The same issue happened to me, and that player should not have received priority, regardless if they were a higher level.
The elysium-project news page clearly states:
It does not mention anything about a transferred player having priority. They chose to play on Zethkur, and he chose to play on Elysium, and since he was there on Elysium to take the name first, he SHOULD have priority. The transferred player getting priority simply because they are a higher level (AKA "play more often") would not be fair given the many circumstances any player may have that may alter their ability to play more often.
I created a character within the first minute of the game launch and had it taken from me after Zethkur transfer, and yes, it's disappointing. As always, names should come on a first come first serve basis. That player WOULD NOT have had that name had he played Elysium, because I had it within minutes of the game launch.
Gormak, I feel your pain, and hopefully the admins will do something about it.
