If I wanted to lead a guild to compete in the long-term with Empire, I'd put the guild together to do some 2nd tier raids, oldworld and Kunark stuff, zealously boot the rabble-rousers and smack-talkers and griefers out, and negotiate a time-limited peace with Empire strictly in regards to raids. Keep up a stable diplomatic channel between the guilds to handle any conflicts that arise, renegotiate the terms of peace on a schedule, and then eventually allow the peace to expire and compete directly via PVP or celerity for Velious raid targets. People that are treated with respect and maturity will typically respond in kind...
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