Preferred Client Questions

[Grumbie]

I'm pretty new at this too, but the way I understand it is that you can do everything on one character if you choose. You won't be held back or miss out on anything by only playing one character. You are only limited to one character slot during the trial. This increases to eight slots per server when you purchase the game, which I think adds up to a possible forty character slots per data center.

[Atoli]

You are only limited to one character slot during the trial. This increases to eight slots per server when you purchase the game, which I think adds up to a possible forty character slots per data center.

That is not completely right
What RAchangelo is asking about is the 2 different subscription models you can pick with the full game. One is cheaper but you can only create one character per server, the other allows for 8 per server but you pay more per month^^

To answer the actual question:
If you aren't an RPer who needs various alts for all kinds of different scenes in his roleplay sessions, having one character is completely sufficient, so don't worry
Also, you can always upgrade should you feel the urge to play an alt but stay with your friends, so there is no reason to start with the more expensive sub.

Sadly can't help you on the Steam vs. SE version because I'm not familiar with the prices in Canada.