A good way to stop all of the masses and to make RPing more realistic would be to add a mail system. Players could buy/make paper and write a letter to be taken to the post office and sent to a buddy(or their house).
I think Player owned shops semi-based on Konidas' idea about player houses, players could maybe set-up some stands that they build out of planks, and can take down the stand when they are done using it. Like a foldable table that you can put up and take down whenever you need too. Or maybe even a tent for a store. You can open your items in a store window and assign them prices, then they will be automatically placed on a shelf or table, for sale.
Cooking skills should be implemented, experienced chefs could own resturants and sell food with special side-effects such as increased hp or increased speed. If new cooking skills are added they shouldn't be really easy to get as with any skill, they should have some effort put in, like going to a far away place for that special ingrediant. If your a pirate and have a friend in Dustari, you could have your friend ship it to you by mail.
Horses shouldn't run free all over the place. They should be status symbols and take effort to get. That way you'll feel more accomplished by owning one. Players should be able to tie their horse to a tree or put it in a stable when they aren't using it. Horses should also get tired after a while and need a short rest and a drink of water.
BlackSmithing: Weapons and Items should be upgradeable.
Magic: Magicians need multiple spells, please keep that in mind. I think there should also be an npc that shows a little bit of light swirling around mages/wizards to show their power. The color and intensity could show how powerful they are. I don't mean as a weapon, I mean just as a status symbol, or just to show that they are magically inclined.
That's all for now. Much more to come!
