Scholar, Summoner, Arcanist - The link?

[SularDehendri]

Hey, long time lurker, first time poster.

So I've recently gotten Scholar/Summoner to level 50 and I was wondering what exactly the connection is between Scholar, Summoner and Arcanist. Although they have their obvious differences, their similarities are striking. Is this just a case of three different civilisations creating similar techniques by chance (much like pyramids appearing in Egypt and South America) or is it that the job techniques (Adlo, Fester etc.) are the only "ancient" ones and are simply added to the Arcanist skill set?

I haven't seen any posts about this and it's been kinda bugging me. Any thoughts, lore mavens?

[Anonymoose]

Is this just a case of three different civilisations creating similar techniques by chance (much like pyramids appearing in Egypt and South America)

The big link between all of them is the form of magick they use, the way it's cast - something akin to what you might see called symbology, or runology in other fantasy games (Star Ocean comes to mind). Symbols and geometric patterns can give shape to a mage's aether, used properly, the same way spellwork might. I imagine that sometimes it is passed down in traces here and there through the eras, and sometimes it is, as you say, independent discovery.

In modern days, we see this in Carbuncle, a being shaped by this arcane geometry when it is summoned - something we're told is a result of specific patterns and the latent power of gemstones (hence EMERALD carbuncle, TOPAZ carbuncle, etc.) When the Allag invaded Meracydia in the Third Astral Era, the islanders summoned primals in retaliation. The Allag in turn used their understanding of arcane magicks to transmute these primals' very essences into obedient pets akin to modern-day carbuncles. Likewise, in the Fifth Astral Era, the same type of arcane symbology was used to summon and control fairies (though we know next to nothing about these fairies' origin) by the mages of Nym, who in their own right were brilliant tacticians.

There doesn't seem to be a boundary or limit to what type of spells can be created with symbols and geometry, but the ones that turn up on the class and jobs are related to utilizing their pets to the best of their ability in fulfilling the roles the job was used for in that era - battle strategems and field tactics seem to be important to every incarnation of arcane mage.

[SularDehendri]

-snip-

Thanks. I was thinking it was something like that but wasn't 100% sure. It would be interesting to know how exactly the Arcanists came into their knowledge. I'd assume it's because of the proximity of Limsa to Nym?

Is there any indication that the spells that Arcanists use (Bio, Bio II, Miasma etc. which our player Scholars and Summoners can use) are similar or the same as those ancient Scholars and Summoners? Obviously the job spells for Scholar come from the fairy's memories (I can't remember how exactly we learn the Summoner job spells) but are the actual Arcanist spells rather than the form in any way similar?

I hope that's not too confusing...

[Anonymoose]

I'd assume it's because of the proximity of Limsa to Nym?

The guild gives a good description of it, though most are so excited to get started that they forget it pretty quick:

The roots of arcanima can be traced back to the esoteric calculations practiced by the people of the south sea isles. It was these island folk that first discovered a method to express natural phenomena in mathematical terms. Building on this process, the existing mathematical formulae were further developed into arcane geometries─precise patterns that allowed a practitioner to weave aether into specific magical effects. The mages who invoked this new form of magic became known as “arcanists,” and the school of arcanima was born. Many such mages, wishing to expand their understanding of the world, took to the seas aboard trading vessels. Upon their arrival in Limsa Lominsa, arcanists found themselves welcomed into the academic elite, and soon secured positions in the realms of governance and counsel.

the job spells for Scholar come from the fairy's memories (I can't remember how exactly we learn the Summoner job spells)

Most, if not all, job abilities come from your resonating with the soul crystal for the job - memories within the stone being transferred to and awakened within you. I imagine it was the case for both Scholars and Summoners, though the fairy retains memories via the same mechanisms, it seems; sharing the binding with the crystal.

Is there any indication <snip> Bio, Bio II, Miasma etc. <snip> are similar or the same as those ancient Scholars and Summoners?
...are the actual Arcanist spells rather than the form in any way similar?

I don't think SE ever went that deep into it. If you look at the names of the spells, though, it looks a lot like the spells are the form. All in all, they're not very specific boons and banes.

• Physick - To Heal
• Poison - To Poison
• Miasma - To Pollute (the Humours)
• Virus - To Make Ill
• Bio - To Interfere With Biologically

Those are some big umbrellas, and SE hasn't told us if the Allag made people feel nauseous with the exact same symbols we do. I suppose that's up to interpretation. Maybe we found some of their old records, or maybe we found new geometrical formulae with the same effects as their old symbols. There's probably more than one way to express the fundamental nature of E=MCpuke.

[SularDehendri]

Those are some big umbrellas, and SE hasn't told us if the Allag made people feel nauseous with the exact same symbols we do. I suppose that's up to interpretation. Maybe we found some of their old records, or maybe we found new geometrical formulae with the same effects as their old symbols. There's probably more than one way to express the fundamental nature of E=MCpuke.

As a personal preference I'd hope it was some kind of lucky coincidence. I'd completely forgotten the opening ACN quest text. I like the idea that (aside from the job spells) modern Arcanima users have managed to find similar formulae to do similar jobs, rather than the whole "ancient knowledge is so much more advanced" thing that seems to crop up a lot when dealing with the Allag.

[lilirulu]

Well, there is somewhat of a connection between the Summoners/Scholars of old and the Arcanists of today. The Ascians though it is a bit of a weak link Lahabrea uses the skill 'Shadow Flare'. It does not work like ours does however it's a arena-wide AoE pulse. Also, (though this is afaik) the SMN job questline is the only one that has Ascians in.

I can't remember exactly but Y'mhitra (spelling?) teaches you all your SMN spells but I might be wrong it's been a long time since I've watched the SMN quests.