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September 18th, 2008

07:32 pm Character Info (for the Stargate Galaxies game) General Information Full Name: Merrilyn Alaina Murdoch Nickname(s): Merry, Meriadoc, Happy DOB/Age: 1975/33 Species: human Nationality: English (but of partially Scottish descent) Homeworld/Birthplace: Earth Marital Status: single Known Relatives: none Occupation/Position: Xenobiologist/Geneticist Base Of Operations: Atlantis Appearance PB: Billie Piper Height: 5'5" Weight: 125 Eyes: hazel Hair: blonde Distinguishing Marks/Features: a wide mouth Background Information Personality: Initially shy and skittish with new people, antisocial in general. Keeps to herself and tends to be acerbic when forced to engage in conversations she doesn't want to be part of. Has a problem with crowds. Is considered cold or viciously funny by those who don't spend much time with her, but for the few whom she lets in, she actually proves to be warm and loyal. Prefers the company of animals -- or a good fantasy novel. Still, the atmosphere of Atlantis -- being surrounded by other former social outcasts -- is slowly bringing her out of her shell. She does better in one-on-one situations. She abhors guns and tends to avoid the more gung-ho members of the military, especially those gathered in groups, like the plague. She also frowns on many "human" institutions, like marriage and having children just because it's expected of one. History: She's from a family that was well enough to-do for her to go to boarding school, but she was bullied a lot for not being as rich as her peers. She spent a lot of time at the school's stable and at the kennels of one of her teachers, who encouraged her to get into veterinary medicine. She came to prefer the company to animals to humans, often expressing the sentiment that she wished she were an animal herself. When she began biology studies, she took a great interest in genetics as well. The only child of two parents who were also both only-children, Merry had very little family to speak of. Her grandparents on both sides were all gone by the time she was fifteen, and spending even summers at school, she hadn't seen much of them anyway. The same holds true of her parents, her father having died of a heart attack when she was 17, and her mother dying in an accident when she was 22; since she hardly knew them, she didn't grieve overmuch. She was always hit much harder by the loss of the animals she had come to know over the years, including those she had come to treat while volunteering at a veterinary clinic near the school. The only human she'd ever truly mourned was the teacher that had allowed her to visit her kennels. Merry never actually had a pet of her own, though, until she went away to college, where, moving into a rental house rather than a dorm, she got a German Shepherd. With the money she inherited and that which she got from her mother's insurance policy, she went to school at the Washington University School of Medicine, home of the Genome Sequencing Center. There, she discovered the Furry movement, which consisted of people who celebrated the "animal" side of their personalities to varying degrees. It was then that Merry realised her true "calling" -- that she wanted to find ways to allow people (namely herself) to alter their DNA to bring forth those animal attributes. Yes, she's something of a mad scientist, but she's smart enough to keep her true purpose to herself. She studied the science of retroviruses, believing the act of finding the cure to cancer to be the key to finding other ways to dramatically alter the human body. She's also been heavily involved in animal rights in her spare time, though she would never join PETA. Her work in retroviruses attracted the attention of one Dr Carson Beckett, who recruited her for the Stargate Program, specifically for the Atlantis expedition. Her dog had recently been killed by a neighbor after they'd had a dispute; she was quite happy to get a galaxy away from Earth, having nothing to keep her there. She, among others, assisted Carson as he developed the retrovirus that altered Michael. She has one problematic hang-up in that she refuses to work with animal test subjects, all of her work being theoretical; it causes her some emotional anguish to see her fellows using her research on animals, but she knows she has no choice but to allow it if she wishes to stay in the Stargate programme. She would have no compunction against using voluntary human test subjects, though. She's taken a strong interest in the subject of Ascension, seeing that as a possible route to attain shape-shifting abilities, and has taken every opportunity to discuss the subject with Drs Jackson and Weir. Absorbed in a project, she knew nothing of Dr McKay's experience when it occured, but intends to pounce on him and pick his brain at some point, if she can find the time -- and work up the nerve. Most recently, she assisted Dr Keller with the development of the Wraith treatment. Weapons: Archery (studied in school) Special Skills/Training/Abilities/Education: veterinary medicine, zoology, animal behaviorism, genetics/gene therapy (and required medical studies for that discipline) Medical History Allergies: seafood, "winter allergies" Injuries/Illnesses: Cancer, remedied by a hysterectomy (and good riddance). Never broken any bones or had any other serious illnesses, but is prone to catching colds. Mental Health: Social anxiety disorder, and a unique worldview that some would call crazy if they knew about it. Eyesight: Needs glasses or contacts. Hearing: better than average when it comes to high pitches, but has difficulty hearing low. ATA Gene: no Current Mood: accomplished

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