World of Animals/Muerdio

Muerdio is the sixth party member players encounter in World of Animals, and serves as a Summoner/Support with some damage capabilities.

## Bio

Muerdio is the young lord of Eden, and the last before it fell to Crusaders. The jackal would be executed by the invaders, and would later awaken to find his soul risen in the ruins of his home. From then on, he'd go on to learn how to manifest his magic into constructs with which to aid him in protecting the kingdom. He'd come to find an Egg left in the castle's secret vault, and has been trying to keep it safe, only to be stomped by the wicked dragon leading the cult, Polaris.

## Character Description

Muerdio is a jackal standing about 4'10", though he's often seen floating, so he might occasionally appear to be nearly as high in elevation as Mullo. He wears an orange cloak and is decorated in jewelry, from rings all over his fingers to earrings, to a necklace with the emblem of a rainbow on it and another amulet, this one bearing the dragon silhouette emblematic with the modern church. He also appears to wear a lipstick mark on his cheek for some reason. He also typically radiates a dark aura.

* As a Specter - In turn-based battles, Muerdio hovers above the ground, his feet a couple of inches above it and his cloak licking the ground while darkness seems to suspend him. He holds his equipped scythe by the shaft, the blade aimed down at the ground and hovering just above it while the shaft goes across his back. He seems to twitch while his body shifts around, occasionally stretching beyond the normal limits of the normal body. Normal attacks has him lunge towards an enemy before chopping at them. A critical hit has him slam the head down on the ground, before scraping it across it and chopping up through the enemy. Using magic has him hold his free hand up, before hurling it forth. Summoning a spirit has him stick his hand out towards the ally, before raising his hand to conjure the respective spirit.

* As a Sage - Muerdio hovers over the ground, her legs melting into a ghost-like tail while he holds his staff diligently, the butt resting on the ground. He wears white robes, them boasting the draconic emblem on top of an orange sash. When he performs a normal attack, he hovers towards the enemy while raising the staff overhead, before smashing it on the enemy's head. If he crits, he twirls the staff once, before smashing it down with an echoing *smack*. If he performs a Slash skill, a dark shadow manifests around him, it wielding a scythe, before chopping at the enemy. Using damaging magic has him go into a prayer-like stance, magic pooling between his hands before it flies forwards. Summoning a spirit has him extend a staff towards an ally, and raising it as the spirit comes forth.

* As a Revenant - Muerdio seems significantly larger than before, his orange cloak tattered and hanging around his legs while his now muscular body is wrapped up in chains. He appears almost feral, him standing on his two feet while supporting himself with his arm, a sickle in that claw while he raises his other sickle over his head. If he performs a normal attack, he hurls his sickle to the side, before whipping leftwards to have the blade cleave across his foe. If he crits, he snarls loudly and hurls both sickles over his enemy, before yanking the chain down to slash it through the enemies. If he performs a damaging spell, his body seems to light up before the magical blast hurls forth from his maw. If he summons, he extends a twitchy hand towards an ally, him raising it upwards as a spirit accompanies said ally.

## Gampelay Stats

### Specter

Muerdio wields a scythe, his normal attacks dealing slashing damage. He garners a few dark spells, and an alarming lack of buffs/debuffs. Instead, he has a unique set of spells, in which he conjures up a spirit that goes alongside a party member. Once a spirit is summoned, they'll perform an action at the same time the respective party member acts, which essentially means you have two actions per turn, though you can't alter the second action. You also can't stack spirits.

The below assumes that Muerdio is at about Level 1. Each stat is accompanied by their growth rate, representing approximately by how much either stat goes up each level up.

* Healthpoints (HP) - 31 (60%)
* Spell Points (SP) - 23 (50%)
* Strength (St) - 6 (30%)
* Magic (Ma) - 11 (60%)
* Endurance (En) - 4 (15%)
* Mentality (Me) - 9 (55%)
* Agility (Ag) - 5 (40%)
* Luck (Lu) - 6 (20%)

### Sage

Muerdio wields a Staff, with which he deals Smash damage with normal attacks. As a Sage, Muerdio's magic ability advances further. He has access to Light magic, as well as some of the most powerful support abilities! He even gets access to Pure magic! His magical ability may raise, though his speed and defense are pretty low, so be weary.

### Revenant

Muerdio wields Chain Sickles, with which he deals Slash damage with normal attacks. As a Revenant, Muerdio's physical ability advances greatly! He has access to more summons, as well as fire magic, and one of the more dangerous physical skills, it relying on an opponent being knocked down. Muredio becomes scary, though his defenses are low and his buffing ability is very limited.

## Social Link Events

1. This occurs once Muerdio joins the party as a member.
2. Simone seems curious about Muerdio while in the church. The jackal looks towards him curiously and asks what he's staring for. Simone can answer "I haven't seen a ghost before" or "I'm really curious about that mark". To the latter, Muerdio seems to blush and shrink back into his cloak, saying that's not quite his business. Towards the former, he supposes it makes sense, ghosts take a few hundred years to form, and are usually drawn towards kindred spirits. Either way, the conversation goes past that and instead has Muerdio talk about how he hadn't seen a church around here the last time he was conscious. He figured he'd look for the clergy to try and ask when this was formed. There, he finds the jackal clergyman, Merylect. He asks which lord had instated this building, and why the recent development despite the lack thereof beforehand. Merylect explains that this church was actually an independent project from Sesuna, who managed to coax the mayor into letting her construct this thing. He says the High Priest was very enamored with the dragons, and had sought to reinstate their influence. Muerdio sighs happily and says he's grateful she had the chance to do something.
He says that he can't believe the world's shunned the dragons like this, they've done nothing but good for the mortals while one bad egg exists out there. He remarks that it's unfair, before seeking affirmation from Simone. He can either say "We've lasted without them" or "It is unfair". To the former, Muerdio says that lasting and prospering are two different things. To the latter, he nods enthusiastically. He says that as long as he works with this church, he'll make sure the dragons' words prosper, as well as that offspring.
3. Simone finds Muerdio in the halls again. He approaches and the jackal turns towards him, greeting him. He says that he was actually looking for the library. Simone then says that he can show him where it is. Muerdio seems happy and wishes to follow him. And so, Simone follows. As he does, he can ask Simone "What was it like as a kid?" or "What was it like before you died?" Upon hearing either, Muerdio clears his throat and supposes that he should start from the beginning. He was the only child to his mother and father, **King Mikal** and **Queen Louna**. Upon being born, he was taught the basics, and once he learned how to write a few sentences, he'd started learning about the dragons. His parents told him what to do, what not to do, and told him about the royals' "divine right".
The king and queen explained that they were different from the common folk. As the ones that'll be responsible for the most important creature in the world, they can't simply be as good as the commoner. No, they had to be like the divine themselves, free of sin and free of vice. They told him this when he'd outgrown the purity of infancy, and at that point had guards looking him over the shoulder to keep him in check. He mustn't walk wrong, look wrong, sound wrong, so on, else he'd receive a firm paddling. Not just that, he couldn't show too much emotion, else risk falling into one of many mindsets that led common men to sin. For a while, he'd be unable to emote or make friends, even his parents, divine like him, couldn't risk showing too much of their heart.
After that, he seems to give pause. Simone can then ask "Are you ok?" or "Muerdio?" Either way, the jackal seems to shake back to cognition, and remarks that he was just thinking. His days'd blended together until the Crusaders appeared, which got him back to thinking about... something. Soon, the duo arrives at the library door, when Muerdio says that he'll look through this on his own for a while, before hovering through the door.
4. After that, Simone finds Muerdio in the church's library, him looking over the books. Simone can either say "Hi" or "Boo!" Muerdio doesn't have much reaction to the former, but to the latter Muerdio yelps and stumbles back, before scowling and accosting him, saying they're in a library! He sighed and looked back over the book, where he remarks about how strange it is to read about yourself. He flips a few more pages and remarks that this book regards the Crusaders with disdain, but doesn't seem to look favorably upon him. The book says that "Muerdio appeared to've been too young for the kingdom," another sentence saying "His inexperience led to the Crusaders exploiting weakspots in his guards and storming Eden".
 He supposes it was true, but it seemed like this historian was blaming him for it. He gives pause before sighing. He eventually puts the book back. He says that his parents were to help prepare him for leadership. And they stuck with him before the Crusaders arrived. They said they'd find some soldiers and take vengeance, and said that he'd have to stand his ground. If he weren't here to placate them, then they'd search farther and find them. They said that the dragons would put themselves in the line of fire, especially if it meant keeping more people alive. He'd followed their orders, and at the time he figured they were tactically true.
He then says that the books say nothing about his parents' army, that instead the Crusaders were felled by different churches, before being executed by those that'd establish the Shepherds. He was hoping to see what happened, but this book only says that they vanished from the fight scene. He seems to give pause, when Simone can say "They're out there," or "Buddy?" Either way, Muerdio sighs and supposes he'll have to look more later.
5. Muerdio is seen in the congressional hall, looking over the mural at the far end. He approaches it and looks over the many infantile animals flocking around the Dragon. Simone approaches and looks at it, looking at it with him. There's a pregnant pause, though Simone can say, "Are you feeling ok?" or "Something on your mind?" Muerdio says that he was looking for a quiet place to think. Simone seems unsure about what he's saying, to which the jackal continues. He's thinking of his parents.
They were with him throughout his teachings about the dragon and made sure to let him know exactly what to do to celebrate them. No emotion, complete non-bias, complete devotion to the dragons, no one else to rely on. He wondered why his final duty was to stay in Eden while they ran. He wonders if he's meant to be a greater acolyte to the dragons than them, or if something else is up. As he contemplates, Merylect enters the congressional hall and has heard the ghost speak.
He's curious and looks over the two of theirs fur, before approaching. He asks Muerdio who his parents were. He then says that his mother was Queen Aryle, and his father was King Majure. Merylect seems to pause and says that he thinks he knows of them. He says that he used to live in **Migu**, and that, among his ancestors, were the two. Muerdio seems alarmed and asks him how much he knows. He says that his parents hadn't talked about the two much, and supposes that they'd have to go there to find out more about them. Muerdio thanks him and goes in for a hug, the clergyman shoving him off. He says that he himself will be busy with the church, so it'll be up to the two of them to find this out.
After that, Muerdio leans back in the pew, a soft look on his face as he seems ready to see them again. Simone can say "Congratulations!" or "You... look sad." To the former, Muerdio nods and says that finally he can put one question to rest. To the latter, Muerdio admits that he's not quite sure what he's getting into. Either way, he says that he's not sure if he can be there on his own, not that he's known the group for this long. So, he asks Simone to accompany him next time.
6. Here, Muerdio's seen over at the gate, near a horseman hoisting a trolley. He sees Simone, and waves him over. He says that they're going to Migu now, and he'd really appreciate if Simone came with. Simone nodded, and the two load in on the trolley. And thus, the duo rushes off and into a somewhat far location, Migu. It's up north, and up in the desert, it seeming to be a desert village. It has sand-drenched stone houses with somewhat faded paint.
Muerdio steps out, followed by Simone, and the two approached. Muerdio says that their best bet here will be to find Merylect's parents. Simone nods, and they step in. They search the various houses, before coming upon a fairly humble-looking building. And upon knocking, they see a pair open the door, one a jackal woman, one a hyena man. They greet the duo, when Muerdio asks if they know a "Merylect". They answer that that's their son, to which Muerdio seems to light up with a bit of intrigue. Now, Simone can either say "We're looking for his parents" or "We need to know about Aryle and Majure". They seem surprised at that, before the jackal lady says that she thinks she can pull up a book.
She heads inside, before coming back with an old book, a diary. She shows it to Muerdio, though asks that he not go anywhere while he reads it. The ghost takes the book and looks over it, reading. He searches date after date, until finding the date that Eden fell. He furrows his brow and looks at it, and reads: The duo had given up. They had grown weary of the draconic celebration, but had the chance to delegate leadership. And then, once the crusaders came and overpowered the military, they were able to leave behind the new leader and flee, far from the crusades, far from the religion, able to live their own life...
Muerdio's voice falters more and more, and his grip weakens on the book, before it falls from his hands, the mother lunging to grab it as it falls. Simone, meanwhile, looks up at Muerdio, who's entire demeanor has fallen into a depressed funk. Simone can say "Muerdio?" or "..." Muerdio then says that they should go back. Muerdio begins floating away, and doesn't seem willing to say anything else throughout the trip.
7. Next, Simone finds Muerdio at the entrance of the church, who sees Simone and asks if they can stay with him for a short while. Simone nods, and follows him. The duo approaches Eden. They enter, and throughout, Muerdio is still downtrodden. Simone can say "I'm really sorry" or "What're we doing here?" Muerdio seems quiet, though approaches the gate he'd guarded once. He says that his whole life has been about the dragons.
He couldn't be a normal kid, because of dragons. He couldn't live because of dragons. He couldn't stay dead because of dragons. All his life has been dragons, and ever since their trip to Migu, he hadn't ever really been happy, only dutiful in the entirety of his service. He can only recall one moment he'd ever felt something close to joy. A long time ago, he stood guard when a tomb raider approached. He put on his veil of darkness and tried intimidating her, and that seemed to startle her. Unfortunately, that wasn't the end, for his attempt at scaring her had attracted the spirits of crusaders. He saw them approach her, when he rushed in to face them. In the melee, they'd torn the darkness off of him, but he was able to overwhelm them and force them back into a stasis.
After that, the looter seemed surprised, though thankful. Seeing the spooky ghost was a nice person, she'd chosen to instead speak with him and hang out. She'd have to leave Eden sometimes, but would occasionally show up to hang out again. After a few visits, she'd appear and hang out more. One time, she said that she'd have to move and asked him to come with, but he had his duty. Before she left, she leaned in and kissed his cheek, and he felt a warmth he'd never once felt in all his years.
Since then, he'd tried to drop the dark disguise and instead tried to repeat those hangouts with any other visitors. However, they were sparse, and often not as interested as that lady. He probably could've lived a better life if he'd chosen to go with her. He probably would've seen her pass, but a few years of warmth is better than sparse days. As he speaks, Simone takes notice of the lipstick mark on his cheek. Muerdio remarks that he probably looks silly now. He's an immortal guardian meant to look out for the safety of the inheritor of the world, and deep down the only thing he'd ever really treasured was a kiss. At this, Simone can say "We love you here" or "You didn't deserve what happened". Muerdio clenches his eyes and begins huffing. Tears start to come down as he pours out his sorrow before the gate that'd ate up so much of his afterlife.
8. Simone is seen carefully carrying Muerdio off, heading out of the church. Muerdio asks Simone what the occasion is now. The two are waiting outside of the church, when Simone searches their pockets. They then pull up what appears to be a receipt. Muerdio looks over the paper curiously, before he mutters "Reservations?" Simone affirms and can say "I wanted to help" or "I thought you needed it". Muerdio seems confused, until thinking back to the last time. Muerdio asks if this means that they're... Simone points out the time, and Muerdio realizes that they should probably go fast.
The duo approach a restaurant in the higher class sector of Rusal, a **Mint Huwar**. The restaurant itself appears to be two stories tall, hosting a fancy bar on the lower floor, fancy seating, and a VIP section on the upper floors with similar fancy setting, except boasting gilded tables and throne-like chairs around said tables. Simone and Muerdio are led to one of these by a mantis server. The two sit there for a while and Simone appears to be doing the ordering, while Muerdio seems unable to comprehend the items on the menu.
Simone's able to speak him through the fancier options. Simone orders some tomato caprese, some chocolate mousse, and some slabs of ostrich meat. Muerdio settled on some french fries and fried chicken, and seemed to be talked into some chocolate mousse as well. The two eat, though Muerdio can't help but feel out of place, especially when the servers seem to look at his order with a certain superiority. He takes a few careful bites, though sighs and eventually says that he doesn't think this is totally working out.
The two are out of the restaurant, and Muerdio just doesn't seem too happy. Simone can say "I'm really sorry" or "That should've gone better". Muerdio says that it's fine, that it was just the place that messed him up. He supposes he should've garnered more experience with the modern world before expecting a date to go well. Still, it was kinda nice hanging out with Simone like this. He tells them he appreciates them trying.
9. Muerdio still seems down, and is seen skulking around the library. Simone approaches and sees him leaning head-first against a bookshelf. Simone approaches and is given an option: "Hug from behind", "Boo", or "Hello?" Muerdio shakes off the former, doesn't react to the middle, and mutters to the latter. Simone still seems upset, though is able to pull him away, him being rather weightless. Simone brings them out, before being approached by Gero and Brusis.
Muerdio asks what the two of them are doing here, when they say that there's chaos going on in Eden and they thought he should do something. The duo seem confused at the clergy's words, before Muerdio asks what they mean. Apparently, some Crusader spirits began rallying forces together in preparation of claiming the dragon garden in Eden. Simone and Muerdio both seem alarmed, and Simone seems to think that they should do something about that. And so, Simone begins rushing off, alongside Brusis, though Gero stays behind.
The three arrive at the dead lands of Eden and rush in more and more, approaching the castletown. And there, they can see many a spirit raising, several dressed in thick armor. Brusis asks what they should do, and Muerdio said that it takes a powerful spirit to rally this many forces under their thumb: if they take it out, then they should be able to quash the uprising. They don't appear fight-ready yet, so they should be safe traveling.
The trio slinks through the many spirits, towards where the group was heading towards. They got closer and closer, before spying a single spirit standing high, raising a flag overhead bearing the emblem of the dragon. He wore shining armor and bore a ghost-like tail, him appearing to be a boastful coyote. Upon seeing him, Muerdio finds himself pausing and just looking on, alarmed by the appearance of this spirit. Brusis spies the spirit and realizes who it is: one of those that led the assault on Eden, **General Teouda**. It's said that he marched into the royals' chambers and weeded out...
Said spirit speaks out towards the many soldiers, saying that they've been granted the greatest chance yet! Eden lays in pieces and its hollows are exposed entirely to them! Meanwhile, Brusis and Simone are each looking towards Muerdio in concern. Simone can say "Are you doing ok?" or "You're stronger than him." Muerdio, meanwhile, scowls and darkness begins to pool around him. As he does, the coyote, while looking around, notices the young ruler. He plants the flag into the ground beneath him, before looming towards Muerdio.
He asks what the failed king is doing here. Does he seek further execution now that he can spare a head every once in a while? At that, Muerdio shies away. Teouda floats towards him while drawing a battle axe, asking him if he recognizes this. Simone draws their sword while Brusis raises her fists defensively. The coyote says that spirits can still feel pain, and being put back to sleep hurts like hell. He can make Muerdio feel that yet again, unless... unless he takes a knee before him. Muerdio, meanwhile, seems to have a dark look on his face as he glares at Teouda. And then, the time seems to freeze as players are told that "This is a life-changing decision. Choose your ally's fate". They're presented two options: "Humble him" - where Muerdio will be put down the path of the sage, receiving very low defense but garnering powerful magic and extremely powerful support skills. "Hold nothing back" - where Muerdio will be put down the path of the revenant, garneing a big boost in physical attack as well as more access to damaging magic, becoming a very dangerous foe with highly damaging abilities.
-**Humble him** - At this, Muerdio's brought out of his funk, before spying Brusis and recalling. He begins to tell the tale of how he became one of the dragons' retainers. Teouda initially dismisses his words as lying, though the more he explains, the more Teouda begins to feel more concern. Especially when Simone and Brusis affirm that he's become one of the dragon's closest protectors and has helped to lead them to their destiny. The dragon's going to rule and it's thanks to him, meanwhile Teouda's laid here rotting over a goal he can never achieve. The spirits begin to disperse as Teouda's influence wanes, and, in a flash of fury, he rushes at Muerdio, only to be disarmed by the jackal's scythe. Simone's quick to leap in to down the spirit while Muerdio stands high and mighty over his murderer.
-**Hold nothing back** - At this, it seems as if a switch was flipped inside Muerdio. Teouda keeps taunting him into submitting, only to be swiftly beaten back by a fist of darkness. The general's driven back, and Muerdio now resembles the way he did back when he first challenged the heroes, except with what looks like muscular outlines. Alarmed by the jackal's brashness, Teouda runs in to attack him, and he seems to land a few blows on Muerdio. However, he's able to hit back just as hard, if not harder, and it's made clear that each hit carries with stress his livelihood brought upon him, from being made a scapegoat by his parents to living an isolated life to a cause only he seemd to care for. When the rest of the spirits try to jump him, his dark spirit suddenly flashes a pair of sickles attached by chains, with which he's able to dash the many spirits in the group, before eventually rendering Teouda into ribbons. He's left panting and turns back to his normal form, Simone and Brusis stunned by the transformation. Muerdio, meanwhile, feels that he really needed this.
10. Rank 10 is different depending on the Life Changing choice at 9.

* **Sage Route** - This takes place if players had Muerdio humble Teouda. Here, Muerdio can be seen on one of the balconies overlooking the city in the new church. Upon seeing Simone, Muerdio greets them, and looks out over the city. Simone greets them as well and approaches the edge, standing next to Muerdio. There's a pregnant pause between the two, when Muerdio speaks up. He says that Simone's helped him a lot. He's had a challenge of faith earlier, but it took wearing down Teouda like that to remind him that his life isn't one misspent.
Simone can then say "But of course!" or "There's more life for you". Muerdio doesn't remark much to the former, but to the latter, Muerdio supposes there may be some truth there. The jackal then says that, as one following under the dragons, then he should show his faith moreso. His parents were sages themselves, and as such, he feels he should complete his training, even if his parents didn't see anything worth training in him. Though, he sort of wanted to wait... for Simone.
Simone seems curious, though Muerdio explains. They've been with him throughout his journey, and they've helped him to put to rest his demons. From his parents to his faith to his desire for love, they've been there to help him. As such, he felt that such a grand transformation should be reserved for them. As such, he extends his hand to them and asks them to grant him some affection as he takes his grand transformation. Simone can choose to either "Hold his hand", "Embrace him", or "Stand back".
Either way, Muerdio's body glistens with light magic and he shuts his eyes. He glimmers more and more, and the silhouette of him boasts a ghostly tail, white robes, and a staff as opposed to his scythe. And once the silhouette forms, the light fades, unveiling Muerdio in his new form. He looks over himself, and remarks that he feels great power within him. He feels so much closer to the dragons themselves! He thanks Simone for everything, for assisting him through all of his trials and all of his trepidation. Simone can then say "It's no problem, Muerdio" or "I'm more than happy to". With this, the Social Link is finished, and Muerdio is officially awarded with the title of **Sage**.
* **Revenant Route** - This takes place if players had Muerdio go all out on Teouda. Here, Muerdio can be seen on one of the balconies overlooking the city in the new church. Upon seeing Simone, Muerdio greets them, and looks out over the city. Simone can't help but notice that he seems a bit saddened, and approaches, asking "Do you need anything?" or "Can I do anything?" Muerdio says that he does need something. He's too clouded with rage, and he needs someone else to aid him.
A spirit overwhelmed with vengeance is under the threat of becoming a blood-lusting spirit. And, for a moment, during his fight with Teouda, he dipped into that vengeance. Simone might've seen it. He then unveils chains. He says that as fun as it was to tear Teouda apart, he might've doomed himself. He's been able to keep himself in check by wrapping himself up in chains. But, with how stuff's changing, he feels that he'll need the power that form brings. But if he is, he'll need Simone to hold the chains.
He'll break the chains off of him, and if Simone holds a few of the chunks, then they'll be able to restrain them in case their body grows too violent. Simone can then say "Can we fix you?" or "Can we stop it?" Muerdio merely says that it'll be only a matter of time before the chains themselves grow incapable of holding him. But he trusts that his friends will be safe, and he's positive that even if not, then they'll be able to subdue him.
He stands in front of Simone and says that he'll break them now, and they'll have to be ready. Simone nods and extends their hands. Muerdio huffs and pulls, before prying the chains off, thems napping. A bundle of chains are put in Simone's hands, the appearance of spirit-like shackles extending from them to Muerdio, the latter of which becomes swamped with darkness. He huffs and puffs and his body begins to pump up. His scythe fades away, replaced by a pair of sickles wrapped around his wrists via chains, his hands extend into large claws, and much of his cloak fades to show off his more muscular form.
Then, with a mighty howl, Muerdio's new form is revealed, Simone falling to their back from the appearance. The now-larger Muerdio looks over Simone, before he comes down on all fours, except using his feet instead of his knees. He looms in close towards Simone. He growls and sniffs the mink, before nuzzling into them. He leads Simone up to their feet and says that they're safe. They're a great friend after all. Simone can then cradle Muerdio's face and can say "Muerdio..." or "...". With this, the Social Link is finished, and Muerdio is officially awarded with the title of **Revenant**.

## Gallery

A rough sketch of Muerdio, having freshly summoned one of his artificial spirits
## Trivia

* Tyw and subsequent dark dealing attacks is a reference to the welsh word for dark, "tywyll"
* Afl and subsequent multi-targeting dark dealing attacks is a reference to the welsh word for opaque, "afloyw"