- Name: Allan Kardein
- Age: 17
- Grimoire Name: Honorius;Andwyss
- Grimoire Type: Gehenna
- Grimoire Primary Ability: The Honorius Grimoire conjures the black blade Andwyss, a blade calamitously powerful, and while it is capable of black flames and ferocious propelled black spears, the Andwyss is a weapon that bar none bears horrifying destructive power. According to some, Andwyss was only barely contained within Honorius, and turned the Shining Grimoire into a Gehenna type through its sheer force of presence. Others dispute this, alleging the pages of Honorius were inky dark before Andwyss was sealed within it. So destructively powerful is Andwyss that it cannot actually be drawn without immediately causing unacceptable damage - ergo, it must be wielded in its sheathed state at all times.
- Grand Spell: Invocation of Andwyss: The Grand Spell calls upon 30% of Andwyss' full power, resulting in a titanic array of spell circles followed shortly after by a tremendous blast of force emitted from the sword itself. It is said in the aftermath the true form of Andwyss is visible for a few instants. The wielder is left so numbed by the experience that they cannot move most of the time, lacking sensation for when their limbs have touched things.
- Personality: Allan Kardein is someone who has known loss - he has joined the Knights Ardent due to the death of his parents in a Zeretic attack. The training and secretive measures of the Knights have made a definite impact on Allan. While he acts the part of a Knight in Shining Armor; kind, courageous, self effacing, selfless, heroic and true - he also has their flaws readily visible. He is secretive, almost emotionless in how he handles things, barely functional in social scenarios, and vicious in combat. He is by nature however a seeker of sorts - he never just accepts surface answers himself, he is always prepared to seek out answers and do all he can to fight for humanity...
- Backstory: At a young age a Zeretic monster killed his parents, and he was taken in for odd reasons by a group of the Knights Ardent, who saw potential in the boy "due to his proximity". There were a number of others who were recruited after similar incidents. The Knights Ardent are a secretive group - they fight the Zeretics on the front lines, and are among the first typically called, but due to their methods and abilities Grimoires don't usually bond to them. They're noted as being "trained especially for defeating mystical foes". Even younger members like Allan know odd and effective techniques for dealing very high damage to Zeretics, such as Smite, Holy Retribution, and Lightfall. However the Knights have only 200 to 300 members, and Allan neatly encapsulates their flaws. It was after a mission supposedly to scout out an area that the Honorius;Andwyss bound itself to him. Very soon after, as if reacting immediately to this event, the higher ups put Allan up for transfer to the Academy, despite their manpower issues.
- Appearance: Allan is even by appearance almost typically a Knight in Shining Armor - he has rather curly dark hair, bright blue eyes, and a somewhat tan countenance. He has a quite muscular, well toned frame, standing tall and with an attractive, angular look to his face. He wears the standard armor from his group - form fitting silvery armor with a light blue line through certain places on the armor. He wears a white long sleeved shirt underneath, slacks, and occasionally a coat.
Edited by NickTheSwing on Jan 23rd 2019 at 9:58:29 AM
- Name: Keyden Aimoz
- Age: 17
- Grimoire Name: Tome of the Wild.
- Grimoire Type: Natural
- Grimoire Primary Ability: The Tome of the Wild's spell selection has more to do with physical enhancements than anything else, permitting the user to harness the power of Animals themselves to enhance his physical capabilities. Strength of the Lion covers his body in a glowing golden energy, with large, bladed "energy claws" that enhance his physical strength, and so on in that regard. His limitations, at the moment anyway, is the inability to fly, and the ability to breath underwater.
- Grand Spell: Roar of the King. When using this spell, Keyden permits the "Spirit of the King of the Beasts, Reignglief" to inhabit his body for the duration, increasing his strength, stamina, dexterity and stamina to near supernatural levels. For all intents and purposes, Keyden checks out of his body, permitting the Spirit to use it as he sees fit. However, that much energy is taxing to an almost dangerous level for a mortal body, so the body is reduced to a cataonic sleep in order to let the wounds heal and the energy to return.
- Personality: As someone who lost everything in such a short amount of time, Keyden is almost desperate in his desire to make sure no one else loses everything like he did, to feel the despair he felt to the point of crippling survivors guilt. As such, he tries to bring as much hope as he can to those he crosses, while having a bit of a dependency streak, trying to find some way to not feel as alone as he did...and does.
- Backstory: Keyden was born a simple boy on a simple farm to a simple life. Loving mother and father, he worked hard and diligently to help anyway he could in the life he knew about. He had a special connection to the animals his family tended to, and the animals in the surrounding woods. Of course, given how nice this life was, tragedy was only an inevitable issue. The Zeretic's likely weren't even trying to cause strife on his little stretch of land; so small and unnoticed, they likely wiped it out by passing without a second glance. It was over so fast and so ruthlessly, the farm he grew from, the forest he spent so much time in, his mother and father, the animals...all gone. Well, it seemed only fitting that the Tome of the Wild found its way to him, almost as if giving him a chance to avenge them, and redeem himself.
- Appearance: Keyden looks rough, with calloused hands and decent muscles from constant working on the fields, his hair dark brown and messy, no matter how many times he washes them. His eyes emerald green and a decent farmer's tan shows his time in the sun.
- Name: Janeva Galven
- Age: 18
- Grimoire Name: Empyrean
- Grimoire Type: Shining
- Grimoire Primary Ability: Empyrean can heal Janeva and others, as well as repair objects at high speeds. By being pedantic about it and "healing" herself of a poor appearance, Janeva also has access to limited shapeshifting within the limits of what a human could feasibly still be. "Repairing" also lets her reload guns and recharge batteries, and she's always strapped.
- Grand Spell: Empyrean's Grand Spell is always ready and activates in reaction to her death, reviving her fully healed with all the usual costs of activating a Grand Spell. The law and order that most commonly manifests itself for Janeva after such an event is the 100% destruction of her murderer, of course.
- Personality: Janeva's ready for the decay of the Shining Grimoire because not much would change. Willing to show her wealth and status, she looks down on commoners and mundane folks as deserving of her help and, most importantly, deserving of her rule. Politeness and class is the ultimate determinator of how valid anything anyone says is, and anyone that disagrees with her, especially lower in station, is just sad more than anything, which is often, because she talks mad shit. She aims to move straight from school into government as a future war hero, hopefully building a real-ass Grimoire Owner Party eventually, or maybe just a benevolent ruling caste, some real oldschool nobility.
- Backstory: Janeva is the heiress to the Galven Concern, an arms manufacturer that made its fortune in the war against the Zeritics, and never let go of that dominance. Galven gear is the standard for militaries and law enforcement around the world, and carrier-spec versions of most their gear are popular for anyone living an exciting life. Janeva herself grew up with an excellent education and intense moral guidance; she figured it was only natural that Empyrean appear to her, as the pathway to her eventual ascendance. Raised only around other young heirs and only exposed to the rest of the world through gossipy broadsheets, she developed a very high-minded opinion of the world and the people below her that lived in it, and she saw Empyrean as a way to make that known.
- Appearance: Kitted out in designer/tactical boutique equipment from the Galven Concern, Janeva
is about 5'6.
- Name: Valerie Vale
- Age: 17
- Grimoire Name: Jörmungandr
- Grimoire Type: Natural
- Grimoire Primary Ability: Jörmungandr is also known as the Book of Serpents, and its spell selection reflects that name. Jörmungandr's wielder is able to summon, command, communicate with, or even fully or partially transform into serpents. The snakes in question can range from venomous cobras to massive anacondas to small, sneaky garter snakes and everything in between.
- Grand Spell: The World Serpent: Jörmungandr's Grand Spell allows the user to summon the legendary World Serpent from which the grimoire takes its name. This mythical serpent is said to be long enough to encircle the planet, although only the first 50 meters of its massive body emerge from the grimoire during the spell. In addition, its venom is corrosive enough to melt steel. Summoning this beast puts the wielder in immense physical pain, debilitating them for days after the fact and potentially even killing them if the Serpent is kept out for more than five minutes.
- Personality: Valerie is outwardly optimistic and friendly, if slightly lazy. However, she's also completely terrified of the fact that as a grimoire wielder, her lifespan has almost certainly been significantly reduced. She's also wary of the fact that she's slowly becoming more serpentlike herself, sometimes getting urges to do things like hunt mice or bask in the sun.
- Backstory: Though originally from Eden, Valerie grew up in an orphanage in Sanctum's slums, subsisting on what little food the orphanage could afford combined with whatever she could steal to share with her little "brothers and sisters". She knew more than anyone how hard this life was, but always forced herself to maintain a chipper attitude for the benefit of the younger children. Then one day, the Zeritics got into the slums, and the city guard was of course nowhere to be found. All hope seemed lost until Jörmungandr suddenly found its way into Valerie's hands, allowing her to hold them off until a task force from the Academy routed the attack and picked her up in the aftermath.
- Appearance: Valerie is a younger-looking girl with shoulder-length brown hair, recognizably Edenian featuresnote , and the lean build that comes from never having enough to eat for most of her life. Use of her grimoire is starting to leave her with serpentine features, such as small fangs in her mouth and a scattering of brown scales on her legs, which she is currently trying to hide.
Edited by PossiblyQuiteInsane on Jan 18th 2019 at 2:00:21 PM
So in order lets go through everyone
1. Nicktheswing: Most of it is good, except for the abilities doing damage to the actual Zeretics. Against their minions and spawns that would be fine but the full creatures require the Grimoires.
2. Michael Dj 54: Accepted
3. Taco: Accepted
4. Possibly Quite Insane: Accepted
Posting a WIP.
Does a grimoire need to be a book? Could it be a scroll? Can it be like a magic sword with instructions written on the blade? Or like a talking dog that teaches you how to fuse with him to be some kind of really strong dog dude??
- Name: Jake "Krazy J" Mc Cormic
- Age: 18
- Grimoire Name: Leviathan
- Grimoire Type:
- Grand Spell:
- Personality:
- Backstory:
- Appearance: Jake is extremely cute, but he'll get upset if you tell him that to his face. He's short, with big green eyes, long eyelashes, and long blue hair. He has a very deep voice. http://safebooru.org/index.php?page=post&s=view&id=36320
, http://safebooru.org/index.php?page=post&s=view&id=48582
, http://safebooru.org/index.php?page=post&s=view&id=51254
, http://safebooru.org/index.php?page=post&s=view&id=19121
, http://safebooru.org/index.php?page=post&s=view&id=27509
, http://safebooru.org/index.php?page=post&s=view&id=2070616
Edited by HeroicSociopath on Jan 19th 2019 at 3:40:20 AM
- Name: Jacob Woods
- Age: 18
- Grimoire Name: Perfected Spark of th... (Someone has scrawled "Advice for Six" on the cover)
- Grimoire Type: Shining
- Grimoire Primary Ability: Those that have wielded the Perfected Spark have generally been known under a collected myth of The Man With The Burning Gun, a figure of both righteous justice and overzealous judgement. Raising his right hand in preparation a small weapon burning with divine fire manifests, usually a signature pistol but with the right thought put into the summoning it can take the form of other single-handed weapons ranging from daggers to hand-axes. Whatever form it takes the weapon is strong and tends to cremate that which it kills. Strangely he can only summon the weapon with his right hand despite a few records of half his predecessors wielding with their left.
- Grand Spell: Right Wing of the Stymphalian Phoenix Divine justice surges within Jacob as a single burning wing manifests behind him. The wing curls in front, partially obscuring the gunslinger before snapping back to being outstretched, sending a scattered handful of burning knives flying forward. In the rush afterwards Jacob can't help but draw his gun and prepare to strike down any survivors of his rightful wrath, no thought being put into collateral damage or the innocent.
- Personality: Jacob Woods tries to live up to the ideal of a charming rogue, a gentleman thief who may steal your belongings but is charismatic and enigmatic enough to make it hard to think of immediate revenge. The keyword here is 'tries', he's not particularly good at being someone people find charming and his attempts to be the gentleman thief tend to come off as stilted and uncomfortable but his personality when relaxing is much more friendly even if a little crass.
- Backstory: Jacob grew up on the streets. Well technically he didn't grow up homeless he had a home on the edges of the slums and parents who put in the effort to raise a son on honest work and good morals but when Jacob's circle of friends started to look more like a gang they couldn't bear to force him off that path into the shadows as the household finances dwindled. So Jacob became a thug and a thief, stealing both what he needed and what he thought would be better off in his possession and he was generally pretty good at that work. If there was one thing that could bring Jacob out of his cycle of shadows and selfish desire, it would be the Perfected Spark and the writings within that manifested in his hand after a job gone horribly, horribly wrong that he nonetheless escaped unharmed.
- Appearance: Jacob is a strapping young man of the city with his scruffy dark blonde hair and smoldering eyes. He's lithe, toned and utterly unkempt from poverty and gang work though he's been trying to put in the effort to dress in a cheap approximation of higher class attire and has taken to wearing a secondhand highwayman mask that honestly doesn't fit him properly.
Heroic Sociopath: A Scroll would be fine, but sword/talk dog would be a no go.
Pentigan: Accepted
Edited by Kingxana0 on Jan 20th 2019 at 1:50:56 AM
- Name: Poppy Blake
- Age: 16
- Grimoire Name: Book of the Transient Crypt
- Grimoire Type: Gehenna
- Grimoire Primary Ability: The Book of the Transient Crypt allows its wielder to cause things to putrefy slowly and drain life-force from living things to heal the user in the process. The most notable thing about this tome, however, is the fact that it can counter the spells of other Grimoires surprisingly effectively for such a supposedly weak Grimoire.
- Grand Spell: This Grimoire's Grand Spell is called Cloud of Blight, and it summons a large area of dark green gas that corrodes all that it touches—humans, Zeritics, magic, everything. Only the caster is immune from the cloud's effects. The price for using this Grand Spell is not numbness, but the transformation of fleshy extremities into skeletal ones, with only the barest amount of ligaments attached to it so that it can still be functional (animated by the dark magic of the tome). The area of the transformation is determined by how much area the caster wants the gas to cover. Needless to say, there are plenty of reasons to use this Grand Spell sparingly.
- Personality: Poppy tries to remain cheerful and kind, which has so far helped her stave off the madness that the Book of the Transient Crypt is supposed to plunge her into. Though she herself is in a bad place, there is no reason why she can't help others. Additionally, she conceals a kind of stubborn pride, and refuses to let anyone else look down on her because of her infirmities.
- Backstory:
- Poppy was born to lower-class parents, and was loved and cared for throughout her early years—even when she developed a peculiar consumptive disease that would cost much to treat. Still, she was exposed to the worst part of society, but was determined to "be nice."
- She was shaken when a Zeritic rampage killed her parents and the Book of the Transient Crypt bound itself to her, apparently thinking her loss "beautiful." She always thought that she would get a Shining Grimoire, so in a fit of anger and grief, she used the Grimoire's Grand Spell. Sure, the Zeritics were killed, but the collateral damage was too much to go unnoticed. Therefore, she was admitted to the Academy for the safety of those around her and for her own sake as well.
- Appearance: Poppy is a short, almost skeletal-looking girl with dark hair and sunken green eyes. She mostly dresses in dull, sensible clothing with patches lovingly sewn onto them. Most notably, her left hand and lower arm is literally bone with a few desiccated sinews woven through them, a terrible sight to behold—therefore, Poppy covers it up with a long leather glove. She stands and walks slightly slumped over and often cradles her transformed arm.
Jumping Fruit: I am okay with the core concept of the book, but with both the draw back being physical in nature and the putrefy and gaseous cloud abilities it feels like a Nature Grimoire.
~Kingxana0 The putrefaction is caused by the dark magics of the book. Therefore, Gehenna Grimoire fits in my opinion. I don't think the numbness would make sense for the rot and so therefore used a different drawback that could also be called "dark."
That's the best explanation I can offer. If you still insist that I change it, then I will.
I wear the skin of the Elder Things, having come unto my own.- Name: Ollirand Griyelkhar
- Age: 18
- Grimoire Name: Casinnuah — Tome of Indiscernibility and Monstrosities
- Grimoire Type: Natural
- Grimoire Primary Ability:
- Cryptid Physiology: By prolonged possession and usage of this Grimoire, the owner will be subject to gradual physiological alterations that start off as an innocent increase in muscle mass and height before quickly degenerating into a steady addition of inhuman traits—such as the manifestation of antlers from the skull and an abnormal set of eyes resembling that of elk. Ollirand is in the beginning stages and is already developing some of these features—sporting a fully grown set of antlers as aforementioned as well as a tremendous stature. These alterations also give him enhanced physical capabilities as well as a natural weapon upon his head; at the cost of causing him to suffer from chronic pains and discomfort from the unwanted additions to his body. The Grimoire also seems to automatically provide a perception filter over its user—meaning that those ignorant or unaware to his location are more likely to pass him by instead of register his presence. Olli personally appreciates this, as he doesn't enjoy the attention he gains from his inhuman appearance.
- Grand Spell:
- Casinnuah
The Rocky Mountain Elk: An unknown, vaguely demonic creature sealed within the pages of the tome (and as such its namesake). When Ollirand uses this spell he usually appears to go into a trance beforehand—implying that there is some external consciousness or force manipulating him to do so when the situation gets particularly dire. Regardless, the effects of this spell are made manifest in the form of a monstrous, shadowy humanoid elk of skinny and vaguely feminine proportions (if one was to squint and use their imagination) tearing apart Olli's flesh from within and crawling out in order to run amok and screech like a banshee. In this state, Olli (or rather, his body) gains further supernatural strength as well as an incredibly high pain threshold—though at the cost of higher brain functions and a blatant blood-rage he seems to suffer from when under possession by this bestial entity. Casinnuah eventually relinquishes control once Olli's body is too fatigued to continue, to which the transformation will reverse—albeit at the cost of there being one more animalistic attribute added to his base form each and every time he uses this. Since it irreversibly makes him more inhuman upon the aftermath, Olli does not use this spell willingly—the Grimoire itself and whatever demonic influence that lies within conducting him into protecting it when need be.
- Casinnuah
- Personality: A miserable, quiet, and softspoken sweetheart of a giant. Ollirand is obviously fatigued and world-weary, but this only seems to have made him more merciful and delicate. Centuries older in soul than he is in body, Olli is more comfortable with nature than he is with people; shy and reclusive yet incredibly insightful and intelligent. Made lacking in self-esteem due to his Grimoire's alterations to his form, Ollirand would much rather be left alone—yet still can't help himself when the prospect of helping others in need comes up. The boy is empathetic and kindhearted to an almost painful degree, and his suppressed distress over his situation is what drives him to ensure no other will be made depressed and miserable by an inescapable circumstance. Though admittedly harbouring a hidden dark side and cynicism, Ollirand holds himself to high moral standards, and would much rather resolve a situation peacefully and calmly instead of having to resort to violence or unneeded stress.
- Backstory:
- Originally of a simple lifestyle as a mountain-dweller residing in a log hut with his small family, Ollirand relatively pleasant (albeit isolated) start to his life was drastically cut short when the Zeritics overran the region in which he resided and effectively destroyed his family and their lifestyle. With only himself and his sister left untouched, Olli embarked on a trek with her to civilisation while reeling from the trauma of the unforseen attack. With his sister losing her grip on her sanity and developing a toxic desire for vengeance against the creatures, Ollirand was subject to much of her wrath during their trip to Sanctum yet was rendered unable to lash back at her out of his deep love for his sibling. Setting camp at one point in their journey, Olli swore to support his sister and push down his personal feelings despite his intense indignation and moral opposition against her growing mindset—which was about the time the heavy book fell from a nearby tree and landed heavily into his lap.
- Curiosity killed the cat, as they say, and surely enough Ollirand found the mysterious tome irresistible. Becoming obsessed with its pages and mysteries from then on, Ollirand realised that the book provided a useful distraction against his sibling's hateful spewing against the Zeritics and the world in general. His ensuing ignorance of her became so insulting to her that she eventually snapped and snatched the thing away from him—only to realise that it was completely nonsensical and unreadable. Six days later and at their arrival at Sanctum, Ollirand was visibly beginning to grow antlers. With their relationship estranged and with a deep set fear of him on his sister's side, the two didn't stick together or support each other for very long. Olli parted ways with his sibling naught but three weeks after their arrival. Now alone and with only his beloved tome for company, Ollirand's growing inhumanity is steadily becoming more and more apparent, and his detachment is to the point of cluelessness most of the time. With his sister's whereabouts unknown and his family yet to be avenged, Olli is wondering where exactly the line should be drawn—with his own growing desire to hunt down Zeretics eating away at his mind the more time he spends with that book, he can't help but think that maybe he was never quite of the same point of view as the others around him anyway. And judging by how dark and twisted his thoughts are becoming, he doesn't think it to be something to be proud of.
- Appearance:
- Ollirand: 7"11', and of considerable muscle mass.
◊ Slow-moving and cautious due to his size; surprisingly delicate touch. Usually of a neutral facial expression, however it is also quick to shift into a frown of deep thought and a small friendly smile if the situation calls for it. Seems distracted and antsy—regularly drumming his fingers on surfaces, constantly leafing through his book, and has a mild stammering habit whenever caught off-guard with a sudden question. Has ovular/rectangular pupils like that of an elk, and barring his antlers his toes are beginning to fuse into hoofs.
- Casinnuah: 8' tall, noticeably skinnier and more feminine.
◊ Made somewhat shorter in appearance due to its tendency to hunch. Sniffs the air and scratches; seems to be of dog-level intelligence and not much higher. Wrathful and animalistic upon initial manifestation, but seems to tame somewhat in the time before it relinquishes control back to Olli. Has an indistinct, shadowy mist about it—can be very disorienting and even sickening to gaze upon for a prolonged period of time.
- Ollirand: 7"11', and of considerable muscle mass.
Taco
Pentigan
Enirboreh: Accepted
The game has officially started. Anyone who wants to join afterward can post but be warned that it may take time to get you in.

Since the dawn of time humanity has existed as the prey for forces beyond our control, beings that came from outside of the bonds of reality known as Zeritics, massive creatures who existed to devour the souls of humans in order to evolve their bodies to even greater levels of power. That is until one day, while slaving away in service to the creatures a young woman found three tomes bound in a strange rock, and toiled days on end to break it as if caught in some mania. Once freed the books vanished from their stone prison and found their way to three young people, revealing their secrets with voices only the chosen could hear.
With the knowledge of these books the children weaved a spell so powerful that it banished the Zeritics from our world, and freed the souls the creatures had swallowed to keep themselves content. This spells power was so great that the children who used it were killed by its casting, and the tomes ripped themselves apart in grief. The pages of these tomes flew free, but still sought each other even after their parting. Through some strange magics pages collected themselves into individual tomes, all weaker then their sires but powerful in their own way. These limited collections are known as Grimoires. And are to this day they are the only effective weapon in the fight against the Zeritic hordes that break through their prisons.
Grimoire's come in three designs:
However in recent times a new form of Grimoire has appeared, Artificial, produced by some strange magics by the High Priests of Eden the exact make of these books is unknown to all but them, but seem to kill their users faster then any other form of Grimoire. These books call forth power from odd sciences, forming twisted golems of metal and wire.
For the past three hundred years humanity has lived in comfort, protected by the wielders of the Grimoire. Two great nations, Eden and Sanctum were created to house and protected, allowing advancement to a brighter future for the people. Using technology left behind by the Zeritics they create marvels, flying machines and great structures to provide food and water. However in the past ten years tensions have risen as Eden falls under the sway of a new religion, one that promises doomsday if the Grimoire's are not reunited into their perfect forms. Tension now brews between the two kingdoms, blades at each others throats. And still the same the Zeritics wait for their chance to dominate once more.
Your character will take the role of someone who has freshly acquired their Grimoire after a particularly devastating Zeritic attack, and are promptly recruited by the government to join the Academy, where they will be given the chance to learn their powers, or be put down should they lose themselves completely.
A few key pieces of information before you start making your character sheet.
The technology level of the universe this game takes place in is Magicpunk, a bit behind what we would consider modern but still with most basic creature comforts, just instead of electricity and oil the world runs on energy produced by massive generators the Zeritics left behind during their occupation of the world. Satellite communication doesn't exist, but short ranged telecommunication exists for contacting people within the massive fortress cities. Technological innovation relies almost entirely on what researchers manage to discover from old Zeritics technology, and even that is carefully integrated. At this point Grimoire users are still the only thing able to harm the invading Zeritics, through human ground forces can be of use against their minions.
A Grimoire will appear to the person who it deems worthy the moment its current owner dies or becomes unable to continue fighting (i.e. they lose motor ability, go into a coma, or die). The Grimoire will never leave the person it has chosen until such an event, and will draw that person to read it and learn of its power. The writing itself seems random to anyone else, but a Grimoire user will always understand their own book regardless of their own literacy. Those who wield Grimoire's will always feel drawn to kill Zeritics even if they have no direct grudge against the beings.
If you have further questions feel free to contact me.
Edited by Kingxana0 on Jan 17th 2019 at 8:59:16 AM