That’s assuming people only play alts for the professions.
All of my alts are Herbists/Miners, with the exception of one who is a Miner/Engineer because I wanted to make myself a (Bad Robot) Rascal-Bot. (He wears a slurpee on his back complete with bendy-straw!)
I have extra characters to forge materials for the professions I have. They level and pick up the stuff I need for main profession users to be able to level the main professions.
Um no. If I’m paying for my account, my names should not be taken even if I’m not playing them.
The last break I took from the game lasted just about two years. I paid a sub for those two years even if I didn’t play. If I came back and my character’s names were taken I’d be pissed.
Stop trying to make Raistlin001 characters and try to be more unique if you are getting “Character name taken.”