you make it sound so cut and dry.

ok it started with 3. Then the restart from sol came over to help and one more guy. Thought, THIS could be fun. it wasn't planned that any other countries would enter... it just sort of happened. a new start came in who wanted to fight. Then another was convinced to play after a few days of war. When it became clear that Elders would probably win the war with current numbers 8 (fully stocked) v 7 (mish mash of stocked and not stocked and new starts but uber active).

Then ICN officially closed down and we were able to nab someone who wanted to be in Elders because he was active and bored.

So to say that we were planning this conclusion from the start isn't accurate. Something started... and it evolved into the current situation. I'm pretty happy though... it's not often that you see an alliance start from the ground and become something substantial in one set. I think the Elders will become established and remain for a while.