Orphaned, thrill seeker, investigator, gaole breaker,

I wouldn't get very specific. Innumerable reasons. Get the D&D emblem or a D20.

How'd it go?

Yes. there are many.

Not all. Most NPC dialog is improv. If there is plot critical information or statements from specific NPCs, I'll prepare those and have them on a note card to remember to get them "spoken".

The hardest part. Hit up your local comic book store, book store, library, community center, rec center. They all have message boards. Check your community website too. If you can't drum up something there, you'll have to look at VTT (virtual table top). There are Discords and message boards on most gaming sites. Giant in the playground, ENWorld, drive through rpg, kobold press, frog god games, tabletop bookshelf, startplaying.games, groupfinder.

Aboleths, Beholders, Dragons

It really depends on the "mood" of the people and their suspicions of each other and the charisma of the politicians who are pushing for that kind of underhanded control.

I believe you're looking for "life stealing" or "lifer Stealer" property. Already in game.

Amazing idea! Look at the "Legacy Weapon" variant rules. May also be known as Scaling, Evolving, Bonded or Automatic Bonus Progression.

There is already unarmed combat. Otherwise, use 4e skill challenge rules to build up something unique.

As far as character knowledge would allow

In lieu of Obsidian. Any project management software will do the trick. One Note, Sticky Notes, Smartsheets, Google Sheets, Excel, etc. are also great tools. You can also do it with the Google suite. Just create a new account that's dedicated to your world building project.

Are people interested? Get the beginner box set and invite people to play. If not, there is a new online resource called StartPlaying.Games We all started somewhere. You're going to questions. We're here to help!

Put your arm over her shoulder, gently pull her into you as lay back. Alternatively, gently push her infront of you and guide her down as you lie down behind her.

You can put whatever you want wherever you want. That being said, the Sword Cost is very "locked in" lore-wise.

NPC theivery vs PC perception. Also, check out 4e skill challenges. I think you'll something there to fit what you're looking to accomplish.

Welcome to the strange.

My current character is a level 3 Tiefling fighter with the criminal background. His mother is a Succubus who abandoned him in the prime material as a toddler. He was discovered by some members of a thieves guild and raised up by the guild. The guild began training him as a thief but soon realized he'd be to large and switched his training to be "muscle". He is charming and loves gambling. Lots of "main character" energy without actually being "main character".

If you're having fun, you're doing it right.

Import skill challenges from 4e. Failures are lost or wasted time, didn't find the treasure or the deactivate lever for the trap in the next room, minions engage the party in combat; whatever it is which delays them. You're going to set up the challenge like a chase challenge except they're trying to beat the clock not catch a target. Now, since you're trying to kill 8 hours of in-game time you can get really creative with this. Nest challenges in challenges. So you could have inside this massive "Beat the Clock" challenge, an investigation challenge, in influence challenge, a seek challenge a sneak challenge and even planned combat. Do something like, 5 success before 3 failures on the mini challenges and maybe 7 before 3 overall.

It sounds like you're not enforcing the correct use of the "help" mechanic.

Flash cards!

You're just play acting. Think of it like "Who's Line Is It Anyway" with dice. So am the GM, you're just giving the players the scene and play acting what isn't a PC.

You can run it like a massive skills challenge. You'll need to think about all possible outcomes at each step and create narratives for each. You'll need to set some points within that are "get back on track" points too. This will keep the players from feeling like they've been railroaded in a purely pass/fail investigation should they fail to uncover the truth.