RP-Rules and World Building

One common problem I've observed among the Roleplayers on my server is simple. They don't like rules. It's as if this idea is set in their head that rules or limits would make their character lesser, make them uninteresting.

As someone with an interest in writing Fantasy, this has always struck me as odd. World creation, and the rules of that world always appeared essential to developing such a story. If there are not some rules and limits, there is no real conflict because the protagonist can always come up with some new power to wave their hands and make all enemies turn into cuddly bunnies or some such nonsense. And it is this point that many people I've seen fail on.

They want their characters to be interesting, special, unique. In practice, this tends to end up as them playing invincible characters who aren't much fun to roleplay with. Such aren't exciting to read about either, in my opinion.

This applies to a existing setting such as World of Warcraft of course, we're just not the ones making up the rules

But, some rules to look at.

How does magic function? Does it require speech, some sort of sacrifice, specific rituals?

What interactions are common with the gods? Are there visible blessings from speaking to them, or are they more of a nebulous power?

What are the legal and political systems like? Are things corrupt or mostly honest? Is free speech a right, or is the monarch a (benevolent?) tyrant?

How is the current world faring? Is warfare common, or does peace tend to hold sway? People struggling for their lives will tend to focus on that.

What races exist, and how do they interact?

Now, on to a couple more specific ones that I tend to use in WoW, which aren't as universal and thus don't seem to work for everyone.

I will not claim anything exclusive, especially not some sort of prominent event. This means no claiming that my group killed Kel'Thuzad, or Varimtharas, etc. With such things, I tend to keep them more ambiguous, perhaps stating that the character has been helping drive back the Scourge at Naxxramas or was stationed with the Scryers troops at Black Temple at one point.

Second, I try to avoid saying my character has done anything that is available in game and which she hasn't done.

This has led to me needing some capacity for quick thinking at times. When my rogue was being set aside for a bit in favor of levelling another character, I explained some of her slowness in engaging in the battles of Northrend as her being reassigned to handling some intelligence work as well.

Personally, I find a character's limits very helpful for any stories involving them, along with the limits of their world. My rogue wouldn't be near the fun if she didn't wind up tired and cranky from overwork, if she didn't have to struggle for her personal victories.

And now, I shall go practice my skills at dodging rocks and misshaped paperclips.