Just, uhm, what do clergy do?
In EFS 1.4, nothing. In Nova 2.3, they have PSY combat ability and cost nothing to build (albeit 8 turns in a church). They were meant to have a role but it was never implemented.
Is the only way to make firebirds by selling crap at Agora's?
You can gain firebirds the following ways: selling to an Agora, raising taxes, lowering pay, raising tithe, or receiving firebirds through diplomacy with another player. You can also get firebirds from selling maps to the Vau, although this is against house rules. You can also take loans from the League.
Blademasters are upgraded nobles, right?
Yes, with the proper technology, you can upgrade your nobles to have better stats.
Is it possible to get new nobles somehow?
Yes, there are two ways. One, you can find them, randomly, amongst ruins (they will pledge themselves to your cause). Two, depending on their loyalty, you can rout them if you damage one in combat but don't kill it. In EFS 1.4, a noble with 75% loyalty is impossible to rout. In Nova 2.3, there is a 1% chance to rout them. Then you must capture them.
Can I deconstruct buildings I no longer want around?
Yes, you must use raze city with an engineer that's on top of that city.
Why can my units walk on the sea in the dark-orange mountain worlds?
These are barren planets, it is not an actual sea. The sea dried up, and they are walking on the bottom of what was once a sea. This is why you cannot build naval ships on a barren world.
..And what's a good counter for psy?
Units with higher psy defense. Psy defense replaces the role of armor when calculating damage from psy attacks, and there are a few units with high psy defense.
Why do I have a honking huge garrison on Byzantium II if combat is banned?
To protect your noble and have a presence on the capital world. Combat is not banned when someone declares themselves emperor. When this time comes, you'd obviously want a powerful ground force.
What can I do on Byzantium II if I can't build things?
Until someone declares themselves emperor (which will begin all out war on Byzantium II), you can attack with spy units, submarines, or stealth raider ships in space. So you are able to assassinate other nobles on the surface, and without a noble at Byzantium II, a player cannot vote in the elections.
What's the tech for getting arboretums?
http://website.lineone.net/~rwein/nova/techchrt2-3/tech.htmhttp://website.lineone.net/~rwein/machi/techchrt/techchrt.htmIn both EFS 1.4 and Nova 2.3, you need advanced bacteriology. To get this you must have: Microbiology, Pharmaceuticals, Genetics, and Genetic Manipulation.
I hope this helps.