Newb to the setting here! Most other MMOs have the same thing this one does - a "conventional travel" option and an instant one. Usually, the instant one is really there for QOL for players, even if it's acknowledged in the setting's canon (which it usually is).Â
A good rule of thumb is that regardless of things like currency costs, a theorized metaphysical toll, etc, there's one logic which trumps all - if the instant travel option was perfect in the setting (be that perfection a matter of cost, reliability, or whatever), nobody would use the conventional travel option, and so we wouldn't see that option exist. Of course every MMO also requires you to first use conventional travel to reach a new "waypoint" in the instant travel system before you can access that waypoint, but that's generally an OOC restriction in most settings.
You can see this in the real world. Relative to riding a horse, taking a car is quicker (not exactly instant, but... compared to a horse, over a long distance, it's pretty instant). Within a pretty short span of time, people stopped riding horses around and started using cars. It really only took just long enough for the infrastructure to catch up to the technology.
It's the same in most of the Star Trek shows. The only time they use a shuttle is if something is preventing them from using the transporter. It's also why JJ Abrams introducing a cross-galactic transporter technology makes starships obsolete, but I digress! :)
Since chocobokeeps exist in force throughout the land, and the ownership of a chocobo is considered a valued thing to work for in the setting (as opposed to "ugh why do you want to buy one of those birds just use the crystals gosh"), the logic of the setting says that the aetheryte system is probably just not a thing most people are able to use on a consistent basis. That's how I see it, anyway. :D
Doesn't mean some people might not be able to use it all the time, though, if that's how they want their character to be. Just don't let them tell you that you're weird for riding your chocobo from Thanalan to Gridania.
A good rule of thumb is that regardless of things like currency costs, a theorized metaphysical toll, etc, there's one logic which trumps all - if the instant travel option was perfect in the setting (be that perfection a matter of cost, reliability, or whatever), nobody would use the conventional travel option, and so we wouldn't see that option exist. Of course every MMO also requires you to first use conventional travel to reach a new "waypoint" in the instant travel system before you can access that waypoint, but that's generally an OOC restriction in most settings.
You can see this in the real world. Relative to riding a horse, taking a car is quicker (not exactly instant, but... compared to a horse, over a long distance, it's pretty instant). Within a pretty short span of time, people stopped riding horses around and started using cars. It really only took just long enough for the infrastructure to catch up to the technology.
It's the same in most of the Star Trek shows. The only time they use a shuttle is if something is preventing them from using the transporter. It's also why JJ Abrams introducing a cross-galactic transporter technology makes starships obsolete, but I digress! :)
Since chocobokeeps exist in force throughout the land, and the ownership of a chocobo is considered a valued thing to work for in the setting (as opposed to "ugh why do you want to buy one of those birds just use the crystals gosh"), the logic of the setting says that the aetheryte system is probably just not a thing most people are able to use on a consistent basis. That's how I see it, anyway. :D
Doesn't mean some people might not be able to use it all the time, though, if that's how they want their character to be. Just don't let them tell you that you're weird for riding your chocobo from Thanalan to Gridania.
Lydia Lightfoot ~ The Reliquarian's Guild «Relic» ~ Lavender Beds, Ward 12, #41
This player has a sense of humor. If the content of the post suggests otherwise, please err on the side of amusement and friendship, because that's almost certainly the intent. We're all on the same team: Team Roleplayer! Have a smile, have a chuckle, and have a slice of pie. Isn't pie great?
This player has a sense of humor. If the content of the post suggests otherwise, please err on the side of amusement and friendship, because that's almost certainly the intent. We're all on the same team: Team Roleplayer! Have a smile, have a chuckle, and have a slice of pie. Isn't pie great?
