I'm not really into RPG's as such, although my favourite genre, FPS, is probably a pure form of roleplaying. My limited experience of RPG games is that you play the role of the character designed for you, as you point out mellophonist,whereas in Elder Scroll games, at least the ones I have played, once you have done the initial start, you can be whatever your imagination wants you to be. So whether you are playing a role in strict accordance with the lore of the game, or for example, a time-traveller from a parallel universe you can do it. It is still roleplaying, and I don't think that is dying off...hence the volume of mods....and the people downloading them