Disclaimer: Since I find it very stupid to have to restate this over and
over for each chapter, this will apply for all chapters. I do not own
Final Fantasy VIII, Squaresoft does, however any character that is not from
the game, unless otherwise mentioned, will most likely belong to me. I am
not making any money off of this, so please do not sue.
The following is my interpretation of the use of GFs, para-magic, sorcerer/sorceress powers, and the character's special abilities (other authors may feel free to use these explanations in their own stories) :
First GFs: GF stands for guardian force. They are in essence, a creature made almost completely out of magic. There are many more GFs than the ones shown in the game, and more than one for each element. For example: there are several other fire-based GFs than Ifrit, each having different strengths and styles. I estimate there being close to two thousand GFs of varying strengths throughout the world. Otherwise how could an entire garden full of SeeDs each have at least one GF and still find many others across the world. No one seems knows where GFs come from, although there is a theory about if a sorcerer/ess is not able to give away their powers when they die it will turn into a GF
Second, the actual junctioning of a GF: When a GF agrees to join a human he/she/it will allow that human to junction them, thereby sharing their power. When a GF is junctioned to someone, along with allowing the person to summon them and use para-magic with less effort, he/she/it will usually increase the user's strength according to their traits. For example: The Minotaur Brothers would increase your strength, ability to take hits, and para-earth magic, while carbuncle would increase your agility, speed, and use of shields and barriers (an example of this in the game would be strength+20% or auto barrier). They also allow the user to use/absorb some elemental and status magic. Usually a GF's summon time and efficiency has to do with how much a GF likes the person he is junctioned to. Impressing a GF usually has to do by showing off one's battle skill, intelligence, kindness, or any combination of the three. Occasionally however, it can be do to other reasons such as having rescued he/she/it from attack/disaster/etc. , or even in some odd cases, an emotional attachment. Occasionally, for various reasons a GF will travel around with their partner (usually in a less-threatening/inconspicuous form). Although there are said to be some rare cases when a GF will establish a telepathic link with its partner, most communication is saved for during summoning, or after the GF is summoned.
Third, the use of para-magic: Para-magic is magic generated by all living creatures (like the force from Star Wars) in the form of pre-made spells (there are more than shown in the game). Despite what you might have seen in the game, This magic will mainly be launched from the person's body instead of just appearing around the enemy like shown in the game (Actually, if you take a close look at the FMV fight between The Balamb and Galbadia Gardens, you can see them using magic like this). Para- magic can also be found in draw-points, points where para-magic flows out of the ground. In order to use this magic a person must learn to draw it. Although this ability can be used without one, a GF will allow a person to store and use drawn magic much more easily and efficiently than without one. Sorcerers and Sorceresses have little need for para-magic as their power is stronger and much more flexible than para-magic.
Fourth, sorcerers and Sorceresses: Said to have had their powers given to them by the great Hyne (the game doesn't exactly go into detail, so I won't either), these are people who hold great power. Their power has the ability to affect matter, time/space, and spirit, making it a force to be reckoned with. For those of you who don't know, these powers can be transferred from one person to another. Unfortunately, men usually do not survive the transfer of power, making sorcerers extremely rare. Unless the sorcerer/sorceress is passing on their power due to their death, they will keep a fraction of their power and turn into a demi-sorcerer/sorceress (this is how Edea was able to use her air punch and icicle-javelins after giving her powers to Rinoa). Sorcerers/Sorceresses usually have special abilities/strengths within their powers that are determined depending on their character.
Lastly, special abilities: About one out of thousand humans have special powers that training can bring out. For example: Quistis' power is her blue mage skills, meaning she can learn magical techniques from observing monsters. Selphie has demi-sorceress abilities (in place of her slot skill from the game), which means she can generate magic without drawing. However Selphie's skill is weaker than a real sorceress' and tends to tire her out so she usually avoids doing from using it. Squall has an inner power (inner power, chi, ki, whatever you call it) which is capable of increasing his strength, speed, etc. with his Renzokuken technique and the more-powerful Lionheart Technique. It also allows him to perform energy-based moves like Rough Divide, Fated Circle, and Blasting Zone (which is not going to be taller than ten stories, hey it's my fanfic and as cool as it is to have an attack that reaches into space, I doubt it would be possible unless he was a sorcerer). And lastly Ellone's skill of sending people to other's pasts. The people outside military organizations, who are aware of their power, tend to hide these powers as not to be mistaken for sorcerers/esses. Although no one knows for sure (that has told anyway) , these abilities are said to be caused by exposure to remnants of sorcerous powers.
If you have any SERIOUS suggestions for GFs or Magic review or e-mail me (you can find my address in my author profile). I am accepting pictures of the Above, so if you have a hard time describing these things feel free to sending visual aid.
The following is my interpretation of the use of GFs, para-magic, sorcerer/sorceress powers, and the character's special abilities (other authors may feel free to use these explanations in their own stories) :
First GFs: GF stands for guardian force. They are in essence, a creature made almost completely out of magic. There are many more GFs than the ones shown in the game, and more than one for each element. For example: there are several other fire-based GFs than Ifrit, each having different strengths and styles. I estimate there being close to two thousand GFs of varying strengths throughout the world. Otherwise how could an entire garden full of SeeDs each have at least one GF and still find many others across the world. No one seems knows where GFs come from, although there is a theory about if a sorcerer/ess is not able to give away their powers when they die it will turn into a GF
Second, the actual junctioning of a GF: When a GF agrees to join a human he/she/it will allow that human to junction them, thereby sharing their power. When a GF is junctioned to someone, along with allowing the person to summon them and use para-magic with less effort, he/she/it will usually increase the user's strength according to their traits. For example: The Minotaur Brothers would increase your strength, ability to take hits, and para-earth magic, while carbuncle would increase your agility, speed, and use of shields and barriers (an example of this in the game would be strength+20% or auto barrier). They also allow the user to use/absorb some elemental and status magic. Usually a GF's summon time and efficiency has to do with how much a GF likes the person he is junctioned to. Impressing a GF usually has to do by showing off one's battle skill, intelligence, kindness, or any combination of the three. Occasionally however, it can be do to other reasons such as having rescued he/she/it from attack/disaster/etc. , or even in some odd cases, an emotional attachment. Occasionally, for various reasons a GF will travel around with their partner (usually in a less-threatening/inconspicuous form). Although there are said to be some rare cases when a GF will establish a telepathic link with its partner, most communication is saved for during summoning, or after the GF is summoned.
Third, the use of para-magic: Para-magic is magic generated by all living creatures (like the force from Star Wars) in the form of pre-made spells (there are more than shown in the game). Despite what you might have seen in the game, This magic will mainly be launched from the person's body instead of just appearing around the enemy like shown in the game (Actually, if you take a close look at the FMV fight between The Balamb and Galbadia Gardens, you can see them using magic like this). Para- magic can also be found in draw-points, points where para-magic flows out of the ground. In order to use this magic a person must learn to draw it. Although this ability can be used without one, a GF will allow a person to store and use drawn magic much more easily and efficiently than without one. Sorcerers and Sorceresses have little need for para-magic as their power is stronger and much more flexible than para-magic.
Fourth, sorcerers and Sorceresses: Said to have had their powers given to them by the great Hyne (the game doesn't exactly go into detail, so I won't either), these are people who hold great power. Their power has the ability to affect matter, time/space, and spirit, making it a force to be reckoned with. For those of you who don't know, these powers can be transferred from one person to another. Unfortunately, men usually do not survive the transfer of power, making sorcerers extremely rare. Unless the sorcerer/sorceress is passing on their power due to their death, they will keep a fraction of their power and turn into a demi-sorcerer/sorceress (this is how Edea was able to use her air punch and icicle-javelins after giving her powers to Rinoa). Sorcerers/Sorceresses usually have special abilities/strengths within their powers that are determined depending on their character.
Lastly, special abilities: About one out of thousand humans have special powers that training can bring out. For example: Quistis' power is her blue mage skills, meaning she can learn magical techniques from observing monsters. Selphie has demi-sorceress abilities (in place of her slot skill from the game), which means she can generate magic without drawing. However Selphie's skill is weaker than a real sorceress' and tends to tire her out so she usually avoids doing from using it. Squall has an inner power (inner power, chi, ki, whatever you call it) which is capable of increasing his strength, speed, etc. with his Renzokuken technique and the more-powerful Lionheart Technique. It also allows him to perform energy-based moves like Rough Divide, Fated Circle, and Blasting Zone (which is not going to be taller than ten stories, hey it's my fanfic and as cool as it is to have an attack that reaches into space, I doubt it would be possible unless he was a sorcerer). And lastly Ellone's skill of sending people to other's pasts. The people outside military organizations, who are aware of their power, tend to hide these powers as not to be mistaken for sorcerers/esses. Although no one knows for sure (that has told anyway) , these abilities are said to be caused by exposure to remnants of sorcerous powers.
If you have any SERIOUS suggestions for GFs or Magic review or e-mail me (you can find my address in my author profile). I am accepting pictures of the Above, so if you have a hard time describing these things feel free to sending visual aid.