I agree with you about characterization. I'm pretty willing to go along with anything, so long as the characters are adapted to the setting they're in. Otherwise, I don't get nearly as much enjoyment out of the whole thing.

I did the thing I was having brainweasels about signing up for, because I tried it last year and nothing happened, and that made me feel like perhaps I wasn't good enough, but I'm trying it again this year and seeing if someone decides to bid.