Thinking about making a returnFollow

Hello everyone :):):) I am considering making a return to my favorite game and wanted to know how are things on it going. I am aware they did a server merge did it hurt or help any is the player base or population any bigger because of it ??? I have not played in 2 or 3 years and if I do return it would be sometime in January 2011 as I am moving to a new place need to get a new PC and settled in first. Any suggestions with the new mercenaries what class should I play and no I am not interested in being a cleric or Enchanter not not me or my type of toon. I was thinking either Magician, Beast lord, Ranger or Rogue. I am not sure what is still popular with groups as I dislike soloing so I want to be able to team up and figure a good 3 to 6 months I can have myself 1000 aa's decent gear and be ready to go. I have to ask what guilds if any are still around is Machine Shin, Crimson Steel, Iratus Lepus, Dark Templar's or any other guilds still around on Xegony or whatever the server name happens to be now. I would apperciate any help thank you.