One time I was GMing in UO, watching the game while invisible. I was struck in the early UO days by how many people were engaged in the profession of fishing despite the fact that the simulation was a mere 50/50 dice roll with each use of the fishing pole.

I was watching this gentleman standing by a river. He was wearing a straw hat, knickers, a plain shirt and simple shoes, so he really looked the part as he cast his pole and had a small stack of fish beside him. Along came a very different gentleman. This individual was wearing plate mail head to toe, carrying a large sword and shield. Upon seeing the fisherman, he changed his course to come over and talk.

He said something akin to, I am a great and mighty warrior and I have just returned from a great quest where I have conquered great evil and collected many treasures. Now I am wealthy and powerful. I see that you are but a poor fisherman. In my kindness, I offer to share my great bounty with you, whereupon he began to drop very valuable weapons and armor on the ground in front of the fisherman.

And the fisherman replied, Whoa! Whoa! Stop! Keep your items of warmongering and death. I need not your charity or your dastardly equipment! Then he added proudly, Each morning I come out to this river and catch fish, which I take to the market and sell for a modest profit and, with this cash, I go to the pub and share drinks with my good friends. So, be gone, you warmongering cretin!

The fighter hrmph!d, picked up his things and wandered off.

I thought that this was a very enlightening moment, to see how such a simple ruleset had such diversity and how people were adopting such unique and varied activities that we never expected in the game.Richard Garriott, Executive Producer