You don't select a class that you're locked into - instead you'll want to specialize in one or multiple areas or one or multiple class-like attributes. For example you can build an archer-magician by improving DEX and INT and related stats. It's up to you where you want to specialize and it's fully flexible (but keep in mind the jack of all trades is master of none).
All of the current English and French servers are completely free to play. The German servers are free until level 7, after which you will need to pay.
Germans will need to pay for the game after they reach level 7. This is odd, because both English as well as French servers are free to play with no level cap.