diff --git a/Sources/Plasma/FeatureLib/pfAnimation/plAnimDebugList.cpp b/Sources/Plasma/FeatureLib/pfAnimation/plAnimDebugList.cpp
index 2c8525899e..bf3f13d229 100644
--- a/Sources/Plasma/FeatureLib/pfAnimation/plAnimDebugList.cpp
+++ b/Sources/Plasma/FeatureLib/pfAnimation/plAnimDebugList.cpp
@@ -114,7 +114,7 @@ void plAnimDebugList::ShowReport()
 
     x = startX;
     y = startY;
-    txt.DrawString(x, y, "Material Animations:", 255, 255, 255, 255, plDebugText::kStyleBold);
+    txt.DrawString(x, y, ST_LITERAL("Material Animations:"), 255, 255, 255, 255, plDebugText::kStyleBold);
     y += yOff;
     for (const plKey& matKey : fMaterialKeys)
     {
@@ -141,7 +141,7 @@ void plAnimDebugList::ShowReport()
         }
     }
     y += yOff;
-    txt.DrawString(x, y, "AGMaster Anims", 255, 255, 255, 255, plDebugText::kStyleBold);
+    txt.DrawString(x, y, ST_LITERAL("AGMaster Anims"), 255, 255, 255, 255, plDebugText::kStyleBold);
     y += yOff;
 
     for (const plKey& soKey : fSOKeys)
diff --git a/Sources/Plasma/FeatureLib/pfAudio/plListener.cpp b/Sources/Plasma/FeatureLib/pfAudio/plListener.cpp
index d6ad20d356..c238a62d64 100644
--- a/Sources/Plasma/FeatureLib/pfAudio/plListener.cpp
+++ b/Sources/Plasma/FeatureLib/pfAudio/plListener.cpp
@@ -75,7 +75,7 @@ bool plListener::IEval(double secs, float del, uint32_t dirty)
 
     int y = 16 + 12, x = 400;
     if( fPrintDbgInfo ) 
-        plDebugText::Instance().DrawString( x, 16, "Listener:", (uint32_t)0xffffffff, plDebugText::kStyleBold );
+        plDebugText::Instance().DrawString(x, 16, ST_LITERAL("Listener:"), (uint32_t)0xffffffff, plDebugText::kStyleBold);
 
     // Get the avatar's SceneObject
     plKey key = plNetClientApp::GetInstance()->GetLocalPlayerKey();
@@ -86,7 +86,7 @@ bool plListener::IEval(double secs, float del, uint32_t dirty)
     {
         // We don't have a position to init by, so do NOT eval yet!!!
         if( fPrintDbgInfo ) 
-            plDebugText::Instance().DrawString( x, y, "Not eval-ing yet", (uint32_t)0xffffffff );
+            plDebugText::Instance().DrawString(x, y, ST_LITERAL("Not eval-ing yet"), (uint32_t)0xffffffff);
         return true;
     }
 
@@ -171,7 +171,7 @@ bool plListener::IEval(double secs, float del, uint32_t dirty)
     if( facingType == kInvalid || posType == kInvalid || velType == kInvalid )
     {
         if( fPrintDbgInfo ) 
-            plDebugText::Instance().DrawString( x, y, "Not eval-ing: missing one or more parameter bases", (uint32_t)0xff0000ff );
+            plDebugText::Instance().DrawString(x, y, ST_LITERAL("Not eval-ing: missing one or more parameter bases"), (uint32_t)0xff0000ff);
         return true;
     }
 
@@ -191,22 +191,22 @@ bool plListener::IEval(double secs, float del, uint32_t dirty)
         ST::string str;
         str = ST::format("Direction: ({3.2f},{3.2f},{3.2f}) from {}", dir.fX, dir.fY, dir.fZ,
                          (facingType == kObject) ? pRefObject->GetKeyName() : "VCam");
-        plDebugText::Instance().DrawString( x, y, str.c_str(), (uint32_t)0xffffffff );
+        plDebugText::Instance().DrawString(x, y, str, (uint32_t)0xffffffff);
         y += 12;
 
         str = ST::format("Up: ({3.2f},{3.2f},{3.2f}) from {}", up.fX, up.fY, up.fZ,
                          (facingType == kObject) ? pRefObject->GetKeyName() : "VCam");
-        plDebugText::Instance().DrawString( x, y, str.c_str(), (uint32_t)0xffffffff );
+        plDebugText::Instance().DrawString(x, y, str, (uint32_t)0xffffffff);
         y += 12;
 
         str = ST::format("Position: ({3.2f},{3.2f},{3.2f}) from {}", position.fX, position.fY, position.fZ,
                          (posType == kObject) ? pRefObject->GetKeyName() : "VCam");
-        plDebugText::Instance().DrawString( x, y, str.c_str(), (uint32_t)0xffffffff );
+        plDebugText::Instance().DrawString(x, y, str, (uint32_t)0xffffffff);
         y += 12;
 
         str = ST::format("Velocity: ({3.2f},{3.2f},{3.2f}) from {}", velocity.fX, velocity.fY, velocity.fZ,
                          (velType == kObject) ? pRefObject->GetKeyName() : "VCam");
-        plDebugText::Instance().DrawString( x, y, str.c_str(), (uint32_t)0xffffffff );
+        plDebugText::Instance().DrawString(x, y, str, (uint32_t)0xffffffff);
         y += 12;
     }
     plgDispatch::MsgSend( msg );
diff --git a/Sources/Plasma/FeatureLib/pfConsole/pfConsole.cpp b/Sources/Plasma/FeatureLib/pfConsole/pfConsole.cpp
index 7039582f9e..052497d304 100644
--- a/Sources/Plasma/FeatureLib/pfConsole/pfConsole.cpp
+++ b/Sources/Plasma/FeatureLib/pfConsole/pfConsole.cpp
@@ -770,8 +770,6 @@ void    pfConsole::IClear()
 void    pfConsole::Draw( plPipeline *p )
 {
     int         i, yOff, y, x, eOffset, height;
-    char        *line;
-    char        tmp[ kMaxCharsWide ];
     bool        showTooltip = false;
     float       thisTime;   // For making the console FX speed konstant regardless of framerate
     const float kEffectDuration = 0.5f;
@@ -786,7 +784,7 @@ void    pfConsole::Draw( plPipeline *p )
         if( fMsgTimeoutTimer > 0 )
         {
             /// Message hint--draw the last line of the console for a bit
-            drawText.DrawString( 10, 4, fDisplayBuffer + kMaxCharsWide * ( fNumDisplayLines - 1 ), fConsoleTextColor );
+            drawText.DrawString(10, 4, ST::string::from_latin_1(fDisplayBuffer + kMaxCharsWide * (fNumDisplayLines - 1)), fConsoleTextColor);
             fMsgTimeoutTimer--;
         }
         fLastTime = thisTime;
@@ -827,28 +825,28 @@ void    pfConsole::Draw( plPipeline *p )
     if( fMode == kModeSingleLine )
     {
         // Bgnd (TEMP ONLY)
-        x = kMaxCharsWide * drawText.CalcStringWidth( "W" ) + 4;
+        x = kMaxCharsWide * drawText.CalcStringWidth(ST_LITERAL("W")) + 4;
         y = height - eOffset;
         drawText.DrawRect( 4, 0, x, y, /*color*/0, 0, 0, 127 );
 
         /// Actual text
         if( fEffectCounter == 0 )
-            drawText.DrawString( 10, 4, "Plasma 2.0 Console", 255, 255, 255, 255 );
+            drawText.DrawString(10, 4, ST_LITERAL("Plasma 2.0 Console"), 255, 255, 255, 255);
 
         if( !showTooltip )
-            drawText.DrawString( 10, 4 + yOff - eOffset, fDisplayBuffer + kMaxCharsWide * ( fNumDisplayLines - 1 ), fConsoleTextColor );
+            drawText.DrawString(10, 4 + yOff - eOffset, ST::string::from_latin_1(fDisplayBuffer + kMaxCharsWide * (fNumDisplayLines - 1)), fConsoleTextColor);
 
         y = 4 + yOff + yOff - eOffset;
     }
     else
     {
         // Bgnd (TEMP ONLY)
-        x = kMaxCharsWide * drawText.CalcStringWidth( "W" ) + 4;
+        x = kMaxCharsWide * drawText.CalcStringWidth(ST_LITERAL("W")) + 4;
         y = yOff * ( fNumDisplayLines + 2 ) + 14 - eOffset;
         drawText.DrawRect( 4, 0, x, y, /*color*/0, 0, 0, 127 );
 
         /// Actual text
-        drawText.DrawString( 10, 4, "Plasma 2.0 Console", 255, 255, 255, 255 );
+        drawText.DrawString(10, 4, ST_LITERAL("Plasma 2.0 Console"), 255, 255, 255, 255);
 
         static int  countDown = 3000;
         if( fHelpTimer > 0 || fEffectCounter > 0 || fMode != kModeFull )
@@ -861,7 +859,6 @@ void    pfConsole::Draw( plPipeline *p )
         static char tmpSrc[ kMaxCharsWide ];
         if( !rezLoaded )
         {
-            memset( tmp, 0, sizeof( tmp ) );
             memset( tmpSrc, 0, sizeof( tmpSrc ) );
             // Our concession to windows
 #ifdef HS_BUILD_FOR_WIN32
@@ -886,23 +883,23 @@ void    pfConsole::Draw( plPipeline *p )
             // Need to define for other platforms?
 #endif
         }
-        memcpy( tmp, tmpSrc, sizeof( tmp ) );
 
         if( countDown <= 0 )
         {
             y = 4 + yOff - eOffset;
             if( countDown <= -480 )
             {
-                tmp[ ( (-countDown - 480)>> 4 ) + 1 ] = 0;
+                ST::string tmp = ST::string::from_latin_1(tmpSrc).left(((-countDown - 480) >> 4) + 1);
                 drawText.DrawString( 10, y, tmp, fConsoleTextColor );
             }
             y += yOff * ( fNumDisplayLines - ( showTooltip ? 1 : 0 ) );
         }
         else
         {
-            for( i = 0, y = 4 + yOff - eOffset, line = fDisplayBuffer; i < fNumDisplayLines - ( showTooltip ? 1 : 0 ); i++ )
-            {
-                drawText.DrawString( 10, y, line, fConsoleTextColor );
+            y = 4 + yOff - eOffset;
+            const char* line = fDisplayBuffer;
+            for (i = 0; i < fNumDisplayLines - (showTooltip ? 1 : 0); i++) {
+                drawText.DrawString(10, y, ST::string::from_latin_1(line), fConsoleTextColor);
                 y += yOff;
                 line += kMaxCharsWide;
             }
@@ -912,27 +909,28 @@ void    pfConsole::Draw( plPipeline *p )
             y += yOff;
     }
 
-//  strcpy( tmp, fHelpMode ? "Get Help On:" : "]" );
-    if ( fHelpMode )
-        strcpy( tmp, "Get Help On:");
-    else if (fPythonMode )
-        if ( fPythonMultiLines == 0 )
-            strcpy( tmp, ">>>");
-        else
-            strcpy( tmp, "...");
-    else
-        strcpy( tmp, "]" );
+    ST::string prompt;
+    if (fHelpMode) {
+        prompt = ST_LITERAL("Get Help On:");
+    } else if (fPythonMode) {
+        if (fPythonMultiLines == 0) {
+            prompt = ST_LITERAL(">>>");
+        } else {
+            prompt = ST_LITERAL("...");
+        }
+    } else {
+        prompt = ST_LITERAL("]");
+    }
 
-    drawText.DrawString( 10, y, tmp, 255, 255, 255, 255 );
-    i = 19 + drawText.CalcStringWidth( tmp );
-    drawText.DrawString( i, y, fWorkingLine, fConsoleTextColor );
+    drawText.DrawString(10, y, prompt, 255, 255, 255, 255);
+    i = 19 + drawText.CalcStringWidth(prompt);
+    drawText.DrawString(i, y, IGetWorkingLine(), fConsoleTextColor);
 
     if( fCursorTicks >= 0 )
     {
-        strcpy( tmp, fWorkingLine );
-        tmp[ fWorkingCursor ] = 0;
-        x = drawText.CalcStringWidth( tmp );
-        drawText.DrawString( i + x, y + 2, "_", 255, 255, 255 );
+        ST::string lineUpToCursor = ST::string::from_latin_1(fWorkingLine, fWorkingCursor);
+        x = drawText.CalcStringWidth(lineUpToCursor);
+        drawText.DrawString(i + x, y + 2, ST_LITERAL("_"), 255, 255, 255);
     }
     fCursorTicks--;
     if( fCursorTicks < -kCursorBlinkRate )
@@ -940,10 +938,8 @@ void    pfConsole::Draw( plPipeline *p )
 
     if (showTooltip) {
         ST::char_buffer helpMsgBuf = fLastHelpMsg.to_latin_1();
-        if (helpMsgBuf.size() > kMaxCharsWide - 2) {
-            helpMsgBuf[kMaxCharsWide - 2] = 0;
-        }
-        drawText.DrawString(i, y - yOff, helpMsgBuf.c_str(), 255, 255, 0);
+        ST::string helpMsg = ST::string::from_latin_1(helpMsgBuf.data(), std::min(helpMsgBuf.size(), static_cast<size_t>(kMaxCharsWide - 2)));
+        drawText.DrawString(i, y - yOff, helpMsg, 255, 255, 0);
     } else {
         fHelpTimer--;
     }
diff --git a/Sources/Plasma/FeatureLib/pfConsole/pfConsoleCommands.cpp b/Sources/Plasma/FeatureLib/pfConsole/pfConsoleCommands.cpp
index 0ca661a9a6..539400e173 100644
--- a/Sources/Plasma/FeatureLib/pfConsole/pfConsoleCommands.cpp
+++ b/Sources/Plasma/FeatureLib/pfConsole/pfConsoleCommands.cpp
@@ -1247,8 +1247,7 @@ PF_CONSOLE_CMD( Graphics_DebugText,         // Group name
                 "string face, int size",    // Params
                 "Sets the font face and size used for drawing debug text" ) // Help string
 {
-    const ST::string& face = params[0];
-    plDebugText::Instance().SetFont(face.c_str(), (uint16_t)(int)params[1]);
+    plDebugText::Instance().SetFont(params[0], (uint16_t)(int)params[1]);
 }
 
 PF_CONSOLE_CMD( Graphics_DebugText,         // Group name
diff --git a/Sources/Plasma/FeatureLib/pfDXPipeline/plDXPipeline.cpp b/Sources/Plasma/FeatureLib/pfDXPipeline/plDXPipeline.cpp
index a73af795c9..a9ed50f25f 100644
--- a/Sources/Plasma/FeatureLib/pfDXPipeline/plDXPipeline.cpp
+++ b/Sources/Plasma/FeatureLib/pfDXPipeline/plDXPipeline.cpp
@@ -128,6 +128,7 @@ You can contact Cyan Worlds, Inc. by email legal@cyan.com
 
 #include <algorithm>
 #include <string_theory/string>
+#include <utility>
 
 //#define MF_TOSSER
 
@@ -2280,7 +2281,7 @@ void    plDXPipeline::Resize( uint32_t width, uint32_t height )
 
 //// MakeTextFont /////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
 
-plTextFont  *plDXPipeline::MakeTextFont( char *face, uint16_t size )
+plTextFont* plDXPipeline::MakeTextFont(ST::string face, uint16_t size)
 {
     plTextFont  *font;
 
@@ -2288,7 +2289,7 @@ plTextFont  *plDXPipeline::MakeTextFont( char *face, uint16_t size )
     font = new plDXTextFont( this, fD3DDevice );
     if (font == nullptr)
         return nullptr;
-    font->Create( face, size );
+    font->Create(std::move(face), size);
     font->Link( &fTextFontRefList );
 
     return font;
@@ -9811,9 +9812,8 @@ void    plDXPlateManager::IDrawToDevice( plPipeline *pipe )
         {
             dxPipe->IDrawPlate( plate );
 
-            const char *title = plate->GetTitle();
-            if( plDebugText::Instance().IsEnabled() && title[ 0 ] != 0 )
-            {
+            ST::string title = plate->GetTitle();
+            if (plDebugText::Instance().IsEnabled() && !title.empty()) {
                 hsPoint3 pt;
                 pt.Set( 0, -0.5, 0 );
                 pt = plate->GetTransform() * pt;
@@ -9829,26 +9829,21 @@ void    plDXPlateManager::IDrawToDevice( plPipeline *pipe )
                 hsPoint3        pt, pt2;
                 int             i;
 
-                if( graph->GetLabelText( 0 )[ 0 ] != 0 )
-                {
+                uint32_t numLabels = graph->GetNumLabels();
+                if (numLabels > 0) {
                     /// Draw key
-                    const char *str;
-
                     pt.Set( -0.5, -0.5, 0 );
                     pt = plate->GetTransform() * pt;
                     pt.fX = pt.fX * scrnWidthDiv2 + scrnWidthDiv2;
                     pt.fY = pt.fY * scrnHeightDiv2 + scrnHeightDiv2;
                     pt.fY += plDebugText::Instance().GetFontHeight();
 
-                    uint32_t numLabels = graph->GetNumLabels();
                     if (numLabels > graph->GetNumColors())
                         numLabels = graph->GetNumColors();
 
                     for( i = 0; i < numLabels; i++ )
                     {
-                        str = graph->GetLabelText( i );
-                        if( str[ 0 ] == 0 )
-                            break;
+                        ST::string str = graph->GetLabelText(i);
 
                         pt2 = pt;
                         pt2.fX -= plDebugText::Instance().CalcStringWidth( str );
diff --git a/Sources/Plasma/FeatureLib/pfDXPipeline/plDXPipeline.h b/Sources/Plasma/FeatureLib/pfDXPipeline/plDXPipeline.h
index 2ad644b2c9..cb0c1361e1 100644
--- a/Sources/Plasma/FeatureLib/pfDXPipeline/plDXPipeline.h
+++ b/Sources/Plasma/FeatureLib/pfDXPipeline/plDXPipeline.h
@@ -557,7 +557,7 @@ class plDXPipeline : public pl3DPipeline<plDXDevice>
     void                        LoadResources() override;    // Tells us where it's a good time to load in unmanaged resources.
 
     // Create a debug text font object
-    plTextFont      *MakeTextFont(char *face, uint16_t size) override;
+    plTextFont* MakeTextFont(ST::string face, uint16_t size) override;
 
     // Create and/or Refresh geometry buffers
     void            CheckVertexBufferRef(plGBufferGroup* owner, uint32_t idx) override;
diff --git a/Sources/Plasma/FeatureLib/pfGLPipeline/plGLPipeline.cpp b/Sources/Plasma/FeatureLib/pfGLPipeline/plGLPipeline.cpp
index ba2dceb6b1..4ed7e6b6a6 100644
--- a/Sources/Plasma/FeatureLib/pfGLPipeline/plGLPipeline.cpp
+++ b/Sources/Plasma/FeatureLib/pfGLPipeline/plGLPipeline.cpp
@@ -49,6 +49,8 @@ You can contact Cyan Worlds, Inc. by email legal@cyan.com
 #include "HeadSpin.h"
 #include "hsWindows.h"
 
+#include <string_theory/string>
+
 #include "plPipeline/hsWinRef.h"
 
 #include "plGLPipeline.h"
@@ -79,7 +81,7 @@ bool plGLPipeline::PrepForRender(plDrawable* drawable, std::vector<int16_t>& vis
 void plGLPipeline::Render(plDrawable* d, const std::vector<int16_t>& visList)
 {}
 
-plTextFont* plGLPipeline::MakeTextFont(char* face, uint16_t size)
+plTextFont* plGLPipeline::MakeTextFont(ST::string face, uint16_t size)
 {
     return nullptr;
 }
diff --git a/Sources/Plasma/FeatureLib/pfGLPipeline/plGLPipeline.h b/Sources/Plasma/FeatureLib/pfGLPipeline/plGLPipeline.h
index e96a7985b1..55c895656e 100644
--- a/Sources/Plasma/FeatureLib/pfGLPipeline/plGLPipeline.h
+++ b/Sources/Plasma/FeatureLib/pfGLPipeline/plGLPipeline.h
@@ -77,7 +77,7 @@ class plGLPipeline : public pl3DPipeline<plGLDevice>
     bool PreRender(plDrawable* drawable, std::vector<int16_t>& visList, plVisMgr* visMgr=nullptr) override;
     bool PrepForRender(plDrawable* drawable, std::vector<int16_t>& visList, plVisMgr* visMgr=nullptr) override;
     void Render(plDrawable* d, const std::vector<int16_t>& visList) override;
-    plTextFont* MakeTextFont(char* face, uint16_t size) override;
+    plTextFont* MakeTextFont(ST::string face, uint16_t size) override;
     void CheckVertexBufferRef(plGBufferGroup* owner, uint32_t idx) override;
     void CheckIndexBufferRef(plGBufferGroup* owner, uint32_t idx) override;
     bool OpenAccess(plAccessSpan& dst, plDrawableSpans* d, const plVertexSpan* span, bool readOnly) override;
diff --git a/Sources/Plasma/FeatureLib/pfGameGUIMgr/pfGUIDialogMod.cpp b/Sources/Plasma/FeatureLib/pfGameGUIMgr/pfGUIDialogMod.cpp
index dc1ae72905..de43e89156 100644
--- a/Sources/Plasma/FeatureLib/pfGameGUIMgr/pfGUIDialogMod.cpp
+++ b/Sources/Plasma/FeatureLib/pfGameGUIMgr/pfGUIDialogMod.cpp
@@ -426,9 +426,7 @@ static bool     showBounds = false;
                     float x = sW * ctrl->fBoundsPoints[j].fX;
                     float y = sH * ctrl->fBoundsPoints[j].fY;
                     plDebugText::Instance().DrawRect( (uint16_t)(x - 2), (uint16_t)(y - 2), (uint16_t)(x + 2), (uint16_t)(y + 2), color );
-                    char str[24];
-                    snprintf(str, std::size(str), "%zu", j);
-                    plDebugText::Instance().DrawString( (uint16_t)(x + 8), (uint16_t)(y - 8), str, color );
+                    plDebugText::Instance().DrawString((uint16_t)(x + 8), (uint16_t)(y - 8), ST::string::from_uint(j), color);
                 }
             }
             else
@@ -484,7 +482,7 @@ static bool     showBounds = false;
         {
             const hsBounds3 &bnds = fMousedCtrl->GetBounds();
             plDebugText::Instance().DrawString((uint16_t)(bnds.GetMins().fX), (uint16_t)(bnds.GetMins().fY),
-                                               fMousedCtrl->GetKeyName().c_str(), (uint32_t)0xffffff00);
+                                               fMousedCtrl->GetKeyName(), (uint32_t)0xffffff00);
         }
 #endif
 
diff --git a/Sources/Plasma/NucleusLib/inc/plPipeline.h b/Sources/Plasma/NucleusLib/inc/plPipeline.h
index 42b410cfde..6b6f463ee5 100644
--- a/Sources/Plasma/NucleusLib/inc/plPipeline.h
+++ b/Sources/Plasma/NucleusLib/inc/plPipeline.h
@@ -92,6 +92,7 @@ class plVisMgr;
 
 class plViewTransform;
 
+namespace ST { class string; }
 
 struct PipelineParams
 {
@@ -169,7 +170,7 @@ class plPipeline : public plCreatable
     virtual void                        Draw(plDrawable* d) = 0;
     
     // Device-specific ref creation. Includes buffers and fonts
-    virtual plTextFont                  *MakeTextFont( char *face, uint16_t size ) = 0;
+    virtual plTextFont* MakeTextFont(ST::string face, uint16_t size) = 0;
 
     // Create and/or Refresh geometry buffers
     virtual void            CheckVertexBufferRef(plGBufferGroup* owner, uint32_t idx) = 0;
diff --git a/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plAudio/plSound.cpp b/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plAudio/plSound.cpp
index 12b8b9646a..2679e2786b 100644
--- a/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plAudio/plSound.cpp
+++ b/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plAudio/plSound.cpp
@@ -125,10 +125,10 @@ void plSound::IUpdateDebugPlate()
             fDebugPlate->SetPosition( -0.5, 0 );
             fDebugPlate->SetDataRange( 0, 100, 100 );
             fDebugPlate->SetColors( 0x80202000 );
-            fDebugPlate->SetLabelText( "Desired", "Curr", "Soft", "Dist" );
+            fDebugPlate->SetLabelText({ST_LITERAL("Desired"), ST_LITERAL("Curr"), ST_LITERAL("Soft"), ST_LITERAL("Dist")});
         }
 
-        fDebugPlate->SetTitle(GetKeyName().c_str());      // Bleah
+        fDebugPlate->SetTitle(GetKeyName()); // Bleah
         fDebugPlate->SetVisible( true );
         fDebugPlate->AddData( (int32_t)( fDesiredVol * 100.f ), 
                               (int32_t)( fCurrVolume * 100.f ),
diff --git a/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plAudio/plVoiceChat.cpp b/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plAudio/plVoiceChat.cpp
index b290936cb6..27e3e908e3 100644
--- a/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plAudio/plVoiceChat.cpp
+++ b/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plAudio/plVoiceChat.cpp
@@ -117,8 +117,8 @@ void plVoiceRecorder::ShowGraph(bool b)
     if (!fGraph) {
         plPlateManager::Instance().CreateGraphPlate(&fGraph);
         fGraph->SetDataRange(0, 100, 100);
-        fGraph->SetLabelText("Voice Send Rate");
-        fGraph->SetTitle("Voice Recorder");
+        fGraph->SetLabelText({ST_LITERAL("Voice Send Rate")});
+        fGraph->SetTitle(ST_LITERAL("Voice Recorder"));
     }
 
     fGraph->SetSize(.4f, .25f);
@@ -131,11 +131,8 @@ void plVoiceRecorder::IncreaseRecordingThreshhold()
     fRecordThreshhold += (100 * hsTimer::GetDelSysSeconds());
     if (fRecordThreshhold >= 10000.0f)
         fRecordThreshhold = 10000.0f;
-    
-    plDebugText &txt = plDebugText::Instance();
-    char str[256];
-    sprintf(str, "RecordThreshhold %f\n", fRecordThreshhold);
-    txt.DrawString(400,300,str);
+
+    plDebugText::Instance().DrawString(400, 300, ST::format("RecordThreshhold {}\n", fRecordThreshhold));
 }
 
 void plVoiceRecorder::DecreaseRecordingThreshhold()
@@ -143,11 +140,8 @@ void plVoiceRecorder::DecreaseRecordingThreshhold()
     fRecordThreshhold -= (100 * hsTimer::GetDelSysSeconds());
     if (fRecordThreshhold <= 50.0f)
         fRecordThreshhold = 50.0f;
-    
-    plDebugText &txt = plDebugText::Instance();
-    char str[256];
-    sprintf(str, "RecordThreshhold %f\n", fRecordThreshhold);
-    txt.DrawString(400,300,str);
+
+    plDebugText::Instance().DrawString(400, 300, ST::format("RecordThreshhold {}\n", fRecordThreshhold));
 }
 
 void plVoiceRecorder::SetSampleRate(uint32_t rate)
@@ -211,8 +205,9 @@ void plVoiceRecorder::SetMicOpen(bool b)
             fCaptureOpenSecs = hsTimer::GetSeconds<float>();
         } else {
             plgAudioSys::EndCapture();
-            if (fGraph)
-                fGraph->SetTitle("Voice Recorder");
+            if (fGraph) {
+                fGraph->SetTitle(ST_LITERAL("Voice Recorder"));
+            }
         }
         DrawTalkIcon(b);
         fMicOpen = b;
@@ -323,7 +318,7 @@ void plVoiceRecorder::Update(double time)
                 float sendRate = ((float)bytesSent / (now - fCaptureOpenSecs)) / 1024.f;
                 // Scale the graph such that 8 KiB/s is the max
                 fGraph->AddData((int32_t)((100.f * sendRate) / 8.f));
-                fGraph->SetTitle(ST::format("{.2f} KiB/s", sendRate).c_str());
+                fGraph->SetTitle(ST::format("{.2f} KiB/s", sendRate));
             }
             fCaptureOpenSecs = now;
         }
diff --git a/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plAvatar/plArmatureMod.cpp b/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plAvatar/plArmatureMod.cpp
index 1737abfc05..26c35d92ca 100644
--- a/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plAvatar/plArmatureMod.cpp
+++ b/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plAvatar/plArmatureMod.cpp
@@ -2661,7 +2661,7 @@ void plArmatureMod::DumpToDebugDisplay(int &x, int &y, int lineHeight, plDebugTe
     {
         y += lineHeight;
 
-        debugTxt.DrawString(x, y, "ItemsWorn:");
+        debugTxt.DrawString(x, y, ST_LITERAL("ItemsWorn:"));
         y += lineHeight;
         ST::string_stream outfit;
         int itemCount = 0; 
@@ -2695,7 +2695,7 @@ void plArmatureMod::DumpToDebugDisplay(int &x, int &y, int lineHeight, plDebugTe
     {
         y += lineHeight;
 
-        debugTxt.DrawString(x, y, "Relevance Regions:");
+        debugTxt.DrawString(x, y, ST_LITERAL("Relevance Regions:"));
         y += lineHeight;
         debugTxt.DrawString(x, y, ST::format("          In: {}",
                 plRelevanceMgr::Instance()->GetRegionNames(fRegionsImIn)));
diff --git a/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plAvatar/plAvBrainClimb.cpp b/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plAvatar/plAvBrainClimb.cpp
index 7931aa21ea..3da7a6b7ed 100644
--- a/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plAvatar/plAvBrainClimb.cpp
+++ b/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plAvatar/plAvBrainClimb.cpp
@@ -890,14 +890,12 @@ void plAvBrainClimb::LoadFromSDL(const plStateDataRecord *sdl)
 // ------------------
 void plAvBrainClimb::DumpToDebugDisplay(int &x, int &y, int lineHeight, plDebugText &debugTxt)
 {
-    debugTxt.DrawString(x, y, "Brain type: Climb");
+    debugTxt.DrawString(x, y, ST_LITERAL("Brain type: Climb"));
     y += lineHeight;
     const char * worldDir = WorldDirStr(fDesiredDirection);
     const char * modeStr = ModeStr(fCurMode);
 
-    char buffy[256];
-    sprintf(buffy, "direction: %s mode: %s controlDir: %f", worldDir, modeStr, fControlDir);
-    debugTxt.DrawString(x,y, buffy);
+    debugTxt.DrawString(x, y, ST::format("direction: {} mode: {} controlDir: {}", worldDir, modeStr, fControlDir));
     y += lineHeight;
     
     IDumpClimbDirections(x, y, lineHeight, debugTxt);
diff --git a/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plAvatar/plAvBrainCritter.cpp b/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plAvatar/plAvBrainCritter.cpp
index 2ad46a2253..d87386e35b 100644
--- a/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plAvatar/plAvBrainCritter.cpp
+++ b/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plAvatar/plAvBrainCritter.cpp
@@ -447,7 +447,7 @@ void plAvBrainCritter::RemoveReceiver(const plKey& key)
 
 void plAvBrainCritter::DumpToDebugDisplay(int& x, int& y, int lineHeight, plDebugText& debugTxt)
 {
-    debugTxt.DrawString(x, y, "Brain type: Critter", 0, 255, 255);
+    debugTxt.DrawString(x, y, ST_LITERAL("Brain type: Critter"), 0, 255, 255);
     y += lineHeight;
 
     // extract the name from the behavior running
diff --git a/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plAvatar/plAvBrainGeneric.cpp b/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plAvatar/plAvBrainGeneric.cpp
index 5f9f924372..345a603b89 100644
--- a/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plAvatar/plAvBrainGeneric.cpp
+++ b/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plAvatar/plAvBrainGeneric.cpp
@@ -937,7 +937,7 @@ void plAvBrainGeneric::SetBodyUsage(plAGAnim::BodyUsage bodyUsage)
 // -------------------
 void plAvBrainGeneric::DumpToDebugDisplay(int &x, int &y, int lineHeight, plDebugText &debugTxt)
 {
-    debugTxt.DrawString(x, y, "Brain type: Generic AKA Multistage");
+    debugTxt.DrawString(x, y, ST_LITERAL("Brain type: Generic AKA Multistage"));
     y += lineHeight;
 
     int stageCount = fStages->size();
diff --git a/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plAvatar/plAvBrainHuman.cpp b/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plAvatar/plAvBrainHuman.cpp
index 5e61b6e59e..12fee0554b 100644
--- a/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plAvatar/plAvBrainHuman.cpp
+++ b/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plAvatar/plAvBrainHuman.cpp
@@ -879,7 +879,7 @@ bool plAvBrainHuman::LeaveAge()
 
 void plAvBrainHuman::DumpToDebugDisplay(int &x, int &y, int lineHeight, plDebugText &debugTxt)
 {
-    debugTxt.DrawString(x, y, "Brain type: Human");
+    debugTxt.DrawString(x, y, ST_LITERAL("Brain type: Human"));
     y += lineHeight;
     
     const char *grounded = fWalkingStrategy->IsOnGround() ? "yes" : "no";
@@ -891,12 +891,12 @@ void plAvBrainHuman::DumpToDebugDisplay(int &x, int &y, int lineHeight, plDebugT
     for (plArmatureBehavior* behavior : fBehaviors)
         behavior->DumpDebug(x, y, lineHeight, debugTxt);
 
-    debugTxt.DrawString(x, y, "Tasks:");
+    debugTxt.DrawString(x, y, ST_LITERAL("Tasks:"));
     y += lineHeight;
 
     if(fCurTask)
     {
-        debugTxt.DrawString(x, y, "Current task:");
+        debugTxt.DrawString(x, y, ST_LITERAL("Current task:"));
         y += lineHeight;
 
         int indentedX = x + 4;
@@ -905,7 +905,7 @@ void plAvBrainHuman::DumpToDebugDisplay(int &x, int &y, int lineHeight, plDebugT
     int tasks = fTaskQueue.size();
     if(tasks > 0)
     {
-        debugTxt.DrawString(x, y, "Tasks in the Queue:");
+        debugTxt.DrawString(x, y, ST_LITERAL("Tasks in the Queue:"));
         y += lineHeight;
 
         int indentedX = x + 4;
diff --git a/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plAvatar/plAvBrainSwim.cpp b/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plAvatar/plAvBrainSwim.cpp
index 2ab78badaa..041453ebeb 100644
--- a/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plAvatar/plAvBrainSwim.cpp
+++ b/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plAvatar/plAvBrainSwim.cpp
@@ -604,21 +604,21 @@ bool plAvBrainSwim::IHandleControlMsg(plControlEventMsg* msg)
 
 void plAvBrainSwim::DumpToDebugDisplay(int &x, int &y, int lineHeight, plDebugText &debugTxt)
 {
-    debugTxt.DrawString(x, y, "Brain type: Swim", 0, 255, 255);
+    debugTxt.DrawString(x, y, ST_LITERAL("Brain type: Swim"), 0, 255, 255);
     y += lineHeight;
     
     switch(fMode) {
         case kWading:
-            debugTxt.DrawString(x, y, "Mode: Wading");
+            debugTxt.DrawString(x, y, ST_LITERAL("Mode: Wading"));
             break;
         case kSwimming2D:
-            debugTxt.DrawString(x, y, "Mode: Swimming2D");
+            debugTxt.DrawString(x, y, ST_LITERAL("Mode: Swimming2D"));
             break;
         case kSwimming3D:
-            debugTxt.DrawString(x, y, "Mode: Swimming3D");
+            debugTxt.DrawString(x, y, ST_LITERAL("Mode: Swimming3D"));
             break;
         case kAbort:
-            debugTxt.DrawString(x, y, "Mode: Abort (you should never see this)");
+            debugTxt.DrawString(x, y, ST_LITERAL("Mode: Abort (you should never see this)"));
             break;
         default:
             break;
diff --git a/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plAvatar/plAvTaskBrain.cpp b/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plAvatar/plAvTaskBrain.cpp
index 76f14f5bdd..4ab5c6114b 100644
--- a/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plAvatar/plAvTaskBrain.cpp
+++ b/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plAvatar/plAvTaskBrain.cpp
@@ -96,11 +96,10 @@ void plAvTaskBrain::Finish(plArmatureMod *avatar, plArmatureBrain *brain, double
 // ----------
 void plAvTaskBrain::DumpDebug(const char *name, int &x, int&y, int lineHeight, plDebugText &debugTxt)
 {
-    if(fBrain)
-    {
-        debugTxt.DrawString(x, y, "Brain task -- Push New Brain.");
+    if (fBrain) {
+        debugTxt.DrawString(x, y, ST_LITERAL("Brain task -- Push New Brain."));
     } else {
-        debugTxt.DrawString(x, y, "Brain task -- Pop Current Brain.");
+        debugTxt.DrawString(x, y, ST_LITERAL("Brain task -- Pop Current Brain."));
     }
     y += lineHeight;
 }
diff --git a/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plAvatar/plAvatarTasks.cpp b/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plAvatar/plAvatarTasks.cpp
index 9e436e5bce..4c617f650a 100644
--- a/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plAvatar/plAvatarTasks.cpp
+++ b/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plAvatar/plAvatarTasks.cpp
@@ -111,7 +111,7 @@ void plAvTask::Finish(plArmatureMod *avatar, plArmatureBrain *brain, double time
 // DUMPDEBUG
 void plAvTask::DumpDebug(const char *name, int &x, int&y, int lineHeight, plDebugText &debugTxt)
 {
-    debugTxt.DrawString(x, y, "<anonymous task>");
+    debugTxt.DrawString(x, y, ST_LITERAL("<anonymous task>"));
     y += lineHeight;
 }
 
diff --git a/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plInputCore/plInputDevice.cpp b/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plInputCore/plInputDevice.cpp
index 41844fe36c..4dcfada1c8 100644
--- a/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plInputCore/plInputDevice.cpp
+++ b/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plInputCore/plInputDevice.cpp
@@ -304,7 +304,7 @@ void plMouseDevice::AddCCRToCursor()
     if (fInstance)
     {
         plDebugText     &txt = plDebugText::Instance();
-        txt.DrawString(fInstance->fWXPos + 12 * fScale, fInstance->fWYPos - 17, "CCR");
+        txt.DrawString(fInstance->fWXPos + 12 * fScale, fInstance->fWYPos - 17, ST_LITERAL("CCR"));
     }
 }
 void plMouseDevice::AddIDNumToCursor(uint32_t idNum)
@@ -326,10 +326,6 @@ void plMouseDevice::SetCursorX(float x)
     if (fCursor)
         fCursor->SetPosition( ( x * 2.0f ) - 1.0f, 
                           ( fYPos * 2.0f ) - 1.0f );
-
-//  plDebugText     &txt = plDebugText::Instance();
-//  txt.DrawString(fWXPos + 20,fWYPos - 5,"test");
-
 }
 void plMouseDevice::SetCursorY(float y)
 {
@@ -340,10 +336,6 @@ void plMouseDevice::SetCursorY(float y)
     if (fCursor)
         fCursor->SetPosition( ( fXPos * 2.0f ) - 1.0f, 
                           ( y * 2.0f ) - 1.0f );
-
-//  plDebugText     &txt = plDebugText::Instance();
-//  txt.DrawString(fWXPos + 20,fWYPos - 10,"test");
-
 }
 
 
diff --git a/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plNetClient/plNetClientMgrShow.cpp b/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plNetClient/plNetClientMgrShow.cpp
index 4fe03169f9..9ef6711184 100644
--- a/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plNetClient/plNetClientMgrShow.cpp
+++ b/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plNetClient/plNetClientMgrShow.cpp
@@ -67,32 +67,28 @@ void plNetClientMgr::IShowLists()
 
     int y,x,i;
     const int yOff=10, xOff=300, startY=70, startX=10;
-    char str[256];
+    ST::string str;
 
     // My player info
     x=startX;
     y=startY;
     plSceneObject *player = plSceneObject::ConvertNoRef(GetLocalPlayer());
     hsPoint3 pos = (player ? player->GetLocalToWorld() * hsPoint3(0, 0, 0) : hsPoint3(0, 0, 0));
-    sprintf(str, "%s%s PlyrName=%s PlyrID=%d Join#=%d %.1f,%.1f,%.1f",
+    str = ST::format("{}{} PlyrName={} PlyrID={} Join#={} ILIAS={} {.1f},{.1f},{.1f}",
         GetFlagsBit(kSendingVoice) ? "V" : " ",
         GetFlagsBit(kSendingActions) ? "A" : " ",
         GetPlayerName().c_str(), GetPlayerID(),
         GetJoinOrder(),
+        IsLoadingInitialAgeState(),
         pos.fX, pos.fY, pos.fZ);
     txt.DrawString(x,y,str,255,255,255,255);
     SetFlagsBit(kSendingVoice, 0);
     SetFlagsBit(kSendingActions, 0);
 
-    y+=yOff;
-    sprintf(str, "   Server=%s ILIAS=%d", "foo",
-        IsLoadingInitialAgeState());
-    txt.DrawString(x,y,str,255,255,255,255);
-    
     // MEMBERS
     y+=yOff;
     int baseY=y;
-    txt.DrawString(x,y,"   Members",255,255,255,255,plDebugText::kStyleBold);
+    txt.DrawString(x, y, ST_LITERAL("   Members"), 255, 255, 255, 255, plDebugText::kStyleBold);
     y+=yOff;
     std::vector<plNetTransportMember*> members = fTransport.GetMemberListDistSorted();
     for (plNetTransportMember* mbr : members)
@@ -101,7 +97,7 @@ void plNetClientMgr::IShowLists()
         if (mbr->IsServer())
             continue;
         player = (mbr->GetAvatarKey() ? plSceneObject::ConvertNoRef(mbr->GetAvatarKey()->ObjectIsLoaded()) : nullptr);
-        sprintf(str, "%s%s %s dist=%.1f",
+        str = ST::format("{}{} {} dist={.1f}",
             mbr->GetTransportFlags() & plNetTransportMember::kSendingVoice ? "V" : " ",
             mbr->GetTransportFlags() & plNetTransportMember::kSendingActions ? "A" : " ",
             mbr->AsString().c_str(),
@@ -115,24 +111,22 @@ void plNetClientMgr::IShowLists()
     // LISTENLIST
     x+=xOff;
     y=baseY;
-    txt.DrawString(x,y,"ListenList",255,255,255,255,plDebugText::kStyleBold);
+    txt.DrawString(x, y, ST_LITERAL("ListenList"), 255, 255, 255, 255, plDebugText::kStyleBold);
     y+=yOff;
     for(i=0;i<GetListenList()->GetNumMembers();i++)
     {
-        sprintf(str, "name=%s", GetListenList()->GetMember(i)->AsString().c_str());
-        txt.DrawString(x,y,str);
+        txt.DrawString(x, y, ST::format("name={}", GetListenList()->GetMember(i)->AsString()));
         y+=yOff;
     }
 
     // TALKLIST
     x+=xOff;
     y=baseY;
-    txt.DrawString(x,y,"TalkList",255,255,255,255,plDebugText::kStyleBold);
+    txt.DrawString(x, y, ST_LITERAL("TalkList"), 255, 255, 255, 255, plDebugText::kStyleBold);
     y+=yOff;
     for(i=0;i<GetTalkList()->GetNumMembers();i++)
     {
-        sprintf(str, "name=%s", GetTalkList()->GetMember(i)->AsString().c_str());
-        txt.DrawString(x,y,str);
+        txt.DrawString(x, y, ST::format("name={}", GetTalkList()->GetMember(i)->AsString()));
         y+=yOff;
     }
 }
@@ -151,7 +145,7 @@ void plNetClientMgr::IShowRooms()
     // OWNEDLIST
     x=startX;
     y=startY;
-    txt.DrawString(x,y,"RoomsOwned",255,255,255,255,plDebugText::kStyleBold);
+    txt.DrawString(x, y, ST_LITERAL("RoomsOwned"), 255, 255, 255, 255, plDebugText::kStyleBold);
     y+=yOff;
     std::set<plNetClientGroups::OwnedGroup>::iterator it=GetNetGroups()->fGroups.begin();
     for(;it != GetNetGroups()->fGroups.end(); it++)
@@ -166,7 +160,7 @@ void plNetClientMgr::IShowRooms()
     // NOTOWNEDLIST
     x+=xOff;
     y=startY;
-    txt.DrawString(x,y,"RoomsNotOwned",255,255,255,255,plDebugText::kStyleBold);
+    txt.DrawString(x, y, ST_LITERAL("RoomsNotOwned"), 255, 255, 255, 255, plDebugText::kStyleBold);
     y+=yOff;
     it=GetNetGroups()->fGroups.begin();
     for(;it != GetNetGroups()->fGroups.end(); it++)
@@ -181,31 +175,27 @@ void plNetClientMgr::IShowRooms()
 
 uint32_t IPrintRelRegion(const hsBitVector& region, int x, int y, const hsBitVector* cmpRegion)
 {
-    char buf[256];
-    int maxBits = 255;
-
     uint32_t num = plRelevanceMgr::Instance()->GetNumRegions();
-    if (num > maxBits)
-        num = maxBits;
 
     bool orTrue = false;
 
+    ST::string_stream buf;
     int i;
     for (i = 0; i < num; i++)
     {
-        buf[i] = (region.IsBitSet(i) ? '1' : '0');
+        buf << (region.IsBitSet(i) ? '1' : '0');
         if (cmpRegion && cmpRegion->IsBitSet(i) && region.IsBitSet(i))
             orTrue = true;
     }
-    buf[i] = '\0';
+    ST::string str = buf.to_string();
 
     plDebugText& txt = plDebugText::Instance()  ;
     if (orTrue)
-        txt.DrawString(x, y, buf, 0, 255, 0);
+        txt.DrawString(x, y, str, 0, 255, 0);
     else
-        txt.DrawString(x, y, buf);
+        txt.DrawString(x, y, str);
 
-    return txt.CalcStringWidth(buf);
+    return txt.CalcStringWidth(str);
 }
 
 void plNetClientMgr::IShowRelevanceRegions()
@@ -215,8 +205,7 @@ void plNetClientMgr::IShowRelevanceRegions()
     const int yOff = 12, xOff = 20, startY=70, startX=10;
     int x = startX, y = startY;
 
-    const char* title = "Name / In / Care";
-    txt.DrawString(x, y - yOff, title, 255, 255, 255, 255, plDebugText::kStyleBold);
+    txt.DrawString(x, y - yOff, ST_LITERAL("Name / In / Care"), 255, 255, 255, 255, plDebugText::kStyleBold);
 
     std::vector<plNetTransportMember*> members =  fTransport.GetMemberListDistSorted();
 
@@ -225,8 +214,8 @@ void plNetClientMgr::IShowRelevanceRegions()
     //
     uint32_t maxPlayerName = 0;
 
-    txt.DrawString(x, y, GetPlayerName().c_str());
-    maxPlayerName = std::max(maxPlayerName, txt.CalcStringWidth(GetPlayerName().c_str()));
+    txt.DrawString(x, y, GetPlayerName());
+    maxPlayerName = std::max(maxPlayerName, txt.CalcStringWidth(GetPlayerName()));
     y += yOff;
 
     for (plNetTransportMember* mbr : members)
@@ -236,8 +225,8 @@ void plNetClientMgr::IShowRelevanceRegions()
             continue;
 
         ST::string name = mbr->GetPlayerName();
-        txt.DrawString(x, y, name.c_str());
-        maxPlayerName = std::max(maxPlayerName, txt.CalcStringWidth(name.c_str()));
+        txt.DrawString(x, y, name);
+        maxPlayerName = std::max(maxPlayerName, txt.CalcStringWidth(name));
         y += yOff;
     }
 
@@ -292,11 +281,11 @@ void plNetClientMgr::IShowRelevanceRegions()
 void plNetClientMgr::IShowAvatars()
 {
     plDebugText     &txt = plDebugText::Instance();
-    txt.SetFont( "Courier New", 6 );
+    txt.SetFont(ST_LITERAL("Courier New"), 6);
 
     int y, x;
     const int yOff=10, xOff=285, startY=100, startX=10;
-    char str[256];
+    ST::string str;
 
     // Me
     x=startX;
@@ -304,8 +293,8 @@ void plNetClientMgr::IShowAvatars()
     plSceneObject *player = plSceneObject::ConvertNoRef(GetLocalPlayer());
     hsPoint3 pos = (player ? player->GetLocalToWorld() * hsPoint3() : hsPoint3());
     hsVector3 ori = (player ? player->GetLocalToWorld() * hsVector3(0.f, -1.f, 0.f) : hsVector3());
-    sprintf(str, "%s: pos(%.2f, %.2f, %.2f) ori(%.2f, %.2f, %.2f)",
-            GetPlayerName().c_str(), pos.fX, pos.fY, pos.fZ, ori.fX, ori.fY, ori.fZ);
+    str = ST::format("{}: pos({.2f}, {.2f}, {.2f}) ori({.2f}, {.2f}, {.2f})",
+        GetPlayerName(), pos.fX, pos.fY, pos.fZ, ori.fX, ori.fY, ori.fZ);
     txt.DrawString(x,y,str,255,255,255,255);
 
 
@@ -322,8 +311,8 @@ void plNetClientMgr::IShowAvatars()
                 y+=yOff;
                 hsPoint3 pos = (pObj ? pObj->GetLocalToWorld() * hsPoint3() : hsPoint3());
                 hsVector3 ori = (pObj ? pObj->GetLocalToWorld() * hsVector3(0.f, -1.f, 0.f) : hsVector3());
-                sprintf(str, "%s: pos(%.2f, %.2f, %.2f) ori(%.2f, %.2f, %.2f)",
-                        pObj->GetKeyName().c_str(), pos.fX, pos.fY, pos.fZ, ori.fX, ori.fY, ori.fZ);
+                str = ST::format("{}: pos({.2f}, {.2f}, {.2f}) ori({.2f}, {.2f}, {.2f})",
+                    pObj->GetKeyName(), pos.fX, pos.fY, pos.fZ, ori.fX, ori.fY, ori.fZ);
                 txt.DrawString(x,y,str,255,255,255,255);
             }
         }
@@ -345,8 +334,8 @@ void plNetClientMgr::IShowAvatars()
         pos = (player ? player->GetLocalToWorld() * hsPoint3() : hsPoint3());
         ori = (player ? player->GetLocalToWorld() * hsVector3(0.f, -1.f, 0.f) : hsVector3());
 
-        sprintf(str, "%s: pos(%.2f, %.2f, %.2f) ori(%.2f, %.2f, %.2f)",
-                mbr->AsString().c_str(), pos.fX, pos.fY, pos.fZ, ori.fX, ori.fY, ori.fZ);
+        str = ST::format("{}: pos({.2f}, {.2f}, {.2f}) ori({.2f}, {.2f}, {.2f})",
+            mbr->AsString(), pos.fX, pos.fY, pos.fZ, ori.fX, ori.fY, ori.fZ);
         txt.DrawString(x,y,str);
         y+=yOff;
 
@@ -363,8 +352,8 @@ void plNetClientMgr::IShowAvatars()
                     y+=yOff;
                     hsPoint3 pos = (pObj ? pObj->GetLocalToWorld() * hsPoint3() : hsPoint3());
                     hsVector3 ori = (pObj ? pObj->GetLocalToWorld() * hsVector3(0.f, -1.f, 0.f) : hsVector3());
-                    sprintf(str, "%s: pos(%.2f, %.2f, %.2f) ori(%.2f, %.2f, %.2f)",
-                            pObj->GetKeyName().c_str(), pos.fX, pos.fY, pos.fZ, ori.fX, ori.fY, ori.fZ);
+                    str = ST::format("{}: pos({.2f}, {.2f}, {.2f}) ori({.2f}, {.2f}, {.2f})",
+                        pObj->GetKeyName(), pos.fX, pos.fY, pos.fZ, ori.fX, ori.fY, ori.fZ);
                     txt.DrawString(x,y,str,255,255,255,255);
                 }
             }
@@ -372,5 +361,5 @@ void plNetClientMgr::IShowAvatars()
 
     }
 
-    txt.SetFont( "Courier New", 8 );
+    txt.SetFont(ST_LITERAL("Courier New"), 8);
 }
diff --git a/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plPipeline/pl3DPipeline.h b/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plPipeline/pl3DPipeline.h
index 37fd8c7def..db1f395006 100644
--- a/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plPipeline/pl3DPipeline.h
+++ b/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plPipeline/pl3DPipeline.h
@@ -240,7 +240,7 @@ class pl3DPipeline : public plPipeline
     void Draw(plDrawable* d) override;
 
 
-    //virtual plTextFont* MakeTextFont(char* face, uint16_t size) = 0;
+    //virtual plTextFont* MakeTextFont(ST::string face, uint16_t size) = 0;
     //virtual void CheckVertexBufferRef(plGBufferGroup* owner, uint32_t idx) = 0;
     //virtual void CheckIndexBufferRef(plGBufferGroup* owner, uint32_t idx) = 0;
     //virtual bool OpenAccess(plAccessSpan& dst, plDrawableSpans* d, const plVertexSpan* span, bool readOnly) = 0;
diff --git a/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plPipeline/plDTProgressMgr.cpp b/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plPipeline/plDTProgressMgr.cpp
index 321079366d..2abf405414 100644
--- a/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plPipeline/plDTProgressMgr.cpp
+++ b/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plPipeline/plDTProgressMgr.cpp
@@ -201,7 +201,7 @@ bool    plDTProgressMgr::IDrawTheStupidThing(plPipeline *p, plOperationProgress
     // draw the title
     if (!prog->GetTitle().empty()) {
         y -= downsz;
-        text.DrawString_TEMP(x, y, prog->GetTitle(), kTitleColor);
+        text.DrawString(x, y, prog->GetTitle(), kTitleColor);
         y += downsz;
         drew_something = true;
     }
@@ -232,14 +232,14 @@ bool    plDTProgressMgr::IDrawTheStupidThing(plPipeline *p, plOperationProgress
 
     // draw the left justified status text
     if (!prog->GetStatusText().empty()) {
-        text.DrawString_TEMP(x, y, prog->GetStatusText(), kInfoColor);
+        text.DrawString(x, y, prog->GetStatusText(), kInfoColor);
         drew_something = true;
     }
 
     // draw the right justified info text
     if (!prog->GetInfoText().empty()) {
-        uint16_t right_x = 2 + x + width - text.CalcStringWidth_TEMP(prog->GetInfoText());
-        text.DrawString_TEMP(right_x, y, prog->GetInfoText(), kInfoColor);
+        uint16_t right_x = 2 + x + width - text.CalcStringWidth(prog->GetInfoText());
+        text.DrawString(right_x, y, prog->GetInfoText(), kInfoColor);
         drew_something = true;
     }
 
diff --git a/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plPipeline/plDebugText.cpp b/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plPipeline/plDebugText.cpp
index fa393f46bb..9ee1122c38 100644
--- a/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plPipeline/plDebugText.cpp
+++ b/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plPipeline/plDebugText.cpp
@@ -58,18 +58,20 @@ plDebugText plDebugText::fInstance;
 
 //// DrawString //////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
 
-void    plDebugText::DrawString( uint16_t x, uint16_t y, const char *string, uint32_t hexColor, uint8_t style )
+void plDebugText::DrawString(uint16_t x, uint16_t y, ST::string string, uint32_t hexColor, uint8_t style)
 {
-    if (IsEnabled() && fManager && string != nullptr && string[0] != 0)
-        fManager->AddString( x, y, string, hexColor, style, fDrawOnTopMode );
+    if (IsEnabled() && fManager && !string.empty()) {
+        fManager->AddString(x, y, std::move(string), hexColor, style, fDrawOnTopMode);
+    }
 }
 
 //// CalcStringWidth /////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
 
-uint32_t  plDebugText::CalcStringWidth( const char *string )
+uint32_t plDebugText::CalcStringWidth(const ST::string& string)
 {
-    if( IsEnabled() && fManager && string )
-        return fManager->CalcStringWidth( string );
+    if (IsEnabled() && fManager) {
+        return fManager->CalcStringWidth(string);
+    }
 
     return 0;
 }
@@ -114,10 +116,9 @@ uint16_t plDebugText::GetFontHeight()
 
 //// plDebugTextNode Constructor /////////////////////////////////////////////
 
-plDebugTextManager::plDebugTextNode::plDebugTextNode( const char *s, uint32_t c, uint16_t x, uint16_t y, uint8_t style )
+plDebugTextManager::plDebugTextNode::plDebugTextNode(ST::string s, uint32_t c, uint16_t x, uint16_t y, uint8_t style) :
+    fText(std::move(s))
 {
-    memset( fText, 0, sizeof( fText ) );
-    strncpy( fText, s, sizeof( fText ) - 1 );
     fColor = c;
     fX = x;
     fY = y;
@@ -126,7 +127,6 @@ plDebugTextManager::plDebugTextNode::plDebugTextNode( const char *s, uint32_t c,
 
 plDebugTextManager::plDebugTextNode::plDebugTextNode( uint16_t left, uint16_t top, uint16_t right, uint16_t bottom, uint32_t c )
 {
-    memset( fText, 0, sizeof( fText ) );
     fColor = c;
     fX = left;
     fY = top;
@@ -137,7 +137,6 @@ plDebugTextManager::plDebugTextNode::plDebugTextNode( uint16_t left, uint16_t to
 
 plDebugTextManager::plDebugTextNode::plDebugTextNode( uint16_t left, uint16_t top, uint16_t right, uint16_t bottom, uint32_t c1, uint32_t c2 )
 {
-    memset( fText, 0, sizeof( fText ) );
     fColor = c1;
     fDarkColor = c2;
     fX = left;
@@ -157,12 +156,12 @@ plDebugTextManager::~plDebugTextManager()
 
 //// AddString ///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
 
-void    plDebugTextManager::AddString( uint16_t x, uint16_t y, const char *s, uint32_t hexColor, uint8_t style, bool drawOnTop )
+void plDebugTextManager::AddString(uint16_t x, uint16_t y, ST::string s, uint32_t hexColor, uint8_t style, bool drawOnTop)
 {
     if( drawOnTop )
-        fDrawOnTopList.emplace_back(s, hexColor, x, y, style);
+        fDrawOnTopList.emplace_back(std::move(s), hexColor, x, y, style);
     else
-        fList.emplace_back(s, hexColor, x, y, style);
+        fList.emplace_back(std::move(s), hexColor, x, y, style);
 }
 
 //// DrawRect ////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
@@ -200,8 +199,7 @@ void    plDebugTextManager::DrawToDevice( plPipeline *pipe )
     if (fFont == nullptr)
     {
         // Create font first time around
-        fFont = pipe->MakeTextFont( (char *)plDebugText::Instance().GetFontFace(), 
-                                        plDebugText::Instance().GetFontSize() );
+        fFont = pipe->MakeTextFont(plDebugText::Instance().GetFontFace(), plDebugText::Instance().GetFontSize());
 
         if (fFont == nullptr)
         {
@@ -261,7 +259,7 @@ void    plDebugTextManager::DrawToDevice( plPipeline *pipe )
 
 //// CalcStringWidth /////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
 
-uint32_t  plDebugTextManager::CalcStringWidth( const char *string )
+uint32_t plDebugTextManager::CalcStringWidth(const ST::string& string)
 {
     if (!plDebugText::Instance().IsEnabled() || fFont == nullptr)
         return 0;
diff --git a/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plPipeline/plDebugText.h b/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plPipeline/plDebugText.h
index 3e7f7316f4..13fab3db8d 100644
--- a/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plPipeline/plDebugText.h
+++ b/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plPipeline/plDebugText.h
@@ -48,6 +48,8 @@ You can contact Cyan Worlds, Inc. by email legal@cyan.com
 #ifndef _plDebugText_h
 #define _plDebugText_h
 
+#include <string_theory/string>
+#include <utility>
 #include <vector>
 
 #include "HeadSpin.h"
@@ -69,9 +71,9 @@ class plDebugText
         { 
             fManager = nullptr;
 #ifdef PLASMA_EXTERNAL_RELEASE
-            SetFont( "Trebuchet MS Bold", 8 );
+            SetFont(ST_LITERAL("Trebuchet MS Bold"), 8);
 #else
-            SetFont( "Courier New", 8 );
+            SetFont(ST_LITERAL("Courier New"), 8);
 #endif
             SetEnable( true );
             fLockEnable = false;
@@ -82,7 +84,7 @@ class plDebugText
 
         plDebugTextManager  *fManager;
 
-        char            fFontFace[ 128 ];
+        ST::string fFontFace;
         uint16_t          fFontSize;
         bool            fEnabled, fLockEnable, fDrawOnTopMode;
 
@@ -98,17 +100,11 @@ class plDebugText
 
         static plDebugText  &Instance() { return fInstance; }
 
-        uint32_t CalcStringWidth(const char *string);
-        uint32_t CalcStringWidth_TEMP(const ST::string &string) { return CalcStringWidth(string.c_str()); }
+        uint32_t CalcStringWidth(const ST::string& string);
 
-        void DrawString(uint16_t x, uint16_t y, const char *string, uint32_t hexColor, uint8_t style = 0);
+        void DrawString(uint16_t x, uint16_t y, ST::string string, uint32_t hexColor, uint8_t style = 0);
 
-        void DrawString_TEMP(uint16_t x, uint16_t y, const ST::string &string, uint32_t hexColor, uint8_t style = 0)
-        {
-            DrawString(x, y, string.c_str(), hexColor, style);
-        }
-
-        void DrawString(uint16_t x, uint16_t y, const ST::string &string, hsColorRGBA &color, uint8_t style = 0)
+        void DrawString(uint16_t x, uint16_t y, ST::string string, hsColorRGBA& color, uint8_t style = 0)
         {
             uint32_t  hex;
             uint8_t   r, g, b, a;
@@ -120,17 +116,17 @@ class plDebugText
             a = (uint8_t)( color.a * 255.0 );
             hex = ( a << 24 ) | ( r << 16 ) | ( g << 8 ) | ( b );
 
-            DrawString_TEMP(x, y, string, hex, style);
+            DrawString(x, y, std::move(string), hex, style);
         }
 
-        void DrawString(uint16_t x, uint16_t y, const ST::string& string)
+        void DrawString(uint16_t x, uint16_t y, ST::string string)
         {
-            DrawString_TEMP(x, y, string, 0xffffffff, 0);
+            DrawString(x, y, std::move(string), 0xffffffff, 0);
         }
 
-        void DrawString(uint16_t x, uint16_t y, const ST::string &string, uint8_t r, uint8_t g, uint8_t b, uint8_t a = 255, uint8_t style = 0)
+        void DrawString(uint16_t x, uint16_t y, ST::string string, uint8_t r, uint8_t g, uint8_t b, uint8_t a = 255, uint8_t style = 0)
         {
-            DrawString_TEMP(x, y, string, (uint32_t)( ( a << 24 ) | ( r << 16 ) | ( g << 8 ) | ( b ) ), style);
+            DrawString(x, y, std::move(string), (uint32_t)((a << 24) | (r << 16) | (g << 8) | (b)), style);
         }
 
         void    SetDrawOnTopMode( bool enable ) { fDrawOnTopMode = enable; }
@@ -149,8 +145,8 @@ class plDebugText
 
         void    SetManager( plDebugTextManager *m ) { fManager = m; }
 
-        void            SetFont(const char *face, uint16_t size ) { hsStrncpy( fFontFace, face, sizeof( fFontFace ) ); fFontSize = size; }
-        const char     *GetFontFace() { return fFontFace; }
+        void SetFont(ST::string face, uint16_t size) { fFontFace = std::move(face); fFontSize = size; }
+        ST::string GetFontFace() { return fFontFace; }
         uint16_t        GetFontSize() { return fFontSize; }
         uint16_t        GetFontHeight();
 
@@ -171,13 +167,13 @@ class   plDebugTextManager
 
         struct plDebugTextNode
         {
-            char    fText[ 256 ];
+            ST::string fText;
             uint32_t  fColor, fDarkColor;
             uint16_t  fX, fY, fRight, fBottom;    // Last 2 are for rects only
             uint8_t   fStyle;                     // 0xff means rectangle, 0xfe means 3d border
 
-            plDebugTextNode() { fText[ 0 ] = 0; fColor = 0; fX = fY = 0; fStyle = 0; }
-            plDebugTextNode( const char *s, uint32_t c, uint16_t x, uint16_t y, uint8_t style ); 
+            plDebugTextNode() { fColor = 0; fX = fY = 0; fStyle = 0; }
+            plDebugTextNode(ST::string s, uint32_t c, uint16_t x, uint16_t y, uint8_t style);
             plDebugTextNode( uint16_t left, uint16_t top, uint16_t right, uint16_t bottom, uint32_t c ); 
             plDebugTextNode( uint16_t left, uint16_t top, uint16_t right, uint16_t bottom, uint32_t c1, uint32_t c2 );
             ~plDebugTextNode() { }
@@ -194,8 +190,8 @@ class   plDebugTextManager
         plDebugTextManager() { plDebugText::Instance().SetManager(this); fFont = nullptr; }
         ~plDebugTextManager();
 
-        void    AddString( uint16_t x, uint16_t y, const char *s, uint32_t hexColor, uint8_t style, bool drawOnTop = false );
-        uint32_t  CalcStringWidth( const char *string );
+        void AddString(uint16_t x, uint16_t y, ST::string s, uint32_t hexColor, uint8_t style, bool drawOnTop = false);
+        uint32_t CalcStringWidth(const ST::string& string);
 
         /// TEMPORARY FUNCTION (until we can find a better way to do this, one way or the other)
         void    DrawRect( uint16_t left, uint16_t top, uint16_t right, uint16_t bottom, uint32_t hexColor, bool drawOnTop = false );
diff --git a/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plPipeline/plNullPipeline.h b/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plPipeline/plNullPipeline.h
index edf37bd700..25e23108b8 100644
--- a/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plPipeline/plNullPipeline.h
+++ b/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plPipeline/plNullPipeline.h
@@ -42,6 +42,8 @@ You can contact Cyan Worlds, Inc. by email legal@cyan.com
 #ifndef _plNullPipeline_inc_
 #define _plNullPipeline_inc_
 
+#include <string_theory/string>
+
 #include "pl3DPipeline.h"
 
 class plNullPipelineDevice
@@ -71,7 +73,7 @@ class plNullPipeline : public pl3DPipeline<plNullPipelineDevice>
 
     bool PreRender(plDrawable* drawable, std::vector<int16_t>& visList, plVisMgr* visMgr=nullptr) override { return false; }
     bool PrepForRender(plDrawable* drawable, std::vector<int16_t>& visList, plVisMgr* visMgr=nullptr) override { return false; }
-    plTextFont* MakeTextFont(char* face, uint16_t size) override { return nullptr; }
+    plTextFont* MakeTextFont(ST::string face, uint16_t size) override { return nullptr; }
     void CheckVertexBufferRef(plGBufferGroup* owner, uint32_t idx) override { }
     void CheckIndexBufferRef(plGBufferGroup* owner, uint32_t idx) override { }
     bool OpenAccess(plAccessSpan& dst, plDrawableSpans* d, const plVertexSpan* span, bool readOnly) override { return false; }
diff --git a/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plPipeline/plPlates.cpp b/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plPipeline/plPlates.cpp
index ca1de5ea7b..374d76f371 100644
--- a/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plPipeline/plPlates.cpp
+++ b/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plPipeline/plPlates.cpp
@@ -82,7 +82,6 @@ plPlate::plPlate( plPlate **owningHandle )
     fPrevPtr = nullptr;
     fOwningHandle = owningHandle;
     fMipmap = nullptr;
-    memset( fTitle, 0, sizeof( fTitle ) );
 }
 
 plPlate::~plPlate()
@@ -300,7 +299,6 @@ bool plPlate::IsVisible()
 plGraphPlate::plGraphPlate( plPlate **owningHandle ) : plPlate( owningHandle )
 {
     fFlags |= kFlagIsAGraph;
-    SetLabelText(nullptr);
 }
 
 plGraphPlate::~plGraphPlate()
@@ -533,33 +531,6 @@ void    plGraphPlate::SetDataColors( const std::vector<uint32_t> & hexColors )
     fDataHexColors = hexColors;
 }
 
-//// SetLabelText ////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
-
-void    plGraphPlate::SetLabelText(const char *text1, const char *text2, const char *text3, const char *text4 )
-{
-    std::vector<std::string> strings;
-    if (text1 != nullptr)
-        strings.push_back(text1);
-    else
-        strings.push_back("");
-
-    if (text2 != nullptr)
-        strings.push_back(text2);
-    else
-        strings.push_back("");
-
-    if (text3 != nullptr)
-        strings.push_back(text3);
-    else
-        strings.push_back("");
-
-    if (text4 != nullptr)
-        strings.push_back(text4);
-    else
-        strings.push_back("");
-    SetLabelText(strings);
-}
-
 //// IDrawNumber /////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
 
 void    plGraphPlate::IDrawNumber( uint32_t number, uint32_t *dataPtr, uint32_t stride, uint32_t color )
diff --git a/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plPipeline/plPlates.h b/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plPipeline/plPlates.h
index 46bbed5d67..68ef3cfd4b 100644
--- a/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plPipeline/plPlates.h
+++ b/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plPipeline/plPlates.h
@@ -50,7 +50,7 @@ You can contact Cyan Worlds, Inc. by email legal@cyan.com
 
 #include "HeadSpin.h"
 
-#include <string>
+#include <string_theory/string>
 #include <vector>
 
 #include "hsColorRGBA.h"
@@ -81,7 +81,7 @@ class plPlate
         plMipmap        *fMipmap;
         float        fDepth, fOpacity;
         uint32_t          fFlags;
-        char            fTitle[ 64 ];
+        ST::string fTitle;
 
         plPlate         *fNext;
         plPlate         **fPrevPtr;
@@ -122,11 +122,11 @@ class plPlate
         void    SetTransform( hsMatrix44 &matrix, bool reSort = true );
         void    SetMaterial( hsGMaterial *material );
         void    SetTexture(plBitmap *texture); // Creates a new single layer material to use the texture.
-        void    SetTitle(const char *title) { if (title != nullptr) strncpy(fTitle, title, sizeof(fTitle)); else fTitle[0] = 0; }
+        void SetTitle(ST::string title) { fTitle = std::move(title); }
 
         hsGMaterial     *GetMaterial() { return fMaterial; }
         hsMatrix44      &GetTransform() { return fXformMatrix; }
-        const char      *GetTitle() { return fTitle; }
+        ST::string GetTitle() { return fTitle; }
         uint32_t          GetFlags() { return fFlags; }
         const plMipmap  *GetMipmap() { return fMipmap; }
 
@@ -160,7 +160,7 @@ class plGraphPlate : public plPlate
         std::vector<uint32_t> fDataHexColors;
         uint32_t          fMin, fMax, fLabelMin, fLabelMax;
         std::vector<int32_t>  fLastValues;
-        std::vector<std::string>    fLabelText;
+        std::vector<ST::string> fLabelText;
 
         uint32_t      IMakePow2( uint32_t value );
         void        IDrawNumber( uint32_t number, uint32_t *dataPtr, uint32_t stride, uint32_t color );
@@ -172,8 +172,7 @@ class plGraphPlate : public plPlate
 
         void    SetDataRange( uint32_t min, uint32_t max, uint32_t width );
         void    SetDataLabels( uint32_t min, uint32_t max );
-        void    SetLabelText(const char *text1, const char *text2 = nullptr, const char *text3 = nullptr, const char *text4 = nullptr);
-        void    SetLabelText(std::vector<std::string> text) { fLabelText = std::move(text); }
+        void SetLabelText(std::vector<ST::string> text) { fLabelText = std::move(text); }
         void    ClearData();
 
         void    AddData( int32_t value, int32_t value2 = -1, int32_t value3 = -1, int32_t value4 = -1 );
@@ -183,7 +182,7 @@ class plGraphPlate : public plPlate
         void    SetDataColors( uint32_t hexColor1 = 0xff00ff00, uint32_t hexColor2 = 0xff0000ff, uint32_t hexColor3 = 0xffffff00, uint32_t hexColor4 = 0xffff00ff );
         void    SetDataColors( const std::vector<uint32_t> & hexColors );
 
-        const char      *GetLabelText( int i ) { return fLabelText[ i ].c_str(); }
+        ST::string GetLabelText(int i) { return fLabelText[i]; }
         uint32_t        GetDataColor( int i ) { return fDataHexColors[ i ]; }
         uint32_t        GetNumLabels() { return (uint32_t)fLabelText.size(); }
         uint32_t        GetNumColors() { return (uint32_t)fDataHexColors.size(); }
diff --git a/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plPipeline/plStatusLogDrawer.cpp b/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plPipeline/plStatusLogDrawer.cpp
index 54ec008e9e..f31bc0f2e5 100644
--- a/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plPipeline/plStatusLogDrawer.cpp
+++ b/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plPipeline/plStatusLogDrawer.cpp
@@ -65,7 +65,7 @@ void plStatusLogDrawer::IDrawLogNames(plStatusLog* curLog, plStatusLog* firstLog
     plStatusLog* iLog = firstLog;
     while (iLog)
     {
-        width = std::max(drawText.CalcStringWidth_TEMP(iLog->GetFileName().AsString()) + 4, width);
+        width = std::max(drawText.CalcStringWidth(iLog->GetFileName().AsString()) + 4, width);
         iLog = iLog->fNext;
         numLogs++;
     }
@@ -120,7 +120,7 @@ void    plStatusLogDrawer::Draw(plStatusLog* curLog, plStatusLog* firstLog)
     y += lineHt * 2;
     for( i = 0; i < IGetMaxNumLines( curLog ); i++ )
     {
-        drawText.DrawString_TEMP( x + 4, y, IGetLines( curLog )[ i ], IGetColors( curLog )[ i ] );
+        drawText.DrawString(x + 4, y, IGetLines(curLog)[i], IGetColors(curLog)[i]);
         y += lineHt;
     }
 
diff --git a/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plPipeline/plTextFont.cpp b/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plPipeline/plTextFont.cpp
index 7769e73c12..3a661207bd 100644
--- a/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plPipeline/plTextFont.cpp
+++ b/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plPipeline/plTextFont.cpp
@@ -62,6 +62,7 @@ You can contact Cyan Worlds, Inc. by email legal@cyan.com
 #include FT_GLYPH_H
 
 #include <memory>
+#include <utility>
 
 #ifdef HS_BUILD_FOR_WIN32
 #   include "plWinDpi/plWinDpi.h"
@@ -70,6 +71,8 @@ You can contact Cyan Worlds, Inc. by email legal@cyan.com
 #if defined(HS_BUILD_FOR_APPLE)
 #import <CoreGraphics/CoreGraphics.h>
 #import <CoreText/CoreText.h>
+
+#include "hsDarwin.h"
 #elif defined(HS_BUILD_FOR_UNIX)
 #include <fontconfig/fontconfig.h>
 #endif
@@ -92,9 +95,6 @@ plTextFont::~plTextFont()
 
 uint16_t  *plTextFont::IInitFontTexture()
 {
-    int     x, y, c;
-    char    myChar[ 2 ] = "x";
-
     FT_Library  library;
     FT_Face     face;
     FT_Error ftError = FT_Init_FreeType(&library);
@@ -112,8 +112,8 @@ uint16_t  *plTextFont::IInitFontTexture()
 
     int nHeight = -MulDiv( fSize, plWinDpi::Instance().GetDpi(), 72);
     
-    hFont = CreateFont( nHeight, 0, 0, 0, FW_NORMAL, FALSE, FALSE, FALSE, DEFAULT_CHARSET, OUT_DEFAULT_PRECIS,
-                        CLIP_DEFAULT_PRECIS, ANTIALIASED_QUALITY, VARIABLE_PITCH, fFace );
+    hFont = CreateFontW(nHeight, 0, 0, 0, FW_NORMAL, FALSE, FALSE, FALSE, DEFAULT_CHARSET, OUT_DEFAULT_PRECIS,
+                        CLIP_DEFAULT_PRECIS, ANTIALIASED_QUALITY, VARIABLE_PITCH, fFace.to_wchar().c_str());
     hsAssert(hFont != nullptr, "Cannot create Windows font");
 
     SelectObject(hDC, hFont);
@@ -122,6 +122,7 @@ uint16_t  *plTextFont::IInitFontTexture()
     void* fontData = std::malloc( fontDataSize );
     GetFontData(hDC, 0, 0, fontData, fontDataSize);
     ftError = FT_New_Memory_Face(library, (FT_Byte *) fontData, fontDataSize, 0, &face);
+    ASSERT(ftError == FT_Err_Ok);
     FT_UInt freeTypeResolution = plWinDpi::Instance().GetDpi();
 
     DeleteDC( hDC );
@@ -129,7 +130,7 @@ uint16_t  *plTextFont::IInitFontTexture()
 
 #elif defined(HS_BUILD_FOR_APPLE)
     
-    CFStringRef fontName = CFStringCreateWithCString(nullptr, fFace, kCFStringEncodingUTF8);
+    CFStringRef fontName = CFStringCreateWithSTString(fFace);
     CTFontDescriptorRef fontDescriptor = CTFontDescriptorCreateWithNameAndSize( fontName, 0.0f );
     CTFontDescriptorRef fulfilledFontDescriptor = CTFontDescriptorCreateMatchingFontDescriptor(fontDescriptor, nullptr);
     hsAssert(fulfilledFontDescriptor != nullptr, "Cannot create Mac font");
@@ -142,6 +143,7 @@ uint16_t  *plTextFont::IInitFontTexture()
     CFStringGetCString(fileSystemPath, cPath, PATH_MAX, kCFStringEncodingUTF8);
     
     ftError = FT_New_Face(library, cPath, 0, &face);
+    ASSERT(ftError == FT_Err_Ok);
     
     CFRelease(fulfilledFontDescriptor);
     CFRelease(fontURL);
@@ -152,7 +154,7 @@ uint16_t  *plTextFont::IInitFontTexture()
     fTextureWidth *= 2;
     fTextureHeight *= 2;
 #else
-    FcPattern* pattern = FcNameParse((FcChar8*)fFace);
+    FcPattern* pattern = FcNameParse((FcChar8*)fFace.c_str());
     FcConfigSubstitute(nullptr, pattern, FcMatchPattern);
     FcDefaultSubstitute(pattern);
 
@@ -162,7 +164,8 @@ uint16_t  *plTextFont::IInitFontTexture()
     FcPatternDestroy(pattern);
 
     if (result) {
-        FT_Done_FreeType(library);
+        ftError = FT_Done_FreeType(library);
+        ASSERT(ftError == FT_Err_Ok);
         return nullptr;
     }
 
@@ -172,7 +175,8 @@ uint16_t  *plTextFont::IInitFontTexture()
     if (result) {
         FcPatternDestroy(match);
 
-        FT_Done_FreeType(library);
+        ftError = FT_Done_FreeType(library);
+        ASSERT(ftError == FT_Err_Ok);
         return nullptr;
     }
 
@@ -182,11 +186,13 @@ uint16_t  *plTextFont::IInitFontTexture()
     FcPatternDestroy(match);
 
     ftError = FT_New_Face(library, filename, 0, &face);
+    ASSERT(ftError == FT_Err_Ok);
 
     FT_UInt freeTypeResolution = 96;
 #endif
 
     ftError = FT_Set_Char_Size(face, 0, fSize * 64, freeTypeResolution, freeTypeResolution);
+    ASSERT(ftError == FT_Err_Ok);
     FT_Size_Metrics fontMetrics = face->size->metrics;
 
     fFontHeight = int(fontMetrics.height / 64.f);
@@ -211,15 +217,18 @@ uint16_t  *plTextFont::IInitFontTexture()
     } size;
 
     // Loop through characters, drawing them one at a time
-    for( c = 32, x = 1, y = 0; c < 127; c++ )
-    {
-        myChar[ 0 ] = c;
+    hsAssert(face->charmap != nullptr, "Font has no Unicode-compatible character map!");
+    int x = 1;
+    int y = 0;
+    for (char32_t c = 32; c < std::size(fCharInfo); c++) {
         ftError = FT_Load_Char( face, c, FT_LOAD_RENDER | FT_LOAD_TARGET_MONO | FT_LOAD_MONOCHROME | FT_LOAD_NO_AUTOHINT );
+        hsAssert(ftError == FT_Err_Ok, "Failed to load character");
 
         FT_GlyphSlot slot = face->glyph;
 
         FT_Glyph glyph;
-        FT_Get_Glyph(slot, &glyph);
+        ftError = FT_Get_Glyph(slot, &glyph);
+        ASSERT(ftError == FT_Err_Ok);
 
         FT_BBox cBox;
         FT_Glyph_Get_CBox( glyph, FT_GLYPH_BBOX_TRUNCATE, &cBox );
@@ -272,24 +281,26 @@ uint16_t  *plTextFont::IInitFontTexture()
     fCharInfo[ 32 ].fUVs[ 1 ].fX = fCharInfo[ 32 ].fUVs[ 0 ].fX;
 
     // Special case the tab key
-    fCharInfo[ '\t' ].fUVs[ 1 ].fX = fCharInfo[ '\t' ].fUVs[ 0 ].fX = fCharInfo[ 32 ].fUVs[ 0 ].fX;
-    fCharInfo[ '\t' ].fUVs[ 1 ].fY = fCharInfo[ '\t' ].fUVs[ 0 ].fY = 0;
-    fCharInfo[ '\t' ].fUVs[ 0 ].fZ = fCharInfo[ '\t' ].fUVs[ 1 ].fZ = 0;
-    fCharInfo[ '\t' ].fW = fCharInfo[ 32 ].fW * 4;
-    fCharInfo[ '\t' ].fH = fCharInfo[ 32 ].fH;
+    fCharInfo[U'\t'].fUVs[1].fX = fCharInfo[U'\t'].fUVs[0].fX = fCharInfo[32].fUVs[0].fX;
+    fCharInfo[U'\t'].fUVs[1].fY = fCharInfo[U'\t'].fUVs[0].fY = 0;
+    fCharInfo[U'\t'].fUVs[0].fZ = fCharInfo[U'\t'].fUVs[1].fZ = 0;
+    fCharInfo[U'\t'].fW = fCharInfo[32].fW * 4;
+    fCharInfo[U'\t'].fH = fCharInfo[32].fH;
 
-    FT_Done_Face(face);
-    FT_Done_FreeType(library);
+    ftError = FT_Done_Face(face);
+    ASSERT(ftError == FT_Err_Ok);
+    ftError = FT_Done_FreeType(library);
+    ASSERT(ftError == FT_Err_Ok);
 
     return data;
 }
 
 //// Create ///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
 
-void    plTextFont::Create( char *face, uint16_t size )
+void plTextFont::Create(ST::string face, uint16_t size)
 {
     // Init normal stuff
-    strncpy( fFace, face, sizeof( fFace ) );
+    fFace = std::move(face);
     fSize = size;
 }
 
@@ -315,24 +326,23 @@ void    plTextFont::IInitObjects()
 
 //// DrawString ///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
 
-void    plTextFont::DrawString( const char *string, int sX, int sY, uint32_t hexColor, 
-                                uint8_t style, uint32_t rightEdge )
+void plTextFont::DrawString(const ST::string& string, int sX, int sY, uint32_t hexColor,
+                            uint8_t style, uint32_t rightEdge)
 {
     static std::vector<plFontVertex> verts;
     
     size_t     i, j, width, height, count, thisCount;
     uint32_t   italOffset;
     float   x = (float)sX;
-    char    c, *strPtr;
-
 
     if( !fInitialized )
         IInitObjects();
 
     /// Set up to draw
     italOffset = ( style & plDebugText::kStyleItalic ) ? fSize / 2: 0;
-    count = strlen( string );
-    strPtr = (char *)string;
+    ST::utf32_buffer codepoints = string.to_utf32();
+    count = codepoints.size();
+    const char32_t* codepointsPtr = codepoints.data();
     while( count > 0 )
     {
         thisCount = ( count > 64 ) ? 64 : count;
@@ -350,9 +360,14 @@ void    plTextFont::DrawString( const char *string, int sX, int sY, uint32_t hex
 
         for( i = 0, j = 0; i < thisCount; i++, j += 6 )
         {
-            c = strPtr[ i ];
-            width = fCharInfo[uint8_t(c)].fW + 1;
-            height = fCharInfo[uint8_t(c)].fH + 1;
+            char32_t c = codepointsPtr[i];
+            if (!(c >= 32 && c < std::size(fCharInfo)) && c != U'\t') {
+                // Unsupported or non-printable character
+                c = U'\xbf';
+            }
+            plDXCharInfo const& info = fCharInfo[c];
+            width = info.fW + 1;
+            height = info.fH + 1;
 
             if( rightEdge > 0 && x + width + italOffset >= rightEdge )
             {
@@ -361,33 +376,33 @@ void    plTextFont::DrawString( const char *string, int sX, int sY, uint32_t hex
                 break;
             }
 
-            verts[ j ].fPoint.fX = x + italOffset;
-            verts[ j ].fPoint.fY = (float)sY;
-            verts[ j ].fUV = fCharInfo[uint8_t(c)].fUVs[ 0 ];
+            verts[j].fPoint.fX = x + italOffset;
+            verts[j].fPoint.fY = (float)sY;
+            verts[j].fUV = info.fUVs[0];
 
-            verts[ j + 1 ].fPoint.fX = x + width + italOffset;
-            verts[ j + 1 ].fPoint.fY = (float)sY;
-            verts[ j + 1 ].fUV = fCharInfo[uint8_t(c)].fUVs[ 0 ];
-            verts[ j + 1 ].fUV.fX = fCharInfo[uint8_t(c)].fUVs[ 1 ].fX;
+            verts[j + 1].fPoint.fX = x + width + italOffset;
+            verts[j + 1].fPoint.fY = (float)sY;
+            verts[j + 1].fUV = info.fUVs[0];
+            verts[j + 1].fUV.fX = info.fUVs[1].fX;
 
-            verts[ j + 2 ].fPoint.fX = x;
-            verts[ j + 2 ].fPoint.fY = (float)sY + height;
-            verts[ j + 2 ].fUV = fCharInfo[uint8_t(c)].fUVs[ 0 ];
-            verts[ j + 2 ].fUV.fY = fCharInfo[uint8_t(c)].fUVs[ 1 ].fY;
+            verts[j + 2].fPoint.fX = x;
+            verts[j + 2].fPoint.fY = (float)sY + height;
+            verts[j + 2].fUV = info.fUVs[0];
+            verts[j + 2].fUV.fY = info.fUVs[1].fY;
 
-            verts[ j + 3 ].fPoint.fX = x;
-            verts[ j + 3 ].fPoint.fY = (float)sY + height;
-            verts[ j + 3 ].fUV = fCharInfo[uint8_t(c)].fUVs[ 0 ];
-            verts[ j + 3 ].fUV.fY = fCharInfo[uint8_t(c)].fUVs[ 1 ].fY;
+            verts[j + 3].fPoint.fX = x;
+            verts[j + 3].fPoint.fY = (float)sY + height;
+            verts[j + 3].fUV = info.fUVs[0];
+            verts[j + 3].fUV.fY = info.fUVs[1].fY;
 
-            verts[ j + 4 ].fPoint.fX = x + width + italOffset;
-            verts[ j + 4 ].fPoint.fY = (float)sY;
-            verts[ j + 4 ].fUV = fCharInfo[uint8_t(c)].fUVs[ 0 ];
-            verts[ j + 4 ].fUV.fX = fCharInfo[uint8_t(c)].fUVs[ 1 ].fX;
+            verts[j + 4].fPoint.fX = x + width + italOffset;
+            verts[j + 4].fPoint.fY = (float)sY;
+            verts[j + 4].fUV = info.fUVs[0];
+            verts[j + 4].fUV.fX = info.fUVs[1].fX;
 
-            verts[ j + 5 ].fPoint.fX = x + width;
-            verts[ j + 5 ].fPoint.fY = (float)sY + height;
-            verts[ j + 5 ].fUV = fCharInfo[uint8_t(c)].fUVs[ 1 ];
+            verts[j + 5].fPoint.fX = x + width;
+            verts[j + 5].fPoint.fY = (float)sY + height;
+            verts[j + 5].fUV = info.fUVs[1];
 
             x += width + 1;
         }
@@ -437,7 +452,7 @@ void    plTextFont::DrawString( const char *string, int sX, int sY, uint32_t hex
         /// Draw a set of tris now
         IDrawPrimitive(thisCount * uint32_t((style & plDebugText::kStyleBold) ? 4 : 2), verts.data());
 
-        strPtr += thisCount;
+        codepointsPtr += thisCount;
     }
 
     /// All done!
@@ -445,17 +460,19 @@ void    plTextFont::DrawString( const char *string, int sX, int sY, uint32_t hex
 
 //// CalcStringWidth //////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
 
-uint32_t  plTextFont::CalcStringWidth( const char *string )
+uint32_t plTextFont::CalcStringWidth(const ST::string& string)
 {
-    int     i, width = 0;
-
+    int width = 0;
 
     if( !fInitialized )
         IInitObjects();
     
-    for( i = 0; i < strlen( string ); i++ )
-    {
-        width += fCharInfo[uint8_t(string[i])].fW + 2;
+    for (char32_t c : string.to_utf32()) {
+        if (!(c >= 32 && c < std::size(fCharInfo)) && c != U'\t') {
+            // Unsupported or non-printable character
+            c = U'\xbf';
+        }
+        width += fCharInfo[c].fW + 2;
     }
 
     return width;
diff --git a/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plPipeline/plTextFont.h b/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plPipeline/plTextFont.h
index 40adbe7f64..de29cba8d2 100644
--- a/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plPipeline/plTextFont.h
+++ b/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plPipeline/plTextFont.h
@@ -54,6 +54,8 @@ You can contact Cyan Worlds, Inc. by email legal@cyan.com
 #ifndef _plTextFont_h
 #define _plTextFont_h
 
+#include <string_theory/string>
+
 #include "hsGeometry3.h"
 
 //// plTextFont Class Definition //////////////////////////////////////////////
@@ -89,7 +91,7 @@ class plTextFont
         uint32_t  fMaxNumIndices;
         uint32_t  fTextureWidth, fTextureHeight;
 
-        char    fFace[ 128 ];
+        ST::string fFace;
         uint16_t  fSize;
         bool    fInitialized;
         uint16_t  fFontHeight;
@@ -99,7 +101,7 @@ class plTextFont
         plTextFont      *fNext;
         plTextFont      **fPrevPtr;
 
-        plDXCharInfo    fCharInfo[ 128 ];
+        plDXCharInfo fCharInfo[256];
 
 
         virtual void    IInitObjects();
@@ -126,11 +128,11 @@ class plTextFont
         plTextFont( plPipeline *pipe );
         virtual ~plTextFont();
 
-        void    Create( char *face, uint16_t size );
-        void    DrawString( const char *string, int x, int y, uint32_t hexColor, uint8_t style, uint32_t rightEdge = 0 );
+        void Create(ST::string face, uint16_t size);
+        void DrawString(const ST::string& string, int x, int y, uint32_t hexColor, uint8_t style, uint32_t rightEdge = 0);
         void    DrawRect( int left, int top, int right, int bottom, uint32_t hexColor );
         void    Draw3DBorder( int left, int top, int right, int bottom, uint32_t hexColor1, uint32_t hexColor2 );
-        uint32_t  CalcStringWidth( const char *string );
+        uint32_t CalcStringWidth(const ST::string& string);
         uint32_t  GetFontSize() { return fSize; }
 
         uint16_t  GetFontHeight() { return fFontHeight; }
diff --git a/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plStatGather/plAutoProfile.cpp b/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plStatGather/plAutoProfile.cpp
index 330f69fc39..4d63a5a30e 100644
--- a/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plStatGather/plAutoProfile.cpp
+++ b/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plStatGather/plAutoProfile.cpp
@@ -327,7 +327,7 @@ bool plAutoProfileImp::MsgReceive(plMessage* msg)
     if (evalMsg)
     {
         if (fStatusMessage.size() > 0)
-            plDebugText::Instance().DrawString(10, 10, fStatusMessage.c_str());
+            plDebugText::Instance().DrawString(10, 10, fStatusMessage);
     }
 
     plAgeLoadedMsg* ageLoaded = plAgeLoadedMsg::ConvertNoRef(msg);
diff --git a/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plStatGather/plCalculatedProfiles.cpp b/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plStatGather/plCalculatedProfiles.cpp
index 2c1967ec5f..4862cac597 100644
--- a/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plStatGather/plCalculatedProfiles.cpp
+++ b/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plStatGather/plCalculatedProfiles.cpp
@@ -107,8 +107,8 @@ void CreateStandardGraphs(const char* groupName, bool create)
         {
             if (ICreateStdPlate(&fFPSPlate))
             {
-                fFPSPlate->SetTitle("mSecs");       
-                fFPSPlate->SetLabelText("Tot", "Draw", "Upd");
+                fFPSPlate->SetTitle(ST_LITERAL("mSecs"));
+                fFPSPlate->SetLabelText({ST_LITERAL("Tot"), ST_LITERAL("Draw"), ST_LITERAL("Upd")});
             }
         }
         else
diff --git a/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plStatGather/plProfileManagerFull.cpp b/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plStatGather/plProfileManagerFull.cpp
index 535e83adb8..0a6cc0d280 100644
--- a/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plStatGather/plProfileManagerFull.cpp
+++ b/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plStatGather/plProfileManagerFull.cpp
@@ -143,12 +143,13 @@ void plProfileManagerFull::ShowNextGroup()
     }
 }
 
-plProfileVar* plProfileManagerFull::IFindTimer(const char *name)
+plProfileVar* plProfileManagerFull::IFindTimer(const ST::string& name)
 {
     for (int i = 0; i < fVars.size(); i++)
     {
-        if (stricmp(fVars[i]->GetName(), name) == 0)
+        if (name.compare_i(fVars[i]->GetName()) == 0) {
             return fVars[i];
+        }
     }
 
     return nullptr;
@@ -181,7 +182,7 @@ enum
 
 typedef std::vector<plProfileBase*> ProfileGroup;
 
-static void PrintColumn(ProfileGroup& group, const char* groupName, int column, int x, int y, int& width, int& height, int off =0)
+static void PrintColumn(ProfileGroup& group, const ST::string& groupName, int column, int x, int y, int& width, int& height, int off =0)
 {
     plDebugText& txt = plDebugText::Instance();
     int yInc = txt.GetFontHeight() + 2;
@@ -193,16 +194,17 @@ static void PrintColumn(ProfileGroup& group, const char* groupName, int column,
     txt.DrawString(x, y+height, groupName, 255, 255, 255, 255, plDebugText::kStyleBold);
     height += yInc;
 
-    uint32_t samplesWidth = txt.CalcStringWidth("[000]");
+    uint32_t samplesWidth = txt.CalcStringWidth(ST_LITERAL("[000]"));
 
     for (int i = 0; i < group.size(); i++)
     {
-        char str[1024];
+        char buf[1024];
+        ST::string str;
 
         switch (column)
         {
         case kColName:
-            strcpy(str, group[i]->GetName());
+            str = group[i]->GetName();
 
             // Since we don't draw the samples text for stats that only have 1 sample, 
             // if the stat with the longest name is fluctuating between 1 and more than
@@ -214,22 +216,23 @@ static void PrintColumn(ProfileGroup& group, const char* groupName, int column,
             // Now add on the samples text, if we have any
             if (group[i]->GetTimerSamples())
             {
-                char cnt[20];
-                sprintf(cnt, "[%d]", group[i]->GetTimerSamples());
-                strcat(str, cnt);
+                str = ST::format("{}[{}]", str, group[i]->GetTimerSamples());
             }
             break;
         case kColValue:
-            group[i]->PrintValue(str);
+            group[i]->PrintValue(buf);
+            str = buf;
             break;
         case kColAvg:
-            group[i]->PrintAvg(str);
+            group[i]->PrintAvg(buf);
+            str = buf;
             break;
         case kColMax:
-            group[i]->PrintMax(str);
+            group[i]->PrintMax(buf);
+            str = buf;
             break;
         case kColIndex:
-            sprintf(str,"[%3d]",i+off);
+            str = ST::format("[{3d}]", i + off);
             break;
         }
 
@@ -240,46 +243,46 @@ static void PrintColumn(ProfileGroup& group, const char* groupName, int column,
     }
 
     // So the columns don't jump around as much as values change, pad them out to a certain width
-    width = std::max(width, static_cast<int>(txt.CalcStringWidth("000.0 ms") + 1));
+    width = std::max(width, static_cast<int>(txt.CalcStringWidth(ST_LITERAL("000.0 ms")) + 1));
 }
 
-static void PrintGroup(ProfileGroup& group, const char* groupName, int& x, int& y)
+static void PrintGroup(ProfileGroup& group, const ST::string& groupName, int& x, int& y)
 {
     int width, height;
 
     PrintColumn(group, groupName, kColName, x, y, width, height);
     x += width + 10;
 
-    PrintColumn(group, "Avg", kColAvg, x, y, width, height);
+    PrintColumn(group, ST_LITERAL("Avg"), kColAvg, x, y, width, height);
     x += width + 10;
 
-    PrintColumn(group, "Cur", kColValue, x, y, width, height);
+    PrintColumn(group, ST_LITERAL("Cur"), kColValue, x, y, width, height);
     x += width + 10;
 
-    PrintColumn(group, "Max", kColMax, x, y, width, height);
+    PrintColumn(group, ST_LITERAL("Max"), kColMax, x, y, width, height);
     x += width + 10;
 
     y += height;
 }
 
 
-static void PrintLapGroup(ProfileGroup& group, const char* groupName, int& x, int& y, int min)
+static void PrintLapGroup(ProfileGroup& group, const ST::string& groupName, int& x, int& y, int min)
 {
     int width, height;
 
     if(min > 0)
     {
-        PrintColumn(group, "Index", kColIndex, x, y, width, height, min);
+        PrintColumn(group, ST_LITERAL("Index"), kColIndex, x, y, width, height, min);
         x += width + 10;
     }
 
-    PrintColumn(group, "Avg", kColAvg, x, y, width, height);
+    PrintColumn(group, ST_LITERAL("Avg"), kColAvg, x, y, width, height);
     x += width + 10;
     
     PrintColumn(group, groupName, kColName, x, y, width, height);
     x += width + 10;
 
-    PrintColumn(group, "Cur", kColValue, x, y, width, height);
+    PrintColumn(group, ST_LITERAL("Cur"), kColValue, x, y, width, height);
     x += width + 10;
 
     y += height;
@@ -313,7 +316,7 @@ void plProfileManagerFull::Update()
                 group.push_back(fVars[i]);
 
         int x = 10;
-        PrintGroup(group, groupName.c_str(), x, y);
+        PrintGroup(group, groupName, x, y);
 
         maxX = std::max(maxX, x);
         y += 10;
@@ -337,9 +340,7 @@ void plProfileManagerFull::Update()
                 group.push_back(laps->GetLap(i));
         }
         y = 10;
-        char buf[256];
-        sprintf(buf, "%s - %s", fShowLaps->GetGroup(), fShowLaps->GetName());
-        PrintLapGroup(group, buf, maxX, y, fMinLap);
+        PrintLapGroup(group, ST::format("{} - {}", fShowLaps->GetGroup(), fShowLaps->GetName()), maxX, y, fMinLap);
     }
 
     //
@@ -532,8 +533,7 @@ void plProfileManagerFull::CreateGraph(const char* varName, uint32_t min, uint32
     // If the graph is already created, destroy it
     for (int i = 0; i < fGraphs.size(); i++)
     {
-        if (strcmp(fGraphs[i]->GetTitle(), varName) == 0)
-        {
+        if (fGraphs[i]->GetTitle() == varName) {
             plPlateManager::Instance().DestroyPlate(fGraphs[i]);
             fGraphs.erase(fGraphs.begin()+i);
             return;
@@ -580,7 +580,7 @@ void plProfileManagerFull::ShowDetailGraph()
     fDetailGraph->SetSize(0.9f, 0.9f);
     fDetailGraph->SetDataRange(0,500,500);
     fDetailGraph->SetDataLabels(0,100); // should be relatively simple to cast everything to a 0-100 range
-    fDetailGraph->SetTitle("Detail");
+    fDetailGraph->SetTitle(ST_LITERAL("Detail"));
     UpdateDetailLabels();
 }
 
@@ -635,7 +635,7 @@ void plProfileManagerFull::UpdateDetailLabels()
     if (fDetailGraph)
     {
         int i;
-        std::vector<std::string> labels;
+        std::vector<ST::string> labels;
         for (i=0; i<fDetailVars.size(); i++)
             labels.push_back(fDetailVars[i].var->GetName());
 
diff --git a/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plStatGather/plProfileManagerFull.h b/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plStatGather/plProfileManagerFull.h
index 9adf07d2f0..1f8bf0dc68 100644
--- a/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plStatGather/plProfileManagerFull.h
+++ b/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plStatGather/plProfileManagerFull.h
@@ -86,7 +86,7 @@ class plProfileManagerFull
     void IPrintGroup(hsStream* s, const char* groupName, bool printTitle=false);
     void ILogStats();
 
-    plProfileVar* IFindTimer(const char* name);
+    plProfileVar* IFindTimer(const ST::string& name);
 
     void ISetActive(const char* groupName, bool active);