reading your posts, OP, really gave me a deep catharsis. knowing that someone feels the way i do is very comforting.
the world of FFXIV used to be so utterly rich. knowing all it's little secrets is a double-edged sword. i think we were better off with a lot of things having an air of mystery that had us chomping at the bit for clues. to get our heads whirring. everything recently gets closed and shut as fast as it comes out, with nothing for a player to really sleuth about. it's sad and boring. the world used to feel so much more grounded and like we were a part of it.