Final Fantasy 16 introduces players to a massive world full of Eikons, their dominants, realms at war, and of course, magic. Unlike previous games, magic is looked at very differently in Valisthea. While so many people seem to wield it, it's not looked very well upon by other people.
While Bearers are looked at differently in every realm, their general outlook seems negative, just in varying degrees. A Bearer is easy to spot thanks to the unique tattoo on their cheek, branding them for what they are.
What Are Bearers
Bearers are those who are born with the ability to use magic without requiring power from Mothercrystals. Those who can wield magic outside of what the Mothercrystals give are branded with a tattoo on their cheek and are treated as lower-class citizens or slaves, depending on what realm they reside in. This tattoo on their cheek also will have others refer to them as "Branded," both words usually meaning the same poor position in life because of their gift or curse, depending on who is asked. Despite being more powerful than regular people, Bearers are mostly seen as tools to be used by their realm instead of actual people.
As Bearers can use magic in combat to be more effective than regular soldiers, some realms use them as elite soldiers that are also expendable, which is where Clive finds himself at the start of the game. Despite Bearers being looked down on in all realms, Cid's group is using the growing war as the perfect time to hide away Bearers and create a hidden society where they are treated as regular people.
What Is Magic In Final Fantasy 16
For those unable to wield magic naturally, anyone is able to use shards of a Mothercrystal to use magic. This form of magic is seen as more natural and is accepted in realms that have control over a Mothercrystal. Mothercrystals produce a large amount of Aether nearby, allowing anyone to wield magic, just not through themselves. Dominants can also use the magic from their Eikons, and depending on how their realms view dominants, this can have them be a Bearer of slightly better standing.