A simple, easy theory

[Qurange]

With all of these terribly complex theories and arguments running around, I thought I'd post something that shouldn't actually bring too much argument; just maybe discussion.

So, I have a theory on how the soldiers of Galbadia and Esthar can use para-magic without GFs. The game states that GF use is not the only form of para-magic, after all, and I think that they use a different method: Junction Machines.

These machines store magic and, with training, allow its use by the bearer. Junction machines of some sort have precedence in the JME; this makes sense a less powerful method of para-magic that doesn't run the risk of memory loss, but requires too specialized training and not enough power for the SeeDs to use it. Of course, it was likely developed by Odine, which is why during the last War, the Galbadian soldiers (Laguna and company) didn't have these. Given that Odine's products (like the Bangle) still make it out, it's reasonable to think that this is one of Galbadia's para-magical devices, like its anti-magic barrier.

Thoughts?

[Ryushikaze]

Aside from the 'store magic', which I've always thought was related to people, not the junctions in FF8, I think this makes sense.

[Qurange]

Well, I just figured that that was special to GF Junctions; after all, there are the 'blah' Stones that cast spells without being linked to people. It might also link to the memory loss.

[Rantz]

I don't want to discard, and even less disprove, this kind of theory. It just seems to me that people think further than the game developers do. A game planner might have thought of something along these lines, but if it was official they would probably have made it more obvious.

Game producers often mostly have money on their mind. A key part of Final Fantasy is the big world it's set in and the lot of background story there is. If they thought of something like this, don't you think they would have wanted to include it in the game? A few sentences in the Tutorial section would have sufficed.

Keep in mind that it's only a game, not everything can be explained.

[Zeromus_X]

What does the Ultimania Guide say regarding this? I must admit it is rather interesting. (It's certainly easier on my mind then certain TC theories.)

[Qurange]

I'm actually not sure; I'm still learning Japanese, so I haven't been able to translate the few pages of the Ultimania that I actually have.

As to whether the developers meant it this way...Well, I'm not sure that they did, but it makes the setting more coherent for me to think of things like this, and so I do; I like to roleplay and write in the FF8 world, and that can be done better if the setting's fleshed out.

[Rantz]

As to whether the developers meant it this way...Well, I'm not sure that they did, but it makes the setting more coherent for me to think of things like this, and so I do; I like to roleplay and write in the FF8 world, and that can be done better if the setting's fleshed out.

It's fully OK with me, just wanted to get my thoughts out on the numerous theories that flood the forums, and this seemed like a fitting thread to do it in. I don't mind them, it's actually quite interesting to read. Thanks for sharing this theory

[Pharoh Amon Khan III]

Ah, someone asks a question of my experience... You see, Para-Magic, is as Dr. Odine defined it... Manipulating various, apparently ambient, energies.

Say you focus on air molecules... Now focus and speed them up... What do you have?... Fire. Or the equvilent short burst of it that merely does a singe of damage.

Balamb Garden is the only facility that officially experiment and train their SeeDs to use Guardian Forces. With these, 'beings' of specified energy signatures, one is capable of absorbing/store and manipulating greater amounts of energies.

Shiva, for example, is a Guardian Force that is attuned to the liquid/solid state of matter of water and therefore "ICE". By means not fully understood, a Guardian Force 'junctions' to a Summoner and this results in a 'symbiotic' relationship. If a summoner draws and stocks Ice energies to themselves/GF, this will increase the GFs power. For example. If Ice is junctioned to increase strength stats, Shiva is apparently increasing 'muscle mass'. Health, mental power (MAG) ect, work in the same way.

Now, most often ask the question: How can Galbadian and other SeeDs use magic if they do not have a GF?

It's simple. With a GF a Summoner can Draw and Stock magic. But without a GF one can only Draw and Cast.

Balamb SeeDs: Draw/Stock/Cast/Junction

Galbadia/Trabia SeeDs: Draw/Cast.

The advantage that the Balamb SeeDs have over others is that they have ambient and a near unexauhstable supply of energies. Instead of relying on random available energies from their enemies or "Mana Springs"

If there are any further questions please ask... And don't forget to study the next Chapter: Time Compression: The Everlasting Moment.

[Thorn]

I always just figured that FF8 had finally contradicted itself.

[Qurange]

Ah, someone asks a question of my experience... You see, Para-Magic, is as Dr. Odine defined it... Manipulating various, apparently ambient, energies.

Say you focus on air molecules... Now focus and speed them up... What do you have?... Fire. Or the equvilent short burst of it that merely does a singe of damage.

Balamb Garden is the only facility that officially experiment and train their SeeDs to use Guardian Forces. With these, 'beings' of specified energy signatures, one is capable of absorbing/store and manipulating greater amounts of energies.

Shiva, for example, is a Guardian Force that is attuned to the liquid/solid state of matter of water and therefore "ICE". By means not fully understood, a Guardian Force 'junctions' to a Summoner and this results in a 'symbiotic' relationship. If a summoner draws and stocks Ice energies to themselves/GF, this will increase the GFs power. For example. If Ice is junctioned to increase strength stats, Shiva is apparently increasing 'muscle mass'. Health, mental power (MAG) ect, work in the same way.

Now, most often ask the question: How can Galbadian and other SeeDs use magic if they do not have a GF?

It's simple. With a GF a Summoner can Draw and Stock magic. But without a GF one can only Draw and Cast.

Balamb SeeDs: Draw/Stock/Cast/Junction

Galbadia/Trabia SeeDs: Draw/Cast.

The advantage that the Balamb SeeDs have over others is that they have ambient and a near unexauhstable supply of energies. Instead of relying on random available energies from their enemies or "Mana Springs"

If there are any further questions please ask... And don't forget to study the next Chapter: Time Compression: The Everlasting Moment.

I don't really agree with this. I think that, because Squall shows no feats of superior strength in the game, a 'strength' Junction instead increases the power of physical blows, be it through better cutting power at the time of strike or whatever. Further on this, there are no Galbadian or Trabian SeeDs, according to the game, and the Galbadian soldiers are never shown to 'draw' magic, so this doesn't really work, for me.

As for manipulating energy, sure, that's what para-magic is, and that's what draw points give; energy of a specific type.

[Pharoh Amon Khan III]

I don't really agree with this. I think that, because Squall shows no feats of superior strength in the game, a 'strength' Junction instead increases the power of physical blows, be it through better cutting power at the time of strike or whatever. Further on this, there are no Galbadian or Trabian SeeDs, according to the game, and the Galbadian soldiers are never shown to 'draw' magic, so this doesn't really work, for me.

As for manipulating energy, sure, that's what para-magic is, and that's what draw points give; energy of a specific type.[/QUOTE]

Uh, there ARE Galbadian and Trabian SeeDs. And as depicted in your Manual Dr. Odine, All people are capable of using Para-Magic. But of course, this is only my perspective, and your free to have/share your own as much as I am to have/share mine... See kids? We CAN read the same book and be on different pages...

P.S.: Seriously, this was the way I saw it because as I played this game I loved to dislike, I tried to find an understanding of what was happening. And this explains it best. All people can use Para-Magic, but from the common "Player" aspect, one would think that they can only use magic while junctioned to a GF. When the question, on these very beloved forums, arose, I felt compelled to voice my view of how it would be 'plausiable' in the 'real world' of FFVIII. To me it makes more plausable sense. And don't get me started on the R=U Theory... I'll more than likely be banned again as many times as a Sorceress has died... LOL...

[Ryushikaze]

Pharoah, your explanation doesn't work for two reasons. GFs cannot be 'energy beings', because Energy does not stay around and collect itself into distinct forms, as numerous GFs, such as Ifrit, Odin, Tonberry, Cerberus, and Bahamut did.

And Gilgamesh, but then again, he came through a dimensional cleave from FF5's X- zone.

Now, it seems they can leave trace amounts of themselves in places as electrical signals, which would suggest they rest elsewhere until called up by those their piggyback signals are residing in.

Addendum: Brain fart- it also fails because Galbadian soldiers, not junctioned to GFs, have stocked magic. Kiboshes your theory.

And while people can have differing perspectives, empirical support is expected.

[Omnislash07]

I like your idea about the junction machine and it makes sense unlike alot of other ideas alot of people throw out.

Uh, there ARE Galbadian and Trabian SeeDs. And as depicted in your Manual Dr. Odine, All people are capable of using Para-Magic. But of course, this is only my perspective, and your free to have/share your own as much as I am to have/share mine... See kids? We CAN read the same book and be on different pages...

No there are no Trabia SeeDs, Trabia Garden does not have the facilities required to fully train students into SeeDs, so they must send them on to Balamb Garden to finish their training, this was show with Selphie when you first meet her. I am unsure whether Gabaldia Garden has SeeDs or not it never really says but I would assume they do given the fact that Irvine who is not a SeeD was allowed to join Squall and co. Had Gabaldia Garden not been able to train SeeDs like Trabia then Irvine probably would have been sent to Balamb to finish his training.

Also I always assumed that there were other GFs that the party never encounters that the other SeeDs juntioned so that they could use magic.

[Zeromus_X]

I'm pretty sure it said that only Balamb Junctioned GFs, as the reason Irvine remembered Edea from their childhood (and their childhood in general) is because he never Junctioned GFs as a part of his training, and didn't suffer the side effects of amnesia as a result of Junctioning GFs.

Edit: Holy smurf. Why.....

[LunarWeaver]

Forums make me feel dirty because I never even think about things like this.