I always register once in a while to scratch that itch, but always get bored because I'm unwilling to throw myself wholeheartedly into any part of the game. I'm also always really sad there's no more Rogue Hall culture to revel in--that was always fun--roleplayer, pker, hunter, or what. I would spend whole days there. It's one of the things that made me love rogues--it was something only they had, and I think you would be hard pressed to find something similar in any other game. Something about the real-time reaction of fighting with the Nexus rogue.
I'll share you a small piece I wrote for a contest a long time ago called "Buya Dispatch." I don't remember if this or my "Kugnae Dispatch" won, but I really enjoyed writing it:
QUOTE
The Buya Rogue Hall
If you should walk from the west gate into Maso's Rogue guild, and talk to the antique little Onyx about some cosmetic desires of yours, you will not be able to ignore the roar of voices and whoops emanating from behind you. You turn to see a door in the corner you have never seen before, but it is guarded by two burly men. They see you are a rogue, and let you pass into the room beyond.
It takes a moment for your eyes to adjust to the dim light. It smells of dank sweat, poison, and vomit, and you can feel the clinging moisture on your skin, the dew of the air forming on your armor, cool from the air outside. The room is lit by candles and fire in sconces on the wall. Straight ahead of you, on a rug, two rogues duel. They flash in and out of visibility, like birds dipping out of clouds. The hair on their heads clings to skin, soaking wet with sweat. They cut viciously at each other, throwing magic pellets and dust at one another to blind or hinder them. You stare at the filthy rug on which they fight; it is soiled with the brown of dried blood and, in some places, it looks like vomit.
To your left, next to a board with various messages posted, a squat, balding man with a queue watches with squinty eyes the fight taking place. Moisture-clad garb hangs limply on him. Next to where he stands, there is a sack of pipes and bloody livers and other miscellaneous items. He is the assistant tutor; he keeps the room running.
All around the room, vicious looking men and women--tatooed, pierced, armored, armed--hang around, watching the fight unfold. They throw their sarcasm or their compliments into the ring with the fighters. Scantily clad women hang on some of the rough-voiced rogues. You are frozen in your stance as one wicked female bares you her carved teeth, as she tightens the strap on a boot.
"KA~~!" The bellow pulls you from your trance with a start to find one of the duelists standing over the corpse of the other. There is a roar of laughter and comment by the spectators. Both fighters are covered in blood and sweat; one pants heavily, and one does not breath at all. You turn to leave at the sickening sight, and as you exit, you hear the tutor clap loudly and ask someone if he wishes to participate...
-Blackmorrow, Baron
Captain of the Shillan Rose
QUOTE
I think in the past, playing the game meant taking part in a little bit of everything... hunting, pk'ing, crafting, subpaths, clans, etc.
Also interesting to think about. I know on my first character I did all of these things. On my second I did most. Every time I've "come back" after that though, I've never really invested in anything other than hunting and PK, and I admit it's never been as fun as it once was.