Synthesis Help?

Umm.. can anyone help me with synthesis and all that o_O? I just got to halloween town, and I just realized that synthesis items that are made are a lot better than stuff I can buy from stores..

But I'm a bit confused on a few things..

1. what does my moogle's level have to do with anything?

2.What's the max level a moogle can get?

3. Should I be saving my materials for more important things (i've made everything available so far >.>)?

4. What's the difference between free development, recipes, and creations?

5. Should I try to get my gear really good by going around worlds and just farming materials? Is there anywhere(any sites) I can go to to find out where I can find what materials?

6. And lastly, is there any way to check the stats on an item before making it?


Also, is this like the first, where the ultimate weapons for donald/goofy/sora are synthesized? If so, when can I start farming the materials?


EDIT:
Since noone has replied yet, instead of creating another thread.. just wondering, too, how do I get summoning xp?

It affects which items can be synthesized, as well as certain Creations.

Nine. Like the number of Nazgul in LotR.

No, it'll be more accessable to you later in the game, as you can farm monsters for items. Some items will be harder to find, but still possible to hunt. You get most of the items while fighting normally through the worlds.

Free development is based on Moogle levels, and previous items made.
Recipes are exactly what they are; recipes. You cook what you need.
Creations are items you have already made. This is primarily used to create the higher tier items, such as using a Serenity stone to make a Save the Queen item, and synthesize into a Save the Queen+. Or using Mega-Potion recipes to form a Mega-Ether.

Not unless you feel you need it. The purchasable items should sustain you until you have enough materials to synthesize other items.

Yes, when you choose to make an item, on the right, is a the stats of the items. Level, EXP given, and items required.

Save the Queen+ (Save the Queen, Queen recipe required)
Save the King+ (Save the King, King recipe required)
Ultima Weapon/Fenrir
UW +6 Strength, +4 Magic, synthesized, Ultima Recipe required
Fenrir +7 Strength, +1 Magic, dropped by Sephiroth (duel in Hollow Bastion)
Dark Shards, Stones, Gems, and Crystals are dropped by Heartless (Shadow, NeoShadow, Air Pirates, etc.)
Twilight Shards, Stones, Gems, and Crystals are dropped by Nobodies (Mostly in WtNW)

Summoning EXP is based on how many Drive Guages are consumed by the duration of the Summon. So if you summon Peter Pan, and the bar starts at 6. If Peter Pan is not unsummoned, then it will consume 6 bars, and give you 6 EXP. EXP between summons is shared, and level requirements are low. High level Summons are also required for the third Paradox cup, (somewhat spoiler).