Sure. But also, every Corporation and Megacorporation in space has board members and executives who owe fealty to the Emperor as well; therefore, the Emperor can be considered the Sovereign/Supreme Executive Officer of each of them as well. Knights are not the only ones who owe fealty! Good thing for the Corps that the Imperial Family contents themselves with only the occasional meddling as 5% owners of each of the corporations. And, of course, as institutors of Imperium-wide economic policies...
Imperial Orders of Knighthood
- Thread starter AlHazred
- Start date
Oh certainly. I am just making the point for clarity that it sometimes gets obscured with all of the complexities as to what each of these terms means. It took me a while researching things back in the day to get a grasp on the subtle distinctions and details that often get overlooked and/or confused with one another (or that there even were specific terms for some of these things that made the distinctions easier to clarify and discuss).
The most important distinction to make is between the Sovereign of the Order (the "Owner") and the Grand Master of the Order (the Leader), as they are two entirely different things. And then Sovereigns go and become members of some of their own Orders and become the Grand Masters of said Orders (like a Ship's Captain who is "Owner-Aboard"), wearing both hats, and add to the confusion.
Also, something to note specific to Traveller's Orders of Chivalry:
In the Real World, many Orders (but not all) have multiple members holding the highest Rank within the Order (although there is still only a single Officer appointed as Grand Master from among those who are of that highest rank). So there may be a number of Knights Grand Commander (or Grand Cordon, or Grand Collar, or Grand Cross), but only one will be the appointed Grand Master. Most of the canonical Traveller Orders that I have seen seem to have only a single member of the highest Rank, who also happens to be the Grand Master.
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Good point. I should probably edit the file to include Grand Masters, since the Sovereign for each Order is the Emperor, except for the Order of Ashurgash and the Order of the Arrow where he's appointed someone else for political reasons (a Vilani and a Scout, respectively).
And for the Domain Orders, it is likely that the dignity of Sovereign of the Order has been invested in the respective Archdukes as a perquisite that pertains to their dignity, much as how in England during the High Middle Ages an Earl of a Palatine County (such as Chester) as opposed to a regular County had special Royal Privileges not extended to other Royal barons (such as the right to dispense Royal Justice (except for cases of Treason) within his domain, make and enforce his own laws, mint his own coinage, appoint his own feudal barons who owed fealty to him (who were in turn considered to be of lesser precedence when compared to Royal Barons, etc.). They were virtual sub-Kings within their territory, though still subject to the English Crown.
Imperial Archdukes are similar as compared to the Emperor of the Third Imperium. No other High Noble has the right to appoint his own Baronets (or in some cases Barons), who are in turn considered to rank with but behind those similarly entitled by the Emperor.
There are some Imperial Orders that the Emperor defers leadership of, namely the various Orders for members of specific races. The Emperor can name new members, but I imagine he usually defers that to a cultural attache group made up of members of that race.
Established in 642 by Empress Arbellatra, the Order of Gvadakoung was formed in order to honor loyal Vargr citizens of the Third Imperium such as Admiral Soegz, the ancestor of Archduke Brzk, the current Sovereign of the Order.
Membership of the order is indicated with the letter G.G. for Gratz Gvadakoung, which is Vuakedh for "Knight of Gvadakoung". There are no higher levels in the Order.
The emblem of the order is an inverted silver trefoil on a background of black. Its origin is unknown.
The order meets at its headquarters, a deep space station located in the Antares system, in geostationary orbit around the main world. The station contains a meeting hall, offices, recreational facilities, the archives (including both the official and private papers of Soegz and his descendants) and museum of the order, quarters for the entire membership of the order should the need arise, and docking facilities for starships.
This Order is considered equal in precedence to the Order of Hlyuea.
Headquarters: Antares (Antares 2421)
Leader: Archduke Brzk of Antares
Order of Gvadakoung
Tags: Institution, Nobility, Order of Knighthood, Third ImperiumEstablished in 642 by Empress Arbellatra, the Order of Gvadakoung was formed in order to honor loyal Vargr citizens of the Third Imperium such as Admiral Soegz, the ancestor of Archduke Brzk, the current Sovereign of the Order.
Membership of the order is indicated with the letter G.G. for Gratz Gvadakoung, which is Vuakedh for "Knight of Gvadakoung". There are no higher levels in the Order.
The emblem of the order is an inverted silver trefoil on a background of black. Its origin is unknown.
The order meets at its headquarters, a deep space station located in the Antares system, in geostationary orbit around the main world. The station contains a meeting hall, offices, recreational facilities, the archives (including both the official and private papers of Soegz and his descendants) and museum of the order, quarters for the entire membership of the order should the need arise, and docking facilities for starships.
This Order is considered equal in precedence to the Order of Hlyuea.
Headquarters: Antares (Antares 2421)
Leader: Archduke Brzk of Antares
Order of Hlyuea
Tags: Institution, Nobility, Order of Knighthood, Third ImperiumEstablished by the Empress Arbellatra in 642, the Order of Hlyuea honours Aslan citizens for exceptional service to the Imperium. The separation of the genders in Aslan society continues in Imperial Asian; this cultural quirk has necessitated the creation of separate branches of the Order of Hlyuea for male and female inductees. The male branch recognizes service in leadership or military roles, while the female branch recognizes bureaucratic or commercial success.
Regular membership in the order is indicated with the letters O.H. (Honoured Member of the Order of Hlyuea). This is used for both branches, since the knight's gender itself indicates the branch. Senior members may be made Honoured Companions of Hlyuea (C.H.). The leader of a branch of the Order is styled the Honoured Patriarch (or Matriarch) of Hlyuea (P.H./M.H.); the Patriarch and Matriarch are coequal in status, as each focuses on leading different activities of the Order. The current Honoured Patriarch is Brigadier General Feaftafelriy Ouesearl Eaelro' of the Unified Armies of the Imperium; the current Honoured Matriarch is Ambassador Yuui' Aearoih Tlaityoh.
Among themselves, Aslan of the Order use the title "Honoured-One" to refer to themselves, rather than Sir or Dame, and consider it a sign of great respect to be referred to as such by non-Aslan who are sophisticated enough to know to do so.
The emblem of the order is five four-pointed stars in gold against a background of red. This emblem is traditionally associated with Hlyuea, an Aslan folk hero commemorated in the clan name Hlyueawi. Historians argue over the accuracy of this contention; as with much of Aslan history, it is difficult to separate myth from reality.
The headquarters of the order is on Capital. It is the smallest of the headquarters buildings of the various major orders of Imperial knighthood in the Imperium, despite the fact that it contains two separate facilities — one for males and one for females.
This Order is considered equal in precedence to the Order of Guadakoung.
Headquarters: Capital (Core 2118)
Leader: Brigadier General Feaftafelriy Ouesearl Eaelro' of the Unified Armies of the Imperium / Ambassador Yuui' Aearoih Tlaityoh.
Order of Muan Gwi
Tags: Institution, Nobility, Order of Knighthood, Third ImperiumThe Order of Muan Gwi is one of the youngest of the chivalric orders, founded by Archduke Arielle Adair of Sol in 1005. It is intended to lend honor and prestige to Vegan citizens of the Imperium, especially members of the Guardian tuhuir within the Vegan Autonomous District.
The Duke of Muan Gwi is Sovereign and Grand Master of the Order, but other than this there are no ranks or other internal distinctions among members. The post-nominal suffix for members of the Order of Muan Gwi is M.T.U., standing for the name of the order in the Vegan language: Muanguir Tuhuir Uangua. Members of the Order are commonly referred to simply as Members or Member Knights.
The order has no emblem. On the rare occasions when a sigil is needed, the Order uses its title (translated from the Vegan) in red on a black background.
The Order has no separate headquarters building, but gets by using a few offices in the central headquarters of the Guardian tuhuir on Muan Gwi, the Vegan homeworld.
The order is considered equal in precedence to the Order of Wampallally.
Headquarters: Muan Gwi (Solomani Rim 1717).
Leader: Archduke Adair of the Domain of Sol.
Order of Wampallally
Tags: Institution, Nobility, Order of Knighthood, Third ImperiumEstablished by Emperor Cleon I in 53, membership is restricted to Bwaps who meet the requirements of outstanding loyalty, outstanding diligence and outstanding achievement as administrators, scientists, and merchants.
Members of the order are called Tapat-a-per-Wapekset ("Guardian of Honor", abbreviated T.W.), elder members of the order are styled Satha-a-per-Wapekset ("Elder Guardians of Honor", abbreviated S.W.), and the most senior member is the Wap-a-Web-a-per-Wapekset ("Great Source of Honor", W.W.W.). The current Wap-a-Web-a-per-Wapekset is Ambassador Tabaka Babkot.
The emblem of the order is a tree on a field of blue, with three coins hanging above.
The order maintains a complex of offices in Asa-wakaba-atewa, the capital of Marhaban, the Bwap home planet. The complex boasts living quarters for visiting members, communal dining, bathing, and entertainment facilities, and a massive hall of records, including the archives of the Order of Wampallally as well as significant records from across the Empty Quarter, brought in and deposited by wandering members.
The order is considered equal in precedence to the Order of Muan Gwi.
Headquarters: Marhaban (Empty Quater 0426).
Leader: Ambassador Tabaka Babkot.
Order of Eerynaaia
Tags: Institution, Nobility, Order of Knighthood, Third ImperiumThe Order of Eerynaaia is an Order of Knighthood created by Empress Porfiria in 317, specifically to honour Imperial citizens of Luriani descent.
Ordinary members are known as either an Aralul (male) or Arawa (female) y Eerynaaia (Ar.Ee.), effectively meaning "Companion of the Order". Ranking above these are the Giaralul (male) and Giarawa (female) y Eerynaaia (Gar.Ee.), the Knights of the Order. The order is commanded by the Iraralul (male) or Irarawa (female) y Eerynaaia (Iar.Ee.), the Knight Commander of the Order of Eerynaaia. The current Iraralul of the order is Emperor Strephon, though the order’s affairs are effectively run by its deputy commander, Brandon Archduke, the Archduke of Gateway, on Daramm.
The emblem of the Order is a series of five nested red swirls on a golden background. This is an emblem meant to symbolize voices raised in harmony toward a common goal.
The headquarters of the order are located on Daramm. A building of bold architectural form and striking colors, the houses three Museums and two fine dining establishments, but has only the most basic facilities for members to reside temporarily.
Headquarters: Daramm (Ley 0812)
Leader: Brandon Archduke, the Archduke of Gateway.
These are several of the Domain Orders. As we get further along, they get more and more speculative.
The Order of Vland predates the foundation of the Third Imperium. The members of the Order also consider themselves to be higher in prestige than the distinction of the order deserves, and insist that its title be translated into Galanglic as the "Ancient Order of Vland."
Ordinary members of the order are Kiduunuuzii Balandin (K.B.) or Knights of the Order of Vland. The only other rank is the Apkallu Kiduunuuzii Balandin (A.K.B.) or Grand Knight of the Order of Vland. The current Grand Master is Archduke lshuggi Tauribi of Vland.
The badge of the order is "sable, the Vilani chaplet gules"—the only formal usage of this emblem allowed in the Third Imperium.
The headquarters of the order are located on Vland, in what was once one of the smaller palaces of the Ishimkanm (the Vilani Shadow Emperor). The order maintains a small headquarters on Capital, with administrative offices and quarters for transient members.
Headquarters: Vland (Vland 1717)
Leader: Archduke Ishuggi Tauribi of Vland
Ancient Order of Vland
Tags: Institution, Nobility, Order of Knighthood, Third ImperiumThe Order of Vland predates the foundation of the Third Imperium. The members of the Order also consider themselves to be higher in prestige than the distinction of the order deserves, and insist that its title be translated into Galanglic as the "Ancient Order of Vland."
Ordinary members of the order are Kiduunuuzii Balandin (K.B.) or Knights of the Order of Vland. The only other rank is the Apkallu Kiduunuuzii Balandin (A.K.B.) or Grand Knight of the Order of Vland. The current Grand Master is Archduke lshuggi Tauribi of Vland.
The badge of the order is "sable, the Vilani chaplet gules"—the only formal usage of this emblem allowed in the Third Imperium.
The headquarters of the order are located on Vland, in what was once one of the smaller palaces of the Ishimkanm (the Vilani Shadow Emperor). The order maintains a small headquarters on Capital, with administrative offices and quarters for transient members.
Headquarters: Vland (Vland 1717)
Leader: Archduke Ishuggi Tauribi of Vland
Ancient and Preeminent Order of Sylea
Tags: Institution, Nobility, Order of Knighthood, Third ImperiumThe original Order of Sylea predates the foundation of the Third Imperium, and its members consider it superior to all other orders, but also consider it beneath their dignity to mention the point (aside from an occasional emphasis of the first and third words in the order's name). As an additional distinction, members of the order are entitled to be addressed as Sieur instead of Sir.
Ordinary members of the order are Companions of the Ancient and Preeminent Order of Sylea (C.A.S.). Above these are the Knights of the Ancient and Preeminent Order of Sylea (K.A.S.), and the highest rank, Knight Commander of the Ancient and Preeminent Order of Sylea (K.C.A.S.). The current Grand Master is Emperor Strephon, in his position as Archduke of Sylea.
The badge of the order is three green quintefoils on a field of white—the symbol of the Zhunastu family.
The headquarters of the order are located on Capital, in the building formerly occupied by the Sylean Grand Senate. lt contains the official library of the order, a large meeting hall (the former Grand Senate Chamber), and quarters for visiting members. It also houses the Museum of the Sylean Federation, including the surviving Federation Archives.
Headquarters: Capital (Core 2118)
Leader: Emperor Strephon
Order of Gateway
Tags: Institution, Nobility, Order of Knighthood, Third ImperiumEstablished in 76 by Artemsus, the Order of Gateway is among the smallest of the major orders, because Gateway is the smallest of the domains, but circumstances have made it third in seniority among the domain orders. To the Luriani a knighthood in this order is extremely prestigious, more prestigious even than membership in the Order of Eerynaaia. It is important to remember this is not an exclusively or even predominantly Luriani order, and the Archduke awards titles to citizens throughout the Domain of Gateway.
An ordinary member is known as a Companion of the Order of Gateway (C.G.). Senior members receive the title Knight of the Order of Gateway (K.G.); there are fewer than a dozen of these. The highest rank is Knight Commander of the Order of Gateway (K.C.G.), of which the only current ranking member is the Grand Master, Brandon Archduke of Gateway.
The badge of the order is a white tree stump on a background of red. This is not the coat of arms of the current archduke, but a badge traditionally associated with the order since its earliest days, for reasons unknown.
The headquarters of the order are located on Annapabar (Ley 1936), the capital of the domain of Gateway, and contains the grand hall of the order. A secondary headquarters is located on Capital, in a high-rise arcology owned by Brandon Archduke.
Headquarters: Annapabar (Ley 1936)
Leader: Brandon Archduke, the Archduke of Gateway
Order of Ilelish
Tags: Institution, Nobility, Order of Knighthood, Third ImperiumThis order was formed by Artemsus in 76. It was formerly third in order of precedence among the Domain Orders, until it was demoted in 436, after the defeat of the Ilelish Revolt.
Ordinary members of this order receive the title Companion of the Order of Ilelish (C.I.). More distinguished members receive the title Knight of the Order of llelish (K.I.), while the most preeminent are granted the rank of Knight Commander of the Order of Ilelish (K.C.I.). The current Grand Master is Archduke Ferdinand Ilethian of Ilelish.
The badge of the Order of Ilelish is a black trefoil on a field of white, representing the time when Ilelish was third in precedence among the domains.
The headquarters of the order are on Dlan (capital of the domain), and contain the grand hall of the order, as well as quarters for transient members. Offices are maintained on Capital.
Headquarters: Dlan (Ilelish 1021)
Leader: Archduke Ferdinand Ilethian, the Archduke of Ilelish
Royal Order of Antares
Tags: Institution, Nobility, Order of Knighthood, Third ImperiumThe primary chivalric organization of the Domain of Antares is the Royal Order of Antares. which claims descent from a powerful monarchic "pocket empire" of the Long Night. Officially, it was recognized in 76 by Emperor Artemsus.
The lowest rank in the order is Companion of the Royal Order of Antares (C.R.A.). Senior members receive the title Knight of the Royal Order of Antares (K.R.A.). The highest rank in the order is Grand Commander of the Royal Order of Antares (G.C.R.A.), a rank which is held by the Grand Master; currently this is Archduke Brzk of Antares, a Vargr, who also heads the Order of Gvadakoung.
The badge of the order is the three peaks of Gaakish in black against a field of green, an emblem traditionally associated with the Domain of Antares.
The headquarters of the order are on Antares itself, capital of the domain. They contain the grand hall of the order, the Museum of the Domain of Antares, and a library. No provision is made for visiting members.
Headquarters: Antares (Antares 2421)
Leader: Archduke Brzk of Antares
Order of Sol
Tags: Institution, Nobility, Order of Knighthood, Third ImperiumThe Order of Sol was formerly the Order of Terra one of the most prestigious orders in the early years of the Imperium. By the time of the Solomani Rim War, no knighthoods had been issued in the Order of Terra in over a century, and the order was effectively extinct. The Emperor Gavin changed the order's name in 1002, and the order's seniority was downgraded at the same time. Today the order is still recovering its former numbers and prominence.
Rank and tile members of the order receive the title Companion of the Order of Sol (C.O.S.). More distinguished members receive the title Knight of the Order of Sol (K.O.S.), and the most honored members receive the title Knight Commander of the Order of Sol (K.C.O.S.). The present Grand Master is Archduke Adair of the Domain of Sol.
The badge of the order is the golden disc of Sol (without rays) against a field of blue. The symbol originally consisted of an emblem that was very similar to the sunburst of the Third Imperium, and was changed to a simple yellow disc without rays in 1002.
The old headquarters of the order are on Exeter, and contain the grand hall of the order. A smaller building on Muan Gwi, the new capital of the domain, serves as the current administrative headquarters of the order. Formal ceremonies are still held on Exeter, although the distance between there and the domain's current capital is an inconvenience.
Headquarters: Exeter (Diaspora 2729)
Leader: Archduke Adair of Sol
I might as well include the last one that I have more-or-less complete (for my game). In order of precedence, the Domain Orders rank just above the Species Orders, and then there's the one below, and then the Order of Ashurgash given earlier.
The Order of the Tower and Sword was formed by Empress Marava in 620 to reward commanders of the assault on the Grand Palace of Martin II. The Empress Arbellatra subsequently expanded the Order to include military personnel responsible for either capturing or defending fortified positions. In 790, Empress Paula II refined the purpose of the Order to recognise "those who defend positions" and created a civilian branch.
Military members of the Order are called Knights Victor of the Tower and Sword, and permitted to add the post-nominal initials K.T.S. after their name. Senior military members are made Knights Guardian of the Order (G.T.S.). The Grand Master of the military branch is called the Master General of the Tower and Sword (M.T.S.) and is currently Brigadier General Baroness Naina McMullen, Regimental Colonel of the Sol Guard.
Civilian members are called Knights Bachelor of the Tower and Sword, and permitted to add the post-nominal initials C.T.S. after their name. The Grand Master of the civilian branch is the Vicar General of the Tower and Sword (V.T.S.) and is currently Countess Elizabeth Fang.
The Master General and the Vicar General are considered coequals.
The emblem of the order is two swords crossed and a tower. The military branch uses gold swords crossed behind a black tower, while the civilian branch uses black swords crossed in front of a gold tower.
The headquarters of the Order is on Capital, nearer to the primary starport of the planet. The complex houses a museum, a library, and a wide variety of training rooms. While no facilities are provided for visiting members to stay, there are several lodging houses that border on the parade grounds.
Headquarters: Capital (Core 2118)
Leaders: Brigadier General Baroness Naina McMullen, Regimental Colonel of the Sol Guard / Countess Elizabeth Fang.
Order of the Tower and Sword
Tags: Institution, Nobility, Order of Knighthood, Third ImperiumThe Order of the Tower and Sword was formed by Empress Marava in 620 to reward commanders of the assault on the Grand Palace of Martin II. The Empress Arbellatra subsequently expanded the Order to include military personnel responsible for either capturing or defending fortified positions. In 790, Empress Paula II refined the purpose of the Order to recognise "those who defend positions" and created a civilian branch.
Military members of the Order are called Knights Victor of the Tower and Sword, and permitted to add the post-nominal initials K.T.S. after their name. Senior military members are made Knights Guardian of the Order (G.T.S.). The Grand Master of the military branch is called the Master General of the Tower and Sword (M.T.S.) and is currently Brigadier General Baroness Naina McMullen, Regimental Colonel of the Sol Guard.
Civilian members are called Knights Bachelor of the Tower and Sword, and permitted to add the post-nominal initials C.T.S. after their name. The Grand Master of the civilian branch is the Vicar General of the Tower and Sword (V.T.S.) and is currently Countess Elizabeth Fang.
The Master General and the Vicar General are considered coequals.
The emblem of the order is two swords crossed and a tower. The military branch uses gold swords crossed behind a black tower, while the civilian branch uses black swords crossed in front of a gold tower.
The headquarters of the Order is on Capital, nearer to the primary starport of the planet. The complex houses a museum, a library, and a wide variety of training rooms. While no facilities are provided for visiting members to stay, there are several lodging houses that border on the parade grounds.
Headquarters: Capital (Core 2118)
Leaders: Brigadier General Baroness Naina McMullen, Regimental Colonel of the Sol Guard / Countess Elizabeth Fang.
Note that Strephon reestablished the Archdukedom in the Domain of Ilelish (it had been allowed to fall into abeyance either after the Ilelish Revolt or sometime after Arbellatra - it is unclear) and appointed Fedinand the 1st Archduke of the New (2nd ?) Creation. But Ferdinand (Family unknown) died without issue in 1103/1104, leading to yet another (3rd ?) New Creation of the Archdukedom of Ilelish by elevating Duke Dulinor of Dlan of House Ilethian.
We do not know that Ferdinand had any relationship to Dulinor or House Ilethian at all, or even if the Archducal Domain Seat was located at Dlan prior to Dulinor (it may have been at Ilelish itself, or somewhere else).
Beyond this is mostly speculation. Ones I have mostly solid for my campaign include the Order of the Iridium Throne (below) and the three Knights Ordinary (later).
The Order was established by Emperor Cleon I before the Third Imperium was declared, to recognize individuals critical to the defense and advancement of interests of the Sector known as Sylea, which was later renamed Core. In later years, the Order has become one of the most commonly-seen orders, and has accumulated members who originated from other parts of the Imperium.
Ordinary members are known as Knights (K.I.T.). Higher-ranking members of the order are known as Knight Commanders (K.C.I.T.). The order has about 30 Knight Commanders. The highest rank of the order is the Knight Grand Commander (K.G.C.I.T.), a position which includes the Grand Master of the Order; this position is automatically assumed by the Emperor, as the Duke of Core Sector. He may resign and appoint a successor, but this has never been done.
The badge of the order is 'sable, a throne or'.
The headquarters of the order are located on Capital, in a part of what was once grounds belonging to the Zhunastu family. It has been expanded and restored many times since then, but contains a museum, archives, and even a zoo containing creatures brought from all over Core. There are a few facilities for visiting members to lodge, but most members are assumed to have familial connections across the Sector and would be expected to lodge with them.
Headquarters: Capital (Core 2118)
Leader: Emperor Strephon
Order of the Iridium Throne
Tags: Institution, Nobility, Order of Knighthood, Third ImperiumThe Order was established by Emperor Cleon I before the Third Imperium was declared, to recognize individuals critical to the defense and advancement of interests of the Sector known as Sylea, which was later renamed Core. In later years, the Order has become one of the most commonly-seen orders, and has accumulated members who originated from other parts of the Imperium.
Ordinary members are known as Knights (K.I.T.). Higher-ranking members of the order are known as Knight Commanders (K.C.I.T.). The order has about 30 Knight Commanders. The highest rank of the order is the Knight Grand Commander (K.G.C.I.T.), a position which includes the Grand Master of the Order; this position is automatically assumed by the Emperor, as the Duke of Core Sector. He may resign and appoint a successor, but this has never been done.
The badge of the order is 'sable, a throne or'.
The headquarters of the order are located on Capital, in a part of what was once grounds belonging to the Zhunastu family. It has been expanded and restored many times since then, but contains a museum, archives, and even a zoo containing creatures brought from all over Core. There are a few facilities for visiting members to lodge, but most members are assumed to have familial connections across the Sector and would be expected to lodge with them.
Headquarters: Capital (Core 2118)
Leader: Emperor Strephon
Yeah, these are pretty speculative. It's unlikely to come up in my game, but I wanted to have some sources of interesting info for my PCs if they make it to the Shattering in 1116.
For some of these that have little to no canonical information (and which are unlikely to get any published documentation), would you mind if I used some of your write-up in the Wiki, credited to you in the citations, for some details at some point?
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