InEffect: 1) no clue. I just glanced over a module ages ago. I generally prefer homebrew ones. From what I've heard a lot of scenes are pulled directly from the module.
2) that is more or less unveiled. They do jack all, but serve as artisan level contributor which are all affected by 1 primary and 1 secondary stat, level of their town/building and status of their quest. Hell if I can find which stats affect which masters(not that it matters - just level em all).
Technically military and all that reduces the random encounter chances it seems but it's more of a negative.
Economy/Community affects BP/Turn.