What is this 'cuddle me' tendency you refer to Laerise?
I roleplayed because it answered an existential reason, and provided motivation, goals, and a point from which to relate to other players.
Note: I was roleplaying before I knew what roleplaying was. The chap who sold me the idea of starting to play EvE told me the storyline and gave me the idea that Sebiestor were the long-lost scions of Russian, who still used projectiles despite contemporary technological advancement in nearby nations, hence Scagga Laebetrovo.