Is it safe to assume that commoners can't read/write, aside from maybe scribbling their name (crossing a trembling X somewhere)? 'Cause I thought so, but I've been noticing posts popping up with references, so I'm not so sure anymore. :/

From what i've noticed in Fantasy worlds, it varies from character to character--and there's not much anyone can do about that. The problem with Escova is that there is a Refuge population which might be poor now, but some of which might be from highly cultured lands in the Mainland.

So yeah, character by character, though I don't suppose its wrong to infer that the lower classes are usually less educated.

There's no standardized school system, if that's what you mean.

No, just trying to figure out the norm. XD So my characters don't end up saying something stupid.

Well the norm would be people aren't generally educated to a great extent. So yes, you initial suspicions were right.

Way to teach by example.

Oh Dave.

Reinforcement! :P

Most people without a formal education- being most of the population- would be illiterate, so you're spot on. People might learn to read while being educated at a monastery or from a private tutor (if they're wealthy). Others might get really lucky and happen to learn from someone else who knows how to read and feels like being nice-- perhaps from a mentor if they're learning a trade. I think of it as being slightly better off than most during the nitty-gritty of the Middle Ages (more books and monasteries and such :D), but a lot of people should definitely be illiterate, with a lot of those people being in the lower classes, depending on their origins.