If you disable bots (which would automaticly fill emtpy spots), you can play less than 8v8. But currently there is nothing known about more than 8v8 (which imo is a good thing).
Yes you can. Just use the emoticon, click the button that is right next to the emoticon above the text box, then type the url and wala, you have a linked turtle. http://driph.com/words/wp-content/uploads/2008/04/e.gif