It's VERY rare for chars to actually be deleted, unless of course someone else had access to your account and deleted them on purpose.
If they did not, then there are two possibilities: you're looking on the wrong server, which is something I would do; or, the server crashed and your characters were deleted by accident (happened on Inny not too long ago).
Look in your program directory for some UI_character_XX file, where "character" is a character's name and "XX" is a numeric value. Mine would be UI_Samira_76. That number is the server ID number.
If you're sure you were looking on the server where your characters lived, then start a new character and petition with the names of ALL your deleted characters listed. They should be restored within a day or two.
Never hurts to shoot off an email to tech support as well, with the same information.
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In a time of universal deceit, telling the truth is a revolutionary act.