Years ago, when I first began, I did it because it was fun, it allowed me to be creative and associate myself with fellow minded people. These days, however, it's just a way of passing the time, of socializing with friends, former and current.
I guess the reason i rp now is because of the people i have met on 42, but originally it was a social thing, i had just been diagnosed with some form of depression and was having irl issues coping and this was a way to talk to people and actually have some human interaction even if it was behind a bunch of pixels.
I'll never slight you for that. Here! Here!
Malcolm III Chief of Clan MacFirthane | Fiona MacFirthane | Henry Percival Warcastle, Lord Warcastle
So, there's many reasons. Good and bad. I won't sugar coat it.
Yes, it's an escape, but it's more than that. It's the ability to have complete control of the world you're in. You can be
who
you want,
when
you want and there's no (serious) repercussions. You're God, in a sense. God of a world you sculpted. You've created people, changed weather, orchestrated "fate" and so much more.
You get to live (mentally) through the ups and downs of friendships and war. There's been some serious IRL conclusions/epiphanies I've reached through character interaction. Going through a thought process as your character gives you insight you wouldn't expect.
I love it. I love the people here (Yes, even
those
ones.) and I don't think I can ever truly leave. I may take breaks to get things done, but this is a release. Writing in itself is therapeutic. It's something you can absorb yourself in and we all need something to get lost in once in a while.