, or is it just if you try to use more than it can handle, the tool will break and your spell most likely explode in your face?

Serendipity Wrote:Silver was historically prized for its beauty. Ancient peoples even believed it to possess magical properties. Although they did not completely understand the natural process involved, they were in fact correct. It's difficult to explain to someone without an extensive background in the relevant fields, but let's just say that silver is really, really good at channeling aether.

Serendipity Wrote:Despite being relatively commonplace, malachite is quite sought after, owing to its supposed power to ward off evil. Superstitions notwithstanding, it does indeed have some mild thaumaturgical properties.

Serendipity Wrote:This gemstone is the focal point of the design, both aesthetically and practically speaking. It is what allows a thaumaturge to channel the aetherial energies within.

Serendipity Wrote:Perhaps you're wondering who would prefer a staff with a headpiece of bone over one studded with jewels. Well, the Thaumaturges favor such equipment. Fangs and horns are the weapons of beasts, used to kill and defend. Few materials are better suited than these for channeling the dark arts.

Lodestone Wrote:In the hands of a skilled practitioner, thaumaturgy can be a force of terrifying destruction. At the heart of this school of magic lies the ability to call forth and command the latent aether within oneself through deep introspection.
To then mold that aether into sorcery, the thaumaturge makes use of a scepter or staff, within which is housed a medium—a natural stone imbued with magical properties. Thus armed, the thaumaturge is capable of wreaking considerable havoc via ruinous spells and curses.

Beatin Wrote:The gentle curve of the crook appears natural, as if it was destined to take such a shape. Indeed, your skillful application of growth formula has imbued this cane with new life, giving it the appearance of unworked wood.

Ponette Wrote:To conjurers, our canes are the physical representation of our connection with the living world. They provide a focus for us to channel the forces of nature and weave spells. To possess a cane made of walnut is a dream most conjurers share.

Lodestone Wrote:Conjury calls upon the elements of earth, wind, and water and concentrates them to a potency at which spells can be weaved. Through practiced meditation on the essences of creation, conjurers draw forth and absorb aether from their immediate surroundings. A wand or cane made from unworked wood is then utilized to focus the aether until it manifests as the desired spell. Versed also in magicks that restore and strengthen, conjurers are regarded as accomplished healers.

Anonymous Arcanist Wrote:For an arcanist to weave his spells, he must conjure in his mind the image of distinct mystical diagrams known as arcane geometries. These geometries are inscribed upon the pages of a grimoire, such as the one you constructed at my request. The most important aspect of any grimoire is the quality of the ink used to illustrate its pages. Geometries drawn with ink that is especially conductive to the flow of aether allow the arcanist to more effectively channel his magical strength.

Lodestone Wrote:Adepts of the art of arcanum derive their might from symbols of power born of geometric techniques hailing from across the southern seas. Held within occult grimoires, these symbols lend shape to the arcanist's aether, thereby allowing him to produce myriad powerful spells. Using the selfsame symbols to unlock the latent power contained within gemstones, arcanists are also able to summon forth the familiar known as Carbuncle to carry out their bidding.

(09-24-2015, 10:28 AM)Vyce Wrote: Silence is called silence is every game. I think it's the universal concept of halting magic basedo n the traditional idea that spells must be spoken.

But Silence is more than that. It has more to do with the target's ability to channel magic...like pressing mute during a dramatic part of a movie...the moment loses all its magic. It seems it can halt the flow of aether. Otherwise a dark knight's rage could still manifest and a dragon's fire breath could still spark. Silence even stops the channeling of magics that are based on will alone. Aetherflow is one of those instant, sheer will abilities. Ruin 2 is the point where the Arcanist has mastered the ruin spell to a point where he can summon it at the flick of a finger. No words, just the focus in hand.

Its possible that silence breaks the connection between caster and focus. Imagine how it would feel to suddenly go deaf- suddenly you are cut off from truly experiencing the world and can only watch it unfold around you.

(09-24-2015, 11:29 AM)Devyn Piper Wrote: Focus/Weapon - Agree wholeheartedly with Gegenji on this.  As far as casting with/without, I also RP the ability to cast minor spells without a specific focus, but require the higher end stuff or the more intricate/delicate stuff to need SOME kind of focus.

For example: One of Devyn's friends was about to get into a stupid fight the other day and he used his innate casting ability - no focus - to conjure a fist-sized rock hovering over his hand so he could threaten to bean the first moron to try turning the argument into a physical fight.

For higher end casting, however, he does need a focus.  Being a conjurer these are fairly easy to find in one form or another, and I've RPed being able to use just about any natural wood in a pinch.  Obviously it would be ineffective compared to a specially prepared staff or wand but in an emergency it could mean the difference between life and death.  Is this actually plausible?  I'm curious to know what the game says, but it does mention "unworked wood" somewhere so I thought it made sense that a conjurer, caught without his normal focus, could get a makeshift one out of nearby material.

(02-04-2016, 01:29 AM)Kinono Wrote: Reviving a deadish thread for a related question!

So, magic and foci. Most magic needs foci. If not all. Okay.

So what exactly is happening when a dark knight just flat-out fires aether out of their hand? Because I'm pretty sure that's magic and I'm pretty sure they're not channeling it through their sword. Look at Power Slash and Salted Earth's animations; both skills involve the dark knight pretty much setting aside their weapon to shoot aether straight from their hand. 

So... Is the dark knight simply using the sword as a focus but not using it as a "launch point?"

Or is the small distance shown for skills like Power Slash short enough that you don't "need" focus? Could a fully trained dark knight who has dropped their sword in the heat of battle still shoot aether out of their hands?

Inquiring minds need to know.