I think it depends in large part on how often you play. If you're doing like 6 sessions a month, 12 sessions isn't too much. If you're only playing once or twice a month, that's like a whole year you're committing, which will probably be too long to focus on quests like these
The sandbox part of the book is the most fun part for most groups honestly. It's probably okay to drag it out a bit. If you feel it goes too long at any time you can simply throw the fireball and be in chapter 3. During before or after the search section of the third chapter you can easily find time to do more faction missions, heists or holidays etc.
I dragged it out. It's good to have periodic reminders about the missing dragons though. I had Renaer hide from treasure hunters at Trollskull.
It also gives them time to build a bond with Trollskull and an NPC who can get cooked in the fireball.
I'm guessing you've already seen the Alexandrian Remix.
Yes that remix is what I'm running off of.
This is what I was also thinking so thank you for reaffirming that
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