(12-31-2015, 11:24 PM)Yazi Wrote: 1) How does Arcanist magic work? I know that they use mathematical equations related to the arrangement of different symbols and whatnot to cast spells (like badass geometry?), but do they have to carve the symbols onto something? Do they have to touch a diagram with their palm? Do they have to say something related to the diagram? Or do they just have to… I dunno, look at the diagram?
Thubyrgeim Wrote:The roots of arcanima can be traced back to the esoteric calculations practiced by the people of the south sea isles. It was their efforts to express the nature of aether in mathematical terms that gave rise to the exacting science that we practice today. These definitive formalas are represented by "arcane geometries"--patterns that allow arcanists to manipulate aetheric energy and produce specific effects. The ability to shape this energy also allow practitioners to manifest arcane entities known collectively as "Carbuncle." This is perhaps the most defining power attributed to the art of arcanima.
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.
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.
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(12-31-2015, 11:24 PM)Yazi Wrote: 2) What purpose does the grimoire actually serve? Is it just a handicap, so they can have a visual of the symbols to help them? I.e., can they cast without the grimoire, and it’s just more difficult?
Theoretically, an Arcanist could cast without the grimoire, but their spell would be incredibly weak. The grimoire acts as both a focus and an amplifier for their magic. The glyphs drawn in the book lend shape to the spell, but its the ink in which they are drawn that channels the aether more effectively. Certain metals (gold, silver, electrum) are prized for their aether-conductive qualities. The better quality the ink, the easier aether is channeled through the grimoire. Without the book the Arcanist can neither visualize the desired symbol nor have a focus to channel his/her magic through, effectively crippling their spell potency.
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.
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.
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(12-31-2015, 11:24 PM)Yazi Wrote: 3) Speaking of carving symbols into things, I read to summon carbuncle they have to carve the summoning symbols into a crystal. Is this necessary? Are the crystals one-time use? Why is this the process? I.e., is the necessary aether stored in the crystals and used up once cast?
Lodestone Wrote: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.
The gemstones and crystals used to form an Arcanist's familiar are multi-use, assuming the crystal doesn't break? Basically, every gemstone has its own supposed magical properties. More lore on this is discussed in the Goldsmithing questline. Arcanists, in particular, are able to tap into the latent aether trapped within these gemstones and mold it into a familiar, a being composed of aether in the taxonomy of a Lesser Elemental. It has a conscious of its own and must be trained to adapt to the will and bent of its master.
Peridot Carbuncle Wrote:The pain of being betrayed by her first summoned pet still fresh in her heart, Tataru vowed she would never again fall victim to the whims of a fickle familiar and commissioned the Goldsmiths' Guild to craft her an ever-loyal companion.
According to K'lyhia of the Arcanist questline, a unique geometry is still needed, in addition to the gemstone, to summon your Carbuncle familiar.
K'lyhia Wrote:The arcane entity given form by the topaz geometry excels in defensive techniques.
The ability to summon the Carbuncle familiar seems to be a trait originating from the magick's origin, Summoning, which used the aether of defeated primals to create a proto-summon, and later scholars of Nym, who were able to create faeries to do their bidding and bind them to soulstones.
Las Vegas Lore Panel Wrote:Q: To follow up on a question from the stream earlier- the taxonomy that fairies fall into. Is there an origin to how they become fairies of Scholars. Were they fairies and then bound to scholars? or did the scholars create them?
MCKF: Yes, the second one. Fairies again, while they fall under the taxonomy of elementals, they are actually beings that were created. They did not exist before. The Scholar would take the energies and elements from around them and would basically create these beings that were made of the elements.
Gamerescape E3 Interview Wrote:Q: At Fan Fest, we had some people very interested in the nature of faeries and we got a lot of information about that. I thought we might talk about Egi this time. We know the story is that you’re tainted by the aetherial mist that comes about in a primal’s defeat. Can you be more specific about how that works and how that comes back out in the entity you summon?
MCKF: Basically, every being is made up of aether. It’s your own aether, and that is you. By taking your aether and splitting it, you create an egi, but you still have yourself. The thing is, you’re maintaining both of these at the same time, which is why summoners can only do this with one egi at a time. If you split yourself too much, your grip on yourself is gone and you fade back into the Lifestream. That’s not to say there aren’t certain beings in the world that have a larger pool of aether; some beings can split into multiple egi, while maintaining that balance, before they die. As for how to create an egi, as you said before, you get that mist – that taint – by defeating it; it goes into you. You are creating an image of what that primal was, so without ever having seen it, you cannot create it. By attuning with their aetherial remnant, you know that primal and can attune an egi in that image. There are no new egis in 3.0, and the reason why will be explained in a way that ties back to this information, as well.
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(12-31-2015, 11:24 PM)Yazi Wrote: 4) Do arcanists use solely their own aether, or do they also draw from other things? If other things, what other things? Do they have to be living? Do they have to be crystals?
Most of an Arcanist's spellcasting draws from their own lifeforce, similar to Thaumaturgy, but they are also able to draw from their immediate environment or others. (Aetherflow & Energy Drain respectively.) But for the majority of their spells, the arcanist channels their own aether through their grimoire - the ease of which depends on the ink and quality of the book - and shape the magic using the glyphs on the page. Different glyphs and symbols, different lines and shapes correlate to different spells.
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(12-31-2015, 11:24 PM)Yazi Wrote: 5) What purpose do carbuncle serve? Are they mostly for extra firepower? Does it damage the arcanist when their carbuncle is hurt or destroyed? Is it the same carbuncle each summon?
The familiars are there to protect the arcanist, essentially, is their primary function. Though many seem to have a mind of their own. It does not seem to harm the arcanist when their familiar is harmed or destroyed, both in lore and game mechanics. The familiar is created into being using aether, so the casters connection with the familiar is spent upfront, and the two are not bound while summoned. Whether or not every familiar summoned is the same or not is unknown, however, considering the caster bleeds their own aether into the same gemstone to summon their familiar, I would theorize that the familiar is the same so long as it is the same gemstone. With enough soul attunement and aether poured into the peridot, topaz, emerald, or whatever gemstone, it should in theory begin remembering and recognizing the aether similar to a soulstone, that over time, develops memories and for lack of a better word a soul. This soul then resonates with people who stir the stone's memories or aether.
Hope this helps answer your questions! ^^ I'll link a couple other related threads that you might find helpful on this subject below:
-Arcanist Lore
-Mechanics of Spell Casting
