[quote=@Benny]...if a player doesnt want to follow the tide, they dont have the same benefits.[/quote]
Or setbacks.

Without being linked to the Tides a player could just do whatever they liked with their character without having to put as much thought to motivations, so for people wanting more freedom for their characters this would probably be a better choice.

You could almost view the Tides as a religious undertaking, with those strictly following the doctrines of their chosen Tide being 'blessed' with good fortune, while those not following a 'faith' wouldn't be limited in their actions.

If a player decided to follow a Tide at first, but then decided against it and started acting without considering their chosen motivations, they'd no longer be earning points as effectively, and would functionally lose the bonus of having chosen the Tide in the first place. So no harm done. :)