I like a lot of your ideas Droth, but I personally REALLY dislike c.
Why? If you change it too much, what is the point in playing WoT? My vote is for keeping with the current time period of the setting. I think it best to use the setting everyone is familiar with.
Running the adventure (tweaked) in the book sounds good to me, as does picking up where we left off, with the Tower about to collapse.
Also..
Can I call for the male channeler? Actually, Ashrem is a woodsman, but his next level would be wilder. He doesn't know he can channel yet.
Thanks for stepping up to the plate.