Editing Character:Veil-Winged Shrike
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A character from [[A_Date_with_Destiny]] | A character from [[A_Date_with_Destiny]] | ||
*'''Veil-Winged Shrike''' | *'''Veil-Winged Shrike''' | ||
− | *Caste: | + | *Caste: Zenith |
*Concept: Queen of Death and Beauty | *Concept: Queen of Death and Beauty | ||
*Veil-Winged Shrike is one of the premier beauties of the Scavenger Lands, as brilliant and harsh as sunlight reflecting off the edge of a drawn blade. Her build is actually substantially more trim and athletic than her usually-languorous demeanor might suggest: slim-hipped, long-legged. She moves with an inhuman grace, the slightest movement suggestive of a sublime dance. She used to dress to make the most of her beauty, clad in the barest minimum necessary to preserve her modesty, accentuated by the addition of dozens of fluttering veils that shift with the breeze and her own movements. Lately, she has favoured a more conservative, magisterial mode of dress to match her high office. Her long, red-highlighted golden hair, in contrast with her bronzed skin, is usually left in a series of long, thin braids, each one tied with a ribbon and a tiny bell; Shrike jingles softly as she walks, the music of her hair answered by the matching bells on her bangles and anklets. | *Veil-Winged Shrike is one of the premier beauties of the Scavenger Lands, as brilliant and harsh as sunlight reflecting off the edge of a drawn blade. Her build is actually substantially more trim and athletic than her usually-languorous demeanor might suggest: slim-hipped, long-legged. She moves with an inhuman grace, the slightest movement suggestive of a sublime dance. She used to dress to make the most of her beauty, clad in the barest minimum necessary to preserve her modesty, accentuated by the addition of dozens of fluttering veils that shift with the breeze and her own movements. Lately, she has favoured a more conservative, magisterial mode of dress to match her high office. Her long, red-highlighted golden hair, in contrast with her bronzed skin, is usually left in a series of long, thin braids, each one tied with a ribbon and a tiny bell; Shrike jingles softly as she walks, the music of her hair answered by the matching bells on her bangles and anklets. | ||
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=Motivation= | =Motivation= | ||
− | * | + | * Defend Creation from its enemies |
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=Intimacies= | =Intimacies= | ||
==Natural== | ==Natural== | ||
===Negative=== | ===Negative=== | ||
− | * the Deathlords and | + | * destroying the Deathlords and Abyssal Exalted (fierce hatred) |
− | * art | + | * creating art (vanity) |
===Positive=== | ===Positive=== | ||
− | * Mari ( | + | * Mari (love) |
− | * the people of Thorns ( | + | * the people of Thorns (loyalty) |
− | * her Circle ( | + | * her Circle (affection) |
* freedom from oppression (idealism) | * freedom from oppression (idealism) | ||
* Killing Frost (love) | * Killing Frost (love) | ||
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===Negative=== | ===Negative=== | ||
===Positive=== | ===Positive=== | ||
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=Anima= | =Anima= | ||
− | As a | + | As a Resplendent Sun, Shrike's anima power enables her to cremate the dead and battle creatures of darkness. For the cost of 10m, she may illuminate the surrounding area for up to 50 yards with bright sunlight. In this mode she gains +5L/+5B soak vs creatures of darkness; she also adds +1 to her ping against them. |
=Attributes= | =Attributes= | ||
− | *Strength 2+3 | + | ==Physical== |
− | *Dexterity | + | *Strength 2 +3 |
− | *Stamina 2+3 | + | *Dexterity 3 +3 |
+ | *Stamina 2 +3 | ||
==Social== | ==Social== | ||
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==Mental== | ==Mental== | ||
− | *Perception | + | *Perception 3 |
− | *Intelligence | + | *Intelligence 3 |
*Wits 3 | *Wits 3 | ||
=Abilities and Charms= | =Abilities and Charms= | ||
− | == | + | ==Integrity 5== |
− | * | + | * Second Excellency |
− | ** | + | * Integrity-Protecting Prana (5m 1wp, Reflexive, 1 day, Combo-OK: perfect defence against Shaping) |
− | ** | + | * Epic Zeal of Compassion (Infernals) (Permanent: Compassion dice are automatic successes) |
+ | * Phoenix Renewal Tactic (Permanent: when recovering a WP, can regain Virtue channel instead) | ||
+ | * '''Sidereal''' Compassionate Essence Replenishment (Permanent: 5/day respire +10m when channeling Compassion or +5m when rolling Performance) | ||
− | * | + | ==Performance 5== |
− | + | *(+1 dance, +1 oratory, +1 songs) | |
− | * | + | * First Excellency |
− | + | * Phantom-Conjuring Performance (Permanent: enhances Performance or Presence with supernatural audiovisual effects; control anima banner) | |
− | + | * Heart-Compelling Method (6m, Supplemental, Combo-OK, Emotion, Social: inspires desired emotion; 2WP to resist) | |
− | * | + | * Husband-Seducing Demon Dance (10m 1wp, Simple, Combo-OK, Emotion, Social, Obvious: +5d10 to Performance roll; victims fall in love with Shrike; 2WP to resist) |
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− | + | ==Presence 5== | |
− | + | * First Excellency | |
− | ** | + | * Majestic Radiant Presence (7m, Reflexive, Scene, Obvious, Social: Valour (1) needed to attack Shrike; 3WP to resist) |
− | * | + | * Hypnotic Tongue Technique ((target's Essence)m, Simple, Month, Combo-OK, Social, Stackable, Touch: Man+Pre; instead of 1WP to resist, target pays 5WP immediately attempting defiance) |
− | * | + | * Enemy-Castigating Solar Judgement (2m, Supplemental, Instant, Combo-OK, Holy, Obvious, Social: make physical attack deal agg dam to CoDs; halve MDV of CoDs against enhanced social attack) |
− | * | + | * Minds Yield to Glory (MoEP: Abyssals) (Permanent: affects Hypnotic Tongue Technique) |
− | * | + | * Shining on Dark Realms (IM) (Permanent: any ghosts loyal to Shrike are immune to being bound or summoned; +1 to MDVs vs attempts to undermine loyalty) |
− | + | * '''Abyssal''' Killing Words Technique (Permanent: +1wp when activating any social Charm; target pays LHL instead of WP to shake off effects) | |
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− | == | + | ==Resistance 5== |
− | + | * Second Excellency | |
− | + | * Durability of Oak Meditation (2m, Reflexive, Instant, Combo-OK: +10L/+10B soak) | |
− | * | + | * Spirit Strengthens the Skin (1m per die removed, Reflexive, Instant, Combo-OK, Obvious: reduce post-soak damage by 1 die per mote; cannot reduce damage below 1 die) |
− | * | + | * Iron Skin Concentration (2m, Reflexive, Tick, Combo-OK, Obvious: all attacks have minimum damage reduced by 1) |
− | * | + | * Iron Kettle Body (Permanent: +4m to Durability of Oak; +15L/+15B for the rest of the scene) |
− | * | + | * Adamant Skin Technique (8m, Reflexive, Instant, Combo-OK, Obvious: perfect soak, Compassion flaw) |
− | + | ==Linguistics 5== | |
− | + | * First Excellency | |
− | * | + | * Whirling Brush Method (4m, Supplemental, Instant, Combo-OK: write 50x faster) |
− | * | + | * Flawless Brush Discipline (8m, Simple, Instant, Combo-OK, Emotion: +5 to Linguistics 'Appearance' effect, spend 3WP or Intimacy love Shrike) |
− | + | * Letter-Within-a-Letter Technique (6m, Simple, Instant, Combo-OK: conceal message within written work; concealed message can be NMI or UMI) | |
− | + | * Sagacious Reading of Intent (3m, Reflexive, Instant, Combo-OK, Social: perfectly identifies intention behind any statement, negates any social attack hostile to Shrike or her Motivation) | |
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− | + | ==Lore 1== | |
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− | + | ==Martial Arts 5== | |
− | ** | + | * (+1 natural weapons) |
− | * | + | * First Excellency |
− | * | + | * Fists of Iron Technique (1m, Reflexive, Action, Combo-OK, Enhanced: Acc +1 Damage +2L; parry lethal attacks empty-handed without a stunt; Acc +3 Damage +2L Defence +1 Rate +1 while SHF active) |
− | * | + | * Sledgehammer Fist Punch (1m, Supplemental, Instant, Combo-OK, Enhanced, Obvious: doubles raw damage vs inanimate objects while ignoring soak) |
− | * | + | * Dragon Coil Technique (3m, Reflexive, Action, Combo-OK, Enhanced: +5 dice to inflict/maintain/control clinch, Damage +5L) |
− | * | + | * Solar Hero Form (6m, Simple, Scene, Form-Type, Combo-Basic, Enhanced, Obvious: 1m to double successes on attack for raw damage, +5L/+5B natural soak) |
− | * | + | * Crashing Wave Throw (2m, Reflexive, Instant, Combo-OK: after clinching, throw enemy 35 yds up or 80 yds horizontally; take 1B or 1L damage per yd not travelled if striking hard object) |
+ | * One with the Wave (Ink Monkeys) (5m, Reflexive, Instant, Combo-OK, Counterattack: when struck, launch clinch counterattack; if successful, 1. throw opponent within 25 yds to deal pre-soak damage of first attack, or 2. throw opponent at second opponent within range with equal base damage; can counterattack physical or energy ranged attacks) | ||
− | + | ==Medicine 3== | |
− | + | * Second Excellency | |
− | * | + | * Wound-Mending Care Technique (10m, Supplemental, 1 day, Combo-OK, Touch: Int+Med, sux = L or B healed. +5 healed if rests for the whole day) |
− | + | * Flawless Diagnosis Technique (1m, Reflexive, Instant, Combo-OK: perfectly diagnose every condition) | |
− | + | * Wholeness-Restoring Meditation (Permanent, Touch: +5 successes to treat otherwise incurable Crippling conditions) | |
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− | == | + | ==Occult 5== |
− | * | + | * Second Excellency |
− | * | + | * Terrestrial Circle Sorcery (Permanent: allows Shape Sorcery actions) |
− | * | + | * Spirit-Detecting Glance (3m, Scene, Reflexive, Combo-OK: detect dematerialised creatures) |
+ | * Spirit-Cutting Attack (1m, Instant, Supplemental, Combo-OK, Obvious: strike dematerialised, aggravated damage to spirits) | ||
+ | * Magic-Shattering Strike (DotFA) (15m, Instant, Supplemental, Combo-OK, Obvious: strike spell or Sorcerous Charm effect (Circle x3 or Min Ess +2 PDV), gain (Circle x4 or Min Ess +2)m if successful) | ||
+ | * All-Encompassing Sorcerer's Sight (6m, Scene, Reflexive, Combo-OK: Essence Sight) | ||
===Spells=== | ===Spells=== | ||
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* Demon of the First Circle | * Demon of the First Circle | ||
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− | + | ==Ride 1== | |
− | * | + | * Heroic Course Familiarity (HFE) (Permanent: no penalties for lacking appropriate Abilities for Riding; converts stunt dice to automatic successes) |
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+ | ==Socialise 3== | ||
+ | * Taboo-Inflicting Diatribe (3m 1wp, Simple, Instant, Combo-OK, Compulsion: Cha/Man+Socialise to make a society shun a particular behaviour) | ||
+ | * Mastery of Small Manners (1m, Reflexive, Action, Combo-OK, Social: treat social groups as -1 Magnitude; increase effective Appearance by 1; understand basic motivations of everyone present at threshold 3; personal qualities become perfectly inscrutable, can perfectly lie without being detected) | ||
+ | * Golden Courtier Infallibility (HFE) (Permanent: enhances MSM) | ||
+ | * Edict-Affirming Overseer Method (custom) (Permanent: infallibly knows when someone flouts one of her taboos, knows when and where but not who; +1 automatic successes to all attempts to discover identity of lawbreaker; if she punishes the lawbreaker, she either loses 1 Limit or counts it as one scene spent reinforcing any existing Intimacies of loyalty that anyone may have towards her) | ||
=Backgrounds= | =Backgrounds= | ||
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''Notes: Except for the physical enhancement, I've scrapped the usual effects of the Crown of Thunders and replaced them with the effects of the Vestments of Holy Vigilance. Balanced by much higher commitment costs than the Vestments.'' | ''Notes: Except for the physical enhancement, I've scrapped the usual effects of the Crown of Thunders and replaced them with the effects of the Vestments of Holy Vigilance. Balanced by much higher commitment costs than the Vestments.'' | ||
− | ==Artifact 5: | + | ==Artifact 5: The Golden Asp== |
− | + | ''"Mistress, killing the Guildsman does have a certain barbaric elegance to it, but wouldn't it be dreadfully ironic to sell him instead?"<br> | |
− | + | "Won't his brethren recognise him?"<br> | |
− | + | "Not when I'm done with him."<br>'' | |
− | + | Shrike's secret major-domo and most lethal fashion-accessory, the Golden Asp is slyly reticent about how it came to learn of Shrike. It was originally thought to be a piece of a larger sculpture, of a man, his face a mask of terror and agony, grappling with the jewel-eyed serpent around his neck. The statue arrived as an anonymous gift to Shrike, being transported by a caravan that had no record of seeing any employer: only a crate, with a a pouch of silver dirhams and an elegantly-written letter directing the sculpture to be delivered to the Veil-Winged Shrike of Thorns. It animated itself and then sought Shrike out. The details of their conversation are unknown, but since then her management of the temple and the city has noticeably improved, to the awe and approbation of all. All except those who are ruined by ruthless economic policies that drive the city's growth. Shrike, of all her Circle, understands the role that temptation and vice have to play in the human heart; she's also well aware of the dangers thereof. To balance vice operations in Thorns on the knife's-edge of Shrike's tacit acceptance and her furious outrage is a delicate task and requires a veritable genius; those who slip up quickly find themselves ruined and beggared by their competitors, and swiftly on their way to the hard labour camps of debtors' gaol. | |
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==Cult 4+1: the Bearers of the Golden Word== | ==Cult 4+1: the Bearers of the Golden Word== | ||
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The ascent of the Veil-Winged Shrike to the position of both queen and tutelary goddess, symbolic bride of Thorns' newborn city father, was anticipated by sacred scripture. The ''Rule of the Golden Word'' foretold a coming age of Solar magnificence, the liberation of Thorns from the occupation of the Mask of Winters, and the ascension of 'the Last Daughter of Thorns'. Shrike is venerated not only by the citizens of Thorns -- and its Underworld equivalent -- but also by the oppressed and the aesthetically-inclined all across the Scavenger Lands. This level of metaphysical clout has not only brought her great power and influence, but also the enmity of many members of the Celestial Bureaucracy.<br> | The ascent of the Veil-Winged Shrike to the position of both queen and tutelary goddess, symbolic bride of Thorns' newborn city father, was anticipated by sacred scripture. The ''Rule of the Golden Word'' foretold a coming age of Solar magnificence, the liberation of Thorns from the occupation of the Mask of Winters, and the ascension of 'the Last Daughter of Thorns'. Shrike is venerated not only by the citizens of Thorns -- and its Underworld equivalent -- but also by the oppressed and the aesthetically-inclined all across the Scavenger Lands. This level of metaphysical clout has not only brought her great power and influence, but also the enmity of many members of the Celestial Bureaucracy.<br> | ||
Her priests and priestesses call themselves Wordbearers, in token of the amulets they wear: each one bears an inscription from Shrike's own hand. The carven glyph is usually the bearer's own name, or something else significant to them like 'Duty', but each one also carries a social attack (hidden by Letter-Within-a-Letter Technique) that enforces loyalty and powerful attraction to Shrike. | Her priests and priestesses call themselves Wordbearers, in token of the amulets they wear: each one bears an inscription from Shrike's own hand. The carven glyph is usually the bearer's own name, or something else significant to them like 'Duty', but each one also carries a social attack (hidden by Letter-Within-a-Letter Technique) that enforces loyalty and powerful attraction to Shrike. | ||
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+ | ==Familiar Demonic 1: Chinchirrikit== | ||
+ | Summoned first by what appears to have been random chance, the agata known as Chinchirrikit has seen its legend grow. Its status has risen together with Shrike's, and it has turned from a convenience to a companion. It has pledged itself to her willingly, having been exposed to her mental Charms so regularly that its Motivation is now "Serve as a mount to Veil-Wnged Shrike". It will bear others, but only at her behest, and spends all its time in Creation unless banished, as has happened on occasion. | ||
==Influence 5: Mother of Thorns== | ==Influence 5: Mother of Thorns== | ||
− | Shrike is the centre of supernatural power in Thorns | + | Shrike is the centre of both temporal and supernatural power in Thorns. The living and the dead, the Thorns of sunlight and the Spines of shadow, all bend the knee to her as queen and goddess. She has cemented her reign by ceremonially marrying Thorns' newborn City Father, through him gaining access to the region's spirit courts, many of which acknowledge her as a patron: her Cult allocates feast-days to particularly helpful gods. She serves as the mediatrix between Thorns and Spines, and the latter more than the former owes its continued existence to her. Her state-sponsored ancestor cult has been the main motive force behind the reconstruction efforts in the Underworld. Ghosts arrive daily, to witness the rarest of all things: innovation in the Underworld. For while Stygia remains the centre of political power in the Underworld, and Sijan its busiest 'port', Spines is beginning to be known as its centre of commerce, industry, and culture. In Thorns itself, Shrike serves as a constitutional monarch with her own privy council and a seat on the city's senate, where she sets motions and agendas and wields not only a senator's vote but veto power over legislation. <br> |
And all this is without reckoning the direct power she wields over the hearts and minds of her people using her potent magic. | And all this is without reckoning the direct power she wields over the hearts and minds of her people using her potent magic. | ||
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==Manse 5: Stone of Loyalty== | ==Manse 5: Stone of Loyalty== | ||
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Noon Shadow Temple is a ''Wood-Aspected'' manse and the headquarters of Shrike's Cult, the Bearers of the Golden Word. It has the following characteristics: an ''Otherworld Gate'' to the Underworld; ''Ability Enlightenment'' in the areas of Bureaucracy, Investigation, Medicine, and Presence; the ''Subtle Breath of Sextes Jylis'' that is usually used to keep its environs comfortable regardless of the season or weather, and an autonomous ''Provider'' that ensures its occupants never want for necessities. It requires ''simple maintenance'' which takes a full day and must be performed every month: this duty is assigned according to a roster to its resident clergy. | Noon Shadow Temple is a ''Wood-Aspected'' manse and the headquarters of Shrike's Cult, the Bearers of the Golden Word. It has the following characteristics: an ''Otherworld Gate'' to the Underworld; ''Ability Enlightenment'' in the areas of Bureaucracy, Investigation, Medicine, and Presence; the ''Subtle Breath of Sextes Jylis'' that is usually used to keep its environs comfortable regardless of the season or weather, and an autonomous ''Provider'' that ensures its occupants never want for necessities. It requires ''simple maintenance'' which takes a full day and must be performed every month: this duty is assigned according to a roster to its resident clergy. | ||
− | == | + | ==Lunar Bond 5: True Love== |
− | + | +10 dice when assisting Frost. +5 to MDV against attempts to turn her against him. -5 to MDV when acting against Frost.<br> | |
− | + | While Shrike's initial encounter with her Lunar mate [[Killing_Frost]] was less than smooth, their relationship has since undergone a gradual blossoming, as she found in him a reliable partner and fierce protector. | |
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− | Shrike | ||
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=Flaws= | =Flaws= | ||
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*Essence: 5 | *Essence: 5 | ||
*Personal: 25/25 | *Personal: 25/25 | ||
− | *Peripheral: | + | *Peripheral: 35/40 +0/10 (ISG) |
− | + | *Committed to Charms: 5 (5: Integrity-Protecting Prana), (Durability of Oak: 8m, SHF: 6m, IMM: 24m) | |
− | + | *Committed to artifacts: 10 (10: Crown of Thunders) | |
− | *Committed to Charms: | ||
− | *Committed to artifacts: | ||
*Willpower: 10/10 | *Willpower: 10/10 | ||
*Anima status: Quiescent | *Anima status: Quiescent | ||
==Virtues== | ==Virtues== | ||
*Compassion: 5/5 | *Compassion: 5/5 | ||
− | *Conviction: | + | *Conviction: 4 |
*Temperance: 1 | *Temperance: 1 | ||
*Valor: 3 | *Valor: 3 | ||
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*Dodge DV: 6 | *Dodge DV: 6 | ||
*Parry DV: 8 | *Parry DV: 8 | ||
− | *Soak (L/B/A): 3/5/- ( | + | *Soak (L/B/A): 3/5/- (23/28/20 with SHF and IKB up; 33/38/30) |
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===Movement=== | ===Movement=== | ||
− | *Move: | + | *Move: 6 |
− | *Dash: | + | *Dash: 11 |
− | *Jump: | + | *Jump: 5 up, 10 across |
==Social== | ==Social== | ||
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*(wounds are designated as ''bashing'', '''lethal''' or <strike>aggravated</strike>) | *(wounds are designated as ''bashing'', '''lethal''' or <strike>aggravated</strike>) | ||
− | =Equipment | + | =Equipment= |
− | + | Shrike's bare hands have dismayed Deathlords. | |
− | Shrike's bare hands have dismayed Deathlords. | ||
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− | + | '''Fists of Iron Technique''' <br> | |
− | + | ''Punch'': Speed 3, Accuracy +4, Damage +2L, Defence +4, Rate 4<br> | |
− | ''' | + | ''Kick'': Speed 3, Accuracy +2, Damage +5L, Defence +2, Rate 3<br> |
− | + | ''Clinch'': Speed 3, Accuracy +2, Damage +2L, Defence --, Rate 2, Clinch, Piercing<br> | |
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− | '' | ||
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=History= | =History= | ||
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* From Flaws: 10 | * From Flaws: 10 | ||
* Spent: -28 | * Spent: -28 | ||
− | ** - | + | ** -13 Abilities |
− | ** - | + | ** -6 Charms (2) |
** -5 Willpower | ** -5 Willpower | ||
− | ** - | + | ** -2 Virtue (Conviction) |
− | ** -2 Valour | + | ** -2 Virtue (Valour) |
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=XP= | =XP= | ||
XP | XP | ||
− | * | + | * Earned: # 260 |
− | * | + | * Spent: # 260 (-256 Charms 32, -4 Medicine 2) |
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