Yeah, there needs to be more activity within the game thread itself. Your added storyline is good as it gives something going on, but there needs to be some structure for the characters to interact. This isn't necessarily a narrator issue, it comes to the players participating through game thread interactions. If a secret conversation (PM) is occurring they should RP (roleplay) it in the game saying something like DD and I walked down to shore to go scavenge for fire wood, we talk quietly amongst ourselves. If you aren't part of the PM Group you are sort left out of the game, just left making random posts to see if anyone reacts to them and gives up information.