1. Try the advert subforum. Or as others mentioned, solo/single player is pretty normal for the game.

2. Don't rush through. Take your time unless you are the type that doesn't like to spend much time in games like this. If you guzzle your mead too soon, you're really not going to taste the meal in front of you.

3. Technically, you can't "finish" the game because the game itself isn't finished and more in the future is incoming. Keep that in mind then with your progression considerations.