Need Lore Help (So many questions)

So, I know these games aren’t necessarily super story-oriented. However, there’s still so much I want to know if it can be cleared up!

Locations (roughly)! I really want to know what locations these games are based on. Some people say Wilds has mostly middle eastern & African influence while Rise has Japanese influence. Are there any more references like this in other games like World or 4U? Like, is Astera based on anywhere?

Guild Knights! God, please. Somebody please tell me what they even are. It’s giving season 3 of “Attack on Titan” vibes with the whole hunters fighting other hunters thing and I really doubt that’s the case. Would be AWESOME though.

Where is our character even from in Wilds? Did I miss it? I know you’re on a ship coming from somewhere at the beginning, is there a set location? Somewhere we know?