About charges: $12.95 for one content ID (one character per content ID). There's an additional $1.00 if you want to play Tetra Master, the card game from FFIX. Also, for each additional content ID you buy, for extra characters, it's an additional $1.00. Additional characters are not really required, as you can change your job at anytime at your moghouse.

The only reason some people have extra characters is so that they're more effecient at their jobs. For example, I have my tarutaru which I play my mages on, and even my thief and monk. However, when I wanted to start a warrior to tank, I made an Elvaan, as they're much better tanks than tarutarus. You won't see many tarutaru warriors actually tanking, but you will see them.

Like everyone has said: get the game. It's well worth the money. Of the few MMORPGs I've played, it's got the best service and upkeep, some of the best scenery and simply put, it's Final Fantasy. True, it's addictive, but you can always take a break from it. Partying is very important in the game. Past level 10, it'll get extremely difficult to solo and to get anywhere you'll have to join a group. Sure, there are some complete idiots out there, but they tend to get eliminated eventually. Like Ichy said, though, there's a lot more good players out there than there are idiots.

Buy it, you won't regret it.