I generally play for 10-14 hours at a time if I am playing a serious character, this gave me amazing insight into the general playerbase, and more specifically power swings. Just one or two people with some pk skill/good rp skill can act as a focal point and you will see mini swings around their presence. Other people will even log in at odd times to play with those characters, causing a greater swing for that particular ethos/align.

Having a good deal of detects in place and watching the Fortress Hour, Ended by the Tavlin log on, Then a few hours later all the evils log on. (Less so depending on how long Tavlin (scion) was awake). This would happen to a lesser extent with outlander also. After the Nexus mass induction, you have a lot of people trying to find their feet, and a group of noobs can also act like a lodestone, more people wanting to play with them.

I do agree that the number of neutrals is a problem in general, but I also agree that being a Fort in the current set up restricts your pk during swings. You've played the times you know light swings, roll up an evil and have fun.

LoL at Morin chasing the empire through time trying to catch the empire hour