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Orokin Language

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“Orokin secrets cannot remain secret forever! Start talking!”
The following article or section is conjecture. The contents of this article or section may contain unverified gameplay anecdotes, or unofficial interpretations of the game's lore. Content is subject to change or removal as development progresses. Please do not use this as a primary reference for critical information.
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Orokin Script

Much like how the Corpus and Grineer written language is very much representative of each faction’s attitudes, the Tennobet was created to help create a better visual balance between Tenno brute force and elegance. The process began with taking a full list of English consonants and vowels, breaking down which sounds are most often used in our day-to-day speech. [...]

Creating the Tennobet was a challenge of finding which letters, or consonant pairings, could be eliminated to create a more free-flowing written language. Once the base consonants and vowels were established we could then work out a script that incorporated this new lettering in a way that represented the visual aesthetics of Tenno culture.
—WARFRAME blog post on creation of the language[1]

The Orokin Script, or Tennobet, is largely based upon English but apparently also contains extra characters for certain phonemes including diphthongs ("io") and digraphs ("th" and "sh"). Consonants are diagonally slanted and are written left to right, while vowels and accents are written above. Some vowels and numbers resemble polarity symbols. There is also a thematic undertone to the letter construction reminiscent of Bushido calligraphy; the straight segments suggest power sword strokes and the arcs suggest fencing flourishes where each letter represents a lesson in movement. There are no live excerpts of the Orokin script to demonstrate how it is spoken.

There is frequent variation in both the direction of writing as well as the vertical orientation, this variation may likely be an artifact of texture placement or simply the mirroring of textures commonly used in the video game industry.


Alphabet[edit | edit source]

Official cipher.
Official examples of deciphered script.

Officially referred to as the "Tennobet," the alphabet is a featural alphabet with a pattern between the shape of the letter and the sound represented, making it similar in that respect to the Korean alphabet as well as the Elvish script used by J.R.R. Tolkien. In this type of alphabet, characters become more complex as they build off of the characters of related sounds. Orokin letters are built upon a stem structure using the "M" character as the most basic form, and a set of modifiers are attached to the stem to change it into a different letter.

Consonants and Compound Sounds[edit | edit source]

Pairs of sounds that differ from one another in only one way will typically have only one difference between the characters, such as "T" and "TH" (both produced right behind the teeth, but one is produced with a short burst of air while the other is produced with prolonged friction). As a result, "TH" resembles "T" with the simple addition of a small vertical stroke in the middle of the stem. Other pairs that differ from one another, in the same way, are P / "F" , "B" / "V" , "D" / "DH" , and "K" / "KH" . Note that this pattern changes for the S / "SH" , Z / "ZH" , "M" / "N" , and "H" / "L" pairs, where the same dash does not indicate adding friction but instead indicates that the sound is produced with the tongue moved further back into the mouth. The only pair distinguished by a vertical dash that does not follow either pattern is "J" / "CH" , which are different only in whether or not they feature the use of the vocal cords.

Most of the other sound pairs that are differentiated only through the use of vocal cords share a similar general shape. These include "T" / "D" , "TH" / "DH" , "S" / "Z" , "SH" / "ZH" , and "K" / "G" . The pairs that seem to defy this pattern are "P" / "B" and "F" / "V" , suggesting that this connection is not as consistent. However, it can be noted that "K" , "G" , "KH" , and "NG" , which are all produced in the throat, also all feature a similar shape. This leaves the only consonant character without any phonetic matches to be the one representing "R" . Also, the "W" and "Y" sounds are not included among consonants, but are instead considered to be variants of "OO" and "EE" respectively, and are therefore listed among the vowels.

Vowels[edit | edit source]

Vowels are smaller than consonants and placed above the consonants as though they are diacritics or accent marks. In this way, the alphabet is similar to the Arabic alphabet.

Each vowel is written based on its sound rather than how it is written in English. However, it can be noted that the sounds which are commonly associated with English letters E and I feature vertical lines ("EE" , "IH" , "EH" , and "AYE" ), while those associated with the English letter A seem to favor diagonal lines ("AH" , "AE" , and "AW" ), and those associated with English letters O and U feature more pronounced curves ("OO" , "OH" , "UH" , and "OW" ).

Character Similarities[edit | edit source]

Other interesting visual similarities between characters that are not necessarily part of the featural patterns:

  • "H" is simply an "M" but only half as long.
  • "T" is an "M" with an "R" added at the left end.
  • "Z" is a "D" using the right end of the lower loop of a "D" with an "R" tacked onto the left end.
  • "P" is a "Z" with the right upper bar (which makes up the "M" ) removed.
  • "B" is a "D" with a single hook added to the end of the "lower loop."

Writing[edit | edit source]

All writing in the Orokin alphabet is either written in correct American English or closely written phonetically in the English language with some exceptions due to missing sounds.

  • Functionally, the letters ("EE") and ("OO") are used as the consonants Y and W respectively.

Examples[edit | edit source]

  • Warframe is written as ("OOor-freym")
  • Evolution is written as ("Ev-uh-loo-shuhm")
    • Odd substitution of "N" with "M" for unknown reasons (possibly a typo by the developers)
  • Guide is written as ("Guhayed")
  • Flight is written as ("Flihght")
    • An example of a word written letter-by-letter from English if treating ("IH") as an "i" as in "it."
    • Notice how the pronunciation differs from English if spelt this way: "Flihyt" vs. "Flahyt"
  • Observatory is written as ("Uh b-ser-vah-tawr-aye")
  • Secret is written as ("Seh-kreht")

Tabulated Ciphers[edit | edit source]

Matching Orokin alphabet to International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) for English pronunciations.

English Consonants
IPA Tenno
Alphabet
Equivalent		 English
Examples
p pen, tip
b but, web
t take, cut
d dad, do
tʃ chat, nature
dʒ joy, giant, edge
k cat, kite, queen
g go, get, gutter
f off, fate
v voice, of, favorite
θ thing, teeth
ð that, soothe
s same, city, sass
z zoo, rose
ʃ she, sure, emotion
ʒ genre, pleasure
h hat, heaven
m man, jam
n no, brain
ŋ ringer, sing, drink
l loss, please
r run, very
w see vowel /u/ win, we
j see vowel /i/ yes, yawn
x loch
English Vowels
IPA Tenno
Alphabet
Equivalent		 English
Examples
eɪ day, gate, date
ɒ clock, yacht*
ɔ: door, board*
æ pat, bat
ɪ pit, in, fish
ɛ pet, bed
i bee, need
ʌ , ʊ run, put
u food, dude, through
aɪ bye, night, my
oʊ tow, woe, dough
aʊ now, foul
Numbers and Punctuation
Symbols Tenno
Alphabet
Equivalent
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
. (period)
, (comma)
- (hyphen)

* ɒ and ɔː are British English (RP) vowels and are not represented in American English (GA). They are replaced with the 'ah' and 'oh' sounds in GA.

For example:
RP GA
Clock klɒk klak
Yacht jɒt jat
Door dɔ: dɔr
Board bɔ:d bɔrd

Weapon Resemblance[edit | edit source]

There are several weapons of Tenno and Orokin origin that take on the look and design of several Tennobet letters, it is yet unknown as to whether or not their design resemblance has any significant value to the lore behind the weapon.

These include but are not limited to:

  •  Ceramic Dagger ("N" )
  •  Cronus ("N" )
  •  Dakra Prime ("DH" )
  •  Destreza ("J" )
  •  Destreza Prime ("CH" )
  •  Dual Raza, holstered ("G" )
  •  Dragon Nikana ("N" )
  •  Pangolin Sword ("M" and "O" )
  •  Paris Prime ("G" or "NG" )
  •  Skana ("M" )
  •  Venka ("F" or "P" )
  •  Heat Sword and  Heat Dagger ("ZH" )
  •  Vasto and  Akvasto ("T" )

Known Deciphered Scripts[edit | edit source]

Warframes[edit | edit source]

Excalibur ▾▾
Rhino's Back Armor Piece ▾▾
Volt's Chest Piece ▾▾
Hydroid ▾▾
Trinity's Helmet ▾▾
Loki's Thigh ▾▾
Nekros' Shoulder ▾▾
Vauban's Shoulder ▾▾
Mag's Back ▾▾

Orokin Tower Tileset[edit | edit source]

Orokin Void Room ▾▾
Orokin Void Hallway ▾▾

Orokin Moon Tileset[edit | edit source]

Stealth Test Banner ▾▾

Clan Dojo[edit | edit source]

Dojo Observatory Console ▾▾
Dojo Research Lab Consoles ▾▾
Grineer Research Lab Door ▾▾
Corpus Research Lab Door ▾▾
Infested Research Lab Door ▾▾
Tenno Research Lab Door ▾▾
Great Hall Door ▾▾
Dojo Observatory Door ▾▾
Dojo Barracks Door ▾▾
Dojo Garden Door ▾▾
Dojo Elevator Door ▾▾
Dueling Room Door ▾▾
Trophy Room Door ▾▾
Drydock Doors ▾▾
Drydock Crates ▾▾

Relays[edit | edit source]

Relay Lobby Message ▾▾
Floating Text in Relays ▾▾
Welcome sign ▾▾
Lotus Is Our Friend Signs ▾▾
Tenno Uphold Balance Signs ▾▾
Tenno Protector Signs ▾▾
Tenno Shadow/Light Signs ▾▾
Tenno Void Signs ▾▾
You Are The Future Signs ▾▾
Prime Kiosk ▾▾

Weapons[edit | edit source]

Nikana Sheath ▾▾
Orthos Prime Blades ▾▾
Magnus Barrel ▾▾
Latron ▾▾
Strun Stock ▾▾
Boar Stock & Drum ▾▾
Tigris Stock ▾▾
Cedo Barrel ▾▾

Warframe Cosmetics[edit | edit source]

Guide of the Lotus Shoulder Armor ▾▾
Izvara Syandana ▾▾
TennoCon Syandana and Chestplate ▾▾
Orbit Mag's Back ▾▾

During Quests[edit | edit source]

Chains of Harrow Blood Messages ▾▾
The Sacrifice ▾▾

Miscellaneous[edit | edit source]

Lotus Symbol ▾▾
Founder T-shirt ▾▾
The War Within Site Background ▾▾
Devstream 90 Teaser ▾▾
U18 Patch Notes ▾▾
Red Veil Symbol ▾▾
Mind Control Flashing ▾▾
Operation Scarlet Spear Flotilla Signs ▾▾
Mysterious Loading Screen (Teaser for The Second Dream) ▾▾
Original Prime Access Banner ▾▾
Zariman Mission Insignia ▾▾
Secret History Replica ▾▾

Media[edit | edit source]

  • Examples of Orokin writing

    Examples of Orokin writing

  •  Nekros{"Sprint":"1.1","Description":"There is a reaper whose name is Nekros. He provides deathly crowd control. Erstwhile enemies become allies when Nekros calls up recruits from the dead.","Conclave":true,"Shield":"235","MaxRank":"30","Themes":"Darkness, Necromancy","Tactical":"Terrify","Image":"Nekros.png","Type":"Warframe","Introduced":"10","Armor":"105","FullImages":{"Portrait":"NekrosFull.png"},"InternalName":"/Lotus/Powersuits/Necro/Necro","Passive":"Restore 5 Health with every enemy death within 10m.","Progenitor":"Toxin","SquadPortrait":"NekrosLargePortrait.png","Health":"270","Link":"Nekros","Portrait":"NekrosIcon272.png","Polarities":["D","V"],"Abilities":["Soul Punch","Terrify","Desecrate","Shadows of the Dead"],"InitialEnergy":"50","Subsumed":"Terrify","AuraPolarity":"None","Name":"Nekros","Sex":"Male","Playstyle":"Crowd Control","SellPrice":"10000","Energy":"100","CodexSecret":false} Shoulder "Evolution"

     Nekros Shoulder "Evolution"

  •  Magnus{"Conclave":true,"_TooltipAttackDisplay":"1","Class":"Pistol","SellPrice":"5000","Image":"Magnus.png","Users":["Volt Specter","Ember Specter"],"Introduced":"11.2","Polarities":["V"],"InternalName":"/Lotus/Weapons/Tenno/Pistols/Magnum/Magnum","AmmoType":"Secondary","MaxRank":"30","Accuracy":"16","Family":"Magnus","Traits":["Tenno"],"Trigger":"Semi-Auto","ExilusPolarity":"Naramon","Attacks":[{"IsSilent":false,"CritMultiplier":"2","AmmoCost":"1","ShotType":"Hit-Scan","Range":"300","FireRate":"4.33","Multishot":"1","MaxSpread":"12","AttackName":"Normal Attack","MinSpread":"0.5","PunchThrough":"0","StatusChance":"0.22","CritChance":"0.22","Damage":{"Slash":"26.95","Puncture":"26.95","Impact":"44.1"}}],"Reload":"1.8","AmmoPickup":"40","Magazine":"8","Name":"Magnus","Link":"Magnus","Mastery":"10","AmmoMax":"210","Disposition":"1.53","Slot":"Secondary"} Barrel "Answer With Superior Force"

     Magnus Barrel "Answer With Superior Force"

  •  Orthos Prime{"SellPrice":"5000","BlockAngle":"55","Introduced":"9.0","SlideAttack":"468","InternalName":"/Lotus/Weapons/Tenno/Melee/Polearms/PrimePolearmWeapon","Tradable":"2","SweepRadius":"0.15","SlamElement":"Blast","ComboDur":"5","Family":"Orthos","Disposition":"0.7","HeavySlamAttack":"702","Conclave":true,"_TooltipAttackDisplay":"1","Class":"Polearm","HeavyAttack":"1404","Image":"OrthosPrime.png","StancePolarity":"Zenurik","FollowThrough":"0.6","HeavySlamRadius":"8","WindUp":"0.9","HeavySlamForcedProcs":["Lifted"],"SlamForcedProcs":["Impact"],"Mastery":"12","MeleeRange":"3","CompatibilityTags":["POLEARMS_STANCE"],"MaxRank":"30","Attacks":[{"CritChance":"0.24","CritMultiplier":"2.2","AttackName":"Normal Attack","Damage":{"Slash":"163.8","Puncture":"35.1","Impact":"35.1"},"StatusChance":"0.36","IsSilent":true,"FireRate":"1.17"}],"HeavySlamElement":"Blast","Name":"Orthos Prime","Traits":["Prime","Never Vaulted"],"SlamAttack":"468","SlamRadius":"7","Slot":"Melee","Link":"Orthos Prime"} "Reach Over Grasp"

     Orthos Prime "Reach Over Grasp"

  •  Nyx{"Sprint":"1.1","Description":"Psychic attacks make Nyx a dangerous foe. She reaches into enemy consciousness to provide crowd control and turn their attacks back on them. Such manipulation can turn the tide of battle.","Conclave":true,"Shield":"270","MaxRank":"30","Themes":"Psychic","Tactical":"Mind Control","Image":"Nyx.png","Type":"Warframe","Introduced":"6","Armor":"105","FullImages":{"Portrait":"NyxFull.png"},"InternalName":"/Lotus/Powersuits/Jade/Jade","Passive":"Enemies are 20% less accurate when targeting Nyx.","Progenitor":"Radiation","SquadPortrait":"NyxLargePortrait.png","Health":"270","Link":"Nyx","Portrait":"NyxIcon272.png","Polarities":["V","Bar"],"Abilities":["Mind Control","Psychic Bolts","Chaos","Absorb"],"InitialEnergy":"100","Subsumed":"Mind Control","AuraPolarity":"Bar","Name":"Nyx","Sex":"Female","Playstyle":"Crowd Control","SellPrice":"10000","Energy":"175","CodexSecret":false} Shoulder "Hayden Tenno"

     Nyx Shoulder "Hayden Tenno"

  •  Latron{"Conclave":true,"_TooltipAttackDisplay":"1","Class":"Rifle","SellPrice":"7500","AmmoType":"Primary","Image":"Latron.png","Users":["Clem"],"Introduced":"Vanilla","Polarities":["V"],"MaxRank":"30","InternalName":"/Lotus/Weapons/Tenno/Rifle/SemiAutoRifle","Link":"Latron","Family":"Latron","IncarnonImage":"LatronIncarnon.png","Attacks":[{"IsSilent":false,"CritMultiplier":"2","AmmoCost":"1","ShotType":"Hit-Scan","Range":"300","FireRate":"4.17","Multishot":"1","MaxSpread":"7","AttackName":"Normal Attack","MinSpread":"0","PunchThrough":"0","StatusChance":"0.12","CritChance":"0.12","Damage":{"Slash":"8.25","Puncture":"38.5","Impact":"8.25"}},{"CritChance":"0.32","Accuracy":"28.6","Trigger":"Semi-Auto","CritMultiplier":"3","FireRate":"3.33","IncarnonCharges":"40","Multishot":"1","ShotType":"Projectile","IsSilent":false,"MaxSpread":"7","AttackName":"Incarnon Form","StatusChance":"0.24","MinSpread":"0","Damage":{"Impact":"50"}},{"IsSilent":false,"Falloff":{"EndRange":"4","Reduction":"0.2","StartRange":"0"},"Range":"4","FireRate":"3.33","Multishot":"1","CritMultiplier":"3","AttackName":"Incarnon Form AoE","CritChance":"0.32","StatusChance":"0.24","ShotType":"AoE","Damage":{"Puncture":"40","Heat":"40"}}],"Traits":["Tenno"],"Trigger":"Semi-Auto","ExilusPolarity":"None","CompatibilityTags":["ASSAULT_AMMO"],"Reload":"2.4","AmmoPickup":"80","Magazine":"15","Name":"Latron","Accuracy":"28.6","Mastery":"0","AmmoMax":"540","Disposition":"1.4","Slot":"Primary"} Barrel "You Are The Hope And Future"

     Latron Barrel "You Are The Hope And Future"

  •  Latron{"Conclave":true,"_TooltipAttackDisplay":"1","Class":"Rifle","SellPrice":"7500","AmmoType":"Primary","Image":"Latron.png","Users":["Clem"],"Introduced":"Vanilla","Polarities":["V"],"MaxRank":"30","InternalName":"/Lotus/Weapons/Tenno/Rifle/SemiAutoRifle","Link":"Latron","Family":"Latron","IncarnonImage":"LatronIncarnon.png","Attacks":[{"IsSilent":false,"CritMultiplier":"2","AmmoCost":"1","ShotType":"Hit-Scan","Range":"300","FireRate":"4.17","Multishot":"1","MaxSpread":"7","AttackName":"Normal Attack","MinSpread":"0","PunchThrough":"0","StatusChance":"0.12","CritChance":"0.12","Damage":{"Slash":"8.25","Puncture":"38.5","Impact":"8.25"}},{"CritChance":"0.32","Accuracy":"28.6","Trigger":"Semi-Auto","CritMultiplier":"3","FireRate":"3.33","IncarnonCharges":"40","Multishot":"1","ShotType":"Projectile","IsSilent":false,"MaxSpread":"7","AttackName":"Incarnon Form","StatusChance":"0.24","MinSpread":"0","Damage":{"Impact":"50"}},{"IsSilent":false,"Falloff":{"EndRange":"4","Reduction":"0.2","StartRange":"0"},"Range":"4","FireRate":"3.33","Multishot":"1","CritMultiplier":"3","AttackName":"Incarnon Form AoE","CritChance":"0.32","StatusChance":"0.24","ShotType":"AoE","Damage":{"Puncture":"40","Heat":"40"}}],"Traits":["Tenno"],"Trigger":"Semi-Auto","ExilusPolarity":"None","CompatibilityTags":["ASSAULT_AMMO"],"Reload":"2.4","AmmoPickup":"80","Magazine":"15","Name":"Latron","Accuracy":"28.6","Mastery":"0","AmmoMax":"540","Disposition":"1.4","Slot":"Primary"} Butt "Secret"

     Latron Butt "Secret"

  •  Strun{"Conclave":true,"_TooltipAttackDisplay":"1","Class":"Shotgun","SellPrice":"7500","AmmoType":"Primary","Image":"Strun.png","Users":["Corrupted Crewman"],"Introduced":"Vanilla","Polarities":["Bar"],"MaxRank":"30","InternalName":"/Lotus/Weapons/Tenno/Shotgun/Shotgun","ReloadStyle":"ByRound","Family":"Strun","IncarnonImage":"StrunIncarnon.png","Attacks":[{"IsSilent":false,"CritMultiplier":"1.5","AmmoCost":"1","ShotType":"Hit-Scan","Falloff":{"EndRange":"25","Reduction":"0.4","StartRange":"12"},"Range":"300","FireRate":"2.5","Multishot":"12","MaxSpread":"35","AttackName":"Normal Attack","MinSpread":"15","PunchThrough":"0","StatusChance":"0.05","CritChance":"0.075","Damage":{"Slash":"7.5","Puncture":"3.75","Impact":"13.75"}},{"IsSilent":false,"IncarnonCharges":"40","Multishot":"1","ForcedProcs":["Impact"],"AttackName":"Incarnon Form","ShotType":"Projectile","CritMultiplier":"2.8","Accuracy":"100","AmmoCost":"1","Damage":{"Impact":"100"},"FireRate":"2","CritChance":"0.44","MinSpread":"0","PunchThrough":"0","StatusChance":"0.4","MaxSpread":"0","ShotSpeed":"200"},{"IsSilent":false,"CritMultiplier":"2.8","Falloff":{"EndRange":"4","Reduction":"0.2","StartRange":"0"},"Range":"4","FireRate":"2","Multishot":"1","CritChance":"0.44","ForcedProcs":["Impact"],"AttackName":"Incarnon Form AoE","PunchThrough":"0","StatusChance":"0.4","ShotType":"AoE","Damage":{"Blast":"60","Slash":"80","Puncture":"30"}}],"Traits":["Tenno"],"Trigger":"Semi-Auto","ExilusPolarity":"Madurai","Link":"Strun","Reload":"3.75","AmmoPickup":"15","Magazine":"6","Name":"Strun","Accuracy":"4","Mastery":"1","AmmoMax":"120","Disposition":"1.4","Slot":"Primary"} Stock "Danger"

     Strun Stock "Danger"

  •  Tigris{"Conclave":true,"_TooltipAttackDisplay":"1","Class":"Shotgun","SellPrice":"7500","Image":"Tigris.png","Users":["Frost Specter"],"Introduced":"11.0","AmmoType":"Primary","InternalName":"/Lotus/Weapons/Tenno/LongGuns/DoubleBarrelShotgun/TennoDoubleBarrelShotgun","Slot":"Primary","MaxRank":"30","Family":"Tigris","Attacks":[{"IsSilent":false,"CritMultiplier":"2","AmmoCost":"1","ShotType":"Hit-Scan","Falloff":{"EndRange":"20","Reduction":"0.5238","StartRange":"10"},"Range":"300","FireRate":"2","Multishot":"5","MaxSpread":"16","AttackName":"Normal Attack","MinSpread":"6","PunchThrough":"0","StatusChance":"0.168","CritChance":"0.1","Damage":{"Slash":"168","Puncture":"21","Impact":"21"}}],"Link":"Tigris","Trigger":"Duplex","ExilusPolarity":"Naramon","CompatibilityTags":["SINGLESHOT"],"Reload":"1.8","AmmoPickup":"15","Magazine":"2","Name":"Tigris","Accuracy":"9.1","Mastery":"7","AmmoMax":"120","Disposition":"1.15","Traits":["Tenno"]} Stock "Tribe"

     Tigris Stock "Tribe"

  • Relay Sign - Welcome

    Relay Sign - Welcome

  • Relay Sign - The Lotus is our friend, leader and guide

    Relay Sign - The Lotus is our friend, leader and guide

  • Relay Sign - A Tenno is sworn to maintain the balance

    Relay Sign - A Tenno is sworn to maintain the balance

  • Relay Sign - A Tenno is both the shadow and the light

    Relay Sign - A Tenno is both the shadow and the light

  • Relay Sign - Energy of the Void is the lifeblood of a Tenno

    Relay Sign - Energy of the Void is the lifeblood of a Tenno

  • Relay Sign - A Tenno is the sworn protector of the Origin System

    Relay Sign - A Tenno is the sworn protector of the Origin System

  • Message while Host Migration in a defence mission

    Message while Host Migration in a defence mission

  • Old Prime Access logo"Access"

    Old Prime Access logo"Access"

  • New Prime Access logo"Access"

    New Prime Access logo"Access"

  • Login Screen; Energy, Awaken, Tenno, Shields

    Login Screen; Energy, Awaken, Tenno, Shields

References[edit | edit source]

  1. ↑ Official WARFRAME blog post

External Links[edit | edit source]

See Also[edit | edit source]

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