RP Idea: Is this too crazy? Feedback wanted!

[TheLastCandle]

I haven't done any arcanima RP, nor have I paid a ton of attention to the details provided about it, but I do know that, at least when summoning something, out come the quills and the furious scribbling for the cast animation.

[Nero]

This has only just occurred to me somehow, and maybe I overlooked it in the thread, but is there any evidence for being able to cast from pre-drawn geometries?  The animations all seem to have the toon writing in the book and my assumption has been that the actual tracing of the symbol was a key part of the casting ritual, not simply having the symbol ready already and I don't recall if it's mentioned in quest text anywhere. 

 

I don't know that I really have anything to base that on and even if it is the case, the tracing motion over enchanted ink could be a workaround instead of actually having to trace with the enchanted ink.

 

Just some thoughts and things to consider to flesh out the idea some more (and again, sorry if I'm being repetitive/redundant).

 

Arcanima works primarily off of pre-drawn geometries, actually. It works like this: the arcanist channels aether through their body (their MP). They visualize the geometric shapes that form that aether into a specific kind of spell, say, Physick. The magic that is shaped by the geometries is then channeled through the grimoire through the ink that's used in its pages and the spell takes effect.

 

The important thing to note is that arcanima primarily works through the arcanist forming mental imagery. However, we're told that the geometries are complex; thus the designs within grimoires are like reference notes or cheat sheets, while the ink used to draw those designs are amplifiers. It's kind of like a traditional wizard's spellbook, only instead of magical phrases and words, it's pretty fractals and circles.

 

The only animations in which an arcanist writes in their grimoire is for summoning, as I recall. I don't remember the exact details behind it, but I'm fairly certain that summoning a carbuncle, and by extension Egis and fairies, does not require editing of a grimoire's contents or composition of arcane glyphs. I believe the initial idea you had is probably pretty accurate: tracing over an existing glyph in order to form a better mental image and thus enact the magic.

[Kichiro Gunji]

This has only just occurred to me somehow, and maybe I overlooked it in the thread, but is there any evidence for being able to cast from pre-drawn geometries?  The animations all seem to have the toon writing in the book and my assumption has been that the actual tracing of the symbol was a key part of the casting ritual, not simply having the symbol ready already and I don't recall if it's mentioned in quest text anywhere. 

 

I don't know that I really have anything to base that on and even if it is the case, the tracing motion over enchanted ink could be a workaround instead of actually having to trace with the enchanted ink.

 

Just some thoughts and things to consider to flesh out the idea some more (and again, sorry if I'm being repetitive/redundant).

 

Arcanima works primarily off of pre-drawn geometries, actually. It works like this: the arcanist channels aether through their body (their MP). They visualize the geometric shapes that form that aether into a specific kind of spell, say, Physick. The magic that is shaped by the geometries is then channeled through the grimoire through the ink that's used in its pages and the spell takes effect.

 

The important thing to note is that arcanima primarily works through the arcanist forming mental imagery. However, we're told that the geometries are complex; thus the designs within grimoires are like reference notes or cheat sheets, while the ink used to draw those designs are amplifiers. It's kind of like a traditional wizard's spellbook, only instead of magical phrases and words, it's pretty fractals and circles.

 

The only animations in which an arcanist writes in their grimoire is for summoning, as I recall. I don't remember the exact details behind it, but I'm fairly certain that summoning a carbuncle, and by extension Egis and fairies, does not require editing of a grimoire's contents or composition of arcane glyphs. I believe the initial idea you had is probably pretty accurate: tracing over an existing glyph in order to form a better mental image and thus enact the magic.

 

Indeed, but that wouldn't render the original image powerless. So the original idea is half accurate.

 

A tattoo as a reference guide should still work okay, but it would require someone trained in those arts... if they are using Arcanum magic, because I doubt the average joe could create a detailed geometric image in their mind and funnel their aether through it with a tattoo that is bent over many folds of flesh and muscle.

[Nero]

 

 

A tattoo as a reference guide should still work okay, but it would require someone trained in those arts... if they are using Arcanum magic, because I doubt the average joe could create a detailed geometric image in their mind and funnel their aether through it with a tattoo that is bent over many folds of flesh and muscle.

 

Right, I think we established this earlier in the thread. A tattoo would still work just fine so long as it is visible because a grimoire works primarily as a reference and secondarily as an amplifier. The only problem with a tattoo is giving it enough power for it to have a tangible effect since it would lack the amplification of the inks.

[Kichiro Gunji]

Tattoos aren't done with ink? I'm sure some alchemist could find an aetheric conductive metal based ink that won't poison those with the tattoo on them.

[Nero]

Tattoos aren't done with ink? I'm sure some alchemist could find an aetheric conductive metal based ink that won't poison those with the tattoo on them.

 

At this point it really depends on the writer and how much they want to bend their own plausibility, and what exactly they want to do with this magic tattoo. Shoot fireballs? Blinding flash of light? Most people probably won't care, but extra attention to detail never hurt anybody.

 

Real world tattoo inks do occasionally have metals in them such as cadmium or cobalt, depending on the colour that is desired. In FFXIV the metals that are conducive to the flow of aether are typically precious metals, so someone might be able to pick one of those materials or their alloys and make something not toxic, or at least reduce the harmful effects such that a magic tattoo has practical application. Only someone who's anally retentive on minor details like me would actually go to the trouble of finding out whether or not iridium-based tattoos are possible (they're not).

 

This is an interesting and totally doable concept, mind. I'm not saying it's not possible, quite the opposite in fact, I'm just contemplating the possible drawbacks and limits in such an idea.

 

EDIT: I believe Rochester posted a character spoiler or something about her character having access to large amounts of aether, in which case the ink not being conducive to aether flow wouldn't be a problem. Having metal-based inks would help amplify the spell but isn't necessary for the spell to work, the spell itself would simply have less power if you used an ordinary henna ink or something similar.

[Kichiro Gunji]

And we honestly don't know what's toxic to Miqo'te, Elezen or any non-Hyur. We might not even know what's toxic to them, since physiology in a fantasy world can work differently, same with properties of metal being different. It kinda boils down to the author with the finer details.

 

But yeah, I think some of the largest limits will be in the number of spells as there is limited space on the body... the complexity of it and the mastery over the type of spell casting that the character has. I'm inclined towards limiting the spells to the character's own aether instead of providing an external source, because mana pools are finite and drawing from the sea of aether that all Hydaelyn exists in could lead to power playing.

[Altitis Acquired]

I quite like the idea. It's actually something I like to make part of my RPG characters. For example, in World of Warcraft, my Blood Elf Warlock was heavily poisoned by fel magic, and to be able to contain it, he had these fel runes tattooed into his skin which would keep it at bay, helping him channelling the fel within him and keep control of it.

 

I see no reason why something like this can't happen in FFXIV. Alot of the examples and info you guys provide definately makes it sound plausible.

 

And if someone comes up to you and asks about the tattoos, you can just say it's because you think it looks cool. There's no reason to explain what they truly are for to every single person you meet.

[Goodfellow]

And we honestly don't know what's toxic to Miqo'te, Elezen or any non-Hyur. We might not even know what's toxic to them, since physiology in a fantasy world can work differently, same with properties of metal being different. It kinda boils down to the author with the finer details.

 

Mostly true.  We know that Dunesfolk have a resistance to poison since they grow up ingesting a semi-toxic concoction (tea maybe?) for just such immunizing purposes.  But ingestion and direct blood exposure are different things, so poison resistance may not have a lot to do with the topic at hand.

 

And thanks to Nero for helping clarify some of the ideas in my own response.  And like him, I don't mean to discourage.  I think we're all just having a good time with the speculation/thought experiment.

[Viola]

My thoughts on this are that while Memenu may try it, as a Primal who's vessel is failing her (one of the lalafell who summoned her used their body as a focus to make sure her conciousness had a place to go. Think a lightning bolt hitting a lightning rod. it cost her follower their soul though), it most likely wouldn't work. The amount of Aether that makes up Memenu's strength is far too dangerous for her current body to maintain, and with fights against foes like Nael, Vishnap and Midgarsormr, the amount of strength needed to match and even overpower them is taking its toll.

 

Her body is physically starting to die from the amount of Aether needed. She's getting aches that weren't there before, she's getting noticeably slower. If she even ends up taking Bahamut, her physical vessel may most likely die or crippled.

[Mercurias]

(I apologize in advance for my horrible, horrible phrasing. I'm in the middle of class and can't really flesh out my post without having the teacher glare at me.)

 

I was doing the Alchemy class quests and the fact that Arcanum/Arcamina uses ink as a conductor for aether made something snap in my mind.

 

See, theoretically, if you use high quality ink (a high conductor) and are able to accurately depict the symbols of the Arcanists to cast magic with books and scrolls.... What could possibly stop a person from trying the same thing on people? As in, in theory, shouldn't someone be able to use these symbols on their skin to cast magic as well? Since it's in the skin, what if you make it permanent or semi-permanent? Would this enhance a person's aetherial ability or harm it? Would they get aether-sickness? Would this be, perhaps, a more stable form of sorcery?

 

The full bit is:

 

 

Anonymous Arcanist: Eh? The nature of my grimoire? I...well, yes, of course.

 

Anonymous Arcanist: 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.

 

Anonymous Arcanist: 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 conducive to the flow of aether allow the arcanist to more effectively channel his magical strength.

 

Anonymous Arcanist: Thus when one is in need of a new grimoire, one must turn to an expert in the making of this liquid gold─an alchemist. And, Thaliak be praised, I was blessed with the attentions of a true artist.

 

Anonymous Arcanist: Should I ever wish to add to or enhance my tome, I know exactly to whom I will turn. Thank you, Master Alchemist.

 

It could be argued that the visualization is important part rather than the grimoire itself, with the specialized ink making for a better reference material.

 

Also, I would politely suggest she paint the ink into or onto a person's skin like henna rather than tattooing, stating that the ink can cause aether sickness or severe allergic reactions or some kind of thing when sunken under the skin. That way the affects could be temporary.

 

If someone else has made this suggestion already, I'm sorry for having wasted your time. I glanced through and didn't see it, but I miss things sometimes.

[LadyRochester]

(I apologize in advance for my horrible, horrible phrasing. I'm in the middle of class and can't really flesh out my post without having the teacher glare at me.)

 

I was doing the Alchemy class quests and the fact that Arcanum/Arcamina uses ink as a conductor for aether made something snap in my mind.

 

See, theoretically, if you use high quality ink (a high conductor) and are able to accurately depict the symbols of the Arcanists to cast magic with books and scrolls.... What could possibly stop a person from trying the same thing on people? As in, in theory, shouldn't someone be able to use these symbols on their skin to cast magic as well? Since it's in the skin, what if you make it permanent or semi-permanent? Would this enhance a person's aetherial ability or harm it? Would they get aether-sickness? Would this be, perhaps, a more stable form of sorcery?

 

The full bit is:

 

 

Anonymous Arcanist: Eh? The nature of my grimoire? I...well, yes, of course.

 

Anonymous Arcanist: 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.

 

Anonymous Arcanist: 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 conducive to the flow of aether allow the arcanist to more effectively channel his magical strength.

 

Anonymous Arcanist: Thus when one is in need of a new grimoire, one must turn to an expert in the making of this liquid gold─an alchemist. And, Thaliak be praised, I was blessed with the attentions of a true artist.

 

Anonymous Arcanist: Should I ever wish to add to or enhance my tome, I know exactly to whom I will turn. Thank you, Master Alchemist.

 

It could be argued that the visualization is important part rather than the grimoire itself, with the specialized ink making for a better reference material.

 

Also, I would politely suggest she paint the ink into or onto a person's skin like henna rather than tattooing, stating that the ink can cause aether sickness or severe allergic reactions or some kind of thing when sunken under the skin. That way the affects could be temporary.

 

If someone else has made this suggestion already, I'm sorry for having wasted your time. I glanced through and didn't see it, but I miss things sometimes.

 

 

I like the idea. Perhaps you could tattoo it with a weak ink that won't allow for aether poisoning, and then you can paint over the tattoo with a golden ink. Use the tattoo as the "base" and the ink as the enhancement.