public void newGame() {

	String s;
	String name = "";
	s = "Welcome to Ye Olde RPG!\n";

	s += "\nChoose your class: \n";
	s += "\t1: Warrior\n";
	s += "\t2: Mage\n";
	s += "\t3: Archer\n";
	s += "\t4: Assassin\n";
	s += "Selection: ";
	System.out.print( s );

	try {
	    role = Integer.parseInt( in.readLine() );
	}
	catch ( IOException e ) { }

	s = "Intrepid warrior, what doth thy call thyself? (State your name): ";
	System.out.print( s );

	try {
	    name = in.readLine();
	}
	catch ( IOException e ) { }


	//instantiate the player's character
	if (role == 1)
	    pat = new Warrior( name );
	else if (role == 2)
	    pat = new Mage( name );
	else if (role == 3)
	    pat = new Archer( name );
	else if (role == 4)
	    pat = new Assassin( name );

    }//end newGame()