For what it's worth, what applies to you doesn't apply to everyone. KUTT and Hospis have been struggling, as have smaller factions. We've been doing alright with it, as Tears mentioned.
Beating 20 guys with 50 just isn't as much fun, for either side. And unless you're a real shithead, this game is about having fun. If you are, it's about beating people who don't have a chance because of game mechanics largely beyond their control.
Most people refuse to sign up for Fallen because most people are at war with us. 
You can hate us for whatever reason you can contrive. We're outnumbered about [information withheld for security purposes] to one and have no set alliances. Because we're that committed to keeping binary alliances from happening on the NA side a la UIF/anti-UIF. The NA Fallens have been there for two years. What we have today is far, far better. I wish my EU buddies had our opportunity.
I know you'll never listen to me for whatever reason, but for God's sake, don't wish carebearism onto NA. Ever. The bitch of it is that it only takes one side to force the other's hand. Platemail armies aren't worth it.
None of us should ever wish for reducing the game to two sides. NA should never be a place of JUST good guys (us) and bad guys (them). We need to all be independent masters. If not, things will just boil down to wars of attrition, political gridlock will prevent anything interesting or surprising from happening, and less people can get involved in the game because the two "sides" mean that more players are invested in each battle but only a limited number can actually play in them.
Keep NA wild and free, and the UIF can keep their goddamn +3 Heavy Yawshans. So the Knights of Ni can steal all 200k of them again, hahahah.
You know I agree with you, I'm the farthest from a carebear. Every strat faction I've been a leader of just usually happens to get invaded by a mega alliance within the first weeks of Strat, not my fault that people considered LLJK or Hero_Party the most threatening clans on the map (they were always right.) Northern Empire, Templars, assorted EU clans were usually the culprits. Some of them are friends now, some are still enemies. But events like that can end up forming opinions or setting the stage for new conflicts later on.
If you didn't notice, Hero Party is a neutral faction who just got some help from friends when we were against terrible looking odds. Hero Party did probably the best job I've seen this Strat in defending villages with peasant gear because of all our talented friends mercing, then we beat up Hosps with our counter-attacks. Our friends moved on to a bigger war, we fought Astralis some, then made peace on friendly terms with everyone to worry about the next wars.
NA community is pretty great when everyone is interested in the game, and this Strat has been the best its been in a while. I also gained respect for Hospitallers, Astralis, and Chevalieres once I actually talked to their leaders, hung out in their TS, or merced for them in some battles. Surprising amount of Strategus, and merc recruitment, is public image and friendliness. I was against Kutt because I didn't like how they treated my friends SWF, then did a karaoke night in their TS and loved the guys and wanted to help some when they were getting beat up. I merc for FCC because their organization has given NA strat some of the best battles I've ever been in, and they are all pretty cool people.
What it comes down to, is that people will want to merc in your battles, send armies for your wars, or help out with diplomacy if they like, respect, or trust you. I try to be an honest, chill guy to people, play games or chat with a bunch of Strategus players, and we all just have fun doing things. If you think allies are drying up, mercs aren't there to be found, or Strategus just seems unfair or stupid, there's usually an easy answer. Have some fun! Everything doesn't have to be a contract or a shady deal. Best alliances are ones made from friendship, not schemes. Being a douche often ends in getting unfair odds against you instead. Somewhere in the middle is good diplomacy and the best wars!
