[Satrek2000]

The point is, if you want to be strong (not to own, but to see an effect for what you did) you become a fighter. Spellcasters stand no chance against them, and in 9 of 10 cases a fighter will kill a spellcaster of a given level. The main problem is the time it takes to cast - a single hit disrupts the spell, so the fighter can just keep going while the spellcaster is "petrified." As far as I know, there's nothing to speed spells up, and that's in my opinion the greatest disadvantage. Why not make magic +x into magicspeed +x?
I'm not saying you need to be strong to rp. My point is that most people don't see the point in being mage or priest if any fighter can "own" them, so they just switch, be that rp-ish or not. Balance fighters and spellcasters, and not only will member numbers be more balanced, but you might just get some more rping. At least, you won't have less than you have now.