What about a gameplay where you re not forced to play, but instead , do crafting and building?
There could also have a market, duels, horse races, recruiting centers for clan, special RP events...
Perhaps it could have some crafting to get a discount for clan members on the price of repairing. A place where peasant would have their real place, in the farms. They could grow and cook some food, food that would be needed for soldiers to stay healthy in battle. Metalsmith that could sharpen, repair and reforge armor and weapons. A religious leader that could forgive for all our sins, and fanatize the templar ;)
Some random events would add a bit of pepper in that, raids from barbarian, per example and a message would be send on all other servers, to gather help. Hide and seek with a thief. Escort a gold caravan, ....
