Let me address this in order as best I could.
Not having a plot concerns you? Good, then you shouldn't be concerned. It's called having a loose plot. I know what I want to happen, but not when specific. GM controlled RPs almost always fail or don't go too far, in my experience. It leaves little for players to do besides follow what the GM wants and always waiting for the GM to initiate new content. That works in a PVE RP, but when there's multiple factions I can't do that nor do I want to. People want freedom to develop their own characters, not what the GM wants to do. A GM controlled RP just doesn't work and may as well be is called a Fanfic. Allowing players to shape the plot with their actions ensures that nobody feels like just a cog in a machine. That's what makes people lose interest, in my more than ten years of experience.
Can't help you on the players, since you don't name names
Bunnying has gotten worked out and most of those posts are null or changed. He's learning. It's a process and I'm a patient person.
I'm glad that you at least like the premise, but let me assure you that it definitely came together. Maybe not for you as you said, since you couldn't make your mark, but it really couldn't have gone any better.
I'm not taking it personally. I am just glad you told me your reasons. Thanks for indulging me. I will go ahead and cross you off the list in the first post then when I have a chance.