SONARION

Sonarion grinned as the figure on the right side of the screen morphed in to a template of a young, male HyperAudio Lunatak. He was especially pleased because he himself had designed that particular race for his own amusement.He liked the idea of having hearing sharp enough to hear the faintest whispers.

The description was basic enough: 5'2"; muscled, but slim; longish greenhair framing a face of pale flesh; wide violet eyes rimmed with pale green.The violet replaced both the iris and the white of the eyes, giving them asurreal quality. The small horns and crescent moon marked him as a Lunatak.Clothing was basic enough...tunic and breeches, boots, belt.

"Character designated 'Sonarion' is saved," said the voice of Bast. "Basic equipment includes food, water, and basic bedroll. You may choose one weapon and one additional item of equipment. Others may be gathered in time."

The weapon Sonarion chose was a round, bladed, boomerang-type throwingring. "Oh, and for my second one I want a set of tools for carving in wood!" Sonarion thought that such an activity might be fun if he were stuckin the forest for a while and, as a bonus, might serve to get some money if such a thing was necessary.

Sonarion then proceeded to alter his attributes and finally stopped to consider his skills. Naturally he had his Lunata skills, but what would compliment them? Or, more importantly, be fun to play?

"Okay," said Sonarion. "I want to know some mechanics and then be extra good at making things out of wood. Oh...and, I want..." he stopped and considered a moment more. "I want to be good in astronomy," he finally decided.

"Attributes designated to character 'Sonarion' are saved," replied Bast."Thank you for joining the VR2L test group. I hope you enjoy your stay onThird Earth."

Sonarion jumped in surprise as the wall opposite started to lift, but once the source was identified, did not even wait for the slab to reach the ceiling before bolting out into the bright light.

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DARRELL

"5' 6", caucasian, short hair with a widow's peak, usually swept forward.Goattee. Brown hair, blue eyes. Always wearing glasses...hell, make it identical to the figure on the left."

There was a pause as the computer ground out the information. "As a player in VR2L Third Earth, you are permitted to take nearly any form you wish,"prompted the voice of Bast almost hesitantly.

"And I want to go as a normal peron. What's the point of doing it if I'mgoing to be too powerful? I'm not going to get hurt...it's just a game."

"Very well, what would you like to wear?"

"Hell, it's a show from the 1980s, isn't it? Make it parachute pants -black - and a white shirt. And a thin leather tie! Can't go without the complete set!" declared Darrell with conviction.

"Character designated 'Darrell' is saved," said the voice of Bast. "Basic equipment includes food, water, and basic bedroll. You may choose one weapon and one additional item of equipment. Others may be gathered intime."

"Just a basic Swiss Army Knife and a good compass," replied Darrell after careful deliberation. He considered refusing the offer altogether, but one could never tell how large this world was and he might need *something* to help him through the wilderness. As for the knife, he had plans for the corkscrew once he located a fellow gamer and bottle of chardonnay.

He did very little to alter his attributes and chose basic Marial Arts as his primary skill although he expected to use it more for his own relaxation than for any offensive or defensive purpose. Basic computer technology was his second skill and the third he left to his interest in writing. Literacy might turn out to be an important skill in this world.

"Attributes designated to character 'Darrell' are saved," replied Bast."Thank you for joining the VR2L test group. I hope you enjoy your stay onThird Earth."

"Absolutely, my dear," said Darrell, the corner of his mouth twitching in asmile, as he bowed to source of the voice and stepped out into the light.

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DON KARNAGE

"I'm sorry, Don Karnage. VR2L Third Earth has no such character in its memory banks." Don Karnage's ego deflated visibly, but he quickly perked up as the voice of Lady Bast continued. "Please define your character by race.You may choose Thunderian, Plundarian, Lunatak, Human, Fey,Anthropomorphic, Were..."

"Ah yes! The one which is like the animal-type people, yes-no? That which is morphic."

"And what variety of anthro would you prefer? Feline, Canine, Bovine..."

"Canine! Ah yes! Don Karnage will soon be once again his most magnificent self!" said the player excitedly, as the humnoid figure on the right reshaped itself.

"And what type of canine would you prefer?"

Don Karnage deflated once again...what type? There was an on-going debate about the matter. The Tale Spin character of Don Karnage was argued to be either a fox or a wolf. Both options promised an impressive range of skills. Occasionally someone suggested that he was simply a dog - a play on the term "sea dog" - but this was considered by most to be vulgar at best.The dread pirate Don Karnage a mongrel dog? Never!

Sensing the prolonged silence, Bast spoke once again. "You may opt to choose a general canine form and adjust the colouring and native abilities to your taste," she informed him.

Well, that was alright then! Don Karnage gleefully shaped the figure on the right into a canine anthromorph with the bulk of a wolf and the relative colouring of a reddish-brown fox with a slight tear on his left ear...a glorious battle scar. He dressed the figure in a blue tailcoat, abuccaneer's coat with two rows of shiny brass buttons down the front. Greytrousers and black boots finished off the ensemble. He was male, of course,with strength, cunning, and all increased senses common among canines.

"Character designated 'Don Karnage' is saved," said Bast. "Basic equipmentincludes food, water, and basic bedroll. You may choose one weapon and one additional item of equipment. Others may be gathered in time."

"Why, I would accept nothing less than my trusty cutlass as my weapon!"declared Don Karnage, anxious to begin. "And my plane, of course."

"Function aborted. Planes are vehicles, not items of equipment. You may gain vehicles once you enter VR2L Third Earth."

"You dare to make Don Karnage, the greatest of pirates, walk like a common peasant?" huffed the player, giving in when the computerized voice did not reply. "Very well, but know that I am deeplly hurt by your failure to see the brilliance of my person. I will choose a pair of pistols. If I may not perforate my dreaded enemies from the air, I will do so from the ground! Haha!"

"You have chosed two weapons for your equipment. Your proficiency will be with the cutlass. Would you like to chance this?"

"No, this is agreeable to me, cat-type person!"

"Please adjust your attributes and choose your primary skill as well as two secondary ones."

Don Karnage did so and opted to have a primary skill of aviation with swordplay as a close second and animal knowledge as his third...he had afeeling that it might come in handy.

"Attributes designated to character 'Don Karnage' are saved," said Bast."Thank you for joining the VR2L test group. I hope you enjoy your stay onThird Earth."

"Ah, Third Earth! Prepare to meet me, and my glorious self, Don Karnage!"announced Don Karnage as the wall raised up and he charged out into the light.

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