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Post by Kage2020 on Dec 6, 2004 16:04:03 GMT -5
This thread is designed to keep a track of all the current information on a given species/race. After this post only one person may reply to this thread: TheGlyphstone, the designer of the Atlanteans. Any posts made by another individual will be summarily deleted. I will not even read it to see if there are extenuating circumstances. From this point it is also the responsibility of the species/race creator to edit and, yes, delete posts in this thread. Posting the information time and time again will not be allowed. Simply delete the old information and repost the new. For that reason I suggest that you keep an appropriate file with all the appropriate UBB codes in it to prevent any trouble or heartache in the future. Rogue Inquisitors and, of course, myself may modify if they deem it appropriate. And now to TheGlyphstone, so that he can repost all current information on the Atlanteans. Please post all feedback and comments, as well as any new concepts or ideas for the Atlanteans in the Atlantean Discussion Thread.
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Post by TheGlyphstone on Dec 6, 2004 16:42:07 GMT -5
*Bows* "I'd like to thank the Academy...." - okay, not so funny. I would like to thank many people on this forum, not limited to CELS, Destacado, RSLJudd, Destacado, and of course Kage, for allowing me to exist at all. I did remember to thank Destacado, right? ;D
Here's a handy keycode, to decipher the various states of development of this document. ITALICIZED= Objections/dissent by Powers That Be, currently being re-written. BOLD=Re-written due to dissent/objections by P.T.B., awaiting review. SHADOWED=Unquestioned by anyone, to be considered final unless changed. Unchanged =Under revision due to personal dislike/new ideas, or discussion related to a ITALICIZED topic.
The Table of Contents: 1.EVOLUTION AND HISTORY 2.PHYSICAL TRAITS 3.CULTURE 4.RELIGION [shadow=teal,left,200]COMING SOON:[/shadow] 5.LAW, CRIME, AND PUNISHMENT 6.MILITARY A - COMPOSITION AND TACTICS 7.MILITARY B - TECHNOLOGY AND WEAPONS/u] 8.ATLANTEAN LIFE CYCLE 9.ATLANTEANS PSYKERS AND THE WARP 10.ATLANTEANS AND OTHER RACES
Scroll down to bottom to see list of updates.
So without further ado,
THE ATLANTEANS
For thousands of years, the galaxy has had observers. They are secret watchers who study from the shadows, intervening when necessary. Their planets stretch over an area almost as large as the Imperium and even into areas the Imperium does not control, but they make to claims as to owning an empire, for the very nature of their survival is that they remain hidden from the galaxy at large. These are the mysterious beings known to the Imperium only as the Atlanteans, and their story had much to reveal.
1. Evolution and History
Deep within the wilderness areas of the galaxy, far beyond the reach of the Imperium, there lay a large, watery world. Much of the planet was water or swamps to some degree, most fertile and lush in the vicinity of the equator. Closer to the poles, they became marshes and bogs, culminating in icy tundra around the polar caps. Two massive moons, totaling nearly a half of their parent’s mass, orbited the planet, exerting considerable influence on the planetary tides. Most of the year, the moons’ gravity counteracted each other and kept the waters stable. On the rare occasion that the moons’ gravity coincided, the waters surged to flood the flat plains that otherwise relied on rainfall for water. This primordial environment was full of life, both plant and animal, but nothing with more than the most primitive self-awareness. Intelligent life may eventually have evolved on the planet, but its rise was greatly accelerated by a freak celestial accident. A large comet, traveling from far away, was snared by the sun’s gravity and its path altered. The comet’s new path put it on a collision course with one of the planet’s two moons, and the bodies impacted with catastrophic results. The comet was vaporized, and the moon pulverized into hundreds of fragments. A majority remained in orbit, forming a small ring system that the remaining moon mingled with. But many more plunged to the surface, wreaking devastation across the planet. Meteorites plunged into the oceans, causing massive tidal waves that caused entire seas to relocate over a distance of miles. Numerous fish and water plants gasped out the end of their life in the open air, and others drowned in the sudden deluge of moisture. Countless species were rendered extinct, and others brought to the brink. But just as chaotic as the moon’s destruction was the void it left behind. Without the gravity of the second moon, the tides could not reach the heights they once attained, transforming the planet from a spread of alternating swamps/shallow seas and floodplains, to a hostile collage of oceans, sun-baked wasteland, and the thin strips of surviving floodplains that separated them. Thus the ecology of the planet was forever changed, from a lush and peaceful swamp world to a harsh, unforgiving land where the necessity of survival in two contradictory environments tested the limits of adaptation. Those species that survived the initial cataclysm evolved rapidly, or died out in the face of those that did.
A certain species in particular, a type of migratory fish, developed a unique method of survival. Other types, when moving to a new sea, simply flopped forward with no clear knowledge of where they were headed and were devastated by marauding beasts that ate their fill of the school as the rest forged blindly onward. But this fish was different. Similar to sharks, it possessed organs sensitive to the electrical fields given off by other living organisms in water. But unlike sharks, whose structures merely aid them in seeking prey, this organ was far more sensitive. A healthy fish could detect the electrical emanations of other creatures from a great distance away, even through non-liquid mediums such as air; and even more curiously, pick up the subtle electrical charges of neural activity in close proximity that fell within a narrow wavelength. Unsurprisingly, the neural patterns of other members of the species fell within this range, and it became possible for one fish to “read” the simplistic emotions of others of its kind, and sentience began to arise from the connections learned between anger, fear, or pain, and an attack by a hungry predator; or pleasure/contentment, and a meal of a lesser creature. As the complexity of their thoughts grew, so did their ability to interpret the readings of others, creating a strange form of instinctive telepathy. Two organisms in close contact could establish a sort of passive mind-link, each forming thoughts or concepts intended for detection by the other as a sort of communication. Thus this particular genus of lungfish survived and thrived, becoming the most widespread species on the planet with the accompanying growth of the electrical-sensory organ. As evolution took its course, the fish’s body changed to meet its new environment. Fins and tails split into stubby legs, a more effective method of escaping from enemies. Optical lenses altered slightly, more effective at perceiving depths and distance both above water and below it. As their legs grew stronger, they gained the ability to walk upright for short distances.
The pseudo-telepathy had its uses, but it was hampered by the exceeding short range of sensitivity. More than a few feet away, individual thoughts could no longer be deciphered, only vague emotions and general moods. At greater distances, it dimmed to merely the same awareness of presence that came from any living being within detectable range. As a result of this, a spoken language arose, sing-song chords that bordered on ultrasonic and were inaudible to most other life above-water. A written form followed, carved into rocks or bone.
Almost every sentient race in the galaxy possesses a connection the Immaterium, that realm of shifting energy and entropy that humans refer to as the “Warp” and the proto-Atlanteans were no exception. Some found they had a talent for tapping into this hidden realm and manipulating its power, becoming the first shamans and seers. Some seers spoke of creatures formed purely from this ethereal energy, both wise spirits and ravenous monsters, but it was not until scientific innovation and discovery rose in prominence and experiments were conducted about this “hidden realm” were these claims thought to be anything more than nonsensical rambling. In the minds of the Atlanteans, all living things other than plants must give off electrical signals that can be felt, and if these “demons” cannot be felt, they could not exist.
The species continued to evolve, going through many of the typical stages of an emerging civilization. Their early encounters with fire were heated steam vents underwater, a long period of time before they learned how to work the heat above the seas. Simple machinery became more advanced, their first vehicles consisting of simple submarines and paddleboats. One of the most important stages of their growth was when they discovered that mixtures formed from the oils of certain native plants could be used to make permanent, waterproof houses. It was no longer necessary for them to migrate according to the whims of the tides, although it was quite some time before most gave up their nomadic lifestyle.
A convenient side effect of the electo-pathic link was that the species as a whole outgrew civil war and strife remarkably rapidly. Due to their sensitivity, one Atlantean could not harm another without feeling all of the pain, fear, and anger from both sides of the link at once. It was not unknown for an Atlantean to literally die from killing another, their mind unable to cope with the emotions of the slain. It was not long before the very thought of killing another Atlantean became anathema to another one, and bloody conflict soon gave way to cooperative agreement and relative harmony, violence confined to isolated outbreaks. This did not make them pacifists, as their world was still a hazardous place to live. Neither tools nor weapons were neglected, and banding together to fend off the larger predators reinforced the social bond of the community.
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Post by TheGlyphstone on Dec 6, 2004 16:42:56 GMT -5
Free of the internal conflict that plagued the development of most sentient races, the Atlanteans’ technology level grew steadily. The first drysuit was invented, a sort of reverse wetsuit that allowed the Atlanteans to venture above-water for longer periods of time. Their first gun was a primitive harpoon launcher, using compressed air or water to launch a projectile. And later studies into the native predators of their planet gave them the first disruptor. Their first successful space probe, atop a simple chemical rocket, rose into the heavens around the Terran mid-10th millennium B.C. As the probe hummed its way into deep space, the Atlanteans set about devising a reliable way to place objects in orbit around the planet that would be safe from the debris field of the “Dead Moon”. Once this hurdle was crossed, a revolution in space exploration followed. Numerous satellites were placed in orbit, and colonies established on the remaining moon. They turned to the debris field to supply heavy metals, and built the first of their manned colony vessels. These gargantuan constructions, designed to be self-sufficient, vanished into the inky night with many families aboard. Entire generations would live and die within their cylindrical walls, until the vessel came upon a planet suitable for colonization, or within terraformable limits. The latter was much more frequent, water-heavy planets being hard to find. The resources required to build these mammoth starships took time to accumulate, and launches were few and far between.
The generation vessels had been written off to fate, since communication was impossible. This changed with the discovery of a telepathic ability inherent in the previously neglected seers. They could communicate with others of their talents through the “hidden realm”, which became known as the Immaterial Ocean. It was proven that psychic talent was a dominant gene, and several families with seer blood were placed aboard all further exploration vessels. Fueled by this discovery, Atlantean scientists conducted dozens of experiments into the nature of this “Immaterium”. They learned that not only was it possible to communicate through it, one could travel within it as well and escape many of the limitations of space. To their joy, it appeared as a analogue of their native seas, currents and tides of energy swirling in an endless ocean. A device similar in function to the Geller Field generator was devised for protection, and they began fitting their ships with warp drives. Curiously, the Atlanteans learned that they were naturally adept at steering through the unpredictable currents of the Immaterium, a side effect of evolving in a watery environment.
Warp-capable scout ships spread all over the galaxy, and the Atlanteans were horrified by what they found. With few exceptions, most other life in the galaxy was brutal and savage, warring bloodily with themselves or each other. To the sensible Atlantean, the mass slaughter of one’s kinsmen or of a sentient neighbor was unthinkable, the result of universal insanity or confusion. They decided that it would be their duty to the rest of the galaxy to guide them away from their chaotic ways, counteracting this downward spiral of self-destruction. The lesser races, unaware of their errors, required guidance to enter a state of balance and unity like that which the Atlanteans enjoyed. Thus their race, which until then had been nameless, began calling themselves the “Morq-Eso-Nae”, translating into the “Wardens of All in Balance”. There was controversy over how this grand plan would be engineered, but a consensus was reached that the first stage would be to collect as much information as possible, concerning every other sentient race in the galaxy, to better understand them and how they could be manipulated for their own good. Driven by their new fleet of warp-engine-equipped ships, they spread a network of small colonies and watchposts across the galaxy, connected by the multitude of Atlantean seers.
The first contact with humanity occurred roughly during what would become known as the late Bronze Age. A small exploration party of Atlanteans descended to the surface and collected various samples before leaving. Though originally repulsed by the primitive species’ astonishingly violent nature, they were intrigued by the planet then called Earth and later Terra, as well as the native’s unusually strong ties to the Immaterium. A post was set up on the liquid-water moon of a nearby gas giant, the beginning of a long study that would result in an archive of human development and technology so extensive that even the Adeptus Mechanicus’s collection of STC templates would pale in comparison. Man was not the only race paid close attention to. They discovered the Orks and the Eldar, and decided that they too would play a key role in the future. During the Dark Age of Technology, many colonies were abandoned or cut off to avoid discovery, and the Age of Strife that followed was a welcome opportunity to expand their eyes and ears once more.
The psychic shockwave resulting from the Fall of the Eldar was devastating to the Atlanteans. Hundreds of Wave-Seers were killed, and the psychic feedback injured or crippled many ordinary Atlanteans. Assessment of the damage resulted in a shock. One of the great races of the galaxy had been laid low, and humanity was rising to take its place. The Great Crusade was a venture of great interest to the Atlanteans, who watched the appearance of the Emperor closely to see how effective his reunification of the human race would be. Everything appeared to be going smoothly, and the Atlanteans documented it all - till the Horus Heresy caught them completely by surprise.
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Post by TheGlyphstone on Dec 11, 2004 5:36:55 GMT -5
The disruption caused by Chaos crumbled their galactic network of colonies to a small cluster around their homeworlds. Their tiny military was not geared towards any sort of large-scale combat, a lesson that was emphasized upon their first hostile contact with demons. A small group of Atlanteans encountered a group of traitor scouts, who called upon a host of Khornate Bloodletters to assist them. The naive Atlanteans advanced fearlessly, recognizing the foes as warp creatures, recognizing the foes as denizens of the Immaterium with seemingly fragile physical forms. Less than a half-dozen warriors escaped the massacre that followed, and the Atlantean response was to withdraw completely around their core worlds to await the end of the war. When Horus fell and the traitors fled to the Eye, the Atlanteans wasted no time in reconnecting their network of spyposts while the Imperium teetered on the brink of collapse, using their newly reinvigorated military as escorts. Their studies into the warp continued, though they were forever wary of those that lurked there after being made aware of their material power.
They were the first to realize the impact when strange, six-limbed beasts were discovered on the edges of the Imperium. The humans found them first, naming them the Genestealers of Ygmarl after the planet whose moon they came from. But the learned Atlanteans realized that such a primitive species was not capable of space travel on its own, and they had been found on many planets. One was captured, and experiments performed, but it was slow work. By the time they worked out the horror that was upon them, the leading edge of Hive Fleet Behemoth was creeping into the galaxy. They watched in mourning as several alien races were enveloped utterly by the Great Devourer for the crime of fighting, or merely being in the way, and they vowed to escape that fate.
They were the first to realize the impact when strange, six-limbed beasts were discovered on the edges of the Imperium. The humans found them first, naming them the Genestealers of Ygmarl after the planet whose moon they came from. But the learned Atlanteans deduced that such a primitive species was not capable of space travel on its own, and they had been found on many planets. One was captured, and experiments performed, but it was slow work. By the time they worked out the horror that was upon them, the leading edge of Hive Fleet Behemoth was creeping into the galaxy. They watched in mourning as several alien races were enveloped utterly by the Great Devourer for the crime of fighting, or merely being in the way, and they vowed to escape that fate.
Their homeworlds were fortunate enough to be out of the path of Behemoth, but many watchposts were not and the hidden empire was once again split. Small Atlantean raids chipped away at isolated hive ships and fleets, but the seers knew that it would be up the Imperium and their mighty Space Marines to hold back the tide. Thankfully for the galaxy, they succeeded and Behemoth was shattered, Kraken receiving the same fate soon after. The schism torn by the two hive fleets had devastated many previously habitable worlds, and the galaxy-wide network of colonies became small pockets of worlds linked by Wave-Seers if present, and remote satellites/messenger ships if not..
Each Black Crusade was another time when the Atlanteans restrained their involvement, knowing the forces at work to be beyond the scope of their strength. Similar to their battles against the Tyranids, the Atlanteans chipped away at the Chaos war machine where it was vulnerable to their raids.
When the Necron raiders emerged, panic reigned through the Atlantean society. Their wide-ranging explorations had uncovered several dormant tombs, but they had no reason to suspect that the crypts were anything other than relics of an extinct race. They were able to link the legends of the ancient C’tan and their Necrontyr minions, to the silent metal hordes emerging from the abandoned tombs. The race as a collective was horrified, and a battlefleet dispatched to the planet where the C’tan called the Nightbringer lay in deep stasis. They would have arrived, and scoured the world from existence for the benefit of the galaxy, but for the chance interference of the Imperium. The Atlanteans arrived too late, and could only watch helplessly as the awakened star-demon made its escape to recover lost strength.
2.PHYSICAL TRAITS
The race as a whole is now almost fully bipedal, though they retain paddle-shaped feet for rapid movement in the water and are very ungainly on land. They are quite tall, standing six to seven feet tall on average. Their legs and arms are thin but sturdy, the feet being roughly oar-shaped with only rudimentary toes while the hands and clawed fingers, all six of them arranged in a half-circle, are fully developed. Hearkening back to their primitive origins, they breathe through a dual system of gills when underwater, and a single lung-like organism when above it. Their skin is thick and rubbery, ranging in color from grey to a blue so dark it appears black, the exact shade depending on their home oceans, save where a thin layer of scales blankets their chest and limbs. A heart pumps bluish-copper blood through veins, and various other organs perform vital functions such as digestion, surrounded by a thin but dense rib cage. Their muscles are quite strong, theoretically capable of matching a powerful human or even a Space Marine unaugmented by their power armor, but this is hampered by their weak skeletal system. Their bones are fragile for increased buoyancy, and it is difficult for their spinal cords to bear the full weight of their upright body for long periods of time, requiring the development of the armored combat suits for long-term surface operations. Their flexible limbs provide great speed underwater, with the oar-like feet giving forward thrust as the muscular arms paddle.
3. CULTURE
Atlantean culture is generally divided into several parts: The life of civilians, and those in the military. Civilian life is rarely a troublesome existence. Most civilians lead a peaceful life, with few things to worry about besides their jobs or family life.
Atlantean society is centered around a clan unit, an extension of the schools of their pre-sentient state. A clan will usually consist of several extended families that live and travel together. On the homeworld, clans are habitually nomadic, traveling when the waters begin to dry up. Rarely must they travel far, though, because across the surface are spread clusters of buildings, small villages erected by other clans and left behind when the oceans seeped away for another clan to inhabit. It is by mutual, unspoken law that a clan must treat the area they inhabit with care and respect, in honor of those who lived there before and those who will come after. These villages, constructed of standardized air/waterproof structures, are spread out over a number of miles to avoid crowding, and are only rarely visible from orbit. In contrast, the five colossal metropolises spread across the homeworld are easily seen from space, the Atlantean equivalent of a hive city. They are domed and sealed, reinforced against the crushing tides, creating a year-round habitat for the operation of the government, the spaceports, and other critical industries. Clans are present here as well, though they tend to intermingle as families spread out. On other worlds, where the waters are not as turbulent, clans may still be found. Occasionally they may be nomadic out of habit/instinct, but the majority live in fixed villages. Clans are the base unit of the social society, eclipsing even families (for they are in effect a very large family), which is one root of a common Atlantean battle cry, “For Clan, For Honor, and For Destiny!” Military life also contains its clans, though clans there consist of the soldiers grouped within a division or company. This may sometimes lead to membership in several clans for those who belong to the military. Multiple clanship can also occur in civilian life, though it occurs extremely rarely and usually only given as an incredible honor. Being the cornerstone of Atlantean society, other clan members are the only people that society will permit physical contact, and the ensuing telepathic link, between. Forced assault on another is the ultimate taboo, seen as both a violation of mind and body. Periodically, though the time frame varies between clans, the group will gather for celebrations that honor the clan ancestors, the gods, and each other. This invariably includes a mass linkage, where all member of the clan from the wise elders to the egg-linkers who speak for those unborn, will join hands and meditate as one immense mind.
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Post by TheGlyphstone on Dec 11, 2004 5:39:45 GMT -5
A typical civilian’s day starts with a tribute to the two Primary Faces of Moranon (see below), as well as the particular lesser Faces that they prefer. After, they consume the small morning meal and prepare for the day. From then till mid-day is filled with the daily activities of life. At mid-day, they break for another meal of similar size. They then return to work, stopping in the mid-afternoon for a prayer session then continuing until the end of surface-light (sunset) when the water temperature typically drops and they return to their dwelling for the final meal of the day, much larger than the first two. Latemeal consists of two phases. First come the lighter courses. They consume a variety of dishes including salads made from sea plants and flavorings, and different types of small, snail-like shellfish. The meal is broken up by a short period for digestion, when they will typically either discuss their day or meditate. When this is over, the second course begins, consisting of various fish and sea vegetables. Much is eaten raw, though the occasional dish is boiled, steamed, or even roasted for variety. However, this is viewed as detracting from the natural splendour of the food, and those that consume a majority of their food cooked are considered eccentric. Some Atlanteans prefer off-world foods, though this is generally restricted to the more affluent ones who can afford the import fees. When the latemeal is concluded, another prayer session follows, paying final respects to the Faces before sleep.
Members of the military follow a much different routine, with far less time for relaxation. Soldiers who are in an active campaign have no defined schedule, eating and sleeping when they can grab a moment, and do most of their praying in a crouch or lying prone while projectiles whiz overhead. Troopers who are in reserve or not on active duty find a middle ground, nowhere near as hectic as active combat nor as simple as civilian life. One-third of the year is true off-duty, when they can live with their family or do other civilian activities. The rest is spent in the base they are assigned to, living and training with their squadmates. They rise very early in the day, and gather in a large hall for a mass prayer session to the two Primary Faces as well as the Face of War, the soldier’s patron Face. A short breakfast follows, and the time from then to the midday prayers are spent in hard training depending on their specialization. After the midday worship, the period until latemeal is consumed with tactical and strategic lessons, lectures and demonstrations the central focus. Their latemeal is much more condensed than the civilian equivalent, with no break in the middle and food being only nutrient-rich processed foods. Fresh meals are saved for special occasions. A final group prayer comes after, and the day ends with not nearly enough precious hours of sleep till the rising bell and the start of the next day.
4.RELIGION
Atlantean religion centers around their god, Moranon, and his five Faces, or aspects. Each had a specific personality and governs a certain area of life. They consist of the following:
Sala’Moranon (sah-lah-more-a-non): A Primary face, the Face of light and Life. Commands the positive forces of the universe, including the eventual renewal of all.
Sulu’Moranon (sue-loo-more-a-non): The second Primary face, the Face of Death and Darkness. Counterpart to and rival of Sala’Moranon. The master of entropy and destruction, but also responsible for the elimination of outdated things to make room for the new and better, the upswing of the great cycle.
Moranon’irali (more-a-non-er-alley): A secondary face, the Face of War. Worshipped by soldiers and warriors, for it is believed to bring luck to them on the battlefield and to smite down their enemies. Moranon’yere (more-a-non-ee-air): Another secondary face, the Face of Peace. The counterpart to Moranon’irali, though they are not rivals and each takes their turn in prominence. It is worshipped by craftsmen, merchants, government officials, and diplomats, all of which need calm waters in which to conduct their business.
Xa’Moranon’az (Za-more-a-non-az): The final Face, also a secondary face, the Face of Growth. Growth is the one force in the universe that will remain regardless of interference, and as such this Face has no counterpart, though Sulu’Moranon will occasionally try to cause problems. It is worshipped primarily by traders, builders, and farmers, though all Atlanteans pay a degree of worship. In the very rare cases that an Atlantean is influenced by Chaos, it is usually one devoted to the Face of Growth and will be without their realization as they will have been tricked by Tzeentch masquerading as Xa’Moranon’Az.
All Atlanteans give daily homage to the two Primary faces, with secondary faces given regular observance depending on occupation. Individual clans often pray to ancestor spirits, typically wise and respected heroes from the clan’s past that supposedly stick around to watch over their descendants, but this is minor. Worship takes the form of small shrines or statuettes dedicated to each Face, with sacrifices of food and valuables given on festival days. Oddly, a very rare genetic defect will occasionally arise among Atlanteans, causing a complex form of schizophrenia that will invariably manifest five differing personalities. Individuals such afflicted are hailed as prophets of Moranon, and enjoy much undeserved luxury before their deaths.
5. Law, Crime, And Punishment (COMING SOON)
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Post by TheGlyphstone on Dec 25, 2004 9:34:05 GMT -5
-------------------------------------------------------------------- List of Updates:12/06/04: Initial Posting. Sections #1 and #2 added. 12/11/04: Sections #3 and #4 added, Table of Contents included. 12/13/04: Changed Culture and Religion to RED status. 12/25/04: Evolution and History updated to ORANGE. Merry Christmas! 12/31/04: Revisions to the Table of Contents to ease the headaches of certain P.T.B. in reading it . And a Happy New Year! --------------------------------------------------------------------
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