Empire has been on an upswing for a few weeks now with consistent presence of talented players. I don't think you can reasonably see this without staying online if you're alone though.

Also I'm not sure its fair to complain when people take your items for the veil when the veil plays an important part in cabal wars/RP as a whole. You're also a transmuter and shouldn't have any trouble getting gear, especially when you have several tanky warriors and a couple shaman to stand behind.

Now there was for sure a dearth post Chetush that wasn't there pre-Chetush, but as soon as he deleted Empire bounced back.