I have been playing Rappelz for two years ... its relaxing and has a good talkative community.
You can buy and train basic pets from the merchants in town on the continent ... a Level 45 tortus gives a unity buff at level 5 of 55 plus defense ... really helps when your small
I have played almost everything else that is FREE in the RPG games and nothing has everything that Rappelz does.
Ask questions and people will answer ... On trainee island do all the quests and once on the continent do all the basic quests in all three towns.
Oh the role playing comes from you and how you act on each of your alts ... some people change their attitude totally when playing a different class ... they can be a player killer on one and a totally awesome healer on another ... it is totally up to you.