I can understand not wanting to be part of a fellowship due to the following reasons: don't want to have to talk to people, don't want to feel pressured to do visits, don't have time for FA's or tournaments,ECT. However one if the great aspects of this game is how diverse the player groups are. My first fellowship was not active in chat or the tournaments but did take trades for me.... I did not stay more then a couple of weeks. My 2nd fellowship was active on chat and a great group of people to talk with but only about half of them were interested in the tournaments,and after a few months of playing and decided to buy some magic buildings and then I needed blueprints to level my magic bulidings so I left looking for a more active fellowship. Now I am in a fellowship that strikes a good balance heavy in the tournament and the spire but a little light on chat. My point is that what ever you want or need from a fellowship .... There is one out there for you. Or you can start your own and have it just the way you like, but to my knowledge there are no downsides to being in a fellowship.... Just the extra training partners are worth it.