[HP!]

Where everyone can talk to each other where ever there at in the world.

[BlackBeard]

That's easy the forums has a chat system and it helps promote people using the forums and seeing the topics, its also a place where players do not have to talk in role play to help a player out and they can stay in character in game.
Alliance chart already ruins it between factions it just promotes players sitting in there house and talking rather than going to the bank to find players to talk to in my opinion id just use the forum chat or go to the bank.