Haven't played since my free month expired and I'm looking to get back into ESO.

I wanted to know if active effects can be sorted alphabetically or are already sorted alphabetically.

I want to know if there are/were any timed exclusive items I may not have. I have monkey pet, imperial edition bonuses, explorer pack bonuses, and the cash shop horse.

Is there a lot of new players playing? How about new players joining ESO? I ask because I would be making a new character and don't want to wait hours for group for first dungeon.

Could my character names be taken since I've been unsubbed since launch?

I don't think you have anything to worry about, active effects are generally sorted by time remaining over anything else, and that's only if you have an addon. There are plenty of players, it isn't a huge base, but you'll be able to find a group ezpz. I don't think char names expire for like 6 months or something like that, so you should be good.

And as for time exclusive items you may not have, I don't think there are any yet but eso is going to be doing a long term subscriber reward at some point. I think the first one will be soon and you get an ice wraith pet.

thanks for replying! you dont know how good it feels to have my answers answered so quickly. can you possibly link source for ice wraith pet? i 120% believe you i just think its so cool as anything ice elemental is my favorite in any rpg and i would like to see it for myself