I do not know what it was like on the EU servers, never played on them. Faction balance on NA servers was always a problem. At one point, not sure which patch maybe 3.0 they gave a full set of level 50E pvp gear to any asmo reaching level 51. It still did not make much of a difference. So I am not sure if any incentives will work. Always thought the tail/mane, claw feet and hands turned off some people and that was later removed with 5.0 I believe with the option of not having the tail. Seems like a lot just seem to gravitate to the ely side, it's prettier to the mind I guess. Personally I like the asmodian maps. A good leader would definitely help a lot, and if you get one don't shred him/her if the fort is lost. As the old vcr days "please be kind rewind"
1- thanks for your time leading
2-thanks for the league/alliance better luck next time
3-see you next round thanks