I'm enjoying the very free-form nature of the game. No maps, no initiative, no rolling on our end, free to come up with wacky ideas... it's very liberating! My most-played D&D is 3.x, and I've shifted over (outside of this game and a 1e PbP) to 4e completely, which - while I enjoyed 3.x in its day and enjoy 4e now - is an entirely different style of play.
The interactions within the group have been fun, but I agree, we've mostly interacted with NPC's. But I think that will shift as we get used to the group, which will also help the connections form that GlassEye is concerned with.
With this game, the stats and rules are really, really far in the background, and I'm enjoying that a lot. And I'm also enjoying the whole "sorcerer's business" approach to magic. Having read a lot of Conan recently, it's a nice flavor that isn't actually seen much in D&D.
All that said, here's how I plan to spend as much of the 1,000 GP as I can.
Backpack 5gp
Boots 1gp
Cloak 1gp
Middle Class Clothes 5gp
Holy Symbol 25gp (I think I've got one, but I'm going to get a nice one)
Vial of Holy Water 25gp
Lantern 10gp
TinderBox 3gp
Flask of Oil 2gp x5
Mirror 5gp
Large Sack 2gp
Armor:
Shield (-1 to AC) 10gp (Cleric and Fighter)
Banded Mail (AC 4 base) 50gp
Weapons:
Sling, 1d4, 2gp
Ammunition costs:
Lead Pellet for Sling (30): 1gp
Silver Pellet for Sling: 5gp x5
Homes can be rented or bought for 100x the below cost. Prices for single bedroom homes:
Residential: 25gp/week - We could buy a place for 2,500 GP total, or 625 GP each.... I think we can swing that.