With so much concentration on all the technical aspects of the game, the 3D engine, all the different classes and races, one begins to wonder if there's really role playing going on in EverQuest. Of course, not everyone is going to role-play, but the game certainly accommodates, and even encourages, role-playing efforts.

First off, there are the quests, and lots of them. Quests can be found from conversing with NPCs, given out by players, and even on special occasions from the GMs (Game Masters) themselves, either directly or by taking control of an NPC.

Another RP consideration is that all character names must be approved. When you create a character, the final step is submission of your name for approval. This helps to ensure that fantasy-type names exist in the world, and you don't have "l33td00d" running around on the PvP server ambushing newbies.

The concept of Factions also exists in EverQuest. If you slaughter a bunch of faeries, and then happen upon their hometown, you can expect them to be somewhat upset with you. This also applies to some extent with player races and religions.

Guilds have a very strong potential in EverQuest. In addition to class-based guilds, players can form their own guilds independent of the game's defaults. Guilds can petition for official recognition and status from the GMs and can even save up to purchase guildhalls that become a real addition to the gameworld. Special guild uniforms or items and special guild quests are supported as well.

If a guild or group of players felt like it, they could even band together to invade and take over a town or region, exerting their own rules and laws over it, and ruling it as a government. Of course, someone ELSE might decide to do the same and kick you out...

Finally, one of the strongest elements to encourage role-playing is one of the game's biggest overall strengths: grouping. While you can have a lot of fun solo, you can only get so far alone, and you will have more fun, and an easier time, with a good balanced group. Even at the highest levels in the game, there are things you will FEAR, and MUST take on in a group (and even then it can be quite dangerous) to defeat. The bigger the risk, though, the bigger the rewards.