Wow, it took a long time to read this whole thread! And even so, I'm not convinced that additional steps need to be taken to attract new players to Siege Perilous.
Argument: The developers won't listen to Siege Perilous concerns because its population is only 3% of the Ultima Online's player base.* -- Considering the number of shards available, 3% isn't very low. In fact, if there were more than a few shards with a population greater than twice ours, there would have to be some shards with less. If you say that 3% is a small voice compared to the other 97% (wait, are we counting Mugen?), then yes, you are correct. How big of a voice do you think we need to be heard? 10%? That doesn't sound very big. 25%? I'll tell you, if a full quarter of the people who play Ultima Online come to play on this one shard, I'm out of here. However, such a mass migration doesn't seem very likely, regardless of incentives. So, we're stuck with our little voice.
Argument: People are too scared of/misinformed about our shard. -- Then they are either deterred too easily, or not interested enough to find out the truth for theirselves. There are people who aren't put off by the idea of a tougher shard, and are intrigued by Siege Perilous' ruleset. Those people will come on their own, and then find that there are many here just like them. Personally, I'd rather have that kind of neighbor than one who was lured here.
Argument: A lot of people have left Siege Perilous. -- Yep. There are many new faces, as well - even before any implementation of a new Siege Needs Additional Players (SNAP) program. Siege is dying? Sure it is! It's regrowing, too, all on its own. Circle of life and yada yada yada. I think of Hedly Lamarr when he said, "Instead of leaving, they're staying in droves!"
I thought there were many interesting ideas in this thread, and some changes I'd even like to see (bye bye soulstones, see ya later arties/gifts), but I don't think they're necessary to bring new people here. Afterall, we all made it, didn't we?
*I'd be interested in seeing what the numbers are for each shard. Anyone know where to find that, or where this 3% came from?