I know that, in KoL, you can buy 'in-character secrets', which, in a plot-driven game, is awesome. I don't like it when it would require you to not be able to participate in a plot with a character you just joined with, simply based on the fact that it can take a while to get the points you need and... idk, it might make some people feel excluded.

Yep, this. And it could cause in-game things, too. Like, 'why does x character get this?', that kind of stuff. Which could lead to interesting CR.

And hey, even when the one thread doesn't work out - it's just one thread, not an entire plot.

(Also, YAY for someone who plays on IJ. I only played there for a short while, but it was fun and the people were nice.)