Esquestria: The House of the Sun - A pony cultist experience

Voted best in category in the Users' Choice awards.
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Dear reader! Whether you are new here, archive-reading and whatnot, or you are already someone who has been with us for quite a while, I would like to say a few words that I believe are best kept close to mind.

-This is an MLP quest. And more importantly, none of us are gratuitously cruel. So good things will happen on this quest, and I hope that enough good things have already happened to prove that.
-This is also a horror quest, so bad things will happen. Bad things might happen to good characters if you are not able to protect them, and you most certainly will not be able to intervene if you lack the tools to do so.
-And finally, this is a quest in which you jostle with powers greater than yourself, with all that it entails.

Please, do keep those things in mind as you go forward. But ultimately, this is also a quest in which it is hoped we all have fun! So if any of the above points is not exactly your cup of tea, or somehow make the experience as a whole "not worth it", then this quest might not be for you. Which is fine! Individual tastes are a thing, so don't think any more about it if you don't want to read anymore. And regardless, I hope you have a lovely day!

Kaelor said:
PSA for whoever needs to hear it:

Readers should take their own mental health into consideration when voting and not subject themselves to triggering narrative elements like rape or constant mental torture of a friend just for the Greatest Good of a world that doesn't exist.

If those are fine for you or Regrettable is even more triggering, then GREAT! More power to you. But you aren't a bad or selfish person for picking the option that keeps the characters you've emotionally connected with safe. [REDACTED for spoiler warning]

This is a high intensity quest that doesn't hold back when it comes to horror and negative consequences. Take care of yourself.
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(Quote slightly edited to avoid spoilers)
 
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Iustus Vitae said:
If it's a matter of combat effectiveness then just using the Marinette action to guard is significantly better then getting fear removed for one.
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But its also ony effective for one turn. IotH is permanently.

Pittauro said:
...I should have gone with that excuse! :jackiechan:


Is it too late to edit everything and pretend that was always what I meant?
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You mean edit to make clear you mean "expedition" as "Baldomare walks around searching a 3 circle place for us", right?
 
Toboe said:
You mean edit to make clear you mean "expedition" as "Baldomare walks around searching a 3 circle place for us", right?
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you really think Baldomare will "walk around searching"?

I sort of expect us to go to her and she'll go nat 100 "oh, sure. You can use that one forest glade 3.7 km to the southeast, just after the old dead tree" or something.


150 is supposed to be in the tier of "impossible for a mortal", so I wonder what she'd find with a roll like that or beyond. She IS rolling +80...

maybe she'll just know of a secret tunnel into the buried cult facilities?
 
Pittauro said:
you really think Baldomare will "walk around searching"?

I sort of expect us to go to her and she'll go nat 100 "oh, sure. You can use that one forest glade 3.7 km to the southeast, just after the old dead tree" or something.


150 is supposed to be in the tier of "impossible for a mortal", so I wonder what she'd find with a roll like that or beyond. She IS rolling +80...

maybe she'll just know of a secret tunnel into the buried cult facilities?
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Baldomare: Oh, I know just the place. And I think you do as well!
Velvet: ...it is the cave under Canterlot Castle, isn't it?
Baldomare: IT IS THE CAVE UNDER CANTERLOT CASTLE!
 
Pittauro said:
also expeditions can't be multi-turn. worst case they use more actions. the lenght just means that the participants might have to use more action slots (IF they have more. if they only have one, they only need to use that one)
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Just to be pedantic: Expeditions actually can last multiple turns, but that is only if you fail so many hurdles that you have to spend more actions than were originally intended; in that case, since all AP of the turn are already budgeted, it can take an action from the next turn. That said, it is accurate to say that all expeditions are planned so that they happennin the same month and the number of AP that figure in the expedition tab are how many AP it consumes if the character has multiple AP (though for confudants it feels like the amount of AP they have have more to do with their ability to split their focus in multiple projects rather than how much time they have)
 
[X] Plan: Gotta do that Sacrament NOW v3.
-[X] [AotL] Edge, during the Mansus Action
-[X] [FORGE] Create a Knock 2 Edge 1 Reagent. (45 Bits, Free Action)
-[X] [KNOCK] The Only Way Up
--[X] [KNOCK] Keep going up. You are so very close now. So. Very. Close.
-[X] [DETECTIVES] The dangers in the dark come from outside of Ponykind as well. Listen to the rumors. Study the myths. Look for the threats from without. (Search for Expedition Sites for your later consideration. Additionally, keep an ear on the ground for other "foreign" threats)
-[X] [CONSTABLES] It is less paperwork for you if they just help with the investigations. (NO ACTION from the Constables. GAIN a PERSONAL ACTION for Velvet Covers)
-[X] [COMMISSIONER] Some of the ponies in the Bureau are figureheads. Get to know them better.
--[X] Shining Armor, your Deputy.
-[X] [SOCIAL] [TEACH] Teach Rarity, and make her a Disciple. (Free Action)
-[X] A fleeting opportunity
--[X] Royal. Wedding! Royal. Wedding! Help. Plan. The Royal. Wedding! (Expand, and pick one more item from, the list of Royal Wedding opportunities)
--[X] Velvet Pride, your upstart younger brother, seems to be heartbroken. Or so the gossip goes. If you take the initiative to talk to him, you might be able to get closer to him.
-[X] These are the skills that allow you to climb the Mansus
--[X] Attempt, even if foolishly, to untangle the webs of the Secret Histories
---[X] Follow Baldomare, towards a place Beyond the Map's Edge (This is an Expedition action) (this costs ONE Baldomare action, ONE Velvet action, and 40 bits)
-[X] [JADE] "You do you." Let her do whatever she wants for once. It might do her some good, both mentally and personally.
-[X] [FLUTTERSHY] Ask her to help us make connections with merchants.
-[X] [RARITY] Focus on your work.
-[X] [STEPPES] There is no guarantee he will be able to help you, but you will write him about… (WRITE IN)
--[X] [STEPPES] Ask for advice about how to bond with your brother
-[X] Jade's house is now adequately clean. Or at least sufficiently presentable for ponies to work on it. You should…
--[X] [SERVANTS] You need a place where you can safely, and discreetly, store items. Use the upper level of her house for it.
--[X] [MAREINETTE] [GUARD] Our Home.
-[] [SELENE] Go play, one last time. (Costs two actions. Goodbye, Selene.)

[X] Plan: Responsible Velvet (Personal Sacrament edition) v2
-[X] [AotL] Lantern, during the Sacrament Action
-[X] [FORGE] Create a Knock 2 Edge 1 Reagent. (45 Bits, Free Action)
-[X] [KNOCK] The Only Way Up
--[X] [KNOCK] Keep going up. You are so very close now. So. Very. Close.
-[X] [DETECTIVES] There are still changelings out there. Hunt them. Look for them, and for the ponies who colluded with them. (One of the chief expectations of the Bureau. Avert a future Catastrophe)
-[X] [CONSTABLES] It is less paperwork for you if they just help with the investigations. (NO ACTION from the Constables. GAIN a PERSONAL ACTION for Velvet Covers)
-[X] [COMMISSIONER] Some of the ponies in the Bureau are figureheads. Get to know them better.
--[X] Shining Armor, your Deputy.
-[X] [SOCIAL] [TEACH] Teach Rarity, and make her a Disciple. (Free Action)
-[X] A fleeting opportunity
--[X] Royal. Wedding! Royal. Wedding! Help. Plan. The Royal. Wedding! (Expand, and pick one more item from, the list of Royal Wedding opportunities)
--[X] Velvet Pride, your upstart younger brother, seems to be heartbroken. Or so the gossip goes. If you take the initiative to talk to him, you might be able to get closer to him.
-[X] [JADE] "You do you." Let her do whatever she wants for once. It might do her some good, both mentally and personally.
-[X] These are the skills that allow you to climb the Mansus.
--[X] Attempt, even if foolishly, to untangle the webs of the Secret Histories
---[X] Investigate your current skills. To try to understand them, if nothing else. (Current progress 0/3)
-[X] [FLUTTERSHY] Ask her to help us make connections with merchants
-[X] [RARITY] Focus on your work.
-[X] [STEPPES] There is no guarantee he will be able to help you, but you will write him about… (WRITE IN)
--[X] [STEPPES] Ask for advice about how to bond with your brother
-[X] Jade's house is now adequately clean. Or at least sufficiently presentable for ponies to work on it. You should…
--[X] [SERVANTS] You need a place where you can safely, and discreetly, store items. Use the upper level of her house for it.
-[X] [MAREINETTE] [Guard] Our home.
-[X] [BALDOMARE] Search for three circle obscure/immediately usable ritual location NOT the Canterlot Expedition.
-[X] [SELENE] Go play, one last time. (Costs two actions. Goodbye, Selene.)

Neglecting the Bureau is bad; and leaving our house open for attacks is even worse??? (Velvet cannot be used for a Guard action)

Is asking Fluttershy to research our Knock 2 Artifact or find a Easy expedition a better use of her time?
 
MrRobot said:
You think it would be frustrating to us? Imagine the poor snek that was that close of her prize. But decided to not proceed futher.
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we were talking about a ritual location, not the key. But if the Key was ACTUALLY in the canterlot caverns it would be BEYOND frustrating!

lurker9875 said:
Neglecting the Bureau is bad; and leaving our house open for attacks is even worse??? (Velvet cannot be used for a Guard action)

Is asking Fluttershy to research our Knock 2 Artifact or find a Easy expedition a better use of her time?
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Neglecting the Bureau is not that bad. Our house is not open (There's Comet, and velvet if she's the target. Presumably they'll attack US over our family, with them being more targets of opportunity than the main aim.

Fluttershy CAN'T be used to research the artifact (only Velvet can research artifacts), and she's not particularly suited to finding stuff (that's usually a SH roll, so Baldomare (+80 total with reroll) and Velvet (...probably slightly under +35 with reroll?) are the best ones at it.

And why would you NOT ask Fluttershy to have Comet guard the house?!
 
Pittauro said:
And why would you NOT ask Fluttershy to have Comet guard the house?!
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Marienette only has a slightly lower bonus than a Windigo, and likely has more Wounds?
We can throw a Wrong Key over if you are worried?

I'm mostly against Marienette doing the IotH until we can get Biedde online here.
Also. Pittauro. Next turn or T20 you doing the Baldomare Sacrament?
 
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[x] Plan Pittauro, All in wedding without key but with expedition.
I'm sold; this one's pretty much got everything I want and is my top choice... I almost don't see the need to approval vote anything else. Thanks @Pittauro!

In fact, I too shall steal this plan! Exact same except bring Rarity along for wedding planning. Reverted the plan after discussion.

[x] Plan Pittauro, but bring Rarity along for wedding planning.
-[X] [AotL] Grail, with Pride
-[X] [FORGE] Create a Knock 2 Edge 1 Reagent. (45 bits, Free Action)
-[X] [KNOCK] The Only Way Up
--[X] [KNOCK] Keep going up. You are so very close now. So. Very. Close.
-[X] [DETECTIVES] There are still changelings out there. Hunt them. Look for them, and for the ponies who colluded with them. (One of the chief expectations of the Bureau. Avert a future Catastrophe)
-[X] [CONSTABLES] It is less paperwork for you if they just help with the investigations. (NO ACTION from the Constables. GAIN a PERSONAL ACTION for Velvet Covers)
-[X] [COMMISSIONER] The Bureau is more than an institution, it is a gathering of dedicated ponies working towards a unified goal. Ingrain yourself with them. (Establish, increase, or salvage the loyalty of the Bureau towards you personally.)
-[X] [SOCIAL] [TEACH] Teach Rarity, and make her a Disciple. (Free Action)
-[X] A fleeting opportunity
--[X] Royal. Wedding! Royal. Wedding! Help. Plan. The Royal. Wedding! (Expand, and pick one more item from, the list of Royal Wedding opportunities)
--[x] "The Royal Wedding is a matter of national security, so of course the Commissioner must be involved. Yes, even on that time she went on a shopping spree with the Princess." (Free action. NEGLECT work at the Lunar Bureau. Expand, and pick one more item from, the list of Royal Wedding opportunities)
--[x]Explore the Mansus. 1 point on Keep going up, and 1 point on Temple of the Wheel Expedition. If we're stuck at the door with more exploration to do, check the stairways location
--[X] Velvet Pride, your upstart younger brother, seems to be heartbroken. Or so the gossip goes. If you take the initiative to talk to him, you might be able to get closer to him.
-[X] [JADE] "You do you." Let her do whatever she wants for once. It might do her some good, both mentally and personally.
-[X] [FLUTTERSHY] Ask for a favor, from your... mutual friend.
--[X] [GUARD] Our home.
-[X] [RARITY] Accompany you, and lend her hoof. (Pick TWO of Velvet's personal actions for her to aid you in)
--[X] Royal. Wedding! Royal. Wedding! Help. Plan. The Royal. Wedding! (Expand, and pick one more item from, the list of Royal Wedding opportunities)
--[X] "The Royal Wedding is a matter of national security, so of course the Commissioner must be involved. Yes, even on that time she went on a shopping spree with the Princess." (Free action. NEGLECT work at the Lunar Bureau. Expand, and pick one more item from, the list of Royal Wedding opportunities)
-[X] [STEPPES] There is no guarantee he will be able to help you, but you will write him about… (WRITE IN)
--[X] [STEPPES] Ask for advice about how to bond with your brother
-[X] Jade's house is now adequately clean. Or at least sufficiently presentable for ponies to work on it. You should…
--[X] [SERVANTS] You need a place where you can safely, and discreetly, store items. Use the upper level of her house for it.
-[X] [MAREINETTE] Incision of the Heart on Velvet: remove the Frightened Debuff (20 bits. failure only on nat1s. Use the Edge Artifact WITHOUT sacrificing it)
-[X] [BALDOMARE] Find us a place where we can hold 3-circle rituals next turn (for Axe's summon). (rolls +80)
-[X] [SELENE] Go play, one last time. (Costs two actions. Goodbye, Selene.)

Assorted plan-related thoughts:
  • I really want to befriend Applejack, but being realistic, teaching Rarity is higher priority. Maybe next turn! At this rate, to fix our lack of a social life, Bird will have to start rolling random free social actions for us, which is basically what happened when we bonded with Applejack at the party at our estate. 😂
    BirdBodhisattva said:
    You are now Friends with Applejack, following the time you spent together at your party in Ponyville.
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  • I also think bringing Rarity along to assist in planning for the wedding, even if she isn't the dressmaker, may be worth considering. We will at least get another cute excited freakout scene!
    BirdBodhisattva said:
    "I need to… give you the measurements…?" you ask, as if she had just told you that it is raining chocolate or some other absurd thing. You stare at her for a few moments, wearing a confused expression as if honestly trying to understand what she means, before you finally shrug, "anyways, don't forget to pack for two weeks. I'll have somepony pick you up tomorrow morning, alright?"

    You say as you leave the measuring room, and make quick pace to the entrance of the boutique, before she even has the time to process what you just told her.

    It is only a few moments after you close the boutique's door behind you that you hear her excited shriek.

    You let out a satisfied sigh at that.
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    On the other hand, focusing on her work can bring in more bits... but where's the fun in that? :V
  • As noted by others, scrying for Frangiclave is not as high priority as prepping to actually summon the Daughter of Axes (by getting a 3-circle ritual spot). There is an argument that "maybe suspicion isn't that bad to deal with" because we haven't had much experience with it, but it just seems prudent to keep it that way.
  • Our sacrament is really delayed gratification, and is a bit hard for me to want to start paying for, psychologically speaking, and given that we may leave wedding goodies on the table. Which reminds me...
  • Dear Bird, please don't give us any fleeting opportunities next turn so we can actually breathe! :V
  • Bakkasama said:
    Plan Pittauro, but without the neglecting work free action
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    Bakkasama said:
    [COMMISSIONER] The Bureau is more than an institution, it is a gathering of dedicated ponies working towards a unified goal. Ingrain yourself with them. (Establish, increase, or salvage the loyalty of the Bureau towards you personally.)
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    I would say this is my number three choice, although I still like the original plan too much to approval vote this one. However, if I were making this plan, I'd change this Commissioner loyalty action to something else because we don't need to patch anything up due to neglecting work (since we aren't neglecting work in this plan). Unless having the Bureau be extra loyal is what you think is best?
A sidenote: What might we expect as possible rewards from the wedding? Here are some of my guesses. (I know Bird has said before that he gets ideas from our discussions, so I hope this helps, @BirdBodhisattva! 😂)
  • (Suggested by Pittauro already) Fix our relationship with Twilight Sparkle, letting us fix her horn with Forge's Redemption and getting those sweet Good Friend/Confidante actions back. Actually, since Bird has hinted before that there can be friends or summons with more than one action at our disposal in the future, I wonder if Twilight would be one such case if she becomes completely devoted to us like she was to Celestia. (What else would she be doing with her time anyway? :V)
  • (Suggested by Pittauro already) Some high level artifact shows up as a wedding gift; convince Cadence to give it to us.
  • Some opportunity to work down Celestia's ire.
  • Lay the groundwork for Luna's dramatic entrance somehow?
  • Get Cadence to be more loyal to us than Celestia, which will give us free reign to incision away our scars and even talk to her about the lores. :V
    BirdBodhisattva said:
    Because from now on, no matter how you are healed, it can possibly be traced back to Lore usage. And as long as that risk exists, Velvet is not taking it.

    If you want that hole to be plugged, make Cadance more loyal to you than she is to Celestia. Or kill her. Either work.
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  • Improve our relationship with Shining Armor. Same idea with exclusively introducing him to the lores to fix his horn with Forge's Redemption... though he'd have to keep his healing a secret, unless we can make up a convincing lie. But since this is My Little Pony, "We found a magical McGuffin that healed me!" or "The wedding released so much love that my horn magically regenerated!" might actually work.
 
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lurker9875 said:
Marienette only has a slightly lower bonus than a Windigo, and likely has more Wounds?
We can throw a Wrong Key over if you are worried?

I'm mostly against Marienette doing the IotH until we can get Biedde online here.
Also. Pittauro. Next turn or T20 you doing the Baldomare Sacrament?
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if you think an attack is very likely, then it's better to have BOTH Mareinette and Comet is what I meant.

If you think it's not that likely, than only one is fine enough I suppose, though I prefer Copper (and the incision to have Velvet better prepared on her own, and that will give us a lasting advantage)

I'd rather not use Wrong Keys if at all possible. They can save us 45 bits from a reagent, they can block rituals... they're convenient!

Why would you be against the incision? I can understand preferring to have her do something else, but are you against SPECIFICALLY doing incision? for what reason?

about SH sacrament... not sure. I don't want to plan much beyond this turn because Luna WILL change our plans, most likely.

Also if my plan wins we'll likely be at the next door, which might give us another important goal, AND there's also our three confidants (Jade at 3, Rarity at 3, Fluttershy at 1) that could all benefit from lessons.

I ALSO would personally prefer our personal sacrament, though I'm not committed because 3 actions is kinda expensive.

That said... next turn Baldomare SH is nearly impossible because I imagine we'll want her on scrying duty for the Key. So IF we were going for her SH sacrament I think it would have to be turn 20.

Steady Gaze said:
[x] Plan Pittauro, All in wedding without key but with expedition.
I'm sold; this one's pretty much got everything I want and is my top choice... I almost don't see the need to approval vote anything else. Thanks @Pittauro!

In fact, I too shall steal this plan! Exact same except bring Rarity along for wedding planning. (More thoughts after.)
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Actually, we have Word of Bird that no, Rarity helping at the wedding does not help because the reward for that action is mechanically fixed.

Each wedding action is 1 extra pick on the list of goodies (and maybe a longer list of options to pick from). We get 1 base, 1 from the normal action, and 1 from the "Neglect Work" action at most.

Steady Gaze said:
  • As noted by others, scrying for Frangiclave is not as high priority as prepping to actually summon the Daughter of Axes (by getting a 3-circle ritual spot). There is an argument that "maybe suspicion isn't that bad to deal with" because we haven't had much experience with it, but it just seems prudent to keep it that way.
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It's risky, but we don't know HOW risky. So my opinion is basically "I'll make a good faith effort of finding an alternative. If we don't find a place in time, I'm willing to risk it for Velvet Axe.

Steady Gaze said:
A sidenote: What might we expect as possible rewards from the wedding? Here are some of my guesses. (I know Bird has said before that he gets ideas from our discussions, so I hope this helps, Bird! 😂)
  • (Suggested by others already) Fix our relationship with Twilight Sparkle, letting us fix her horn with Forge's Redemption and getting those sweet Good Friend/Confidante actions back. Actually, since Bird has hinted before that there can be friends or summons with more than one action at our disposal in the future, I wonder if Twilight would be one such case if she becomes completely devoted to us like she was to Celestia. (What else would she be doing with her time anyway? :V)
  • (Suggested by others already) Some high level artifact shows up as a wedding gift; convince Cadence to give it to us.
  • Some opportunity to work down Celestia's ire.
  • Lay the groundwork for Luna's dramatic entrance somehow?
  • Get Cadence to be more loyal to us than Celestia, which will give us free reign to incision away our scars and even talk to her about the lores. :V
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I'm now called "others"!

but yeah, those are definitely some options. Bird basically replied "good ideas. I have some more too".
 
[x] Plan Pittauro, All in wedding without key but with expedition.
This plan does most of the stuff I want. The only change I would make is to try and invite Uncle Steppes to visit (which one of the other plans mentioned), but it's not absolutely vital.

[x] Plan Pittauro, but without the neglecting work free action
I am now a bit nervous about the other wedding action, so I will approval vote for this one too.
 
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Pittauro said:
Actually, we have Word of Bird that no, Rarity helping at the wedding does not help because the reward for that action is mechanically fixed.

Each wedding action is 1 extra pick on the list (and maybe a longer list of options to pick from). We get 1 base, 1 from the normal action, and 1 from the "Neglect Work" action at most.
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I see... thanks for the explanation. It would be nice, narratively speaking to bring along Rarity, but I don't know if it's worth it now... 🤔. We can try to get her invited to the wedding at least. And maybe the bonding time with Cadence is meant for just us.

Pittauro said:
I'm now called "others"!
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Sorry for not crediting you by name initially; when I read this thread long enough, everyone's opinions jumble together into mush! :V

Ericwinter said:
> Luna is returning
> Wants no Fleeting actions

Yeah… good luck with that. :V
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*internal screaming continues* :V
 
Luna assumes the bureau:

Covers: Good day princess.

Luna: Good day Mo- I mean commissioner, yes absolutely means comissioner.
 
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