One of the things I never see enough of on the Sha'tar is group RP, anyone can go off to a secluded spot, jump off a roof and go "I'm Batman" but it doesn't have much depth.
Rp'ers I've meet rarely follow a set of character guidelines, or try to blend in with current in game events.
When possible, have a costume for your character, not always possible I know, but it shows dedication, which is always respectable.
I'm definitely not saying shoot anyone that acts OOC for a moment or doesn't follow their races generic arctypes, if its that strict, its not fun.
A good back story, will allow you to plan current events and reactions to characters in a way that feels more real to you.
Alignments and virtues can allow you to make on the spot choices that progress your story at a pace that feels real for other people, there nothing more boring then taking 5 minutes to decide on a simple action.
Also no one is perfect, so your character shouldn't be either, pick a flaw or weak point, something they do on an impulse, its no fun to play with someone who has to be right all the time either.
No need to pull out your D20's, keep charts, just write a bio here and update it when you wish, one of WoW's flaws is that it can become repetitive if you stick to Blizzards stories only, but with you controlling your characters story, your stories can be as limitless as you let them be.
This would be a good way to break up the 2nd job feeling WoW can get grinding points for your next gear piece, I hopes you's take the time to draw from your own experiences and create something you can enjoy and add a level of depth to this game that wasn't there before. Get a few people together
Below I left a sample Bio, with some points you should include to get you started.
Required*
Have fun
Name *
Age *
Race *
Class *
Alignment *
Virtue *
Flaw *
Cause
Goal
Hometown
Current Town
Likes *
Dislikes *
Skills
Favorites
Why/How did your character become <class>?*
How/where/when did your character train to become <class>?
Where/How did your character grow up/come to be as they are now? (backstory)*
Did you have parents/mentor/lone wolf/childhood friend/other person(s) that affected the way you turned out?
Did you take part in a major (in-game) lore event? How were you involved?
How did you come to arrive at your current situation?
Got any scores to settle?
Tell us a bit about how you see the world today?*
Tell us about your goal(s) and how your character plans to achieve them?*
Anything else?