A chat room would be a good step in the right direction. A conference call would be better.

What I think needs to be avoided is, like I mentioned, "cyber-tone." Honestly, people tend to take everything the wrong way when it is written (ESPECIALLY in CF and on forums related to the game). What Lyristeon said about Heas as a HeroImm probably would not have been the case had he been able to hear a tone of voice (which, seeing how good-intentioned you are, I imagine was spoke in goodwill, not bossiness).

It would be weird for a sec. Hell, it is weird for me to talk about CF at all in real life because I know only one person who plays (well, played) it. Trying to with strangers is bizarre. But, the weirdness would pass for you guys because the game is the tie that has bound us all.

I really, really think it would be a good idea.