How about making it really simple - you can never disengage in PvP, then adjust all the off-map, off game VC stuff accordingly. So, everyone stays, everyone fights, everyone has fun, most die and the repercussions aren't catastrophic. Frankly it is a a shame when PvP opportunities are foregone for a) Kreug will kill me if I lose this CV8K, b) my side will lose 2 VP if I pooch this, so whille i woud like to risk it, i can't.
If people drop etc. too bad, everything needs to geared to reward (even the defeated obviously) for sticking it out.