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Topic: Forgotten Realms: The Unsung Heroes
Subject: Aelistae
“What is he?”
Her voice came out as a whisper as she peered closely at the unfamiliar creature cowering before her. Her slender fingers brushed against its cracked skin and faded hair, but each touch she stole sent it scurrying further into the narrow crevice in which it was hiding.
“Ah, so it seems as if you found the human. Good, I was getting tired of the chase.”
A chill laugh echoed around the narrow cavern, followed by a low sibilant hiss. A moment of dread swept through her as a dozen snake-headed tendrils slithered over her shoulder and towards their prey.
The screams went on for hours….
Aelistae shivered in the cool, night air.
“You alright, Miss?”
The woman turned quickly, startled by the sudden sound. Her hood partly slipped from her head as she did so, and revealed for a moment skin the colour of midnight shadow. Yet if the ferryman noticed, he did not show it, and soon her face was obscured once more beneath the garment.
“I’m fine,” she replied simply, in an accent that betrayed how unused she still was to conversing in the Common tongue.
“Well it won’t be long now before we ‘it Darromar. Those lights through the mist are the buildings along the waterfront. But, if you take my advice you’ll be moving swiftly through ‘em. A nice lady such as yourself can get in a lot of trouble there at night.”
Aelistae responded with a sigh. She was drow, and, although in part she was indeed anxious over how the citizens of Darromar might treat her, that was not what troubled her at this moment. What concerned her was how she would be able to treat them.
She focused on the slow, rhythmical splashing of the ferryman as he inched his craft across the river. It helped to drown out the sounds of the screams of that human she had found, so long ago….
-----
Aelistae glanced down once again at the grubby note. It was stained with ale, and the ink was blurred, but even so she could make out most of the lettering.
“To the victor go the spoils, and the respect and gratitude of the kingdom,” she read out again, a thoughtful smile forming over her lips.
“There you are. Enjoy!”
With a heavy thump, a large tankard of a brown, viscous liquid was placed upon the table she was sitting. From the safety of her cowl, Aelistae stared up at the barmaid who had placed it there.
“I ordered some water, not…well not whatever this is.”
“Well I know you elfy types likes your water, but to be honest you’d be safer drinking this,” she explained with a wink.
Aelistae smiled and shook her head perplexedly. ‘I wonder if I’ll ever understand them.’
OOC: I'll post Aelistae's arrival at the square a little later.
Posted on 2008-02-05 at 09:02:07.
Edited on 2008-02-05 at 09:04:50 by Ginafae
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Topic: Forgotten Realms: Kaelyn Style~Recruitment Thread
Subject: No worries
Not a problem. I look forward to seeing it later!
Posted on 2008-02-04 at 17:22:49.
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Topic: Forgotten Realms: Kaelyn Style~Recruitment Thread
Subject: Aelistae
I thought I'd (re)post some info. about Aelistae, since I've enjoyed reading those tidbits about Linnix and Barrb. 
Background:
Aelistae D’Vrann was born and raised in the dark depths of Menzoberranzen. All that she has to remind of her childhood, however, are sights, sounds and smells she wishes she could forget. Her moments of reverie are punctuated by the anguished wails of living creatures that she saw killed before her for the greater glory of Lolth. Whenever she bathes and catches her reflection in the cool water of a stream she sees the cruel visage of her mother, Matron Mother Valerna D’Vrenn, staring back. And after foraging for food and roasting it over an open fire she can still smell the burning flesh of her family and her House as it was obliterated by its rivals.
Yet, Aelistae considers herself lucky, or at least luckier than most drow. House D’Vrann was destroyed mere weeks before she was due to be sent to Arach Tinilith – the academy where drow females are sent to prepare themselves for a lifetime of servitude to Lolth. When Aelistae’s House was destroyed she alone survived, taken as a pretty plaything by mercenaries of Bregon D’aerthe who were involved in the attack. And when she escaped her cruel masters and fled into the labyrinthine tunnels of the Underdark, she stumbled out onto the surface world and into the protective embrace of a coven of Eilistraee’s worshippers.
If things had been different, Aelistae knows, she would be dead or worse, an unfeeling creature bound to serve the Spider Queen. As it is Aelistae was freed by Eilistraee’s liberating message: that the drow can re-write their fate and live once more under the stars.
Unfortunately Aelistae has found that the path of the Dark Maiden is not an easy one to follow. She spent six decades on the surface in Cormanthor and in the Promenade beneath Waterdeep and rose to become a trusted Blade Sister of Eilistraee. She was also prepared and instructed in the ways of the surface races so that she could walk among them when her time to leave the sanctuaries of the Elistraeean came. Since she has left to make her own way, however, the reaction of surface races to her has not been what she hoped. Aelistae has been attacked by humans she tried to help and spat upon by elves who are slow to forget the crimes of her race.
Recently Aelistae entered the war-torn lands of Tethyr, hoping there that she will find some who will look past the colour of her skin. Time alone will tell if she succeeds.
Appearance:
Drow females are bred for their beauty, strength and intelligence, and Aelistae is no different. Wide, nocturnal eyes are framed below narrow tufts of stark white hair. The angular beauty of her face, tapers to lush, dark-red lips. Her skin is the colour of midnight shadow, and the moonlight silver of her hair trails down from the crown of her head to the bottom of her back.
When expecting battle Aelistae is clad in black chain mail that rattles over form-fitting black leathers. She carries a large sword and bow much as any drow warrior would. The only thing that would separate her from her evil kin is the broach she wears of a naked, drow female dancing before a full moon.
When relaxing, or in private, Aelistae would prefer to wander around free of all clothes if she could. In respect of the modesty of other races, though, she often wears a silvery, diaphanous gown.
Posted on 2008-02-03 at 10:24:59.
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Topic: Star Trek: Cerberus Recruitment
Subject: I'm still here
Well I'm still here. But if other senior officer types are busy at the moment, there's not much posting that anyone can do.
I'm sure things will kick off again in the future.
Posted on 2008-02-01 at 14:40:56.
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Topic: Forgotten Realms: Kaelyn Style~Recruitment Thread
Subject: Don't be silly
Personally I like rocking boats, and I don't think anyone bears a grudge against you.
In fact I for one am really looking forward to playing with you!
On another note, apparently Eilistraeen drow aren't as rare as people may think. I just read a lengthy treatise by Ed Greenwood (the creator of FR) on Eilistraee and he stated that 10-12% of all drow on Faerun worshipped the Dark Maiden. That is a lot more than I thought! My guess would be though that the majority of those are folk who worship her in secret while 'towing the party line' in cities such as Menzoberranzen.
Posted on 2008-02-01 at 14:38:50.
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Topic: Evil Campaign
Subject: I kind of agree
I kind of agree, but then why just do away with the alignment issue?
I have played in two evil campaigns before, and one worked whereas the other didn't. The first involved me playing a NE assassin type, and she made friends/enemies just like any other player. The only problem with her was that it just got a bit dull playing a stereotype. There's only so much slaughter and carnage you can wreak before becoming a bit apathetic. 
The second was on rdinn a number of years ago. Yanamari ran a game called Wardrums in Sendria. It worked, I think, because no one really saw themselves as 'evil' for the sake of being 'evil'.
Posted on 2008-02-01 at 12:09:30.
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Topic: D&D 4.0 Discussion
Subject: Meh, I was wrong
Looking back on what I wrote a while ago, I'm astounded at how wrong I was.
I love FR and after reading what's being done to that setting just so it fits with 'core' 4th ed material, makes me sick. (mass-purging of gods, npcs, and whole regions of Faerun)
I used to think that 4th ed. was all about Hasbro trying to fleece the consumer for more cash. What I've concluded now, however, is that they're trying to compete with MMORPGs and have concluded that the only way of doing so is by simplifying everything. It really is disheartening. 
Posted on 2008-01-31 at 15:00:24.
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Topic: Forgotten Realms: Kaelyn Style~Recruitment Thread
Subject: Slight error I think
I just looked at it briefly Dev, but I think you've made a slight error with your stats. An intelligence of 19 gives a +4 mod. not +5, and a charisma of 17 gives +3 and not +4.
Posted on 2008-01-31 at 14:51:25.
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Topic: Forgotten Realms: Kaelyn Style~Recruitment Thread
Subject: As an aside...
I'm not sure if any of you are aware of this but FR is being re-jigged a lot for 4th ed. If any of you are interested in learning more I can post up a link to an FR community forum (where many FR novelists etc post).
Posted on 2008-01-31 at 13:07:38.
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Topic: Forgotten Realms: Kaelyn Style~Recruitment Thread
Subject: Goodie
I look forward to it starting. 
Posted on 2008-01-31 at 10:30:19.
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Topic: Forgotten Realms: Kaelyn Style~Recruitment Thread
Subject: About my earlier post
Sorry Kaelyn, I didn't mean to step on your toes with my earlier post.
Posted on 2008-01-30 at 20:20:58.
Edited on 2008-01-30 at 21:13:45 by Ginafae
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Topic: Oblivion IV: The Elder Scrolls
Subject: Mass Effect
I played Mass Effect recently and the only thing I can say is wow. Playing it is a wonderfully cinematic experience. The visuals are astounding, and the story is awesome.
Posted on 2008-01-30 at 14:05:47.
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Topic: Forgotten Realms: Kaelyn Style~Recruitment Thread
Subject: Hmm...
Well first let me say how pleased I am at the interest that has been shown. I look forward to gaming with you!
Secondly, let me just chip in about the whole race thing. I'm playing a drow character, and although she is good-aligned I'm fully expecting a lot of discrimination towards her based on the colour of her skin. I don't think you should expect people to be more tolerant if you play a member of a race that's normally evil. The reaction should be one of suspicion and hostility, and that can be fun roleplaying-wise.
Oh and something else just came to me. If you do want to play a race that is usually evil, you do need to think about harmony within the PC party. What's acceptable for a CN hobgoblin or bugbear would be abhorrent for a an elf or a human (for instance would a CN hobbo find eating a sentient species bad?).
I don't mean to dissuade you from playing whatever it is you want Jozan, but there's always a lot to think over when playing a monstrous race.
Posted on 2008-01-30 at 08:18:34.
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Topic: Forgotten Realms: Kaelyn Style~Recruitment Thread
Subject: Good to hear
I should have said it before, but welcome to the inn Zonk!
Thanks Kaelyn. I'll send you her sheet and her other details later today.
As for my response to your prompt, here it is:
The blue-black of the shadows merged with the blue-black of her skin until it was impossible to know where the darkness ended and she began. She sensed rather than saw the presence of one or more creatures at the edge of the clearing in which she sat, but if she was worried by them she did not show it. Instead the drow elf sat with her legs crossed beneath her, gazing longingly at the night sky.
And then it happened.
The clouds parted, and the silvery light of the moon spilled forth onto Toril and onto Aelistae.
She smiled. Her Goddess was with her.
Posted on 2008-01-27 at 11:37:46.
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Topic: Forgotten Realms: Kaelyn Style~Recruitment Thread
Subject: Ooh...
Ooh, I'd love to join in. I love all things FR, and much like yourself I'm really disappointed at the fact our other game seems to have fallen apart.
If it's fine with you, I'd like to get a chance to actually play Aelistae (my character in the other game). I hate to abandon characters that I've just created and haven't had a chance to explore and play with.
If you'd rather a new character, though, I can create another.
I'll post a reply to your prompt when I'm a little less tired (and drunk)...
Posted on 2008-01-26 at 22:46:07.
Edited on 2008-01-26 at 22:50:33 by Ginafae
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Topic: D&D 4.0 Discussion
Subject: Yep shame about the gnomes...
Well I think everyone agrees that the default campaign world that the core 4th ed books are referencing is odd.
But let's also remember that this information can all be ignored by anyone running/playing a campaign using 4th ed. rules (since they are bound to be supplementary books containing info. on absent races). What matters far more is how the 4th ed game mechanics actually work.
Posted on 2008-01-14 at 08:29:56.
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Topic: D&D 4.0 Discussion
Subject: Not too thrilled either, but...
I've already posted something before about the fact that I'm not thrilled at the prospect of a 4th ed. so soon. But then again I wasn't too thrilled when 3rd ed came out either. So I'm content to wait and see what emerges.
I do have to say though that 'swamp halflings' sound ridiculous. Any bets that Wizard will soon incorporate 'garden gnomes'? 
Posted on 2008-01-09 at 16:46:18.
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Topic: D&D 4.0 Discussion
Subject: I wouldn't mind hearing more
To those who are more in the loop than I am, I wouldn't hearing some more about 4th ed.
Posted on 2008-01-09 at 14:36:20.
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Topic: Thinking of starting a new 3.5 campaign, looking for 4-5 players
Subject: *shrugs*
Well if you padded up your bra a little, you could pass for a bearded dwarf lady...
Oh darn, I'm going to get smitten. *sighs* Well it had to be said. 
Posted on 2008-01-09 at 14:32:37.
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Topic: Underdark
Subject: The joy of being drow
In the years Aelistae had spent on the surface she had overheard many tales of the Underdark told to children who, in their parents’ eyes, had foolishly befriended a drow. If those stories were to be believed deadly dark elves, brutal duergar and horrific illithids stalked endlessly along narrow, lightless passages deep within the earth. Aelistae knew different. The Underdark was dangerous, but the reason it was so was that every creature in its depths was overwhelmed by fear of the unknown and so desperately sought out some cave or tunnel it could call its own. Whole battles were fought over small ponds or narrow ridges that held little worth other than that some creature made its home there.
As Aelistae heard Dusk’s description of of the gorge ahead, and of the orcish duo that were on the far side of the deep expanse, it seemed to her that history was going to repeat itself. It was unlikely that the orcs were guarding anything of worth beyond the bridge, but she knew they would die protecting it nonetheless.
“Dusk wait!” she whispered urgently in her accented Common. “Do not cross the bridge yet. If one of the orcs cuts the bindings on the bridge you’ll be lost to us. Come back here for a moment before you go across. There’s a trick common to my people that I can perform. It will cause a dark cloud to fall about you wherever you move, and will blind all creatures near you. When you want the cloud to disappear just place the token I will give you in your pocket.”
“It will hopefully enable us to cross the bridge, while the orcs are still confused,” she added to Dusk and to those around her.
[OOC: If there are no objections to Aelistae’s plan]
Aelistae placed her crossbow by her side, and drew forth a single copper coin. A brief glance at the coin was all it took for the whole room to be bathed in an inky, impenetrable darkness. And a slow tightening of her gloves hand around the coin was all it took for the globe of blackness around her to disappear.
OOC: Unless anyone objects, Aelistae will cast Darkness upon the coin and then hand it to Dusk. She’ll follow the rogue into the cavern until she can see the forms of the orcs on the other side. She’ll then wait there until the dark cloud emerges over the orcs, and then start heading across the bridge.
Posted on 2008-01-04 at 16:52:35.
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Topic: New Years Resolutions
Subject: Juggling
I used to juggle quite a bit a few years ago. (I could manage 5 balls, a few tricks and some clubs).
In my experience it's a bad idea to start with scarves. You should just find three well weighted balls and practice the basic technique until you can manage 6 catches. Then after that you should try juggling two balls in one hand. I'm not sure if it improves your co-ordination or just refines it, but it is fun to do.
Now for my New Year's Resolution...I promise not to make one since I always break them.
Happy New Year everyone!
Posted on 2008-01-01 at 08:27:00.
Edited on 2008-01-01 at 17:35:17 by Ginafae
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Topic: Underdark
Subject: Ready to skewer some orcs
Aelistae knew that there would have been nothing to fear from the Orcs had she been with her Sisters. Many times evil creatures had strayed onto glades and hillocks held scared by the Lady of the Dance, only to be slain by her followers before they could even draw their weapons in defence. All Elistraeen were instructed in how to kill swiftly and silently. Their movements were co-ordinated in the silent hand language of the drow, and their blades fell upon the throats of their enemies to ensure no words of alarm could ever be spoken.
Aelistae did not feel quite so confident in her present company. Dusk had rightly scampered off to scout ahead, but, to Aelistae’s eyes, his half-ogre friend did not seem quite so capable. His sheer girth ensured that each step he took rang in an echo off of the stone, and his boasts of how many he would kill sat uncomfortably with the drow.
‘Well I suppose ogres are not exactly known for their subtlety,’ she thought to herself with a shrug.
At that moment, the portal sprang open once more and an elvish woman emerged from it. She was pretty in her way, and her hair was almost as light as her own. But as her eyes fell upon Aelistae, she caught the flash of concern at noting the colour of her skin.
“Mae Govannen Velkyn,” she whispered in Elvish to the woman, shortly after Rothror’s rude dismissal of the elf. “My name is Aelistae. I can assure you I mean you no harm, despite the colour of my skin. I wish I had time to win your trust, but there is none. There are Orcs in the tunnels ahead, and we may be in battle sooner than I’d hope.”
A soft buzzing in Aelistae’s ears stole her attention, and it suddenly seemed as if she could hear the breathing of Confundus and Dusk.
“That’s some spell,” she whispered to Confundus with a smile, even as she sheathed her sword and drew out her crossbow.
“Dusk this is Aelistae. What do you see?”
OOC: Aelistae’s words to Velkyn are in Elvish (hence the italics there).
Aelistae will draw and load her crossbow while she waits for Dusk to report back. If she has to fight she'd prefer to kill/wound one from range before having to close into melee.
Posted on 2007-12-31 at 20:59:48.
Edited on 2007-12-31 at 21:06:53 by Ginafae
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Topic: Underdark
Subject: Did you hear the one about the Human, Gnome and Ogre?
The portal shimmered open three times, and each time the figure that came through seemed more exotic than the last. First came a huge figure that had the gait of a man but who bore the tusks and leathery skin of an ogre. Second came a gnome – a svirfneblin no less – whose cheery greeting showed that he bore no ill will to Aelistae, even though he seemed to recognize her as drow. Finally there came a human whose skin was almost as dark as her own, whose words were honeyed but whose eyes betrayed his intentions.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you all,” Aelistae said in Common, after Dusk’s hungry eyes finally turned to regard another. “My name is Aelistae, as I earlier said to...to Rothror,” she added, carefully pronouncing the syllables of the strange-sounding name.
Aelistae heard the exchange between the half-ogre and Dusk, but she bore it no mind as her gaze fell back upon Confundus. Always had the drow warred with the diminutive svirfnebli, and she herself had been witness to the cruelty her kin had inflicted upon the diminutive gnomes. She had seen gnomish children killed with glee upon the alters of Lolth while their parents stood mutely by, their bodies so tortured and paralyzed they could do nothing to prevent it. She had also heard the rumours of how Blingdenstone, the proud city of the deep gnomes, had been finally destroyed by a plague of fiends sent by the drow of Menzoberranzen.
And yet, in spite of all that, Confundus had smiled at her. He had treated Aelistae with more warmth than she or her kin deserved.
A smile played out across her lips as she moved to pat the small gnome on the shoulder. “I hope that one day I can repay the trust you have shown in me.”
The smile quickly faded. Her ears pricked in alarm as they detected low growls and grunts beyond the heavy breathing of her companions.
“Cretok!” she whispered urgently in the language of her people. With a slight hiss she drew her long intricate blade and then pointed further into the darkness. “Orcs!”
Posted on 2007-12-30 at 21:17:16.
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Topic: Star Trek: Operation Persephone
Subject: Awaiting the start of the meeting
Stardate: 2372.09.01
USS Cerberus – Deck 5, Holodeck 2 – 1053 hours
Vaela tapped her fingers impatiently against the PADD she carried in time to the gentle thrum of the turbolift. Unfortunately it didn’t make the lift go any faster and only seemed to irk the ship’s Computer.
=/\= Error. Please restate command. =/\= the Computer huffed as the turbolift shuddered to a halt.
Vaela scowled in response. She had only learnt of the officer’s meeting a few moments before, because she had been busily embroiled in re-aligning one of the Cerberus’ shuttlecraft. What was worse was that the Andorian had also learnt she had been requested to attend a ‘full medical evaluation’ later in the day.
She hated that prospect even more than slow turbolifts. Some years before Vaela had spent six months of her life being prodded, poked and scanned by Starfleet medics and ever since then she had strived to avoid medical examinations whenever she could. Sadly playing truant did not seem a viable option this time.
“No command was given,” Vaela commented with a sigh to the Computer. “Resume journey to the original destination.”
The Computer chimed its accord, and continued its laborious assent.
USS Cerberus – Deck 2, Conference Room – 1057 hours
Vaela’s antennae twitched as she walked into the stoney silence of the Conference Room. The men and women in attendance at the meeting all seemed to sit primly in their chairs, afraid to even look at their nearest neighbours.
‘How very human,’ the Andorian thought dryly, as she walked across to the far side of the room and selected an empty chair upon which to sit.
“Hello there,” she remarked to those sitting near her, if only to break the ice.
Posted on 2007-12-29 at 19:56:02.
Edited on 2008-01-03 at 08:05:51 by Ginafae
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Topic: Underdark
Subject: Home sweet home
The portal seemed alive when Aelistae stepped through it. Its silvery surface rippled when her fingers brushed against it. The portal drew her in further when she hesitated. And it swallowed her whole when she finally stepped through, until all she could feel was the portal, and all she could see was the portal.
Then it was gone.
Aelistae could sense the ominous weight rock above her head and the brooding dark around her. Her eyes opened slightly and the monotone details of unworked stone and narrow tunnels deep under the surface of Toril confirmed what she already knew.
“Welcome to the Underdark,” she whispered quietly, afraid to disturb the quiet stillness of the place. “Back in the place of my birth.”
She took no comfort from that fact. If anything she felt a sense of loss. The happy chirp of birdsong and the soft light of the moon and stars had no place in the Underdark. Instead the only sound was provided by the drip-drip of water and the only light by the eerie glow of strange fungi.
Yet in spite of all that a determined look set over Aelistae’s face. She knew that her Goddess had set her upon this path, and she was determined to see it through.
She adjusted her cloak until it hung looser over her and left uncovered the black chainmail and black leathers she wore. It had been a full six decades since Aelistae had last travelled here but she remembered its dangers, and she wanted to ensure a weapon would be within easy reach.
A sudden sound sent her reaching for the hilt of a finely worked sword. But it was only the portal spitting out another morsel into the dark tunnel in which she stood.
Aelistae relaxed and even forced a smile, as she dipped her head in greeting.
“Well met,” she added in the common tongue of the surface world, “My name is Aelistae.”
OOC: Feel free to reply anyone
Posted on 2007-12-29 at 15:26:40.
Edited on 2007-12-30 at 15:10:09 by Ginafae
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