(08-02-2013, 06:22 PM)Evie Wrote: 1) Before the Garleans attacked Eorzea, where the lands at relative peace that would allow free trade and merchant travel etc across the borders? It may not have been like large amounts of such activity, but from what I gathered the original acts where kind of unexpected.
2) Was there an academy for higher studying of Magics? Think other games like Dragon Age with the Mages academy, or Elder Scrolls with a similar. Or like a graduate school where all the best mages go to study in order to research and share advanced techniques etc etc.
1. The city states tend to ignore one another until they have need of the other it seems. We know that 100 years ago Ala Mhigo waged war against Gridania. It ended in a loss for Ala Mhigo. The city later ripped itself apart in a civil war against its own people just a couple years before Garlemald invaded. Ishgard is at war with the dragons in Dravania. Sharlayan was abandoned when the Garleans invaded Ala Mhigo. Most likely because Sharlayan has no military force that could repel the Garleans should they cross over the mountains into their territory. Ul'dah wiped out it's own sister nation Sil'dih. Limsa deals with it's own pirate problems and are also at arms against the Sahagin. So each nation kind of has it's own problems so they don't interfere with one another.Â
As for trade routes. There are trade routes all across Eorzea and nations who traded mainly with specific other ones, but all nations traded with one another to at least some extent.Â
Gridania originally did not trade with anyone until the Autumn War against Ala Mhigo. This was mainly due to the fact they didn't trust or want Outsiders in their forest. The city-states came to their aid and now Gridania trades with the other nations. From Ishgard they receive the finest raised Male Chocobos in exchange for aiding in the capture of Ishgardian fugitives that try to seek refuge in the Twelveswood. Gridania also trades many plants and seeds and fertilizer to Ul'dah.Â
Ishgard used to trade mainly with Ul'dah and Gridania until the city went under lockdown. To Ul'dah they used to give heretics and captured monsters to use on the Bloodsands. Entertainment. And to Gridania, again, they gave some of their finest chocobos as well as offered their assistance where they could with the Ixali threat.Â
Ul'dah seems to be the central trade hub. All things seem to come through Ul'dah at some point. Most of their exports include rare ores and gems, metals and medicines. But they also deal in Ceruleum trade with the Empire, using Limsan trading vessels as middle men. Their only real interest is gil and favors. As long as their exploiting someone they are happy.Â
Limsa Lominsa holds and protects most of the offshore trade routes. Their business usually includes finished metal goods, like armor, weaponry, vessels, and construction materials. As well as Fish, vegetables, and the occasional black market items.Â
2. Proficiency at magic is something that is not always taught, but something acquired through many years of practice and study. Some seem to be more attuned to certain magicks than others. Not everything can be taught. This especially is true of those possessing the knowledge to wield arcane magic. This is not typically taught at any guild as most of these arcane arts (aka Jobs in XIV) are either forgotten or forbidden. For instance, the Sixth Umbral Era came about because of the abuse of the original arcane magicks.
As for the Circle of Knowing, these Archons are said to be scholars of the Twelve and of the history of Eorzea. They do not necessarily possess great magical abilities. As was said Yda and Thancred have almost no magical abilities but excel in melee combat. Needless to say they are all highly intelligent, but not always the most socially adept. (Lookin at you Yda.)Â
Hope that helps! If you have any more lore questions, just lemme know! I'll do my best to find some answers for you. =]