cRPG

Strategus => Diplomacy => Topic started by: WITCHCRAFT on January 26, 2013, 07:41:37 am

Title: The Strands of Fate Unravel before Thee!
Post by: WITCHCRAFT on January 26, 2013, 07:41:37 am
As you enter the town center of New Ambean, you notice a derelict blacksmith's shop. all windows are boarded over, and the sickly sweet smell of burning frankincense and juniper branches hangs in the air. When you open the door a small gust of air exhales from the building. There is a strange buzzing coming from inside, as if an impossibly large nest of hornets had made the shop its home.

A human figure lies near the coals of a dieing fire, and you can barely make out their attire. A veil of beads covers the figure's face, forming the image of a blue and white eye. When they begin to speak, your ears ring.

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"I CAN SEE WHAT FATE DENIES OF YOUR SIGHT. COME CLOSER AND UNRAVEL REALITY. EVERYTHING COMES APART IF YOU FIND THE STRAND. ALL IT TAKES IS A HAND. ALL IT TAKES IS A HAND."

You begin to feel dizzy and sit down. The deed is done. The ritual is begun.

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edit: if you are a follower of the faith, steer away. My practices are ruled as unclean and horrid in the eyes of the holy triad. The Horned Matron keeps watch over this land, and only those who pay heed to the speech of stones may hear the truth.
Title: Re: The Strands of Fate Unravel before Thee!
Post by: BASNAK on January 26, 2013, 01:47:41 pm
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Title: Re: The Strands of Fate Unravel before Thee!
Post by: Sir_Mahtin on January 26, 2013, 02:16:46 pm
Love your creepy diplomacy topics.
Title: Re: The Strands of Fate Unravel before Thee!
Post by: Kelugarn on January 26, 2013, 10:39:32 pm
Do not fear the unseen my brothers, for we are all beloved children in her eyes. Come now, she calls. She calls us!

Mother!
Title: Re: The Strands of Fate Unravel before Thee!
Post by: Tears of Destiny on January 27, 2013, 03:45:54 am
I can't believe you made a thread about me.
Title: Re: The Strands of Fate Unravel before Thee!
Post by: Fringe on January 27, 2013, 03:55:25 am
I'm scared to look at that devil to long. Afraid it's going to do something  :cry:
Title: Re: The Strands of Fate Unravel before Thee!
Post by: Tears of Destiny on January 27, 2013, 06:53:12 am
Your Hopes:
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Your Fears:
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Your Past:
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Title: Re: The Strands of Fate Unravel before Thee!
Post by: WITCHCRAFT on February 02, 2013, 05:17:52 am
Your Hopes:
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Your Fears:
(click to show/hide)

Your Past:
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AWWW, HERE IT GO! THROWIN DOWN THAT DECK AND READING THE INSCRUTABLE SCRIPT WRITTEN UPON THE THREADS AND FIBERS OF REALITY. BY WARP AND WEFT MY EYE TRAVELS, PEERING THROUGH, BEYOND AND AROUND THE EDGES OF THAT WHICH MORTAL EYES MAY SEE. YOUR DESTINY UNFOLDS!

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CARD 1: Your general environment, that which influences all other things. A background to the rest of the reading.
DRAWN: SIX OF PENTACLES
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A merchant weighs money on a scale, and spreads his riches to the needy and unfortunate. This card belies an air of prosperity and goodwill. Ever upward. Now is the time!

CARD 2: Your obstacles. That which lies before you.
DRAWN: THREE OF SWORDS
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Three blades pierce a heart. A mighty storm looms in the background. You face the threat of diaspora, or shattering of friendships and alliances.  Your means of prosperity and mirth may be ruptured and cut off by an enemy.

CARD 3: Your ideal situation - the best possible future you can achieve.
DRAWN: ACE OF WANDS
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A hand issues from a cloud. It grasps a mighty stave. Your best outcome is one of creation, beginning or birth of a new paradigm. The coming-into-being of something in the near future could fulfill all that you wish for, and more.

CARD 4: Your distant past - what brought you to where you are.
DRAWN: PAGE OF CUPS
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A fair and slightly effeminate young page holds a cup. A fish rises from the cup and meets his gaze. A fair young man impelled you to offer your service in arms (?) or brought you news that struck you with such clamor that you were forced into action (???)

CARD 5: Recent past events. The current which is becoming the past.
DRAWN: MAJOR ARCANA VIII - STRENGTH (REVERSED)
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A woman calmly grapples a lion by the jaws, dominating the beast. A lemniscate halo hangs over the woman's head. Abuse of power, weakness of leadership, or meaningless discord and strife among comrades has upset you. Infighting and name-calling will taper out to acceptance of one another.

CARD 6: Near future influence - that which is just around the corner.
DRAWN: FOUR OF WANDS
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Four staves are laid into the ground and furnished with garlands of lush greenery. In the background, two females raise nosegays in celebration. Your future holds a peaceful state of repose and relaxation. There is an air of the simple life.

CARD 7: You, yourself.
DRAWN: TWO OF WANDS (REVERSED)
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A man looks upon a body of water and shoreline. He holds a globe in one hand and a stave in the other. A rose, a cross, and a lily are prominent features of the image. You are awestruck by a recent revelation. Fear may be the result of thinking too much about this new topic - focus too hard and you will begin to see only the downsides, the worst possible situations.

CARD 8: Your house. The people with who you stand.
DRAWN: THREE OF WANDS
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A calm and regal man watches ships passing in the sea. Three staves are planted in the ground. Your house holds the means for a discovery that will improve your commerce and enterprise. That which your lot do can be done better - and you guys have the means to make this happen!

CARD 9: Your hopes and fears.
FIVE OF CUPS (REVERSED)
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A dark, cloaked man looks at three fallen cups. Two stand behind him. There is a bridge in the background. You hope for news of an alliance or a return to earlier (and "better" in your opinion) times. Your worst fear is the failure of a great project that looms on the horizon.

CARD 10: That which is to come. Your future and destiny.
DRAWN: KING OF SWORDS
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The king sits in judgement, holding the namesake of his suit. In your future lies power, authority, and respect for your military intelligence. All these things combine to give you the meaningful and weighted judgement of a king. Your words shall decree, and so shall it be.



Bonus Round: Here is my personal recommendation of spirit to call upon. Unless you are a seasoned caller of outer realm beings yourself, hire a trained summoner. You can suffer punishments worse than death of you perform such things improperly. Suggestions and processes drawn from the Lemegeton Clavicula Salomonis Regis (Lesser Key of Solomon).

SPIRIT RECOMMENDATION: VALEFOR, DUKE OF HELL

-tempts others to steal
-improves your relationships amongst thieves
-commands 10 legions of demons
-will probably try to lure you into being caught thieving (be careful!)

He appeareth in the form a lion with the head of a man. No conjurer is able to command Valefor to change his form to that of a human in whole.

SEAL OF VALEFOR
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Only get this seal engraved into an amulet or ring AFTER achieving safe contact with the spirit. Any dabbling you do into the black arts is done at your own risk. Good fortune be upon you, traveller!

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Title: Re: The Strands of Fate Unravel before Thee!
Post by: ArysOakheart on February 02, 2013, 05:25:22 am
Woah

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Title: Re: The Strands of Fate Unravel before Thee!
Post by: Commodore_Axephante on February 02, 2013, 06:03:30 am
Hot_Elf_Princess, soothsayer, oracle, candle-in-the-dark, I avert my eyes in fear and awe of the grim tools you wield and work. Yours is my kind of nerditude. Here, in full view of the CRPG community, you RP. And you do so fearlessly, in spite of the dick-swinging, rage-hopped adolescents that populate these smut-laced halls. They're more likely to type "cool story bro" than finish reading your first sentence, but you don't fear them, because you're a really talented storyteller. Far braver than I.

I salute you with every gesture of respect my short life has taught me. Keep flavoring these boards with your dark salts. You're my hero.


PS: Can you get the same card more than once? Because I'm only personally interested if there is a chance of my getting the King of Swords every time.
Title: Re: The Strands of Fate Unravel before Thee!
Post by: WITCHCRAFT on February 02, 2013, 07:27:49 pm
PS: Can you get the same card more than once? Because I'm only personally interested if there is a chance of my getting the King of Swords every time.

No, there is only one of each card in a deck. But even if you had the same card for all 10, the interpretations of that card will be wildly different depending on the person you are reading for and the location of the card on the celctic cross. You can also play regular old card games with a tarot deck (not like poker, but tarot cards originated as deck for playing, and there are plenty of games to pick from). My friends that are usually up for rummy or pocket change blackjack won't touch them though. It's as if they think tarot cards are SPOOKY AND HAUNTED WITH SPIRITS LIKE A OUIJA BOARD. THIS ONE TIME THE COUSIN OF A FRIEND OF A FRIEND USED A WEEGEE BOARD AND THEN HER HOUSE BURNED DOWN THE NEXT DAY. IF YOU TOUCH IT YOU WILL GO TO HELL. They are just mundane cards. They aren't powered by the occult or the moon's rays or Satan's bargain for your soul.  :)

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Title: Re: The Strands of Fate Unravel before Thee!
Post by: Bjord on February 02, 2013, 07:47:48 pm
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Title: Re: The Strands of Fate Unravel before Thee!
Post by: Commodore_Axephante on February 02, 2013, 10:00:33 pm
They aren't powered by the occult or the moon's rays or Satan's bargain for your soul.  :)

Aww come on, not even one of those?
Title: Re: The Strands of Fate Unravel before Thee!
Post by: WITCHCRAFT on February 16, 2013, 05:02:31 am
Woah

The eye single sees what the eye double cannot! VISION GROWS MILKY, THEN EYES ROT! Your fortune lies splayed, like hunting prey bayed and slayed! HEED THE CALL OF THE WITCH!

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CARD 1: Your general environment, that which influences all other things. A background to the rest of the reading.
DRAWN: TEN OF SWORDS
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A man lies prostrate, victim to all ten swords this card holds. Beware traitors, backstabbers, and those who leech from your giving hand! Your lands shall lie bare and devoid of fruit! Desolation and sadness hang above thee!

CARD 2: Your obstacles. That which lies before you.
DRAWN: KNIGHT OF PENTALCES
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The knight rides a slow and enduring black horse. This corresponds to his own manner. You are laden by a need to give service. Not by force, but by virtue of the utility you and your people provide. Offers made to you might be "do or die" situations. You are provided false options, but have no choice but to comply or perish.

CARD 3: Your ideal situation - the best possible future you can achieve.
DRAWN: NINE OF CUPS
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A nobleman sits in mirth; behind him lie nine full cups of spirit. Concordence, victory, and tactical advantage lie beyond the next hill. True satisfaction can be had if you and your people put their best foot forward!

CARD 4: Your distant past - what brought you to where you are.
DRAWN: KING OF PENTALCES (REVERSED)
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The king lies in verdant rot, his robe overtaken by greenery. His dark face suggest courage but also lethargy. His throne carries the symbol of a bull's head. Vice, weakness, and corruption have strangled your past. By a hand not your own, your wealth has been choked and harvested too early.

CARD 5: Recent past events. The current which is becoming the past.
DRAWN: TWO OF CUPS (REVERSED)
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A young male and female pledge oaths to one another. Above them rises the cadecus of Hermes, the god of speed and health. False alliance, foolish relations, or misunderstandings between parties have hindered you, but this will soon end.

CARD 6: Near future influence - that which is just around the corner.
DRAWN: THREE OF CUPS (REVERSED)
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Three maidens celebrate in a garden, cups lifted. They pledge to one another. Matters at hand shall come to a conclusion.

CARD 7: You, yourself.
DRAWN: ACE OF PENTACLES
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A heavenly hand comes forth from a cloud, holding a pentacle. You exude an aura of contentment and felicity. Others around you have their day brightened by your presence. Your quick wit makes fast friends, the beginnings of important alliances.

CARD 8: Your house. The people with who you stand.
DRAWN: TEN OF CUPS
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A full family celebrates beneath a heavenly rainbow bearing ten cups. Your land is peopled by those who seek repose and are content with their lot in life. Stirring them to action may take effort, but they are good at heart.

CARD 9: Your hopes and fears.
PAGE OF WANDS (REVERSED)
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A young man appears in the desert, as if upon a journey. His stance exudes proclamation, a claiming of strange sorts.  His decree is mysterious and unknown. Misleading and false news could put you and your allies into doubt. Beware indecision and lethargy brought on by rumors.

CARD 10: That which is to come. Your future and destiny.
DRAWN: KING OF CUPS
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The king holds a short scepter in one hand, and a great cup in the other. His throne is set upon the sea, with a merchant ship to one side and a leviathan to the other. The element of water looms high over this card. A fair, responsible man will come to your aid. He will be oblidged to offer his service to you. His expertise in law and art will provide creative insight to your future obstacles.


BONUS ROUND:

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ALLOW NOT THE VILE BLACK HOUNDS INTO THY COURT. THEY DESPOIL ALL THAT THEY TOUCH. THE PAWS OF THESE CURS REAP NO REWARD. ONLY SORROW CAN BE FOUND IN THEIR TEETH.
Title: Re: The Strands of Fate Unravel before Thee!
Post by: WITCHCRAFT on February 16, 2013, 07:04:08 am
Proper tarot readings are like using an Alethiometer (http://hdm.wikia.com/wiki/Alethiometer) from the His Dark Materials series of books (you know, The Golden Compass? the books are better than the movie by legions, even as an adult they are worth reading despite being "young adult fiction" if you enjoy fantasy books). Every card drawn has manifold meanings, and their purpose depends completely upon the information you have on your reading target. It's like writing a god damn college essay, but with less words and more thought.
Title: Re: The Strands of Fate Unravel before Thee!
Post by: partyboy on February 16, 2013, 07:47:09 am
This thread rules so fucking much
Title: Re: The Strands of Fate Unravel before Thee!
Post by: WITCHCRAFT on February 17, 2013, 06:02:33 am
None else requires their mortal thread guided through the needle's eye? Naught a soul wishes for their fate to be displayed upon a pedestal?
Title: Re: The Strands of Fate Unravel before Thee!
Post by: Commodore_Axephante on February 17, 2013, 07:14:32 am
I'm getting ready! Gotta have the right questions - - who knows who, or what, is listening?

EDIT: I mean answers to your questions, of course.
Title: Re: The Strands of Fate Unravel before Thee!
Post by: Malaclypse on February 17, 2013, 07:31:28 am
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Title: Re: The Strands of Fate Unravel before Thee!
Post by: Commodore_Axephante on February 17, 2013, 03:42:55 pm
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North of Ambean where the woodslands met the river, the daylight was failing. There, the one known only as the Naked Fanatic sat squatting, hunched, his fists holding his weight amongst tufts of gray grasses, cold and rough against his skin. Beneath his gaze were signs of struggle; mosses torn from place by the raking of frantic, sharp hooves, revealing the black clay beneath where shocks of bloody fur had been stomped in and held. Here, a kill had taken place. But this was not wolf-work, he knew; A lifetime of stalking those war-dogs of Odin had taught him as much. No, something else had been hunting beneath those gnarled trees. Something he had never seen. Something he had, his heart told him, always tried not to.

Groaning against his will, as if some deep piece of him ached against the act, he cut the blood-soaked clay with his knife. His field-knife, handled with the shinbone of a young horseman he had downed and beheaded on the outskirts of Mit Nun, while battle screamed and raged just over the hill. Now, its blade drew the symbol he had been shown - a circle of runes, not unlike those his father had once tried to teach him, those half-lost memories tempering the quickening of his heart.

The deed was done. Now, he needed only wait.

And so he waited, there, until darkness overcame him. Until the foxfire opened its eyes about him, casting strange shadows-upon-shadows with its eldrich green glow. Until something began to move across those points of weeping light. Pacing. Circling him. Chilling his bare skin like the breath of winter.


My hopes:
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My fears:
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My past:
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(Edited to reflect the change in clan, though my faction remains the same, so the same statements are still true.)
Title: Re: The Strands of Fate Unravel before Thee!
Post by: WITCHCRAFT on March 10, 2013, 07:52:56 am
words

On strange winds travel the unseen words. On stranger winds yet, travel the messengers of fate. Answers brought to you from beyond this mortal plane, the palest of hands hold answers that drive mortals insane! Night eyes staring intently! At YOU!

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CARD 1: Your general environment, that which influences all other things. A background to the rest of the reading.
DRAWN: MAJOR ARCANA IV: THE LOVERS (REVERSED)
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The primordial man and woman stand in the garden of paradise. An angelic messenger descends upon them. A foul smoke reeking of foolish ambition lies over your head! Beware false pretenses in all facets of your life! Be not deceived by the helping hand of a dark-eyed lover!

CARD 2: Your obstacles. That which lies before you.
DRAWN: SEVEN OF WANDS
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A young man stands near a cliff's edge. He fights with valor, but it is not known whether he is practicing at six posts, or fending off 6 attackers from below. Your obstacles are below you, for you have the high ground. In both strife of words and feats of strength, you stand above that which opposes you. Success awaits!

CARD 3: Your ideal situation - the best possible future you can achieve.
DRAWN: KNIGHT OF SWORDS (REVERSED)
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The knight charges forth at full speed! His demeanor gives the impression that his enemies are routed, and the battle is already won. Even as enemies scoff at your extravagance, they are trampled underfoot. Unbeleivers will be made to see your way by force of arms.

CARD 4: Your distant past - what brought you to where you are.
DRAWN: MAJOR ARCANA XIV: TEMPERANCE (REVERSED)
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An angel stands at the edge of a sacred river, pouring holy water from one cup to the next. With a gentle face, the angel radiates peace of mind. Unfortunate pairings or competing interests have removed you from your former allies. A holy sect may have extradited you from your homelands (???)

CARD 5: Recent past events. The current which is becoming the past.
DRAWN: ACE OF CUPS
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A hand issues from a cloud, holding a massive chalice. A dove bearing a cross-marked wafer of The Host descends upon the chalice, which likewise issues four spouts of water unto a body of water rife with water lillies. You have come upon a fertile abode which provides all you can wish for. This place will nourish your mind and body, providing joy and contentment.

CARD 6: Near future influence - that which is just around the corner.
DRAWN: MAJOR ARCANA III: THE EMPRESS
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The empress sits upon a red throne, with field ready for harvest in front and sprawling woods behind. Her crown bears twelve stars, and her robe's textile is that of the rose. Initiative and the want for action lie ahead. When you face the difficulty of the unknown, look to the shadows. Clandestine actions loom unseen.

CARD 7: You, yourself.
DRAWN: PAGE OF SWORDS
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A lithe and agile page holds a sword in two hands, while walking swiftly. He travels along a windswept coast. You are quick on your feet and observant. These skills would suit you well as a marquis (lord of the borderlands, one who marches vigilantly and oversees the edge of your lord's rule).

CARD 8: Your house. The people with who you stand.
DRAWN: KING OF WANDS
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The king sits impassioned and ardent, holding his flowering wand. His throne bears the mark of the lion. Your allies are friendly, honest, and conscientious. They are brave of heart, but may be troubled by dark thoughts.

CARD 9: Your hopes and fears.
DRAWN: NINE OF PENTACLES (REVERSED)
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A woman, with bird perched upon her wrist, stands within a garden grown over with grapevines. Her manor lies in the distance. Someone has deceived you! Beware false faith! Your flakey ally may void the efforts of a grand project!

CARD 10: That which is to come. Your future and destiny.
DRAWN: FIVE OF SWORDS (REVERSED)
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A man of bad humor looks upon two dejected enemies or duelists, who have dropped their weapons. He himselfs holds three blades. This man has won a battle with odds against his favor - without spilling blood. Your enemy seeks not only your destruction, but to defame and dishonor you. Choose your fights, for your foes stand ready to bury you and your honor.

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Title: Re: The Strands of Fate Unravel before Thee!
Post by: kinngrimm on March 10, 2013, 06:50:53 pm
I bow before your skill in the arts and accept your wording

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