no you dont have to pay, just simply change the eqhost.txt to
[Registration Servers] 
{ 
"register.eqemulator.net:5999" 
} 
[Login Servers] 
{ 
"eqlogin1.eqemulator.net:5997" 
"eqlogin2.eqemulator.net:5997" 
"eqlogin3.eqemulator.net:5997" 
} 
then look at your profile on the forum and there is a reg. key write that down, open eq with no patch (so it doesnt replace eqhost.txt) go to account > new > and type in your email, your username, password, and the reg. key. then you can log in 
 
 
hope that helps
PS: smoke bowls yheeeeeee