Quote Originally Posted by Enur View Post
I also have an idea as to how RDM would be included in the game. We know hoary buolder has been to thavnair and he returned wearing one sword and undisclosed magic skills. Perhaps a Thavnairian person would set up shop in Limsa, teaching the ways of RDM to adventurers. I dont expect the actual reason for the teacher to be there is interesting, as RDM appears to be unlockable the second you hit lvl 50. A guy just appearing would make sense as it is a crossroads of maritime travel and has routes to Radz at han as proven by the Starlight event. even the stylish clothin fits as the boy from the anima questline is from thavnair and wears a similar coat'ish thing. very similar to ishgardian clothing to be honest.
I always took Hoary Boulder's dialogue to suggest he learned how to be a Blue Mage there. He says something to the effect of learning how to use the souls of his enemies in combat. Sounds like Blue Mage to me.

Further discussions with various groups makes me think its from Sharlayan. Passing over Alisae's very Red-Mage-Like combat in 3.4, there's also the fact that a staple Red Mage spell has been Haste, a spell warping time around the caster or target. Sharlayan is the only nation we know of with access to that kind of magic in any meaningful form. Slow does exist outside of it, but less as a spell and more as a status effect, it feels like.