The following table describes stories in terms of their importance, in two separate variables: how much background is needed to understand the story, and how often is the story called back to in future stories.
You may hover over the orange or red "background" fields to learn what stories you're recommended to read first.
Much of this chart is personal speculation of one person. Feel free to discuss in the forums if you agree or disagree with these assessments.
Story |
Background Needed |
Future Callbacks |
Requires no background knowledge; story explains everything. |
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Requires minimal background knowledge, assumes familiarity with premise. |
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Requires medium background knowledge, generally characters or a few story arcs. |
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Requires extensive background knowledge, generally of multiple story arcs. |
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No callbacks; story is not mentioned again in future. |
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Minimal callbacks; likely referenced by own author, unlikely by others. |
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Medium callbacks; overall plot referenced often by others. |
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Massive callbacks; plot and individual events referenced often by others. |
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Metamor Keep, by Copernicus |
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Alchemy, by Pascal Q. Porcupine |
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Speed of the Light Fantastic, by Zach |
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Metamor Keep |
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For Knowledge's Sake, by Christopher Hughes |
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Writer's Guild, by Charles Matthias |
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Fur-Brained, by Magus |
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Alone in the Dark, by Dan D'Alimonte |
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Potion, by Pascal Q. Porcupine |
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Library, by Pascal Q. Porcupine |
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Potion |
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Storm Watch, by Terry Spafford |
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Patrol, by Christopher Hughes |
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Alone in the Dark |
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Artificer's Gambit, by Jon Sleeper |
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Lightbringer, by Raven Blackmane |
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Malvoisin, by Wanderer |
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Sunny Skies, by Terry Spafford |
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Lightbringer |
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The Fight That Never Happened, by Charles Matthias |
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Writer's Guild |
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Homecoming, by Christopher Hughes |
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Coyote Delivers, by Kee Coyote |
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Tail of a Young Wolf, by Wanderer |
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Playing with Fire, by Phil Guesz |
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Fool for a Day, by Devon Erthshade |
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Welcoming Committee, by Chris O'Kane |
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'Tis the Season, by Wanderer |
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Alone in the Dark, Library, Malvoisin, Tail of a Young Wolf |
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Hoof and Claw, by Jon Sleeper |
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Artificer's Gambit |
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Sea Breeze, by Terry Spafford |
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Support Group, by Charles Matthias |
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Facing Knight, by Charles Matthias |
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Support Group |
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Confession, by Christopher Hughes |
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Facing Knight |
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Evening Stroll, by Charles Matthias |
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Especially Disappointed, by Charles Matthias |
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Evening Stroll |
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Escaping, by Charles Matthias |
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The Secrets in Truth, by Charles Matthias and Fox Cutter |
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Escalation, by Charles Matthias |
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Errands and Editors, by Charles Matthias |
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A New Season, by Dan D'Alimonte |
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Equinox Arriveth, by Charles Matthias |
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A Small Repair, by Chris O'Kane |
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The Best Laid Plans of Mice and Grasshoppers, by Dan D'Alimonte |
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Winds of Destiny, by Phil Guesz |
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Playing with Fire |
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Entertaining Thoughts of Eucharist, by Charles Matthias |
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The Effects of Rising Too Early, by Charles Matthias |
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Errands and Editors, Equinox Arriveth |
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Eating at the Duke's Table, by Charles Matthias |
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Errands and Editors |
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Long Beneath the Keep, by Kee Coyote |
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Tournament, by Chris O'Kane |
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Easter Endeth, by Charles Matthias |
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Entertaining Thoughts of Eucharist, Eating at the Duke's Table |
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Fetish, by Christopher Hughes |
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Lightbringer, Facing Knight |
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Early to Sleep, by Charles Matthias |
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A Small Repair, Errands and Editors, Eating at the Duke's Table |
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Writer's Conference, by Phil Guesz |
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Admissions and Applications, by Charles Matthias |
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The Effects of Rising Too Early, Fetish |
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Arduous Tasks, by Charles Matthias |
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Admissions and Applications |
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Colors, by Pascal Q. Porcupine |
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Potion |
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Duke of Metamor?, by Chris O'Kane |
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Faith, Trust and Hope, by Chris O'Kane |
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Tournament |
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Withering Days, by Magus |
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Attacking Cossack, by Charles Matthias |
Hoof and Claw, Eating at the Duke's Table, Early to Sleep, Fetish |
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Awake, by Charles Matthias |
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Attacking Cossack |
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Cloud Seeding, by Terry Spafford |
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Sea Breeze |
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Battling a Tree, by Charles Matthias |
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Colors |
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Raining Cats and Dragons, by Terry Spafford |
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Cloud Seeding |
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Best Friend's Burden, by Charles Matthias |
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Idle Afternoon, by Christopher Hughes and Magus |
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Bonds, by Charles Matthias |
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A Long Patrol, by Chris O'Kane |
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Keeping the Lamp Lit, by Charles Matthias and Phil Guesz |
Support Group, Facing Knight, Winds of Destiny, Fetish, Attacking Cossack |
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Bark, by Pascal Q. Porcupine |
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Colors |
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Ward, by Christopher Hughes |
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Fetish |
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Increasing Winds, by Terry Spafford |
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Raining Cats and Dragons |
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Christening, by Chris O'Kane |
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A Long Patrol |
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The Forgotten Realm, by Jacob Fox |
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Oren, by Oren the Otter |
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Busy Schedule, by Charles Matthias |
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Keeping the Lamp Lit |
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Casting, by Charles Matthias |
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Oren, Keeping the Lamp Lit |
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A Little Diddy, by Oren the Otter |
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Oren |
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Annual Checkup, by Dan D'Alimonte |
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Clothing, by Charles Matthias |
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Battling a Tree |
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Heart-is-True, by Oren the Otter |
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Oren, A Little Diddy |
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Gornul, by Oren the Otter |
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Conquering a Dead Man, by Charles Matthias |
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Keeping the Lamp Lit |
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Dancing with Shadows, by Charles Matthias |
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Busy Schedule, Casting |
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Forever, by English |
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Full Circle, by Bob Stein |
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The Hunt, by Chris O'Kane |
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A Place Where There is No Darkness, by Chris Hoekstra |
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A Shoving Match, by Chris O'Kane |
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A Long Patrol |
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Perceptions of Evil, by Dan D'Alimonte |
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The Best Laid Plans of Mice and Grasshoppers |
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Cat and Mouse, by Dan D'Alimonte |
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In the Tower, by Oren the Otter |
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Heart-Is-True |
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Decisions, by Charles Matthias |
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The Secrets in Truth, Dancing with Shadows |
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Somehow Here Again, by Chris Hoekstra |
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A Place Where There Is No Darkness |
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Declarations of Allegiance, by Charles Matthias |
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A Long Patrol, Keeping the Lamp Lit, Dancing with Shadows |
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Picnic, by Chris O'Kane |
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Declarations of Allegiance |
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Snips and Snails, by Chris O'Kane |
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A Small Repair, A Place Where There Is No Darkness |
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Exam, by Chris O'Kane |
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Snips and Snails |
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Aging Gracefully, by Chris O'Kane |
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Exam |
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Live and Let Die, by Chris Hoekstra |
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Delights and Diversions, by Charles Matthias |
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Bonds, Declarations of Allegiance |
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Zin-Gll'Hanaan, by Chris Hoekstra |
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Message from Beyond, by Chris Hoekstra |
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I'll be Watching You, by Chris Hoekstra |
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A Place Where There Is No Darkness, Live and Let Die |
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Rites of Ascendancy, by Raven Blackmane |
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Eye of the Storm, by Terry Spafford |
Sea Breeze, Cloud Seeding, Raining Cats and Dragons, Increasing Winds |
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Encounter in the Market, by Dan D'Alimonte |
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Hunters and Hunted, by Terry Spafford |
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The Hunt, Eye of the Storm |
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Lutin Memoirs, by Jason Lehrer |
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New Beginnings, by Chris O'Kane |
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Keeping the Lamp Lit, Snips and Snails |
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Political Intrigue, by Dan D'Alimonte |
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All Along the Watchtowers, by Dan D'Alimonte |
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Dialogues, by Charles Matthias |
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A Place Where There Is No Darkness, Picnic, Delights and Diversions |
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Diplomacy, by Charles Matthias |
A New Season, Admissions and Applications, Keeping the Lamp Lit, Busy Schedule, Dancing with Shadows, Dialogues |
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Recon, by Oren the Otter |
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Heart-Is-True |
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Friendship and Other Things, by Oren the Otter |
In The Tower, Winds of Destiny, Recon |
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False Winds, by Charles Matthias |
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Diplomacy |
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Visits from Home, by Oren the Otter |
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Oren |
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The Privilege of Serving, by Oren the Otter |
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Keeping the Lamp Lit, Diplomacy, Visits from Home |
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A Lie Conceived, by Oren the Otter |
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Within the Temple, by Oren the Otter |
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One of Each, by Oren the Otter |
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Recon, The Privilege of Serving, Within the Temple |
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Stepping Up to Destiny, by Charles Matthias and Chris O'Kane |
A Place Where There Is No Darkness, Snips and Snails, Declarations of Allegiance, Delights and Diversions, Diplomacy |
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House of Secrets, by Chris Hoekstra |
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A Place Where There Is No Darkness, Diplomacy |
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Fun and Games, by Chris Hoekstra |
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That Which Should Be, by Oren the Otter |
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The Privilege of Serving, A Lie Conceived |
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Fingers in the Weave, by Charles Matthias |
Keeping the Lamp Lit, Snips and Snails, Diplomacy |
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Left Out, by Oren the Otter |
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Support Group |
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Convergence, by Oren the Otter |
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Stepping Up To Destiny, That Which Should Be |
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Warding the Watchwoods, by Ryx |
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Entertaining Guests, by Ryx |
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Speaking With Stones, by Ryx |
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Mystic Journeys, by Coal Train |
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Flying Lessons, by Coal Train |
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Four on the Floor, by Chris O'Kane |
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A Shoving Match |
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Fireside, by Charles Matthias |
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Stepping Up to Destiny |
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Hunt, by Charles Matthias |
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New Beginnings, Fireside |
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Keeping Time, by Phil Guesz |
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Intercessor, by Charles Matthias |
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Diplomacy, Fingers in the Weave |
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First and Last, by Chris O'Kane and W.O.L.F 0013 |
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Aging Gracefully, Stepping Up to Destiny |
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Intersecting Correspondence, by Charles Matthias |
Admissions and Applications, Keeping the Lamp Lit, Dialogues |
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Nut Buster, by Ryx |
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En Lieu, by Wanderer |
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Triplets, by Stephen Tigner |
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The Perfect Life, by BlueNight |
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Guided Tour, by Chris O'Kane |
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Ancestral Aid, by Ryx |
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Leavetaking, by Ryx |
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Entertaining Guests, Speaking with Stones, Ancestral Aid |
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A Rainy Day, by Ryx |
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A Night With No Stars, by Ryx |
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Punching the Line, by Ryx |
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Ancestral Aid, Leavetaking, A Rainy Day |
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Going Past Purification, by Jacob Fox |
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The Forgotten Realm, A Shoving Match |
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Jormugand, by Charles Matthias |
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Hunt |
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Lessoned, by Wanderer |
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Ward |
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Hard Lessons, by Christopher Hughes |
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Ward |
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Shadows of the Past, by Chris O'Kane |
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Lessons of Solitude, by Raven Blackmane |
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Lessoned, Hard Lessons |
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Last Rights, by Oren the Otter |
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That Which Should Be |
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Lethe, by Wanderer |
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Lessoned |
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Fleeing the Hound, by Ryx |
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Punching the Line |
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Strange Horizons, by Galen Bayne-Allison |
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Of Fire and Water, by Coal Train |
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Mystic Journeys |
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Sensate-ional, by Coal Train |
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Heavy Traffic, by Ryx |
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Fleeing the Hound |
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Casting the Circle, by Ryx |
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The Pebble and the King, by Ryx |
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Banishing a Friend, by Ryx |
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Entertaining Guests, Heavy Traffic, Casting the Circle |
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Must Be Summer, by Oren the Otter |
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The Three Sides of Truth, by Charles Matthias and Chris Hoekstra |
A Place Where There Is No Darkness, Declarations of Allegiance, Diplomacy, Stepping up to Destiny |
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Stacking the Odds and Unstacking the Stones, by Ryx |
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Banishing a Friend |
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General Problems, by Ryx |
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Stacking the Odds and Unstacking the Stones |
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Coming Home, by Ryx |
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General Problems |
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Growth and Forgiveness, by Oren the Otter |
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Heart-Is-True, Within the Temple, Convergence |
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Lawbreakers, by Charles Matthias |
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Hunt, Convergence |
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Roses and Thorns, by Chris Hoekstra |
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The Glen, by Ryx |
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Mending a Crack, by Ryx |
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The Glen |
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A New Wardrobe, by Ryx |
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Mending a Crack |
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Casualties of War, by Chris Hoekstra |
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Remembrances, by Chris O'Kane |
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Casualties of War |
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Cry Havoc, by Chris O'Kane |
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Remembrances |
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Cage, by Dan Fahl |
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Remembrances |
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Killing Time, by Charles Matthias |
A Place Where There Is No Darkness, New Beginnings, Remembrances |
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Arrival at Metamor Keep, by Ryx |
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A New Wardrobe, Cry Havoc |
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Clearing the Courtyard, by Ryx |
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Arrival at Metamor Keep |
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Offers of Allegiance, by Dan D'Alimonte |
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For I am Lost, by Wanderer |
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Lethe |
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Meeting Metamor Keep, by Ryx |
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Clearing the Courtyard |
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Seeking Absolution, by Ryx |
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Casualties of War, Clearing the Courtyard |
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Triumphant Return the Dogs of War, by Ryx |
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Meeting Metamor Keep, Seeking Absolution |
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Oren's Trial, by Oren the Otter and Chris O'Kane and Chris Hoekstra |
Oren the Otter, A Lie Conceived, That Which Should Be, Convergence, Lawbreakers |
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Natalie, by Oren the Otter |
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Legacies, by Charles Matthias |
Keeping the Lamp Lit, Fingers in the Weave, Intercessor |
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Dream's Aria: In the Shadow of a Nightmare Walks the Brightness of Love, by Ryx |
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Casualties of War, The Glen |
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Libraries, by Charles Matthias |
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The Three Sides of Truth, Legacies |
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Four-by-Four, by Chris O'Kane |
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Liturgy of Blood, by Charles Matthias |
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Rites of Ascendancy, Arrival at Metamor Keep, Libraries |
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Penance and Retribution, by Oren the Otter |
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A Little Diddy, One of Each, Oren's Trial |
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Coming of Age, by CarpenterAnt |
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Learning the Hard Way, by CarpenterAnt |
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An Inner Child, by CarpenterAnt |
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Rain Running, by David Ihnen |
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For I Am Lost |
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Arla, by David Ihnen |
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Amongst Green Boughs, by Galen Bayne-Allison |
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Strange Horizons |
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Longing, by Charles Matthias |
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Bonds, Liturgy of Blood |
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Casual Evening, by Chris Hoekstra |
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Roses and Thorns, Apologies |
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Nuptials, by Charles Matthias |
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Liturgy of Blood, Jormugand |
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Dream's Aria: Dark Interlude, by Ryx |
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Dream's Aria: In the Shadows of Knight |
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Dream's Aria: Repudiation, by Ryx |
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Dream's Aria: Dark Interlude |
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Conversations, by Chris O'Kane |
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Nuptials, Stepping Up to Destiny, Liturgy of Blood |
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Relic, by Charles Matthias |
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Killing Time, Libraries |
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Balance in All Things, by Chris Hoekstra |
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Casualties, Killing Time, Dream's Aria: Light Meets Caroline |
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Daylight Fading, by Chris Hoekstra |
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Casual Evening, Balance in All Things |
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Testing 1, 2, 3, 4, by Chris O'Kane |
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Casualties of War, Four on the Floor |
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Wandering the Keep, by Charles Matthias |
Liturgy of Blood, Relic |
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Pawns, by Firemane |
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Actions and Reactions, by Ryx |
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A Journey into Shadows, by CarpenterAnt |
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First Command, by Chris O'Kane |
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Cry Havoc, A Journey into Shadows |
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A Return from the Shadows, by CarpenterAnt |
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First Command |
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A Hunt in the Dark, by CarpenterAnt |
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A Return from the Shadows |
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Dissuasion, by Chris Hoekstra |
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Actions and Reactions |
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Coming to Metamor Keep, by Joanne Hunter |
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Dangerous Games, by Ryx |
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Dissuasion, Seeking Absolution |
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Seeking Mithril, by Ryx |
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Actions and Reactions, Dangerous Games |
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Apologies, by Ryx |
Clearing the Courtyard, Actions and Reactions, Dissuasion, Seeking Mithril |
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Llyn's Tribulations, by Ryx |
Dangerous Games, Apologies, Dream's Aria: In the Shadow of a Nightmare Walks the Brightness of Love |
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Close Study, by Pheonix |
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Dream's Aria: In the Shadows of Knight, by Ryx |
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Dream's Aria: In the Shadow of a Nightmare Walks the Brightness of Love, Liturgy of Blood |
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Coming to Grips, by Chris O'Kane |
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Casualties of War |
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Immersion, by Oren the Otter |
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Oren's Trial, Penance and Retribution |
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Rurouni Ryuo, by Tatsushu |
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Easing Tensions, by Oren the Otter |
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Immersion |
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His Master's Voice, by Oren the Otter |
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Oren's Trial, Penance and Retribution |
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New Neighbours, by CarpenterAnt |
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A Hunt in the Dark, House of Secrets |
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Lord Fool, by Chris O'Kane |
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Dream's Aria: Light Meets Caroline, by Ryx and Chris O'Kane |
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Dream's Aria: In the Shadow of a Nightmare Walks the Brightness of Love |
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Rider, by Bill Kieffer |
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The Good Sport, by Bill Kieffer |
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Monday, by Bill Kieffer |
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Rider |
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Tuesday, by Bill Kieffer |
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Rider, Monday |
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Wednesday, by Bill Kieffer |
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The Good Sport, Tuesday |
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'Taursday, by Bill Kieffer |
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Monday |
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Friday, by Bill Kieffer |
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Tuesday, 'Taursday |
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Saturday, by Bill Kieffer |
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Wednesday |
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Confrontations, by Ryx |
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Clearing the Courtyard, Actions and Reactions, Declarations of Allegiance |
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Getting Settled, by Tatsushu |
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Rurouni Ryuo |
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Fighting Your Fate, by Alexandra Herakai |
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Punchline, by Willi |
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Passing Notes, by Wanderer |
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Liturgy of Blood, Hard Lessons |
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A 'taur's Tail, by Stephen Tigner |
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Getting Away From the Party, by Ryx |
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Llyn's Tribulations, Mending a Crack |
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Grave Digger, by Ryx |
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Getting Away From the Party |
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Confronting the Shrew, by Ryx |
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Grave Digger |
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Shandranax, by Tatsushu |
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A Fresh Start, by Landon |
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Winter Blossoms, by Tatsushu |
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Getting Settled |
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A Brief Introduction, by Stephen Tigner |
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Winter Blossoms, Triplets, A 'taur's Tail |
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Sunrise, by David Ihnen |
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Arla |
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Making Aquaintances, by Tatsushu |
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Triplets, A Brief Introduction |
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Threads of Magic, by Stephen Tigner |
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A 'taur's Tail |
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A Manticore's Tale, by Volk-Oberoten |
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The Birdcage, by Tatsushu |
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Vantage Point, by Joanne Hunter |
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Sightings, Chase, and Meetings, by Griffinwolf |
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Duty and Sacrifice, by Griffinwolf |
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Sightings, Chase, and Meetings |
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Undersiege, by Griffinwolf |
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Duty and Sacrifice |
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Out of the Wilderness, by Griffinwolf |
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Undersiege |
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Into the Wild, by Griffinwolf |
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Out of the Wilderness |
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Play Time, by Griffinwolf |
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A Day Off, by Griffinwolf |
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Into the Wild |
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The Bonds of Family, by Michael Olson |
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In Search of Home, by Michael Olson |
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The Bonds of Family, Fool for a Day |
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Clearing Away, by Wanderer and Christopher Hughes and Raven Blackmane |
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Lessoned, Lessons of Solitude |
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Winter Horizons, by Chris Hoekstra and Chris O'Kane |
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Prepared for Sacrifice, by Radioactive Toast |
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Winter's First Chill, by Charles Matthias |
Dialogues, Libraries, Liturgy of Blood, Relic |
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Parting, by i Bethron |
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The Winter Assault, by the Winter Assault Writers |
Perceptions of Evil, Declarations of Allegiance, Rites of Ascendancy, First and Last, For I Am Lost, Penance and Retribution, Coming to Metamor Keep, Llyn's Tribulations, New Neighbours, Making Aquaintances, Vantage Point, Wandering the Keep, Clearing Away, Winter's First Chill |
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