(11-12-2014, 03:47 PM)FreelanceWizard Wrote: Writers, at least, would seem to be a rare breed due to dev statements that the literacy rate in Eorzea is very low. As Fernehalwes put it, "As I (think I may have) mentioned in a past post, literacy rates in Eorzea are quite low. The only people who can read/write are usually the educated writing for the educated." That makes some interesting points about the various newspapers in Eorzea and about adventurers as a whole, but I suppose my larger point is that, without a mass market, professional writers would be somewhat limited in quantity or specialized in topics that the rich, educated class cares about.
As far as I know, we don't know much about any other creative professions, save that they exist by virtue of the wide availability of housing items such as paintings, urns, and the like, and the presence of tattoos.
We do have lore saying literacy rates are quite low, but we also have a good bit of lore on a fair number of writers. Technical writers and creative ones as well. So could go either way really.
Here's a link to some writers and their works from Fernehalwes: Eorzean Literature
Also, if you look at the description of the bookshelf Housing items, you can see there are a number of tomes of varying subject matter:
As for "Creative Writing" we have this juicy tidbit from Fishing:
Antlion Slug Wrote:This sand-dwelling slug is able to maintain its mucous coating by absorbing the moisture from prey it catches at the bottom of conical pits not unlike the ones antlions are known to dig. A famous author once wrote a novel (that he claimed was based on fact) in which antlion slugs were actually intelligent rulers of an underground kingdom.
I went ahead and gathered a few other quick references for the existence of some other creative professions that one could use as references:
Painter:
Quote:Lominsan Cityscape
A copy of the cityscape painting titled The Navigator's Veil. Original artist unknown.
Quote:Enquire Within
A commissioned oil painting of realm-renowned agent of enquiry Hildibrand and his faithful assistant Nashu Mhakaracca. Original artist unknown.
Cartographer:
Quote:Eorzean Map
The map of Eorzea as charted by the famous explorer and cartographer Roddard Ironheart.
Astrologian:
Quote:Star Globe
A spherical map of the heavens based off of legendary Ishgardian astrologian Adaunel the Younger's lifetime of findings.
Sculptor:
Quote:#26 - The Navigator
Carved centuries past by a famous Roegadyn sculptor, this massive stone effigy located in the center of Aleport's lower plaza serves as hallowed ground upon which sailors might offer solemn prayers to the watcher of the seas before embarking on their journeys across the untamed deep.
Architect:
Quote:#37 - The Carline Canopy
Nestled cozily within the inn known as the Roost lies the relaxing Calrine Canopy, a haven for those seeking a respite from travel's travails or questing's quandaries. Figaga's Gift, the towering waterwheel found outside the cafe, powers the saws and lathes of the Carpenters' Guild, and is widely considered Gridania's grandest architectural achievement.
Glass Blowers (Crystal Blowers??):
The images depicting Eorzea's 40 Saints performing their Virtuous acts on the Leveplates are said to be made of "stained crystal" ie. stained glass, so someone has to make them...
