kinda 30hours (if watched every scene) until chapter 9 I believe and we are at chapter 12 now I think. (might be called akt - both words sorta ambigue to me).
hmm, you dont really get to play story on maxed out char. since noone of you decisions actually matters you might consider watching a playthroug while farming?
but groups, well. slimmed to 4man groups now. if you fancy recruiting you might be in good luck