is there anyone out there who can explain to me what the point of Ultima Online is? i started playing about two weeks ago, but so far, all i've done is make various alchemal potions, tame about a dozen animals, and kill bunnies.

is it just some place that people hang out online, or are you actually able to go do something? i thought it was supposed to be a multiplayer online RPG, where you could go on Grand Adventures™, fight Evil Villains®, and Protect The Kingdom From It's Foes© (or, in my case, skulk around, steal other character's possessions, amass and horde wealth, and build a towering eerie castle from which to launch my conquest of the kingdom). instead, i spend all my time pursuing rabbits, hoping they have gold coins on them (and sometimes they do. don't ask me why) since you're not allowed to take anything that doesn't belong to you.

all i want is to become an evil sorceror striking fear into the hearts of all citizens, but the game is set up to disadvantage less-than-good characters. town guards attack and kill you automatically, even though there's no possible way for them to know who you are, or that you're an evil character. there are no cameras, and no fax machines. someone please explain the game to me so i don't feel like i wasted my money.