diff --git a/Sources/Plasma/Apps/plClient/plClient.cpp b/Sources/Plasma/Apps/plClient/plClient.cpp
index 9c7e9e00..8203915d 100644
--- a/Sources/Plasma/Apps/plClient/plClient.cpp
+++ b/Sources/Plasma/Apps/plClient/plClient.cpp
@@ -1474,7 +1474,7 @@ bool plClient::StartInit()
 
     plSynchedObject::PushSynchDisabled(false);      // enable dirty tracking
 
-    if (StrCmp(NetCommGetStartupAge()->ageDatasetName, "StartUp") == 0)
+    if (NetCommGetStartupAge()->ageDatasetName.CompareI("StartUp") == 0)
     {
         plNetCommAuthMsg * msg  = new plNetCommAuthMsg();
         msg->result             = kNetSuccess;
diff --git a/Sources/Plasma/FeatureLib/pfConsole/pfConsoleCommands.cpp b/Sources/Plasma/FeatureLib/pfConsole/pfConsoleCommands.cpp
index 4da327e6..2f596bde 100644
--- a/Sources/Plasma/FeatureLib/pfConsole/pfConsoleCommands.cpp
+++ b/Sources/Plasma/FeatureLib/pfConsole/pfConsoleCommands.cpp
@@ -3916,7 +3916,7 @@ PF_CONSOLE_CMD( Nav, ExcludePage, "string pageName", "Excludes the given page fr
     {
         char    str[ 256 ];
         sprintf( str, "Page %s excluded from load", (char *)params[ 0 ] );
-        plAgeLoader::GetInstance()->AddExcludedPage( params[ 0 ] );
+        plAgeLoader::GetInstance()->AddExcludedPage( (char*)params[ 0 ] );
         PrintString( str );
     }
 }
diff --git a/Sources/Plasma/FeatureLib/pfPython/cyMisc.cpp b/Sources/Plasma/FeatureLib/pfPython/cyMisc.cpp
index 16e31063..c50ead65 100644
--- a/Sources/Plasma/FeatureLib/pfPython/cyMisc.cpp
+++ b/Sources/Plasma/FeatureLib/pfPython/cyMisc.cpp
@@ -614,7 +614,7 @@ plString cyMisc::GetLocalClientName()
 //             : Return the current guid of the instance of the age the player is in
 //
 
-const char * cyMisc::GetAgeName()
+plString cyMisc::GetAgeName()
 {
     return NetCommGetAge()->ageDatasetName;
 }
diff --git a/Sources/Plasma/FeatureLib/pfPython/cyMisc.h b/Sources/Plasma/FeatureLib/pfPython/cyMisc.h
index 02d80f12..051d6105 100644
--- a/Sources/Plasma/FeatureLib/pfPython/cyMisc.h
+++ b/Sources/Plasma/FeatureLib/pfPython/cyMisc.h
@@ -299,7 +299,7 @@ public:
     //             : Return the current coordinates of the player within this age
     //             : Return the current time with the current age the player is in
     //
-    static const char* GetAgeName();
+    static plString GetAgeName();
     static PyObject* GetAgeInfo(); // returns pyAgeInfoStruct
     static plString GetPrevAgeName();
     static PyObject* GetPrevAgeInfo();
diff --git a/Sources/Plasma/FeatureLib/pfPython/cyMiscGlue.cpp b/Sources/Plasma/FeatureLib/pfPython/cyMiscGlue.cpp
index fa252671..a6b00c5d 100644
--- a/Sources/Plasma/FeatureLib/pfPython/cyMiscGlue.cpp
+++ b/Sources/Plasma/FeatureLib/pfPython/cyMiscGlue.cpp
@@ -53,7 +53,7 @@ PYTHON_BASIC_GLOBAL_METHOD_DEFINITION(PtFlashWindow, cyMisc::FlashWindow, "Flash
 
 PYTHON_GLOBAL_METHOD_DEFINITION_NOARGS(PtGetAgeName, "DEPRECIATED - use ptDniInfoSource instead")
 {
-    return PyString_FromString(cyMisc::GetAgeName());
+    return PyString_FromPlString(cyMisc::GetAgeName());
 }
 
 PYTHON_GLOBAL_METHOD_DEFINITION_NOARGS(PtGetAgeInfo, "Returns ptAgeInfoStruct of the current Age")
diff --git a/Sources/Plasma/FeatureLib/pfPython/plPythonSDLModifier.cpp b/Sources/Plasma/FeatureLib/pfPython/plPythonSDLModifier.cpp
index 721eef1a..6a867a26 100644
--- a/Sources/Plasma/FeatureLib/pfPython/plPythonSDLModifier.cpp
+++ b/Sources/Plasma/FeatureLib/pfPython/plPythonSDLModifier.cpp
@@ -590,10 +590,10 @@ plPythonSDLModifier* ExternFindAgePySDL()
 
 plPythonSDLModifier* plPythonSDLModifier::FindAgeSDL()
 {
-    const char* ageName = cyMisc::GetAgeName();
+    plString ageName = cyMisc::GetAgeName();
 
-    if (strcmp(ageName, "") == 0)
-        return nil; // don't have an age, probably because we're running in max?
+    if (ageName.IsEmpty())
+        return nullptr; // don't have an age, probably because we're running in max?
 
     // find the Age Global object
     plLocation loc = plKeyFinder::Instance().FindLocation(ageName,plAgeDescription::GetCommonPage(plAgeDescription::kGlobal));
@@ -613,27 +613,27 @@ plPythonSDLModifier* plPythonSDLModifier::FindAgeSDL()
                     return sdlMod;
                 
                 plNetClientApp::StaticErrorMsg("pfmod %s has a nil python SDL modifier for age sdl %s", 
-                    pfmod->GetKeyName().c_str("?"), ageName);
+                    pfmod->GetKeyName().c_str("?"), ageName.c_str());
             }
             else
             {
                 if (!key)
-                    plNetClientApp::StaticErrorMsg("nil key %s for age sdl %s", ageName, oid.StringIze().c_str());
+                    plNetClientApp::StaticErrorMsg("nil key %s for age sdl %s", ageName.c_str(), oid.StringIze().c_str());
                 else
                 if (!key->ObjectIsLoaded())
                     plNetClientApp::StaticErrorMsg("key %s not loaded for age sdl %s", 
-                        key->GetName().c_str("?"), ageName);
+                        key->GetName().c_str("?"), ageName.c_str());
                 else
                 if (!plPythonFileMod::ConvertNoRef(key->ObjectIsLoaded()))
                     plNetClientApp::StaticErrorMsg("key %s is not a python file mod for age sdl %s", 
-                        key->GetName().c_str("?"), ageName);
+                        key->GetName().c_str("?"), ageName.c_str());
             }
         }
         else
-            plNetClientApp::StaticErrorMsg("Invalid plUoid for age sdl %s", ageName);
+            plNetClientApp::StaticErrorMsg("Invalid plUoid for age sdl %s", ageName.c_str());
     }
     else
-        plNetClientApp::StaticErrorMsg("Invalid plLocation for age sdl %s", ageName);
+        plNetClientApp::StaticErrorMsg("Invalid plLocation for age sdl %s", ageName.c_str());
 
     // couldn't find one (maybe because we didn't look)
     return nil;
@@ -680,8 +680,8 @@ pySDLModifier::pySDLModifier(plPythonSDLModifier* sdlMod)
 
 PyObject* pySDLModifier::GetAgeSDL()
 {
-    const char* ageName = cyMisc::GetAgeName();
-    if (strcmp(ageName, "") == 0)
+    plString ageName = cyMisc::GetAgeName();
+    if (ageName.IsEmpty())
         PYTHON_RETURN_NONE; // just return none if the age is blank (running in max?)
 
     const plPythonSDLModifier* ageSDL = plPythonSDLModifier::FindAgeSDL();
@@ -691,10 +691,9 @@ PyObject* pySDLModifier::GetAgeSDL()
     }
 
     // didn't find one, throw an exception for the python programmer to chew on
-    char errmsg[256];
-    sprintf(errmsg,"Age Global SDL for %s does not exist!",ageName);
-    plNetClientApp::StaticErrorMsg(errmsg);
-    PyErr_SetString(PyExc_KeyError, errmsg);
+    plString err = plFormat("Age Global SDL for {} does not exist!", ageName);
+    plNetClientApp::StaticErrorMsg(err.c_str());
+    PyErr_SetString(PyExc_KeyError, err.c_str());
     PYTHON_RETURN_ERROR;
 }
 
diff --git a/Sources/Plasma/NucleusLib/pnNetCommon/plNetApp.h b/Sources/Plasma/NucleusLib/pnNetCommon/plNetApp.h
index 5c0a2d6e..f78b2590 100644
--- a/Sources/Plasma/NucleusLib/pnNetCommon/plNetApp.h
+++ b/Sources/Plasma/NucleusLib/pnNetCommon/plNetApp.h
@@ -189,7 +189,7 @@ public:
     virtual plNetGroupId GetEffectiveNetGroup(const plSynchedObject* obj) const { hsAssert(false, "stub"); return plNetGroup::kNetGroupUnknown; }
     virtual int Update(double secs) { return hsOK;}
     virtual const char* GetServerLogTimeAsString(plString& ts) const { hsAssert(false, "stub"); return nil; }
-    virtual plUoid GetAgeSDLObjectUoid(const char* ageName) const { hsAssert(false, "stub"); return plUoid(); }
+    virtual plUoid GetAgeSDLObjectUoid(const plString& ageName) const { hsAssert(false, "stub"); return plUoid(); }
     virtual void StayAlive(double secs) {}
     virtual void QueueDisableNet( bool showDlg, const char msg[] ) {}
 
diff --git a/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plAgeLoader/plAgeLoader.cpp b/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plAgeLoader/plAgeLoader.cpp
index d126767d..ccb765ff 100644
--- a/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plAgeLoader/plAgeLoader.cpp
+++ b/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plAgeLoader/plAgeLoader.cpp
@@ -171,13 +171,13 @@ bool plAgeLoader::MsgReceive(plMessage* msg)
 // return false on error
 //
 //============================================================================
-bool plAgeLoader::LoadAge(const char ageName[])
+bool plAgeLoader::LoadAge(const plString& ageName)
 {
     return ILoadAge(ageName);
 }
 
 //============================================================================
-void plAgeLoader::UpdateAge(const char ageName[])
+void plAgeLoader::UpdateAge(const plString& ageName)
 {
     plResPatcher::GetInstance()->Update(ageName);
 }
@@ -199,14 +199,14 @@ void plAgeLoader::NotifyAgeLoaded( bool loaded )
 //// ILoadAge ////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
 //  Does the loading-specific stuff for queueing an age to load
 
-bool plAgeLoader::ILoadAge(const char ageName[])
+bool plAgeLoader::ILoadAge(const plString& ageName)
 {
     plNetClientApp* nc = plNetClientApp::GetInstance();
     ASSERT(!nc->GetFlagsBit(plNetClientApp::kPlayingGame));
 
-    StrCopy(fAgeName, ageName, arrsize(fAgeName));
-    
-    nc->DebugMsg( "Net: Loading age %s", fAgeName);
+    fAgeName = ageName;
+
+    nc->DebugMsg( "Net: Loading age %s", fAgeName.c_str());
 
     if ((fFlags & kLoadMask) != 0)
         ErrorAssert(__LINE__, __FILE__, "Fatal Error:\nAlready loading or unloading an age.\n%s will now exit.",
@@ -227,20 +227,15 @@ bool plAgeLoader::ILoadAge(const char ageName[])
 
     /// Step 2: Load the keys for this age, so we can find sceneNodes for them
     // exec age .fni file when data is done loading
-    char consoleIniName[ 256 ];
-    sprintf( consoleIniName, "dat\\%s.fni", fAgeName);
-    fPendingAgeFniFiles.push_back( consoleIniName );
+    fPendingAgeFniFiles.emplace_back(plFormat("dat\\{}.fni", fAgeName));
+    fPendingAgeCsvFiles.emplace_back(plFormat("dat\\{}.csv", fAgeName));
 
-    char csvName[256];
-    sprintf(csvName, "dat\\%s.csv", fAgeName);
-    fPendingAgeCsvFiles.push_back(csvName);
-    
     plSynchEnabler p( false );  // turn off dirty tracking while in this function   
 
     hsStream* stream=GetAgeDescFileStream(fAgeName);
     if (!stream)
     {
-        nc->ErrorMsg("Failed loading age.  Age desc file %s has nil stream", fAgeName);
+        nc->ErrorMsg("Failed loading age.  Age desc file %s has nil stream", fAgeName.c_str());
         fFlags &= ~kLoadingAge;
         return false;
     }
@@ -329,13 +324,13 @@ class plUnloadAgeCollector : public plRegistryPageIterator
 {
     public:
         hsTArray<plRegistryPageNode *>  fPages;
-        const char                      *fAge;
-        
-        plUnloadAgeCollector( const char *a ) : fAge( a ) {}
+        const plString                  fAge;
+
+        plUnloadAgeCollector(const plString& a) : fAge( a ) {}
 
         virtual bool EatPage( plRegistryPageNode *page )
         {
-            if( fAge && page->GetPageInfo().GetAge().CompareI(fAge) == 0 )
+            if ( !fAge.IsEmpty() && page->GetPageInfo().GetAge().CompareI(fAge) == 0 )
             {
                 fPages.Append( page );
             }
@@ -351,7 +346,7 @@ class plUnloadAgeCollector : public plRegistryPageIterator
 bool    plAgeLoader::IUnloadAge()
 {
     plNetClientApp* nc = plNetClientApp::GetInstance();
-    nc->DebugMsg( "Net: Unloading age %s", fAgeName);
+    nc->DebugMsg( "Net: Unloading age %s", fAgeName.c_str());
 
     hsAssert( (fFlags & kLoadMask)==0, "already loading or unloading an age?"); 
     fFlags |= kUnLoadingAge;
@@ -362,7 +357,7 @@ bool    plAgeLoader::IUnloadAge()
 
     // Note: instead of going from the .age file, we just want a list of what
     // is REALLY paged in for this age. So ask the resMgr!
-    plUnloadAgeCollector collector( fAgeName);
+    plUnloadAgeCollector collector(fAgeName);
     // WARNING: unsafe cast here, but it's ok, until somebody is mean and makes a non-plResManager resMgr
     ( (plResManager *)hsgResMgr::ResMgr() )->IterateAllPages( &collector );
 
@@ -413,7 +408,7 @@ void plAgeLoader::ExecPendingAgeFniFiles()
     int i;
     for (i=0;i<PendingAgeFniFiles().size(); i++)
     {
-        plConsoleMsg    *cMsg = new plConsoleMsg( plConsoleMsg::kExecuteFile, fPendingAgeFniFiles[i].c_str() );
+        plConsoleMsg    *cMsg = new plConsoleMsg( plConsoleMsg::kExecuteFile, fPendingAgeFniFiles[i].AsString().c_str() );
         plgDispatch::MsgSend( cMsg );
     }
     fPendingAgeFniFiles.clear();
@@ -424,7 +419,7 @@ void plAgeLoader::ExecPendingAgeCsvFiles()
     int i;
     for (i=0;i<PendingAgeCsvFiles().size(); i++)
     {
-        hsStream* stream = plEncryptedStream::OpenEncryptedFile(fPendingAgeCsvFiles[i].c_str());
+        hsStream* stream = plEncryptedStream::OpenEncryptedFile(fPendingAgeCsvFiles[i].AsString().c_str());
         if (stream)
         {
             plRelevanceMgr::Instance()->ParseCsvInput(stream);
@@ -439,21 +434,18 @@ void plAgeLoader::ExecPendingAgeCsvFiles()
 // return alloced stream or nil
 // static
 //
-hsStream* plAgeLoader::GetAgeDescFileStream(const char* ageName)
+hsStream* plAgeLoader::GetAgeDescFileStream(const plString& ageName)
 {
-    if (!ageName)
-        return nil;
+    if (ageName.IsEmpty())
+        return nullptr;
 
-    char ageDescFileName[256];
-    sprintf(ageDescFileName, "dat\\%s.age", ageName);
+    plFileName ageDescFileName = plFormat("dat\\{}.age", ageName);
 
     hsStream* stream = plEncryptedStream::OpenEncryptedFile(ageDescFileName);
     if (!stream)
     {
-        char str[256];
-        sprintf(str, "Can't find age desc file %s", ageDescFileName);
-        hsAssert(false, str);
-        return nil;
+        hsAssert(false, plFormat("Can't find age desc file {}", ageDescFileName).c_str());
+        return nullptr;
     }
 
     return stream;
diff --git a/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plAgeLoader/plAgeLoader.h b/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plAgeLoader/plAgeLoader.h
index 09998288..5b9c9d67 100644
--- a/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plAgeLoader/plAgeLoader.h
+++ b/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plAgeLoader/plAgeLoader.h
@@ -68,7 +68,7 @@ class plAgeLoader : public hsKeyedObject
     friend class plNetClientJoinTask;
 private:
     typedef std::vector<plKey> plKeyVec;
-    typedef std::vector<std::string> plStringVec;
+    typedef std::vector<plFileName> plFileNameVec;
     
     enum Flags
     {
@@ -80,15 +80,15 @@ private:
     static plAgeLoader* fInstance;
 
     uint32_t  fFlags;
-    plStringVec fPendingAgeFniFiles;        // list of age .fni files to be parsed 
-    plStringVec fPendingAgeCsvFiles;        // list of age .csv files to be parsed 
+    plFileNameVec fPendingAgeFniFiles;        // list of age .fni files to be parsed
+    plFileNameVec fPendingAgeCsvFiles;        // list of age .csv files to be parsed
     plKeyVec    fPendingPageIns;    // keys of rooms which are currently being paged in.
     plKeyVec    fPendingPageOuts;   // keys of rooms which are currently being paged out.
     plAgeDescription    fCurAgeDescription;
     plStateDataRecord* fInitialAgeState;
-    char fAgeName[kMaxAgeNameLength];
-    
-    bool ILoadAge(const char ageName[]);
+    plString fAgeName;
+
+    bool ILoadAge(const plString& ageName);
     bool IUnloadAge();
     void ISetInitialAgeState(plStateDataRecord* s);     // sent from server with joinAck
     const plStateDataRecord* IGetInitialAgeState() const { return fInitialAgeState; }
@@ -102,21 +102,21 @@ public:
 
     static plAgeLoader* GetInstance();
     static void SetInstance(plAgeLoader* inst);
-    static hsStream* GetAgeDescFileStream(const char* ageName);
+    static hsStream* GetAgeDescFileStream(const plString& ageName);
 
     void Init();
     void Shutdown();
     bool MsgReceive(plMessage* msg);
-    bool LoadAge(const char ageName[]);
+    bool LoadAge(const plString& ageName);
     bool UnloadAge()                              { return IUnloadAge(); }
-    void UpdateAge(const char ageName[]);
+    void UpdateAge(const plString& ageName);
     void NotifyAgeLoaded( bool loaded );
 
     const plKeyVec& PendingPageOuts() const { return fPendingPageOuts; }
     const plKeyVec& PendingPageIns() const { return fPendingPageIns; }
-    const plStringVec& PendingAgeCsvFiles() const { return fPendingAgeCsvFiles; }
-    const plStringVec& PendingAgeFniFiles() const { return fPendingAgeFniFiles; }
-    
+    const plFileNameVec& PendingAgeCsvFiles() const { return fPendingAgeCsvFiles; }
+    const plFileNameVec& PendingAgeFniFiles() const { return fPendingAgeFniFiles; }
+
     void AddPendingPageInRoomKey(plKey r);
     bool RemovePendingPageInRoomKey(plKey r);
     bool IsPendingPageInRoomKey(plKey p, int* idx=nil);
@@ -126,12 +126,12 @@ public:
 
     // Fun debugging exclude commands (to prevent certain pages from loading)
     void    ClearPageExcludeList( void );
-    void    AddExcludedPage( const char *pageName, const char *ageName = nil );
-    bool    IsPageExcluded( const plAgePage *page, const char *ageName = nil );
+    void    AddExcludedPage( const plString& pageName, const plString& ageName = "" );
+    bool    IsPageExcluded( const plAgePage *page, const plString& ageName = "" );
 
     const plAgeDescription  &GetCurrAgeDesc( void ) const { return fCurAgeDescription; }
-    
-    // paging       
+
+    // paging
     void FinishedPagingInRoom(plKey* rmKey, int numRms);    // call when finished paging in/out a room      
     void StartPagingOutRoom(plKey* rmKey, int numRms);      // call when starting to page in/out a room
     void FinishedPagingOutRoom(plKey* rmKey, int numRms);
diff --git a/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plAgeLoader/plAgeLoaderPaging.cpp b/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plAgeLoader/plAgeLoaderPaging.cpp
index c5aa42ee..288800ef 100644
--- a/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plAgeLoader/plAgeLoaderPaging.cpp
+++ b/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plAgeLoader/plAgeLoaderPaging.cpp
@@ -259,42 +259,28 @@ bool plAgeLoader::RemovePendingPageInRoomKey(plKey pKey)
 class plExcludePage
 {
     public:
-        char    *fPageName;
-        char    *fAgeName;
+        plString fPageName;
+        plString fAgeName;
 
-        plExcludePage() { fPageName = nil; fAgeName = nil; }
-        plExcludePage( char *p, char *a )
-        {
-            fPageName = p; 
-            fAgeName = a;
-        }
+        plExcludePage() { }
+        plExcludePage(const plString& p, const plString& a)
+            : fPageName(p), fAgeName(a)
+        { }
 };
 
 static hsTArray<plExcludePage>  sExcludeList;
 
 void    plAgeLoader::ClearPageExcludeList( void )
 {
-    int     i;
-
-
-    for( i = 0; i < sExcludeList.GetCount(); i++ )
-    {
-        delete [] sExcludeList[ i ].fPageName;
-        delete [] sExcludeList[ i ].fAgeName;
-    }
+    sExcludeList.Reset();
 }
 
-void    plAgeLoader::AddExcludedPage( const char *pageName, const char *ageName )
+void    plAgeLoader::AddExcludedPage( const plString& pageName, const plString& ageName )
 {
-    char *p = hsStrcpy( pageName );
-    char *a = nil;
-    if( ageName != nil )
-        a = hsStrcpy( ageName );
-
-    sExcludeList.Append( plExcludePage( p, a ) );
+    sExcludeList.Append( plExcludePage( pageName, ageName ) );
 }
 
-bool    plAgeLoader::IsPageExcluded( const plAgePage *page, const char *ageName )
+bool    plAgeLoader::IsPageExcluded( const plAgePage *page, const plString& ageName )
 {
     // check page flags
     if (page->GetFlags() & plAgePage::kPreventAutoLoad)
@@ -307,8 +293,8 @@ bool    plAgeLoader::IsPageExcluded( const plAgePage *page, const char *ageName
     {
         if( pageName.CompareI( sExcludeList[ i ].fPageName ) == 0 )
         {
-            if( ageName == nil || sExcludeList[ i ].fAgeName == nil ||
-                stricmp( ageName, sExcludeList[ i ].fAgeName ) == 0 )
+            if( ageName.IsEmpty() || !sExcludeList[ i ].fAgeName.IsEmpty() ||
+                ageName.CompareI(sExcludeList[ i ].fAgeName) == 0 )
             {
                 return true;
             }
diff --git a/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plNetClient/plNetCliAgeJoiner.cpp b/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plNetClient/plNetCliAgeJoiner.cpp
index 7fdc18cd..486d2021 100644
--- a/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plNetClient/plNetCliAgeJoiner.cpp
+++ b/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plNetClient/plNetCliAgeJoiner.cpp
@@ -226,7 +226,7 @@ void plNCAgeJoiner::Start () {
 
     // if we're linking to startup then set the OfflineAge flag
     // so we by-pass the game server
-    if (StrLen(age.ageDatasetName) == 0 || StrCmpI(age.ageDatasetName, "StartUp") == 0) {
+    if (age.ageDatasetName.IsEmpty() || age.ageDatasetName.CompareI("StartUp") == 0) {
         nc->SetFlagsBit(plNetClientApp::kLinkingToOfflineAge);
 
         // no need to update if we're not using a GameSrv
diff --git a/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plNetClient/plNetClientMgr.cpp b/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plNetClient/plNetClientMgr.cpp
index 2373185a..b9853f9f 100644
--- a/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plNetClient/plNetClientMgr.cpp
+++ b/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plNetClient/plNetClientMgr.cpp
@@ -1007,12 +1007,11 @@ bool plNetClientMgr::MsgReceive( plMessage* msg )
         }
 
         // if we're linking to startup we don't need (or want) a player set
-        char ageName[kMaxAgeNameLength];
-        StrCopy(ageName, NetCommGetStartupAge()->ageDatasetName, arrsize(ageName));
-        if (!StrLen(ageName))
-            StrCopy(ageName, "StartUp", arrsize(ageName));
-        if (0 == StrCmpI(ageName, "StartUp"))
-            NetCommSetActivePlayer(0, nil);
+        plString ageName = NetCommGetStartupAge()->ageDatasetName;
+        if (ageName.IsEmpty())
+            ageName = "StartUp";
+        if (ageName.CompareI("StartUp") == 0)
+            NetCommSetActivePlayer(0, nullptr);
 
         plAgeLinkStruct link;
         link.GetAgeInfo()->SetAgeFilename(NetCommGetStartupAge()->ageDatasetName);
@@ -1365,9 +1364,9 @@ bool plNetClientMgr::IFindModifier(plSynchedObject* obj, int16_t classIdx)
     return cnt==0 ? false : true;
 }
 
-plUoid plNetClientMgr::GetAgeSDLObjectUoid(const char* ageName) const
+plUoid plNetClientMgr::GetAgeSDLObjectUoid(const plString& ageName) const
 {
-    hsAssert(ageName, "nil ageName");
+    hsAssert(!ageName.IsEmpty(), "nil ageName");
 
     // if age sdl hook is loaded
     if (fAgeSDLObjectKey)
diff --git a/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plNetClient/plNetClientMgr.h b/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plNetClient/plNetClientMgr.h
index d7ab4207..196ed715 100644
--- a/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plNetClient/plNetClientMgr.h
+++ b/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plNetClient/plNetClientMgr.h
@@ -356,7 +356,7 @@ public:
 
     void AddPendingLoad(PendingLoad *pl);
     const plKey& GetAgeSDLObjectKey() const { return fAgeSDLObjectKey; }
-    plUoid GetAgeSDLObjectUoid(const char* ageName) const;
+    plUoid GetAgeSDLObjectUoid(const plString& ageName) const;
     plNetClientComm& GetNetClientComm()  { return fNetClientComm; }
     plString GetNextAgeFilename() const;
     void SetOverrideAgeTimeOfDayPercent(float f) { fOverrideAgeTimeOfDayPercent=f;  }
diff --git a/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plNetClient/plNetLinkingMgr.cpp b/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plNetClient/plNetLinkingMgr.cpp
index 5557ccbc..6b39475f 100644
--- a/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plNetClient/plNetLinkingMgr.cpp
+++ b/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plNetClient/plNetLinkingMgr.cpp
@@ -434,11 +434,7 @@ void plNetLinkingMgr::IDoLink(plLinkToAgeMsg* msg)
     NlmJoinAgeOp * joinAgeOp = new NlmJoinAgeOp;
     joinAgeOp->age.ageInstId = *GetAgeLink()->GetAgeInfo()->GetAgeInstanceGuid();
     joinAgeOp->muteSfx = !msg->PlayLinkInSfx();
-    StrCopy(
-        joinAgeOp->age.ageDatasetName,
-        GetAgeLink()->GetAgeInfo()->GetAgeFilename().c_str(),
-        arrsize(joinAgeOp->age.ageDatasetName)
-        );
+    joinAgeOp->age.ageDatasetName = GetAgeLink()->GetAgeInfo()->GetAgeFilename();
     StrCopy(
         joinAgeOp->age.spawnPtName,
         GetAgeLink()->SpawnPoint().GetName().c_str(),
diff --git a/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plNetClientComm/plNetClientComm.cpp b/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plNetClientComm/plNetClientComm.cpp
index 93f66d88..2e3211ae 100644
--- a/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plNetClientComm/plNetClientComm.cpp
+++ b/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plNetClientComm/plNetClientComm.cpp
@@ -121,7 +121,7 @@ static ShaDigest            s_namePassHash;
 static wchar_t                s_iniAuthToken[kMaxPublisherAuthKeyLength];
 static wchar_t                s_iniOS[kMaxGTOSIdLength];
 static bool                 s_iniReadAccountInfo = true;
-static wchar_t                s_iniStartupAgeName[kMaxAgeNameLength];
+static plString             s_iniStartupAgeName;
 static plUUID               s_iniStartupAgeInstId;
 static plString             s_iniStartupPlayerName;
 static bool                 s_netError = false;
@@ -392,10 +392,8 @@ static void INetCliAuthLoginRequestCallback (
     s_player = nil;
     s_players.Clear();
     
-    bool wantsStartUpAge = (
-        !StrLen(s_startupAge.ageDatasetName) ||
-        0 == StrCmpI(s_startupAge.ageDatasetName, "StartUp")
-    );
+    bool wantsStartUpAge = (s_startupAge.ageDatasetName.IsEmpty() ||
+                            s_startupAge.ageDatasetName.CompareI("StartUp") == 0);
 
     s_loginComplete = true;
 
@@ -423,7 +421,7 @@ static void INetCliAuthLoginRequestCallback (
     // If they specified an alternate age, but we couldn't find the player, force
     // the StartUp age to load so that they may select/create a player first.    
     if (!wantsStartUpAge && !s_player)
-        StrCopy(s_startupAge.ageDatasetName, "StartUp", arrsize(s_startupAge.ageDatasetName));
+        s_startupAge.ageDatasetName = "StartUp";
 
     // If they specified an alternate age, and we found the player, set the active player now
     // so that the link operation will be successful once the client is finished initializing.
@@ -758,8 +756,8 @@ void NetCommStartup () {
     // Set startup age info
     memset(&s_startupAge, 0, sizeof(s_startupAge));
 
-    StrCopy(s_iniStartupAgeName, L"StartUp", arrsize(s_iniStartupAgeName));
-    StrCopy(s_startupAge.ageDatasetName, "StartUp", arrsize(s_startupAge.ageDatasetName));
+    s_iniStartupAgeName = "StartUp";
+    s_startupAge.ageDatasetName = s_iniStartupAgeName;
 
     s_startupAge.ageInstId = s_iniStartupAgeInstId;
     StrCopy(s_startupAge.spawnPtName, "LinkInPointDefault", arrsize(s_startupAge.spawnPtName));
@@ -1086,11 +1084,8 @@ void NetCommLinkToAge (     // --> plNetCommLinkToAgeMsg
         return;
     }
 
-    wchar_t wAgeName[kMaxAgeNameLength];
-    StrToUnicode(wAgeName, s_age.ageDatasetName, arrsize(wAgeName));
-    
     NetCliAuthAgeRequest(
-        wAgeName,
+        s_age.ageDatasetName,
         s_age.ageInstId,
         INetCliAuthAgeRequestCallback,
         param
diff --git a/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plNetClientComm/plNetClientComm.h b/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plNetClientComm/plNetClientComm.h
index 178517d2..7f92975a 100644
--- a/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plNetClientComm/plNetClientComm.h
+++ b/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plNetClientComm/plNetClientComm.h
@@ -89,12 +89,11 @@ struct NetCommAccount {
 struct NetCommAge {
     plUUID      ageInstId;
     unsigned    ageVaultId;
-    char        ageDatasetName[kMaxAgeNameLength];
+    plString    ageDatasetName;
     char        spawnPtName[64];
 
     NetCommAge() : ageVaultId(0)
     {
-        memset(ageDatasetName, 0, sizeof(ageDatasetName));
         memset(spawnPtName, 0, sizeof(spawnPtName));
     }
 };
diff --git a/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plNetGameLib/Private/plNglAuth.cpp b/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plNetGameLib/Private/plNglAuth.cpp
index cff07b97..1ec72ce1 100644
--- a/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plNetGameLib/Private/plNglAuth.cpp
+++ b/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plNetGameLib/Private/plNglAuth.cpp
@@ -194,14 +194,14 @@ struct LoginRequestTrans : NetAuthTrans {
 struct AgeRequestTrans : NetAuthTrans {
     FNetCliAuthAgeRequestCallback       m_callback;
     void *                              m_param;
-    wchar_t                               m_ageName[kMaxAgeNameLength];
+    plString                            m_ageName;
     unsigned                            m_ageMcpId;
     plUUID                              m_ageInstId;
     unsigned                            m_ageVaultId;
     uint32_t                            m_gameSrvNode;
 
     AgeRequestTrans (
-        const wchar_t                         ageName[],
+        const plString&                     ageName,
         const plUUID&                       ageInstId,
         FNetCliAuthAgeRequestCallback       callback,
         void *                              param
@@ -2723,16 +2723,16 @@ bool LoginRequestTrans::Recv (
 
 //============================================================================
 AgeRequestTrans::AgeRequestTrans (
-    const wchar_t                         ageName[],
+    const plString&                     ageName,
     const plUUID&                       ageInstId,
     FNetCliAuthAgeRequestCallback       callback,
     void *                              param
 ) : NetAuthTrans(kAgeRequestTrans)
+,   m_ageName(ageName)
 ,   m_ageInstId(ageInstId)
 ,   m_callback(callback)
 ,   m_param(param)
 {
-    StrCopy(m_ageName, ageName, arrsize(m_ageName));
 }
 
 //============================================================================
@@ -2744,10 +2744,12 @@ bool AgeRequestTrans::Send () {
     if (!AcquireConn())
         return true;
 
+    plStringBuffer<uint16_t> ageName = m_ageName.ToUtf16();
+
     const uintptr_t msg[] = {
-        kCli2Auth_AgeRequest,
-                        m_transId,
-        (uintptr_t)  m_ageName,
+                     kCli2Auth_AgeRequest,
+                     m_transId,
+        (uintptr_t)  ageName.GetData(),
         (uintptr_t) &m_ageInstId,
     };
 
@@ -5254,7 +5256,7 @@ void NetCliAuthLoginRequest (
 
 //============================================================================
 void NetCliAuthAgeRequest (
-    const wchar_t                         ageName[],
+    const plString&                     ageName,
     const plUUID&                       ageInstId,
     FNetCliAuthAgeRequestCallback       callback,
     void *                              param
diff --git a/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plNetGameLib/Private/plNglAuth.h b/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plNetGameLib/Private/plNglAuth.h
index dacdb320..7d19660b 100644
--- a/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plNetGameLib/Private/plNglAuth.h
+++ b/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plNetGameLib/Private/plNglAuth.h
@@ -330,7 +330,7 @@ typedef void (*FNetCliAuthAgeRequestCallback)(
     plNetAddress    gameAddr
 );
 void NetCliAuthAgeRequest (
-    const wchar_t                         ageName[],      // L"Teledahn"
+    const plString&                     ageName,      // "Teledahn"
     const plUUID&                       ageInstId,
     FNetCliAuthAgeRequestCallback       callback,
     void *                              param
diff --git a/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plStatGather/plAutoProfile.cpp b/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plStatGather/plAutoProfile.cpp
index b5eec790..385e7ebc 100644
--- a/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plStatGather/plAutoProfile.cpp
+++ b/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plStatGather/plAutoProfile.cpp
@@ -210,7 +210,7 @@ void plAutoProfileImp::INextProfile()
         // Log the stats for this spawn point
         if (!fLastSpawnPointName.IsNull())
         {
-            const char * ageName = NetCommGetAge()->ageDatasetName;
+            plString ageName = NetCommGetAge()->ageDatasetName;
             plProfileManagerFull::Instance().LogStats(ageName, fLastSpawnPointName);
 
             plMipmap mipmap;