Posts: 6,280
Threads: 329
Joined: Aug 2007
Staff roles: Story Dev Economy Dev
This seems absurd. The faction rules were relaxed to allow multiple groups to inhabit the same NPC faction (which doesn't even appear to be the case here anyway), so surely groups should be judged on their own merit and not the quantity of groups involved?
Either approve or turn them down based on their own actions, or formally amend the ruleset to prevent multiple groups in the future. Telling them they stand no chance because another two (entirely unrelated) groups have spoiled it for them just seems like the embodiment of stepping on someone else's work for no reason (or a terrible reason, at least).
If these guys 1) meet the standards enshrined in the rules, 2) have been conducting themselves maturely and 3) would benefit and develop greatly from receiving official status - what good reason is there for turning them down?