Masteria Preview?

This is just out-rightly incorrect.

The Black Mage story has existed at least as early as the release of pirates (there may be earlier instances, but this is the one I specifically remember).
The entire explanation for their return was to warn people that the Black Mage was being revived.

Okay, sure, the game did have a very thinly made storyline that was randomly thrown together in bits and pieces. If I recall the biggest chunks of information were in the magatia quests. But my point still stands. It was very horribly put together, there were very huge gaps in between what little information you were given, the quests which related to the black mage were very randomly thrown about and came in no particular order, and I doubt they were put there for the sole purpose of setting the stage for all of these legend characters and the big war against the "black mage".

The now-existing storyline aspects are nice, sure, but it's not a NECESSARY part of the maple world. I can guarantee you most players didn't play for the quests back then, nor do they now. pre-third job it was about grinding until your fingers bled, trying to outlevel guildies and friends, PQing, JQing, and having fun with other players. Now it's about rushing to 160+ and soloing bosses with your ridiculously overpowered potential equips. The social aspect is gone, and the only decent players left tend to huddle in a corner amongst themselves. If they can even log on to play the damn thing.