The maps we have are in no way a 1:1 translation of a map area. Â Even if you could walk from Gridania to Ul'Dah, or to Ishgard, on foot, it would take time. Â
There's a reason there's carts, merchant caravans, and why the Syndicate in Ul'Dah has merchant routes through areas that it protects. Â There HAS to be more space than we see or that SE could map out, and there has to be a lot going on inside those areas that involve the behind the scenes clockwork of a nation and it's people.
However you don't need any of that to play a vidya game.
Assuming there's loads and loads of towns, hamlets, settlements, tribal wandering areas, is completely lore friendly. Â Just look where it's near and build from there.
There's a reason there's carts, merchant caravans, and why the Syndicate in Ul'Dah has merchant routes through areas that it protects. Â There HAS to be more space than we see or that SE could map out, and there has to be a lot going on inside those areas that involve the behind the scenes clockwork of a nation and it's people.
However you don't need any of that to play a vidya game.
Assuming there's loads and loads of towns, hamlets, settlements, tribal wandering areas, is completely lore friendly. Â Just look where it's near and build from there.