SI: every account gets one free character on the island. No second characters allowed. (Like Dwilight.)
All characters can die, but I don't think any non-heroes have died yet.
Diplomacy locked at war.
No priest actions. No family gold connection. It's all about fighting.
As for EC, the only really Old Guard you have is Sirion. Ecthelion still rules Sirion, and a lot of the people are still there. My character rules Eponllyn, but I wouldn't consider him Old Guard.
Other than that, there has been a lot of turnover in most realms. Several realms are rules by newer characters.
There is still a strong there realm alliance: Sirion, Nivemus, Eponllyn. However, no one seems shy about starting wars.
All in all, EC looks like a bright spot right now.
