This type of problem creates vulnerabilities of all types. Outside influence, homegrown corruption, increased selfishness/envy due to shrinking resources. Nationalism/Spire-priorism is a common reaction to these constraints and often results in matching behavior from other nations/spires. Wouldn't be hard to for a
foreign puppet-master to insert itself and/or wreck social havoc on a troubled spire. Yay Cycles of history.
Agreed. It also explains some of the perspective of Espira and the other Auroran's we saw. They they view the Albion's as an overly decadent people, when the reality is that their lot in life simply hasn't gotten as bad yet (environmentally). Also why they'd be prone to more aggressive war tactics, if they are struggling more to provide the basics for their citizens. Plus War has always been an effective solution to a population straining the limits of the available resources
War has also historically been a time of necessity-driven invention. So I am really looking froward to seeing what Gwen can do with Journeyman assisting her.