ShadoPrism:
I started a new game - Finally got everyone to do their opening post and I find myself blanking on what I need to post to get the game actually going.
If they've slowed their posting, give them one or two imperative actions; like "kill", "save" or "destroy". I recommend not stringing it out. The more immediate the better. Whatever the plot is, don't warm up to it, get to the fun part, save the exposition for if they ask questions. If you need to slow down for the players, you'll know.
My (one) game would start before Christmas, but we're still in char gen, and I have to help my roommate with her finals. Even then, when the group is ready, I'll start the meet and greet, and have some immediate action (a cake walk for them) to keep them engaged. My aim is to let the players, even at 1st level, feel important. I have an annoying NPC that will be begging to get his butt kicked, and have some range to give him time to talk, before getting shot and run down.
Spoiler for my 2 cents: (Highlight or hover over the text to view)
Let the players be in control, and don't give them pre-failed actions (like the peasant already dies) but put NPCs in danger, and have the baddies (goblins, orcs, bandits) engaged verbally to rile up the PCs. Then let the PCs kick butt, give them some damage, but stack the favor for the PCs.
Or, alternatively, have a social scene is the players' seem, more that style. Maybe an NPC really needs to get something off their chest, and asks for consolation. Maybe a mapmaker was going to buy some exotic ink, but it was bought/stolen by someone else.So the PCs track down the merchant/thief and get the mapmaker the ink.
But yeah, I would definitely get the ball rolling, for whatever you have planned and KISS. At least for the first outing. :)