Sympathy for the Forsaken: A Warcraft-AU CK2 Quest

Sympathy for the Forsaken: A Warcraft-AU CK2 Quest
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Arthas failed at Stratholme, falling to his dreadlord foe only to be raised as a Death Knight and sent to ravage the Eastern Kingdoms. From Quel'Thalas to Zul'Gurub the dead rule, the victory of the Lich King is near total.

Near being the operative word. Pockets of resistance, of hope, fight on across Azeroth. Guide Sylvanas Windunner in protecting and leading the Forsaken peoples of this world. Glory to the Banshee Queen! Glory to the Forsaken!

Not canon compliant at all. Canon defiant if anything
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Turn 0

mcclay

Some kinda Commie
Location
Reno
Pronouns
They/Them
A cold wind blew through the ruins of Lordaeron, chilling any who could feel it to the bone. It was always cold in the ruined northern kingdom now. No mages were left to stoke the fires in doughty citadels, no farmers left to till the new tainted fields. Those who were still living huddled together around their hearths and let their knuckles grow white as they gripped the hafts of their weapons. Lordaeron was no longer a place fit for the living; and it had not been for a long while.

It was fortunate then, that Sylvanas Winderunner, Dark Lady of the Forsaken, no longer was alive.

Within the catacombs and crypts of Lordaeron City, the former capital of the kingdom, the Forsaken went about their business with the the urgency only the desperate have. Ramshackle buildings, little more than tattered tarps held up by rotting wood, were thrown up around the Undercity; new tunnels were delved deep into the rock, primitive mushroom farms were dug and the aqueducts reopened to let at least some water pour into the formerly dry sewers. And, in the deepest part of the buzzing undead Hive, the Dark Lardy busied herself with work.

Sylvanas was annoyed; though that was not a rare experience nowadays, but for reasons other than her soul currently resting within the cursed blade Frostmourne. No, she was annoyed because starting a new city for a damned people was hard. Every day new reports came in of patrols being attacked by mindless undead, wild animals or fanatical humans. The Trisfal Glades were still swarming with the Scourge, with ever more coming out of the Plaguelands and half-culled Stratholme; the seat of Prince Arthas Merenthil's failure and the damnation of the world. More worrying than the undead was the sightings of humans in Trisfal. A patrol had been attacked and burned unalive by men in scarlet and white, their blackened shells left up as a grim warning to the Forsaken. And Sylvanas could ill afford to lose any of her people; for while a thin stream of newly freed former Scourge trickled into the Undercity every day, beyond that she had no way to increase her ranks.

Further afield the news was also less than ideal. Gilenas still remained locked behind its wall, the Scourge unable to breach it even with the full wrath of several Death Knights. Her former home still lay in burning ruins; same with fallen Dalaran. Stormgarde was like wise overrun by the Scourge, and with it the population of mindless dead and feral trolls had exploded in the south. The Thandol Span was broken and only rumors came from the South: Rumors that Khaz Modan was in utter disarray as the Dark Irons marched upon Ironforge. South of the mountains tales told of a great Orcish Horde in the Burning Steppe that pledged allegiance to the banished Legion and had forced the Scourge to go around them. No one account on Stormwind was the same; some claimed that a great black dragon had taken up roost in the city, others that a band of disgruntled carpenters had thrown their lot in with the Scourge and killed the king; and others that Varian Wrynn had escaped the city with a contingent of refugees and fled into the uncharted West. All agreed that the kingdom of Azeroth was destroyed and as Scourge haunted as Lordaeron. Kul Tiras killed any who approached her shores and sent out raids on the entire Eastern Kingdoms to gather supplies and cull the nonhumans.

The world was full of threats, an unending line of men and women who would see her fledgling people strangled in the crib. There was anger there, as deep and dark and terrible as the rage that had gripped Arthas when he burned her home to the ground. But with it was something else. Sylvanas had been told that she should be incapable of feeling nothing but despair and hate, but the Forsaken, her people, sparked something within her. Too dim to be fully made out; all she knew was that part of her cared for these wretched people. And if anything were to happen to them, she would set the world ablaze.



Turn 0 Crisis

Sylvanas wished for a moment's peace to be able to plan out her next moves, but recent events had put paid to those plans. While the Undercity was relatively safe on land, as the ruins of Lordaeron and the network of tunnels connecting the main city to the surface provided a strong defense against any would be invaders; by sea things were a different matter. Banshee scouts flying over Lordamere Lake had reported that Fenris Isle and its Keep, former strongholds of fallen Lordaeron, were seeing increasing activity. A swarm of undead gnolls had taken up residency on the island while flying the banner of the Scourge. While normally only a nuisance, gnolls under the command of a powerful leader could wreck havoc across nations. And in the case of these 'Rot Hide' a human necromancer had been seen by her scouts organizing them. The rotting docks and lakeside sewer entrances of the Undercity were far less defended than the landwards entrances to the city and if the gnolls attempted a naval invasion it would be devastating. Even more worrying was that the gnolls did have primitive canoes and watercraft, which they used to raid the surroudning countryside to bring back new bodies to add to their ranks. An attack must be carried out, but Sylvanas's advisors were divided on how to do it.

[] Nathanos Blightcaller's Proposal - "The easiest way to deal with these rotting dogs is a quick and clean strike by banshees and elite forces. Assassinate their leaders, break their morale and gather information. Without their necromancer lord the gnolls will be rudderless and trouble us no further until we are able to send a proper force to secure the Isle. Our regular army is armed with rusting weapons and garbed in little more than rags. Unleashing them upon the foe will lead to a slaughter."

[] Varimathras's Proposal - "Bah, that plan is a cowardly one Dark Lady. Let me lead our armies against the rotting fools and I will scour them from the Isle! With a dreadlord of the Legion at their head even our paltry forces will be able to crush the gnolls and rip the necromancer in twain. And then we can take the Isle for ourselves, removing the threat of invasion permanently! We must show those around us that the Forsaken are strong and capable of obliterating any who dare threaten us!"

Fenris Isle was not the only crisis afflicting the Forsaken at the moment. The question of faith had begun to bubble up within the ranks of the undead and was quickly threatening to spill out of control into civil strife. The main point of contention was the rising of the Cult of Forgotten Shadows. Focused on the veneration of the Dark, the Cult was seen as an afront to those Forsaken who still followed the Church of the Holy Light. Both sides had petitoned the Dark Lady to rule in their favor, to give the Forsaken an offical state religion and end the squabble before it grew into outright kinstrife.

[] The Church of the Holy Light - The old religion of Lordaeron and much of the former Alliance. Focused on the veneration of Light and the pursuit of justice and truth above all else. Many Forsaken still follow its creed as a way to hold on to some memory of their former lives. Technically the undead are abominations within its doctrines, but these things can be overlooked. Probably.

[] The Cult of Forgotten Shadows - Holds that the Dark is just as important for life as the Light. Has a more mercenary outlook on morality than the Light-worshipers, though compassion and understanding still plays a large part. Would represent a clear break with the traditions of old and signal a move towards a new cultural identity for the Forsaken.

[] No State Religion - The Forsaken's more treasured possession is their free will and to choose one faith over the other as official state doctrine would violate that. Neither the Church nor the Cult will become enshrined within the laws of Undercity, for good or for ill. While perhaps the most idealistic of choices it comes with the drawbacks of angering both sides and leaving the door open to civil unrest and religious strife. Choosing this does not lock off Sylvanas from choosing to practice either religion in her private life.
 
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Status of the Forsaken
Name: The Forsaken
Culture: Undead
Religion: Cult of Forgotten Shadows
Government Type: Forsaken Appointed Council Monarchy
Blighted Council Power: Meager
Leader: Sylvanas Windrunner
Gold: 3240
Income: 1260
Expenditures: 286

None

Military

3 Undead Infantry
1 Undead Flying Infantry
1 Undead Elite Infantry (Dreadguard) (1 Free Upkeep)
1 Undead Militia
1 Undead Elites (Queen's Own)
2 Undead Light Calvary

Infantry = 13 GPT
  • Flying Infantry = 18 GPT
Militia = 5 GPT
Elites = 28 GPT
Elite Infantry = 23 GPT
Light Cav = 18 GPT

The lands to the south, dominated by the Silverpine Forest, have long been under the control of Lordaeron. It is said that many of the smaller villages and hamlets deep in the wild wood remain untouched by the Scourge. The thickforest seems to swallow up what few scouts the Forsaken send into them, coming back with tales of villages populated by ghouls, vast pits of rotting but still alive flesh and the constant howling of wolves. Fenris Isle will be the main jumping off point
Reward: +200 Gold Per Turn, +Realtionship between Sylvanas and all Advisors, 1 free upkeep unit of ?? raised, Options unlocked in Hillsbrad and Alterac


Heroes:
Sylvanas Windrunner
Nathanos Blightcaller
Varimathras
Grand Apothecary Putress
Gideon Nightmare
Roland Nightmare
Shannon Hornsby
Mayor Solliden
 
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Omakes and Other Things
Mechanics
The Blighted Council is a body of Forskaen, appointed by the Banshee Queen, who represent the common undead citizen of the Undercity and its territories. The Council collects feedback from the people and either deals with them as best it can or advises Sylvanas Winderunner to take care of these issues. While having little official power the Blighted Council holds a great deal of sway over the Forsaken people and it is to the Dark Lady's own detriment that she ignores their advice.

Mechanically the Blighted Council will put out a request every so often: usually asking for a certain action be taken or goal to be met in several turns. Completing these actions will result in small gifts of gold or other bonuses; while ignoring them can result in morale loss and other penalties. The Blighted Council also has a Power meter: Ceremonial - Meager - Respected - Parliamentary - Strong - Bull Headed- Supreme. As the Council's power grows so does the effects of its approval and disapproval. At Supreme a Crisis may ensue wherein the Council attempts to take formal control over the Forsaken, or at least set up a more democratic government. However if reduced to Ceremonial the Forsaken people might take serious umbrage to their representation being taken away from them It is also worth noting that in the event of Sylvanas leaving for a long period of time, or otherwise be incapable of ruling over the Forsaken, the Council's Power meter increases by one step. Council power starts at Meager

Objectives are ways that Sylvanas sets policy for herself and the Forsaken. These are major undertakings or tasks that will be completed by many actions over several turns. In accordance with their high difficulty and long term investment Objectives have very valuable rewards attached to them and often unlock new actions or content. The Tirisfal Glade objective is a tutorial one, as such it was chosen for the thread by myself. In the future the thread will have the ability to pick from several objectives; however in some situations Sylvanas or her council will pick one without player input. It should also be noted that some future objectives, once picked, will have accumulating penalties from putting them off for too long.
 
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Sylvanas Character Sheet
Diplomacy - 12 While Sylvanas is not known far and wide for her silver tongue, she can get her point across with a certain eloquence others lack

Martial - 23 There are few as capable in command and combat as the Ranger-General of Silvermoon. Woe be unto the foe that stands against the Banshee Queen and her legions

Stewardship - 16 Sylvanas has become accustomed to ruling over a nation. She knows how to balance a budget and oversee a project, and when it is best to delegate those tasks

Intrigue - 14 Rangers are natural spies and ambushers, the same as the undead. While not a masterful rogue, Sylvanas has a fair grasp on the runnings of the underworld, and how best to use that knowledge

Learning - 14 The tradition of study and arcane magic are well known to the elves. Sylvanas, while not a mage herself, spent some time at the Magister's Terrace before picking up the path of the Farstrider

Piety - 11 While never a highly devout person to either the Light or the Shadow Sylvanas knows enough to say the right words at the right time. She feels a small amount of reverence for the creed of the Cult, but no more than any other Forsaken.

Traits:
Banshee Queen: +2 Diplomacy, + 2 Stewardship - There can be only one Banshee Queen, only one woman strong enough to break free from the Lich King's control and brave enough to rally her fellow undead in a mad bid for freedom. Sylvanas Windrunner is the Dark Lady of the Forsaken, and so long as she walks the earth they will allow no other ruler.

Sorcerer: +3 Learning, Access to Magic - The Windrunners are a charmed dynasty, tracing their ancestry back to the ancient heroes of Quel'Thalas. Within their blood hums the arcane, giving all who bear it a natural ability with magic.

Dark Ranger: +2 Martial, +1 Intrigue, +40 when commanding Ranger Units - Death could not stop Sylvanas from continuing down the path of the Ranger. Now an expert night time fighter and leader of scouts and skirmishers, the night is hers to command.

Blood of the Windrunners: +1 Martial, +1 Piety, +10 Bonus to relations with Eastern Elven nations - The Windrunners have been a part of high elven culture since its very beginning. Even in her undead state other elves of the Eastern Kingdoms will be willing to hear what Sylvanas has to say.

Equipment:

Lirath: +1 Martial, +1 Stewardship - Personal mount of Sylvanas Windrunner. A great Direbat with light brown fur. It seems to take expectionally good care of itself. Named after Sylvanas's deceased younger brother.
 
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[] Nathanos Blightcaller's Proposal - "The easiest way to deal with these rotting dogs is a quick and clean strike by banshees and elite forces. Assassinate their leaders, break their morale and gather information. Without their necromancer lord the gnolls will be rudderless and trouble us no further until we are able to send a proper force to secure the Isle. Our regular army is armed with rusting weapons and garbed in little more than rags. Unleashing them upon the foe will lead to a slaughter."

I think this, but I'm undecided religiously.
 
[X] Nathanos Blightcaller's Proposal

Varimathras' plan barely deserves mentioning. I have no strong feelings on religion.
 
[X] The Cult of Forgotten Shadows - Holds that the Dark is just as important for life as the Light. Has a more mercenary outlook on morality than the Light-worshipers, though compassion and understanding still plays a large part. Would represent a clear break with the traditions of old and signal a move towards a new cultural identity for the Forsaken.

Light's overrated, and this feels more Sylvanas? The other religious options would be a concession to different parties instead of true to her personality.
 
[X] Varimathras's Proposal - "Bah, that plan is a cowardly one Dark Lady. Let me lead our armies against the rotting fools and I will scour them from the Isle! With a dreadlord of the Legion at their head even our paltry forces will be able to crush the gnolls and rip the necromancer in twain. And then we can take the Isle for ourselves, removing the threat of invasion permanently! We must show those around us that the Forsaken are strong and capable of obliterating any who dare threaten us!"

[X] No State Religion - The Forsaken's more treasured possession is their free will and to choose one faith over the other as official state doctrine would violate that. Neither the Church nor the Cult will become enshrined within the laws of Undercity, for good or for ill. While perhaps the most idealistic of choices it comes with the drawbacks of angering both sides and leaving the door open to civil unrest and religious strife. Choosing this does not lock off Sylvanas from choosing to practice either religion in her private life.

I, for one, trust our demon friend to do the right thing.
 
[X] Varimathras's Proposal
[X] The Church of the Holy Light

Let's not overthink things
 
[X] Nathanos Blightcaller's Proposal - "The easiest way to deal with these rotting dogs is a quick and clean strike by banshees and elite forces. Assassinate their leaders, break their morale and gather information. Without their necromancer lord the gnolls will be rudderless and trouble us no further until we are able to send a proper force to secure the Isle. Our regular army is armed with rusting weapons and garbed in little more than rags. Unleashing them upon the foe will lead to a slaughter."

[X] No State Religion - The Forsaken's more treasured possession is their free will and to choose one faith over the other as official state doctrine would violate that. Neither the Church nor the Cult will become enshrined within the laws of Undercity, for good or for ill. While perhaps the most idealistic of choices it comes with the drawbacks of angering both sides and leaving the door open to civil unrest and religious strife. Choosing this does not lock off Sylvanas from choosing to practice either religion in her private life.
 
[X] Nathanos Blightcaller's Proposal - "The easiest way to deal with these rotting dogs is a quick and clean strike by banshees and elite forces. Assassinate their leaders, break their morale and gather information. Without their necromancer lord the gnolls will be rudderless and trouble us no further until we are able to send a proper force to secure the Isle. Our regular army is armed with rusting weapons and garbed in little more than rags. Unleashing them upon the foe will lead to a slaughter."

I'm not very well versed on Warcraft besides playing Warcraft 3 but I would rather trust anyone but the Dreadlord. Religion on the other hand I'm not sure, I would rather pick the one that does not have us end up a bad guy as of Battle for Azeroth.

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[X] No State Religion - The Forsaken's more treasured possession is their free will and to choose one faith over the other as official state doctrine would violate that. Neither the Church nor the Cult will become enshrined within the laws of Undercity, for good or for ill. While perhaps the most idealistic of choices it comes with the drawbacks of angering both sides and leaving the door open to civil unrest and religious strife. Choosing this does not lock off Sylvanas from choosing to practice either religion in her private life.
 
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[X] Nathanos Blightcaller's Proposal - "The easiest way to deal with these rotting dogs is a quick and clean strike by banshees and elite forces. Assassinate their leaders, break their morale and gather information. Without their necromancer lord the gnolls will be rudderless and trouble us no further until we are able to send a proper force to secure the Isle. Our regular army is armed with rusting weapons and garbed in little more than rags. Unleashing them upon the foe will lead to a slaughter."


Trust the dreadlord... yeah right
 
[X] Nathanos Blightcaller's Proposal - "The easiest way to deal with these rotting dogs is a quick and clean strike by banshees and elite forces. Assassinate their leaders, break their morale and gather information. Without their necromancer lord the gnolls will be rudderless and trouble us no further until we are able to send a proper force to secure the Isle. Our regular army is armed with rusting weapons and garbed in little more than rags. Unleashing them upon the foe will lead to a slaughter."
 
[X] Nathanos Blightcaller's Proposal - "The easiest way to deal with these rotting dogs is a quick and clean strike by banshees and elite forces. Assassinate their leaders, break their morale and gather information. Without their necromancer lord the gnolls will be rudderless and trouble us no further until we are able to send a proper force to secure the Isle. Our regular army is armed with rusting weapons and garbed in little more than rags. Unleashing them upon the foe will lead to a slaughter."

[X] No State Religion - The Forsaken's more treasured possession is their free will and to choose one faith over the other as official state doctrine would violate that. Neither the Church nor the Cult will become enshrined within the laws of Undercity, for good or for ill. While perhaps the most idealistic of choices it comes with the drawbacks of angering both sides and leaving the door open to civil unrest and religious strife. Choosing this does not lock off Sylvanas from choosing to practice either religion in her private life.
 
[X] Nathanos Blightcaller's Proposal - "The easiest way to deal with these rotting dogs is a quick and clean strike by banshees and elite forces. Assassinate their leaders, break their morale and gather information. Without their necromancer lord the gnolls will be rudderless and trouble us no further until we are able to send a proper force to secure the Isle. Our regular army is armed with rusting weapons and garbed in little more than rags. Unleashing them upon the foe will lead to a slaughter."

[X] The Cult of Forgotten Shadows - Holds that the Dark is just as important for life as the Light. Has a more mercenary outlook on morality than the Light-worshipers, though compassion and understanding still plays a large part. Would represent a clear break with the traditions of old and signal a move towards a new cultural identity for the Forsaken.
 
[X] Nathanos Blightcaller's Proposal - "The easiest way to deal with these rotting dogs is a quick and clean strike by banshees and elite forces. Assassinate their leaders, break their morale and gather information. Without their necromancer lord the gnolls will be rudderless and trouble us no further until we are able to send a proper force to secure the Isle. Our regular army is armed with rusting weapons and garbed in little more than rags. Unleashing them upon the foe will lead to a slaughter."

[X] The Cult of Forgotten Shadows - Holds that the Dark is just as important for life as the Light. Has a more mercenary outlook on morality than the Light-worshipers, though compassion and understanding still plays a large part. Would represent a clear break with the traditions of old and signal a move towards a new cultural identity for the Forsaken.

I choose to back a creation of a state religion because it is something to bind together the Forsaken beyond loyalty to a few figures... and since the other one sets Undead on holy fire.
 
[X] Nathanos Blightcaller's Proposal - "The easiest way to deal with these rotting dogs is a quick and clean strike by banshees and elite forces. Assassinate their leaders, break their morale and gather information. Without their necromancer lord the gnolls will be rudderless and trouble us no further until we are able to send a proper force to secure the Isle. Our regular army is armed with rusting weapons and garbed in little more than rags. Unleashing them upon the foe will lead to a slaughter."

[X] The Cult of Forgotten Shadows - Holds that the Dark is just as important for life as the Light. Has a more mercenary outlook on morality than the Light-worshipers, though compassion and understanding still plays a large part. Would represent a clear break with the traditions of old and signal a move towards a new cultural identity for the Forsaken.
 
[X] Nathanos Blightcaller's Proposal - "The easiest way to deal with these rotting dogs is a quick and clean strike by banshees and elite forces. Assassinate their leaders, break their morale and gather information. Without their necromancer lord the gnolls will be rudderless and trouble us no further until we are able to send a proper force to secure the Isle. Our regular army is armed with rusting weapons and garbed in little more than rags. Unleashing them upon the foe will lead to a slaughter."

[X] The Cult of Forgotten Shadows - Holds that the Dark is just as important for life as the Light. Has a more mercenary outlook on morality than the Light-worshipers, though compassion and understanding still plays a large part. Would represent a clear break with the traditions of old and signal a move towards a new cultural identity for the Forsaken.
 
If I can get a tie breaker on the religion vote I can update today. If not I'll wait till tomorrow and then just do a coinflip if there is still no tie breaker.
 
[X] Nathanos Blightcaller's Proposal

[X] No State Religion
 
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Inserted tally
Adhoc vote count started by Valkur on Jan 4, 2020 at 3:01 PM, finished with 21 posts and 15 votes.

  • [X] Nathanos Blightcaller's Proposal - "The easiest way to deal with these rotting dogs is a quick and clean strike by banshees and elite forces. Assassinate their leaders, break their morale and gather information. Without their necromancer lord the gnolls will be rudderless and trouble us no further until we are able to send a proper force to secure the Isle. Our regular army is armed with rusting weapons and garbed in little more than rags. Unleashing them upon the foe will lead to a slaughter."
    [X] The Cult of Forgotten Shadows - Holds that the Dark is just as important for life as the Light. Has a more mercenary outlook on morality than the Light-worshipers, though compassion and understanding still plays a large part. Would represent a clear break with the traditions of old and signal a move towards a new cultural identity for the Forsaken.
    [X] No State Religion - The Forsaken's more treasured possession is their free will and to choose one faith over the other as official state doctrine would violate that. Neither the Church nor the Cult will become enshrined within the laws of Undercity, for good or for ill. While perhaps the most idealistic of choices it comes with the drawbacks of angering both sides and leaving the door open to civil unrest and religious strife. Choosing this does not lock off Sylvanas from choosing to practice either religion in her private life.
    [X] Nathanos Blightcaller's Proposal
    [X] Varimathras's Proposal
    [X] The Church of the Holy Light
    [X] Varimathras's Proposal - "Bah, that plan is a cowardly one Dark Lady. Let me lead our armies against the rotting fools and I will scour them from the Isle! With a dreadlord of the Legion at their head even our paltry forces will be able to crush the gnolls and rip the necromancer in twain. And then we can take the Isle for ourselves, removing the threat of invasion permanently! We must show those around us that the Forsaken are strong and capable of obliterating any who dare threaten us!"
    [X] No State Religion
 
[X] Nathanos Blightcaller's Proposal - "The easiest way to deal with these rotting dogs is a quick and clean strike by banshees and elite forces. Assassinate their leaders, break their morale and gather information. Without their necromancer lord the gnolls will be rudderless and trouble us no further until we are able to send a proper force to secure the Isle. Our regular army is armed with rusting weapons and garbed in little more than rags. Unleashing them upon the foe will lead to a slaughter."

[X] The Cult of Forgotten Shadows - Holds that the Dark is just as important for life as the Light. Has a more mercenary outlook on morality than the Light-worshipers, though compassion and understanding still plays a large part. Would represent a clear break with the traditions of old and signal a move towards a new cultural identity for the Forsaken.

We can't replenish troops, so assassination it is. And this religion seems more interesting.
 
[X] Nathanos Blightcaller's Proposal

[X] No State Religion
 
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