Honestly, i don't know... since i'm only playing on EU, i checked if my stuff would be linked to US before i made the US account. I saw multiple sources where they said no, and that's actually true - except for promotion items like twich drops. I didn't know those would be there until i made my first char.
Didn't really bother me since those are just a handful of mounts and pets i won't use anyways. (But i see that you don't consider this as pure f2p!)
But else i did start completely fresh, just didn't want to use another b.net account because i also still play on EU and it's more comfy to switch between these with just 2 clicks.
Also, if my character dies, i wouldn't make a new account either. I just would leave this char dead and ban the class for the duration of my hardcore journey.
I'm not that much into achievement hunting and collecting - there is no need to make a new account in this case.
So i set those rules for myself. I also didn't want to compare myself with others if the rules differ.
Didn't know that we all have to follow the same rules. I thought Conzil said that he's just setting them for himself and that others can have their own rules.
Just wanted to start a hardcore adventure because i thought it would be a fun thing to do while also chatting with others doing the same thing.
My bad if i misunderstood.