Here's another thought in regards to typing in Grand Companies. Perhaps it was already mentioned and I just missed it, so if so, consider this a post to reinforce the idea.

I like the idea of tying in Grand Companies to Hamlet defense. What I have in mind is a type of FFXI conquest system where a certain GC would gain 'presence' in a hamlet if more players from that GC fought in the successful defense of said hamlet than players from other GC's. After the successful defense, a GC rep would be on hand to award you with a small sum of seals. Naturally, a failed defense would yield no GC rep in the hamlet.

I'm sure there could be other benefits to having a GC rep in a hamlet. Maybe some kind of buff for the players from that GC in the next defense, I dunno.