ARTEMIS

"I am Artemis. I'm five feet tall with black hair, light blue eyes and pale skin. The closest example I can think of is the Warrior Maidens."

The computer ground away at the information before presenting it's verdict."You are Artemis and you wish to be a warrior? You suit the template for the position of 'Avatar.' Would you like to chose the role of Avatar instead of Human?"

"What's an Avatar?" asked the player in confusion.

"An avatar is a character of any race who embodies the natural skills of a chosen god. I am the voice of Lady Bast who is an Avatar of the goddess Bast. You would be an Avatar of Artemis."

"Is that good?"

"An Avatar has many advantages although you would start out at a very lowlevel of power in order to be fair to all. Avatars of gods with associated animals also have the option of being able to morph into that animal or having a familiar."

"I probably sound stupid, but what's morphing and what's a familiar?"

"You don't sound stupid at all," assured the voice of Bast. "Morphing is the ability to change shape...in this case into the animal associated with your god or goddess. A familiar is an animal companion...generally the animal of the deity in question...who can aid you. Like a pet, but more so.Sometimes they can even store power for their master, but only at higher levels of function. They are more intelligent than other animals of their kind."

"Alright. I will be an Avatar of Artemis," said Artemis. She described anoutfit resembling the type found on the television program Xena rather thansomething like that of the Warrior Maidens. She found it in better taste.

"And will you morph or choose a familiar?"

"I want a familiar. Artemis' animal is a cat, so I want a leopard...full grown."

"Very well," said the voice of Bast, "but it will be young despite it's growth. You will grow in power together.

"Character designated 'Artemis' is saved. 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."

"Well, my first weapon would be a bow and a quiver of arrows. I don'tsuppose that quiver will refill itself, eh?"

"All quivers in VR2L are self-filling until the character reaches a distinct level of competency."

"Good. I think," said Artemis. "And I want a long hunting knife as my piece of equipment."

"As you have chosen two weapons, your highes proficiency will be in the first, is this acceptible?"

"Yes."

"Please adjust your attributes and choose your skills."

Artemis did so and chose hunting as her primary skill, followed closely by combat. She thought long and hard before choosing a general knowledge of Thundercats as her third.

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

"If my leopard is waiting for me, I will," said Artemis, striding out under the rising wall and into the bright light beyond.

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CASCA

"I want the body of a human and the head of jaguar...with a tail to match,"said Casca as the figure on the right side of the screen adjusted to histaste. "Make me taller...about six foot, five. And muscular. Like that! Okay, now can you change the clothing to tight blue and yellow wrestling pants, yellow boots, and blue arm and wrist bands? That's great!" appraisedCasca as the computer modified his character.

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

"I'll take a sword," he decided, keeping with the theme of the animated program. "As to the other piece of equipment..."

Casca gave it a lot of thought. He didn't really need anything else at this point...not that he knew of. But it would be a pity to waste the option. Hefinally decided on a miniature spy-cam with remote control. One never knew when one would need some dirt on one's enemies...

"Acceptable," evaluated the computer. "Please adjust your attributes."

Casca did so, choosing his knowledge of Karate - "first degree black beltin the art of Kenpo!" - as his primary skill with communications technology as his second. For the third he decided on basic computer knowledge to enhance his media talents.

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

"Thanks Bast," grinned the player, not waiting for the rising wall to reach the ceiling before plunging into the light beyond.

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SHARK

"Character description flawed...one cannot walk bipedally and still retainthe tail of a shark," said the voice of Bast mildly.

Shark was frustrated. In theory it worked...he could visualize ithimself...but the stupid computer just didn't understand what he wassaying. "What the hell *is* acceptable?" he demanded.

"Based on present information, an anthropomorphic shark/human hybrid with partial morphing capabilities would be acceptable," said the computer."Land features would include a more human appearance with streamlined body. Dorsal fin, tail, gills, and other shark-like features including triple rows of teeth are also present. Anthro will be bipedal without signs of a tail and have lungs that can breathe air. Water features would be the same as land features, but the body would become even more streamlined and the legs and feet would morph into tail for swimming. In addition, lungs would cease to function, allowing gills to take over."

It wasn't quite what he had in mind, but it would do. "Alright," agreed Shark. He left his character in nothing but drawstring shorts...it would be easier to slip them on and off where morphing was concerned.

"Character designated 'Shark' 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."

Shark couldn't see himself needing much more than he had. If he even needed*that* much. But to be on the safe side it was best to have a weapon. He chose a harpoon-like spear for his weapon, but declined an extra piece of equipment, opting instead for extra attribute points with which to raise his speed and constitution.

Once his attributes were adjusted, Shark moved on to the skills. Swimming was a natural talent, as was water combat. Choosing animal knowledge - with an emphasis on marine biology - as his primary skill, he quickly followed it up with ground combat and a basic computer skill as he would no doubt encounter some sort of technology on Third Earth.

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

Shark gave a deep-throated chuckled at the thought of his destination as he watched the wall rise and shielded his eyes against the light. Then,without further hesitation, he stepped out of the chamber and into theworld of VR2L.

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