I am fortunate that I am in a good household that I think breaks "divisive, cliquish, pointless, and drain the energy of local groups" label. We span several large neighboring Baronies, with service equally divided between them. Primarily fencer types, but also bards, costumers, heralds, illuminators, and we are pretty much all service junkies and geeky types.

The only time there has been strife is when two principle baronies "went to war" with each other. Then it was a divided family, but only for those battles, and only for that day.

But I hear what you are saying about the rest of it. Kinda made me shake my head at the real of it all. Especially living here in the glorious East.