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As the gates of Amityvale closed behind them and soon faded into the distance, they noticed the woods seemed darker despite being <> the early morning hours.

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The first sign of the Rose having began to move out west was the entrance to an old graveyard walled off with bricks, the groans of the dead faintly audible behind the wall.

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The woods were strangely quiet, continuing to grow darker as they ventured deeper into them despite the light of the moon indicating, it was still morning, Kid suddenly stopping and reaching for his sword, something straight ahead catching his eye.

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"What is it, Kid?" Roland asked, looking ahead, not seeing what Kid sees likely because of his reduced vision.

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Roland was impressed by the keen vision <> the recruit demonstrated as Cry who stood beside him as well didn't notice it, but of course neither did he.

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Large spiders weren't an uncommon sight in Doomwood or Lore in general, but they certainly weren't purple. Not that <> mattered as Kid quickly dispatched it.

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They resumed their travels, Roland glancing at Kid. He was quick on the draw and kill, further making him wonder why Kid wasn't apart of a more standard unit if not for the incident that got him benched.

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"That won't be necessary, ma'am. I'm with The Rose and <> was wondering if you could answer a couple of questions for me."

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"The Rose? We've been petitioning them since we got word <> they came to Doomwood and you're what they send? You look no different than these loafers calling themselves adventurers. <> We not good enough for you to worry about our plight, is that it?"

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The woman's words stung. Just what was the purpose of The Rose if not to help people? Sure, they can't be everywhere at all times, but how long have they been petitioning the Amityvale garrison to make her so immediately scornful?

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As they went down the hall, glancing at doors some of which voices could be heard coming from behind, a white light and the thud of something on the floor began to approach, Kid placing a hand on his sword.

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The source of the voice came closer showing a tall man almost as wide as the hallway wearing a long grey coat over a black robe carrying a lantern radiating a white light in one hand and a halberd in the other. A peculiar sight in a place of learning for sure.

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The man led through them the hall into other parts of the university dimly lit by lanterns radiating other colours, passing more people dressed as he was, approaching a great set of doors on the second floor.

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Upon knocking on the door, a voice bid them <> enter.

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Sitting behind a desk was an older man<> in attire that looked like it may have been formal attire at a point in time no one that wasn't his age could recall or was alive to experience<> who gestured for the group's guide to leave.

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"I certainly have nothing to lose allowing you make use of our resources assuming <> it doesn't hinder the university in anyway of course."

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Making their leave, Roland did as the dean <> said and asked one of the universities watchers to lead them to the library which took them into a basement and beyond a large set of double doors which lead to a massive library unlike anything any of them had ever seen before.

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"Sight, Simon, find out what you can about the spider infestation and Arkham. Kid and I will rendezvous with Cry and Hands then speak with the mayor."

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The library of Miskatonic University was as strange as the halls they traversed as it to was lit by the same lamps, each aisle marked by a different colour illuminating a placard identifying the contents of that aisle's shelves, but not providing enough light for either of them to identify the various books and tomes lining the shelves without straining their eyes.

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It was peculiar that a library would be so dark, but they supposed <> the eyes of the people of Doomwood had adapted to the darkness especially that which persist long after the clouds had parted as was the case for Miskatonic.

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Sight wandered between the aisles, squinting and straining her eyes to see the words on the placards from behind her glasses. Who thought <> it was a good idea to make a library so dark and for what reason?

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"Thank you," she said turning away from the man to seek out the yellow lantern, relieved to be away from the man and to be by herself once more.

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"The section marked with a yellow lantern," Simon said in the same tired tone she seemed to always speak in.

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While Simon could feel the difference in texture between the text and the spines of the various tomes and books she touched, the words were much to small for her to trace the letters with her fingers as though they were manufactured in a way that they were intentionally difficult to find if one wasn't born with what she assumed would be the eyes of those who inhabited Doomwood.

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"Anything about the towns spider problem?" Roland asked.

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With what information they have, it seemed as though a solution was non-existent, but he was honour bound to speak to the mayor and try to petition the Amityvale garrison to assist the town. Even as a token gesture, it was the best <> he could do.

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Sitting at the desk was a younger man in fairly plain attire who looked at them with an expression that suggested he <> expected their arrival.

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"Thank you for asking. The lanterns burn a particular incense that we theorize and hope keeps the spiders at bay. Each colour is a different incense which we hope to find one that works," the man said, his cheerful tone never faltering.

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Cry thought about the brief conversation he had with Hands. He believed <> the best thing they could do was try which was what the townspeople were doing even though they had no way of knowing whether or not what they were doing was even working.

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It was admirable in a way, but with the information available to him <> made it seem that what they were doing was ultimately futile.

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They rendezvoused with Sight and Simon outside the university <> neither looking like they had good news to share.

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"I should've known," Roland began."Anyway, we need lodging for the night <> then I need to get a message to Amityvale."

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"Sir, if I may," Cry asked, continuing when granted permission. "The innkeeper informed me <> there are no rooms available."

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"You seem much too young to have even seen my great grandfather let alone even know his name," Kid said somewhat impressed.

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"As you should. Now then, why not direct that fear into something productive? I need at least three rooms and don't tell me <> you don't have any, I know you only say that to try and drive the adventurers away."

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Lastly the entry on Simon said she comes from somewhere on the border of the Maguswoods and the Sandsea which in itself was curious as he recalled no one ever mentioning such a place during the time the Rose went into the Sandsea.

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The spider itself, as I've said plenty I'm not good at combat scenes, so a quick and easy dispatch would be less egregious than all six of them ganging up on it or drawing the chapter out with what would just be unfair to the spider in question.

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What exactly are you trying to say here? They theorize and hope that the incense works, but they don't know which of the colours works? Is that it? I am asking because the second sentence mentioning incense seems to imply that they haven't found an incense with the desired properties yet.

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Is that (Samuel) meant to be the father of Kid's grandfather?

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Have I ever asked you the reason as to why the innkeeper doesn't want to earn more coin?

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Is this based on the old information as it was presented in the Design Notes?

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Hm, no notice board with quests?

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And further east, it could see the town of Dunwich whose people kept to themselves, isolated and completely ignorant to the world outside <> their little town.

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It was always watching as it did for many years before and will continue to do for many more after.

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"Yes, sir," Kid said standing up, picking his helmet and sword <> off the floor.

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It would appear <> it was still much too early to conduct any business, but it would give Roland an opportunity to further question Kid.

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"Willowshire Guardians weren't recruiting?"

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A pretty standard story given by a lot of recruits, especially those from places where a Guardian presence still exists and especially those old enough to remember what happened with the orbs and Wargoth.

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"Meaning <> there were casualties, correct?" Roland asked.

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Roland's inquiry was useless without whatever information the Rose <> gathered in their investigation, but until he could make contact with Swordhaven, he had to focus on his objective in Miskatonic.

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When Roland walked away, the tavernmaster caught a glance at Kid and quickly turned away, a chill running down his spine. He <> heard the stories and seen some old pictures, but there was no way what he saw was actually real.

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They had generally shoddy equipment and sending any of them would be tantamount to sending them marching to their deaths in the event <> they were attacked.

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Accepting the job would put some money in their pocket and it's not like they have to risk life and limb to go to Amityvale. They moved their hand and were about to speak when a scythe wielding adventurer in leather and steel riveted armour spoke up.

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Today would be the day they depart for Arkham, but he would need to decide who to leave to rendezvous with the Amityvale should any arrive.

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The night had been awkward for all of them. Despite their short time together, each of them seemed to find someone among their squad mates <> they were comfortable with enough to confide in or reveal a major part of who they are.

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Cry was unsure how to handle the information Hands had told him. He of course kept it to himself as he said he would, not like there really was anyone else to tell anyways, but the revelation <> he was working alongside a former assassin weighed heavily on his mind.

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It was enough <> they were already distrusted on account of being part of the Rose, but to abandon a town in need made him feel even worse about what he was doing.

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Kid saying <> he <> just asked politely was incredibly farfetched to Roland.

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When Simon was certain <> the others were out of earshot before springing a question on Cry that came as an enormous shock to him.

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The road to Arkham grew darker as they got further and further from Miskatonic despite the lack of an overhanging canopy.

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"I can't say I know much if anything at all, but if I had to guess, I'd say <> it's better than happiness, but also worse than sadness."

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We shouldn't be going <> this place.

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It was only by turning her attention <> the ground below that she could no longer see the tower, but it only made the feeling as though she were being watched intensify until she could no longer bear it and had to look up and see the foreboding tower.

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This is actually news to me. I was thinking more like the other locations mentioned that don't actually exist in-game or even a caravan of sorts.

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The tower came into full view as the wall that surrounded the town of Arkham came into view.

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The town being surrounded by walls meant <> fortifying it would be even easier once the Rose could move into Arkham.

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"We seek entry," Roland called to the guards standing above the gate.

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"We come to investigate the asylum," Roland said.

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Sitting atop the hill, they could see the asylum also surrounded by walls looking over the town. The rest of the town was similar to Miskatonic or any other town with a number of buildings, mostly house scattered about, separated by roads and alleys.

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"I'm looking for some information. I'm Captain Roland of the Rose, Swordhaven garrison and I've been tasked with investigating the town of Arkham, more specifically, the asylum. We believe <> it may be useful in our cause."

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<> I can tell you to abandon your mission and forget about this place, but I know you won't and it's up to the mayor to decide who can and cannot stay.

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By the way the one-eyed man leaned towards Captain Roland, Kid could and would correctly guess <> he was warning Roland to abandon their mission. A wise choice that Roland isn't likely to take.

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The biggest exception being Arkham Asylum that loomed over the rest of the town, it's dark tower casting a shadow even in the darkness that cast a veil over Doomwood since they began their journey to Miskatonic.

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Cry and Simon approached the town watch members who stood near town hall. They had at least two days before they could set off to Arkham and figured <> it would be best to continue to investigate Miskatonic.

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"You're still here?" a man holding a torch asked, his tone indicating <> he was none too pleased with their presence.

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"Yes, sir," Cry said, trying to steel his nerves. "We'll be here for the next to days at the most waiting for a response from the Amityvale garrison. Until then, we're continuing our investigation and lending any support <> we can."

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"Is that so? Haven't you been told already, this has been going on for longer than most of us here have been alive.<>What makes you think <> you can hope to change what others haven't been able to do over decades?"

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I could do something or any of those adventurers that are now just freeloading about could do something

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"Has there been any expeditions into the caves?" Cry asked, feeling more relaxed.

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Tried to brick the entrance up, but again they burrow out into the town and some of the bigger spiders eventually knock the wall down.

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Even if it doesn't amount to much, it's nice to know <> we're not forgotten in this dark corner of the world."

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The resemblance persited upon entering in the way <> the lobby was set up although instead of two sets of stairs leading up, only one led up while the other led down to what they would assume to be a basement.

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The woman closed her eyes and took a deep breath then exhaled.

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"I will need to ask your party to wait outside <> the mayor's office if her chooses to speak with you. I'm afraid <> it's not made to accomodate so many people," the woman said as she led them to the lower floor.

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Roland thought perhap once Simon and Cry make their way to Arkham, perhaps she and Sight may be able to look through anything that may be useful to their investigation should the mayor permit it.

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The lower floor was a wide room sectioned off into multiple smaller rooms with boxes stacked outside a couple of rooms making it appear more like a repurposed storage room rather than where the managing of a town takes place.

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Cry thought about what the man had told him about how the townspeople appreciated the help <> the Rose had pledged to them even if only because it meant they weren't forgotten and it made him feel happy.

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"Do you believe <> we can achieve what we pledged to do here?" Simon asked.

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Sometimes it's the only thing <> we can do."

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The mayor's office was lit mainly by candlelight with a couple <> lamps showing that it looked more like a storage room like where Sight and Simon conducted their investigation in Amityvale than where someone would run a town.

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"All right then," the man who was presumably Callahan said retrieving a pair of keys from below the counter.

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"Perhaps it's because I don't see things how I used to, but keep you should keep a close watch on the young looking one. There's something sinister about that one," he said in a hushed tone.

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If I were you, I would not associate with him anymore than you already have."

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Now then, I won't take up anymore of your time, thank you for allowing us to stay."

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"I guess <> you're not called Sight for nothing, huh?"

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She wanted to be like Maya, but instead found herself as an operative of the Rose<> and by her own admission a less than adequate one<> and wasn't skilled to use magic to become a magi and thus the closest to being like Loremaster Maya as she could.

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"It's okay. It's not your fault <> a cruel name has haunted me for so long. But please, I want to know more about you. Is it the dancing you like or is it-"

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For awhile now, I've wanted to be a dancer. Sometimes the way to at least getting a bed to sleep in and three meals a day means having to abandon those dreams and do things <> you swore to never do again."

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I'm honestly surprised <> I even told him, but sometimes you just can't help who or what you tell if it's a heavy enough burden."

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"I see," Sight said thinking about the things she considers burdens that she carries.

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She knew <> there were other things that weighed on her heart, but he words to Simon weighed the most, but to her it wasn't enough to make her want to share those thoughts with Hands. Maybe it wasn't such a burden afterall?

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He thought of Hands in the next room. She was capable of gathering information and her dossier made it clear with her methods, but would they work on Kid?

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With the lights out, Arkham was quite dark even for the corner of Doomwood where even the moon's light seemed to barely shine and what he was to do next would be a gamble, but he had a feeling <> it would pay off.

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"I think <> you'll make an exception."

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"I understand <> you denied Captain Roland and by extension myself entry into Arkham Asylum and that just cannot be."

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"You certainly can't, but the Captain won't take my word, so you're going to do me and by extension, my family a favour.

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True to his word, when Roland and his team exited Callahan's in preparation to return to Miskatonic, they were greeted by the mayor holding a letter <> he seemed to force onto Roland rather than hand to him.

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"What is this?" Roland asked, confused and still tired <> having slept very little during the night.

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"I deeply apologize for the inconvenience <> I caused you by making you almost abandon your mission.

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Roland had tuned the mayor out, lost in his own thoughts as he skimmed the letter. During his uneasy sleep he had noticed Kid sneaking out and then this happens?

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"My team and I greatly appreciate your reconsideration, sir. And I give you my word, we will put an end to what plagues this town and its asylum."

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Is this a gatehouse? Is it a stone wall?

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Did they try to do that once or on multiple occasions?

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Was it ever stated that Maya was able to do magic?