and doesn't care how hard is used to be any more than I care how my great-great-grandfather used to trudge to school uphill both ways and work from dawn til dusk and liked it.

I think there is a place for character that don't gain levels (on purpose), but for those that are trying to, this kind of punishment just isn't a part of games anymore. Even the "really hard" games of today don't really punish in the same way. You might lose some progress, but if it is more than an hour's worth, that is probably on you (for not saving or something).

That said, bring back XP loss for pk loss. And unlimited XP holes. And Empire donate gear for donations please. And retro-thieves that never rank past 35 and instakill with double backstab. Also Entropy, Masters, Knight, and Scion. Also globally applicable Enforcer powers (Tribbies are chumps).

I'm serious about at least half of those.