Tym's Monstrous Book

Description

Perhaps "book" is a misnomer, as Tym's Monstrous Book is in actuality a collection of individual folios, each having a different theme, such as "Felines of Faerûn," discussing all manner of cats from domestic to wild, winged to aquatic. Though the individual folios are of slightly different thicknesses, each has pages of parchment linked by a series of five silver rings secured by a fine golden rod. Some pages may be found to have been added after the rings were secured, by cutting the parchment and sewing it together again to fit through the rings. They are each roughly 12 inches wide by 18 inches tall, with covers are panels of laspar wood, golden-yellow in color. The interior sides of these panels are lined with a deep yellow velvet, and the exterior of the each front panel has the name of the individual collection burned into it.

Origin

The original author of this collection was an evoker named Tym, who was born in Cormyr and wandered Faerûn with several bands of adventurers ere he died about a century ago. Tym made a detailed study of the creatures he and his companions encountered and/or slew, noting their strengths, weaknesses, ecology, and other such useful lore. To this day, there are those who still add new material to this "book" in honor of him.

Index to the Book

Here we have an index to the creatures that have been described in the folios, compiled by myself and other scribes with an interest in Tym's great work. Our intent is to save you the reader the tedium of searching each individual folio for the particular beast sought (which could be a life-saving experience for you when faced with several hand counts of monsters at once!). Observant readers will notice that not only the monsters of Faerûn are listed. Some of our colleagues from the lands of Kara-Tur far to the east have graciously provided their own material, and creatures from the newly-discovered land of Maztica are being documented by Amnian explorers (or exploiters, take your pick!) for the benefit of readers in Faerûn (or simply to make a quick coin or two!).

Please note that neither myself nor the other scribes take any responsibility for the accuracy of the information within the folios, as after Tym's death the contributions have not been entirely uniform in style or content. If a particular entry states with confidence that brandishing a sprig of parsley in the face of a dragon will drive it away, do not hold us accountable when the parsley is used as the garnish on a meal of naive adventurer!

Please see the bottom of this rather long page to find news and update information, a link to a hardcopy of the monster index, and the credits. For the whole story of Tym's Monstrous Book, and the entire list of known monster collections, refer to Pages from the Mages Accesory, p.117. ~Randel~

MONSTER	REFERENCE(S)
Aballin	CS
Alaghi	MC11
Alguduir	MC11
Alhoon (Illithilich)	FRB1
Ammonite, Golden	MC11
Animals, Pleistocene	MC3
Ahuizotl	FMA1
Aratha (Killer Beetle)	FRX1
Asabis	FR13, VL
Ascallion	MC3
Asperii	MC3
Automaton, Trobriand’s – Ferragan	RoU2
Automaton, Trobriand’s – Silversann	RoU2
Automaton, Trobriand’s – Thanatar	RoU2
Avian, Boobrie	MC11
Avian, Eblis	MC11
Avian, Flightless	MC11
Baelnorn	FRX1
Bacar	FMA2
Bajang	MC6
Bakemono	MC6
Balhiir	VL
Banedead	RoZK
Baneguard	CS
Banelar	DM197
Banelich	RoZK
Bat, Deep – Azmyth	MC11, FOR2
Bat, Deep – Night Hunter	MC11, FOR2
Bat, Deep – Sinister	MC11, FOR2
Bat, Deep – Werebat	MC11, FOR2
Beetle, Deathmirror	Poly93
Beguiler	MC11
Beholder – Doomsphere (Ghost Beholder)	FRX1
Beholder – Elder Orb	RoU
Beholder-kin – Death Kiss	RoU
Beholder-kin – Gauth (Nighteyes)	MC3
Beholder-kin – Spectator	MC3
Belabra (Tangler)	MC3
Berbalang	MC3
Bhaergala	MC3
Bi-Nou	RoU2
Bisan	MC6
Blazing Bones	FRX1
Blood Rider (Blood Warrior)	FR2, VL
Bonebat	CS, FA1
Boogin	Shad
Bunyip	MC3
Burbur	MC3
Burnbones	RoZK
Buso, Tagamaling	MC6
Buso, Tigbanua	MC6
Cat, Change Cat	MC11
Cat, Domestic	MC11
Cat, Elven	MC11
Cat, Flying – Tressym	CS, FRQ1
Cat, Great – Cath Shee (Faerie Cat)	EoE
Cat, Great – Crag	VGttN
Cat, Great – Sand	MC11
Cat, Great – Snow Tiger	Spel
Cat, Luck Eater	MC11
Cat, Wild	MC11
Chosen One	Spel, VL
Chu-u	MC6
Claw, Crawling	MC3
Cloaker	MC3
Cloaker Lord	FRB1
Cantobele	MC11
Centaur, Nomadic	TH
Chitine	MC11
Cildabrin	MC11
Colossus, Stone	FR10
Con-tinh	MC6
Crustaid	Poly132
Curst	CoS
Darkenbeast	MC3, SoS, VL
Darktentacles	RoUM
Death, Crimson	MC3
Deepspawn	CS, FR11
Denizen	FRE3
Dimensional Warper	MC11
Dinosaur [various]	MC3
Disenchanter	PftM
Doc cu’o’c	MC6
Dog, Silver	MC11
Doppleganger, Greater	CoS
Dracimera	CotD
Dracohydra	FOR1, CotD
Dracolich	CS, MC3, CotD
Dragger	CoRB
Dragon, Brown	FR13
Dragon, Deep	MC11, FOR2
Dragon, Electrum	MC11
Dragon, Faerie	MC3
Dragon, Fang	MC11
Dragon, Ghost	CotD
Dragon, Lesser Undead – Skeleton	CotD
Dragon, Lesser Undead – Zombie	CotD
Dragon, Maztican (Tlalocoatl, Rain Dragon)	FMA1
Dragon, Mercury	FOR1
Dragon, Oriental – Chiang Lung (River Dragon)	MC3
Dragon, Oriental – Li Lung (Earth Dragon)	MC3
Dragon, Oriental – Lung Wang (Sea Dragon)	MC3
Dragon, Oriental – Pan Lung (Coiled Dragon)	MC3
Dragon, Oriental – Shen Lung (Spirit Dragon)	MC3
Dragon, Oriental – T’ien Lung (Celestial Dragon)	MC3
Dragon, Oriental – Tun Mi Lung (Typhoon Dragon)	MC3
Dragon, Oriental – Yu Lung (Carp Dargon)	MC3
Dragon, Steel	FOR1
Dragon, Yellow	FOR1
Dragon-kin – Cult of the Dragon	CotD
Dragon-kin – Tribal	CotD
Dread	FRX1
Dread Warrior	Spel, FR6, VL
Duhlarkin	CoS
Duruch’i-lin	MC6
Dwarf, Arctic (Inugaakalaurit)	FR14
Dwarf, Wild	FR11
Elemental, Fire-kin (Tome Guardian)	FR4, PftM
Elemental, Nature	RoZK
Elf, Aquatic	MC11
Fachan	MC11
Feeblestar	WT
Feyr	MC11
Feyr, Great	MC11
Feystag (Calygraunt)	MC11
Firenewt	MC3
Firestar	MC3, SotD
Firetail	MC11
Fish – Bloatfish	FR14
Fish – Black Burner	FR14
Fish – Cobra Trout	EE
Fish – Crystal Nipper	FR14
Fish – Giant Carp	MC6
Fish – Gray Flatfish	EE
Fish – Icetail	FR14
Fish – Spiny Sleeper	FR14
Fish, Subterranean – Iridescent Plecos	RoU2
Fish, Subterranean – Lemon	RoU2
Fish, Subterranean – Wattley	RoU2
Flameskull	DM197
Flareater	RoU2
Foo Creature – Dog	MC6
Foo Creature – Lion	MC6
Foulwing	FRB1
Frost	MC11
Gaki, Jiki-ketsu-gaki	MC6
Gaki, Jiki-niku-gaki	MC6
Gaki, Shikki-gaki	MC6
Gaki, Shinen-gaki	MC6
Gambado	CS
Gargantua, Humanoid	MC6
Gargantua, Insectoid	MC6
Gargantua, Reptilian	MC6
Gargoyle, Guardgoyle	RoZK
Gaund	MC11
Ghaunadan	CoS
Ghost, Lesser	REF5
Giant, Mountain	MC11
Gibbering Mouther	CS
Gibberling	CS
Gloomwing – Flying Serpent	MC11
Gloomwing – Moth	MC11
Golem, Brain	DM193
Golem, Gemstone – Diamond	Spel
Golem, Gemstone – Emerald	Spel
Golem, Gemstone – Ruby	Spel
Golem, Hammer	DM193
Golem, Lightning	MC11
Golem, Magic	RoZK
Golem, Spiderstone	DM193
Golem, Vault Guardian	RoZK
Groundling	Poly93
Guardian, Mithral	U:LL
Gulguthydra	CoS
Hag, Bheur	Spel
Hai Nu	MC6
Hakeasher	CoS, FR10
Hamadryad	MC11
Hannya	MC6
Harrier	MC11
Harrla	MC11
Haun	MC11
Haundar	MC11
Helmed Horror	CS, FA1
Hendar	MC11
Hengeyokai	MC6
Horse, Moon-horse (Teu’kelytha)	EoE
Horse, Nars	TH
Horse, Raurin	TH
Horse, Semphari	TH
Horse, Sosser	TH
Horse, Steppe	TH
Hsing-sing	MC6
Hu Hsien	MC6
Hybsil	RoZK
Ibrandlin	RoU
Ikiryo	MC6
Inquisitor	MC11
Jishin Mushi	MC6
Kala, Cave	MC6
Kala, Earth	MC6
Kalmari	FRC2, VL
Kaluk	MC6
Kamigoroshi (Lesser Spirit)	DM198
Kappa, Common	MC6
Kappa, Kappa-Ti	MC6
Kappa, Vampiric	MC6
Katanga, Caiman	Poly?
Katanga, Hedgehog	Poly129
Katanga, Impala	Poly129
Katanga, Monkey	Poly?
Katanga, Pangolin	Poly?
Katanga, Snake	Poly?
Katanga, Tiger	Poly?
Kholiathra	EoE
Korobokuru, Common	MC6
Korobokuru, Ishikorobokuru	MC6
Korobokuru, Malatran	Poly?
Krakentua	MC6
Krotter	FOR6
Kuei	MC6
Kupuk	FR14
Lacerial, Bladeback	Poly129
Lacerial, Finhead	Poly129
Lacerial, Flyer	Poly129
Lacerial, Hornhead	Poly129
Laerti [Laerti, Stingtail]	FR13
Laraken	FR16
Leucrotta, Greater	CoS
Lhiannan Shee	MC11
Lich, Pseudo-	REF5
Lichling [Mature, Young]	FA2, EE
Lizard, Subterranean	FRB1
Lock Lurker	CS, FRQ1
Loxo	MC11
Lungfish, Giant (Bichir)	MC3
Lycanthrope, Lythari	EoE
Lycanthrope, Werecrocodile	FR10
Lycanthrope, Wereshark	CoS
Lythlyx	FRX1
Maedar [Maedar, Glyptar]	MC3
Magebane	FRX1
Magedoom	RoZK
Manni	MC11
Mantidrake	CotD
Mara (Great Walker)	MC11
Meazel	MC3
Memedi, Common	MC6
Memedi, Gendruwo	MC6
Men, Frost Barbarian	MC6
Men, Wako	MC6
Men-shen	MC6
Metalmaster (Sword Slug)	FRX1
Mimic, Greater	RoU2
Minions, Divine	FR10
Mist, Scarlet Dancer	RoZK
Mold, Death	RoU2
Mold, Deep	RoU2
Mold, Gray	RoU2
Morin	MC11
Mouse, Farrowdale	EE
Mummy, Greater	REF5
Myrlochar (Soul Spider)	FOR2
Naga, Bone	FRX1
Naga, Dark	CS, MC11, FR13
Nat, Einsaung	MC6
Nat, Hkum Yeng	MC6
Nat, Lu	MC6
Neo-Orog [Black, Red]	Spel
Nightrider	FRE3
Nightshade	FRQ3
Ningyo	MC6
Nishruu	CS, FA1
Nyth	CoS, FA1
Odonti	RoZK
Ogre, Ice Spire	FOR6, VL
Oni, Common	MC6
Oni, Go-Zu-Oni	MC6
Oni, Me-Zu-Oni	MC6
Opossum, Copper	EE
Ormyrr	FRX1
Orpsu	MC11, FR13
Oscray	Poly129
P’oh	MC6
P’oh, Gohei	MC6
Palimpsest	CoS
Pedipalp, Giant	FOR2
Pedipalp, Huge	FOR2
Pedipalp, Large	FOR2
Peltast	CoS, FA1
Peltast, Greater	FA1
Peryton	MC11
Phaerimm	RoMD, FR13, N:EoM, VL
Phantom	MC11
Plant, Carnivorous – Black Willow	MC11
Plant, Carnivorous – Retch Plant	MC11
Plant, Carnivorous – Snapper-Saw	MC11
Plant, Carnivorous – Thornslinger	MC11
Plant, Carnivorous – Viper Vine	MC11
Plant, Carnivorous – Whipweed	MC11
Plant, Carnivorous – Witherweed	MC11
Protein Polymorph	DA14, DoD
Pteramen	FRM1, VL
Pudding, Subterranean – Dense	RoU2
Pudding, Subterranean – Gray	RoU2
Pudding, Subterranean – Stone	RoU2
Quaggoth	CS
Quelzarn	FRE2, WT
Raggamoffyn, Common	CoS
Raggamoffyn, Gutterspite	CoS
Raggamoffyn, Shrapnyl	CoS
Raggamoffyn, Tatterdemanimal	CoS
Rat, Goblin	MC6
Rat, Zhentish Sewer	RoZK
Raven, Greater	CoRB
Render	RoZK
Revenant	MC3
Reverend Ones	EoE
Reviler	DA71
Rhaumbusun	MC3
Ring-worm	MC11
Rohch, Dark	MC11
Rohch, Killer	MC11
Rohch, Swamp	MC11
Rohch, Wood	MC11
Rothe, Deep	FOR2
Sacaanti	RoZK
Saru	Poly?
Saurial, Bladebacks	MC11
Saurial, Finheads	MC11
Saurial, Flyers	MC11
Saurial, Hornheads	MC11
Scaladar	RoU
Scaladar, Enhanced	RoU2
Scalamagdrion	PftM
Sea Hag, Greater	CoRB
Sha’az	MC11
Shadevar	VL, Poly93
Shadow, Arch- [Arch-Shadow, Demi-Shade]	SoS
Shadow Lurker	RoU2
Shadowhounds	FOR6
Shadowmaster (Malaugrym)	VL
Shadowrath [Greater, Lesser]	CoS
Shadowstaff	SotM
Shalarin	WT
Shan Sao	MC6
Sharn	RoU
Shatjan	TH
Shee	FA1
Shirokinukatsukami	MC6
Shu	Poly?
Silver Dog	MC11
Simpathetic	MC11
Skeleton, Dinosaur	REF5
Skriaxit	FR10
Skum	CS
Skuz	MC11
Slithering Hoard	WT
Slithermorph	RoU
Snake, Flying – Deathfang	RoU
Snake, Flying – Flying Fang	RoU
Snake, Glacier	VGttN
Snake, Messenger	RoZK
Snake, Moonsea Ride Spirit Constrictor	EE
Snake, Sewerm	CoS
Solifugid, Giant	FOR2
Solifugid, Huge	FOR2
Solifugid, Large	FOR2
Spectral Harpist	FOR4
Sphinx, Draco-	FR10
Spider, Goblin	MC6
Spider, Monkey	MC11
Spider, Subterranean – Hairy	FOR2
Spider, Subterranean – Hunting	FOR2
Spider, Subterranean – Sword	FOR2
Spider, Subterranean – Watch	CoS, FOR2
Spider, Wrath-	RoU2
Spirit, Centipede – Greater	MC6
Spirit, Centipede – Least	MC6
Spirit, Centipede – Lesser	MC6
Spirit, Flame – Greater	MC6
Spirit, Flame – Least	MC6
Spirit, Flame – Lesser	MC6
Spirit, Forest	Spel
Spirit, Greater – Manggus	TH
Spirit, Greater – Monkey	TH
Spirit, Greater – Shimnus	TH
Spirit, Ice	Spel
Spirit, Nature – Greater	MC6
Spirit, Nature – Least	MC6
Spirit, Nature – Lesser	MC6
Spirit, Rock	Spel
Spirit, Stone – Greater	MC6
Spirit, Stone – Least	MC6
Spirit, Stone – Lesser	MC6
Spirit Folk, Bamboo	MC6
Spirit Folk, River	MC6
Spirit Folk, Sea	MC6
Spitting Crawler	FOR2
Sprite, Seelie	Spel
Sprite, Unseelie	Spel
Spirit, Zentarim	RoZK
Statue That Walks	FR6
Steel Shadow	RoU
Strider, Giant	MC3
Sull	MC3
Svirfneblin (Deep Gnome)	MC3
Tabaxi	FMA1
Tako, Female	MC6
Tako, Male	MC6
Talisman Servant, Caravan	DM242
Talisman Servant, Gladiator	DM242
Talisman Servant, Mystran	DM242
Tam’hi	Poly?
Tarsardar	SotM
Tempest	MC11
Tengu, Crow	MC6
Tengu, Humanoid	MC6
Thaalud (Tomb Tapper)	FR13, N:EoM
Thessalmonster, Thessalgorgon	MC3
Thessalmonster, Thessalhydra	MC3
Thessalmonster, Thessalmera	MC3
Thessalmonster, Thessaltrice	MC3
Thri-kreen (Mantis Warrior)	MC3
Thylacine	MC3
Tirichik	FR14
Tlincalli	MC11
Treant, Undead	EE
Tree, Dark	FR16
Tren	MC11
Tressym	CS, FRQ1
Unicorn, Black	Spel
Ur-Histachii (Undead)	CotD
Uthraki	Spel
Vampire, Greater	REF5
Vine, Serpent	RoU2
Vulture, Common	MC3
Vulture, Condor	MC3
Vulture, Giant	MC3
Vurgens (Giant gulper eel)	MC3
Wang-Liang	MC6
Watchghost	RoU
Web, Living	MC3
Wemic	MC3
Weredragon	FA1
Whipsting	DM197
Wight, Great	REF5
Wight, Half-	REF5
Windghost	FRX1
Wingless Wonder	FRB1, SotM
Wizshade	VGtATM
Wraith, Desert	FR10
Wyvern Drake	CotD
Xantravar (Stinging Horror)	FRX1
Xaver	FRX1
Yochlol	FOR2, VL
Yuan-Ti, Histachii	MC6
Yuki-on-na	MC6
Zombie, Living	REF5
Zombie, Netherese	HtMAF

Unique Beings, Creatures, & Monsters

More than just "typical" monsters have been given entries in this work, if any monster can truly be called typical. Here are those that were considered "unique" - some good, some bad, and some in between.

NAME	REFERENCE(S)
Eltab (tanar’ri abyssal lord)	Spel
Eormennoth (bronze dragon)	CoRB
Errtu (balor tanar’ri)	VL
H'Calos ("alien" centipede)	FMA2
Iyachtu Xvim	FR6
Kamerynn (unicorn)	FR2
Kazgaroth (servant of Bhaal)	FR2, VL
Leader of the Pack (wolf)	FR2
Leviathan (whale)	FR2
Marble (ghost)	CastS
Mistinarperadnacles Hai Draco (venerable red dragon)	VL
Render (a big, hairy eating machine)	RoZK
Tyranthraxus (possessing spirit)	FRC2, VL
Vreesar (gelugon baatezu)	VL
White Stag, The (hart)	EoE

Reference Material

In the table below, you will find a list of tomes that put the contents of Tym's Monstrous Book into what Elminster would describe as "game terms" for you folk of Earth.

CODE	REFERENCE
CS	Forgotten Realms Campaign Setting Boxed Set
CastS	Castle Spulzeer
CoRB	The City of Raven’s Bluff
CoS	City of Splendors Boxed Set
DM#	Dragon Magazine #
DA#	DUNGEON Adventures #
DoD	Dungeons of Despair
EE	Elminster’s Ecologies
EoE	Elves of Evermeet
FA1	Halls of the High King
FA2	Nightmare Keep
FMA1	Fires of Zatal
FMA2	Endless Armies
FOR1	Draconomicon
FOR2	The Drow of the Underdark
FOR4	Code of the Harpers
FOR6	Giantcraft
FR2	Moonshae
FR4	The Magister
FR10	Old Empires
FR13	Anauroch
FR16	The Shining South
FRB1	Menzoberranzan Boxed Set
FRC2	Curse of the Azure Bonds
FRE2	Tantras
FRE3	Waterdeep
FRM1	The Jungles of Chult
FRQ3	Doom of Daggerdale
FRX1	Ruins of Myth Drannor Boxed Set
HtMAF	How the Mighty Are Fallen
MC3	Forgotten Realms Monstrous Compendium Appendix I
MC6	Kara-Tur Monstrous Compendium Appendix
MC11	Forgotten Realms Monstrous Compendium Appendix II
N:EoM	Netheril: Empire of Magic Boxed Set
Poly#	Polyhedron Magazine #
REF5	Lords of Darkness
RoU	Ruins of Undermountain Boxed Set
RoU2	Ruins of Undermountain 2 Boxed Set
RoZK	Ruins of Zhentil Keep Boxed Set
Shad	Shadowdale booklet from the Campaign Setting Boxed Set
SoS	The Secret of Spiderhaunt
SotD	The Sword of the Dales
SotM	Secrets of the Magister
Spel	Spellbound Boxed Set
TH	The Horde Boxed Set
U:LL	Undermountain: The Lost Level Boxed Set
VGtATM	Volo’s Guide to All Things Magical
VGttN	Volo’s Guide to the North
VL	Villains’ Lorebook
WT	Wyrmskull Throne

News and Updates

17 Jun 00 Nothing major added, as I'm still compiling more data. I have added a counter to give me an idea of just how much traffic this page gets, since I would like to know that someone is getting some use out of this work other than me! 8) BTW, if anyone has difficulty reading the text with the color scheme I have chosen, please let me know. This page is no good if you can't read it.

16 Jun 00 Quite a few changes. I have edited the text of the introductory passages, and added a few Maztican monsters and their references. Other monster additions are the new varieties of undead from REF5 Lords of Darkness. You will notice newly-added monsters by the icon next to each, which I will continue to use for your convenience. Please note that the hardcopy index does note have the new Maztican or REF5 monsters added yet, and I am still working on the Monstrous Manual and the Monstrous Compendium Annual references for each creature.

Notes from the Scribe

Inspiration

I have patterned this information to appear as if it were the compilation Tym's Monstrous Book, a volume of monster lore detailed in the Pages from the Mages Accessory (TSR #9491), just to make it more colorful. Some of the text above is taken from that product and paraphrased, with the rest being original work.

Purposes

I put this list together to serve two purposes:

1. To support my efforts in compiling a 'Monstrous Manual' of Realmsian creatures, since I would like to have a copy of all of them in one big binder for easy reference
2. To support the FR3E Conversion Proup that has recently convened, allowing the group to prioritize the creatures converted and keep track of the progress

Regarding the FR3E conversion Project, you can join by typing the e-mail address that you wish to have the list messages sent to in the input box below. Martyn Quick is coordinating the group's efforts, and you can visit the Forgotten Realms 3rd Edition Conversion Project web site for more information.

Hardcopy of the Index

Download a hardcopy of the index (a ZIP archive containing an RTF document). Please note that this is Version 1.0 of the document and that there are bound to be some errors. Version 2.0 will have several more references added, to include the Monstrous Manual hardbound and the four Monstrous Compendium Annuals. More than a few monsters that were originally created for the Realms have made their way into the Monstrous Manual and the Annuals, so you may not have to scramble for an OOP product to access a monster that you really want to read about.

Request for Additional Information

If anyone knows the Polyhedron issue #s for the monsters in the list that have "Poly?" shown as the reference, please send them my way and your generosity will be immortalized here for all the world to see. Likewise, any additional monsters and their reference(s) would great.

Humor?

Finally, does anyone but me see the Pythonian humor in an evoker named Tym who knows a lot about monsters? Think Quest for the Holy Grail-->The Mighty Tim-->The Rabbit. I would bet that this is probably what Ed had in mind...

~Randel~

Credits

Many people from the REALMS-L aided in the preparation of this material by providing valuable reference information, and they have my heartfelt thanks. They are, in no particular order:

• Author of the orginal Candlekeep document (Anyone know? Beuller? Beuller?)
• Ian R. Malcomson
• Sandman
• Martyn Quick
• Mike KcKeown
• Thom Jones

Comments & Corrections

Want to make a comment on this material? Did you find a blatant error? Did I forget to credit you? Contact the lowly scribe ~Randel~ (who seems to be slaving at the pen for every self-important sage in Faerûn of late!)

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