(01-11-2015, 05:33 PM)Tiergan Wrote: ALL THAT SAID, I kind of can't help but feel like Ferne sort of arbitrarily decided most of Eorzea can't read despite all of the writing that is all over Eorzea. Â Fortunately, in the same thread where Fernehalwes reveals that literacy rates are low, further down he also mentions that 'No Entry" signs are for adventurers , implying that literacy rates amongst adventurers might higher than normal (possibly because of all the crazy work they're normally doing?).
This explains all of the sign posts, road signs (that don't have any other identifying symbols for folks who can't read), building signs, and hunt mark bills that all have writing on them, but would be wasted on the vast majority of the Eorzean populace. Â
Places like Buscarron's Druthers isn't exactly going to get visited by much of anyone except Wailers and other folks living in the wood  - yet it still has a big ole sign posted right out front.  Perhaps it's purely there for the adventurers.
Keep in mind also that PCs tend to have higher literacy rates than most in RP because otherwise that cuts into A LOT of story-writing potential.
How many DMs gave Barbarians the ability to read in early DND3.0 because the Barb was being an obtuse prick about that?
And as you mention, an adventurer that can't read would have a hard time doing the following :
- Grand Company Hunts
- Leves (IIRC most of them are recorded on paper)
- Hunting Log (you know what it looks like, but not where it can maybe be found)
- Navigate a map
- etc.
It's safe to say that if you're an adventurer, you're at least a functioning illiterate person or you have someone to read for you. Which actually works btw - plenty illiterate folks are able to perform their duties if they have someone to read for them.
