Shattered Kingdoms

You speak of this faction merging like it could happen.

It should

Constructive rephrase:

What is preventing the proposed faction mergers from being a viable possibility?

Yes... but thats what people said when the first split happened also.

Look at the numbers on peak, A. Generally 30 - 40 at most. There are a total of how many factions? Harle, Hand, Fist, Talon, Guardian, Druid, Crucible, MC, and Keepers. That's 9 factions. Assuming you had a pbase of 45 people at least, that'd be 5 people per faction, that's IF every player joined a faction which doesn't always happen because some people play multiple chars, may not want a faction whatever the reason.

9 factions is a lot to fill. If there were a hundred people or so, I could easily see it being beneficial and fun when there are always defenders / attackers online to drive conflict and such, but that's not really the case anymore. There are far too many factions to fill and not enough players to support them ideally.

Then you have things like the Hammer and Keeper, which have no reason not to be merged. I mean, wasn't the Hammer appointed by the Queen per RP? Per the Help: Hammer

Deep within the forest of Morea, located to the north of Exile in the Kingdom
of Taslamar, lies a shining white castle whose inhabitants are dedicated to
the protection of the land and the purification of evil in all of its forms.
This group of crusaders call themselves the Hammer of Light, and can be found
on their warhorses riding throughout the various kingdoms righting wrongs and
fighting injustice. The Hammer is also the military arm of the ruler of
Taslamar and has vowed to heed the kingdom's call to arms when necessary,
which is all too often in these troubled times.

Note the bold line. It says the Hammer is the Military arm of Taslamar, which would make no sense really in that world as to why they wouldn't have diplomatic immunity in their own nation. I mean, if the dark is attacking Exile and the Hammer comes along to save it, they get thrown in jail. That's like tossing your own troops in a dungeon for protecting you, which makes no sense in any world whatsoever. Some of the factions could be merged and get away with it while others, imo couldn't and shouldn't.

How about tribunal leaders having the ability to give diplomatic immunity to characters in a cabal from the same kingdom?

Definitely a no no. This would overpower cabals so much, that I almost see the clique shaping. "Ok, you of all of us roll a Talon, so the rest of us go Fisties and wtfpwn the game".

The same people would just join the cabunal. I mean seriously. Fist skills and Hammer skills with law NPCs and permabuffs?

did someone say what i just said three pages ago?

Sometimes, if the tribunal leader is on, certain cabals have law immunity through no-stop pardons already. I think it is silly, that a Peacekeeper can go into the Hammer's keep and not get attacked because of an alliance, but the Hammer cant help the Peacekeepers properly defend Exile. Has anyone even come up with a good IC reason for this that isnt horseshit?

I think it would be nice to at least have dual membership. One tribunal and one cabal. I dont think there should be tribunal/tribunal or cabal/cabal.