Quote Originally Posted by TinyRedLeaf View Post
If I recall correctly, the city-states used to have larger standing armies, comprising not just enlisted/commissioned units, but also large numbers of mercenaries. But after the end of the Autumn War with Ala Mhigo, there was no further need for large standing armies. Many soldiers lost their jobs, and for a while, they were a nuisance until the Adventurers' Guild was set up to provide some form of employment.

I think this was explained in Ver1.0 lore. More experienced lore hounds may wish to correct or corroborate my information.
That's preaty much it in a nutshell. And personally, In exchange my scripts for valuable Glacier Crystals that SE for 360 Gil a pop. (That the merchants probably sell back to the GCs for 400 Gil a piece lol)