Ok, so progressing with my questions about the specific social/grouping functions built into the DNN free platform:

I have three concerns.

First, my best case scenario is to utilize extensions that are maintained/supported (more or less) by DNN. Especially if they're used on DNN's own sites (meaning they're somewhat more likely to be "supported" over the long term (in my eyes). As much as possible. I realize this isn't an exact science, and I have a decent overview understanding of the platform (never used it beyond demo), and most of the social/grouping developments from say 2009-2012 (and am learning a lot about todays setup). I prefer to not use 3rd party extensions for primary tools (I understand the arguments on this). There are exceptions to this, and I understand that basically all extensions are 3rd party technically at this point.

Second, I'm looking only at free modules/solution. (For the record I do intend to purchase some modules, but I'm extremely selective - such as if they are non critical admin type tools, or are so different than "core"/free ones that I have to go for paid version).

Third, I am building a social site. However, I am not intending to build something that looks like facebook (though some of the features are definitely of interest). Instead I'm shooting for something a bit more like: http://community.wizards.com/dungeons-and-dragons

Special mention here: VivoSocial was built to do all of this, prior to the corporate changes at DNN. The software still exists, but I don't intend to use it at this stage as it's no longer fully supported, which is in line with my whole philosophy on what tools I want BCS.

So, if you've made it through my wall of text, here's my question, which should also be of use to other folks like me.

Which of these (formerly/currently DNN "supported") tools are still being developed, and can be used in the ways described:

Group level (permissions, etc. set at the group level), as well as site wide (and perhaps individual user level as well). The intention is to essentially allow group level forums, but also site wide forums and/or perhaps individual level forums (or blogs or announcements might be a more obvious examples). This way a group can have their own blog with permissions based at the group level, a person might have their own blog "channel", and the site would have their own blogs. This is needed functionality beyond the journal, primarily because blogs, forums, wiki, etc. maintain their structural/categorical/hierarchal integrity vs. a journal (and each serves a slightly different purpose). These tools do NOT need to be tied to the journal, but instead permissions are of importance (who can post/who can view, etc.). Also of importance is to maintain segregation from site level vs. group level wiki, etc., but perhaps some integration (such as a search that can find group level if public aggregated with site level or individual level wiki, etc.:

-Events
-Blog
-Wiki
-Forum
-Media (documents/attachments/video, photos, etc.)
-Articles/announcements/news
-Groups versus "pages" (beyond individual user profiles). This is used to separate a group of folks with a similar interest vs. say a business page. This is probably handled through the group level permissions within DNN, but not sure yet. I would want both options.
-Group & Pages directories with taxonomy/categories (tags/keywords as well as categories)
-Custom group/pages fields such as about me page/field (I'm sure this is handled by adding an html or form and list module or something, but not sure if the permissions are structured properly yet to contain it at the group permissions level.
-Search/taxonomy of group level/site level/individual level content

I think that covers it. So, to summarize, I'm simply looking for a feature by feature check list of what is supported in the way I describe, and semi maintained by DNN staffers - in essense.