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.
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.
The Freelance Wizard
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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))
