I agree with totem decay as a new player..... I was going to setup a small camp with two of my friends who also play MMOs, but I could not really find a good spot (or get a solo start, not how this game works) anyways, once my friends checked out the game from my computer. They decided to hold off till its improved and if we can find a good spot.

So I joined up with a bigger tribe.

Long story short, Good land is used up, it needs to get cleared away.

I think an upkeep on totems is a great idea..... you have to do this in EVE, You can setup a Space Station, but you have to fuel it or it shuts down.....once its shut down, anyone can destroy it since its not protected.

Also in EVE you have different Station Sizes. I think that this should also be setup for Totems. There should be totems that give a base increase to your tribes radius, but has much much larger resource upkeep requirements.

Also having "money sinks" or things that need resources is the way to stimulate an economy. Make reasons why people need to collect these goods and work as a tribe.

Just my two cents.