My point wasn't to say that you had to fight other realms all the time. Even mundane and simple goals would suffice to engender a stronger realm identity.
I think that if we were to take a poll among the active players on this forum, our spread might be interesting as we ask about just which identity we assert primarily. I really think that as we get more experience, we understand the different things going on in our part of BM, and learn how to manipulate them. But I also think with that comes a sort of blinder that makes us less aware that the vast majority of newer players have not the slightest clue about such complexities, and might even think we're just stringing them along like puppets. Then again, they might not be incorrect in that assessment either.
Perhaps we who have been around for a while should step back a moment and assess ourselves and what we've done in this game. What role do we really want to play in the future of this game? I don't mean stupid petty things like character goals. Sure, you probably think they're big deals, but guess what? Truth is, if BM itself disappears all your characters' goals are worthless and pointless because you'd have no BM in the first place. While this is an outcome far into the future, the question is how quickly do you want to bring it about?
You are allowed to play your characters the way you want, obviously. But at the same time, I cannot see how truly "right" it would be to allow such characters to have responsibility over the enjoyment of other players. Seriously, for those of you who are skeptical: If your character is a leader in your realm, you are responsible for the enjoyment of this game by the other players. We're not talking just characters here. You're supposed to make sure that the players are satisfied with the results they get. Of course if they play !@#$%^& characters then they get what they deserve, usually banishment, but I mean for the majority of players who aren't !@#$%^&s. I hope we all realize that it's true, most BM players aren't scheming lying jerks.
So it comes down to a question of just what we would like to do for this game. Sure, we can certainly go on with our selfish and smaller faction politics. That, I believe, will lead down a steady road to the point where BM ceases to be a viable online game. In that case, all your scheming would be a pathetic waste of time as you'd be better off writing a self-insert fanfic with you as the protagonist winning all the time. Apologies for the harsh hyperbole, but I thought the point should be fairly stressed, especially since there are likely some who are deadset in pursuing their own selfish goals. With regrets I admit that at one point I was among them, but I have since come to a certain different thought about just what role I wish to play in this game.
Basically, if you're going to lead people, don't be a jerk about it. If you're going to be a jerk, and the realm actually places you in power, then that's too bad for the realm I suppose. But still, try to accept the heavy responsibility that comes with positions. Such things make me wonder whether a lot of players view positions more as things to brag about or rewards, rather than actually relevant and involved obligations. Those positions shouldn't just be pretty titles, so I would imagine.