I was part of PD when all the legendaries were around. Definitely agree on the community thing, with people drawing art and making Sims of characters and quoting stuff from roleplays in icons and stuff.

Anyway, having an entry for player plots right out the gate may help - immediate CR potential, drama to kick stuff into gear, avoidance of 'I'm here now, now what' stagnation...so like you said, yeah. The setting not being all-providing could help, I dunno.