It strikes me that the people who consider maintaining a faction a chore, shouldn't be running factions. Factions should be allowed to die (as they currently are) if people don't want to "maintain" them.
It's not about maintenance, it's about play.
Empty sandpits naturally make space for others.
Play the game, do things, have fun.
THE SYNDIC LEAGUES
(A co-operative of Rheinland's outlawed trade unions, determined to take the underworld for themselves.)