By and large, yes.
> The capacity of refugees from Vormain to escape the
> islands is surely dependant on Open Oceans.
Probably so. To what extent particular islands in Vormain and the East Isles remained internavigable hasn't been 100% determined. I think that at the least, 'internal' communications in the Vorumai islands was greatly reduced, and to the outside largely eliminated, but the closeness of the islands together, and the 'fuzziness' of Vormain (the Hinter Isles) make this not entirely clear cut.
> How did this xenophobic people learn Dormal's secrets?
To some extent, the Opening seems to be a passive effect in part; if people reach Vormain, it would tend to have a 'freeing' effect, even if no Vorumainin ever bothered or was able to learn the actual 'spell'.
> Before the closing it is my guess that relations with the major sea power of
> the time would not have been rosy: Waertagi, Jrusteli, Golden Mokato.
Not rosy, but I don't think Mokato and the Waertagi were still major powers by the time of the Closing. Both suffered severe setbacks in the early 700's. (Though may have recovered somewhat, thereafter.)
Slainte,
Alex.
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