@GarthI see you do have a few good questions!
1. I'd hope to get as many into groups as possible, hopefully balanced. I may not have mentioned that very well, my bad. But pursuing their goals could be a part of it, until we organise the Dragons' return.
2. The war is the main backdrop, to some extent. It will be one of the three majn focuses, and a lot of it might, if not directly used, be effected by its progression.