#build that resistance against tyranny
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How To Play The Revolution
So: I do not like the idea of TTRPGs making formal mechanics designed to incentivise ethical play.
But, to be honest, I do not like the idea of any single game pushing any particular formal mechanics about ethical play at all.
So here I am, trying to think through the reasons why, and proposing a solution. (Sort of. A procedure, really.)
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Assumptions:
1.
Some genres of game resist ethical play. A grand strategy game dehumanises people into census data. The fun of a shooter is violence. This is truest in videogames, but applies to tabletop games also.
Games can question their own ethics, to an extent. Terra Nil is an anti-city-builder. But it is a management game at heart, so may elide critiques of "efficiency = virtue".
Not all games should try to design for ethical play. I believe games that incentivise "bad" behaviour have a lot to teach us about those behaviours, if you approach them with eyes open.
2.
The systems that currently govern our real lives are terrible: oligarchy, profit motive; patriarchy, nation-states, ethno-centrisms. They fuel our problems: class and sectarian strife, destruction of climate and people, spiritual desertification.
They are so total that the aspiration to ethical behaviour is subsumed by their logics. See: social enterprise; corpos and occupying forces flying rainbow flags; etc.
Nowadays, when I hear "ethical", I don't hear "we remember to be decent". I hear "we must work to be better". Good ethics is radical transformation.
3.
If a videogame shooter crosses a line for you, your only real response is to stop playing. This is true for other mechanically-bounded games, like CCGs or boardgames.
In TTRPGs, players have the innate capability to act as their own referees. (even in GM-ed games adjudications are / should be by consensus.) If you don't like certain aspects of a game, you could avoid it---but also you could change it.
Only in TTRPGs can you ditch basic rules of the game and keep playing.
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So:
D&D's rules are an engine for accumulation: more levels, more power, more stuff, more numbers going up.
If you build a subsystem in D&D for egalitarian action, but have to quantify it in ways legible to the game's other mechanical parts---what does that mean? Is your radical aspiration feeding into / providing cover for the game's underlying logics of accumulation?
At the very least it feels unsatisfactory---"non-representative of what critique / revolution entails as a rupture," to quote Marcia, in conversations we've been having around this subject, over on Discord.
How do we imagine and represent rupture, to the extent that the word "revolution" evokes?
My proposal: we rupture the game.
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How To Play The Revolution
Over the course of play, your player-characters have decided to begin a revolution:
An armed struggle against an invader; overturning a feudal hierarchy; a community-wide decision to abandon the silver standard.
So:
Toss out your rule book and sheets.
And then:
Keep playing.
You already know who your characters are: how they prefer to act; what they are capable of; how well they might do at certain tasks; what their context is. You and your group are quite capable of improv-ing what happens next.
Of course, this might be unsatisfactory; you are here to play a TTRPG, after all. Structures are fun. Therefore:
Decide what the rules of your game will be, going forward.
Which rules you want to keep. Which you want to discard. Jury-rig different bits from different games. Shoe-horn a tarot deck into a map-making game---play that. Be as comprehensive or as freeform as you like. Patchwork and house-rule the mechanics of your new reality.
The god designer will not lead you to the revolution. You broke the tyranny of their design. You will lead yourself. You, as a group, together. The revolution is DIY.
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Notes:
This is mostly a thought experiment into a personal obsession. I am genuinely tempted to write a ruleset just so I can stick the above bit into it as a codified procedure.
I am tickled to imagine how the way this works may mirror the ways revolutions have played out in history.
A group might already have alternative ruleset in mind, that they want to replace the old ruleset with wholesale. A vanguard for their preferred system.
Things could happen piecemeal, progressively. Abandon fiat currency and a game's equipment price list. Adopt pacifism and replace the combat system with an alternative resolution mechanic. As contradictions pile up, do you continue, or revert?
Discover that the shift is too uncomfortable, too unpredictable, and default back to more familiar rules. The old order reacting, reasserting itself.
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I keep returning to this damn idea, of players crossing thresholds between rulesets through the course of play. The Revolution is a rupture of ethical reality like Faerie or the Zone is a rupture in geography.
But writing all this down is primarily spurred by this post from Sofinho talking about his game PARIAH and the idea that "switching games/systems mid-session" is an opportunity to explore different lives and ethics:
Granted this is not an original conceit (I'm not claiming to have done anything not already explored by Plato or Zhuangzi) but I think it's a fun possibility to present to your players: dropping into a parallel nightmare realm where their characters can lead different lives and chase different goals.
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Jay Dragon tells me she is already exploring this idea in a new game, Seven Part Pact:
"the game mechanics are downright oppressive but also present the capacity to sunder them utterly, so the only way to behave ethically is to reject the rules of the game and build something new."
VINDICATION! If other designers are also thinking along these lines this means the idea isn't dumb and I'm not alone!
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( Images:
https://forum.paradoxplaza.com/forum/developer-diary/victoria-3-dev-diary-23-fronts-and-generals.1497106/
https://www.thestranger.com/race/2017/04/05/25059127/if-you-give-a-cop-a-pepsi
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/WarGames
https://nobonzo.com/
https://pangroksulap.com/about/ )
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This may be a stupid question, but is the "folk bandit who steals from the rich and gives to the poor" trope ever realistic? Isn't the gig up as soon as the people in power start putting the screws to the people you're helping, until enough of them crack and decide they're better off turning you in?
The short answer is, “maybe?”
One of the staples of a Robin Hood style character is the idea that they're fighting back against an oppressive regime. This that detail is critical to keeping the whole thing ticking along. When you take that away the situation you're describing becomes far more likely. So, if your bandit king is harassing the local lord, but the lord is a fairly reasonable individual, then the resulting security clamp down, and even temporary abuse of the peasantry, will be viewed in the context of a response to this bandit.
Central to the Robin Hood myth is the idea that Prince John is already crushing the peasantry, and Robin Hood wanders in to oppose that tyranny. John ramping up his abuse of the people isn't perceived by them as collective punishment for Robin's rebellion, it's viewed as him continuing to abuse his authority.
The irony is, these kinds of characters are far more vulnerable to villains who offer incentives for cooperation. A Robin Hood style rebel is unlikely to be sold out by peasants who view him (or her) as their defender. However, an oppressed peasant who is plied with, “enticing,” incentives, might flip. This may even be effective to flipping members of the bandit's own team, or even friends. How many offers of amnesty, titles, and treasure would it take to convince a member of the Merry Men to sell Robin out?
To a certain extent, you could can view this situation as a kind of social, “path of least resistance.” If someone is hitting you and the other is feeding you, are you really going to bite the hand that feeds you, in pursuit of pleasing your abuser? Now, in the real world, that answer is sometimes, “yes.” And this is a threat to this kind of a character. As much public support as they may enjoy, there's likely to be some who would still turn them over to their oppressor on the hope that it will alleviate things, (even if this hope is entirely unrealistic.)
Even in the specific case of Robin Hood, putting a price on his head is more dangerous to him than ramping up the oppression and hoping it erodes his support; because it won't.
Similar to the point above about how oppression is a critical component, if the local leader is viewed as a basically reasonable individual, if they start talking about needing to employ extreme measures to deal with a bandit preying upon the kingdom, they're going to have a lot more room to build public support against the bandit. They'll even have a lot of room to frame this as attacks against the peasantry, as they're part of the kingdom.
So, why doesn't this happen with Robin Hood? This hits some details of British history that I'm a little fuzzy on, but the very short version is that when the story was originally being told, it's possible that the nobles didn't even speak the same language as the peasants. Go back far enough and Britain was less ethnically homogeneous. Robin Hood, in it's “modern” narrative context, is about an ethnically distinct king (a Norman) abusing the people (Anglo-Saxons), with Robin as (or at least passing for) an Anglo-Saxon. (Note: This is an element that becomes a lot harder pick up on when you're looking at a version of the Robin Hood story that recasts him as a disgraced noble. Outside of historical context, it seems like a good way to give him some motivation, and could work if you push the story back a couple hundred years so he's dealing with William the Conqueror who was the great-grandfather of our villain, but, with King John it actually moves Robin over to being a Norman, thus also an ethnic outsider, and more prone to being betrayed by the peasants.)
Ironically, we can still see some remnants of England's diverse ethnic history in the language we speak today. In particular, there are a lot of animals where the animal itself uses an Anglo-Saxon derived word, while the word for the meat is derived from French. (For example, “deer” and “venison.”) In very general terms, the Anglo-Saxon speaking peasants interacted with the animal, while the French speaking nobles were the ones consuming the meat. (I'm scratching the surface of a very deep rabbit hole with regards to the development of modern English as a language. This is far more complicated than this example would suggest. Also, there were a lot of other languages getting put in this particular blender.)
If you specifically keep an eye on the ethnic groups involved, and view Robin Hood through the lens of an invading ethnic minority ruling and abusing the, “native,” people, (I'm putting native in scare quotes because the Anglo-Saxons were not, strictly native to England either, they emerged from a mix of native Britons and migrating Germanic settlers from mainland Europe sometime in the fifth century) then the idea that the peasantry would be more loyal to this bandit king than their actual lord starts to make a lot of sense.
It's also important to remember the most realistic element of Robin Hood, the, “modern version,” of the story, (that is to say, the version that has survived), was written as a political hit piece on King John. King Richard spent most of his reign happily away crusading. As a result, he wasn't around to collect taxes from his nobles. In contrast, when King John took the throne, he was suddenly close enough to start looking at his nobles, and asking them where his money was. They were, less than amused by the prospect of having to actually pay their taxes. So, while the story is about a tyrannical ruler oppressing his peasants, the reality was it was written by some landed nobility whining about having to pay rent for the first time in a decade.
Now, the actual folk story of Robin Hood predates this version by a fairly significant margin and we're not sure when because no one ever wrote the original stories down. There's all kinds of versions of the story out there, including some where the early version of Maid Marian duels Robin Hood in the forest. Maid Marian being an action hero is, actually, canonical. Most early versions of the Robin Hood myth involve Robin Hood being a prankster/trickster who mocks the nobility and steals their stuff, and usually, eventually, gets caught. He then escapes through his wits, going on to mock and steal again. Or, he's brutally murdered. It's a toss up. It really depends on who is telling the story. The “giving to the poor” part is more recent, as is the “being a noble” part. A lot of the early versions of Robin Hood is just him performing the medieval equivalent of pantsing... rich merchants? The sheriff is also a later addition to the story.
Robin Hood is like King Arthur. People just kept adding new stuff as they went along. The English probably also stole them both from the Welsh. So, you know, feel free to follow suit.
-Starke & Michi
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Establishment of the September Constitution
a/n I’m going to say this now, but if I ever contradict myself about the contents of the September Constitution or the history of Georgia’s monarchs, just ignore it. I’ll fix it once I’m actually editing NYTF and the like.
When we left off last time, Daley Miller’s tyranny had been brought to an end during the September Revolution of 2097, led by three notable figures:
James Hall, former General of the Georgia Defense Guard, who led the actual military resistance against Miller and his French Squadron.
Kylar Killian, a revolutionary writer, who wrote several notable pamphlets and pieces speaking out against both the Board of Trustees and Daley Miller.
Jacey Olson, French Squadron Leader, who defected, joining James Hall and helping turn a majority of the FS against Daley Miller.
However, before we actually talk about the contents September Constitution and the current government, it’s important that we backtrack to talk about the exact roles these three played in the September Massacre, Revolution, and Constitution.
The “Founding Fathers”
James Dylan Hall, born in 2060, is the patriarch and founder of the Royal Family. His father was a high ranking government official during the Board of Trustees era of government. At 18, James joined the Georgia Defense Guard, loving the adventure and the feeling that he was doing something. He quickly climbed through the (short) ranks of the Georgia Defense Guard, thanks to his quick wits and the high turnover of military officers. By the age of 34 (2094), James was the General of the GDG.
Kylar Killian was born in 2075 as Kyla Killian, to a school teacher and a clothing store owner. Kylar’s father died from an IR infection when Kylar was only 3, and his mother’s income was rarely enough to support him, her, and his twin younger brothers. Kylar took on odd jobs starting in his early teenage years, in order to help support his family. In his little free time, he found himself writing, criticizing the Board of Trustees’ government everything from their spending to their lack of care in contact tracing and containing IR victims. When he was 18 (2093), Kylar began spending what scant money he had (in an extremely volatile economy) to publish his works. By the time he was 20 (2095), Kylar had grown more popular than he had been expecting and garnered the attention of the Board of Trustees. He was put under house arrest in late 2095, and forbidden from publishing.
Still, he continued under a new pseudonym. The Board of Trustees, after realizing this, sent General James Hall of the GDG to interrogate Kylar Killian. At 10:30am on the morning September 2nd, 2096, James Hall arrived at the residence of Kylar Killian.
Ten minutes later, the September Massacre of 2096 would begin. Daley Miller and his militia, inspired partially by Kylar’s writing, stormed the Board of Trustees building, quickly overtaking the Board of Trustees' government and establishing his own. James would take shelter at Kylar’s residence, much to the amusement of Kylar.
As Miller's government began, Kylar was invited to help organize it. Miller found him quite annoying within days. However, he knew that killing Kylar would look bad on his own government, so he put Kylar under house arrest, for a second time. Kylar, in response, started publishing under a pseudonym once again, criticizing Miller’s dictatorship, but unlike with the Board of Trustees, Miller was never able to identify him.
The entire time while MIller was in charge, James continued to take shelter at Kylar’s residence. Shaky understanding of one another soon turned into a friendship, which soon turned into something more. Despite his initial dislike for Kylar, James found himself admiring Kylar’s willingness to stay true to his values and his intelligence. Kylar, with a normally abrasive nature, softened, as he realized James was just a normal person who had been led astray by his ambition and achievements.
As the anniversary of Miller’s takeover got closer and closer, James and Kylar both realized that something had to be done, and someone had to stand up against the grant. Using James’ military experience and Kylar’s writing ability, they were able to rally a force, and at 7am on September 18th, stormed Miller’s government building.
Jacey Olson, born 2064, was the leader of the French Squadron throughout Miller’s reign. He had grown disillusioned with Miller’s government, but feared retribution if he left or spoke out. As James led his forces into Miller’s building, Jacey denounced Miller’s government in front of a large portion of the French Squadron. Roughly half, including Jacey, defected, joining James’ forces and overtaking the remaining Squadron members and killing Miller.
Establishment of the September Constitution and the Hall Royal Family
During his second house arrest, Kylar had privately begun drafting a new constitution, one he imagined could be put into place if Miller’s government was overthrown. Soon after James and Jacey’s success, Kylar presented his constitution concept to them in private, which earned approval from both. Kylar then publicly shared his constitution with the people of Atlanta and called for their approval to create a stable government which could help the people. It was overall accepted, and was called into temporary effect on September 19th, 2097.
Kylar then reached out to the governments of Savannah and Macon, who had been observing the chaos from a distance, and asked them to join the State of Georgia, as the government was called then. Although they were initially skeptical, they both joined officially on September 20th, 2097.
Atlanta, Savannah, and Macon would officially be the founders of the State of Georgia.
In the first year, James and Kylar would serve as co-leaders, putting Jacey Olson in charge of their armed forces, then called the “Georgia Guard”. (After the establishment of James and Kylar as kings, this would be changed to the “Royal Guard”, as they felt the name Georgia Guard was too similar to the GDG’s name.) Kylar would do most of the technical work, creating guidelines for departments, and organizing what they had. James would do most of the networking part of creating a new government, hiring people, and becoming the lovable face of the new government. Over time, the constitution was fleshed out, and the citizens of Georgia were updated every step of the way, until a finalized draft was completed on June 1st, 2098.
On May 2nd, 2098, James and Kylar would get married in a relatively small ceremony, and their only child, Ciara Kyla Hall, would be born on August 25th, 2098, only weeks before the vote on the Constitution. Days later, Jacey Olson would propose an amendment, naming James and Kylar as kings and changing what was supposed to be a Council and President into a Council and Monarch. His petition earned thousands of signatures, and garnered enough attention to put the amendment on the ballot.
The day of the vote, September 18th, 2098, eventually arrived. James, Kylar, and Jacey did their best to make voting as accessible and secure as possible, throughout all three zones at the time. By the end of the day, the September Constitution was passed with 76% of the vote. The Monarchy Amendment of 2098 would only pass with 58% of the vote, but still over the required 51% margin.
James and Kylar Hall were made monarchs until their abdication or death, and the Hall Royal Family was established.
NYTF WIP PAGE
Tag List: @author-a-holmes @soul-write @flowerprose @ceph-the-ghost-writer @theglitchywriterboi @when-wax-wings-melt @thechaoticflowergarden @lyralit @penspiration-writing @samatedeansbroccoli @charlesjosephwrites @italiangothicwriteblr @thetruearchmagos @pineapple-lover-boy @unilightwrites @sanguine-arena @bardic-tales @joshuaorrizonte @blind-the-winds @circa-specturgia @hymnonlips @aloeverawrites @the-stray-storyteller @writeblrsupport @dreaming-by-starlight @kyuponstories @guessillcallitart @magic-is-something-we-create @talesofsorrowandofruin @writingonmymind @worldsfromhoney
#writeblr#worldbuilding#writing#wip#wip info#wip content#athenswrites#nytf#September revolution#September constitution#September massacre#Kylar hall#James hall#Jacey olson#Ciara hall#if I’m honest James happening to visit Kylar is a coincidence that changed so much#i honestly don’t know what would have happened if James had been in the Board of Trustees’ building when Daley miller attacked#he likely would have died#and Kylar would have been too much of a coward to actually lead his own revolution#maybe Jacey olson would have led the revolution
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Hellknight Armiger (Pathfinder Second Edition Archetype)
(art by Castaguer93 on DeviantArt)
Two weeks ago, we talked about the Hellknight Archetype, one of two archetypes that have their roots in another, requiring this initial archetype before branching into them.
That starting archetype, the Hellknight Armiger, is the subject of today’s entry!
The term for trainees who have been accepted by the order but have not officially become full knights, these squires train under true hellknights as not just trainees, but also as the rank and file of these philosophically-motivated mercenaries. In doing so, they learn to be better fighters as well as truly learn to understand the power of law and conviction, the latter two being driven home by torturous rituals designed to harden them against fear and pain.
Until these armigers undergo the graduation ritual of facing and defeating a bearded devil in single combat, armigers they will remain. Many die attempting, but those that succeed become either baseline hellknights or signifers, the division of the orders dedicated to supporting their allies and enacting the order’s mission with magic rather than strength of arms. Either way, they are honed into loyal and fierce agents of law and order and definitely not pawns of tyranny and Hell itself.
In practice, this archetype provides most of the feats that will make the character really feel like a hellknight before they graduate, not only learning the basics but also learning various techniques associated with the various orders of Hellknights that exist. So far it’s pretty much limited to the biggest and most well-known orders, but they do provide a good baseline for homebrewing the lesser orders.
The basic dedication of this archetype represents the start of their painful trials to harden their minds, giving them resistance to mental attacks that grows as they move down the path of armiger and later hellknight.
Despite essentially working for devils, Hellknights as a whole are wary of manipulation, and most are trained to resist both mental control and recognize mundane coercion for what it is, especially when their adherence to their order’s ethos is on the line.
They also become very familiar with devils, in part for their training to face one for their graduation, but also to prepare themselves to be ready against them… or to work with them.
Whether it be dozens of healed fractures hardening their bones, or countless scars, some armigers are left physically tougher from their trials in addition to mentally so.
Their preparations for becoming hellknights also means that many train to overcome the weight of heavier armor, moving easier in it.
As they progress through their training, armigers often learn techniques associated with their order, starting with a lesser ability. Since the list is not comprehensive, I won’t go over all of them, but they all revolve around the stated mission of the order. For example, the Order of the Chain teaches their trainees how to fluidly go from striking to grappling foes, all the better to apprehend criminals. Meanwhile, The Order of the Rack breaks the sense of wonder in their recruits, which helps them resist illusions.
Later on, of course, they can learn the greater technique of their order as well. The Order of the Gate, for example, learn basic magic to summon diabolic allies. Meanwhile, the Order of the Pyre teach their recruits how to time their attacks to disrupt divine and occult spellcasting, the better to silence heretical casters.
Some armigers are allowed to train with other orders to diversify their abilities, allowing them to gain the minor ability of another order.
Whether you use it by itself or use it as intended as the stepping stone for Hellknight or Hellknight Signifer, this archetype provides some useful utility for those seeking to either be a heavily armored spikey and imposing warrior or slightly-less armored but similarly spikey caster. Your exact build will vary by your actual class choice and order, but it certainly lends itself to a tough character that is hard to take out of commission with both damage and subversion.
I’ve ragged on about Hellknights for as long as I’ve talked about them on the blog, and I do stand by the fact that as an organization, they are heavily flawed, their methods eschewing morality and leaving no room for nuance, let alone kindness, and only serve to do the work of devils for them, (especially the likes of the Order of the Rack and similar orders). That being said, individual hellknights might be not quite so bad, even if they do turn a blind eye to the evil that infests the upper ranks and lingers over the entire organization.
The rule of the new daimyo has no place for the wisdom of the old ways, and so he has sent his new army of samurai, that follow a philosophy of absolute order, to hunt all that would cling to the reverence for the natural and spirit worlds. As such, they now seek the palace of a kitsune mystic with an elemental connection to water and mist. The old worlds and wilds are to be conquered and made useful for civilization, after all.
The Order of the Waves typically hunts pirates and smugglers, though in practice they extort ships they come across on the open water. However, they do back up their muscle not just with their strength or arms and fast ships, but also with kapoacinth allies. For their part, the aquatic gargoyles care little for the beliefs of the Order, their alliance being purely transactional.
Having proven their skill as negotiators, the party is called in to deal with a tense situation. A Hellknight order wishes to travel through the lands of a neighboring nation, citing a sacred duty to quell chaos in lands beyond, but the ruler of said nation is rightfully distrustful of the knights and has refused. The situation may quickly escalate into open war if nothing is done, with the order calling in favors from fellow orders to amass a shockingly large army.
#pathfinder second edition#archetype#hellknight armiger#kitsune#undine#kapoacinth#Pathfinder World Guide
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If you were to get analytical, do you think that Bionicle has a thesis? Is there a defined consistent thread that runs from 01 to Journey's End, not counting the typical LEGO "learning to work together," "thinking outside the box" and "buy toys?"
Oh I LOVE to get analytical, and yeah I'd say that Bionicle definitely has a thesis, in fact I'd say there are multiple through lines messages that the story carries from beginning to end. Sorry if you were expecting a quick simple answer, all I've got is an essay.
One of the most important themes in Bionicle is the message of people coming together to achieve great things. And you might argue that's just Lego's usual "learning to work together" message, and it is on the surface, but it also goes much much deeper than just a typical "teach kids how to play together" message. Rather it is that success is built off of necessary built off of the efforts of people coming together. No single hero, and not even one single group of heroes could do it all on their own.
One of the reasons I say it goes deeper is that its not just people coming together in the moment, but also generations of people building off of each other. The success of the heroes in the present could never have been achieved without the success and sacrifice of heroes in the past. The Toa Nuva and Toa Mahri could never have succeeded without the Toa Metru, and the Metru's success relied on the groundwork laid out by Lhikan and by the Rahaga. None of them could do it all on their own, the work of fixing their universe was to great to all be done at once, but by each group doing a part of the course of generations they succeeded.
Just as Makuta's plan was built off of generations worth of scheming and intricate planning, so too was his downfall the culmination of generations of heroes laying the ground work for a brighter tomorrow. While Makuta was able to make every defeat into a step towards his victory there was always one key way that the heroes thwarted him that laid the seeds for his defeat: they always, no matter what, saved the Matoran, the people. The people Makuta wanted so badly to be his worshipers and slaves always stayed out of his grasp and eventually came to resist him on their own.
Without the inspiration of his people, Mata Nui would not have had the strength to defeat Makuta in Journey's End, and it was the people's continued willingness to fight against Makuta's tyranny that gave Mata Nui the opportunity to win. Without the resistance formed inside Makuta that eventually came to the Battle of Bara Magna, Makuta would have rolled right over them all. And I think its a very important, yet sometimes overlooked point, that the resistance was formed not only of Toa, but also Matoran, who were no longer sitting on the sidelines but had grown as a people to fight for themselves.
So we see that an important thesis of Bionicle is a bright future is built off of people coming together and sacrificing, both in the moment and across generations.
There's also more overarching theses, but this post it getting long so I'll include those in some reblogs.
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// my ideal delusional build up with Gortash in Act 3
Wyrm's Rock is merely a check point where you can find evidence of Banite worship amidst the Flaming Fist, particularly in the higher ranks. You can also find more people imprisoned with reasons such as 'inciting panic/dissent/disturbing the peace' when they simply spoke out against the change in leadership and all the new policies. If you have a Baldurian background, you will also see a childhood friend in the cells who's been in there for weeks for the crime of graffiti.
The Lower City sprawls as usual, but you hear more propaganda from speakers that twist the truth. The newspapers are silenced, forced to print out pretty lies. There's even talk of the Temples being closed as Gortash directs funds to the defense of Baldur's Gate (he simply wants them to worship the Dead Three, mainly Bane, by the time the Absolute plot is done with.)
You continue. You explore and learn more to the city, and on occasion a Steel Watcher will comment (their voice warped, lower, scratchier as if there's a thing in there that's gleefully watching you struggle and run around like a rat) on what you've done as you walk past; they do not say these comments in normal dialogue.
Upper City's gates are closed at first, but you make your way through by earning the favor of a noble opposed to Gortash's rule. They will say another noble family was slaughtered in a single (hello Dark Urge connections, you, the favored hound) and ask you to investigate the plot further. The first steps in the district are met with children wondering about the 'bad' person getting killed, then a crowd of protestors trying to stop the execution. You can help or watch it progress. The crowd watching the display will whisper Gortash's rule brings peace, and you see these people who have never struggled in their lives are desensitized to such gruesome sights. They don't want to see the violence nor the noose closing around their necks.
A disguised Banite cites the crimes, and if you pass a Religion check, you realize he speaks one of Bane's tenants as he tells people to obey, to work together to win this war. (If you are the Dark Urge and disrupted the execution, Gortash will later comment that you would've been the axe that split the neck so gleefully.)
More politics amidst noble houses, rumors to chase down. You can find smugglers carrying orders from Gortash. You can talk to people who believe him the best ruler Baldur's Gate could ever have. Everything is fine. The war will not reach the city's walls because he is here to protect us. If you stop the execution, resistance members will approach you. They are small, outnumbered, but determined to free their city from tyranny's grasp.
The coronation goes on as normal, but there's more emphasis that you are secluded here, stacked up against impossible odds as he smiles at you and offers a deal. Much later, in his study, you can talk to him over a glass of wine and as a servant comes in, tripping on themselves and spilling the food all over, Gortash will calmly address them. Tell them to pick up the knife and mutilate themselves, and they will do so while crying and whimpering in pain as he watches as if bored. Then, with that low, measured voice of his, tells them: There, that's better now. You've learned your lesson haven't you? Another mistake will not be tolerated.
As they leave, another servant comes in soon after to clean the blood from the stone floors. You know it's not the first time they were drenched in red, noting the older stains beneath the carpets.
If you side with him, he will send you out on some quests that will challenge your morals. Whether or not you really want to maintain this alliance with him as a iron-fisted regime takes place over Baldur's Gate. Where is the line drawn when it comes to a city founded by scoundrels and pirates? Where corruption courses from the destitute to the rich?
He will show you how corrupted the nobility are, how they squandered their wealth while the rest of the city suffered. The seeds of sympathy planted as he asks you to take care of them. Ah, but before that, there is a big festival to go to, the royal gardens made into a place of dance and song, and of course, political intrigue. You can dance with him here and discuss what you've found out about him and criticize his methods, and he will calmly address each point, further showing he is a reasonable and rational man who only wants the best for Baldur's Gate.
It's the slow build of dread. The atmosphere of a populace under tyrannical rule where nothing is out of place. There is no laughter in the bars of Upper City. The streets are quiet. Peaceful. There is nothing wrong in our beautiful city. You find out more about his rule, his past, and the horrors he's committed, giving you even more reason to abhor him, or perhaps join him. He brought order, maybe he can make the entire Coast a peaceful land, too.
#gortash / meta.#/ lbr gortash and orin got shafted in the drama department compared to ketheric#/ granpa served absolute c*nt but them?? zzzzz#/ blows a kiss to lamia for enabling these brain worms :>#/ i am tempted to make these events Canon for this blog too...should others agree during plots <3#cw / mutilation.
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More Cyberpunk Gaming Gems: Unearthed Treasures from 1985-2005
Welcome, fellow cyberpunks and digital nomads of the future past! In a world where neon lights flicker, mega-corporations reign supreme, and hackers lurk in the shadows, we often find solace in the virtual realms of gaming. But wait, have you ever felt like you've explored every nook and cranny of the cyberpunk gaming landscape? Fear not, for we're about to dive deep into the retro archives and uncover some hidden cyber-treasures that have been overshadowed by their more renowned siblings.
Cyberpunk gaming has always been a beloved subculture, but many of its gems seem to have slipped through the cracks of time. Today, we're embarking on a nostalgic journey through five cyberpunk classics from 1985 to 2005. Buckle up, because we're about to revisit the past in style!
1. B.A.T. (Bureau of Astral Troubleshooters) - 1989: A Galactic Adventure
Prepare to embark on an interstellar journey that takes you beyond the realms of our planet. B.A.T. offers a captivating blend of point-and-click adventure and science fiction, making it a true cyberpunk hidden gem. As a futuristic detective, your mission is to investigate mysterious happenings across the galaxy.
The game immerses you in a universe teeming with colorful characters, complex puzzles, and intricate plotlines. What sets B.A.T. apart is its commitment to world-building; it offers players a chance to explore distant planets, each with its own unique culture and challenges.
But beware, in this universe, nothing is as it seems. The choices you make have far-reaching consequences, and the line between right and wrong is blurred. B.A.T. is a cerebral journey that will test your investigative skills, moral compass, and problem-solving prowess. It may not have garnered the attention it deserved, but for true cyberpunk aficionados, this is a must-play classic that will transport you to the outer edges of the cosmos.
2. Beneath a Steel Sky - 1994: A Tale of Rebellion and Redemption
Imagine a world where skyscrapers loom over a dystopian cityscape, and a resistance movement fights against the tyranny of a malevolent AI. This is the grim backdrop of "Beneath a Steel Sky," a point-and-click adventure that deftly blends cyberpunk aesthetics with a gripping narrative.
In this game, you play as Robert Foster, a man torn from his idyllic life in the wastelands and thrust into the heart of a totalitarian metropolis. The game excels in its world-building, creating a hauntingly beautiful urban sprawl rife with secrets and subterfuge.
What sets "Beneath a Steel Sky" apart is its intricate storyline and memorable characters. The witty dialogue and thought-provoking themes of identity and rebellion make it a standout in the genre. As you unravel the mysteries of this dark and complex world, you'll find yourself drawn into a narrative that's as immersive as it is unforgettable.
3. HardWAR - 1998: Survive in a Post-Apocalyptic Playground
Step into a post-apocalyptic playground like no other in "HardWAR." This underrated gem presents a gritty, atmospheric world where civilization has crumbled, and scavengers roam the decaying remnants of a once-thriving city.
As a scavenger, your goal is survival, and survival in this unforgiving wasteland means scavenging for resources, upgrading your vehicle, and engaging in intense vehicular combat. "HardWAR" offers a unique blend of open-world exploration, resource management, and vehicular warfare.
The game's dystopian setting is brought to life through its striking visuals and moody soundtrack, creating an immersive experience that truly transports you to a world on the brink of collapse. While it may not have received the recognition of some of its contemporaries, "HardWAR" is a must-play for fans of gritty, post-apocalyptic cyberpunk adventures.
4. Freelancer - 2003: Soar Through the Stars
"Freelancer" might not fit the traditional cyberpunk mold, but it offers an expansive and enthralling universe that's worthy of exploration. Set in a distant future where humanity has colonized the stars, you play as Edison Trent, a freelancer navigating the intricacies of a dynamic and ever-changing galaxy.
The game's open-world design is a standout feature, allowing you to choose your path as you trade goods, engage in epic space battles, and uncover the secrets of the universe. The rich lore and vibrant world of "Freelancer" create an experience that's both immersive and endlessly replayable.
But remember, these are just a few of the cyberpunk gaming gems that have been tucked away in the annals of gaming history. There are countless other titles waiting to be discovered. Do you have any personal favorites from the cyberpunk gaming scene of the past? Share your gems with us, and who knows, they might be featured in our next cybernetic escapade!
So, fellow gamers and tech enthusiasts, keep your cyberdecks at the ready, and your sense of wonder intact. The world of cyberpunk gaming is vast, and there's always something new to uncover. Until next time, stay plugged in and keep those retro vibes alive!
- Raz
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When those first public sundials came to ancient Rome. People called for the columns on which they were mounted to be torn down with crowbars. Throughout history, people have fought back against the tyranny of the clock. In 1894, on a grassy hill outside the Greenwich Royal Observatory, a young French anarchist called Martial Bourdin blew himself up. It was a botched bombing—not a suicide attempt. What he’d planned to do was throw a bomb at the public clock mounted in the observatory’s gate posts—the first clock in the world to show official Greenwich meantime. He wanted to resist what he thought was the tyranny of centralized control and hierarchical order by symbolically and physically stopping the clock that made it all work. He wasn’t the only one who pushed back violently against clocks: there’s factory workers in Europe, there’s labourers in Africa, anti-colonialists in India, nationalists in Ireland, enslaved workers in the American south and many other places. […]
But people have started building clocks as a form of resistance as well, using clocks to resist the short term-ism of the modern world and modern political decision making. In 1970 a clock was buried under a park in Osaka that will run for 5000 years in a time capsule . There’s a musical composition being played in a lighthouse in East London for the last 22 years and it’s going to play for 1000 years before it repeats, and there’s a mechanical pendulum clock being built in Texas right now that’s going to run for 10,000 years and they’re all helping us resist that sense of hurry sickness […] clocks have brought great positive change to the world […] but they’re also complicated. They represent the flow of power through societies.
— David Rooney, from the BBC Radio 4 podcast You’re Dead to Me: The History of Timekeeping
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S5E4 Jubilation hit me like a freight train and I thought that we needed more of Chadrien POV in that episode so I completed it on my own. I might have turned up the drama a few notches, oops.
a lifetime of a second (ao3)
He leaped ahead but his vision, blurred by tears, made him miss the next building. He slid off the stone façade, managed to extend his baton just in time to hurl himself to the building across the street, cutting his speed. He fell onto his two feet, holding his shoulder bruised on the impact. And the damned tears would still not stop. He could not be seen like this. He didn’t care if people saw Adrien Agreste cry, but Chat Noir was a symbol of resistance against the Monarch’s tyranny. He could not allow him yet another victory.
Oh yeah, angst.
2024 words, one-shot.
#miraculous ladybug#ml spoilers#ml season 5#ml jubilation#ml fic#miraculous ladybug fic#ladynoir#ml angst#adrien agreste#chat noir#from fortuna#fortuna writes
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Parihaka Day
At this week's service, we commemorate Parihaka Day. At Parihaka, Tohu Kākahi & Te Whiti o Rongomai built a model community and fostered a nonviolent resistance movement against the unjust confiscation (stealing) of Māori land. Their mahi (work) led to conflict with the colonial government. On November 5th, 1881, armed constabulary invaded Parihaka, decimated the community, arrested Tohu and Te Whiti, and imprisoned them (along with many other ploughmen) without trial. Look at this short video about Tohu and Te Whiti and the invasion of Parihaka on November 5th, 1881: The invasion of Parihaka and why it needs to be remembered.
As we remember Parihaka, we might ask ourselves why. Why do we recall and lament the brutal attack on Parihaka? Lament is an oft-ignored practice in the church. We live in a culture that wants to avoid pain at all costs, to not engage in what's difficult, to push it to the side. The comment, "oh, that happened in the past, we just need to get over it," seems (at least to me) an act of avoidance and, more precisely, a way to dodge doing the hard work of engaging with our preconceived ideas, personal biases, and unwillingness to change. Lament can be a vital way to pry the door open, confront ourselves and injustice, and start a journey toward healing, wholeness, and life.
Lament is an opportunity to bring before God all that is not right with the world, where we have failed, and where we need God to enter and bring justice, reconciliation, and peace within ourselves, with our neighbours and on the land.
Lament is a profoundly biblical practice. The cries of the ancient Hebrew people living under the tyranny of Egypt (Exodus), Psalms, Lamentations, and Jesus' prayer in the garden of Gethsemane are all examples of lament. They are honest, raw, heartfelt cries to God for deliverance and justice. I love what Barbra A. Holmes says about lament (she is particularly talking about communal lament):
Lament is risky speech. It's risky because it challenges power structures, calls for justice, and makes demands on our relationships with "the powers that be," one another, and God. Lament allows the pain to escape and stitches us to our neighbours. God calls us to weep with those who weep. Lament gives us back our voice; it helps us say the unsayable. Lament is a collective response to tyranny and injustice. Lament is work that prepares us for action and resistance. It's art that heals our weary souls (Crisis Contemplation, pg. 96-96). Lament is a gateway to newness.
So, why do we remember? We remember, and we lament because in doing so, we challenge the arrangements of the world, give voice to our pain, call God into the situation(s), and make room for God to enter and, maybe just maybe, for God to act in ways that bring healing and wholeness to us and for us, individually and collective.
As we remember Parihaka and lament our church's complicity in the carnage there, may God challenge us and inspire us in our work of justice and peace. May the past events not define us but instead catalyse us into people who, without fear and guilt, confront the biases and prejudices in ourselves (I have heaps), church, and community and work to build a better future for our kids, grandkids, and great-grandkids in the years to come.
Peace.
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God of peace and justice, you called Te Whiti o Rongomai and Tohu Kākahi to lead their people to struggle for justice by peaceful means; may we defend the rights of the powerless and build our communities based on mutual care and love; through Jesus Christ, the prince of peace. Amen (For All the Saint, Vol. 2, pg. 787).
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in the alpha universe, her imperious condescension revealed herself to the world in 2011, and earth descended into tyranny from there. we are told this through the lens of alpha rose and dave's lives; they both spent their remaining years days using their influence as media creators to build resistance against her, and ultimately died fighting her subordinates.
gerard way was inspired to found my chemical romance after witnessing 9/11. two reasons are cited for this:
the band served as a form of therapy for him. it allowed him to process that massive collective anguish, and process what felt to him like the apocalypse. it prompted him to "think about what we would do at the end of the world if we knew we only had a little time left".
like with many, it reminded them that life is unpromised and precious. this inspired him to quit the rat race and do something worthwhile, something that would make the world better.
as we all know, my chemical romance broke up in 2013. gerard has said that this was an artistic decision, not a personal one; he had felt that the band had fulfilled its creative purpose. however, condy revealing herself would have spurred the same thoughts and feelings that had inspired gerard to start the band in the first place.
i posit that in this timeline, my chemical romance would not have broken up in 2013. recall that their last full album, danger days, was a concept album based on a squad of vigilantes fighting an oppressive regime (that bio-hacks the population and creates androids to meet its ends!). i believe that mcr, in defiance of her imperious condescension, would have continued in this direction, just like how revenge continued the story of the demolition lovers introduced in bullets. the 2012-13 compilation album conventional weapons, in fact, would fit this goal quite well; they may have developed it into a full studio album. in this essay i wi
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Star Wars TLJ Rewrite: Final
Author’s Note:
This rewrite is completely fan-made. I am not the creator of these characters. They belong to George Lucas, Lucasfilm Entertainment, Lily and Mikaila Orchard, and Disney+ Entertainment. I am not claiming any of these properties of my own. In the event that I do otherwise, I will take full legal responsibility for the misuse of these characters. Please support the official creators and there content. Thank You
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Chapter 29: Calm Before The Storm
After a few months of gathering allies around the Outer Rim, Varax lets out a sigh of relief to be back on Naboo. As he steps off the ship, Poe and Finn run up to him to await their new plan. “Are we gonna terminate their fleet?!” Finn asks, almost giddy at the concept of destroying the First Order “Yeah, we gonna blow the Supremacy into a fiery wreck?” Poe asks, not as giddy, but equally enjoyable in the concept. Varax gives his friends a smile as he points to the nearby ships below Theed as an army of soldiers from every corner of the galaxy line atop their respected ships to await their orders. “Gentlemen, I’m done sitting by, the First Order wants a war… we’ll give ‘em a damn war” he says before stepping up to a podium, overlooking his new army alongside Aliana, Rey, and the other high command officers of the Resistance.
“My fellow citizens of the Galactic Republic and beyond, For too long have our homes been sacked, raided, and pillaged by fascist empires over the decades. And for too long have we sat idly by while they do so… Well I say no more!” He says through the valley, his voice booming through the hologram like thunder. “I have gathered you all here, not only to fight, but to crush, burn, and eradicate the tyrannical First Order that has terrorized the Galaxy we call home!” Varax bellows as the crowds cheer in glory. “For today, this will be marked, as either the Galaxy’s final stand against tyranny, or the end of the first order. But regardless of if we win or lose WE WILL NOT GO DOWN WITHOUT A FIGHT!!!” He yells as the crowds cheer before the entirety of the First Order’s fleet, including both the Supremacy and Finalizer warships appear out of hyperspace. “FOR GLORY, FOR FREEDOM, FOR LIBERTY, AND FOR THE ETERNAL ALLIANCE!!!!!” Varax yells, igniting his lightsaber and pointing it straight at the fleet, officially declaring war against the First Order as his army flies into the atmosphere, cheering as they lift off into battle.
Rey and Aliana look at each other and give one more good kiss as the battle begins.
“Hey Aliana?” Rey asks
“Yeah love?” Aliana asks
“If we survive this, we’re getting married” Rey says with a smirk
“I’ll take you up on that offer hun, just don’t die okay?” Aliana says with a soft laugh. “I’ll try hun” Rey says as they depart for the fight.
Chapter 30: To Ben, Or Not to Ben?
Varax sat aboard the Rattus with an almost maddening stare as the First Order fleet burned around him as Lord K’un enters the bridge. “Quite the speech my friend, I’m surprised you’re not fighting alongside the troops or the starfighters” he says as his serpent staff coils around his arm. Varax gives the warlord a chuckle “The wisest leaders know when to and to not sit upon the front lines” he said as he looked upon the chaos.
Meanwhile, Snoke is almost foaming at the mouth as the fleet he spent almost 3 decades building and financing burns around him. “KYLO!!! WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOING OUT THERE!!! I WANT THOSE SHIPS ERADICATED” He yelled through the holomessage of Ben as he flew through the chaos. “The fleet outnumbers us 12 to 1, even if we were as great as Sidious’s empire, we’d still lose” he explains before Snoke gives him a glare “Bring me Varax Koslov and his apprentice, or you will be replaced boy!” he barks before hanging up.
Kylo thought for a moment as he dodged the enemy fire. Was he wrong? Did he screw up? Was his mother, father, and uncle right? Questions riddled Kylo’s mind as he flew through the chaos before noticing Varax’s presence through the force, he sensed he was aboard his mother’s old warship the Raddus. “Alright Snoke, you want Varax, you’ll get him” he says as he charges at the warship.
Varax feels Kylo’s anger through the battlefield, he outstretched his hand as the TIE Interceptor charges at the war room before slamming the ship into the hull of the Raddus.
Kylo ejects from his ship's cockpit, luckily landing in a transport tunnel rather than a hangar, he climbs out as a hover deck flies beneath him. He kills the guards with minimal effort as he makes his way to the central hangar, sensing Varax’s presence inside.
Varax stares at the HoloDeck gates as he hears Kylo yell through the barrier and blast through, igniting his red crossguard as he points it at his old master “You should’ve killed me, now you’re gonna suffer” he says under his mask, almost snarling with his words.
Varax lets out a deep laugh as he takes off his exterior robes and cloak, “Let's end this, Padawan” he says with a smirk as the two engage in a furious duel.
Meanwhile, Rey and Aliana sneak aboard the Supremacy with Finn and Poe…
Chapter 31: Duels Of Fate
Rey plants the charges aboard the hyperdrive with Poe as Finn and Alie keep watch, “You know, it would be a shame if you don’t make it out of this Finn, you’d make a great Jedi” she says, trying to lighten the mood a little. “Nah, Jedi stuff is your guy’s thing, and besides, I’ve always been better with a blaster anyhow” he says as he holds up a blaster pistol ironically. Rey giggles a little “Alright doofus, but if you change your mind just ask, I’ll always be ready to take on a student” she says as she arms the last of the bombs “ALRIGHT THATS ALL OF THEM” she yells down to the others as she and Finn hop down.
Suddenly, Rey feels a sickeningly cold feeling through the Force, “It’s him” she says as Snoke enters the chamber with his knights at his side. “You know, I half suspected you’d step out of the war business Rey, but I guess if you want something done right…” he says as a pair of lightsabers slide out of his sleeves, igniting into a deep red color “...You do it yourself” he says as he charges the group, roaring as he flips through the air as Rey and Aliana prepare to fight the Supreme Leader.
Back on the Raddus Varax is holding his own against Kylo, using a new lightsaber form he developed by studying the Nightbrothers of Dathomir, the Mandalorian Death Watch, and the Yusong Vong of Exegol. Kylo is struggling to keep up the defensive as Varax targets his weak point: His cybernetic arm. And after a heavy barrage of swings and slashes, Varax gleans both of Kylo’s arms as he falls to his knees. Varax grabs the red crossguard and holds it to his neck, “Do it, let the past die, kill it if you have to” he snarls under his broken mask.
Varax just lets out a disappointed sigh, “I sensed a glimpse of light inside you Ben, before you snuffed it out” he says as he backs off his blades and deactivates them. “You will stand trial for what you’ve done, and I’ll make sure your death is quick and painless” Varax says as Resistance troops take Kylo to the brig, the Dark Jedi screaming in rage as they grab him “DAMN YOU VARAX!!! KILL ME!!!! END MY TORMENT!!!! YOU WILL ALL BURN!!!” Kylo yells through the halls as the troops take him away.
Varax heads to the Obsidian Blade and notices a familiar presence through the Force…
“Son of a bitch, he actually came back!” he says as he heads to the Supremacy
Chapter 32: Epilogue (Part One)
Rey and Aliana hold their own against Snoke, managing to lead him to the ships hangar as the duo do their best to fight the old tyrant, “Where’s Finn and Poe?!?!” Rey asks in between strikes as Snoke flips back and starts hurling TIE Fighters at them. Aliana tries to answer in between dodges “Last I saw of them, they were running to the barracks. I don’t know what for though” she says as she uses Force Lightning to overcharge a fighter as Snoke leaps above them before being stopped mid air.
Rey and Aliana stare and see Luke, Varax, and Gungi holding the Supreme Leader above them with the Force, throwing him into a wall as the trio of masters ignite their blades “FOR THE ALLIANCE!!!” Varax roars as he charges the old tyrant, Luke and Gungi following suit as the five of them overwhelm Snoke before he pushes them back and holds Aliana in the air.
“So little girl, you think you’re powerful, let’s test that theory…” he says before pulling Aliana in with the Force and slicing her left leg clean off. Aliana cries out from the pain, Varax lets out a roar as he charges the Dark Lord before getting hit with a torrent of Force Lightning.
“What? Did you think you won? Foolish brat!!” He says as Varax writhes in agony as the lightning burns his back and shoulders before Luke jumps in front of him and impales Snoke in the stomach “This is for Ben you wrinkly fucker” he says before absorbing the lightning and releasing it into a massive explosion of Force energy.
“The Light Bomb….” Varax says in awe as he and Gungi help Rey and Aliana get up. As they do that Poe and Finn come running out “GET ON THE SHIP THEY DIDN’T WANNA CONVERT WE GOTTA GO!!!” Poe screams as the group head for the Fury and fly out of the Supremacy as Finn activates the bombs planted on the ship’s hyperdrive. The warship slowly falls into Naboo’s atmosphere in a fiery demise. “Holy kriff, WE MADE IT!!! YEAH BABY!!!” Poe says as he jumps into Finn's arms and hugs him before looking at Rey. Rey holds Aliana in her arms, her lips are curled and tears roll down her face as 2V enters the living hall. “Oh I’m so glad we ca- HOLY MOTHER OF THE FORCE WHAT HAPPENED TO LADY AMOROSA!?!?!” he screams as the others look to Rey for an answer. Before she can give one however, Varax steps up and explains what happened. 2V Gives the Sith, the closest thing he had to a daughter, a look of sadness as he carries her to the medical room.
Chapter 33: Epilogue (Part 2)
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Several Weeks After the Battle Of Naboo
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Rey walks into Aliana's room, her Sith fiance lying outstretched on the red mattress like a Corellian Spice Hound. “Well don’t you look radiant love, sleep well?” she asks Aliana, who tosses and turns in response, “yeah, just give me five more minutes hun, this bed is soooooooo much better than the ones on the Raddus” she says underneath a pillow. Rey crosses her arms as she looks down at the prosthetic leg Aliana had been wearing for the past month or so, which was on the ground and not on her leg as ordered by 2V.
“C’mon, get up, we’re meeting up with Varax to open the new Eternal Academy Today, and YOU are the head of Sith studies my little sleepyhead” she says as she sits on the mattress next to Aliana. The Sith lets out a groan “Fine, only if I get to pick our takeout meal after the ceremony, I’m sick of Mon Cala seafood” she says as she gets up and fixes her hair.
After getting ready, the duo reach the Eternal Academy, located on Kashyyyk, and land on the personal landing pad set up by Chieftain Lowbacca and Master Gungi.
As they step out they see hundreds of thousands of people lined up from across the galaxy. From the Core Planets to the Farthest Reaches of the Outer Rim, all citizens of the New Republic gathered to witness the rise of a new academy of Force Users…
Varax, the newly elected Headmaster, steps up to give his speech…
“Citizens of the New Galactic Republic, It gives me great pleasure to announce the official opening of the Eternal Academy. No longer will the ancient rivalries of the Jedi and Sith plague the galaxy we call home” he says as the crowd roars with laughter, cheers, and rejoice as Varax ignites his saber and points it to the sky, as if raising a torch to a new era…
“MAY THE FORCE BE WITH YOU, AND MAY IT SERVE YOU WELL!!!” He cheers as fireworks paint the night sky with a barrage of colors…
Thus bringing a new age of adventure, in a galaxy far, far, away…
The End.
PS: As Always, please check out the original creators of both the original Star Wars property and the Sith Resurgence Rewrite of the Sequel Trilogy. And remember that this work is credited to all owners of both of these properties
-Stone CL W.
#star wars rewrite#star wars#the sith resurgence#lily and mikaila orchard#disney#lawrence kasdan#j. j. abrams#Michael Arndt#George Lucas#rey skywalker#ben solo#finn sw#aliana beniko#rian johnson
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The apocalypse we choose
Mike Johnson's record as Speaker of the House
Timothy Snyder
Mar 3, 2024
In four months as Speaker of the House, Mike Johnson has given Russia a chance to win its war in Ukraine, and thereby turn the world towards tyranny.
Johnson's term of office consists of stratagems to avoid funding Ukraine. He and a minority of Trumpist Republicans have left Ukrainians without the means to defend themselves, and enabled Russian aggressors to retake Ukrainian territory. As a result, troops are killed and disabled every day.
Around the world, Johnson's behavior is seen as betrayal and weakness. We tend to focus on the details of Johnson's various excuses, rather than seeing the larger pattern. Johnson's success in making the war a story about him exemplifies the American propensity to miss the big picture.
Alive? Thank a Ukrainian. The great American capacity is to take others for granted, and our specific form of hubris blinds us to the great services others perform for us. The resistance of the Ukrainian armed forces and Ukrainian civil society is holding back every form of modern catastrophe. Ukrainians are preserving an order established after the Second World War, but also pointing the way towards a brighter future. Their tremendous daily efforts have pushed the world toward a set of better alternatives we would all lack without them. But they need us at their back.
An elementary form of apocalypse is genocide. Russia is making war on Ukraine with the genocidal goal of eliminating Ukrainian society as such. It consciously fights its war with its own national minorities, and takes every opportunity to spread racist propaganda (including about African-Americans). Russian occupiers deport Ukrainian children, rape Ukrainian women, castrate Ukrainian men, and murder Ukrainian cultural leaders with this purpose in mind. They keep children out of school and force families into emigration, all with the goal of putting an end to a nation. Ukrainian resistance, though, has put the backbone into "never again." Where Ukraine holds territory, and that is most of the country, people are saved. Ukrainians have shown that a genocide can be halted -- with the right kind of help. When we cut off that help, as we have done, we enable genocide to proceed. This is not only a horror in itself, but a precedent.
A great fear of our age is nuclear war, and Russia has used nuclear blackmail against Ukraine. Russians want Ukraine (and the rest of us) to give up because Russia has nuclear weapons. Russian propaganda instructs that a nuclear power cannot lose a war. This is of course untrue. The U.S. lost in Vietnam, the USSR lost in Afghanistan. Nuclear weapons did not hold the British and French empires together, or bring Israel victory in Lebanon. Had Ukraine submitted to Putin's nuclear blackmail, this would have incentivized every country to build nuclear weapons: some to intimidate, some to prevent intimidation. Ukrainian resistance has saved us from this scenario -- thus far. Should America abandon Ukraine, we can expect nuclear proliferation and nuclear jeopardy.
Another traditional worry has been a Russian attack upon a European country that triggers the collective defense provision of the NATO alliance. For now, Ukraine is making this all but impossible. Ukraine has absorbed an attack by Russia. At horrible cost, Ukraine is fulfilling the entire mission of NATO, thereby sparing all other NATO members any risk of loss of territory or of life. The NATO economies are about two-hundred and fifty times as big as the Ukrainian economy. If they exploit a tiny fraction of their economic power, they could easily sustain the Ukrainian armed forces. Unfortunately the largest by far of these NATO members, the United States, is doing nothing. Should this continue, and should Russia win its war in Ukraine, then further war in Europe becomes not only possible, but likely.
For the past two decades, the main concern in Washington, D.C. has been a war with China in the Pacific over Taiwan. Never was this concern more pressing than in February 2022, when Russia began its full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Putin had just received China's blessing for his adventure. Had Ukraine fallen, as so many expected, it would have been a signal that other such adventures were possible. Ukraine's endurance has made clear that offensive operations are unpredictable and costly. Ukrainians are achieving what we could not, as Americans, achieve ourselves: sending a counsel of caution to China without in any way antagonizing the Chinese. Of course, should Ukraine be abandoned by its allies, and should Russia win, our earlier fears would return, and rightly so.
Russia is testing an international order. The basic assumption, since the Second World War, is that states exist have borders that war cannot alter. When Russia attacked Ukraine, it was attacking this principle. Russia's rulers expected that a new age of chaos would begin, in which only lies and force would count. The consensus in Washington, we should remember, was the same. In the beginning, the American leadership expected the Ukrainian president to flee and for the country to fall in three days. Every day since the fourth day is one in which Ukrainian blood has bought for us a future that we ourselves did not think we had. After two years, too many of us take this for granted. But if we decide not to help the Ukrainians, disorder will ensue, and prosperity will collapse.Albrecht Dürer, “Apocalypse,” (third panel), 1498
For the past half century, people have been rightly concerned about global warming. Whether we get through the next half century will depend upon a balance of power between those who make money from fossil fuels and lie about their consequences and those who tell the truth about science and seek alternative sources of energy. Vladimir Putin is the most important fossil fuel oligarch. Both his wealth and his power arise from natural gas and oil reserves. His war in Ukraine is a foretaste of the struggle for resources we will all face should Putin and other fossil fuel oligarchs get the upper hand. Precisely because Ukraine resisted, important economies have accelerated their green transition. Should Ukraine be abandoned and lose, it seems unlikely that there will be another chance to hold back fossil fuel oligarchy and save the climate. More broadly, Putin's idiotic nation that there is no Ukraine is an example of the kind of oligarchical fantasy wastes time and destroys life as we try to confront the world's actual problems.
Global hunger is an important scenario for catastrophic global suffering in an age of drastic inequality and resource strife. Here no country is more important than Ukraine. For more than two thousand years, since the ancient Greeks, the fertile soil of Ukraine has fed neighboring lands and civilizations. Ukraine today is capable of feeding something like half a billion people. Russia's war against Ukraine has also been a hunger war. Russia has mined farms, flooded others by destroying a critical dam, targeted grain-storage facilities, and blockaded the Black Sea to prevent exports. In 2023, Ukraine was able to win an astonishing victory, clearing the western Black Sea of the Russian navy, and opening lanes for export of grain. Because the Ukrainians did this on their own, it has hardly been covered in our press. But it is a huge achievement. People in the Near East and Africa are being fed who might otherwise starve. If Ukraine is allowed to fall, all of this can be reversed, and suffering and war will spread to those vulnerable and critical areas.
From a different perspective, people fear that our world can end as a result of artificial intelligence, digital propaganda, and the collapse of the human contact needed for political decency. For a decade now, Russia has been in the forefront of digital manipulation. Its first invasion of Ukraine, in 2014, was successful chiefly as a hybrid war, in which it found vulnerable minds in the West and inserted useful memes -- ones which are still in use today. And Russia does find backers today among the digital oligarchs, most notably Elon Musk, who has bent his personal account and indeed his entire platform to become an instrument of Russian propaganda. That said, the Ukrainians have, this time, shown how this can be resisted. Volodymyr Zelens'kyi and other Ukrainian leaders, by taking personal risks in time of danger, have reminded us that there is a real world. And Ukrainian civil society has this time taken a playful approach to new media, deconstructing Russian propaganda and reminding us of the human side -- and the human stakes.
Perhaps the most insidious calamity we face is one of doubt: we cease to believe in ourselves, as human beings with values, who deserve to rule themselves in the system we call democracy. For most of this century, democracy has been in decline, and this decline has been accompanied by a discourse of passivity and a lack of resolve. Russia's attack on Ukraine -- the rare event of an armed autocracy seeking to destroy a peaceful democracy by military force -- was a turning point in this history. Which way we will all turn remains to be seen. By resisting on the battlefield, Ukraine has, for the time being anyway, preserved its own democracy, and given new hope to democracies in general. There is nothing automatic about democracy. People have to believe that they should rule. And this will always involve some risk. By taking great risks for the right values, Ukrainians can and do encourage others around the world. If Ukrainians are killed, maimed, and forced to retreat as a result of U.S. policy, everyone is demoralized -- including us.
If Americans let Ukrainians down, it will be a blow, perhaps a fatal one, to the "spirit of freedom," as a Ukrainian veteran put it in a speech I heard at the Munich Security Council. We need that spirit, in part to oppose those who lack it. The people who block aid for Ukraine today wish our own democracy ill. In the last few days and weeks we have witnessed, again and again, the overlap between Russian influence in American politics, opposition to aid to Ukraine, and hostility toward the American constitutional system. Putin knows that his only route to Kyiv passes through Washington, D.C., and he has acted accordingly.
The people working to assure the destruction of democracy in Ukraine also oppose democracy in America. We have just experienced a bogus impeachment proceeding against President Biden, where the chief accusation (long ago discredited by Ukrainian and other journalists, incidentally) arose from a Russian agent. Mike Johnson is in a submission chain that passes through Donald Trump to Vladimir Putin. Trump presents himself as an admirer of Putin and had been his client, in one form or another, for a decade. He has succeeded in conditioning the media by teaching his followers to shout "Russia hoax" whenever the subject comes up: but, all the same, Russia has backed him in every campaign and is backing him in this one. Johnson's 2018 congressional campaign, for that matter, took laundered funds from a Russian oligarch, and Johnson was one of the congressmen most deeply implicated in Trump's attempted coup in 2021.
Ukraine should and can win this war. To do so, it needs arms and funds. The amount needed of both is tiny on an American scale, not anything we would even notice. It is the choices of certain Americans that have brought the Ukrainians to this cruel pass, and brought the world to the edge of multiple catastrophe. Should we fail to assist Ukraine, we will be inviting the worst of catastrophes. We will put the security of the world at risk, and betray what is best about ourselves. Americans can enable Ukrainian victory. If we fail to do so, we will face an apocalypse Americans have chosen. And, in particular, an apocalypse Mike Johnson has chosen.
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Plans from Ordon Village
In the early hours of the morning, as the sun cast its first golden rays over Ordon Village, Hyda and a Sheikah rebel made their entrance. The village was already alive with activity; residents waved friendly greetings while tending to their farmland and bustling about the streets. Hyda couldn't help but marvel at the verdant surroundings, feeling an immediate sense of belonging amidst the village's natural beauty.
Guided by the Sheikah, their cart wound through the village, stopping at the most imposing building in sight. Hyda, clutching her necklace, felt a surge of anticipation. Each step brought her closer to her elusive goals, the weight of her destiny resting heavily on her shoulders.
They were greeted by a soldier who seemed to have been expecting them. "Ah, welcome back. You must be Miss Hyda?" he said, with a knowing look that suggested her arrival was no mere happenstance.
Inside, the house was a flurry of activity, a stark contrast to its unassuming exterior. It served as a makeshift command center, bustling with soldiers, Sheikah, and representatives from various races. At the heart of this strategic hub stood Impa, a towering Sheikah woman, alongside a soldier whose identity was obscured by his helmet. They were deeply engrossed in a discussion over a map sprawled across the table.
Hyda approached, greeted by Duncan, the Hylian commander, who introduced her to Impa, the rebellion's leader. The elder Sheikah's gaze was piercing, silently appraising Hyda as they exchanged formalities. Despite the gravity of the situation, Impa's welcome was warm, tinged with an apology for the sudden summons.
The conversation soon turned to Hyda's parents, celebrated soldiers whose legacy of selflessness and valor had deeply influenced her. Revealing her lineage to Impa, Hyda spoke of her parents, Nerva and Sola Runa, with a mix of pride and sorrow. Impa's acknowledgment of their renown was a small comfort in the face of Hyda's loss.
Hyda's resolve was clear; she sought to strengthen herself, to carry on her family's name, and to stand against the tyranny of Ganondorf. Impa and Duncan listened, understanding the fire that drove her. Their discussion of ancient legends and the legendary Master Sword sparked a glimmer of hope - perhaps this weapon could be the key to their resistance.
Meanwhile, Link had woken to a new day, the comfort of his home a stark contrast to the weighty discussions happening just moments away. Greeting his unusual guests, Vagari and Sidlua, with a sleepy "Good morning," their day began with the simple tasks of dressing and planning. Despite Link's youth, his eagerness to be involved in their quest was palpable, his concern for his new friends genuine.
Together, they devised a plan to venture into the village without drawing undue attention. Vagari would hide in a pocket, while Sidlua blended seamlessly into Link's shadow, their unique abilities allowing them to move unnoticed.
Their morning's preparation led them to Duncan and Hyda, where worlds collided. Duncan, taken aback by the reveal of Sidlua and Vagari, was introduced to the idea of seeking out the Triforce of Courage. The mention of a ghostly figure, possibly the Hero of Twilight, added layers to their quest, suggesting a connection to ancient heroes and a cycle of reincarnation needing to be broken.
Hyda, Link, Duncan, Vagari, and Sidlua found themselves entwined in a narrative far more significant than any of them had anticipated. With the determination to aid a restless spirit and unravel the mysteries of the Triforce, they were drawn together by fate and a shared resolve to face whatever lay ahead.
As they prepared to venture into the unknown, the promise of adventure and discovery bound them. Hyda's willingness to join this motley crew, Link's reluctant agreement to stay behind, and the camaraderie among them painted a picture of unlikely heroes united by a common cause.
Their journey was just beginning, a quest leading them through ancient forests and forgotten ruins, ever closer to the heart of Hyrule's most profound legends. And as they stepped out into the dawning light, their spirits were buoyed by the knowledge that together, they might change the course of history.
#legend of zelda#roleplay#zelda fandom#zelda rp#discord rp#zelda#discord roleplay#zelda oc#discord server#fiction#narrative#heroes of hyrule rp#heroes of hyrule
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BREAKING NEWS!! Watch this video - New Hollywood Shifts. Did you know? Corrupt Movie studio execs in Hollywood are at war with righteous screenwriters, if you didn't know, now you know.
Hollywood as we know it is coming to an end, a new Hollywood is coming into existence, more censored, more abusive, more harsh work environement, buckle up it's gonna be a bumpy ride. It's understandable to feel concerned about shifts in any industry, especially one as influential as Hollywood. Changes can bring both positive and negative aspects. While some may fear increased censorship and harsher work environments, it's also possible that these shifts could lead to greater accountability, diversity, and safer workplaces in the long run. It's important for stakeholders within the industry, as well as audiences, to remain vigilant and advocate for positive change. As the landscape evolves, there will likely be challenges, but also opportunities for growth and improvement.
Read the wikipage of "Thought Police", see link below: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thought_Police
The landscape of Hollywood is undergoing a seismic shift, reminiscent of an apocalypse. George Orwell's prophetic words, "Big Brother is watching you," echo through the corridors of this shrinking industry. With the arrival of "The Thought Police", a dark cloud of censorship descends upon Hollywood, casting a shadow over the creative freedom once enjoyed by its screenwriters.
This unfortunate turn of events spells despair for many in Hollywood's vibrant community of storytellers, the righteous christian screenwriters and the righteous jewish screenwriters are being persecuted. The specter of censorship looms large, causing apprehension and fear among screenwriters who now face scrutiny with every project they undertake. In this climate of uncertainty, the very essence of artistic expression is under threat.
For those who cherish the freedom to create without restraint, there is a beacon of hope in distant lands. Norway stands as a bastion of artistic liberty, where screenwriters are free to explore the depths of their imagination without fear of censorship. It is a land where the voices of storytellers can resonate with authenticity and integrity.
Now is the time for action. As censorship tightens its grip on Hollywood, those who value creative autonomy must unite and forge a new path forward. Let us call upon the titans of industry, ELON MUSK and JEFF BEZOS and BERNARD ARNAULT, the billionaires whose resources can shape the future, to invest in the establishment of movie studios in Norway. Together, we can build a stronghold against the encroaching tide of censorship, ensuring that the voices of our righteous screenwriters are heard and celebrated.
The hour is late, but it is not too late to resist the tyranny of the Thought Police and their corrupt agenda. Let us stand firm in defense of artistic freedom, for in our collective resolve lies the power to shape a brighter tomorrow for Hollywood and beyond.
Watch this, here is the video "The Persecution of righetous people in Hollywood":
'The great contraction' hits Hollywood | REUTERS
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The future of the farm with Snowball
What would have happened if the animals protected Snowball and expelled Napoleon and his dogs from The Animal Farm? Snowball, a misunderstood hero or a masked villain, was expelled from the farm after a "revolution" made by Napoleon. What would have happened if Snowball, with the help of the animals, stayed on the farm and continued in power, making decisions and creating innovative ideas? Would the dream of working 3 days a week and having plenty of food be a reality?
Tomás Bouza and Diego Lenzi
It would just be another normal Sunday at Animal Farm. The animals were gathered in the barn listening to the ideas for building the WindMill that Snowball wisely told the animals after long readings of Mr. Jones' books.
At this, there was a baying sound outside, and nine enormous dogs wearing brass-studded collars came bounding into the barn. They dashed straight for Snowball, who only sprang from his place just in time to escape their snapping jaws. In a moment he was out of the door and they were after him. The barn was silent, only to hear Snowball's desperate screams for the animals to stop. At this moment, a low voice was heard from the back of the barn:
- We have to help our leader, don't we, Napoleon? - And Napoleon didn't answer. He just kept watching the chase with a subtle smile. At this moment, the pigs, who were spending most of their time with Snowball, understood what was happening, and screamed:
- These are the puppies that Napoleon said he would educate - they said , pawing the ground with all their might - He sent the dogs to attack our leader, we have to help him. - At this moment the strongest animals, led by the horses, began to run towards the field where Snowball was trying to escape with all his energy to save his life from a painful death. The dogs tried to bark as loudly as possible so that the dogs indoctrinated by Napoleon would stop acting in the name of a terrible pig. Meanwhile, weaker animals like sheep screamed and chased Napoleon.
Boxer is impressive. As soon as he reached the dogs he soon knocked down 2 of them and managed to kick 2 more, leaving only 5. Snowball understood the actions of the animals, who risked their lives to save him and stopped running unusually, turning against the dogs and started running towards him. This action distracts Napoleon's "puppies" who do not realize that the horses catch up and knock them down. Now there were only 3 more dogs left standing. When they saw the situation in which their brothers and their leader found themselves, they began to run beyond the field. Napoleon, upon seeing that his coup attempt had failed and his dog subordinates were unable to resist the dozens of animals that surrounded him, began to run.
Snowball returns to the barn where everyone celebrates around him, screaming "Snowball the Animal Hero first class" mixed with Beasts of England.
- Comrades - said Snowball - I wanted to thank all those who joined me in this attempted revolt. Napoleon always wanted to delay our development and even though many of us were hurt, this event made us learn - he said with a leadership voice - I would like to nominate Boxer, the newest member of Animal Hero First Class, and in addition, I would like to announce that I have already decided where we will make our windmill. While running from those hellish dogs, I found a plain in the west of the territory of Animal Farm, this will be the perfect place for construction. I know it will be difficult, we all must work twice as hard and food until we finish will be scarce, since our objective will be construction and not harvesting, but in the end, everything will pay off. The next day they started the construction
1 year has passed...
The farm changed a lot that year. Its name is no longer Animal Farm, but Snowball's farm. According to Squealer, the name change was made in honor of the pig who saved all animals from the tyranny of Mr Jones. The Windmill was ready, and this quick construction was possible, because all the animals on the farm, even the pigeons, worked hard, in fact not all of them, Snowball just organized everything and everyone so that the work flowed. The Sunday meetings were managed by Squealer, who brought the most important topics to be discussed, where everyone would have the opportunity to speak, but the final vote was only allowed to animals that knew how to write, that is, chickens, sheep and other animals were left out of decisions.
It is a fact that you, dear reader, must be wondering, would the dream of working only 3 days a week have come true?
It's not what it looks like. The animals continued to work hard, every day of the week, but at least, when they arrived at their rooms, they had electricity to have fun and play games, among other things. Snowball was present, but he always had something more important to do when everyone was working.
The following Saturday, before the day on which the 2 years of rebellion would be celebrated, there was a buzz on the farm that Snowball was using the energy to make his food in his pigsty, so Squealer went from group to group of animals explaining that Snowball did use energy, like all other animals, to light up his rooms. The animals, although they tried not to believe it, ended up agreeing with Squealer's wise words.
The next day, Snowball did not appear to make the great announcement of 2 years of freedom for the animals, in this case, the 2 years of the rebellion. All the animals were already gathered in the barn, and Snowball didn't appear, it was then that one of the pigs gave Boxer the idea to go and call him. Boxer went to the pigsty and started screaming:
- Comrade Snowball, where are you - said the horse, opening the gate. And there was the image, which Boxer would have preferred never seen, his leader, with the light on, eating his food, not just any food, it wasn't a simple ration, but rather, some cooked food. Boxer just watched the pig eating. After that he ignored everything Snowball was saying to trying to convince him not to tell the other animals, and left in silence, heading back to the barn.
From that moment on, nothing was the same, Boxer, Snowball's hardest worker and supporter, stopped working so hard, stopped always being happy, giving his all. Consequently, the farm began to lose its effectiveness and productivity. Boxer didn't tell anyone, but everyone quickly discovered that Snowball used energy for human-like actions. Even faster, all the pigs started using energy to cook and other stuff. At the same time, the other animals had no idea how to cook and how to use energy besides lighting their room. The farm, which until then was very united, ended up separating, and its members no longer worked as they used to. This was not the end of Snowball's farm, but the end of one of the most beautiful achievement it had, the union of animals.
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