Hi there!
Welcome back!
I'm an oldy but a goody too...
They've got a new dude here. His name is Dorg. I'm finding he is quite an adept at doing these things.
As I understand it, since Neverwinter Nights is no longer supported by Bioware, you don't actually need to have your old Bioware password. (I mean, who can remember those anyway? Right?!) But you may need to know much of your old log in (or most of it anyway, Dorg is pretty talented) And Guardian is right. It seems that all the old characters are still in the database. (unless you chose to have him killed or deleted or he "permed" (that old "death token" system was pretty unforgiving for "newbs" like what I was back in those days...) You can actually look him up right here on Layos site.
And to be clear I'm might be botching some of the information for you here but my advice is to put a bug in Dorg's ear and I'm sure he can sort it all out for you.
One thing to remember as you approach Layo in this era versus the one where you were playing in before, Layonara is almost entirely Community supported these days thanks to the help of some truly dedicated GM's and an all be it small but plainly loyal player base. For that reason it relies heavily on VERY TINY "donations" from that player base. These "donations" are not by any definition required or otherwise definable as a fee. You do not have to donate any money to play here. (no matter what!) But anyone who chooses to drop a five dollar bill or a $10 bill monthly as an act of kindness or appreciation is probably either directly or indirectly enhancing the likelihood that an enjoyable, indepth, RP gaming experience such as this will continue to exist. (there are so few gaming experiences like this left in the world)
So, good luck with your journey, and hopefully I will see you "in game" soon.
...On a different note, Guardian, just in case I have your eye here, I wanted to say that I wholeheartedly agree with you on a certain post you mentioned with regard to that recent "donations" thread. Reaching out to the old community is a wise choice. Heaven knows there are a hell of a lot of them. And the only base that may stumble back in here, likely nostalgically. (which is why I am here. And why, I'm confident, there are, perhaps many others that may come)
It's too bad they don't have some kind of, regularly updated "sticky" on the forums mentioning something along the lines of; "Hey all you oldies out there! Are you missing that groovy Layonara experience you had in the days of Yor? Well hop back in and take your old PC out for a spin. The RP is still "top notch" and the world is as vast as ever! Welcome back!"
Such a thread or sticky might lead to a slightly bigger fan base and a few more donations to help keep the servers alive...
Anyway, Guardian, I just wanted you to know that you got a big; "right on brother! out loud" from me as I read your post there! Shine on you crazy diamond!