I agree. Castrum may be a little shorter, but it's actually also more annoying because of the cutscenes starting up in the middle of a fight when someone turns off the search lights. And the listen to Cid after fighting the magitech armor cutscene... finish that, go through the trash chute and as soon as the first person gets up the stairs, we're thrown into ANOTHER cutscene showing the ceruleum plant. Why not just have that one tagged on to the end of Cid's?

But for annoyance factor and the fact people will take the penalty because they want Prae's rewards, the exp needs to be closer so people don't leave others in the lurch.

Granted, I get Castrum more than Prae and have not had everyone else leave, but I know it does happen.