You can join either RP thread, there are two parties moving around the world doing their own thing with their own agendas.
Go where you feel you would fit most is my personal suggestion to you, the town IS the only settlement on the continent, but there are other continents to go to and visit later in the game.
However, this continent is already made and ready for you all to begin in on.
The town here is a good start point, and you could easily fit in and say you are from the town, or were visiting it... However, starting in the town means you will have to follow on from recent events which went on there... (IE, the invasion and destruction of it)
You shouldn't find that too taxing though.