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duelbraids · 4 months

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under the cut: basic plot summaries for my four main Tadpoled Adventurers. Their quests are written as if they are companion characters, but can also be interpreted as Origins as well.

this post is so, so long.

THE CAT BURGLAR

NAME: Kirsi Ninelives ( orig. Kirsikka Virtanen ) AGE: 23 HEIGHT: 5'0 RACE: Mephistopheles Tiefling CLASS: Draconic ( White ) Sorcerer 9, Assassin Rogue 3 BACKGROUND: Urchin ENDINGS: Speak Now, Hold Your Peace

The bastard daughter of Dame Ilmi Virtanen and Vetle of Elturel, and disowned early in life, Kirsi grew up alone. Alone, save for her cat, Bast. She turned to a life of thievery to survive. Climbing the ranks of the Guild, Kirsi eventually joined a gang called the Horned Syndicate. While in this gang, she gained the attention of Agni, the head of the operation. The two eventually entered a very... unbalanced relationship, with Kirsi being barely 18, and Agni nearing 40. A few years later, the two had an explosive breakup: Agni attempted to overtake the Guild, and Kirsi finally decided she was more loyal to Ninefingers Keene than Agni. She rats out his plan, and in the ensuing battle, Kirsi believes she killed Agni, a burst of ice magic causing Agni to fall off of a roof.

Kirsi is a stealth-centered magic character, with an ability to summon Bast, her cat companion. She has a fairly reticent outward persona, fueled by the belief that her ice magic is tied to her emotions. She seems very afraid to use her magic outside of combat, seeing it as a last-resort. As a child, her mother forced her to wear a human glamour, and eventually faked the death of "Kirsikka Virtanen" to kick Kirsi out of the home. Kirsi believes this is because her draconic magic was out of control.

As a companion, Kirsi is encountered between the Druid's Grove and the Blighted Village; Tav will get a tadpole resonance without any clear source, and after looking around, The Narrator says, "You feel a chill, as if being watched; then, an ice storm under your skin. The name Frostbite enters your mouth." It is then that Bast will emerge, rubbing against the player's leg, followed by Kirsi dropping down from a tree. She will offer to join the party, explaining that she was scouting out the village ahead, which has been overrun by goblins.

Kirsi approves of actions that will preserve Tav, like de-escalating fights, and not sticking your neck out for others (except in the case of the Tiefling Refugees, especially the children) She also approves of killing Kagha. Kirsi disapproves of unnecessary cruelty, and turning down quest rewards. Kirsi will automatically turn hostile in the event that the Grove is raided.

Her questline, titled The Cat Burglar, focuses on the fallout of the Horned Syndicate falling apart, and Kirsi's noble heritage.

MASTER OF TIDES

NAME: Malinah Stormcrown AGE: 348 ( ~35 ) HEIGHT: 5'6 RACE: Wood Elf CLASS: College of Swords Bard BACKGROUND: Criminal ENDINGS: Death and Taxes, Just the Taxes, And a Bottle of Rum

Once a swindler and daughter of a jewellery magnate from a distant land, Malinah is the captain of the pirate ship The Hangman's Heart. As a child, she ran away from home with her little siblings, and joined a pirate crew. First as the ship's doctor, then as the Tidesmaster alongside Captain Nadia Shrajur and her brother and first mate, Tendaji. Aboard The Hangman's Heart, they were the lords of the sea. Malinah and Tendaji had a long standing romance during this time, and a few decades before the Absoluist plot, they were engaged to be married. The crew took a final, easy job, transferring cargo to Baldur's Gate before the wedding. This was their downfall - the easy job was not cargo, but transporting a Vampire Lord to her new lair. The crew were feasted upon, night after night until only three remained. Mal, Ten, and Nadia knew they had to corner the Lord.

Though they succeeded, this did not come without a price - Tendaji was turned by the Lord, and refused to live on as a vampire. He begged Malinah to spare him that future, and she did so, ending his life with heartbreak. No longer wishing to sail the sea without her brother, Nadia relinquished the ship to Malinah. Like a typical pirate, Malinah is a dexterity-based fighter, starting with two scimitars ( cutlasses, technically ) She has a very funny, loud personality; she is quick to act and quick to anger. She will openly talk about her little siblings, Florian and Ysebeau, who live on the ship alongside her new crew.

As a companion, Malinah will be encountered on the destroyed wharf of the Ravaged Beach, trying to wring out her map. The player's tadpole resonance with her begins with the Narrator saying, "High winds sting your skin, ocean spray blowing sunbleached hair back from your face: You are Malinah Stormcrown, Captain of the Hangman’s Heart." Malinah will explain that she was taken from the deck of her ship, and offer to join the party.

Malinah approves of actions that support the little guy ( refugees, the Gur, specific situations like letting One and Three escape, etc. ) but also enjoys the violent answer to problems. She will disapprove of trading with the Zhentarim, as they have a history of getting in her way. She approves of knocking out Minthara; on the flip side, raiding the Grove will cause her to disapprove (-5) but it will not cause her to leave the party. She disapproves of statements saying that nobility deserve to be on top / praising of the Flaming Fist.

Her questline, Master of Tides, centers around her history as a pirate captain, her love for her siblings, and letting go of her grief for her late fiance.

SHE WHO BOWS

NAME: Naomi Flores AGE: 28 HEIGHT: 5'11 RACE: Half Wood Elf CLASS: Gloomstalker Ranger BACKGROUND: Folk Hero ENDINGS: Best Left Unserved, She Who Harps, The Harper's Inheritor* *this ending can happen con-currently with her other two endings

A young Harper, Naomi is a master of investigation and disguises. She takes her oath to fight villainy and protect the innocent seriously. An orphan, Naomi eventually found herself as ward of Jaheira, the High Harper. Much like Jaheira's other adopted children, her relationship with her mother is positive, but strained by distance. More commander than mother dearest, and all that. She is incredibly close with her siblings, especially Rion. Naomi is sometimes too much like her mother; upon understanding the purpose of the Harpers and her mother's disappearances, Naomi wished nothing more than to be a Harper, a hero, to actually help people. Jaheira forbid her from putting herself in that kind of danger. Naomi, characteristically, took this as a challenge. Using a combination of her mother's documents, intuition, and Disguise Self, Naomi's plan got her the approval of the rest of the High Harpers; thus becoming One Who Harps.

Despite her nearly perfect track record previously, her most recent mission ended in disaster, with a fellow Harper, Eden, missing and presumed dead, and another, Quintus, having betrayed them to the Zhentarim. She was taken by the Nautiloid on her next Harper mission. Combat-wise, she takes after her mother's old friend Minsc, Naomi honing her skill as a Ranger. She tracks evil like prey, preferring long range and two swords. Naomi is a quick, a dexterity-based ambusher. She is sharp, quick witted, and sarcastic; she prefers to think and plan things out. Naomi is prickly at the start of the game, quick to assume the worst. Sometimes she's Machiavellian - but only because she cares.

As a companion, Naomi is encountered in the edge of the Wetlands, stalking a deer. The narration begins, "A woman catches your eyes, long bow drawn tight. You feel her holding her breath, as if the air catches in your lungs too. She is predator, and you are startling her prey." The player can pass a stealth check to allow Naomi to shoot the deer, or intentionally scare her. Though she will be annoyed with the latter, she will join the party. ( Allowing her to shoot the deer allows her to start with more Camp Supplies. ) She will keep her status as a Harper a secret for as long as possible.

Naomi approves of defusing situations, turning down rewards, sarcastic dialogue, and bad puns. She, naturally, disapproves of Obviously Evil Actions, disregard for nature, and insisting upon rewards up front. If raiding the Emerald Grove, Naomi has to be talked into staying, and will refuse to join the party until the raid is over. If pressed to join during the raid too many times, she will leave anyways, annoyed with the player. If she leaves, she can be found with Jaheira at Last Light Inn. If Jaheira is killed by the player or turns hostile to the party, Naomi will side with her mother.

Her questline, She Who Bows, unravels the betrayal that cost her her best friend, as well as her loyalty to Baldur's Gate, and her family.

THE GOLDEN ICONOCLAST

NAME: Rajya Nejem AGE: ~380 ( ~36 ) HEIGHT: 5’2 RACE: Drow Elf CLASS: Oath of Vengeance Paladin 6, Draconic ( black ) Sorcerer 6 BACKGROUND: Noble ENDINGS: Bodyache, Hopestar

A devout of Eilistraae, Rajya has already seen one cult rise and fall. She was born into the Cult of the Dragon, alongside her twin sister Ruya, both meant to be conduits for Tiamat to return to Toril. Raised in a high position, akin to a noblewoman among the cult, Rajya only had her rude awakening when she realized that Ruya would be sacrificed in the attempt to bring the dragon goddess into the material plane. Escaping alongside Ruya to the Underdark, they take shelter in the Priory of Darkfire. The vastly different religious atmosphere allows both girls to come into their own. Ruya finds love and settles down with a foreign prince, returning to his homeland, and Rajya finds faith, staying in the priory.

However, age and wisdom means she feels the tingling of trouble long before it starts. Though they had escaped the Cult of the Dragon, Rajya knew they would strike once more. She seeks out her father, Fahim, on a quest of divine-mandated revenge. She's interrupted by the Nautiloid. Rajya is a serious woman, well educated, and sometimes still shows elements of her noble bearing. But, for the most part, she is a gracious, kind healer.

As a companion, Rajya is encountered inside the Emerald Grove, healing one of the Tiefling Refuges, as they are no longer allowed lower to speak with Nettie. When the player's tadpole reacts, the Narrator explains, "The woman’s mind opens to yours; a shimmering of black dragon scales, Darkfire dancing across her memory. You see the mystical beauty of the Underdark; strange flora and fauna growing outside of a priory, a safe haven dedicated to Eilistraee." The player can ask if she knows how to heal the tadpole; Rajya will explain that she'd done it once before in the priory, but ever since the tadpole was inserted, she can no longer access that magic. She will join the party's quest.

Rajya approves of actions that help others, sacrifice, open mindedness on the views of others, and disapproves of attacking others without reason, letting crimes go unavenged, and underhanded tactics. She will leave the party if the Grove is raided, returning to the Priory of Darkfire.

Her questline, The Golden Iconoclast, centers on her past with the Cult of the Dragon, her father, faith, and help her stop a needless sacrifice.

#i'm too tired to write anymore quest lines so i'll do Naomi and Rajya's tomorroowww #my writing #OC: Kirsi Ninelives #OC: Malinah Stormcrown #OC: Naomi Flores #OC: Rajya Nejem #bg3 #Tadpoled Adventurers Masterlist #smothering the creature inside me that cringes

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shiftingpath · 1 year

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Exalted Secret Santa 2022 Complete!

That wraps up another year, friends. I think it’s safe to say the extended due date is a success, given how many of us were sick over the holidays, so we’ll keep that for the future, though I hope less of us will need it. Thank you all for participating despite your cold/flu/covid/injury/chronic conditions/work/family/moving stress! Together we’ve made another great collection of gifts to enjoy, and I hope the enjoyment from making and receiving them helps start the new year off on a good foot.

Take the time to check out everyone’s submissions and fascinating characters! Happy Calibration. See you next year!

-Path

to @afancyartblerg from @morpheousxo: Mountain Heart Empress to @akaittou from @mechanicalriddle: 047 “Theta” to @brimstone-and-helianthus from @maribunart: The Phantom Apiarist to @butch-king-frankenstein from @rotten-partty: Jem and Sha to @delvesdaily from @fiontan: Mystic Veil to @eatenbyfaeries from @shiftingpath: Vervain (and Sweet Jealous Penelope) to @fiontan from @delvesdaily: Gale to @fullmoonspecial from @hilow: Jo to @grimmjowjaegerjaquez from @eatenbyfaeries: Black Ice Shadow to @heedra from @moonstar-mush: Daia Shan to @hilow from @novafigura: Jumping Rabbit of the North to @hornstusksandmagic from @theuncrucified: Avery of Clan Rit'Mount (and Sugar) to @keirangoldenwatch from @hornstusksandmagic: Neiko Whisperstep to @maribunart from @raeliyah: Cathak Kilani to @mechanicalriddle from @toxinfox: Last Candle Lit Against the Dark to @moonstar-mush from @paint-lady: Tendaji Greenwich to @morpheousxo from @heedra: Seraiah to @novafigura from @delvesdaily: Oroonoko to @paint-lady from @fullmoonspecial: K’Tai to @raeliyah from @akaittou: Khulan Suchan-de to @rotten-partty from @keirangoldenwatch: Follower of Autumn Leaves to @shiftingpath from @butch-king-frankenstein: Grave Goods Gardener to @sly-works from @grimmjowjaegerjaquez: Exquisite Toffee Spinifex (and Jackal) to @theuncrucified from @afancyartblerg: Kalara Vadras to @toxinfox from @sly-works: Kaveri Shendo

#exalted #exalted secret santa

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skarchomp · 1 year

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drew candor and her party members, Bite (@heedra) and Tendaji (@monstar-mash) as transformers and it was a great idea but now my wrist hurts

#my art #candor #exalted #transformers

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draayder · 2 years

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fmk candor tendaji and bite

oh boy more exalted except this time people I am not in a campaign with and therefore have second-hand information on

The Candor That Draws the Horseman's Blade

this freak's @skarchomp 's abyssal. facts I know about him: -talks like Scout TF2 -not allowed to make friends -hasn't fucked since ghoulify-ing -kind of awful but everyone likes her in the end -becoming a better person after being told "girls don't like it when you kill people"

Candor is probably the most my type of these three in terms of fucking. I think that could work. at minimum it might get her to stop being so pent up and maybe fix some of the myriad issues he's working through

marriage on the other hand is.......... I think not a good idea

Tendaji Greenwich

@moonstar-mush 's sweet bureaucracy solar Tennie my friend Tennie. she killed a guy. her factsheet: -sounds british -the only one of any of us who wants to tackle exalted's crafting system, and xe makes sweet gifts for her friends -locked in the arduous struggle that is attempting to navigate a relationship with a lunar -has fucked possibly even multiple times during the Legion's Road campaign -did very much limit break and kill a guy -has a fucked up first age self

all that being said, Tennie is cute but I don't think I'm that interested in banging her. They're definitely not the worst choice for it, but I don't think I'm going for it

marriage on the other hand seems obvious out of this group. she can cook (crafting) and make thoughtful gifts (crafting) and cool weapons (crafting) and is just generally a nice person. as long as I know what xer limit trigger is, things should be smooth sailing! (this is a pun because they made an anchor for one of their friends)

I Bite the Feet of Kings

and finally @heedra 's ant spirit shape lunar Bite. she's very cool. here's the facts: -had leprosy before exalting, hence the fucked up eye which is also her tell -spent a whole year as an ant after exalting because she thought it was the best and didn't even realize she could turn back into a human -against most societal trappings like government and marriage, borderline anprim -had a hot first age self who was doing sexy activities with her solar mate's first age self. the reincarnations of both are decidedly not doing sexy things -carries around a gourd full of ants like gaara except instead of sand its ants (and also sand because the ants need something to live in) and Bite retreats into it if things get too annoying/emotional/etc -tsundere (which might make Tendaji deredere and Candor yandere comparatively lol)

I do love Bite a whole whole lot but she is against the concept of marriage and not particularly dtf. she's got a big scary ant-taur monster form that I could probably get down with but I have a feeling that it is not for sexual. so unfortunately Bite I must kill you. I promise I will take care of your ants

also as a bonus here's everyone as bugs also drawn by @moonstar-mush because the two lunars in the group both turn into bugs already

#fmk #exalted #heedra #skarchomp #moonstar-mush #I do really love every peek I get of those guys running around #I should really sit in on a session at some point so I can hear how everyone sounds #or we need to have a crossover episode lol

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namesforyourenjoyment · 1 month

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masculine african names

ajani [nigerian, yoruban] “the victor”

akachi [igbo] “the hand of god”

akello [ugandan] “i have brought forth”

amari [yoruba] “eternal”

ayo [yoruba] “joy”

azizi [swahili] “precious treasure”

barack [swahili] “blessing”

chima [igbo] “god knows”

dakari [shona] “rejoice”

djimon [yoruba] “powerful blood”

dumi [african] “the inspirer"

ejiro [urhobo] “praise god”

enitan [yoruba] “person of story”

eskender [amharic] “defending man”, amharic variation of alexander

farai [shona] “rejoice”

gahiji [rwandan] “the hunter”

garian [libyan] a town in northern libya

haji [swahili] “born during the pilgrimage to mecca”

ikenna [igbo] “father’s power”

iniko [nigerian, igbo] “born in a time of trouble”

itoro [ibibio] “praise, glory”

itri [berber] “star”

jatau [hausa] “light, fair”

jengo [swahili] “building”

kabelo [sotho] “given”

kamau [kikuyu] “quiet warrior”

kato [ugandan] “second of twins”

kayin [yoruba] “celebrated child”

khamisi [swahili] “born on thursday”

khari [west african] “kingly”

kofi [akan] “born on friday”

kojo [akan] “born on monday”

kwame [akan] “born on saturday”

lekan [yoruba] “my wealth has increased”

limbani [chewa] “be strong”

mandela [african] an african surname

masozi [tumbuka] “tears”

massai [african] “owner of land and farms”

mosi [swahili] “first born child”

nairobi [kenyan] the capital of kenya

neo [tswana] “gift”

nnamdi [igbo] “my father is alive”

obi [igbo] “heart”

odion [esan] “first born of twins”

okello [ugandan] “born after twins”

okoro [urhobo] “man”

omari [swahili] “populous”

oyibo [urhobo] “white”

rudo [shona] “love”

sefu [swahili] “sword”

sekani [tumbuka] “laugh”

selam [amharic] “peace”

tadesse [amharic] “revived”

tafari [amharic] “he who inspires awe”

tariku [amharic] “his story”

tatenda [shona] “thank you

taye [ethiopian] “he has been seen”

tendaji [swahili] “make things happen”

udo [igbo] “peace”

unathi [xhosa] “god is with us”

uzochi [igbo] “god’s way”

yao [ewe] “born on thursday”

zaire [kongo] “the river that swallows all rivers”

zesiro [luganda] “older of twins”

zuberi [swahili] “strong”

zuri [swahili] “good, beautiful”

#authors #aesthetic #booklr #baby names #name suggestions #character names #names #boy names

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muertebloom · 3 months

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A run down of the Malinah Stormcrown's questline, Master of Tides

In Act One, the player can learn more about Malinah’s history as a pirate. She’ll tell campfire stories on Long Rests where there are no other events lined up - one about overthrowing the original captain as a young sailor, another about taking a Zhent slaver’s head, and escaping a hurricane. The level of truth in these tales is variable, but she tells them well.

In the Zhentarim hideout, bringing Malinah along will reveal that she wasn’t lying about the Zhent slaver’s head, and they recognize the Captain. The player will need to de-escalate this situation.

If the player intends on romancing Malinah, they can ask to spend the night with her. This triggers a cutscene where the player will accidentally walk in on her bathing in a pond, humming a song to herself. She will tease the player, but if they ask about the song she was singing, she will admit to the player that it was one she wrote for her late fiance, Tendaji. If the player wants to continue a romance with her after learning she was once engaged, they will need to select the option about going at whatever pace Malinah needs. She will kiss the player’s forehead.

In Act Two, one of the Harpers that the party can meet is Nadia Shrajur, the previous Captain of the Hangman’s Heart.

If the player has heard Mal’s story about overthrowing the captain, they can ask Nadia about it. Nadia will laugh - the event in question happened nearly a century ago, and the mutiny was lead by Nadia herself, not Malinah.

If Malinah is with the party when Nadia is spoken to, the two are happy to catch up, but the player notices that sadness weighs heavy on them both. Mal will, in private, tell a player with high enough approval that Nadia was the sister of her late fiance ( allowing a non-romanced player to learn about her past. )

After speaking to her the first time, the player can speak to Nadia again with Malinah out of earshot, and ask her about Tendaji. Nadia will tell them to “Ask Malinah what she did to the last person she fell in love with.” This is where she can be forced to reveal that she killed Tendaji after he asked for a mercy killing to spare him from being a vampire.

After reaching Very Good approval, Malinah will tell the player about her daughter, Dagny, in a camp conversation. Asking for more information reveals that Dagny usually stays in Baldur's Gate with Malinah's brother, Florian. She clearly loves her daughter and brother, and speaks of them with a warm fondness.

In Act Three, Malinah wants the party to swing by the docks so she can visit The Hangman’s Heart. Upon arriving, she will be barred from entry by a Flaming Fist and a Steel Watcher, who say that the ship never paid its dock dues. Mal knows that’s incorrect, and demands they let her see her crew. One crew member, Claudia, will emerge, and deliver the news: First mate Florian has been missing for days now. With a knowing smile, the Flaming Fist will tell her to go to the Mariner’s office in the Counting House.

Once the player goes there, the precarious situation becomes patently clear. Malinah’s brother and daughter are being held by Banites as collateral against the party. There are multiple ways to go through this quest:

The party can try to free Florian and Dagny by force - this is the path of least resistance, and the one Malinah wants. This, inadvertently, costs her both her ship and her family’s lives. If the party does this, without the proper evidence that Malinah’s dues are paid and up to date, they will get her Death and Taxes ending. Malinah’s heartbroken, and her ship is gone; she will break up with the player in this ending.

However, if the party can get Malinah to calm down and think rationally, she will suggest a new course of action: Her tax papers are hidden in a vault, in a secluded cove beneath Wyrm’s Crossing. At this hidden vault, the player can find Malinah’s old engagement ring, alongside the tax papers. She doesn’t want to take it, as it reminds her too much of Tendaji. Convincing her to take the ring is smart (it is a Legendary ring, after all) and is critical to her healing. Essentially: helping her face her grief, rather than avoid it.

Once the tax papers are in hand, the party can return to the Mariner’s office, and walk in on Florian in a verbal encounter with one of the Banites. The Banite sees the opportunity to break the party’s spirit - they will threaten to kill Florian if Malinah doesn’t destroy the proof that she’s paid her dues. The player is offered two options: take the risk that Florian can protect himself long enough for them to take out the Banites, or give in to their demands.

If Malinah refused to take the ring with her, Malinah can’t find the strength to take the risk, and will hand over the tax papers. This gives her the Just the Taxes ending - similar to Death and Taxes, but Malinah is more at peace with losing her ship, with her family safe. She will not break up with the player in this ending.

However, if Mal has the ring, she will charge forward and attack the Banite head on. With the proof in hand, destroying all of Gortash’s placed men will earn her the And a Bottle of Rum ending. It will unlock her ship as a camp for the Player, and Captain Stormcrown celebrates that evening. She’s at peace, her siblings are safe, and her ship isn’t under threat by Flaming Fist.

In the two endings where she will remain with the Player, a romanced Malinah takes them to the Captain’s Quarters on her ship ( or to a room in the Elfsong. ) It’s here she’ll admit that she’s glad they helped her stop and think, allowing her to realize exactly what her priorities were; the ship is just as much home to her as Baldur’s Gate is to someone else, and she couldn’t keep hiding from her grief - or the player. She will pin them to the wall, and admit ( for the first time ) that she loves the player.

EPILOGUE: In Death and Taxes, Malinah has spent the past six months in the city, missing her ship and missing her family more. It’s clear she’s drinking to get through most of her days. In Just the Taxes, Malinah, Florian, and Dagny all come to the party, and talk about adjusting to life on the land. She’s happy, and if the player is romancing her, she’ll tease them about helping her get her land legs. In And a Bottle of Rum, it’s much the same, but they will all talk about their adventures on the sea, with a shanty to round out the night. If the player is romancing her, she’ll tease them about helping them get rid of their land legs.

#[MALINAH] — MASTER OF TIDES.#[MALINAH] — HEADCANON.#yet again i already had this written on my personal and just had to tweak it

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