Pretty much, the above assessments mirror exactly my thoughts on the Top Twelve alliances, but there are a few things I'd add.
1. Juggernauts : Just remember. Marathon, not a sprint. My time working with the Juggs is something I'll never forget. They work together as a unit, they help one another and communication is always very clear. I expect to see them around for a long, long time to come.
2. Space Invaders : Like CnoteG, I'm wondering what in the heck happened to SI? In the beginning of the server, SI was one of my top picks. They had and still have in some ways, all the things needed to be the most powerful force on this server. But, I guess my questions began when someone from Cerberus, a smaller alliance than SI, had to write a threatening message to another player that said "Stop attacking SI or else we'll get involved." When an alliance has to resort to allowing a player from a smaller alliance to speak for them rather than taking care of the issue themselves, then something is terribly wrong. It's possible that the Cerberus member took it upon himself to write that message, but still it does look bad on the larger alliance, especially when that alliance is high-ranking.
3. Polish Legion : Lilithka, please don't get angry, though I have heard similar things concerning the diplomatic dealings from Polish Legion. That's not to say it's true, as it could be rumors, but better that you read these assessments and know what is being said so that it can be rectified. I can say from personal experience that PL is an alliance that will go far. In the beginning, I think just about everyone was calling them an MRA, but they've proven to not only be a powerful, close-knit alliance, but they are fun to work with. My only concern with them is that if they make it to the World Wonder stage, what are they going to do with all of those from their other branches who won't fit into the main branch?
4. Zombie Elite Pirates : LOL Their name alone has me liking this alliance, but I've watched them for a long while and I think there are possibly several who underestimate them. They've silently climbed through the ranks, kept quiet and grown...and now they are in the top 12. ZEP is going to be a force to be reckoned with, so I think I might just pop some popcorn and sit back to watch them a little longer.
5. The Grim : Can't help it. Every time I see their name I get a mental image of Harry Potter's Professor Trelawny with her big glasses saying their name. Sorry for that, Grim-members. Just can't help myself. The Grim has hung in there for a long while and they are still kicking. They just need to remember their goals and work together to see those goals finished.
6. Cerberus : Cerberus, I think you could do just fine on your own. You don't need to be held on a leash by Space Invaders in order to make a name for yourselves in this world. Sorry, SI, but you know it's true. Cerberus has the quality players who can rise above this and make their own mark in Helorus. Granted, there are a few who need to learn that you don't attack with archers, but still, that's just a trivial matter in the scheme of things. Oh...and on an added note, the members of Cerb should stop sending messages in defense of their larger allies. It gives off the sense of a yapping chihuahua tugging on its leash.
7. 2 Freaky 2 Handle : Definitely watching this group closely. Like ZEP, they are quiet and before anyone knows it, they are going to be piled up on the back doors of the higher ranked alliances and saying "Trick or Treat".
8. Grimlins, 9. Rogue, 10. Polish Legion II : Have to lump the academies together as I've got the same thing to say about all three. Members of the academies, look to my assessment of Polish Legion, please. Just what are you going to do if you are still an academy when the WW phase rolls around? Are you going to simply lay down your cities and give up your game, allowing the main branch players to devour all you've worked for, or perhaps even send all resources to the wonders built by the main branch to help them achieve the crowns/wins for Helorus? That really isn't in the human psyche to be THAT passive. It's going to be interesting to see how this pans out. I'd start thinking as to whether or not you trust the main branches enough to think you'll make the cut getting into those ranks with the possibility of sharing the glory. Now, yes, I know how quickly things change and the WW stage is a good bit of time away. People quit the game, cities are internalized, yes. But...ask yourself what if.
11. White Eagle : Haven't had much dealings with this alliance at all, though many are located down in my own location. I do know they seem to have gone with the tactic of many NAPS/Pacts and that is going to hurt them in the end as they'll be reduced to colonizing in order to grow. When they are forced to break a NAP/Pact in order to gain territory, it's going to be interesting to see what happens.
12. Criminally Insane : Can't and won't say too much here as I know I'll be rather biased when it comes to my own alliance.