Krendel works relationships in what may be the opposite way you describe, and, as a result, it doesn’t run into the problems you describe.

Your drives (motivation and temptation) are what fuel you, but unrestrained ambition is the ruin of the world.

Relationships serve to keep us in check, putting limits on that ambition [and thereby building society]. If they restrain them, then why bother? Because then you know you can trust someone you have a relationship with.

The formation and definition of them is kept pretty simple as well. One person writes the first half and the other writes the second half. Its fast, enormous fun, and has given players all the depth they need to get going. Someone drops out, no worries, you don’t lose any advantage. Someone drops in, repeat the formation process as desired to illustrate your past with that character.