OK a few things!

Why would anyone create such an alliance? Boredom...a challenge...for ****s and giggles.

An army of thugs? Yes, but I'm not just in this to survive, I'm there to take out the big guns, too.

Am I doing it because I don't want to be conquered? No, my reasons are clearly expressed out above.

Youwould get my loyalty to 0, would you? I'm starting at 100 and my defences, thanks to the recent change in Evony, are pretty good. Good luck.

Resource production at 0? If I can't farm the resources I've kinda failed my mission.

18000 ppl not enough? They would all be idle, so it seems reasonable, though I will try with an extra cottage to be on the safe side.

A market? Fair enough. I was considering it, so I'll prob take up your advice.

This leaves room for 22 barracks. No embassy. Help? We're working as lone rangers in this alliance! lol

Think that covers it all...my only concern is that, as mentioned, the idle population won't be enough. Can someone with more experience tell me if that i srealistic? It seems plenty to me.