I love Gridania also and have spent the greatest portion of my time there however i would like to see it change greatly, the aesthetics are good. but the setup, is ugh-full.

My version of Gridania would be a forested hill. Comes and huts up well worn paths with the stables, adventurers guild and trading buildings at the foot.

The Adders nest GC base at the top in "naturally" grown walls (But not thorns, its been done, SE could do better) The Lancer and Archers guild attached. And a earthen spiral stairway into the depths of the hill with nthe Conjurors guild and some neat Tree roots that all grow towards some damn fine super Aether crystal (Over NINE FEET TALL!)

And instead of doing the classic Single giant tree at the center, have 4 very different types of "major" trees that connect to the roots i mentioned before. Spread the shops, homes and NPCs around the hill Lots of birds (that you can see flying around) NPCs walking (and chatting).

And lastly throughout the town some subtle stonework from long ago. To give the visual effect that it was once a stone build town, that nature reclaimed almost completely, and now the Gridanians have come to to claim WITH nature.

Thats my personal Vision of the Gridania i'd like to see.