I'd like to be useful to other people as well Alysrea. However, we have lost most of our connection to DoW/DoM. Since this looks to be intentional design choice, I feel there is a need to compensate for that loss.

I'm by no measure a top tier crafter these days, though I did well back when producing a +3 weapon meant something. I don't need gil. What is there to spend it on? Higher level crafting gear, so I can craft the same gear for someone else who will find themselves repeating this cycle? This feeds are own competition.

What I'm really looking for is something to do with my time that involves crafting, and rewards me with something I wouldn't be able to get otherwise.