You said:

"Can you remember the last time there were 40+ ragers in the village that played regularly? 40+ tribunals? 40+ sylvans?

When cabals get even a quarter of those numbers near hero, they tend to totally dominate cabal wars, in my experience."

Sylvans that I face regularly
1) Starkad
2) Blachmianan
3) Dacheal
4) Garambullo
5) Akrangol
6) Phraenduell
7) Grumby
8) Pelthaas
9) Corthy
10) Gevanter
11) Aelgain
12) Tichsomething invoker
13) Kisrithian bard
14) Ehlonna

And there are others that I'm forgetting.

Add in those that are at least Sylvan sympathizers that may actually be Sylvans and Fortress members and you have

15) Vorcalnon
16) Kalvaker
17) Tzaric
18) Erenthell
19) Phekaosy
20) Aemelius
21) Dylerion
22) Rothow
23) Brakkas
24) Pupmancur
25) Gorthalon
26) Sheilica
27) Karun
28) Zacharyn
29) Telfolan
30) Jhanderin
31) Eluna

Then there are the Tower members. These individuals are anti-Sylvan true, but they will pick up where the Warders leave off as far as allying with the Fortress to beat on Imperials. Thankfully their numbers are relatively few.

32) Gherian
33) Chasillia
34) Kamilla (may just be a sympathizer)

So that's at least 34 hero-range anti-Empire characters. I think it's a safe bet that there are at least an additional 10 that I'm overlooking or forgetting about.

My only complaint is that I can't hero because as soon as I start I have an airform scout alerting the 10+ enemies where I am. I'm not worried about dying and losing my shinies, but I'm not going to throw myself into the Abyss. More than a few of the above have shown me that they're willing to attempt multi-kills on me so I end up having to gather the necessities and then wait for a calmer time to gather the gravy.

Thank the gods for leader-con.