> Also, can anyone give me a very basic rundown of who is where, what has transpired that is relevant to the plots going on currently, etc?

A rule of thumb would be, when in doubt, the character is in Lost Haven (a large metropolis in Maine), except for my three characters (although Iron Knight is currently in Lost Haven).

Plots that you need to know about:  
-Demon invasion of Lost Haven (thwarted by the heroes who live in Lost Haven).  
-Nightmare (a metahuman) is going on a killing spree in Lost Haven (although it was interrupted by the Demonic Invasion).  
-The Criminal Mastermind, the Cowl, is attempting to resecure his assets in Lost Haven.  Another metahuman, the Cancer, has also appeared to make the Cowl's life a little more difficult.  

I think those are the main plots that are currently relevant.  Anyone else can chirp in if I am missing anything.