New Player Explain like I'm 5: What is the Lore behind Blue Mage!

[LineageRazor]

You'd probably get a lot more vigorous responses if you posted this to the Lore forum, rather than General Discussion!

Anyway, in regards to the above, do not expect FFXIV lore to have ANYTHING to do with what the job was like in FFXI. What we've seen of the job so far in trailers and such paints it as having "fun and entertaining" lore rather than "dark and brooding" lore.

As for other prominent Blue Mages in Final Fantasy, their lore is pretty much independent of their status as Blue Mages. Strago (FFVI) comes from a village whose members fought in the War of the Magi, but it's not explained why that enables Blue Magic. It's sort of suggested that he's a scholarly fellow, and learns through observation? Quistis (FFVIII) has pretty much the same background as most of the other main characters; raised in an orphanage, joined the SEED academy, etc. Her Blue Magic is entirely unexplained; it's just her special skill. Quina (FFIX) is a weird creature that learns skills from monsters by eating them. It's pretty much assumed that's the source of their Blue Magic, as certain others in the Qu tribe can also use Blue Magic. Khimari (FFX) is a Rhonso, but it's not stated one way or another whether the ability to use "Rhonso Rage" is common among Rhonso, or just something Khimari can do.

FFXI is definitely the first time Blue Mage has gotten in-depth lore - which is not too surprising, as FFXI had in-depth lore for just about EVERYTHING in the game.

(I may be wrong about the kidnapping part, it's been very long since I did that).

You're not far off the mark. While there was consent involved, it was pretty dubious consent. Basically, you meet with head Blue Mage Raubahn while he's in disguise as Waoud, and he asks you a series of questions. If he determines you to be an ambitious individual with a lust for power, you're presented the option to become a Blue Mage. However, it's not until the procedure is complete that you learn about all the baggage that power includes.

While it never happens to a player character (for obvious reasons), it's noted that eventual transformation into a monster is pretty much inevitable, if the Blue Mage doesn't die of other causes beforehand. The Blue Mage job quests introduce you to a number of Blue Mages at various stages of mental degradation, and at one point the player has to assist in the disposal of a Blue Mage who has freshly turned into a Soulflayer. (Incidentally, Blue Mages can also transform into Flans.) Being an exceptional individual, it's certainly possible that the player character could be the first individual able to hold a virtually unlimited number of monster souls within themselves without ever succumbing, but that's never made explicit.

[Iscah]

You'd probably get a lot more vigorous responses if you posted this to the Lore forum, rather than General Discussion!

Only once we actually have FFXIV blue mage lore to talk about, though!