I remember (admittedly a LONG time ago) when Imperials of the other sects and Ragers used to get along. Back when Empire was still young. There wasn't any 'organized' effort on behalf of the Villagers to raid the Empire and there wasn't any 'organized' effort behalf of the Empire to take the head. it was more of a 'do you' type of thing where A Rager would go after someone in the Black Sect but would and could still be ok with a Blade and the Blade didnt necesarily care what the Rager did to a member of another sect because he wasnt actively trying to take the Codex.
I remember because at the time when Empire was first created I was playing a rager and I had plenty of imperial buds. In fact I used to have this idea of playing someone who used to be a Villager or raised by the Village but instead of becoming a Villager decided that the organized might of the Empire was better suited for the long-term overthrow and squellching of magic in Thera and was going to try and become Emporer just so I could eff with members of the Black sect.
Now that the lich is gone...I just still might try that idea....