I don't see a reason to need a DM run character. I wouldn't argue with it if others think it is best, but it seems clunky.
I think a two person team is perfectly doable, it just requires the DM to modify things a bit so we don't end up getting slaughtered by unnreasonable encounters. That is likely enough just from dumb decisions. And working out the duo-thing wont be a problem, it'll just happen. I also don't mind running two. It works. Whatever.
I guess my main reaction is - of those two options (2 or 4 characters run by the players) which is the easiest for the DM? Will modifications be complicated with only two characters? Harder with 4? It sounds like both Decio and I are good either way, so whichever makes the DMs life easier and increases the likelihood that he can keep things flowing the better.
Having said all of that, I don't see a lot of reason to not at least post in the recruitment thread. Given that we are just in town (at least for now, I guess) it seems like it would be easy to add in a new character whenever someone shows up interested. They just arrive in town, see the notice we saw, and offer their services. The difficulty would just seem to be the work the DM puts into helping someone get a character set up. I don't think we wait on results for this, we just add someone if they want to join.
I am glad to see Kheric continue to get a chance to run.