Yes, if there is problems with whining and complaining now, it would get 20x worse if folks started getting perma'd (Kira or whatever her name was got perma'd, and a whole bunch of rebels quit over it, I think). Permadeath is just bad, this is what it was like on that server I was on...
You would make your character, give him a reasonably strong build but had RP in mind as well, so it was strong but not an uber powerbuild. You had a history, personality, and list of goals for him, he was a complete character which you have put a lot of work and thought into. This character goes out and starts questing, levelling up, getting his gear together, making friends, and works on his overall goals, hoping to have an impact on the server. You can't do any of this stuff without making enemies somewhere, though, there will always be someone out there who doesn't want your character to succeed in his goals (completely acceptable OOC, conflict between players adds to the excitement and makes it fun), so he will work toward bringing you down.
At this point there are a few various things which will happen:
A: This nemesis of yours will go on and use RP to stop you, diplomacy is oftentimes a better weapon than a sword. (This will be fun for all sides and not ruin anyone's day)
B: This nemesis will enter a long rivalry filled with minor conflicts with you, it is hostile PvP but neither is truly aiming at killing the other person, only stopping them in various things. (again, fun for all sides if done correctly)
C: Your buddy over there trying to stop you will come up with a squad of his own buddies and they will wtfpwn you out of nowhere. Better think of a new concept for another character, you lose. (erm... wtf just happened!? Not fun! That was a cool character and he just disappeared all of a sudden with hardly any RP!)
Take special note of those two words I put in C... 'You lose'. People losing OOC is not good on a RP server. We are supposed to work together (That means we should be FRIENDS OOC, even us Rebels and Imperials, we should not be insulting and accusing eachother of things, got it?) to create an interesting story, so... everyone should win, ideally.
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Login: N1ghtShad0w
Characters:
Ril Varan - Rebel, Sith Hunter