I'm in a room with a long row of statues depicting the various races I've seen in the game. Male and female versions of each race are grouped together on slightly raised platforms.

Cool! It's another Doktor Urmind special. Somehow I don't think this is the standard character creation for the game I live in.

I walk down the row and look at each pair. There's an information plaque on a pole next to each race's platform.

[Human] Most often played race in the game. They're average at everything and level slightly faster. You've already tried this one.

I'm thinking Doktor Urmind wrote these.

[Elf] There are a number of elven subtypes and the non-players tend to have segregated communities. Elves generally have live spans much longer than humans. Elves also have pointy ears.

[Dwarf] These hardy mountain dwellers make for great fighters. They are great for mining, metal working, and feeding to the dragon that is chasing you. They're tough and have a racial disadvantage of being unable to reach the top shelves in shops.

[Gnome] [Halfling] [Orc] [Cow-Person]

Yep, I'm sure Urmind wrote these.

[Catgirl/Catboy] These anthropomorphic felines are known for being cute. Their species are well known for hunting, stealth, and for roadside stands where they sell questionable goods.

I've really liked seeing these people in the game. I don't think that's what they are really called, though. I'd like to have a cute character. Catgirl it is. I touch the statue and see a system notification [Would you like to choose catgirl as your race?] Yes I would.

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And now I'm a catgirl. The statues have disappeared and I'm looking at a catgirl in front of me. Now I'm presented with a series of options on changing body shape, coloration, the human/cat balance. I play with the controls for a while until I'm satisfied with how I look. [Accept changes?] Yes, I do. Now what?

I'm presented with a new row of statues of the various player classes. Each of the statues shows a player in an action pose.

[Warrior] - boring

[Priest] - I can't tell what he's doing. Glows a lot

[Wizard] - maybe

[Bard] - meh

[Alchemist] - I've had my fill of potion making.

[Witch] - cool, I like the pointy hat

[Druid] - interesting,

[Rogue] - kind of cool, sneaking is fun

[Ninja] - oh, I like that outfit. Really good for sneaking. I'm not so fond of killing people.

[Paladin] Champions of their chosen deity. Protectors of the people. A cross between knight and priest, paladins have some divine magics as well as strong martial skills. Heros.

Oh, I like that one. I wonder if I could be a paladin and wear ninja clothes? [Would you like to choose paladin as your class?]

I'm a paladin! I'm now shown myself wearing shiny armor. I'm not sure how I'll be able to move in that metal suit. Perhaps I can mix and match with ninja gear. What's next?

The statues representing races have disappeared. Now in front of me is a large arch lettered with [Choose your deity!].

I'm not so sure about this one.

"Hey! Doktor Urmind!"

He's right next to me. "What's up Hashi? Nice outfit."

I ask Urmind, "What's up with this deity thing? I'm feeling a bit strange about it. Can't I just pick you since you've been so helpful and all."

"Hashi, unfortunately, I'm not on the approved list for the game. I think the players might notice. I'd rather the people running this game server not be aware of my existence. Players with paladin and priest characters pick a deity or pantheon during character creation. You can change your mind later. The cat race players frequently take the cat pantheon."

"Ok. That works for me. I was just worried about committing to something more. It's just a game, right?"