[quote=@Tsar Gatto]

The last large group RP I was in had around 15 characters and the start and after the first few rounds of posting there were 4 of us left. The one before that had 7 and there are 3 of us after the first few rounds. 

[/quote]

While I haven't been on this particular platform a whole lot, this has mostly been my experience in other places as well. I've been a part of a couple group roleplays that panned out to the very end, and they typically started with a group of 8 or 9 or so, and eventually dwindled down to 4-ish. So I totally get why you were hesitant to cut off character applications earlier on.

In the future, it might help to try and do a bit of a heavier screening process for the people who want to participate. Figure out whether or not they seem genuinely interested, or just want to make a cool character and dip. Not to suggest anyone here is doing that, but it certainly happens a lot. I figure anyone who has the patience to chat and build a rapport with the GM a bit prior to diving into the roleplay will be more inclined to stick around around to see the story through.

But, that's just an assumption. Maybe worth a shot going forward. I'd love to see this roleplay completed though, I'm a sucker for DnD-type settings so I'll for sure be one of those that stick around!