Some suggestions that came to mind to improve/fill the existing factions, without a wipe, after reading Howland's post:

1. Place on the forums an actual area devoted to the factions.

On the website it states: “Please check the forums for latest news and updates on faction information.” The thought here is to have a thread under a new “Factions” area for the app process, basically a cut and paste from the Information area, and a thread that lists the up to date information on the individual factions. With the information in the forums it should make the info more available to players and thus promote interest. This would also place the information in the factions and how to apply to them in close proximity.

2. Hold a Community Event with a focus on the factions.

One idea could be a contest to submit a short story (20-300 words) that provides a colorful look at each of the factions. It would not only provide some nice story, but could drive interest up as people get creative.

3. Wait until 2-3 apps for a faction are in and approved to do anything.

Then run a faction prelude with those 2-3 people involved. Not only will it bond the people to the faction more, it will bond the group so they will have a common ground to build on. This serves also to half fill a faction from the get go, and people are much less likely to drop characters if they have a stake in something larger than just themselves.

4. Promote on the “Forums” area what the DMs would like to see fill a bit more. Show which factions are strong and which are weakly filled there as well. Again, this is more advertising and letting players know perhaps which factions need some help.

5. Events

Players love to be involved, and faction events are a great way to bring that about to keep people in the faction and interested. Monthly or bi monthly faction driven quests are a great way to “tether” players to a faction and also show other non faction associated players that the factions are where it’s at (either being in one or closely allied with one). Tying the quests through the faction NPCs brings the faction to life as well, and gives it substance. I know the DMs do a ton, but an investment like this is reciprocal. It will “prove” to the players that there is that investment on the DM side. When that is there a player is more likely to go the extra mile to devote himself to the faction.

6. Faction Redistribution

Separate the factions a bit in the city, the watch and spellguard in upper, the society, seekers, and whatever in lower, and then what needs to be put in sewer there. It seems that most of the major factions are in upper, and I think this may lend to a "feeling" that the "upper" factions should be working together right now. Just a few thoughts that came to mind after reading Howland's post.

7. IRC event, on what the DMs want from each faction

Just to kick it off and let people have an open forum to ask questions about the factions. Could advertise it on the forums before hand.

In answer on a few points; the Spellguard, Seekers, and Watch are all rivals. There is piss poor cooperation between them on many levels and the Seekers are much more of a lower faction than an upper one.

There have been Faction Preludes before, and as it wound up--only I kept playing the character for it after two weeks and since I already had a faction character I never actually joined the faction and with no one else left for the group I gave up after a nasty death.

That had been a pretty clever idea where characters start a prelude and at the end had a reason to join a faction. However, they still needed to send an application to join up after the prelude. More things like that may work out with a little more clarity that people joining such a faction need to stick with the character better and follow the class/race restrictions.

I'm pretty sure there is weekly if not biweekly running of quests for faction members; they tend to be the easiest group to involve in a quest since they have a solid goal, people they can regularly draw from for a quest. However, scripted Faction quests may be even better. A quest open only if a Faction member obtains it--this gives people a bigger reason to join up with a faction member--get to know them etc.

If Factions start moving from upper to lower all of a sudden without an in game rational it'd start to look silly. Top that off there are major factions in Lower, they just for a very IC reason have been a lot quieter for a lot longer.

You make some good points, however, I think the easiest way to fill up a DM faction is rather simple. When a faction has a few, or even just one, magnetic, well thought out characters that are pushing a solid agenda, the recruits begin to pour in.

I joined the Tigereyes after seeing the rampant success and driven motivation of Zerelde, Liana, Terio and a few other successful Tigereyes and wanted to join in on the party. I'm 99% sure Wiggyboy did the same with Namli, and it just added to the amazing synergy and momentum the faction had at the time.

I know I saw a huge influx of new recruits after Majre was kicking tons of ass in the faction as well.

Add in a bit of DM quests and put the spotlight on the faction, and I imagine numbers will flourish. Maybe not. Just my experience with DM factions <_<.