Depending on the Power Item involved it can be a thing where, yes, if the bad guy gets it they get more powerful, BUT it's also the only thing capable of actually killing them for whatever reason. So yeah, it's a risk but if you're getting 10,000 years of Darkness if you do nothing and 10,000 years of Darkness if you fail, you may as well give it a shot.
After thinking about it some more, I think I will go with Nicole as my starting character, and keep Valerie for later.
Yep, I'll work on a starting chapter when I get a chance. anyone who wants to join later can. There shouldn't be too much of a problem introducing more people.