@Croconil: So, you are a one day old as you start the game? No. Think before you type.
@Nurahk: You have misunderstood my intent, Nurahk. I do not wish to do away with leveling, and never have.
Stats do play a great part in roleplay. To ignore that is to not really play the game. Leveling is only ONE ASPECT of the game, not the entire thing. Leveling is not roleplaying to a character who has already lived a full life. Leveling becomes out of character in this case, and as such, NOT roleplaying.
You clearly missed my point with your first statement. This RP path is an OPTION. It is not the do all and end all. With the normal 'ladder' paths that we have now, all PLers do end up at the same levels. How often do you hear someone say "I am maxed in all my skills."? Right, all the time. The RP path would not allow that. You would select your exact stats on creation. There would not be leveling like in the other paths. Some small amounts of leveling may be available through aptitude selected in CC, or through RP type 'quests', such as becoming and apprentice to a master smith/swordsman/mage/whatever. The point is, leveling would not be fast, nor would it be great. You created your character KNOWING who you wanted him to be, so the extreme from-noob-to-hero leveling we have now is pointless. Do not get me wrong, I did not say, and never will say to get rid of said noob-to-hero leveling. I am not even against it, despite how it may sound. But that is for the folks that want to go that path. PLers WILL NOT TAKE THIS RP PATH. The reasons are simple: There is no power leveling to do. You may not create an 'uber' character. You may not turn an RP path character INTO and uber hero, as any leveling you do is very limited. If you want those things, then yes, you will have to take the normal path and work for it. As it should be. The RP path is not, and would never be a shortcut for leveling.
Your second statement: "Doing something" to get your stats is a very narrow point of view, and only includes those that wish to, or enjoy things like that. No, you are not born with the stats. But consider this: Are you born on the day you first created your character? No, as you would be an infant. Then, of course training would be needed. Lots of it. But you are not born on the day you are created your character. Your character existed for many years before you ever thought of him. He has lived and learned through those years before you came to know him. In essence, you did not 'create' him, you assumed his existence from the point you clicked 'upload'. Now take into account that many players create older or more advanced younger characters. Are we to assume that these characters would start out as penniless and unskilled as the young-uns fresh off the farms, and take the same training and leveling path? Of course not. The point of this game is to play a role, not to have one forced on you.
My opinion on your third statement remains the same. Yes, leveling should be fun. If it is not, then you should not be forced to do it. And please, folks, do not bring up the "You can just roleplay and ignore your stats" argument. That is not roleplaying. That is pretending. PS is not the Land of Make Believe, and Mr. Rogers in not our guide (rest his soul).
As to your last point, this confuses me. You know my characters. You have lived with them, and died with them. You have cursed me when they die, and I will not bring them back. They have become as close to real as I can make them. They live and learn through just being. But, according to what you stated, they are against roleplaying. I have not leveled a single one of them. I did not gain any PP EXP or even make any money with them. They are exactly as I meant them to be. If this is against RP, then I am playing the wrong game. If you tell me that I have to level to play today, then I will not be here tomorrow. And I know for a fact that most roleplayers do NOT 'level' all of their abilities. Some of the best I know have never leveled their characters at all. I was just told by someone that when the wipe comes, they will not be re-leveling their character, but will just RP that they have those same powers. I know you have done this yourself, as have all players. Is leveling out against roleplaying? No. Is forcing everyone to level, despite the character type they play against roleplaying? Very much so. Should leveling be tossed out? Of course not! Nothing I have ever said implies that. But it should be just an option. The recommended option, yes, but not the only one.
To your final statement, I am not unique. Everyone besides dedicated PLers play like I do, in some small way. You all create your own 'stats' that the game does NOT support. You all create histories that the game will not verify. You all claim to have some ability that you can not back up with game mechanics. I do not play by my own rules. I play by the rules everyone else does. I just stand out a bit more at times.
@the Cyl: I agree with your ideas, but again not as the only option. In fact, I have thought of this as well before, and thought it would be a very good option. In time, I would like to see many 'paths' you can take from character creation. As it is now, there is only one, with a few variations mixed in. The following is what I would like to see:
Rags to riches Path: Default path. AKA, the one we have now. You start as the know nothing peasant, and use the 'events' to make your low level stats. Leveling is unlimited in all areas. (to a point)
Quick Path: Exactly as it is now, but with more branches to choose from. Certain low level items would be given based on the path. Leveling would be limited to the aptitudes of the path you choose, but unlimited in that path. A basic 'rogue' path would not lead you to become a blacksmith. However 'miner turned rogue' path may. I guess this could be called the Class Path.
Guild Path: Cyl's path. Same as rags-to-riches, but you start out as a new member in an NPC guild. The guild gives you a set inventory of items. Leveling is unlimited in all skills. However, being in the guild gives you training bonuses in that guild's area, and some training may be free, or at a reduces cost. New items would be given to you upon rank advancement. You can leave the guild at any time, but you lose the gained items. Also known as a Ladder Path.
Roleplay Path (option 1): My wish. You create exactly the character you want, with exactly the stats you want, up to set limits based on options similar to Quick Paths. In other words, skip the leveling. CP are still given, but you pay directly for specific higher level stats, rather than events. This lets people create specific higher level characters, but prevents them form making charters that are good at everything. Once ingame YOU MAY NOT LEVEL your character beyond the set limits. All other paths will be able to level higher than this path.
Roleplay Path (option 2): Same as above, but with less CP given to start. You also pay for different aptitudes for your character that you may level in once ingame. This allows you to create a medium level character, and still be able to grow and learn easily in those aptitudes ONLY. You may achieve a higher level in this path than option 1, but still not get as high as the other paths.
Roleplay Path (option 3): This gives you the most CP to spend, and removes some of the caps, but imposes others. The trade off? You slowly LOSE stats as you play, and your character will eventually die. You are also very limited in dueling and endurance. This is for people who wish to play the hardest role of all, the old or dying. If you want to know who would use this option, it would be a very dedicated RPer, or someone just looking for a challenge. There would be certain things you can do (like quests) to lengthen your life. This is just a random thought, though, and not expected to ever happen, so don't pick it out for flaming.
Again, the RP paths would not attract powerlevelers, as there is no PLing to do. Greavers? Maybe, but that is what GMs and banning are for. I never saw the point in punishing everyone for what a few stupid people do. Also, other certain limits could be imposed that would discourage greavers, while not bothering RPers.
