For ease of simplicity I'll only be using Arden as a hero during the tournament.

Any other 'named' characters will be for story purposes only.

I've kept the ships for IC justification of the Scara Braen army being elsewhere and they have no combat abilities.

You understand correctly about the 'IC ability' of the Knights.

100 White Hand. I was hoping to apply writing restrictions to sections of enemy forces but I'd wager this isn't permitted. Please advise!