Re: what makes roleplay die?
I wouldn't use griefing as an excuse to why roleplay has died. I roleplayed on Chesapeake with guilds such as Pax Lair, Clan Of Vampires etc, and this was all integrated in Felucca. Pks would come around regularly, and they were delt with.
If there is any truth to the statement about relying too much on the GM's I'd have to say that is the problem. A lot of the quests, and Seer placed orc forts, placeables etc we received on Chessy were earned from creativity and teamwork amongst the roleplayers. The seers noticed us, we didn't go to the seers.
I'd be more than willing to help if I could see some sort of mature structure forming here, but it seems like everyone wants to give up and complain.
Isolation from the forums here could actually work if people worked together well in the community. Our community grew on Chessy from word of mouth, I think that having a spot here on the same boards that all of the pkers view is setting the community up to be griefed. You're just asking for it.
My suggestion, work things out amongst yourselves(most important thing). Roleplay in the lands provided. Don't roleplay around Brit Bank, and other busy spots where pks will notice you. Work together and purchase houses from people in a nice secluded area, and go from there.
Pax Lair was only a few screens away from where one of the most dominant pk guilds Kaoc was stationed, but it did, and is still doing very well. Work with what you have.
The idea of roleplaying here interests me, I'm not playing any games right now, just working on my cartoon, so this would be a nice outlet and break from drawing from time to time.
If I see something happening here, I'd love to help.
[Edit: I just noticed a bunch of new roleplay guilds popping up recently, are these guilds getting in touch with each other, and the current roleplay guilds? This is another important factor. All of the roleplay guilds should be in touch with each other, in some way, shape or form.]