Why CNJ > WHM & THM > BLM does make sense: A canoical study.

[Betelgeuzah]

While the point of Jobs is to make them focus on a certain role, that does not necessarily mean that lore-wise they need to be shoehorned into one, strict archetype. A Black Mage can become more efficient in dealing damage through borrowing thaumaturgy and conjuring and creating a hybrid of sorts that still specializes in one role. This is emphasized by having two classes unlock the Job.

To be honest, I would be more concerned about the other Jobs. BLM and WHM seem to be the most straight-forward so far. MRD+GLD=>PLD or PGL(gambler)+???=>Monk are going to be tough nuts to pull off.

[Powercow]

To be honest, I would be more concerned about the other Jobs. BLM and WHM seem to be the most straight-forward so far. MRD+GLD=>PLD or PGL(gambler)+???=>Monk are going to be tough nuts to pull off.

All I can think for Paladin and Monk are that the Sacrarium, determining it needs some martial might, goes to the Pugilist and Gladiator guilds and offers to train their mightiest fighters in more spiritual ways. Both guilds seem like the types of guilds who would be willing to put up with some extra rules if it meant more power.

Marauders -> Warrior would simply be Limsa Lominsa trying to get a real, unified, solid army out of its ragtag pirate crews.

Lancer -> Dragoon would simply be the Dragoons of Ishgard coming down and teaching Gridania some ancient, previously-guarded secrets to fight against the Empire.

Archer -> Bard would... well be another exchange program, probably in Limsa. They seem like the kind of city who likes singing, considering their taverns (all 40 of them) are packed with drunk pirates looking for entertainment.

[Duuude007]

Archer -> Bard would... well be another exchange program, probably in Limsa. They seem like the kind of city who likes singing, considering their taverns (all 40 of them) are packed with drunk pirates looking for entertainment.

Theres an area with a lute logo in north gridania... presumeably bard related.

[Powercow]

Theres an area with a lute logo in north gridania... presumeably bard related.

Orly? Gonna have to check it out.

[Mamba]

I could actually see, for many of the classes, a sort of "exchange program" for jobs.

Conjurers would leave the woods of Gridania to visit the Milvaneth Sacrarium in Ul'dah, to learn more about life and divine powers. Using both the magic of nature and the wisdom of the Twelve, the White Mage would become a beacon of light and hope for all of Eorzea in these dark times.

Likewise, Thaumaturges would head to Gridania, witnessing the sheer power of the Elementals and wishing to harness such power for themselves. With the power of Thaumaturgy and the might of Elemental magic at their disposal, all foes shall flee in terror at the unbridled power of the Black Mage!

I dunno. It's how I always figured it. Thaumaturges did always seem like the class more willing to go to extreme lengths for power, especially if that power was really, really, REALLY needed, RIGHT NOW, like if the Empire marching on Ul'dah. Likewise Conjurers are naturally-gifted with powers, but their sheltered lifestyle could lead the Gridanian-based guild to seek out alternate sources of power -- but nothing as dark as Thaumaturgy, thus they would turn to the Sacrarium.

Great post OP and also this one I have quoted. I think it would be a great idea to have such mission from THM to BLM to visit Gridania and absorb the powers of CON and vice versa. I hope this is something they have been planning

[Malakhim]

If you look at the differences between traditional incarnations of what "Black Mage" and "White Mage" really are(which are pretty much just priest and mage/wizard) in the Judeo-Christian sense, then black magic is "evil" in the sense that it's a secular practice without the blessing of God. As opposed to white mages, which would in this case exist strictly to serve God and society, a Black Mage would be a self-interested scientist in search of natural truth and power.

But if we're talking about straight up ability sets, I ALWAYS played Black Mage for Ancient Magick(like Flare or Cyclone) and Dark Magick like Bio.