I've lost my character slots?

I've kept an active account for years. Now, I moved to a new house and my "VIP" lapsed during the time that I didn't have internet access for several months, during which time the Freedom update has come.

Now when I sign on, the first thing I see is that all my character slots have been locked and I am only allowed to unlock three of them. It looks as though these slots must be purchased beyond 3, but I need some clarification here, because this is honestly scaring me.

Now, if the limited slots have something to do with no longer being VIP, then I can get around that, because I planned to stay VIP anyways, however, if I'm to be told that I must re-purchase character slots which I *already own*, that is, my slots have been seized to be re-sold to me, that would be just too much for me to abide. That's some straight up dirty business.

I really hope this is some kind of a bug or something and will be fixed. Before I resub for VIP, I need to know whether or not I'm going to have to re-purchase all of my formerly owned character slots even as a VIP or not. I've already made many characters on almost every server, I've already put those slots to use, and if I am intentionally expected to buy back those slots and characters after they have been seized from my possession, I'll feel done so dirty I won't be able to stick around. Besides, how am I supposed to trust in anything I obtain if it can be at any time taken away from me to be re-sold to me?

Gods I really hope this is just a bug or something. If anyone could shed some light on this issue, it would give my restless mind some peace, even if it's not the news I want to hear. I'm really confused and worried about the way this looks, but I'd like to think they wouldn't deliberately do something like this, especially when I've remained loyally active even through times when I could barely afford food, or times in which I couldn't even access the game due to computer issues.

I'll keep an eye out and hopefully someone can explain to me what is going on. Thanks in advance!

If you re-subscribe and become a VIP - all your slots will open up. They appear locked at the moment because you are effectively a Premium player. Premium players only have access to limited character slots.

-H

Alright, that explains what's going on then, thanks!

If that is the case, then no problem. I'll get my slots back when I re-sub VIP. I was scared there for a moment, though. I'm glad it's just a free service thing and not something that will affect me once I am a VIP.