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So far Greyhawk Online has created 353 blog entries.

The Hill Giant Chief – Nosnra’s Saga – 2020 – Part 6

2020-01-15T03:03:01-05:00January 15th, 2020|

The Hill Giant Chief - Nosnra's Saga - Part 6Ingigerd was taking too long to die.Estrith looked down upon the ancient crone and wished she could take the bony old throat between her hands and be done with her here and now. They had moved the dying giantess into a barrack's room while the giants fought the blaze that consumed Nosnra's trophy hall. The chieftaness had ordered the slave pens emptied below and now crowds of half-starved orcs ran about and filled buckets with sodden oerth. All the steading's inhabitants now battled against the fire. They threw buckets and spadefulls of mud onto the blaze. As it spread Estrith had warriors take axe to walls and create a break, keeping the wood from becoming more fuel for the smoking flames. The steading groaned, there was a booming crash that rang throughout the hall. Estrith ran from the room to see what had occurred. Some part of the roof must have collapsed, she thought. It was time to begin removing things from the hall to a safe distance beyond the walls."Alditha!" Estrith called to a young maid."Yes," the young giantess replied meekly."Come with me," the chieftaness commanded."But I am to..." began Alditha."You are to come with me," Estrith said with finality."Yes," Alditha acquiesced.They made their way down the smokey corridor and stopped before the door leading to the childrens' creche. Inside they could hear the sounds of playful games, shouts and laughter muffled by the thick wood. Estrith opened the door and the wave of noise washed over them like a flood. She had to shout at Gundrada, the matron of the nursery, to be heard ... read more!

The Hill Giant Chief – Nosnra’s Saga – 2020 – Part 5

2020-01-13T16:55:56-05:00January 13th, 2020|

The Hill Giant Chief - Nosnra's Saga - Part 5"I can fit between," said Harold."No, it's too dangerous," Gytha declared. She looked at the huge bars set so close that a youth could not squeeze through. Not so a halfling pared down by hard travel and poor fare. Harold showed her what he meant, with a sideways step he fit between the bars and only had to hold his breath and pull his stomach in."See," he said standing on the other side and holding out both hands. "No problem.""Harold," Gytha warned, "Come back here! This is no time to play a foolish game.""I'm hurt," he said. "You doubt my skill." Harold approached the bars and whispered to both Gytha and the ranger. "What have we come here for? I will be quick and who else can find out what lies ahead?""We should go back," Gytha said half-heartedly."I may be smaller than your young brothers Gytha but I am older than I look, older than your father no doubt. You humans live so short a span." The halfling sadly smiled, "I have thieved for longer than you have lived, in Greyhawk, greatest city on the Oerth, I learned my craft and paid my dues in many ways. I have faced a wizard's wrath and merchants' guards and wards and traps a dozen times a dozen. These clumsy backwards giants would not cause a raw apprentice a moment's worry. I will be right back."Gytha did not say a word, she hadn't had the chance, before Harold turned away and slowly crept across the floor. As he had checked the hall, he checked this room. Sliding careful hands ... read more!

The Hill Giant Chief – Nosnra’s Saga – 2020 – Part 4

2020-01-12T08:47:25-05:00January 12th, 2020|

The Hill Giant Chief - Nosnra's Saga - Part 4 The nights were always long for Ingigerd. She had a thousand pains that during the day she paid no mind, but when she tried to rest each stabbed at her with knives and teeth, they bit and jabbed within. Still she would lie quiet in her room, four giant maids at her beck and call, and close her eyes. And if she did not sleep, she dreamed of times when she was young, long ages past. A young warrior, who never survived his betrothal quest, was pictured in her head. But she let him go and sat up and wiped away what might have been a tear. A far off noise came warbling to her ears. It rattled down the hall and even woke her lazy girls from their deep, snoring sleep. Shouts and screams, those heads that the old chief's boy had set upon the walls, ugly things or though they seemed to her. "Get up!" she ordered the four sleeping giant girls. "Alditha, go to the tower and have them sound the warning alarm. The rest of you, grab something and follow me." "Grab something?" quavered Alditha, the youngest of the maids. Ingigerd gave her a withering glance, "Not you, Alditha," she said. "You will go to the tower and tell them 'Ingigerd says raise the alarm,' those words exactly. Now go and waste no more time." She watched as the young giant maid ran out the door, barefoot and in her shift, and sped away down the darkened hall. * * * "It's dead, thank the creator," said Telenstil with relief. "This ... read more!

The Hill Giant Chief – Nosnra’s Saga – 2020 – Part 3

2020-01-11T10:33:05-05:00January 11th, 2020|

The Hill Giant Chief - Nosnra's Saga - Part 3 "Fotia-ena!" exclaimed Talberth and threw the small pellet from his hand. It flew like a crossbow bolt and erupted into flame, then burst amidst the onrushing giants in a ball of magic fire. Telenstil did the same, "Tuli-pal!" he spoke and another line of fire swept up the hill and slammed into a giant's chest. He blazed like a man of straw, a wick for the burning flame. Around him other giants danced and rolled, but still two made it through and charged with smoldering hair and clothes. A pair of arrows shot out and struck each giant, and then again, the mercenary pair, Edouard and Derue, they'd used their bows to good effect, but such pin pricks did not even slow the giants down. As they neared Ivo, the wizened gnome, unnoticed amongst his companions, tossed a sparkling handful of colored sand into the air. It turned into a rainbow fan that dazzled the eye. It struck like a boxer's fist and stunned one giant who stumbled and fell. The other giant simply shrugged it away and came on, bellowing a challenge all the way. Harald had unsheathed his sword, a great claymore, he wielded it in two hands, but it looked oddly small in his huge ham-like fists, and against this foe it seemed no more than a knife. The old hero ran to meet the giant's charge and struck first as they met upon the sloping hill. The long two-hand sword passed completely through the giant's side, opening a gash waist high, a rush of blood and ale poured out and the ... read more!

History of the Oerth, Part 11, Of The Winds of War

2020-01-10T18:10:00-05:00January 10th, 2020|

History of the Oerth, Part 11, Of The Winds of War The Hold of the Stonefist War can come from the most unexpected places. Who would have thought that the first blow to fall in a war that would engulf the known world would land in the Hold of Stonefist? No one. But such was the case.579 CY  ‘The mage sits down in front of the five Blades of Corusk and meditates for a minute. His hands move over the blades as he reads the magical writings. A frigid wind comes from the west, blowing the powdery snow in swirling whirlwinds. The words coming from his mouth sound like gibberish to you. As he reads the spell, a loud thunderclap sounds above you. As the echoes of the thunder die down, the swords shake and hum. Suddenly the swords disappear with an abrupt popping noise, and the snow turns to steam beneath them. You all hear a sharp “crack” behind you, and a sudden blast of wind pushes you for- ward. Surprised, the mage stops reading and spins around to see what happened. As you turn about, you see a barbarian giant standing before you. Appearing perfectly human, except for his 12-foot height, the man smiles down at you with a kind face. Two huge wolves stand on each side of him: these four beasts eye you with amber eyes. Meanwhile, the troops from the north and the south- west continue approaching. “Thank you, my children. You have awakened me from centuries of cursed sleep. In gratitude, I shall grant you your most intimate desires as long as they do not alter the path events ... read more!

The Hill Giant Chief – Nosnra’s Saga – 2020 – Part 2

2020-01-09T03:03:28-05:00January 9th, 2020|

The Hill Giant Chief - Nosnra's Saga - Part 2 "Arise!" Nosnra commanded the assembled clan, "Arise and look upon your slain kin!"A feast was laid out in the Great Hall. Above the roasting pit was spitted a monstrous aurochs bull, now a well-carved skeleton charring slowly over the open fire. Barrels of ale, larger than a tall man, stood at head and foot of every table. Huge slabs of bread, served as edible plates set before each feaster, were buried beneath thick-cut hunks of meat, burnt crisp along their edge, but at heart raw red and dripping blood. Tubs of cabbage mixed with pickled dwarven heads, clean shaved, a rare delicacy among the hills. A dozen separate dishes, some hot and others cold, but most a charnel horror of sentient flesh, human, elven, dwarven, all fair game and sustaining meat among the giant-kind.At the chief's command each giant rose, benches scraped back across the floor, then every eye, sad and with deep respect, turned toward the pair of dead set before the thegn's high table.Huon's wife had brought their wedding shield, a huge kite of painted hide and wood, and placed it on his arm. Young Eadnoth had found no mate, instead his brother gave him a wanderer's staff, no runes carved upon it, his betrothal quest unlived, no tale ever to be told. A bread-plate of food was set for them, a huge flagon of ale beside their hands. Their bodies had been washed of blood, their wounds sewn tight and hidden, bloody clothes cut away then taken and soaked in oil. A torch would be made of these rags, wrapped round the ... read more!

The Hill Giant Chief – Nosnra’s Saga – 2020 – Part 1

2020-01-08T02:47:15-05:00January 8th, 2020|

The Hill Giant Chief - Nosnra's Saga He awoke with a start. Pushing the heavy fur-cover aside and sitting up he wiped the beads of sweat from his thick brow with the back of his hand. Something was not right, he could feel it in the marrow of his bones. Placing his feet upon the cold, wooden floor, worn smooth by years of use, he cradled his head in his hands and listened.At first he heard nothing, stray thoughts and the ghosts of dreams still inhabiting his mind, then, the breathing of his bear and the beating of his own heart. The walls were thick; the boles of ancient trees trimmed of branches but set in place still bark-covered and green. They had a voice of their own, creaking and groaning, as the wind, the weather and time wore at their very hearts. Outside, beyond the wall of his chamber, a hound bayed then a chorus began as the pack joined in. He could hear a yelp of pain and a shout, loud and commanding, then silence.All seemed well. No stirrings or misplaced sounds, yet his unease did not cease. He was bound to this place, born upon this very hill when this had been his father's steading, Tofig the Proud, a thegn of great renown. Now the steading was his, and he was chieftain over a dozen thegns, and these walls, the stones and the very oerth of this hill itself were a part of him. There was a presence, a wrongness, it twisted in his bowls and allowed him no rest.Nosnra, Chief of Thegns, Master of Nidaros, greatest of all hill giant steadings ... read more!

The Chosen – A New Story

2020-01-07T16:11:14-05:00January 7th, 2020|

Brand new Greyhawk fiction?Is that a thing? The answer is "Yes. Yes, it is." Frequent contributor to the Oerth Journal, William "Giantstomp" Dvorak, has released a brand new novella. We definitely can't call it a "short story" … even though it's relative, there's nothing "short" about this story! Dvorak has written a 70-page tale, set in Greyhawk! It's very, very interesting, and we're going to be adding more here, discussing the story and elements and we hope to start a conversation about the story. … so we'll put spoiler tags below. And be sure to let us know what you think in the comments section below! The story is embedded below, and there's a link at the bottom right corner of the reader where you can directly download the PDF, too. … so, for now, read on, and enjoy! We'll look forward to talking about it with all of you in the comments! 'til the Starbreak! Don't forget that you can directly download the PDF of the novella.

Minstrel Tales – The Battle of Emridy Meadows

2020-01-07T00:35:33-05:00January 7th, 2020|

Minstrel Tales - The Battle of Emridy Meadows Here is a little ditty popular in Veluna and Verbobonc. In 569 we took a little trip Along with Crown Prince Thrommel down the mighty Velverdyv We took a little owlbear and we took a little ale And we caught the bloody Cultists at the Meadows of Emridy We fired our bows and the Cultists kep a-comin' There wasn't nigh as many as there was a while ago We fired once more and they begin to runnin' On down the Wild Coast to the edge of Woolly Bay We looked down the High Road And we see'd the Cultists come And there must have been a hundred of'em Beatin' on the drums They stepped so high And they made their bugles ring We stood by our Elven allies And didn't say a thing We fired our bows  and the Cultists kep a-comin' There wasn't nigh as many as there was a while ago We fired once more and they begin to runnin' On down the Wild Coast to the edge of Woolly Bay. Young Thrommel said we could take 'em by surprise If we didn't fire our longbows 'Till we looked 'em in the eye We held our fire 'Till we see'd their faces well Then we let loose our long bows And really gave 'em - well we Fired our bows and the Cultists kept a-comin' There wasn't nigh as many as there was a while ago We fired once more and they begin to runnin' On down the Wild Coast to the edge of Woolly Bay Yeah, they ran through the briars And they ran ... read more!

Events, Festivals and Days of note in The Flanaess

2020-01-06T11:02:55-05:00January 6th, 2020|

Events, Festivals and Days of note in The Flanaess Age of Glory [CAL]DRG#241 - 79LGJ#0 - 5WOGG - 27 Age of Great Sorrow [CAL]DRG#290 - 103LGG - 14,23TAB - 58TSC - 2WGG - 5WOGA - 9 Ashstorm [CAL]SOD - 224 Autumn Equinox [CAL]POLY#139 - 20 Banishment of the Sorcerers [CAL]LGJ#5 - 21 Banner Day [CAL]LOG - 17 Bear, Month of the [CAL]LGG - 2PGTG - 13        WGG - 4WOGA - 5 Berrytime [CAL]LGG - 2PGTG - 13        WGG - 4WOGA - 5 Birthing, Month of [CAL]TSB - 38 Blachten [CAL]IVID Blood Moon Festival [CAL]ATG - 89DRG#263 - 51        DRG#AN4 - 18,19,20FTAA - 28GW:ADV - 9        LGG - 156WGR5 - 4,39,58 Bloody Moon, Festival of the [CAL]        DRG#291 - 92 Blossoms [CAL]LGG - 2PGTG - 13        WGG - 4WOGA - 5 Boar, Month of the [CAL]LGG - 2PGTG - 13SOD - 17        WGG - 4WOGA - 5 Brewfest [CAL]COG:FFF - 37,65DRG#68 - 45DRG#206 - 36DRG#262 - 42DRG#293 - 93DRG#299 - 99,100DRG#302 - 99DRG#AN4 - 20DUN#85 - 73,75,82FTAC - 11FTAR#1IVIDLGG - 2,25,31,187LGJ#1 - 14LGJ#2 - 29LGJ#5 - 7,28LOG - Dis,14,16,17,21,25,26,32,34,40,45,58,59,63,65,68,69,77,88,107ONW1-01 - 2ONW1-08 - 5PGTG - 13,15SOOC - 124TAB - 10,25,31,39,41,46,47,52,53,65,96,121WGG - 4WGR5 - 72WOGA - 5WOGG - 19 Brewfest Rebellion [CAL][BTL]DRG#293 - 93DRG#299 - 99,100DRG#302 - 99LOG - 21,25,26,32,34,40,45,58,59,63,65,68,69,77,88,107ONW1-01 - 2 Brightleaf (Month)[CAL]LGG - 2PGTG - 13SOOC - 277WGG - 4WOGA - 5 Brilliance Celebration [CAL]DRG#AN4 - 20 Calving, Month of [CAL]TSB - 38 Celadon Forest, Great Fire of [CAL]GW:ADV - 26 Celene Feast Hall, Grand Feast, (City of Greyhawk)[CAL]TAB - 91 Cleansing, The [CAL]TAB - ... read more!

Ghosts of Saltmarsh – Secrets and Lies part 4

2020-01-05T08:55:46-05:00January 5th, 2020|

Ghosts of Saltmarsh - Secrets and Lies part 4 The weasals kept a wary eye from the edge of the thorn bushes, at least the three females, while the charmed male talked with Ash. Ory and Gerrin watched from a few feet away and kept their on wary eye split between all four while Berrin watched from the gate, his bow drawn but pointed downward. Ash gently stroked the chin of Ratbiter, the largest of the giant weasels, whispered something to him and turned to speak to Ory and Gerrin. Ratbiter turned with a smooth and sinuous motion and joined his denmates before all four disappeared back into the cover of the overgrown rose-bushes.  "We should avoid that well," Ash pointed to stone-well surrounded by waist-high weeds and covered with a decaying wooden cover. "From what my friend has said it sounds like snakes." Gerrin gave a shudder. "Good, I hate snakes." "I always said having a druid in the party brings good luck," said Ory. "No chance having your new friends help us explore the house?" she asked.  "Ratbiter I'd trust, but not his wives," said Ash. "They are very distrustful of us, and humans in general. Someone killed their last litter and it wasn't ghosts." "Well, that surprises none of us," said Gerrin. "Not after what your cousin told us," agreed Ory. "Then its onto house," Gerrin nodded to the broken stairs leading to the porch with the leaning roof where the corner support was at an angle. "I think we have seen enough of the garden," said Ash. She put two fingers to her lips and gave a piercing whistle. The raven ... read more!

I’m published!

2020-01-04T17:41:00-05:00January 4th, 2020|

Although I'm likely known for my History of Oerth posts, I'm deviating from the norm to announce weird and wonderful news. I'm published! I've been writing for years, and have completed two novels and a handful of short stories, none of which could be considered Fantasy, or even speculative in any shape or form. I wrote contemporary stories, and turn of the century novels, one set in Timmins, my hometown, in the year of its birth, and the other a faux history of my great grandfather's supposed experiences in the Great War. I say "supposed history" because he never once spoke about his experiences while in uniform. This is not to say that I'm not acquainted with fantasy or Dungeons and Dragons, because I most certainly am. I read science fiction when I began reading, and then Lord of the Rings in my early years of high school. I picked up Gary Gygax's "Gord" of Greyhawk novels, and the original Dragonlance trilogies as they came out. I must say that I tired of the Forgotten Realms novels rather quickly, even as I continued to buy and read them for many years. I preferred the Black Company series to them. Time passed, my friends who played D&D moved away, and the game slipped into the past. That's likely a similar story to many readers of this blog. I swapped fantasy for classics and histories and literary novels like Hemingway and Fitzgerald and Faulkner, and a host on Canadiana I won't bore you with since you've likely never heard of Findley and Robertson and so many other Canadian authors, and there I stayed until relatively recently, when ... read more!

Historical – Ekbir Rulers Timeline

2020-01-04T10:14:58-05:00January 4th, 2020|

Ekbir Rulers Timeline -421cy/2238bh Invoked DevastationCaptain Akamen of the Bakluni Coastal Fleet sales his three damaged ships into the fishing village of Ekbir and takes command of the surviving Bakluni naval forces. -418cy/2241bhCaptain Akamen takes command of surviving members of the Northern Bakluni Boarderers and constructs the first expansion and defensive wall around Ekbir now grown to small city size do to influx of surviving garrisons and civilians. -417cy/2242bhAkamen declares himself Beyeg, (Governor) and Ekbir a province with the small city of Ekbir as its capitol. -412cy/2247bhThe Cult of Istus becomes the strongest following in Ekbir. The High Prophetess of Istus declares the God-King dead and his line extinguished. Akamen is proclaimed Caliph of the Bakluni people. Around them the survivors of the Bakluni Cavalry forces refuse to acknowledge the upstart sailor as their leader and begin a nomadic existence following the cattle herds and hunting game. Reign of Caliph Akamen begins. -402cy/2255bhCaliph Tezpez son of Akamen -366cy/2291bhCaliph Cyax great nephew of Tezpez -339cy/2318bhCaliph Atyx son of Cyax -311cy/2336bhDeath of Atyx - God-King Rebellion Begins -303cy/2344bhSazan declares himself God-King -299cy/2348bhSazan assassinatedPa'ak son of Sazan declares himself God-King -292cy/2355bhAzadash son of Pa'ak declared God-King -274cy/2373bhZafur son of Azadash declared God-King -245cy/2402bhHarzim son of Zafur declared God-King -244cy/2403bhHarzim assassinatedBazrim brother of Harzim, Son of Zafur declares himself God-King -241cy/2406bhBazrim assassinatedBazrim II son of Bazrim declares himself God-King -222cy/2425bhBazrim III son of Bazrim II declared God-King -221cy/2426bhBazrim III assassinatedNazresh the Old son of Zafur declares himself God-King -212cy/2435bhHarzim II son of Naresh declared God-King -205cy/2442bhHarzim II assassinated The Year of Three KingsNazresh II son of Harzim II declares himself God-KingNazresh II assassinatedZafur II son of Harzim II declares himself God-KingZafur ... read more!

Historical – Battles of Greyhawk

2020-01-04T05:47:53-05:00January 4th, 2020|

Battles of Greyhawk Inspired by an old post of  Mortellan's I culled all the references to Battles and Wars which I'd collected in my Encyclopedia Greyhawkania Index (last updated in 2003) Almorian Campaign [BTL]LGG - 124 Bad Deep [BTL]FTAC - 43,47LGJ#4 - 28SLV - 17TAB - 8 Baklunish-Suloise War [BTL]FTAA - 3FTAR#1GA - 102LGG - 32,110,154LGJ#5 - 20PGTG - 9TAB - 14WGG - 5WG8 - 25,105WGR4 - 3WOGA - 8,9 Battle Beneath The Waves [BTL]LGG - 138LGJ#5 - 17,21 Battle of a Fortnights Length [BTL]LGG - 14,23,77,110,112,185LGJ#3 - 9TAB - 57WGG - 5WOGA - 8,9 Battle of a Thousand Banners [BTL]DRG#297 - 93DRG#302 - 98LGG - 57,77LOG - 8,10,17,33,34,74,92,97,112WGG - 13WOGA - 30 Battle of Bloody Ridge [BTL]LGJ#5 - 28 Battle of Bloody Tears [BTL]TSB - 44 Battle of ElreddSEE Elredd, Battle of Battle of Emridy Meadows [BTL]SEE Emridy Meadows, Battle of Battle of Jetsom Island [BTL]SEE Jetsom Island, Battle of Battle of Lost Hope [BTL]WGR2 - 51 Battle of Opicm River {Battle of the Opicm River}[BTL]WGG - 14WOGA - 33 Battle of the Great Gate [BTL]DG - 79,83 Battle of the Shamblefield [BTL]SEE Shamblefield, Battle of the Blackwater Bend, Battle of (Black Water)[BTL]DRG#56 - 19LGG - 134 Blazebane, Battle of [BTL]IVID Blood War [BTL]RTO8 - 10,56WGR5 - 16,91,92 Brewfest Rebellion [CAL][BTL]DRG#293 - 93DRG#299 - 99,100DRG#302 - 99LOG - 21,25,26,32,34,40,45,58,59,63,65,68,69,77,88,107ONW1-01 - 2 Cairn Hills, Great Barrows [BTL]TAB:AM - 4,12 Celene Pass, Battle of [BTL]FTAA - 76FTAC - 77,87GW:ADV - 18 Ceshra, Purge of [BTL]LGJ#5 - 21 Chokestone, Battle of [BTL]IVID Critwall Bridge, Battle of [BTL]FTAA - 6GW:ADV - 10LGJ#0 - 6 Crockport, Battle of [BTL]FTAC - 71 Csipros Erd (Geysers of Death)[BTL]GA - 3,97,98 Duxchan ... read more!

Languages of Oerthly Magic – Protection From Evil

2020-01-04T05:35:53-05:00January 4th, 2020|

Languages of Oerthly Magic - Protection From Evil 20). Protection From EvilAmedian - Ulenze Na Uva (Ul-En-Ze Na U-Va)Bakluni (Ancient) - Zerrendan Koruemazi (Zer-Ren-Dan Ko-Ru-Ma-Zi)Drow - Vedalmate Nuat A Ganae (Ve-Dal-Mat Nu-At A Ga-Na)Dwarven - Bezkieteleze Mod Deat Ondae (Bez-Ki-Tel-Ze Mod Det On-Da)Elven - Soja Pahalta (So-Ja Pa-Hal-Ta)Flan - Kozaent O Olke (Ko-Za-Ent O Olk)Fruz - Vearnde Frae Ola Elae (Ve-Arnd Fra Ol-A El-A)Giantish - Zaete Vor Dam Bozane (Za-Et Vor Dam Bo-Zan)Gnomish - Bezkermane Tagane Haet Kaed (Bez-Ker-Man Ta-Gan Ha-Et Ka-Ed)Oeridian - Zazaketa Ote Za (Za-Zak-Ta Ot Za)Olman - Taea Palakappa (Ta-A Pa-La-Kap-Pa)Suel - Praezedum A Malam (Pra-Ez-Ed-Um A Mal-Am) I think Ive worked out my language equivalents if anyone wants to work up some of these for themselves.  Amedian - SwahiliBakluni (Ancient) - TurkishDrow - MagyarDwarven - DanishElven - FinnishFlan - IrishFruz - IcelandicGiantish - GermanGnomish - DutchOeridian - RussianOlman - TamilSuel - Latin These are just the base for the very slightly altered languages. It helps me a great deal in fiction but it is also helpful DMing and adds a good reason to have a comprehend languages spell on hand. I chose them with a few ideas in mind. The Suel always remind me of ancient Rome so Latin. The giants, dwarves, fruz, and gnomes always feel linked to me. Elves and Drow should have some link but strained over the centuries that have separated them so Finnish and Magyar.

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