Seems like I should have been around back then, but I can't recall them working like that. Maybe I never got high enough to actually try to enter someone else's guild.

From a realism p.o.v. it wouldn't be so far-fetched to keep the current behavior when the PC is blind but have it work like I suggested when the PC can see. The explanation being that if you can't see then even a low-level guardian mob is able to head you off without it coming to blows.

Would probably want to make it so "fleeing from combat" gets you the current behavior (i.e. block w/o attack) too.

So...yeah. Not worth the effort I guess. I suppose good-aligned characters can just say to the mob "Step aside and stop protecting evil dude right now or I'll be forced to attack you," before attacking.