>Can't remember whether I've already posted this, but is it a
>mistake that:
>A) observation exp caps at 15k when 30k feels achievable, but
>difficult

It's _very_ achievable. Quite a few characters have well over 30k, some well over 40-50k.

>B) exploration exp caps at 30k which feels unachievable.

There are a few characters right now with over 30k, though mid/high 20s is more common.

>
>Also do you lose all exploration exp if you log out too soon
>after the exploring AND too soon since last discussing
>successfully with the guild master? Just had a few characters
>of late where, having had to log out right after going through
>an area, I'm surprised not to get any exploration exp. And it
>doesn't seem to be pending for later.

No. The only reason you would actually lose previously acquired EXP/OXP is if you had some built up pre-discuss/quit and the game crashed. And even then I think it'd be good to your last save but I'm not 100% sure.