Seeking Skill-based MMO

[Stormhowl]

Since my friends don't seem to keen about joining the "Classic EQ" experience here on P99, I'm trying to find a good MMO that we can play together while I keep P99 a mostly "me time" affair.

My buddy suggested something like Ultima Online, and I really love the premise behind how the game is set up (It's all skill based, no levels, no stat inflation like every EQ and WoW clone has), but we're looking for something a little more, current generation. Here's what we're looking for:

-Either no leveling or leveling has minimal meaning on a players power.
-Strength of a player is determined by their skill choices (e.g., Tactics, Fencing, Swordsmanship, etc...), not by their level or their gear
-Must have both PvE and PvP content
-F2P or P2P, doesn't matter which, we're open to both kinds.

So any suggestions? I've been looking around, and I'm coming up blank; it seems that Ultima Online was a one-of-a-kind experience, but I thought "Hey, maybe someone out there knows of such a game!" and decided to ask here.

So, TL;DR version: Anyone know of a "Skill-based" or "Sandbox" (akin to Ultima Online), current generation MMORPG?