For me, with this game, it's the idea of making something with great quality. That somewhere, out there in the eternal void, an individual is cracking skulls with my club because I made sure it was the best damn whack-stick you could get.
Couple this with constant item detioration, from deaths/use/fatigue etc., it ensures that my services will always be needed; that, though I may not be on the front line bathing in the blood of mine enemies, I have contributed into making this game more enjoyable/engaging for everyone.
Addendum: Avoiding the roving gangs of mercenaries as I try to drop