Balikar you don't need to dramatize. Just ask AoW for passage and they will let you through unless you are acre or astralis. Thats most of the players in this game not in those factions and ALL the independent traders (who were the ones complaining about free trade).
You think I'm dramatizing? Pull off the blinders.
1) Independent Traders - In my opinion, and I believe the general consensus... an independent trader would be a white dot. Without a faction. Majority of white dots on the map don't move. They are inactive. Those that are active will often have a small army, and thus don't care about aquiring gear/armies worth noting. They also tend to carry limited goods. Trades in small numbers can often happen without any notice from anyone.
2) Small factions: I'm actually very active on the map. It's very rare that I see a small faction member, unless their faction has a fief. Then I typically only see them around their fief. I would love to see more small factions get involved, and find a home, but let's be honest here Kesh... it takes a long time to build an army. Given that time frame it takes to get the army, wouldn't open trade be better for them as well? Heaven forbid those members sign up for people trying to capture an AI fief, and thus earn the ire of AoW too.
3) Big factions: They can trade amongst themselves, or pass through AoW lands without notice because I don't think AoW actually wants to take on KBW, or LCO.
So if you take out the KbW, LCO, Astralis, and Acre people out of consideration, which I would do if I was home (work computer, can't open the image), then the pool of people YOU are talking about is a very, very small number. If we look at this thread, there are 10 posters. 2 in Acre, 1 in Astralis, You, 1 Squid... that's 50%. It's just as rough a walk for Jona's crew to EU as it is to the steppes, and the number continues to drop.
You've always defended them this round Kesh. Truth is, you're as much in their pocket as their own members... oh wait, you have an alt there. Hrmmm. I know, I know, you have a lot of alts in various clans. But your ties are a little stronger from doing it all the same.