Is there a way to get rid of your companions? I wanted to try and solo the beta content. Since the game immediately gives you companions, I'm not sure how I would do that besides kill them off(assuming you can kill them off).

You can get them killed in combat, easily enough.

Put them in a corner somewhere and disable their AI?

If you enable console cheats you should be able to use the ManageParty console command.

 

EDIT: you can also access this UI in the Store interface at the Tikawara Trading Post.

Put them in a corner somewhere and disable their AI?

 

You must gather your party before venturing forth?

Can't you manage your party from the woman who gives the Broodmother quest?

Can't you manage your party from the woman who gives the Broodmother quest?

 

 

You can indeed.