Personally I feel you should have the option to drop the Hero class if you change realms or Islands (and/or maybe religion). I've always played my Heroes as fanatics of specific in-game groups, with taking the hero class as representive of a higher level of dedication to that group than a average lay member, sort of like paladins from D&D. Doesn't make much since for my Keperstan fanatic to risk his life on the frontline for a realm he just joined that he isn't as dedicated to. Then again, others play their Heroes different than I.
