Neutrals (players who haven't had a rank set yet) can still see/create threads in both categories. It has to do with the group-permissions, but I'm sure you knew that.
Just informing that I think this should be changed.
Looks nice. I'm waiting with my choice until I see Rivendell. We should have a name for both the Dwarven city and the Elven city. Rivendell itself is allready a name; not unique.