Well, I think multiple characters(Say two or three) is a given with such a small user-base available right now.
Faction leaders will need a good reason to be so, but it shouldn't be too hard(But I think staff will be faction leaders, at least in the beginning.
I wouldn't start characters just yet, as nothing is currently set in stone on where the site is going.
The current Era is undecided, but seems to be post rebellion(Imperial Warlords and shit).