(06-10-2015, 10:19 PM)Sounsyy Wrote:Wow, you're awesome. Like a walking, talking thome of FFXIV lore. I just spent several hours googling this lore between today and yesterday and this is much more helpful.(06-10-2015, 08:13 PM)Scorpio Shirica Wrote:(06-04-2015, 08:53 PM)Sounsyy Wrote: Feel free to ask any lore questions here or can send in PM? Plenty of folk who can help with lore things, myself included. ^^Do you happen to have any sources on how Arcanist magic works, mechanically speaking?Â
i.e. does it always require a Grimoire? Quill with magic ink? Can they speak some mage-math and simply make spells happen if they're really experienced or masterful with certain spells?
Sure do!
Mechanically, Arcanists draw upon their own aether to cast their spells, but rely on arcane symbols, glyphs, and geometric patterns to shape their spell. So the caster provides the fuel, the glyphs provide the magical template, and the ink amplifies the spell based upon the quality of the ink. Special inks made from aetherially-inducting metals such as silver, gold, rosegold, and electrum help easier conduction of energies from the body to the book.
So, in most cases yes, Arcanima requires the grimoire. Theoretically, an experienced Arcanist might be able to trace the glyphs in their head without a book, but without the ink, their spells would likely be considerably weaker or more taxing on the individual. I've also seen some RPers use the headcannon of aetherial ink-based tattoos, where they tattoo the geometries on their skin for a few spells.
As for the Carbuncle, it is an Arcanist-created entity of the same taxonomy as the Elementals, and is considered, like the Fae and Sprites to be a "Lesser Elemental." These are willed into existence using the caster's own aether.
I've spoilered some more lore from other posts below!
Quote:“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.â€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.(03-17-2015, 04:52 PM)Sounsyy Wrote: I think the difference could be that an Arcanist's grimoire isn't just a focus like staves for Thaumaturges and Conjurers, but also an amplifier of their aether. According to the lodestone text on the mediums, it's the actual glyphs and symbols drawn in the book that are the focus for an Arcanist's spells, but it's the quality of the ink in which they are drawn which facilitates easier casting. Where as a Thaumaturge's strength comes from within himself and a Conjurer's strength comes from nature, perhaps an Arcanist's strength is more or less dependent upon the quality of their weapon?
Hope this helps! ^^
I like the idea of Scorpio's Carbunkle being a companion from a younger age. Â He didn't come into his own as a full Arcanist until he received formal training at the Arcanist guild at Limsa Liminsa. If he was studying Arcanist books in his younger years and came across the algorithm for summoning a Carbunkle, then perhaps in his youth he decided to tattoo it on him to be able to call her in his greater times of need?Â
Since it's more based on their own Aether, I suppose on some subconscious level, the event in his youth that caused him enough trauma to require a Carbunkle for self defense would then allow him to use the ink on his flesh combined with a clear picture of the creature that saved him, summon the creature.Â
Since the Grimoire isn't actually the focus, does this mean a powerful quill with more aetherially-inducting metals would mean more to the Arcanist than the book itself?Â
This is all theory of course, but the idea would be Scorpio might keep a quill in his robe to recall maybe one or two spells from memory. However, he wouldn't have the strength to use his own aether for these spells alone and would require the ink to amplify his strength. So maybe it's a warding spell and he quickly pulls out his quill and draws these shapes on the ground to erect a magical wall or shield in great times of need.
