In this case, I believe I'll choose a limited version of option number 2.  Mira, Indra, and oblivious can all join, provided their finished characters make the cut, but nobody else after that, and the two last characters to be entered will fight one another rather than NPCs.

I'll go ahead and mark the RP as 'full', then.

Next step is for me to start construction on the City of Echoes, and to work on my own NPC and opening post.  Once I put out the opening post, everyone will be free to begin.