(10-19-2014, 08:26 PM)FreelanceWizard Wrote: The implication I get from that is that professional adventurers typically are literate, while the average Eorzean isn't.

(10-19-2014, 10:03 PM)Sounsyy Wrote:

(10-19-2014, 08:26 PM)FreelanceWizard Wrote: The implication I get from that is that professional adventurers typically are literate, while the average Eorzean isn't.

So interesting thing to bring up about this. Eorzeans are noted as being vastly illiterate, right? While adventurers are hinted and winked at being (for the most part) able to read. What do we know about the Player Character adventurers? They aren't from Eorzea...

Let's combine that with the answer Fernehalwes gave at yesterday's lore panel in regards to cross-racial relationships. He starts off by saying "adventurers come from different lands. From places slightly more progressive."

What if the real reason the Player Character Adventurers can read is just because they're from outside Eorzea?

The Goblins went on the Great Pilgrimage 100 years ago to Othard and Ilsabard to attain vast knowledge. We have Thavnair's Great Library. We have the (Island) Sharlayans to the north of Eorzea who are the keepers of knowledge. Garlemald teaches its soldiers to read so they can read/recognize Louisoux's intercepted letters. ( Faded Page )

Is Eorzea just that backwaters of a place? "A blighted realm..." Gaius van Baelsar described it. We're just that savage and have suffered so many calamities and wars and shifting alliances and political backstabs that in the 5000 years since the Allagan Empire we've just never had a chance to recover all that knowledge?

Outside foreign adventurers (I think the distinction should be made, because a native Eorzean adventurer is probably still illiterate) it's kind of interesting to think about who else would be able to read? Members of the Order of Nald'thal, the Arcanists of Melvaan's Gate, Ishgardian astrologians / Holy See, Goblins, Levemetes... probably more I'm not thinking of at the moment, but I think I'm just rambling now.

• There's schedules and signage in the airship landings.
  
• The airship landings also have lots of file drawers behind the desk.
  
• One of the early quests outside the Gladiators' Guild has you putting posters up for a match, though there's no statement about any text on those.
  
• You sign your name to the Adventurers' Guild roster in the starting quests, though you wouldn't need to be literate to do that (you could just "make your mark").
  
• The hunt mark bills have "flavor" text on them, but that's not necessary to understand their purpose.
  
• There's the ubiquitous "No Entry" signs.
  
• The Observatorium and the Thaumaturges' Guild both have substantial libraries.
  
• A certain mad Conjurer does some writing in blood in a particular Expert dungeon.
  
• A market board would really have to use writing, though I think it's safe to say the board is just an abstraction for the act of "wandering the market" (which in 1.0 used to involve actually wandering the market ) and can be safely ignored.
  

1. Great information in everyone's responses; it's clear that the instances in which one would be literate or highly literate in Eorzea would depend on their line of work or upbringing, not just the public education of the people.  
   
   I think my character Frejyalen is literate (as she was educated in politics and culture as a future Queen), but I hadn't considered whether my character Miounne would be literate.. might have to think on that one.
   
   
2. I went over to the Eagle & Quill, as was suggested to me here.  It was a lovely place, with lovely people, and I will be frequenting their FC house for RPing until I get my own (and still probably after).  So thanks to those who helped me out!
   

(10-22-2014, 12:58 PM)Dasair Wrote: I actually wonder if this is common practice; if the literate and learned are accustomed to reading aloud as a courtesy to others who may not be able to decipher the words.  Honestly, I think that would be an interesting little culture quirk, if it were the case.

(10-22-2014, 01:11 PM)Sounsyy Wrote: That's actually... a really interesting way to think about it. =o I like it!

Also, if we're thinking the same quest it's called "The Kindness of Strangers" from Emeria in Hyrstmill. Where she believes she's being stalked by a bandit named Ailbert, and when you kill Ailbert you find a letter on his person describing his undying affections towards Emeria.