Tales from the Black Stallion Tavern
<h1 id="title">Elliquiy Role Playing Forums</h1>
		<h2 id="linktree">Play-By-Post: Light =&gt; Light: Exotic Small Groups =&gt; Topic started by: Kay Tana on 15-10-2011, 16:32:57</h2>
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				Title: <strong>Tales from the Black Stallion Tavern</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Kay Tana</strong> on <strong>15-10-2011, 16:32:57</strong>
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				(Time for a reboot)
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				Title: <strong>Re: Tales from the Black Stallion Tavern</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>James Moriarty</strong> on <strong>16-10-2011, 07:43:32</strong>
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				Things had grown increasingly strange for Zeraer over the past week.&nbsp; He kept noticing little irregularities everywhere.&nbsp; Being a cautious and reclusive man, noticing things like this was his specialty.<br><br>On one occasion, he had found his front door slightly ajar when he awoke in the morning.&nbsp; Aside from this, nothing had been touched -- he knew every place for every object in his cottage, and everything but the door was exactly how he had left it.&nbsp; But his door was no ordinary door, and he was no ordinary man -- the lock on the door was a heavy iron sliding bolt, and his memory of exactly how he had locked it, and when, and with what book in his hands was as vivid as his waking senses.&nbsp; It was also lightly magicked to give much greater resistance to opening when touched by anything or anyone other than himself.&nbsp; This by itself would not have gone unnoticed by Zeraer -- it would have been puzzling and something to chew on -- however, it also would not have concerned him all that much.&nbsp; The mind can play funny tricks when one is buried in study, and even if magical creatures had somehow taken to playing tricks on him, it was of no consequence so long as they didn't disturb his books or his work, or interfere with his plants.&nbsp; His plants were his only passionately pursued hobby outside of his magic.&nbsp; The entire cottage was lined with vases and bowls and creeping vines and sweet smelling flowering bushes.&nbsp; The only things that outnumbered the plants were the books.&nbsp; Books everywhere, on tables, on the floor, on shelves.&nbsp; This was Zeraer's home.<br><br>There were other oddities, though.&nbsp; One morning a very particular plant died for no reason.&nbsp; It took Zeraer a long time to realize that the plant that had died was the very last gift given to him by the only girl he had ever loved, long, long ago.&nbsp; The plant itself had been quite remarkable.&nbsp; It was the most robust and tough of vines, and Zeraer had traveled for long distances and for many days without any need to worry for its health, let alone its survival.&nbsp; As it was the middle of a gentle Fall, there was no reason Zeraer could conceive of that could explain the death of the plant.<br><br>One of his silver necklaces melted right off his neck one day.&nbsp; The necklace never even got hot, it just turned to liquid and dripped off his neck and evaporated.&nbsp; The only distinctive feature of the necklace was that it was the only object Zeraer owned that he knew to be pure silver.<br><br>He had been having very strange dreams.&nbsp; Though the dreams were not always the same, they did always have a common theme.&nbsp; He would be walking somewhere from his childhood and a glowing being, an elemental spirit of light, would join him.&nbsp; They would talk, but at the end, the spirit always said, "you have come to the end of one journey, and must soon begin another, and the new journey will put you back on the path of the old."&nbsp; "What do you mean?" he always replied, and there, the dream ended.<br><br>It was for this reason that Sunscry's behavior today was something he noticed immediately.&nbsp; His hawk, a large black-winged bird with a very loud and insistent voice, had been circling the cottage and nipping, hard, at Zeraer's elbows all morning.&nbsp; He had tried to ignore the frenetic pecking and squawking, but it was getting difficult, and painful!, to do so.&nbsp; He put down his book and stood from his outdoor chair in the shade.&nbsp; "Come, Sunscry," he called, putting an arm out for the bird.&nbsp; She landed on his arm and squawked -- she was still obviously agitated.&nbsp; She nipped at his hand and flew off again.&nbsp; Zeraer now noticed that the hawk kept flying in a specific direction and returning to him.&nbsp; He never would have thought that the bird really meant for him to follow except that she forced the issue.<br><br>At just before mid-day, she got tired of trying to make Zeraer understand, and instead snatched up his wand in her beak and flew into a high tree in the forest near his cottage.&nbsp; His calls for her to "come back immediately" were ignored.&nbsp; He walked over to the tree she was in, and she flew off -- still in the same direction, towards the largest nearby town in the area.&nbsp; Zeraer was a student of nature, of the elements and of animals.&nbsp; Though he did not understand what was driving the bird's behavior, he did understand what the bird wanted.<br><br>And that is how Zeraer came to have his bags packed for travel for his first venture deep into the forest in a long time.&nbsp; And also, how he came to find himself walking for the better part of a day, to finally find himself outside of a tavern whose sole chimney breathed out warm, inviting-smelling smoke.&nbsp; Sunset painted vivid pinks and purples across the sky, and anyone who could have seen the tall, black-cloaked man with his large leather traveling bag, framed against the cobblestone street, the loud but inviting tavern and that sky would have likely thought to herself, "This is a fine way to start an adventure."
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				Title: <strong>Re: Tales from the Black Stallion Tavern</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Mysterium</strong> on <strong>17-10-2011, 03:21:01</strong>
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				*Having&nbsp; &nbsp;just arrived&nbsp; Chastian hadn’t yet learned if there was a ‘thieves guild’ .&nbsp; When she traveled, she wore the guise of a gangly boy.&nbsp; Her breasts bound down beneath several layers of tattered and torn shirts. A dusty well patched cloak was worn over the top of it all.&nbsp; A muddy hued scrap of material kept nut brown hair out of the youth’s face. <br><br>The ‘boy’ sat just outside the Tavern.&nbsp; His feet were bare and quite dirty.&nbsp; There was not the slightest hint of a beard upon his chin. Even for a Halfling, this one had to be quite young. His face appeared to be quite grimy yet there was no stench. In fact, strangely enough, there was very little scent coming from the lad. Golden amber eyes shifted about from stranger to stranger that passed.&nbsp; The boy had a small tin cup lying in front of him on top of his patchy cloak. <br><br>He had the look of one in need of more than one good meal, yet at the same time not&nbsp; starving. His frame was spare but he hadn’t the look of being disease ridden. *<br><br>Alms…alms for the poor, Guv’na…<br><br>*He called in hushed tones. The lad’s voice was still high. If one hadn’t looked at him, it could well be a girls voice.&nbsp; He had a quality about him that gave one the feeling he was quite harmless.&nbsp; Nothing magical about it, the lad just didn’t seem to be menacing at all. Of course, he was also a Halfling. His size did not make him appear to be intimidating what so ever! <br><br>Amber eyes watched the black-cloaked man pass by.&nbsp; His cry went up again as the gent passed.&nbsp; He didn’t expect anything but he had to try. There was only a single copper in his cup.*<br>
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				Title: <strong>Re: Tales from the Black Stallion Tavern</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>James Moriarty</strong> on <strong>17-10-2011, 09:18:22</strong>
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				He heard the unusually high-pitched cry and looked over at the boy with the cup.&nbsp; Nearsighted as Zeraer was, he couldn't make out the details of the boy's face that well.&nbsp; But Zeraer knew illusion and deception -- knew them all too well.&nbsp; Something wasn't entirely right...&nbsp; Tilting his head sideways, he did something he very rarely allowed himself to do -- he looked directly at the boy, allowing himself to be easily seen quite clearly for that brief moment; he smiled and called upon the clarity of sight that his familiar gave him.&nbsp; After a few seconds of concentration, his smile widened.&nbsp; He walked over to the "boy."<br><br>"It will be a chilly evening," he said, hands disappearing inside his cloak.&nbsp; His right hand withdrew, holding 5 silver pieces.&nbsp; "Not a night to go hungry on, my dear... lad," he said with a nod, his voice lowered now, as he dropped the coins into the cup.&nbsp; Zeraer gestured towards the tavern, still fixing the Halfling with his gaze.&nbsp; "Something smells good, " he noted.&nbsp; He sensed that it was probably a reasonably safe tavern, all things considered, but his nerves were still on edge.&nbsp; He clucked and murmured to himself as his hands disappeared again inside his cloak, adjusting his belongings so that any potential pickpocket would discover a trifle and not the bulk of his small number of valuable coins.&nbsp; He started towards the tavern door, his face once more turned down, his cloak wrapped tightly around him.
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				Title: <strong>Re: Tales from the Black Stallion Tavern</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>VNConsort</strong> on <strong>17-10-2011, 18:34:30</strong>
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				The Druid Birelon and her companion padded softly over the fallen foliage just off the road's dirt trail.&nbsp; They had been walking parallel to the road since they came from Ludd, Birelon never finding it comfortable to walk the actual road itself.&nbsp; Her business in Ludd had taken longer than she expected and now she would not make it to the Eltrias Forest, her temporary home, before the sun set over the gray-blue mountains. Birelon fingered the small vial in a drawstring bag at her waist.&nbsp; The vial contained an oil extracted from the purleris plant, which Birelon needed to make a general first aid salve.&nbsp; While she could have extracted the oil from the common plant herself, but it would have taken her days, so it was more efficient to go to Ludd to buy the vial instead.&nbsp; <br><br>Val'nt the seasoned wolf walked even more quietly next to her, sniffing occasionally as he went.&nbsp; They would be coming up on a popular 'last-stop' where many travelers rested before heading into their choice of dense woodland, steaming bog, or unstable crags.&nbsp; It was not uncommon for her to stop at the Black Stallion Tavern after a trip to Ludd, but it was not usually that she would spend the night.&nbsp; Her companion, Val'nt seemed energetic enough to continue but Birelon felt her energy sapped as she watched the lazy curls of smoke rise from the tavern.&nbsp; She moved out onto the road in front of the Tavern, taking note of those who mingled outside among the sparse buildings reserved as living quarters for the Tavern Owner.&nbsp; <br><br>Val'nt stood at the edge of the dense forest, not joining her on the road.&nbsp; Birelon turned around with an exasperated sigh at her companion, "I'm <em>tired</em>, Val'nt, you selfish cur.&nbsp; All you're going to do is chase the sparrows among the grove when we get back."&nbsp; <br><br>The large wolf snorted but instead of moving onto the road, sat down at the edge of the copse of trees.&nbsp; It was not uncommon for her companion to pull an attitude on her and it was even more common for Val'nt to do so around human establishments.&nbsp; She could not blame the old alpha though, since he did not enjoy visiting Ludd and would often wait outside the walls until he heard her call.&nbsp; <br><br>"Fine," Birelon said, tossing her hair before drawing her rough cloak around her body.&nbsp; "I'm less conspicuous without a <em>fat </em>wolf next to me anyway," she half hollered at the wolf who sharply barked at her before getting up and padding back into the forest.<br><br>Calfiria Birelon made her way to the Black Stallion, giving the halfling beggar outside it only a sparing glance.&nbsp; She came behind a man who made his way to the Tavern's door, pulling her hood over her head to conceal her hair and pale features.&nbsp; 
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				Title: <strong>Re: Tales from the Black Stallion Tavern</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Malixe</strong> on <strong>18-10-2011, 05:16:08</strong>
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				The day was beautiful in light! Each shade in the sun, and every pastel pebble beneath every foot, named and unnamed. It was a truly difficult thing to perceive. Beauty in dirt was, yes. But beauty in everything was confusing. Thus, everything had to be ugly as well. Ugly and beautiful. In the end, the individual was called upon to make their decision... So, in a very bland nutshell, people were different. All but for he. Magneol, or more often called ToneWild simply because he rarely gave his birth name, was the same as everyone else. In that what everyone else found beautiful, so did he. What everyone else found ugly, he deemed it as well. So yes, this dirt path and afternoon sky were beautiful. But they were also gross. <br><br>A tremendous smile split his face, as this one moved down the darkening path. It had been a good long time since Harcher, and the Theatre. Though he felt it too long in his chest, he knew it would be much, much longer. People were made of much greater things than what he'd been exposed too, and this was truth. Magneol was dressed in a long coat, that admittedly looked just a little too fine on someone traveling on foot. It wasn't the big, fanciful, gold-inlaid coat or anything like that. But the simple sew and cut of it seemed like something a tenderfoot from the city would wear... Possibly accurate as well. In his movement there seemed to be something unnatural. Not quite his grace, not quite his carriage. Perhaps it was his thinness. The man stood a fair six foot, but at points as he turned or twisted, it looked as though he may have wore stilts. Even at his unmiraculous height.<br><br>Finally the Stallion came over the hill! He quickly picked up his pace. The day was falling and loath as he was to admit any such thing, a rest was something he eagerly looked forward too. ToneWild quickly studied the scene, shook his head. Just as the others vanished inside, he appeared beside the halfling in a whirlwind of movement, <strong>"Why don't you come with me? If you please."</strong> The man held out his hand, <strong>"And if you dare, we will eat regally before night falls,"</strong> He stared that girl right in the eyes, perhaps a little more vividly than was comfortable. Though he never really stopped to think of the gender they hid, ToneWild likely saw none of the signs.
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				Title: <strong>Re: Tales from the Black Stallion Tavern</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Mysterium</strong> on <strong>18-10-2011, 05:36:23</strong>
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				*Bright amber eyes watched as the nearsighted one came near.&nbsp; &nbsp;Questions dawned there in, yet were not given utterance.&nbsp; The ‘boy’ merely watched with unvarnished curiosity.&nbsp; The guise of a beggar boy was good for much more than coin.&nbsp; One could watch and learn many things.<br><br>Surprise dawned within the boys eyes as the kindly man held out 5 silver pieces. That was much more than could be earned legally in a week’s time.&nbsp; Nut brown hair fluttered about the boy’s face as he bobbed his thanks.*<br><br>Oh, me thanks to ye’ Guv’na.&nbsp; May ye be blessed e’ermore&nbsp; with good ‘ealth,&nbsp; and prosperity.<br><br>*There was that voice, quite nearly a pleasing dulcet. While there was at least ‘some’ in the pocket there was no need to be thievin’. No, that was for hard times only. The thin waif began gathering his things. A bag, his spare cloak, and the battered cup. The coin had long since been pocketed!<br><br>What would it be like to dress so finely as the Lady who walked past? Ah but that would be something, would it not? Well, one was content with what one had indeed.&nbsp; There was little need for aught else in truth. <br><br>The young waif jumped back as the man in the ‘tenderfoot cloak’ suddenly just appeared in a maelstrom of movement!&nbsp; Small, delicate fingers brandished a dagger in the space it took one to exhale. Amber eyes were wide from being startled so. Oh the outstretched hand was watched with trepidation. Such a flighty little thing, the Halfling was. *<br><br>Guv’na you fair froze me liver wit’ fear… <br><br>*Came the thinly stretched dulcet of a lad still quite young, or perhaps a girl beneath the guise? Who could tell? But lad or lass, this one was fast and quite wary.&nbsp; The dagger disappeared beneath layers of tattered and patched clothing.*<br><br>Oi’ll be a goin in alroight. <br><br>*But nothing was said of ‘if’ the Halfling intended on dining with the odd stranger.&nbsp; Those bright amber eyes clearly stated a lack of trust. Clutching what few pitiful poor belongings he had, the lad inched his way sideways into the Tavern. All the better to watch you!*<br>
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				Title: <strong>Re: Tales from the Black Stallion Tavern</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Malixe</strong> on <strong>18-10-2011, 06:45:51</strong>
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				ToneWild never flinched at the sight of the dagger. In fact, it seemed as though he never noticed it. At this very moment, he felt strangely welcoming to the sight. It would have ruined the story, but made an interesting note. Though when the little thing stood, he retracted his hand and gave an amused snicker. She really was very flighty, but he couldn't really say what kindof aspect that gave her. He personally liked the characters with more nimble hearts, but then, he liked all of the characters, <strong>"Well, afraid is a rather silly thing to be. But, there are more silly things,"</strong> He lightly tapped his lower lip, with a thoughtful distance to his gaze.&nbsp; Though when the halfing moved, he quickly came out of it. ToneWild tilted his head. She had a fair lead on him, but at the speed of her inching he very casually swam passed her to fling open the door. Whether he was truly lacking the empathy to see her mistrust, or simply didn't act upon it was unclear. If this was any comparison, though, he'd most likely never see through that gender disguise. Her exotic and wizened mask seemed to work perfectly well. <strong>"That's wonderful, do hope you don't take your stories from across the room,"</strong> He showed one more smile, and vanished into the tavern. <br>
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				Title: <strong>Re: Tales from the Black Stallion Tavern</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Kay Tana</strong> on <strong>18-10-2011, 15:37:51</strong>
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				Opening the door produces a small squeak as if the hinge needs a little oil. Once inside you'll see that the home like atmosphere continues with a sever lack of typical inn decorations. There are no buck heads stuffed and mounted on the wall and there certainly are no swords above the mantle.&nbsp; The fireplace of which gives off a nice, cheery glow that lights up the room while casting shadows from the duck roasting in it. <br><br>To the left as you enter there is a long bar taking up most of that wall. Beyond which, from the sounds and smells drifting outwards, is the kitchen and most likely living quarters for the innkeeper and his family. Spread out over the floor are six tables with a like number of chairs each. Only a few of these are in use at the moment and the male occupants only give a casual glance at the newcomers. They are more interested in the young, curvy bar wench coming to serve their meal. One goes so far as to pinch her bottom and gets a smack in turn. The offender rubs his face and smiles ruefully while his friends laugh heartily. In the back and front right corners appear to be some sort of privacy booth. The details of which are hard to tell as both curtains are drawn closed.<br><br>At the bar stands a middle aged man with a slight gut watching his daughter closely, lest any of his patrons take things too far. Currently drying out a mug he turns to see the group at the door. As he turns its not hard to see that, while going a little soft in the middle, he is a sturdily built man with only a touch of gray in his black hair. "Welcome to the Black Stallion Tavern!" His voice rolls out in a husky baritone that matches his frame while still holding a measure of cheer. "Please, have a seat where you will. My daughter will be with you shortly."
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				Title: <strong>Re: Tales from the Black Stallion Tavern</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Mysterium</strong> on <strong>18-10-2011, 16:54:45</strong>
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				*One would find a thief of any nature wanting were they not cautious.&nbsp; But the man in the tenderfoot cloak had no knowledge of this. The supposed ‘lad’ had not given that away yet.&nbsp; As Sir Creeps-a-lot slid through the door ‘with’ him the youngster pressed himself flat against the door jamb then followed him in.<br><br>The first few seconds across the threshold the lad shut his eyes.&nbsp; Once open again, the transition from outside to within was more easily made.&nbsp; &nbsp;Bright eyes flickered about the room, taking it all in. *<br><br>Aye, per’aps ye be roight. Be that as’t may caution ‘as kept me amongst the livin’. <br><br>*Came the&nbsp; remark to the creepy one. He didn’t follow him to a table, but went straight across the room to claim a chair near the fireplace.&nbsp; His pack of belongings situated in his lap as he sat.&nbsp; A smile that could almost make the lad ‘pretty’ curled his lips at the greeting.&nbsp; Some decision was made in that moment. The lad gave a nod and waved to the innkeep.*<br><br><br><br>(( Here is a visual aid. Though at present, Chastian is not wearing the abbreviated top that clearly shows she is female. *grins*&nbsp; &nbsp;http://img47.photobucket.com/albums/v143/M00nchy1de/chasw.jpg (http://img47.photobucket.com/albums/v143/M00nchy1de/chasw.jpg) ))
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				Title: <strong>Re: Tales from the Black Stallion Tavern</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>James Moriarty</strong> on <strong>18-10-2011, 18:43:25</strong>
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				﻿﻿﻿"Ah," mumbled the greying man, eyes adjusting to the dark.&nbsp; He felt more at home here than outside, though a tavern was not his usual haunting grounds.&nbsp; He felt a sudden tingling sensation -- the sensation of nearby magic; but it was nature magic and felt benign, even gentle.<br><br>Glancing furtively around the room, he noticed the Halfling and the tall man with unusual bearing nearby.&nbsp; Nodding to the barkeep ever so slightly, he made his way to a corner table rather near the Halfling, where he would be out of the way but could clearly see the room.&nbsp; The smell of food made his stomach growl, and he realized that his quick packing left him rather light on provisions.&nbsp; He sensed Sunscry was nearby and safe, and wondered again what had drawn her to this place.&nbsp; It occurred to him that the Halfling, the tall and unusual man, the natural magician and he made for a very improbable crowd in this town, at one time.&nbsp; He tapped his fingers in thought on the sticky, uneven tavern table.<br><br>Sitting there in the low light, his cloak bunched around him, his black hat pulled low, he could easily be overlooked.&nbsp; He set down his staff and pulled out a dusty book.&nbsp; "Illusio caecus" was its title -- it was leather bound and old, and quite obviously well-read.
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				Title: <strong>Re: Tales from the Black Stallion Tavern</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Malixe</strong> on <strong>18-10-2011, 21:24:54</strong>
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				"Oh! Caution is key. Just, fearing me would be very silly," <br><br>Moving into the room, he stopped and put his hands together behind his back. His eyes scanned the walls, the fireplace, and then very briefly, each of the tables. This inn was very mellow in comparison, but this had become commonplace. Besides, it gave that ever so slightly lonely feeling that he always sought. ToneWild moved casually across the room. Looking at the young beggar by the fire, he shrugged, "At your ease, " and with a light sigh, he extended one stickly arm and drew out a chair directly across from one bundled man reading a book. He said nothing, but did take a look at his book. Very mysterious, though he was having trouble deciding exactly what that meant. He had no real experience with the language of it's printing, that was for sure. But one word was simple, and the other one made him smile. It sounded like Tricks for the Easily Tricked, though that couldn't possibly be. He'd seen that such book, and in it's current binding it was much more colorful.<br><br>He crossed his legs underneath the table, and craned his head backwards over the chair. Watching the innkeeper and waiting for his approach.
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				Title: <strong>Re: Tales from the Black Stallion Tavern</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>VNConsort</strong> on <strong>18-10-2011, 22:52:10</strong>
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				Calfiria came behind the group that drifted into the Tavern, noting the coming evening had brought more travelers than usual.&nbsp; Perhaps there was a festival she was unaware of?&nbsp; It was something she had to consider, as increased foot traffic through the forest passages sent prey, better known as dinner, scattering off their usual tracks.&nbsp; She imagined she would figure out what was going on, once in the Tavern.&nbsp; The human in her occasionally sought out her kin’s news as their world expanded rapidly across any and all terrain.&nbsp; Her occasional visits to the Black Stallion never failed to provide her with current news.&nbsp; <br><br>She looked over her shoulder once more for Val’nt’s large furry form but did not see him.&nbsp; Not worrying about him, she entered the Tavern.&nbsp; The assault of warmth, heavy baked and brined scents, and chattering stopped the Druid Birelon in her step, letting the door swing to a close behind her.&nbsp; She stood at the entrance and adjusted to the close-quarter sensory overload, as the patrons before her dealt with the barkeeper.&nbsp; As the small crowd in front of her went to their respective seats in the dining area, she drew back her hood slowly.&nbsp; She was always torn as to whether it was less conspicuous to show her light hair and pointed ears or to remain fully cloaked and hooded.&nbsp; <br><br>She made eye contact with the barkeeper, knowing he had an excellent memory for his reoccurring customers.&nbsp; Her eyes drifted pleasantly to his daughter though, as she took her seat at a table lined near the entrance.&nbsp; <br>
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				Title: <strong>Re: Tales from the Black Stallion Tavern</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Kay Tana</strong> on <strong>19-10-2011, 05:15:39</strong>
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				The barkeep gives Calfiria a NOD and whistles to his daughter. Verna looks up and follows her father's line of sight to the door. Hurrying over she smiles, rolls her eyes, and points back at the frisky men. "You're sight for sore eyes Cal. That bunch is rowdy as ever. You gonna be here long? Moms got her rolls about done and the duck almost there too."<br><br>As Verna prattles on to Calfiria a dark red glow pulses from under the back privacy booth's curtain. Anyone that can sense magic also feels a small jolt.
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Tales from the Black Stallion Tavern</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>James Moriarty</strong> on <strong>19-10-2011, 22:04:53</strong>
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				Zeraer noted the tall man observing his book and gave him a darting look.&nbsp; He noticed for the first time that though the man had a pleasant countenance, there was no mistaking the fact that he was not the kind you want as an enemy.&nbsp; But the sorcerer sensed no aggression here, felt oddly at ease -- he relaxed again, smiling to himself.&nbsp; He looked up briefly, noticing the fair-haired half-elf enter the tavern, feeling a wave of natural energy emanating from her.<br><br>He jolted upward at the sensation of a much sharper, stronger magic and in the corner of his eye, the glow of red.&nbsp; Anyone looking closely at him would have noticed his eyes change color from blue to black, and his frame shimmer, as though he were in danger of winking out of existence.<br><br>Turning his head, he made eye contact with the tall man and raised his eyebrows, as if to say, "what do we make of this?"
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				Title: <strong>Re: Tales from the Black Stallion Tavern</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Mysterium</strong> on <strong>20-10-2011, 01:12:24</strong>
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				Trust is a thing earned, Guv'na.<br><br><br>*Came the scamps soft, dulcet reply. This wasn't meant as an insult. No, the Halfling had reason not to trust so readily. The lad<br>simply sat quietly there after. Someone would come along to take her order in time. Until that moment arrived, the young waif was content<br>to watch the goings on. A thoughtful look swept in the direction of the kindly gent, making note the odd one sat with him. <br><br>Another sweep around the room picked up the red flash, though the waif wouldn't quite grasp 'what' it meant. It was an oddity, which <br>put him a bit off center. A glance back to the kindly gent confirmed that something had happened. ONe could do naught but wait,<br>unfortunately. Both for an order to be placed and any other odd goings on.*
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				Title: <strong>Re: Tales from the Black Stallion Tavern</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Kay Tana</strong> on <strong>20-10-2011, 02:01:48</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				The curtain closing off the back booth slides open a few inches and a rumbling throat clearing can be heard from within. Verna twitches around cutting off her conversation with Calfiria and hurries over and behind the curtain. A muffled conversation takes place and she comes out a little pale. Walking over uneasily to Zaraer she stops in front of him. "Um excuse me sir, but the gentleman in the booth would like to speak with you."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Tales from the Black Stallion Tavern</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Malixe</strong> on <strong>20-10-2011, 04:02:17</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Stretching, ToneWild sat straight again, "Mmm, I think I'm among those of a different color," He said to himself, very quietly, "You are right... So, would you like to hear a story?" The strange man leaned back in his chair, smiling cheerfully, and returning his eyes to the man infront of him. <br><br>When the puff of peculiar energy made him jump, ToneWild's only reaction was the sudden vanishing of his smile. Though it wasn't the energy that made it so. That man's eyes simple, changed! That was interesting. In fact, that was a touch of supernatural, or so he guessed. Some had eye colors that would change according to their exposure to the sun, but not like that. Suddenly, he felt a bit nervous. Something might actually be happening here... <br><br>Quickly realizing that the man he was staring at now looked right back at him... ToneWild smiled again, "Ah, they must have the warmest kiss in Cristandom..." He said to the man, under his breath. Taking interest now, he watched the waitress girl as she approached.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Tales from the Black Stallion Tavern</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>James Moriarty</strong> on <strong>20-10-2011, 19:56:41</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				-~-<br><br>A Familiar Hawk operates on instinct and animal intelligence, but also with intuition supplied by the connection to her Friend.&nbsp; Sunscry simply knew where to fly in order to make the nervous feeling stop.&nbsp; She couldn't have explained it much better than that even if she had words to do so.&nbsp; Her connection with her Friend only grew stronger when he followed her on her important mission.&nbsp; The trust between them had grown to a new level.<br><br>She circled the little town many times, and came to feel more and more at ease in this new place.&nbsp; The feeling in her wings, in her chest had faded.&nbsp; As night fell, and as Zeraer came closer to his own journey's beginning, she was suddenly warmed with contentment, perched high in an overlooking tree.&nbsp; Fall's cool breezes gently ruffled her feathers, and she turned her head to the side and down for a short rest.<br><br>-~-<br><br>Standing, his staff snapping up into his hand, Zeraer took in Verna's troubled look.&nbsp; He placed one hand on her shoulder, felt the compatible energy of a friendly connection and let that warmth spread from his hand and into her.&nbsp; Stooping slightly to speak softly, he muttered, "do not worry; let your mind be at ease."&nbsp; He patted her shoulder twice, and then walked slowly to the private booth.<br><br>He pulled the curtain slightly to one side.&nbsp; Looking back, arching his eyebrows again at his former tableside companion, giving a little smile to the halfling and half elf, and with a curious shrug, he stepped inside.<br>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Tales from the Black Stallion Tavern</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Kay Tana</strong> on <strong>20-10-2011, 23:00:14</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Verna licks her lips and nods at Zaraer's kind words, but still seems nervous. She turns to watch him go yet makes absolutely no move to stop him.<br><br>Inside the privacy booth a cloaked figure sits as far away from the curtain as possible. With the hood up not much can be seen of the stranger except that he seems to be rather bulky and has a rather large head. Beside him to the right, resting against the wall, is an unusual scythe. The staff part of it is obviously made from bone and by the ridges appears to be a section of vertebrae. The blade itself is not metal but a dark stone so black the light around it seems distorted. As Zeraer enters the black blade flickers briefly with the same red light as before, but it is severely muted and the jolt of magic is now just a faint tingle. Raising his left arm a scaly, clawed hand emerges to gesture for Zaraer to sit and close the curtain. While there is enough light, from a dimly lit lamp behind the stranger, to tell that the scales are a dull grayish color Zaraer does not get a good enough look to try and guess the stranger's race. 
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Tales from the Black Stallion Tavern</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>VNConsort</strong> on <strong>21-10-2011, 05:28:08</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				"Just dark ale, please." Calfiria said softly as the jolt of magical energy alerted her senses.&nbsp; She allowed Verna to go on servicing other customers as her superior hearing attempted to pick up anything unusual.&nbsp; She watched as the older man with his bird seemed to pick up on the race of energy.&nbsp; She narrowed his eyes as he stood and walked towards a private booth that Calfiria had regarded little of, before.&nbsp; Their eyes meet, two different curious expressions on their faces.&nbsp; With a shrug he entered the private booth.&nbsp; <br><br>She was intrigued by the man because it was almost as if he had known she had sensed it too.&nbsp; She would wait though, she decided.&nbsp; Wait and observe.&nbsp; <br><br>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Tales from the Black Stallion Tavern</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>James Moriarty</strong> on <strong>22-10-2011, 04:11:09</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				As Zeraer entered the booth, he noticed the unusual smell of the close quarters.&nbsp; Every corporeal being has a scent -- an identifiable smell that is familiar to those of its own kind.&nbsp; One knows immediately when one is in the presence of a very foreign sort of creature by the smell.&nbsp; One knows, if one is paying attention, when one stumbles into a wolves' den, or the cave of a bear.&nbsp; In this small, corner booth with the curtain drawn, the scent of the unusual being was strong.&nbsp; It was not unpleasant -- it was somehow an ancient smell, reptilian, but it reminded Zeraer of something... yes, that was it, it reminded him of the smell he always detected after he had cast an unusually powerful evocation.&nbsp; Like a charge in the air -- acidic and cleansing.<br><br>At the man's gesture, he closed the curtain, then hesitated slightly before sitting down.&nbsp; Here he would be essentially defenseless if he were really in danger.&nbsp; His spells were already fairly powerful, but could do very little for him in close quarters and with nowhere to hide.&nbsp; He muttered a minor incantation that prepared the best he could do -- a dazzling spectacle of light that would bewilder the unprepared or weak of mind.&nbsp; He was fairly certain that this would have no effect on the being sitting here, but...&nbsp; it was all he had.&nbsp; He hoped he didn't need it.<br><br>He sat across from him, noting the man's scaly hands.&nbsp; He could not really see his face, but he got the immediate impression that he was dealing with a very different sort of being than he had ever encountered in person.&nbsp; Sidelong, Zeraer saw the man's weapon, and noted its magical, as well as it's organic, nature.&nbsp; Looking up, Zeraer focused on the man who has summoned his presence, and quietly waited to see what he has to say.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Tales from the Black Stallion Tavern</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Kay Tana</strong> on <strong>22-10-2011, 04:35:10</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				While spoken in perfect 'common' the strangers words seem foreign in their lack of context. "This is the one? I was expecting something a bit more." The scythe blade glimmered red as though in response. "No of course I'm not questioning." His voice becomes clearer as he speaks to Zaraer for the first time, but at the same time become less comprehendable. "Sorry, but you're going to die. Fairly soon too."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Tales from the Black Stallion Tavern</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>James Moriarty</strong> on <strong>22-10-2011, 05:35:51</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				His eyebrows arched, taking in the rich details of the situation.&nbsp; Clearly the weapon was more than merely organic, more than merely magical -- Zeraer extended the tendrils of his senses further than before, his eyes fluttering shut...&nbsp; a soul...&nbsp; a tension, a symbiotic relationship...&nbsp; Breathing out deeply, his consciousness snapped back to the booth and the strange being.&nbsp; He was not a particularly courageous man, not a risk-taker.&nbsp; But he was serene, his soul calm and reflective from years of study, and his knowledge of the nature of all things make fear of death seem... foreign to him.<br><br>Nodding slowly, he said, "Our lives are short indeed, and all the shorter when there is anything of value on the line."&nbsp; He looked down, a silver coin flashing in his fingers as he flipped it finger over finger in a smooth, flowing, continuous gesture.&nbsp; Looking up at the man again, he continued, "What is it that you are looking for?&nbsp; I assume that none of this," and he makes a gesture with three pointed inflections, "is an accident."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Tales from the Black Stallion Tavern</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Kay Tana</strong> on <strong>22-10-2011, 06:00:00</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				"Why you of course. Or someone like you. Or someone other than you. No no apparently it is you I'm looking for." This rambling line of thought is delivered quite seriously however the next isn't.&nbsp; "Of course it's an accident. Everything is an accident. Incedently this particular one is less accidental than normal. How would you like to save the world? Well not the world parse, but you know what I mean."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Tales from the Black Stallion Tavern</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>James Moriarty</strong> on <strong>22-10-2011, 06:24:41</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Several instincts pulled at his consciousness in different directions.&nbsp; He tilted his head to one side and considered the man yet again.&nbsp; At the moment, he seemed to want to keep his identity secret.&nbsp; He owned a powerful weapon, yet was on less-traveled paths and seemingly scouting for... something... in the middle of nowhere.&nbsp; "It would appear that you have found me...&nbsp; Though, if you're looking for someone to save any reasonably large piece of the world, I do wonder whether you have found someone with sufficient... pull... for the task..."&nbsp; Zeraer pocketed the coin and straightened up.&nbsp; It all seemed a bit hard to believe, but then again, he was lead here by several different omens, and so... he had to stay and hear this man out.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Tales from the Black Stallion Tavern</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Kay Tana</strong> on <strong>22-10-2011, 18:39:29</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				"Like I said you wouldn't be saving the world. The world is perfectly safe and will remain so a good long while. No, its more appropriate to say you're needed to save the people of this world." Reaching inside his cloak the stranger pulls out a hunk of raw diamond bigger than his fist. Putting the gem in the middle of the table he taps it with one claw. "You don't have to decide straight away. Take this as a token of my sincerity, but I must insist you come with me for the next two days."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Tales from the Black Stallion Tavern</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Kay Tana</strong> on <strong>22-10-2011, 18:51:09</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Verna finally makes her way back to Calfiria holding a mug. "Sorry Cal. That gentleman just gave me a bit of a start he did." She holds out the mug and nods encouragingly. "Your dark ale as promised." Her words drop to a whisper as though talking to herself. "You'll need it."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Tales from the Black Stallion Tavern</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>James Moriarty</strong> on <strong>22-10-2011, 20:08:15</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Zeraer's eyes widened, focusing on the diamond, but his mind was racing to places no one would ever have guessed.&nbsp; He saw prisms of light in geometric shapes, crowded together as the simple solids merged and clumped, finding local maximal fits to the exterior of the diamond's surface.&nbsp; He saw rainbows and rays and glittery beams heading off in a chaotic jumble of escaping light.&nbsp; He saw the bent and distorted reflections of what little light was shining from the source behind the man's head.&nbsp; Suddenly his vision sharpened dramatically, and he saw the crystalline surface of the diamond, smoothed from the gentle friction of year after year of contact with the world.<br><br>~~<br><br>Sunscry awoke from her nap with strange images darting through her mind.&nbsp; Her connection alerted her that her Friend was experiencing a powerful feeling.&nbsp; The hum of that link was now buzzing with sensations and an increase in their shared consciousness.&nbsp; She looked down from her perch and surveyed the strange, human building again.&nbsp; A window off to one side was visibly open.&nbsp; This is the sort of thing she always noticed when her Friend was agitated and Alone.<br><br>~~<br><br>He looked back up at the man.&nbsp; The idea of following him for days without any explanation was plainly crazy.&nbsp; The idea of believing he would somehow be allowed to walk away with such a brilliant rock was also plainly crazy.&nbsp; That the people of the world might be in danger... this was not entirely implausible, though the thought that he could do anything about it perhaps was.<br><br>But then again -- why had he been led here?&nbsp; What did all the signs mean?&nbsp; These were not small omens, and there were more than one.&nbsp; And why was such an assembly of magical and dangerous forces here in this lonely tavern?&nbsp; Zeraer regarded the man, his mind winding down to a conclusion.&nbsp; He sat up straighter and raised his chin slightly.<br><br>"You, and apparently all the forces around me, leave me very little choice.&nbsp; The board, the pieces and perhaps even the opponents have been set.&nbsp; What is the first move of this new game?"
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Tales from the Black Stallion Tavern</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Kay Tana</strong> on <strong>23-10-2011, 04:02:49</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				(Short post is short, but I don't have much to say to Zaraer now and this seems this most interesting way to stir up interaction.)<br><br>"The first move is. You go get a drink. I have others to see." The stranger tossed the diamond to Zaraer and shooed him out. "Oh and be sure to send the half-elf in next."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Tales from the Black Stallion Tavern</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Malixe</strong> on <strong>23-10-2011, 04:33:59</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				As Zeraer left the table, ToneWild simply sat back and watch. Meeting the man's eyes as he looked back, the tenderfoot warrior could think of nothing else to do, but give a great, wide, slightly uncomfortable smile, and when he could be seen no more the smile vanished in an instant. At the moment, Magneol found himself in an unusual state of alertness. Not near alert enough to hear what they were saying behind that curtain, but his heart beat loudly in his ears and the movements of the room seemed very distinct. <br><br>ToneWild folded his hands under his chin, staring pointedly at the curtain for just a few moments, before moving to the hooded woman of mystery. He tilted his head just slightly, "I don't suppose you're interested in stories?" The human asked in an extremely casual voice. 
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Tales from the Black Stallion Tavern</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Mysterium</strong> on <strong>24-10-2011, 04:52:55</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				*The little waif had sat patiently for a time. Her patience was raveling at the edges. Short, trimmed nails drummed against the table. Bright eyes flickered about the room.&nbsp; She was becoming bored. That did not always bode well. Not for the lad, sometimes not for others. Things...came up missing. Things, became misplaced. Though harmless, the lad was most certainly mischievious. <br><br>Slinging his pack over one shoulder, he stood and wandered over to the nearest window that did not have a patron sitting before it. Those keen sighted amber eyes gazed out at the small village. Surely, there must be something one could find to do other than sit...idly. One so flighty, didn't sit idly for long. A glance was cast over his shoulder at the strange man who had given him spine weevils before. A story...he couldn't help but wonder just what sort of story just such a one might tell. *
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Tales from the Black Stallion Tavern</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Mysterium</strong> on <strong>25-10-2011, 04:01:15</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				*The waif was getting twitchy. He was hungry and had little patience to wait much longer for someone to wait on him. He'd waited patiently after being welcomed. Then..there'd been nothing but M'lady being waited on. He paced back and forth, hands folded across his chest. His features changed to a rather sullen look.*<br><br>Oi 'opes the bird is near to finished. Seems one must go fetch 'is own rott'n supper. Don'na be a thinkin' Oi'll be payin for use of the fire...<br><br>*He said in what he had meant to be a 'loud' voice. It was louder than usual but it didn't carry. It was still high, and as volume was added it became slightly reedy. Out the door he went, without a word more. Off he went, in search of some critter or other for his supper .*
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Tales from the Black Stallion Tavern</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>James Moriarty</strong> on <strong>25-10-2011, 20:40:29</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Pocketing the diamond deftly into the folds of his cloak, Zeraer left the booth quickly -- he didn't need to be told twice.&nbsp; As he re-entered the tavern, he noticed all eyes were on him.&nbsp; The jolt of discomfort this caused him was palpable.&nbsp; Hurrying off to the corner of the room again, he detoured to come nearer to the the half elf from whom he had felt the flow of natural energy earlier.&nbsp; A wave of relative ease overtook him, and he muttered, with a sidelong glance, "He isn't so bad.&nbsp; He wants to speak to you -- I sense... no danger.&nbsp; You will be able to judge for yourself.&nbsp; I am, in any case, and for what it's worth... close by."&nbsp; Then with a sudden turn, he sat back down and busied himself with nothing important.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Tales from the Black Stallion Tavern</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Mysterium</strong> on <strong>27-10-2011, 02:05:04</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				The little waif went on, carrying his bag with him. He paused once he was in the forest proper to listen to nature.&nbsp; The sounds of a babbling stream could be heard faintly.&nbsp; He cast about for the direction of said stream and went on that way. Upon finding the stream he couldn’t help but grin. There were frogs in it.<br><br>The stream had a small sheltered lagoon of sorts.&nbsp; The frogs were enjoying the night, singing their love song to the moon.&nbsp; The lad hid his cloak and bag. He found a fairly straight and sturdy stick lying on the ground. Then set to sharpening one end of it. <br><br>Creeping up slow around one side of the lagoon, the lad managed to take the first frog easily enough.&nbsp; He brought the large bullfrog to an especially large stone. He pulled it from the spear then whacked it’s head on said stone. He dropped the lifeless frog on it.<br><br>Back he went after another one. The rocks in the small lagoon were slick with algae. Though the Halfling was quite accustomed to slick surfaces he went sliding on the first step and SPLASH into the water he went! He came up sputtering and coughing. It was definitely NOT a pleasant surprise.&nbsp; The water was icy cold. It was filled with long tendrils from the lily pads that dotted the lagoon. He had to struggle to get free.<br>Crawling onto an outcropping of rock, he got himself together once more.&nbsp; The frogs, seemed to be laughing at him. Well this was just the icing on top of the proverbial cake!&nbsp; He stalked around the lagoon just watching for a time. The frogs, finally went back to their singing.&nbsp; Still dripping wet, he went after another&nbsp; frog. He soon had two.<br>After a time, with many slips, slides and a few more dunks in the water, he had a nice pile of frogs.&nbsp; He cleaned them then gathered up his things. He headed right back to the tavern.&nbsp; In he marched, dripping water everywhere, with a long stick that had still twitching frog legs on it. He wore a proud little smile. Bright eyes swept the room once more, he gave a nod to Zeraer.<br><br>The lad wandered on over to the fire, flopped down before it . The stick was poked into the&nbsp; fireplace. Slowly turned, as the lad hummed a tune. *<br>
			</dd>
		</dl>
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