@tiergan-vashir Yes, it is possible to learn and be adept at multiple forms of magic. However, the catch to this is that each school of magic channels magic differently from one another and requires separate foci. We have examples of magi who are learning multiple schools in both Sharlayan’s Studium and Ishgard’s Scholasticate, and we may likely learn more on this with the upcoming addition of Red Mage, though details on how exactly that class manipulates aether is yet unclear.
Encyclopedia Eorzea: “Starting with the prestigious Studium, Sharlayan has numerous famed academies that accept students from all nations. In times past, Eorzean pupils eagerly flocked to Sharlayan’s settlement in the Dravanian hinterlands from all corners of the realm. There, they studied a multitude of subjects from different fields - though it seems that instructors reserved certain wisdom for those of Sharlayan citizenship alone.”
Purified Polyrhythm: “While many seminarians of the Saint Endalim Scholasticate show great aptitude for defensive and restorative magicks, they must also be capable of employing the destructive kind as the situation demands. We have need of three suitable rods for the upcoming trials to join the vaunted ranks of the Temple Knights.”
To start off, I think it’s important to remember that despite the game leading into Conjury -> White Magic and Thaumaturgy -> Black Magic, that each of these magicks are different schools on their own. Though Thaumaturgy is a derivative of Black Magic, they are not the same thing. Neither is Conjury White Magic. So it’s important to remember that Conjury, Thaumaturgy, Arcanum, and Astromancy are “modern” schools of magic, whereas Black Magic, White Magic, Summoning, and Scholar are arcane or ancient magical schools and the education and requirements for learning these older schools are quite different and often times rather extreme, such as requiring soul crystals.
This is why most people recommend that if you’re going to learn multiple schools of magic, stick with the more modern schools as these are what are readily available to be taught across the world today. Having knowledge and even the capabilities to begin casting these older magicks each has certain requirements. How did they learn about White Magic’s existence? Where did they come by a soul crystal for Black Magic? When and where did a primal get defeated near them to be able to summon? Etc, etc. That’s not to say these things can’t happen to a character, but the likelihood that one person has had the time to kill primals, study forbidden black magic, and entreat with the Padjal while only being a twenty-year old from Sharlayan newly arrived to Eorzea quite impractical.
I go over this next part a little more in depth here. On top of learning each of these schools, the first thing a practiced mage should know is how each magic channels aether differently from one another:
ACN - personal aether reserves (anima) and sometimes external sources (aetherflow/energy drain/carbuncle)
THM - personal aether reserves (anima)
CNJ - drawn from nature
AST - unlocked from the Six Celestial Gates
WHM - drawn from Hydaelyn
BLM - drawn from Hydaelyn
ACN - Arcanists shape spells using the arcane geometries, but cast by channeling their own aether through the enchanted ink of their grimoire. The conductivity of the ink allows for more effective/stronger casting of the spell.
THM - Thaumaturges speak ancient incantations to formulate a spell and draw their own aether into a stave made from metal or bone and focused into an aetherially enhanced gemstone to cast.
CNJ - Conjurers draw aether from their immediate environment into their stave, made from unworked wood, and through meditation, shape that aether into a desired spell.
AST - Astrologians draw residual aether from the constellations into their planisphere and attune their aether to the movement of the heavens. Beyond that is unclear.
WHM & BLM - Both follow essentially the mechanical progression of CNJ seen above. Aether is drawn from the immediate environment into the stave via the focus (flower/gemstone) and then shaped either via meditation or incantation.
Lodestone: “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: “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.”
Encyclopedia Eorzea: “Using geometric symbols to lend shape to living aether, certain mages can unlock the latent power within certain gemstones - a power which can be directed to the ‘summoning’ of aetherial beings known as Carbuncles. The inherent traits displayed by these familiars differ depending on the stone used in their creation - emerald and topaz being the most common, with ruby and diamond also proving popular.”
Lodestone: “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.”
Serendipity: “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: “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: “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.”
Ponette: “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.”
Beatin: “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.”
This topic has come up a lot for me recently, so I’ll add in this last bit that I’ve been telling others who’ve come to me asking about Sharlayans and Ishgardians wishing to learn one or more schools of magic. Anyone can be taught the modern schools of magic - that’s what the existence of the guilds is for. That does not mean, however, that outsiders must needs assign the same religious meaning to these magics that their native practitioners do. This is especially true for Studium or Scholasticate learners, who are more likely to take a more scientific or theological (respectively) approach to their education.
Sharlayans Learning Conjury
Order of Nald’thal Lore and Thaumaturgy Religious Practices
Stillglade Fane Lore and Hearing the Elementals
What I would recommend for roleplay purposes is to have a thorough grasp upon aetherology lore and a basic understanding of the elemental wheel and the relationships between the six elements and two polarities. This is especially true if you’re playing a Sharlayan character that understands the complexities of wielding multiple magicks.
Aether, Lifestream, and Aetheryte Lore Compilation
Basic Aetherology, Imbalance, and Sickness Lore
Essences & Permutations: A Treatise of the Six Elements (Elemental Wheel and Element Relationships)
Last but not least, I feel it’s important to add that while the above listed schools are the most commonly known schools of magic, that others do exist, especially in Sharlayan. Magicks which create familiars, golem magicks, scriptomancy and bibliomancy which imbue inanimate tomes and glyphs with limited intelligence, voidbinding magicks, and others yet unknown exist in the world, just that the particulars of how they work is unknown.
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