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Thread: Town Based on Slavic Mythology | This thread is pages long: 1 2 · NEXT» |
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VokialBG
Honorable
Legendary Hero
First in line
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posted January 13, 2007 12:22 PM |
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Edited by VokialBG at 15:35, 13 Jan 2007.
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Town Based on Slavic Mythology
This is my old, old, old idea, and I want to start it!
The town is based on the slavic mythology. Hey you...yes you the slavs in HC come here and help me
Aka:
Associated colors: green, brown, yellow
Worship:
Gods:
Svetovid was the main Slavic god, he is represented as a four-faced pillar so that he may watch over the entire world. He is one of the masters of nature and the spirits that dwell in it. His sacred animal is his white horse which he rides at night.
Perun was the god of fire and thunder. His sacred trees were oaks. It was believed he wielded a stone warhammer, like the Norse Thor (by the way, the vikings used a type of axe invented by the Slavs, so the Slavs and the Norse were probably trading together and shared some views, hence the similarity between some gods).
Triglav was the three-headed god of the underworld and the dead. He rides a black horse, opposed to Svetovid's white one. There are two categories of his servants: those who die of natural causes become "good daemons", who help people in many ways, while the suiciders, criminals who are hanged etc. are called "evil daemons" or "werewolves" and they molester people in many ways, from the shadows.
Svarog is the Sun God and the protector of home. Legend says that he had a huge boar which rised out of a lake and bathed in mud in the middle of a terrifying earthquake. It is told that meaned war was nearing.
Country / kingdom:
Capital city:
Key symbols: The ancient symbols of Perun
The hero can control the spirits and the wild creatures in the woods.
Creatures:
Lv. 1
Veda
Veda is female forest spirit.
Lv. 1 Upg.
Samodiva
Samodivi, sometimes called Samovili, are woodland fairies found in Bulgarian folklore and mythology, commonly depicted as ethereal maidens with long loose hair, sometimes also with wings. They are dressed in a shirt and a gown, and have a green belt and a sleeveless jacket on, their garments decorated with feathers by means of which they can fly like birds. Samodivi are believed to be the beautiful mistresses of the waters and have the powers to bring about drought, but are not inevitably hostile and dangerous to people.
Earliest written evidence of Samodivi dates back to the 13th century and it is presumed they developed on the basis of Balkan tradition and myths, but researchers have also found traces of the ancient Slav period in them. The words Samodiva and Samovila go back to some very old Indo-European roots with a meaning of "divinity", "demon", "rave" and "rage". In the 19th century, the great Bulgarian poet Hristo Botev mentions Samodivi in a poem praising legendary Bulgarian voivode Hadji Dimitar.
In a Serb myth, a samodiva caled Vila, found Prince Marko and brought him up as his foster mother. Because Marko suckled samodiva milk he acquired supernatural powers.
Lv. 2
Lv. 2 Upg.
Vedmak
Lv. 3
Talasym
Lv. 3 Upg.
Torbalan
Torbalan is a folklore figure that the parents use to frighten their children, to a large extent corresponding to the bogeyman in the English-speaking world. He is known to wear a pack upon his back in which he carries naughty children.
Lv. 4
Wolf
Lv. 4 Upg.
Vyrkulak
Same as werewolf
Lv. 5
Water Spirit
Lv. 5 Upg.
Vodnik
Vodnik was the name of water demons in the Slavic mythology. The were akin to the bathhouse spirit Bannik. they were subjected to Wąda, lady of the lakes and the shallow streams, also known as the Queen of the Underwater Lawns.
The Vodniks lived in the deep of lakes and rivers. They were capable to emit an oily substance from the nostrils, which were located between the eyes or on the forehead: this substance was so hot to burn the ones it hit, but was also provided with notable healing capabilities for what concerned rheumas, deep wounds, indigestion, heart illnesses and even infertility.
The presence of bagienniks could be detected by the bubbles on the water surface, or by its darker and muddy colour.
The Vodniks are masters of the marmaids.
Lv. 6
Polevik
Polevik in Polish mythology are field spirits that appear as a deformed dwarfs with different coloured eyes and grass instead of hair. They appear either at noon or sunset and wear either all black or all white suits. According to local beliefs they lead wandering people in a field astray, give them diseases or ride them over with their horses if they are found asleep.
If a person falls asleep on the job after drinking, the Polewiki might murder them. Appeasing the Polewiki requires two eggs and a rooster, a toad and crow placed in a ditch when no one is looking.
In the northern parts of Russia they had no Polevik, but a Poludnisa, 'Poluden' meaning 'noon'. A tall, beautiful girl dressed in white. She enjoyed pulling the hair of peasants working in the midday. She also helped little children to get lost in the cornfields.
Lv. 6 Upg.
Musail
Musail is spirit-leader of all spirits in the forest
Lv. 7
Lamia
Is a threeheaded dragon, with yellow scales and no wings
Lv. 7 Upg.
Zmiy
In Slavic mythology, dragons have their peculiarities. A dragon is called zmey in Russian and Bulgarian, zmiy in Old Church Slavonic, and zmaj in Serbian and Croatian. Most of these words are masculine forms of the Slavic word for "snake". In Romania, there is a similar figure, derived from the Slavic dragon and named zmeu. In Polish and Belarussian culture there is the word smok.
This is Zmiy:
I'll show what exactly are all of the creatures later
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KnightDougal
Bad-mannered
Famous Hero
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posted January 13, 2007 12:30 PM |
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What named chreatures? There are stupid chreature names!
STUPADA
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william
Responsible
Undefeatable Hero
LummoxLewis
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posted January 13, 2007 12:31 PM |
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They are based on Slavic Mythology, so they might sound weird but I think they sound pretty cool.
Good job with this dude
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~Ticking away the moments that
make up a dull day, Fritter and
waste the hours in an off-hand
way~
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GenieLord
Honorable
Legendary Hero
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posted January 13, 2007 12:47 PM |
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We are the AH, the Altar Helpers. For you mabey slaves.
About this faction:
Good idea! Like we have many creatures from the Greek mythology we should have from this one, too.
Good creatures. Just the first one is a Pixie/Sprite...
I'm worried about the fact that this is not a race. We have to find one for these crteatures!
And will you compete with this faction is the ICTC2?
If you do, you will have to quit of the judges' council.
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Ted
Promising
Supreme Hero
Peanut Exterminator
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posted January 13, 2007 01:01 PM |
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faction seems good, it might be helpful if you put the English of those words down, just so we can get an idea of what they might be like
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Visit my Site!
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VokialBG
Honorable
Legendary Hero
First in line
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posted January 13, 2007 01:03 PM |
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OK, some updates you can read the creatures descriptions.
Quote:
And will you compete with this faction is the ICTC2?
If you do, you will have to quit of the judges' council.
No, this is for fun
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baklava
Honorable
Legendary Hero
Mostly harmless
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posted January 13, 2007 03:07 PM |
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Edited by baklava at 15:12, 13 Jan 2007.
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Quote: What named chreatures? There are stupid chreature names!
STUPADA
At least they're not orcs with tanks so stfu please
Great idea, Vokial. Although non-Slavs might have trouble understanding stuff... By the way, they shouldn't only worship Perun, put in Triglav, Svetovid and Svarog, too. We could work out some racial ability closely related to pagan religion...
Explanation about gods: Svetovid was the main Slavic god, he is represented as a four-faced pillar so that he may watch over the entire world. He is one of the masters of nature and the spirits that dwell in it. His sacred animal is his white horse which he rides at night.
Perun was the god of fire and thunder. His sacred trees were oaks. It was believed he wielded a stone warhammer, like the Norse Thor (by the way, the vikings used a type of axe invented by the Slavs, so the Slavs and the Norse were probably trading together and shared some views, hence the similarity between some gods).
Triglav was the three-headed god of the underworld and the dead. He rides a black horse, opposed to Svetovid's white one. There are two categories of his servants: those who die of natural causes become "good daemons", who help people in many ways, while the suiciders, criminals who are hanged etc. are called "evil daemons" or "werewolves" and they molester people in many ways, from the shadows.
Svarog is the Sun God and the protector of home. Legend says that he had a huge boar which rised out of a lake and bathed in mud in the middle of a terrifying earthquake. It is told that meaned war was nearing.
Do these gods remind you of summoning, destructive, dark and light stuff? Remember, Russians made the game
I'll try to help you with this town when I find time...
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william
Responsible
Undefeatable Hero
LummoxLewis
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posted January 13, 2007 03:25 PM |
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Quote:
At least they're not orcs with tanks so stfu please
HAHAHAHAHAHAHHA that had me rotflmmfao, that was hilarious.
well said
____________
~Ticking away the moments that
make up a dull day, Fritter and
waste the hours in an off-hand
way~
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VokialBG
Honorable
Legendary Hero
First in line
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posted January 13, 2007 03:27 PM |
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Edited by VokialBG at 15:28, 13 Jan 2007.
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Thanks Baklava
And I'll add the "God info" in the first post
For the campaign hero, we need Krali Marko (en: Prince Marko):
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baklava
Honorable
Legendary Hero
Mostly harmless
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posted January 13, 2007 03:56 PM |
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AWESOME!!!
It's just that Marko lived a couple of centuries after the slavic paganism disappeared... Perhaps it would be better if we put some other characters in... Some from that time. For example put in the making of the first Slavic state (the state of Samo). For those who don't know the story (don't worry, it's quite interesting, it isn't like one of those boring history lessons):
In the year 623 AD, Samo, a merchant from the state of Franks, travelled to trade with the Slavs, but arrived in the middle of a military revolt against the Avars, a nomadic people who were former allies of the Slavs (In time, the Avars started molestering Slavs, and started declaring themselves masters of the Slavs. Hence the Slavs started that revolt). A mercenary besides being a merchant, Samo offered the Slavs help against the Avars in exchange for gold. However, he showed such battle prowess in that war, and helped the Slavs so much, that they offered him to become their king. Samo accepted that offer and ruled the Slavs for 35 years, winning more and more battles over the Avars and proving to be a just and fair ruler. The Slavs soon founded their first state, which was probably located in the lands of today's Czech republic, or Bohemia.
But that wasn't the end.
The Franks, as Samo himself was a Frank, decided to use him. Their king, Dagobert, sent an emissary by the name of Sycharia to Samo, to demand vassalage. Samo rejected and Sycharia called him a pagan dog, and was kicked out of the castle for that insult. Dagbert, in return, started massing an army and, with his allies, attacked the Slavic lands. In a desicive battle which lasted three days, Dagobert was defeated. Samo, as it is told, ruled happily for a long time, but none of his many sons proved good enough to rule after his death. Samo's state fell apart and that's where the information from chronicles stops.
Good enough for a great campaign?
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yann
Adventuring Hero
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posted January 13, 2007 08:55 PM |
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Edited by yann at 20:56, 13 Jan 2007.
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In every game (I have been redundant) their needs to be that balance between tradition (men, elves, dwarves, orcs, etc.) and the original. This faction will help create more of that originality. I am all for the SLavic mythology (I am of Slavic heritage but I was not born in a Slavic country) but their needs to be race that incorporates these creatures from the Slavic mythology as some of you may have mentioned. I would just like show my support for this faction and wish you good luck (Nival is Russian I think so they might like this idea seeing as the Russians are Slavs). It will be interesting to see what music will accompany this faction. I love the Hero ideas too.
I am of Czech heritage to be exact.
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baklava
Honorable
Legendary Hero
Mostly harmless
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posted January 14, 2007 01:03 PM |
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Quote: their needs to be race that incorporates these creatures from the Slavic mythology
Yes... I guess that's the biggest problem...
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rainalcar
Promising
Famous Hero
Heroji su zakon
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posted January 16, 2007 04:40 PM |
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I very quite warmed reading this I am not learned nor skilled in matters of Slavic mythology (sadly, perhaps, my literal preferences lead me to know more of mythologies that are naturaly more distant to me with my inheritance in mind), but I think it is a beautiful idea not only because it would be close to me. The mythology of Close East, NE Africa and Greece is so excessively used in fantasy, and I tend to think this would be a more than welcome refreshment.
As for the names, they may sound strange to english ears, but for english versions of the game they can be changed to fit the phonology better. As for myself, I tend to like them
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baklava
Honorable
Legendary Hero
Mostly harmless
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posted January 16, 2007 06:33 PM |
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Edited by baklava at 18:40, 16 Jan 2007.
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Quote: As for the names, they may sound strange to english ears, but for english versions of the game they can be changed to fit the phonology better.
True.
Ok, since this isn't going to be in the game anyway, who cares about the ruling race? We can just say that this town is a confederation of natural spirits and otherworldly beings who organise themselves to protect their lands and help repel incursions on this world... Now let's just think up some awesome creatures.
I have a little different lineup proposal, I think it's a little more organised and described:
Lvl 1 - Ludki, little people, mentioned in Serbia, who lived before humans. They were pagan, didn't like bells (similar to the Celtic fairies), and left the country at some point. There were similar creatures in Poland and Hungary.
Upgrade - Ludki warrior
I put Ludkis in since I put Samodivas at a little higher level...
Lvl 2 - Vyrkulak, babies born with a caul, birthmark, or wolfish tufts of hair were believed to be werewolves (vyrkulaks). The caul was kept as an amulet. Herodotus said of the Slavs (here called Neuri): "There is a custom among the Neuri whereby once a year everyone changes into a wolf for several days, then returns to his original shape."
Upgrade - Vukodlak, basically same as Vyrkulak but we could add them some darker hair and additional abilities for the sake of having a cool-sounding upgrade
Lvl 3 - Slava, the messenger bird of Perun, often a flame-colored owl. Slava points its wing toward the direction where an army should go.
Upgrade - Sirin, a bird of paradise with the face of a young girl, which comes from the Greek siren. The Sirin represents happiness and beauty. She comes down from heaven to a dying man; listening to her song, he forgets everything and dies peacefully.
Lvl 4 - Domovoy, a household spirit that probably originated in ancestor worship. The Domovoy lives in each family's home, near the oven, under the doorstep, or in the hearth, and he never leaves the house. He guards the family and its wealth by default, but he likes hard-working people the most. The Domovoy can cause poltergeist-like activity, either when he is displeased, or when he is playing. Some people leave part of each meal for the Domovoy, to placate him. He is called Stopan in Bulgaria, Dedeks by the Czechs, and Setek by the Bohemians. Sometimes the family house spirit appears in the form of a snake.
Upgrade - Polevoy, a male field spirit, who is rarely seen and then only at noon. He is as black as the earth, with hair of grass, and he dresses in white. Offerings are made to him at night to ensure fertility.
Lvl 5 - Samodiva, sometimes called Samovili, are woodland fairies found in Bulgarian folklore and mythology, commonly depicted as ethereal maidens with long loose hair, sometimes also with wings. They are dressed in a shirt and a gown, and have a green belt and a sleeveless jacket on, their garments decorated with feathers by means of which they can fly like birds. Samodivi are believed to be the beautiful mistresses of the waters and have the powers to bring about drought, but are not inevitably hostile and dangerous to people.
Upgrade - Vila, a young, beautiful woman with long hair, who is usually the spirit of a girl who died unbaptized. Vila are warriors, and they can shapeshift into animals. They leave fairy rings where they walk. Round cakes, ribbons, fruits, vegetables, and flowers are left for them at sacred trees, wells and fairy caves.
Lvl 6 - Ovinnik, a barn spirit in the form of a huge black cat.
Upgrade - Mora, a spirit, pan-Slavic, who takes the shape of straw, a white horse, white shadow, leather bag, white mouse, cat, or snake.
(I haven't described them too well but you get the point, large powerful cats. First is huge and black, second is huge, more cool-looking and white.)
Lvl 7 - Zmei, in Slavic mythology, dragons have their peculiarities. A dragon is called zmey in Russian and Bulgarian, zmiy in Old Church Slavonic, and zmaj in Serbian and Croatian. Most of these words are masculine forms of the Slavic word for "snake". In Romania, there is a similar figure, derived from the Slavic dragon and named zmeu. In Polish and Belarussian culture there is the word smok.
Upgrade - Zmei Gorynich, the Serpent of the Mountain. He dwells in mountain caves and the bowels of earth.
What do you think? Shall we start thinking up abilities?
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VokialBG
Honorable
Legendary Hero
First in line
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posted January 16, 2007 07:07 PM |
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OK:
Lvl 1 - Ludki --->>> Upgrade - Ludki warrior - Ok good
Lvl 2 - Vyrkulak --->>> Upgrade - Vukodlak good too
Lvl 3 - Slava --->>> Upgrade - Sirin these creatures are interesting too
Lvl 4 - Domovoy --->>> Upgrade - Polevoy Well in Bulgaria it is "Domovoy" too, not Stopan stopan mean domovoy like llandlord in english but for the mythical creature we use Domovoy and Polevoy
Lvl 5 - Samodiva --->>> Upgrade - Vila Vila come from Samodiva it is like short name for Samodiva, so maybe it is better to first Vila, and as Upg. Samodiva
Lvl 6 - Ovinnik --->>> Upgrade - Mora Cool I was forgotten for these guys, you can add huge black cat with small goat's horns
Lvl 7 - Zmei --->>> Upgrade - Zmei Gorynich
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baklava
Honorable
Legendary Hero
Mostly harmless
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posted January 16, 2007 07:14 PM |
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Quote: Well in Bulgaria it is "Domovoy" too, not Stopan stopan mean domovoy like llandlord in english but for the mythical creature we use Domovoy and Polevoy
Sorry My bad... Change the description when you put it into the master post...
Quote: Vila come from Samodiva it is like short name for Samodiva, so maybe it is better to first Vila, and as Upg. Samodiva
Ok, fair enough
Quote: Lvl 6 - Ovinnik --->>> Upgrade - Mora Cool I was forgotten for these guys, you can add huge black cat with small goat's horns
Hm I didn't know of goat horns... Perhaps it's a local belief I might be wrong though
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watcher83
Supreme Hero
Child of Malassa
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posted January 17, 2007 12:35 PM |
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zmeu is a romanian folklor creature which is basicaly a black, winged demon. At the end of fairy tales he is usualy defeated by Fat-Frumos or Praslea cel Voinic. There are always three zmei in fairy tales. The oldest being the most powerfull.
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baklava
Honorable
Legendary Hero
Mostly harmless
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posted January 17, 2007 01:27 PM |
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It's not solely Romanian, the word zmei itself is derived from Slavic word for snake, and the zmei are also mentioned among any Slavic people and their neighbours...
Zmei are pretty popular and that's why it would be great to include them...
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watcher83
Supreme Hero
Child of Malassa
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posted January 18, 2007 09:32 PM |
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How about "balaur" as creature? It's a romanian dragon.
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baklava
Honorable
Legendary Hero
Mostly harmless
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posted January 19, 2007 12:25 PM |
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Well we already agreed on Zmei and Zmei Gorynich... I think it would be time to work out some abilities next...
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