Maybe the Goldsmith quests say something about this, but since I didn't unlock GSM, all I have is the small talk from the GSM guildmaster: He's new, and replaced an old guildmaster due to some incident or scandal.

I believe he may be referring to Nielefresne's brother, who inherited Eshteime's Lapidaries after his death, and whom was also in love with Fl'hammin?

Was also sad not to see any mention of F'lhaminn or the Lala twins and their family at the Miner's Guild.

I thought the name Frediswitha sounded familiar! Was he the one with a bad memory in 1.0? I remember he was at Drybone, like he is now.

I was in the Immortal Flames in 1.0, and did some GC quests there involving a Captain Jakys Ryder. Sad to say, he died at Cartenau. May his soul rest in paradise and may Nald watch over him. Or was it Thal? I can never remember which one is which. One of them is in charge of the afterlife, right?

Kayokane, which quest was that? And what do you mean, are you saying he's a returning character? No wait a second...you're not saying that's Cid, are you? Speaking of which, Cid is missing, presumed dead (although, as you said, his appearance in the E3 trailer dispels my worry for him.)