Well, I'm a little bit further then you,... (SPOILER)just won my fight against the judge on mount bur omisace and I don't have the feeling that the story is dull at all. I really like it so far, and I can't wait to hear the rest of the story. And yes, when I were on the same point as you are right now, I actually knew a lot of Fran's, Basch's and Ashe's background. 3 out of 6, what more do you want?

Off course, it ain't the same story as it was in the earlier FF's, but I think that the storyline of FFXII is so unique, that you will appreciate it more when you actually completed the game. Don't know it for sure though, because I haven't finished the game yet