Thanks for the details, Ana, it sounds like we see a lot of these things similarly.  :)  I'm quite fascinated by the different approaches GMs use in their games -- how to keep a game fun for the players is a big interest of mine, because I enjoy trying to GM sometimes, even though I know very little about RPing.  Of the games I've been in so far on Elliquiy, the GMs have each had very very different approaches to things, some more successful than others.  Cogs seems far more experienced and thought-out than most ... I'll be taking notes on your technique, Cogs.  ;)