Runescape has very good lore and quests indeed. I played the game solely for quests until I got the Quest Cape. It's so good to have true puzzles, enigmas, mysteries to solve and real investigation to do rather than simple "kill x enemies" quests like in every other MMO.
I remember spending 10 hours over 2 days solving that huge labyrinth in Mourning's Ends Part 2, I actually took a pencil and drew the map, taking as many notes as possible, and finished it on paper the morning after.
I just don't like what it evolved into. It was perfect from 2007 to, at best, 2011. I really loved the sandbox feel, fantasy weapons and colorful lore it had. Was a Zaros worshipper. But now all these updates make it look so different that I just can't see it as the same game anymore, hence why I quit.
Wait...
You can also buy bonds which are used to pay for membership and other cosmetic items but again, bonds are there so players can pay for membership with their in-game wealth.
When did they introduce that?
Haven't played the game in 3 years though, so maybe that could explain it.