I like this discussion, I really do. I wish we could have this for the dying breed of Fantasy NRPs,too.

To briefly join up here let me address a few points:

1.) Point system can sound neat but do you even gasp how difficult to create a whole new game system? I don't mind if somebody works on that as a side project and maybe come up with an NRP featuring it later but game mechanics are the kind of things which you need to be absolutely good with if you don't wish to ruin the game experience as a whole. As others said if you want a story-focused game, focus on story. Don't put your hopes in half-baked game mechanics.

2.) FTL and scope of the game. I am probably the loudest person when it comes to the whole issue with the sheer scale of these space NRPs. Galaxies are beyond huge! So yeah, let's make it relatively small. Slow FTL is always the solution to that along with other measures to ensure people won't just be brave and randomly explore deep into the galaxy. Alternatively you can try a bit of B5/Mass Effect solution so there'd be "stargates" that allow faster FTL travel between fix points. These can aid a great deal to polarize conflict. Just don't make too many of these gates because that has the opposite effect. Mass Effect is actually guilty of this so don't exactly copy them. And what the hell is up with this fear of FTL abuses? You know for every technobabble abuse there's a technobabble solution. You fear FTL ambushes? Have FTL sensors that predict incoming fleets or heck even have FTL jammers which would prevent making jumps at well-secured places. Don't go overboard, though. Denying FTL too much would be detrimental to story dynamics rather than helping it.

3.) Lastly the theme. Oh so much this. I am a strict supporter of freedom in NRPs and semi-known for my strange choices in a game (to my knowledge I am the only one wanting to play as Martians in a steampunk fantasy game) but regardless having a more proper direction is much welcome. Mob democracy might help a lot but it's still the GM's responsibility to come up with an overall theme.