Amy I am a bit confused, just want to clarify some things?
Where are you getting this 43 number? All the way up until nearly the end we had ~20 players and picked up 5 or so new players at the end. We had no allies or pacts. Rowdy kept spamming us with PMs regarding sieges but we never had anything going with them and I can post some PMs about them being mad about it when I come off VM (I wasn't a leader so not sure why they were complaining to me). The only outside influence any alliance had was when
I mm'd demon and pixel for support (one time) since I figured enemy of my enemy type deal would help us kill off your LS and help our side grow more.
Now as for your side, TMNT/SW/Four Hoursemen and Mongols had been working together for a long time. All four of these alliances had been supporting sieges on us and attacking sieges on us. In the northern ocean, your side was frequently helping players break sieges on Demon/Pixel and supporting their sieges (very few) on us. Prime joined your side and assured us his two groups were under your protection and would be working with you. So does this clarify, "where are they getting their numbers from". From actual first hand experience of actions of your players and promises from other sets of players.
Anyways again, not making excuses, just wanted to understand your numbers a bit better? I'll be back in a bit when I get my work stuff sorted
Didn't expect everything to implode while I clicked VM haha