I started over since I couldn't remember how to play :).

On your high level character, do items look different now? I hate how all the armor and gear looks pretty much the same at low levels, but that's typical of low levels in MMOs. Back when I first played, that never changed even as you got higher level. Does it, now?

I don't anticipate going past the free 2 weeks, but that's mostly because I'm happy where I am now, more than any problem with the game. I'm playing on Vista and it runs really nicely. I'll at least leave the 2 week free period with a positive feeling towards AoC and I can see myself coming back to it at some point when I'm between MMOs.