Based on the below information, speculate away.
Don't like that pesky PVE gatherer touching your tree? Just chop his head off for gettin a lil too close to your affiliated node!
https://ashesofcreation.wiki/Affiliations
An affiliation tree determines which entities can participate in attacks against other entities within its hierarchy.[1][2]
Corrupted players can be attacked regardless of other affiliations. This is something that will be tested during Alpha-2.[3]
Node citizenship.[1][2]
Alliances.[1][2]
Guilds.[1][2]
Parties.[1][2]
Raids.[1][2]
Family.[1]
Religion.[2]
Society.[2]