I see what you mean Way, but I'm not sure you understood my questions fully. I mean would it be one of those paper RP games, where you start out with so many items, so much money, etc, and you have to subtract some every time you buy something or use an item.
Games like that usually have HP stats for the characters too, and battles are fought by comparing statistics etc. This is the sort of thing I was meaning when I said, "will it be a game style RP?"
I must admit, I'm not into the game style, and if it was I probably wouldn't be joining, but if it's done more like a story than a game, then I'd be interested^^
Also, about who upgrades the character...if it was left up to the player to update their character I can forsee some who aren't as used to RPing coming up to a defeated enemy and taking everything they own, plus a few things they didn't even have on them, and their character becoming uberly powerful while the others are left with nothing. To avoid this, it may be best for the RP writer (ie. you) to decide exactly when and where upgrades like new weapons etc come from, and who gets them, to avoid someone accidentally powerplaying their way into having uber equipment right at the start of the story.
Just my two cents...let me know what you think.
Wraith

. 2) When it comes to stores, I think it will be more of a joint maker/player thing, as to what you can actually get. East and West will have a drastically different selection, also.