Know those npc's that are yelling about the imperial attacks and such? I thought of something similar for Hamlet Defense:

Instead of white text, could be a dark shade of red and /shout throughout the entire city letting the citizens know when a Hamlet is fixing to start their battle phase. Perhaps 15min before a battle starts, a city could be warned of it's corresponding Hamlet being attacked by the beastmen. Every 3min the /shout could repeat until the Hamlet's battle phase begins.

eg. "Citizens of Limsa Lominsa, Aleport has received word that the Koblod army is ready to launch an assault on the hamlet. Those wishing to aid in the defense of Aleport must report there at once."

eg. 2 "Citizens of Limsa Lominsa, Aleport is currently being attacked by the Kobold army. Those wishing to aid in the defense must report there at once."

Perhaps something for 2.0 to help make the cities seem more lively, and can even have its own filter in case ppl can't be bothered to do Hamlet Defense.