Question 1: Toll Gate says to choose a non-unique character, stand them, and remove them from the challenge. So, is there a way to have a character participate in a challenge, have their strength count toward the challenge, and then remove them at the last second (basically have them participate in the challenge and have their strength count but then come out standing)? If things "stack" like in MTG, once the strengths are calculated, and the "damage" goes onto the stack of things to happen, right before the challenge resolves, can I stand and remove the character?
Question 2: Regarding Black Cells, if a character cannot stand or kneel, does that mean that they cannot attack or defend if they are standing when this is applied to them? A character (unless some text or effect says otherwise) has to kneel to defend or attack, so does Black Cells make a standing character incapable of defending or attacking?
Question 3: I think I already know the answer to this, but, with Neutral Faction, I am assuming that I cannot use "House X Only" cards, since I technically have no house affiliation. Am I correct on this?