Mas Bagus

Sovereign's Will: The Edge of War [Looking for new players]

Despite being left cold (And she had to reheat it using her power), it turned out the tea she was sipping was quite a heady one. Someone was taking their tea seriously here and she wondered who.

Fred had been finished with his little rah-rah speech. Years of experience as a mediator had honed her skill to both listen and read at the same time, but to decrypt Fredricus' words and answer was a different skillset altogether. You can say more than half of it was political hogwash, either to confuse his enemy should someone in this room intend to leak this meeting or to taunt a certain someone to be more involved in his plan.

This was not something to be taken at face value.

Part of her itched to tell Yvonne just that, but maybe a high level of political gambit was not for everyone. And that was how Yvonne now got stuck on Fred's long-winded speech that actually seemed to go nowhere remotely close to her understanding.

Looking back at the documents, she tried to recap what she had just read. Amongst the new recruits, there was one foreigner under the name of Gephar who possessed a strikingly similar ability to one of her former employees back in her days in CSA. An Empath, and that alone was an extremely rare talent and a very useful one to relay undisputable information. Jazdia only knew that he was loaned by one of Fredricus' allies, but she reckoned their arrangement wouldn't come cheap.

Then there were few soldiers, some with noble backgrounds.

The first one. Athena Voltspear. A youkai-- Wait, did they just put it in this...?

Jazdia activated her vision and scanned the cat-eared individual, confirming that youkai could fill the ranks in Fredricus' forces.
Apparently, she was a veteran and had made quite a name for herself in the army before being assigned to a unit under the Court Wizard Antigone Stainewll. Adept in defensive magic. A rare talent to divert damage. Minor fire magic. Limited shapeshifting.

The one under the name of Louise specialized in using wind magic, and she honed her ability for the purpose of rapid assault and defense alike.

The other soldier, a male who came with Louise has nothing exceptional in his files. But he was a noble, and apparently Thernous grandson.

Now this was getting more interesting. Jazdia took a quick glance toward a flamboyant-looking elf with bluish skin, trying to match him with the files. Varya Chandrar was not born in Varenheim, but had been around the continent since a young age, offering skill for gold and earning himself a reputation of being honorable and honest. At least that was what the evaluation said.
Capable of cloaking himself with limited invisibility and can move quietly and quickly. A shield-bearer and an expert in intelligence gathering. Such an odd mix indeed especially when Jazdia looked at his flashy getups.

Jazdia secured the document into her bag and stood up. There were two more new faces in this meeting. Instead of that bearish Cedar, now there were two of them! Each was half his size, but she already had a hunch that those two would be no less difficult to deal with.
They were here to bring ill news about Cedar's latest known fate, and it seemed Fredricus too shared their despondency.

She would save her judgment for later. But delivering this letter should be their top priority. Walking toward one of the more familiar faces, she tapped Yvonne's shoulder. "Good to see you again, Miss Rosenving."

Though they were supposed to be on a first-name basis, Yvonne never called her by her name and instead opted to call her Sparky. A moniker she wasn't fond of nor disliked. And thus, she would try to approach this conversation with rigid politeness.

Sovereign's Will: The Edge of War [Looking for new players]

"Hello, World!"

My first ever post in this website and created my debut character as well. As a complete beginner I will comply to GM's guidance and balancing as much as it needed.

"I put myself at your mercy."

"The Pale Scourge"

Name : Sir Garpha

Species : Human

Age : 39

Gender : Male

Height : 176 cm (5'8”)

Appearance:

An adult human male with a lean physique and defined muscles, broad shoulders, smooth ashen skin, long-and-pepper textured wavy hair. An eerily attractive complexion with a flat expression, his deep bright amber eyes gave a piercing stare. Older than he seems, he looks like someone in his late twenties.

For his usual occasion he uses a simple shirt under form-fitted neck-length collared doublet with over-extended shoulder padding with removable sleeves tied with intricate cords and dark-colored leather jerkin on top. Wear reinforced trousers, a small satchel bag, and strapped with utility belt and knife rolls. Use boots just under knee-length with sturdy soles and wrist-length gloves. His all-black attire was covered with a calf-length dark hooded robe to conceal it all.

Bio:

During scavenging of destroyed village they stumbled upon; some nomadic mercenary group found a dying female in the middle of child labor. They helped her labor and then born a wailing baby tightly grabbing his nuchal cord. Just after the baby born before passing away from child labor, she says the word “Garpha” and so the baby is named after her last word. Unbeknownst to anyone, the baby that has just born has the innate talent—a blessing—of a truth seer. Someone who can differentiate what’s lies and what’s not.

Years passed by, young Garpha was raised as a mercenary. With mediocre skill using standard weaponry, Garpha filled the role of one who takes care of the group’s well being along with other members. Later they discover Garpha’s unusual talent for ropes and whip after playing with vines and later uses snake whip as his weapon of choice. Through many experiences they share, the group grows attached to him that they consider him as their family. And after many more, they realized that Garpha can exactly tell who’s lying and who’s not.

After some time, they enter a kingdom in decline between Tretagor and Varenheim. This mercenary group is called upon by the king to perform missions. On the go, they talk about young Garpha’s truth seeing ability to the King. The king thought that’s amusing and played along with him. Sometime after a couple moments of kicks-and-giggle, the King realizes Garpha’s potential and eventually takes him seriously. After he swears loyalty to the king and an agreement that if he ever crosses the kingdom they will hunt and execute his whole group including him, which fortunately never happened, the kingdom takes him in as the youngest squire ever in the kingdom’s history. With basic knowledge about fighting and weaponry he already got from his group, the kingdom molded him from a young age to be a special unit of the black-ops team and later as an interrogator.

After going through the ranks to the top, he once again solidified his loyalty to the royal family through consensus emasculation and was later appointed as personal bodyguard of the royal family. After serving directly under the king for decades with great accomplishments helping the kingdom from its ruin, he’s given the highest knightly title along with a unique imperial armament that only suits him and later became his majesty’s closest advisor.

Years passed by. After the death of the king, his eldest son rose to position substituting his father's throne. There are some changes to the kingdom’s rule for the better or worse. Continuing the role of his late father as a client king to the now Nation of Kindeance, his new majesty accepts Fredericus's invitation and orders Garpha to assist Kindeance in any way possible.

Passives and Skillsets:

- Truth Seer:
Garpha’s innate ability. Able to distinguish truth from deceptions from his interlocutor’s statements whether verbally or non-verbal gestures and expressions. He does not make other says truthful statements unwillingly, so he still needs to extract information by other means. It has no effect on machinery like an automaton. Less effective in written statements, a person with memory loss or ones that is brainwashed in the sense that he cannot determine their quality of information but knew something was off. Also bound to the interlocutor’s culture, for example, such as in a certain region a nod meant as a disagreement or disapproval will register to Garpha as an approval or agreement instead. Therefore, verbal statement is the most ideal. Unfavorable side effect of this ability is people become wary to say anything to him. This leads to most people staying away from him and makes him detached from social interactions. He copes with this condition by talking and playing with animals.

- Chronic Insomnia:
Due to the emotional and psychological toll from his intense service as leading interrogator, Garpha has trouble initiating sleep and have a hard time getting into deep sleep. With the use of his weapon ability, his quality of sleep and time spent on sleeping could be further worsened with the extreme use of his unique weapon. A lower immune system leads to increased pain sensitivity and is more susceptible to infections. Undisturbed full deep sleep session awakens him in peak condition, usually lasts 16 hours and even 24 hours if extremely exhausted. Awakened mid sleep results in lower performance and difficult to stay alert, and hallucination if extremely exhausted.

- Eunuch:
Through emasculation due to the roles of personal bodyguard of the royal family, Garpha becomes a eunuch. A status of absolute loyalty to the royal family and trusted by the king. Other than lacking deepening of the voice, little to no body and facial hair, and other development of secondary sexual characteristics, he has no sexual drive and is not capable of any sexual activity. Less muscle mass results in lower strength compared to men with just as much training as him, but increased stamina and durability.

- Whip Mastery:
Peak proficiency in the use of whip and elongated objects that can be used to restraint such as ropes, chains, and vines. His degree of mastery includes grabbing intricate things with delicate use of the whip, disarm of enemies’ weaponry, move from one place to another like climbing buildings by grabbing a protruding foundation of a house and arboreal movements like swinging from one tree to another by grabbing its branch, also capable of deflecting multiple arrows about half a dozen projectiles that shoots at him with relative ease. Effective area is as long the whip itself.

- Advanced Martial Arts:
Because of the ineffective range of whip at under 6 feet, Garpha needs to have some counter measure and that is a unique martial art similar to standing throw as well as ground wrestling that use techniques including but not limited to throwing an opponent, immobilize them with a pin, or force an opponent to submit with a joint lock or a choke. Also, some underhanded techniques like tripping, eye gouging, and other vital point strikes like crotch area, jab to the neck, etc. This martial technique is further reinforced by using his whip not to lash at enemies but to immobilize and restrain them by shackling their limbs with intricate tying technique to capture them. Can also uses his unique weapon to mitigate incoming attacks by covering the body surface area just before an impact or straight up blocking the attack point blank with his durable whip.

- Intermediate Multiple Language Fluency:
As an expert interrogator, he expected to be familiar with other languages. Known languages other than his native language and languages from the kingdom he was raised in and its proximity areas, it includes the language of urban area around Kindeance and Mechedonia.

- Intermediate Lip Reading:
Learned to further improve the use of his Truth Seer ability. Effective within 7 meters (23 ft).

- Lesser Trap Detection:
With his experience as a part of a special squad directly under the old king by observing other member that were adept at trap detection, he gained some knowledge to detect one. Able to detect simple traps within 10 meters (33 ft).

- Lesser Knife Throwing:
Act as range weapon. Not adept nor particularly strong attack. Not lethal except hitting vital organs. It can also be used as a distraction.

Spells:

- Serpentine Subjugation:
Manipulate any elongated object that can naturally bend into a serpent-like thing that slithers away. Active upon physical skin body contact with the object. Used to bind and constrict enemy movements. The constricting power is comparable to the user’s current physical power and the object’s material durability. The serpentines can give a pseudo-sensory feeling to the user upon the user’s mind focusing. It can be remotely controlled with the user’s mind focus. Up to 3 serpentines can be controlled this way at the same time. Up to 50 serpentines can exist at the same time with uncontrolled simple commands like “restricts anyone that’s not an ally”. Also used as distraction. Effective control within the range of 50 meters (164 ft). Loses the effects when the user stops focusing, losing consciousness, the serpentine objects destroyed, dispel, etc. Automatically lose effect after 5 minutes except with continuous mind focus. If cast into his unique weapon, Járnormur, the user can still use its abilities as if he directly touches it.

- Dispel Magic:
This spell ends ongoing spells that have been cast on a creature or object, to temporarily weaken the magical abilities of a magic item, to end ongoing spells (or at least their effects) within an area, or to counter another spell. A dispelled spell ends as if its duration had expired. Some spells can’t be defeated by Dispel Magic.

- Spell Suppression:
Prevents a target creature or object from casting active spells for a while. Does not remove spells that are currently applied or taking effect.

- True Seeing:
This spell gives the willing creature you touch, including yourself, the ability to see things as they actually are. For the duration, the creature gains True Sight buff. A creature with True Sight can see in normal and magical darkness, see invisible creatures and objects, automatically detect visual illusions, notice secret doors hidden by magic, and perceive the original form of a creature that is transformed or alter his physical appearance by magic. Furthermore, the creature can see into the Ethereal Plane, all out to a range of 100 meters (328 ft). It can be cast into two creatures at the same time. Each cast spell lasts 30 minutes. Have a cooldown of 12 hours.

Equipment:

Imperial Arms: "Iron Serpent"

Main Weapon: Járnormur

An ancient armament in the form of a peculiar snake whip made of unknown material. Once one of many sacred weapons of the old king's royal armory. Adorned with a serpent head on its knot and an unknown inconspicuous runic inscription, 4 meters (13 ft) in total length, it has the color of matte silver covering from end to end. Remarkably durable to physical and magical attacks, even to extreme heat change. Able to withstand strong gastric acid of most foul beasts. Due to its unique properties, Járnormur can transfer the spell that needed its caster physical contact through it instead, acting as if it's one’s limb.

Járnormur chooses its user and will continuously drain mana of the person it makes physical contact with if it deemed them unworthy. Unworthy users cannot use any of its abilities. It can consume mana of its user on their command to further enhance its durability. Whenever it is damaged, it slowly drains its user mana to repair itself from any physical damage. It won't repair itself if the user is in grave danger and in dire need of mana to heal themselves.

If the user chooses to do so, at the expense of the mana and stamina of its user, Járnormur and its shockwave can hit the intangibles, ranging from elemental substances or matter with relatively dense mana, usually from cast spells to things like concentrated souls of once a living being. If the elemental substance or matter gets hit, it will vanish. If the intangible souls are lashed at and touched with the whip's tip, it gives an equivalent feeling to the target of getting hit with a kick from an adult wild stallion at full force to their unprotected face. Less of that if they get touched with another part of the whip comparable to the force of the whip applied. Cannot hit the soul of a living being.

Instant activation and deactivation of this ability upon the application of mana to the whip. In this state, the physical exhaustion is comparable to anaerobic exercise. Will drains a significant pool of mana upon each successful strike. Prolonged use of this state in a ceaseless uninterrupted whole 2 minutes causes exhaustion, with even further use causing the user to constipate and eventually faint. Daily usage of these abilities causes hallucinations and instills fear directly into the user's mind. The user can grab Járnormur's unique handle and effortlessly untangle it and resembles separating a thread into strands, revealing a pair of identical looking flexible thin blade strips each resembling a whip. Can be as easily fused again from the handle or the tip as both parts naturally coiled into a singular whip upon contact. It has a distinct sound like a ferocious blade when it goes through air space with great speed, giving intimidation to enemies but lose its silent properties. Each whip is double-edged and significantly more agile, making them specialized for offensive use while still maintaining its innate durability. It's so thin that it seems invisible if looked at from a certain angle, like directly at the front of the blades, making it difficult to visually detect an incoming attack. There are two other modes other than the regular mode to it when used in this way:

- Tvíbura Járnormar:
Have significantly longer reach due to it uncoils and sharp enough to cut bodies in a breeze. Even sharper to the point of slicing regular armor with more mana applied to it. It is difficult to be used for grabbing things without slicing the target in the process. Need to be wielded two-handed. Excellent for mid-range combat. Not recommended for indoor use.

- Tvíhöfða Járnormur:
After the user separates the handle, they reattach it upside down, then after a swing the thong unravels, making it a "double bladed" whip. Rather than for offensive usage, it provides a more balanced striking and defensive ability with front and back coverage. Due to its unique design, it provides a different attack pattern than that of a normal whip, which makes it hard to deal with. Excellent choice for getting grouped by enemies from all sides. Unsuitable for indoor usage especially when getting cornered.

Depends on the trip taken, at most he brings this equipment:

- Secondary snake whip. An average whip with a flexible handle.
- A rope. A thin durable rope made from common natural fibers. 12 meters (39 ft) in length.
- Linen sack. Hold his needs.
- A shirt for change and two clean pieces of long cotton cloth.
- Special cooking equipment. Small skillet and utensils. Specially made for the reckon teams. Compact, doesn’t make a lot of noise.
- Waterskin. Holds fresh water.
- Leather side bag. Hold his other necessities.
- Knight of the Royal Family Insignia. A metal insignia to identify oneself.
- Utility belt. Contain potions and other trinkets.
- Knife rolls. Strapped to his chest diagonally under his cloak. With many types of knives equipped, from throwing knife to utilitarian knife.
- Simple first aid kit. To patch wounds, etc.
- Fire starter kit. It consists of steel, flint rocks, char cloth, hemp tow, and a couple of short candles.
- Dry compass.

Other:
- He thinks of any animals as cute because they’re straightforward.

@Om Abang

Approved! You are good to go, Bang Hotman Paris

Sovereign's Will: The Edge of War [Looking for new players]

Yvonne Rosenving, "The Mad Blade"

Name: Yvonne Rosenving, "The Mad Blade"

Species: Human

Age: 29

Gender: Female

Appearance: Shorter than average, dark hair, somewhat sun-kissed skin from outdoor activity, and way less scars than one would've expect. Often clad in a set of brigandine adorned with a piece of suspiciously familiar scrap of purple fabric (or a pretty dress, at rarer occasion), and always with at least one weapon in her person.

Images

Bio: When Yvonne was born she's the only child to the opulent but very much declining house Rosenving, it took less than two more decades of ridiculous parties and all-around bad financial management before it was driven to the verge of bankruptcy. Naturally there comes the talk of marriage upon which Yvonne, an oddball obsessed with distinctly unladylike things like driving the business end of a weapon into someone's soft flesh, all but absconded with her great-grandfather's blade. The rest of her life was spent in a wild ride of mercenary work and avoiding (more commonly, well, thoroughly violencing) the men hired by her family and/or her would-be fiance to bring her back. Her journey brought her all round the three kingdoms and more, even after her ancestral home collapsed and pursuers stopped coming.

After stashing the kingly ransom from the last job into a Helvetian bank, Yvonne made her return for the second part as promised. With risk comes reward, and surely ol' Freddy wouldn't be stingy this time around? Besides, she came better prepared this time around...

Skillset: Well versed in outdoor survival, knack for murder and violence, oddly high spatial awareness, dancing, easily thrives in chaotic situation, very good at intimidation, weaves pretty dang well, and is proficient using common melee weapons. Personally prefers the mace despite her title.

Spells:
-Mansplitter (Self-buff. Gain inhuman strength for a very short period. The stronger the effect, the greater the backlash.)
-Warcry (AoE debuff. Inflict terror in a wide area. Greater effect on closer target, and greater effect on direction Yvonne is facing.)
-Bloodlust (Passive. Haste, pain tolerance, and resistance to mental effect. Starts off weak but ramps up as the fight goes on.)
-Resilience (Passive. Harder to injure, less affected by existing injuries, and heals a lot faster than normal at the cost of increased calorie usage.)

Equipment: Daily necessities (preserved rations, a tin pot, medical supply, knapping, change of clothes, etc), adorned brigandine, the sword her great-grandfather wielded that probably never saw use since then until it landed in her hands, a heavy flanged mace, a rondel dagger, a belt of high-quality potions in silver flasks.

Other: Can be inserted to the plot any time it's convenient (or fun) to do so.

@A5G

Accepted, welcome back to the team!

Sovereign's Will: The Edge of War [Looking for new players]

Upon hearing the call, Jazdia Crystalspark walked forward. This kind of formalities, though rather trivial, was uncommon if she looked back from the last four months ago.

It seemed Fredricus employed a different person this time. Lord Thernous was the name she heard quite often, and she had the intel about him in her playbook during her survey before opening Angel's share. Apparently Fredricus' uncle, The elderly man held an important position in the Ministry of Trade and Industry.

"Jazdia Crystalspark. I would like to request a copy of the other participants' dossiers if you don't mind. Thank you! " she said, smiling at Therneous before entering the room and sitting on a chair next to a table that had a full set of tea pot and clean cups prepared. And the tea was cold... again? Really?

Sovereign's Will: The Edge of War [Looking for new players]

Varya Chandrar

Varya Chandrar

Name: Varya Chandrar

Species: Elf

Age: 44

Gender: Male

Appearance: Varya is a elf man who stands at 175.26 Centimeters tall. His skin is a pale blue. He has chin length ebon
black hair cut into a meticulously neat and tidy bob cut. He has cool dark brown eyes adorning his feminine, handsome
bishounen face. His nails are painted blue, and he wears glossy black lipstick. His build is lean and toned, with visible
abs, giving him a very androgynous appearence. He is obsessed with his image and loves fashion, always seeking to dress
for the occassion, often favoring the colors blue or green. When traveling abroad or across the wilderness he will
prioritize more simplistic tunics or tied up shirts, leggings and cloaks for practicality, and chain mail and gambeson
armor for protection. In more formal or relaxed settings he prefers to dress more dapper and stylish, such as wearing
suits and ties, or long billowy robes.

Bio: Varya Chandrar was an Elf born in a land far to the east under a shining moon. Loyalty is a virtue near and dear to
Varya's heart, and he wanted to express it in someway, hince he desired to find someone to share it with. To find such
worthy people, he became a mercenary scout for hire. In order to maintain a good reputation, he made it a point to never
betray his employers, no matter how much money somebody else offered, so as not to seem duplicitous or treacherous, a
label he reviled. Honor is of great importance to Varya, as he would rather die than live dishonored. If he wanted to earn
others loyalty, he himself must show loyalty.

Varya's reputation for dutifully following orders and his skills in battle and gathering intelligence eventually reached
the ears of the King of Kindeance, and an invitation was sent to Varya. Varya sees this as an oppurtunity to prove himself
worthy of respect, and to the next step to find great people worthy of his dedication and service.


Passives: Elf Physiology
Acrobatic and Athletic
Extensive Bow Training
Martial Arts Training
Minor Daggers, Shortswords and Hammers skills
Stealth Expertise: Has practiced silencing footsteps and breathing very quietly in order to get the drop on less wary
opponents

Spells:

Bhumidevi's Embrace: Requires skin contact with natural earth, rock, or soil, and cannot be used in high stress
situations like combat. Turbo charges the benefits of Earthing, accelerates natural healing from aliments and injuries,
increases stamina recovery, reduces need for food, reduces pain, thins blood, increases the quality of sleep, and lowers
inflammation. The longer Varya is in contact with the earth, the greater the effects. Does not work in ultra dry soils like
those found in deserts.

Bull's Strength: Tremendously boosts physical strength, mimicking a mighty Bull. 2 Post Duration. Can't be used at the same time as Cat's Grace.

Cat's Grace: Increases agility, flexibility, balance, finesse, hand-eye coordination, speed, and overall nimbleness,
mimicking a Cat's deftness. 2 Post Duration. Can't be used at the same time as Bull's Strength.

Shadow Walk: Uses Illusion magic to mask presence. Become completely invisible to normal sight, muffles sounds and quiets
footsteps. 2 Post Duration

Equipment:
Crescent Moon: An enormous white wood C-shaped longbow with silver linings. The bow is as tall as Varya and requires great
strength to draw.
Family Heirloom: Silver necklace with a sapphire jewel
Waterskin
Butterfly swords
Wooden Shield
Cane Sword
Warhammer
Chain Mail and Gambeson armor
Backpack
Suitcase
Compass
Flint and Steel
Soap

Other: Varya is a Kuudere Femboy. Varya is a vegetarian

@Nightknight

I think your character is good to go!

Sovereign's Will: The Edge of War [Looking for new players]

My tried and true character. Not much has changed.

He Who Lives in Death

Name: Solomon Sparrow

Species: Archlich

Age: 251

Gender: Male

Appearance:
A tall yet very thin man. His true height is 6’6”, however given his age, he if often hunched over making him appear shorter. He is often wearing travelers clothes made of cloth and leather. His attire is normally not seen as he also wears a large cloak that covers him from head to just before it reaches the floor. He also has a mask that covers his mouth and nose and a pair of gloves. Most of his clothes are black or dark gray in color. As a result, he is rarely completely seen aside from his eyes. When one does get to look at portions of him, such as his eyes or forearms, his skin appears tight, gray, and dehydrated. He eyes are sunken and of indeterminable color.
Attached to his back by several belts is a rather large tome. The book appears old, and the pages yellowed. Two thin metal plates overlap either cover, and the book is sealed with several straps. Thin rune etchings are caved into the metal plates, and the leather straps.

Bio:
Solomon had lived through war, peace, and war. He has seen the kingdom of Kindeance transform from a war bound ruler to a peaceful trading hub. Solomon lost his wife to Meche extremists which led him down his current path. Solomon vowed to one day find the means of properly adverting the finality of death. In that pursuit, he came across a variety of means that worked as a stopgap at most. However, eventually he led himself down the line of necromancy. Despite the risks, he underwent a ritual which bound his soul the the material plane, so that should he ever perish, his soul could never leave, and forever return. This method was not perfect. While it would keep him in the presence of the living, it was not overcoming death, it was merely replacing the destination of those who passed on. But it would be enough.
Having already experienced death once before, Solomon sought revenge against those who took his wife from him. He also took revenge for those who severely wronged the innocent. He had genuine urge to help those in need, but these methods also helped fuel his phylactery, provide information on the processes of death, and eventually became his means of enforcement.
No longer fearing an early end to his life, Solomon continued his studies. He encountered soul bound automatons, other undead, and even runelore. Eventually, Solomon realized that he had time, that death was no longer a deadline. He was filled with different emotions, but now having literal lifetimes in his future, he slowly began to acclimate to the lifespan of multiple generations.
While he remained focused on his research, he continued with his life as he had always done prior to the death of his wife. He was a traveling doctor, offering medical aid to those village who were too poor, too far away, and just were unable to access magical healing from the few clerics that lived in the kingdom. As time passed on, he grew into obscurity. He was still known as a traveling doctor, but given his age, it didn’t seem right for him to constantly be brought up. And then there were the rumors of the undead he would travel with. Rare was it for him to be seen with the power, but common enough to stick with him as he traveled. It was these rumors of his expertise with beyond the grave did the king first approach him. It was common phrase that dead men told no tales. However, with Solomon, dead men could hide no secrets.
In the four months since that adventure, Solomon made good use of the king’s generosity, take time to study the controversial, and otherwise limited materials found within the royal’s libraries. In the last four months, he has spent a lot of time revisiting runelore. Part because of Asevor, and part because of the soul binding aspect of the practice. At the same time, he insisted on staying with the von Kruber’s estate while the Fanghorn situation was settling through the winter. Much to the objections of everyone involved. However, her attitude had changed after a time where Solomon let Von Kruber’s widow peer into the tome he carried. Since then she ceased her protests, but remained distant to Solomon’s presence. Likewise, her children. The others remained unhappy about it.
Being so close to Rascade, and the Von Kruber estate, Solomon would once again be called upon for his assistance beyond the medical expertise he still practices.

Passives:
Medicine: Solomon is skilled in the practical application of medicine, bandages, and triage.
Herblore: Solomon can forage materials and create medicines
Alchemy: basic alchemy, Solomon can isolate infectious materials into vials
Nomad: Solomon has spend years traveling from place to place, as a result, he almost always knows where he is insomuch as it’s an established road. He also knows how to forage for food and make basic meals.
Undead: Solomon does not need to eat, drink, or sleep, though he can still participate for the pleasure of it. He also cannot be poisoned or diseased.
Speak with Dead: Solomon can speak with the dead.

Spells:
Using his spell book, Solomon has an innate skill to bind the living, undead, or recently deceased to the book and himself. This means that their souls will bind into the book and into his service. Any living person will not be under his control until after death. When bound to the book, their spirit takes on a form of undead should it even be called to manifest. This form is permanent, and is chosen by the spirit itself. What form it takes is usually also unknown to the person from whom the soul originates.

- Animate Dead: Solomon can bring back to life any dead body he comes into close proximity with. The undead being will retain primal instincts, though higher intelligent beings will be able to call upon their skills, muscle memory, and communicate as required. If the body is too damage to raise, a ghost will form instead. Raised dead will always obey Solomon’s commands. Creatures animated with way cannot be bound to his spell book. They can only do what is physically capable of them.
- Summon Dead: Solomon can call upon the spirits harbored within his tome. Undead associated with that called spirit will form from the earth or air when applicable. Likewise, they will always appear as close to what they did when alive. They will also maintain their personality when applicable. However, they cannot disobey Solomon’s commands. They can only do what is physically possible of them.
- Incorporeal form: For about 30 minutes, Solomon can turn into a black cloud entity. In this form, he is invulnerable to all physical interaction including walls, obstacles, and attacks. This also includes being unable to interact or speak. He is also incapable of performing any of his other spells in this form. While in this form he can change his size, increase his elevation, and merge with existing shadows.
- Dagger hold: This spell will bind a person in place. Any attempt to move will cause the trapped creature pain as though they were pushing into a wall of knives. This can cause physical trauma. The strength of the hold is proportional to the strength of Solomon. It is possible to break out from, but the pain associated with it can be unbearable.

Equipment:
Death Tome: Large spell book bound to his person, it holds the contracts of the living and dead who are bound to his will. It also acts as his anchor to the living realm, allowing him to continue existing in the world though he should have passed years ago. The book strapped to his back, partially covered by his robes, and clasped shut between two thin metal plates with several leather belts. As long as he has it, he has access to the spells and contracts inside. Should it ever be destroyed, Solomon would cease to be.

Healers Kit: glorified first aide.
Knife roll: Rolled cloth holding knives of varying sizes
Sewing Kit: needle and thread
Potion’s kit: Vials, pestle and mortar, distiller, water skins and a pouch of commonly found ingredients
Vials of unknown diseases
Poison

Other: His late wife's name was Adeline.

The other character. The ‘just in case’ character.

Feline Frontliner

Name: Athena Voltspear

Species: Yokai

Age: 127

Gender: Female

Appearance:
Appears to be a that of a young woman with a height of about 5’5” and a weight of 115lb. She has a slim frame, but her musculature is tone. Her skin color is fair. She has three white stripes that end at the top of her forehead, moves up over her scalp. down the back of her neck, and end again at her lower back. These stripes are hard to see because in most light, the white of the stripes blend in with her normal skin color, and because she has hair and clothing covering them. However, the evidence of the stripes is evident through her hair. She has black hair, but there are similar strips of white hair that mirror her skin, almost like highlights. She has solid blue irises for her eyes with a slit pupil much like a cat’s. She does not have any tattoos, piercings, or discernible marks outside of the stripes across her head. Her most defining features are a pair of black cat ears at the either side of the top of her head with white tufts of fur, and a pair of pure black twin tails that sprout from her tailbone.
She dons medium armor that is almost form fitting for her frame, appearing slender in appearance, but obviously offers decent protection against normal weaponry. The armor she has includes cuirass with a pointed sternum on the breastplate. She has surcoat that bears Kindeance colors. She also has tassets that acts like a skirt, and then front facing greaves for her shins. She also wears boots, and appears to have tiny feet. She has a pauldron and vambrace for right arm only. The rest of her armor is mainly leather clothing and belts so that she can keep some flexibility.
She spends her free time as a cat. In this form, she is a short hair cat, completely black with three white stripes that travel from the top of her head down to the end of her back. Her front right paw is also white. She has blue eyes. She also has two tails in this form.

Bio:
Athena was once the cat to a proud Kindeance Shield bearer of the royal army. This shield bearer was known as Voltspear. During the time before the declaration of peace, this shield bearer stood valiantly in the front lines, defending his soldiers, and pushing the enemy Meche army back. During the time of peace, Voltspear remained in the service of his king, and the heir of that king. Though his age prevented him from active duty, he remained vigilant. He trained new recruits, maintained equipment, and otherwise stood as an exemplar for his division.
Through all of his loyalty, when off duty, he took care of a cat. He had found it one day after training, its leg trapped in the remains of some barbed wire. Deciding to take it in, Voltspear took care of the cat until it recovered. He adopted to feline, giving her the name Athena. They were inseparable. He even started taking the cat with him to the castle grounds. As he grew old, Athena grew along with him. It was rare to see Voltspear without his feline companion with him. It had become his signature appearance.
One night, Athena woke atop her master’s chest disturbingly still. It was obvious to anyone, Voltspear had taken his last breath. Perhaps, it was a blessing to have passed in his sleep, peacefully. Having lived over one hundred years, never having once retired, it seemed like an inevitability. Yet, it was still a sorrowful revelation. Athena mourned the loss of her master, but that mourning and the love she had for him and the love he gave her awoke something in her.
Athena found herself born anew, with a different scope of identity. She stood on all four, and stretched her back before she slid off the bed. With two feet, she walked towards the door, and opened it with her new found hands. One hundred years had passed since her birth, and she was lucky to have somehow lived that long in the loving care of Voltspear, and the garrison he helped foster.
From then on, Athena was the mysterious new recruit to join the Kindeance army. In time, the connection between her and the late Voltspear was uncovered. It was indisputable that in some form or another she was the progeny of Voltspear. Yet, despite the similarities between some of her features, the knowledge she had of the Kindeance core, or even the fact they shared a name, no one made the connection between her and the cat Voltspear lovingly took in so many years ago.
Quickly advancing among the ranks, and showing skill that the once famed Voltspear once displayed, it was hard for her to not be noticed by the leading parties within the castle. It certainly helped that she possessed some kind of magic that allowed her to preform her duties better. She seemly was able to appear out of no where, offering her shield when protection was needed, or her spear to push the offensive. Perhaps this ability could be of use to the king.

Passives:
Polearm and shield skills
Acrobatics and athletics

Detect life: Athena can detect the life force of living beings that are within about thirty feet of her position. As a result, she is hard to surprise.

Aspect of Feline: She can see farther than most humans, as well as able to see in the dark. She can also smell specific scents and associate certain scents to specific people or places. She is also very nimble and athletic, sporting more strength than her frame would suggest.

Spells:
- Ghost Fire: She can create a ghostly flame on any surface, flammable or not. The fire is like any other flame, creating heat enough the burn. The fire cannot be put out, but the heat can be mitigated through a variety of cooling methods. The fire also cannot spread, but is hot enough to set fire to normally flammable materials. The size of the fire can cover an area of at most one square foot or less. The fire can only be cast up to 10 feet away. The fire extinguishes whenever a new fire is created, Athena is unconscious, Athena releases the flame, or she moves too far away. It burns a bright purple without embers.

- Transformation: Athena can turn into a cat. Any equipment she happens to be carrying also transforms along with her with the exception of luggage. In this form, she can move just like any ordinary cat can. She can transform back at will, her equipment manifesting along with her. While transformed, she maintains all of her capabilities, magical or non, including speech with the exception of Bulwark.

- Bulwark: Athena’s can create a shield directly in front of her, centered on her person. The shield is mostly impenetrable to physical and magical attacks. Her shield projects a magical wall that extends all sides of her by about three feet. Projectile and magical attacks from those she considers her allies are able to free pass through. While Bulwark is active, Athena is incapable of moving. Each blow the shield withstands drains her energy.

- Reiki Touch: Athena can bless one ally through touch. As so long as the two are within 50 feet of each other, any damage the blessed person sustains is instead dealt to Athena in full. This will leave the blessed individual unharmed. The damage Athena sustains is determined by the blessed individual’s equipment and enchantments. None of her own abilities can diminish the effects. The blessing will remain active until Athena dismisses the blessing, is too far away, is unconscious, or is killed including through damage sustained from the blessing.

Equipment:

Vos Vitale: A spear Athena had crafted herself. Or more accurately, a spear she had commissioned then modified. A hard wood shafted spear with a metal head. The spear head has a long neck bolted to the shaft. The spearhead is long and sharp, without any barbs. At the base of the point, but still apart of the metal neck is embedded two white pearls on opposite sides of each other. The spearhead and neck are black in color, in contrast to the bright white pearls.

Loyale Fudo: One half of the twin tower shields Voltspear used to wield during his time in service. A large shield, 4.5ft tall and 2ft wide. The shield has a slight curve along the outside of the left side. The shield is made out of wood with metal plating, making it rather heavy, through Athena is able to wield it without difficulty. The face of the shield has several dents. There is half the Kindeance coat of arms painted on the front equally scratched and faded with time. The half image implies the rest of it is on another tower shield that matches with this one, oddly meant to be wielded together. The shield the completes Athena’s is mounted within the garrison at Rascade.

Medium armor: Standard armor in which Athena can move nimbly in. Consists mainly of a cuirass, tassets and greaves. There is also a vambrace, and pauldron for the her spear arm. The rest of her body is covered in leather more for flexibility while still offering some protection.

Dagger

Other: She dislikes being wet. While she won’t freak out, the idea of being out in the rain or lake is not appealing to her.

@Randomness

In case you want my formalized approval, your character is approved!

Sovereign's Will: The Edge of War [Looking for new players]

How much is one expected to write in a single post? Seems verbose

@Nightknight

It looked verbose because we were setting up the plot. Once the game has run, it is usually 2 paragraphs or less. Anyway, the door is still open!

Sovereign's Will: The Edge of War [Looking for new players]

Meanwhile, somewhere in Kindeance Westernmost Province
__________________________________________________________

She called the place the Lab workstation. It was the place where ingredients for some potions were ground, measured,
and then prepared to be cooked on small burners. It was also the place for her to 'work' on her test subjects; they were usually placed, tied, or sedated on a rather large table at the corner of the room in varieties of position and condition.

But today she had to empty that table at Stritzel's request. And the reason for it was even more ridiculous; to make the place easier for the eye for an inspection.

Widernia O'heyak doesn't like it when someone invades her turf.

Strangers or patrons didn't matter, the only difference was, for her patron she was willing to hide her dislikes and rein the urgency to backstab them. After all, her research could not continue without their funding. She needs them as much as they need her, and so far she could always draw a line and assure her patron that they were on equal ground.

But there was something different this time, something that tipped the scale and forced Wedernia to be more lenient, if not careful. Unlike the usual pathetic and whiny Stritzel, the patron visiting today was a powerful man, old but so powerful she could smell it.

The man was some sort of "Controller" named Jonas Delving. A patriarch of one of the most powerful clans in Kindeance. Today, after overseeing the deliverance of their regular supplies, he was scheduled to have a tour in her lab, making sure the money spent was put to good use.

So here she was, like a dog on a short leash mustering every bit of patience she could find to 'show him around'

"What is this? Inquired the man as they arrived in front of a set of rooms separated by iron bars. The first cell was dwelled by a very large bear sleeping in a very large and sturdy bed. Despite the premium decoration, and the effort of Stritzel's servant to keep it as clean as possible, the room reeked the smell of foul blood and pus.

To answer their Controller's inquiry, that bear was half the reason why Widernia was here. The diagnosis concluded that he suffered a catastrophic organ contusion and had a piece of arrowhead-shaped crystal buried somewhere under his brain cavity. The internal damage can heal, albeit slowly, but the nose trauma was... not so optimistic. In fact, it only got worse day by day.

"That's my boy." Answered Stritzel, sounding genuinely brittle. The Controller only nodded as if the bizarreness of the answer didn't faze him at all.

Shifting his attention to the next cell, there was another bear chained in an outstretched position. His eyes were opened, but didn't seem fully conscious. His head tilted several times, mostly to look at the oil lamps in the corner of the room. Every once in a while he made a low guttural sound, sometimes a faint whimper or soft whirr of his breath.

It seemed he was having a rough night yesterday. After securing some ampuls of blood from his beastly arm, it was Stritzel's turn to indulge in whatever plan she fancied for their newest plaything. She didn't know what happened after the door was closed, nor did she care, but the moans were oddly spectacular.

The controller gestured for an explanation without having to ask.

"Another specimen, his younger brother." Though her smile was still fake and she was lying to her teeth, Widernia's voice sounded more ebullient this time. "The important one. The very useful one."

"Explain to me."

Widernia set aside some of her disheveled red hair and began enthusiastically. "We have been making an enchantment potion, yet the effect was minuscule. Luckily we secured this bear some three days ago. I've tested his blood, experimenting on it... and."

"And?"

"His blood is the key ingredient to bypass a certain chemical reaction that is otherwise impossible to maintain with conventional method."

The Controller, after a long-winded pause finally nodded. He looked at the bear again, rubbing his chin as if trying to recall something. But all that mattered for Widernia was the man didn't look very excited, or disappointed after hearing about the progress she discovered, and it insulted her to her very being.

"I see the gold is being put to good use, as it should be," said the man flatly. Then he turned to Stritzel again.

"Now, I have more important things to discuss with you. My source told me Fredricus has prepared a group of agents-"

"No! No! No!"

For a brief second, Stritzel's elderly frame arched as if something had pulled her. "Were they the SAME DAMN CREATURES WHO HURT MY SON?"

"Hard to say. But there was less reason for Fredricus to not employ his previous hirelings if they were that effective."

"Effective huh," Widernia mumbled. In order to calm the impulse to backstab the Controller for his failure to appreciate her work, she had retreated into the second cell where the restrained bear was, grinning from ear to ear when she heard that the king had dispatched them to find their missing friend. The Druid Bear from the Misty Forest.

Such a twist of fate that the Controller himself was unaware that the Druid in question was right under his nose. Such ignorance was deemed advantageous for her. The man got his plan, and she got hers. Her plan was better and theirs... boring.

"You hear that, my dear test subject?" the red-haired mage purred as she caressed the bear's fur. "How lucky of you that your friends are coming. Could I say the same for my master back then?"

Her master. A sudden urge to scissor the bear's exposed neck swelled inside her, but years under her master's tutelage had allowed her to be patient, to compromise. Not now, but soon, she will have her revenge, a long, precise, and bloody. And from that act of revenge, she would create something new.

She would settle with imagining a V-shaped incision for now. And indulging herself in a tough choice between implanting the head and spine or just the head. Letting her imagination run wild before closing the cell again, and activating the runic lock.

She and Stritzel would keep this secret to themselves for this time being. Though the motives were different, it suited her purpose nonetheless.

Sovereign's Will: The Edge of War [Looking for new players]

10:40 A.M.
[Jazdia "Slyph" Crystalspark]
Angel's Share Inn, Rascade, Kingdom of Kindeance
[FIVE DAYS BEFORE THE DECLARATION]
_____________________________________________________________

"Three consecutive months with zero net profit."

The elf announced calmly, fingers tapping against the polished wooden table as she returned the income statement back to her manager. Both of them knew how bad it was, but such gestures were needed to emphsaiz how messed up he was, also as another slap to the manager's dignity. He accepted it with his head low.

Sipping her tea, the elf, Jazdia Crystalspark sighed inaudibly before reviewing her findings. "I can understand if low sales and occupancy caused the loss, but windows repairs every two weeks? Chairs and tables? What or who in the world were you inviting in all these months? Circus animals?

"Even circus animals are more behaved than these people!"

The elven woman's blue eyes narrowed.

"Who are these people?"

Lucas straightened. The change in her tone and expression was something he didn't expect, yet he knew the dangers when he saw it. It had been a precious knowledge for him to know that his investor was not someone to be trifled with.

"Locals." answered Lucas in a single exhale. And he immediately wondered if tomorrow he would hear someone was dead again. He had prepared the names should the lady ask for the specifics.

"But it stated there you allocated some of the capital to pay the guards to do more patrol on the neighborhood."

"That..."

It was at this moment Lucas knew he was the one in real danger. His investor hadn't inquired him about that fateful night, where a rabble-rouser, after being forcefully tossed out, was killed in the same night. The situation turned from bad to worse after that night; sales plummeted and potential guests were turned away by mobs. Not a week passed without one or two windows getting stoned by God knows who. And the city guards, more often than not turned a blind eye to such kind of accident. As if deliberately commanded to do so.

He gave up and told her the rest of the story, along with a letter that arrived two days ago. What else he could do?

*****

What's worse? Letting two thousand gold coins down the drain, or having another audience with Fredricus the Weaselly?

When she waltzed into Rascade royal palace, the guards and sentries were there, manning their station per usual, but strangely nobody seemed bothered to stop her. Oh, she had been expected and she recognized this kind of ploy all too well.

Remembering Lucas's story, such an accusation was not entirely far-fetched. Her last meeting with Fredricus four months ago did not end in an entirely cordial manner. Maybe Fredricus was still holding a grudge after her flat refusal to aid him with removing his political enemy? She could see the situation was not improving from four months ago, and maybe, just maybe, the sleazy monarch lowkey held her business ransom out of desperation.

She knew this hall all too well. Her last attendance at one of Fredricus' banquets was not the first, but turned out of the most memorable. She wondered how the rest of her party was doing right now. Yvonne said she planned to have a vacation somewhere outside of the nation, Cedar returned home for his hibernation, and Doctor Solomon... honestly she wasn't so sure. Fredricus had shown a great interest in having those last two under his command, and her departure was so abrupt she didn't see the aftermath of their dealings.

On her way, a certain boy greeted her, he was accompanied by that poshy chamberlain who stood straight with eyes half opened.

"Greetings Lady Crystalspark! My father has been waiting for you." said the boy, beaming with youthful excitement when Jazdia answered his offer for a handshake.

"Good to see you again, Alec." the elf managed a smile. Was it just her or he'd been getting taller for the last four months?

"His Young Highness Has been coronated, and thus milady shall address him more appropriately." the chamberlain butted in. Really, nobody asked him.

"Oh really?

Managed to set aside her irritation, and turned it into a weapon to tease, Jazdia shifted to Alex again and leaned forward. "So from now on, I have to call you Lord Alec, Lord of Rascade, Heir to the crown of Kindeace? The weather is lovely today, ain't it milord?" '

The prince shot his aide a glare before turning to Jazdia with a suppressed blush.

"Please, milady, that would be unnecessary."

Jazdia continued her march toward Fredricus' office while the prince followed beside her. There was a small talk about her arrival, how her journey was, and then how her business was doing. Awkward, but the elf appreciated the cordiality and did not want to burden this young heir with details too big for his not-so-broad shoulder to bear.

Despite the Chamberlain's assistance, Alec opened the door himself and invited Jazdia to enter. Fredrocus was there, sitting at his table, guarded by his loyal Paladin Matilda Ironsword who looked rather tensed when she saw the elf.

"Ah, you are here, good." said the king after Alex bowed and proceeded to stand by his side. Unlike their previous meeting, there was a chair prepared, and Fredricus gestured for his guest to sit.

"I was actually here to see the minister of trade and industry. Turns out your bureaucracy reform was so efficient all matters went straight to the king himself. Not bad for four months' worth of progress."

Fredricus, who took his time uncorking a bottle of wine and poured it into his own glass, didn't seem very impressed by the sarcasm.

"Cut the chatter. I think now is the time for you to listen more and talk less."

Jazdia took a deep breath when she fished out an opened envelope from her pocket and tossed it toward Fredricus' desk.

"No, you are the one who should listen. What the hell is this? A letter to shut down my business just because one of the patrons was murdered? This is an abuse."

"An abuse, perhaps. But it was a legitimate order." the king sipped his wine before continuing. "I think you have heard that they took advantage of the dead's background to amplify their message. You tell me, as someone who used to deal with this kind of propaganda how should I handle this situation?

Jazdia's silence answered the king's question. And it was a rare occasion.

"I have no dealings with that kind of business anymore."

"Yes, I heard it multiple times..." Fredricus straightened his posture and gestured his chamberlain to prepare him a parchment and ink.
"I understand. I will use my authority to revoke the order and... maybe have more guards stationed there..." Fredricus stated, solemnly, slowly as if his words had a hidden meaning in them.

Jazdia accepted the freshly sealed documents. But then her expression turned sour when she read one of its clauses. "compliance for requisition by the authority for the effort of war?!"

"Good luck running a business in a nation with martial law." Smirking, Fredricus sipped his wine again, enjoying the countdown before Jazdia's imminent outburst.

And Jazdia, not even bothered to remind Fredricus that she might bring this to a court, snapped angrily.

"Are you out of your mind?! A War?"

"Yes, it's waiting for legalization in Parliament. Want me to show you a copy of the draft?"

"I told you you should have still your hand and let the Delving decline on its own--"

Fredricus suddenly barked a laugh

"More reason for you to feel responsible then! I did just that, and the results were those traitorous bastards doubled their effort and pushed me from every direction. Now everyone wants the war, the people, half of the Senate. And maybe Meche too.

Jazdia narrowed her eyes, her hand gripped the decree like it was some wet towel. "What about Meche? What do they say about this?"

"Nothing," answered Fredricus, shaking his head in frustration. "Nothing. I sent my envoys, even before the accident four months ago and none of them are coming back. I have tasked Antigone to relay my message to Savoy and see if their neighbor can respond but that too was unsuccessful.

Jazdia turned her sight away, toward the young prince, and then to the window. "You know very well starting an unprovoked war would earn you a bad name." She said in a quieter voice.

"That's a weak reason to not start one," Fredricus pointed at his wine cabinet to have another stemware delivered. "But fair enough. I know in that elven head of yours, there is a secret you don't want to say. Why this war is bad business and why you are so interested if Kindeance would start it. Fine, keep your secret."

Jazdia tapped her fingers against the handrest of her chair and glanced at Fredricus keenly. "Do you want this war?

Into the new glass, Fredricus poured some of his wine and placed it on the other side of the table.

"Ha! Hardly. But if this is something inevitable, at least Kindeance would annex Meche if we can win this. Unlike you, I don't have much care about some farmers outside my border. If they value their lives, they should move aside and let my army pass, if my army wants their cattle they give it up."

"Same goes for you people in times of war," said Jazdia contemplatively. "with the requisition and all. They can do nothing because war will subsume daily existence, and they can't turn to the law, because law and court too are created for normal daily lives."

"It's a loss for you too."

Jazdia reached for the stemware and downed the wine.

"Shut up!"

"I have a plan---"

"Don't want to hear it."

"You would want to. At least you can mend your damaged pride that way."

"The only thing you can do is contact Meche and see if they are fine with this." Jazdia necessitated. The wine and euphemism made her want to vomit, but she needed the kick.

"That's indeed the plan. I know what you are thinking, attacking Meche unprovoked would trigger a harsh response from your former organization regardless if Meche was their ally or not. We are not that stupid. Internation law-- the old law, stipulated that the challenged nation would be given fourteen days after the declaration of war was signed. Two weeks, then all bets are off.
I know Denon well enough and he doesn't want this."

"So you need King Denon's formalized response to stop this madness."

"Correct! If not for good, then at least people would be able to know his side of the story. I will ink a letter for Denon tonight."

Seeing her puzzled expression, the king shrugged before continuing. "This, despite all said and done, is just a mere... invitation for you, Lady Crystalspark. I have prepared my team and they are expected to heed my summons in three days."

Sovereign's Will: The Edge of War [Looking for new players]

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