Book of Destiny (Season 1) Reflection

Season 1 of the Book of Destiny is at its conclusion. 

In this episode of the Books of the Universe podcast, I look back on the journey that was the creation of The Book of Destiny, a journey I've been on for most of my life.

This is NOT a story episode, so if reflections/commentary doesn't interest you, then you may want to wait and come back in season 2.

I also talk some about some of my thoughts on specific characters and events from the first season of the Books of the Universe, and I give a preview of what listeners can expect from next season.

Book of Destiny Episode 151: New Light

Destiny and Penuel Clark reflect on the events that brought them to this point. Destiny gives a speech to the public about how the world will be changed moving forward.

Listen or download from here, or listen on to the podcast version which can be found on any major podcast service by searching "Books of the Universe." If you have any trouble finding it, let me know what service you use and I will try to help.
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Book of Destiny Episode 150: The Tower of the Universal Powers, Part 4

The crew ascends the final floors of the tower, with each of them demanding more and more from the remaining crew. In the end, those who survive come face to face with dark and dangerous beings of great and terrible power.

Listen or download from here, or listen on to the podcast version which can be found on any major podcast service by searching "Books of the Universe." If you have any trouble finding it, let me know what service you use and I will try to help.
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Book of Destiny Episode 149: The Tower of the Universal Powers, Part 3

The tower demands death, creates deadly monsters, conducts a puzzle of clockwork, and shows the night's sky. Desmond's team must push forward, overcoming these increasingly challenging trials in their pursuit of the prize at the end.



Listen or download from here, or listen on to the podcast version which can be found on any major podcast service by searching "Books of the Universe." If you have any trouble finding it, let me know what service you use and I will try to help.
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Book of Destiny Episode 148: The Tower of the Universal Powers, Part 2

Continuing up the tower, sacrifices are made as the team faces even more demanding trials.



Listen or download from here, or listen on to the podcast version which can be found on any major podcast service by searching "Books of the Universe." If you have any trouble finding it, let me know what service you use and I will try to help.
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Book of Destiny Episode 147: The Tower of the Universal Powers, Part 1

Crashing into the world at the center of the universe, the crew begins their ascent of the tower of the Universal Powers, but they will find the trials more demanding than they could have imagined.



Listen or download from here, or listen on to the podcast version which can be found on any major podcast service by searching "Books of the Universe." If you have any trouble finding it, let me know what service you use and I will try to help.
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World: Center of the Universe

Characters:

• Desmond Tindall
• Seda Zabala
• Itzal Zabala
• Zhou Jin
• Penuel Clark
• Casimir Lecuyer
• Anthony Thompson
• Claire Vezen
• Mara Quirke
• Rinus Wyman
• Wilda Marsden
• Unity Olasz
• Cyra Quigg
• Narges Oberst

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Book of Destiny Episode 146: Into the Calamity

With the twelve items of the Universal Powers in their possession, the crew of the Elpida moves towards their goal of crossing into the Calamity. However, a deadly dangerous dragon comes after their ship, threatening ultimate destruction.



Listen or download from here, or listen on to the podcast version which can be found on any major podcast service by searching "Books of the Universe." If you have any trouble finding it, let me know what service you use and I will try to help.
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World: Void Ship Elpida

Characters:

• Desmond Tindall
• Seda Zabala
• Zhou Jin
• Penuel Clark
• Casimir Lecuyer
• Anthony Thompson
• Claire Vezen
• Mara Quirke
• Rinus Wyman
• Wilda Marsden

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Book of Destiny Episode 145: The Book of Dreams

Stranded on Batmuzil, Casimir and his crew must search the world for any clues as to the plans of the Princess Verano.



Listen or download from here, or listen on to the podcast version which can be found on any major podcast service by searching "Books of the Universe." If you have any trouble finding it, let me know what service you use and I will try to help.
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World: Batmuzil

Characters:

• Casimir Lecuyer
• Anthony Thompson
• Isabel Utkin
• Valda Verano
• Claire Vezen
• Desmond Tindall

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Book of Destiny Episode 144: Redemption

As the Elpida approaches the dark world of Batmuzil, Rinus once more seeks Zhou's forgiveness, knowing it may be his last chance.

Book of Destiny Episode 143: The Nature of Void Travel

Casimir, Anthony, and Isabel travel the void headed for Batmuzil. Anthony reflects on his curse. Their void ship is impossibly attacked by a dragon.



Listen or download from here, or listen on to the podcast version which can be found on any major podcast service by searching "Books of the Universe." If you have any trouble finding it, let me know what service you use and I will try to help.
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World: Void Ship The Cursed Wanderer

Characters:

• Casimir Lecuyer
• Anthony Thompson
• Isabel Utkin

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Book of Destiny World Guide: Tarnicia

As of the start of the Book of Destiny

World Status: Sparkling Band

Tarnicia is the last Sparkling Band world to become aware of its place in the multiverse. Less technologically advanced than other Sparkling Band worlds, there are those that look down on Tarnicia as "primitive" or uncivilized. However, Tarnicia produces some of the strongest Essence Wielders of the Sparkling Band, outmatched only by the powerful wielders of Lweej.

Tarnicia's government is structured as a monarchy, with the king in complete control over the kingdom and various lords, ladies, and other nobles

Book of Destiny Episode 142: Reunions and Dragons

Penuel reflects on the course of the mission, reunites with Mara, and explains the magnitude of the coming threat to Seda.

Book of Destiny Episode 141: The Book of Destruction

The wolves lead Mara and Rinus through Vincludraco, intending to sacrifice the prisoners to the dragons when the monsters are returned to the world. Will Rinus and Theron's plan prove enough to stop the wolves?

Book of Destiny Episode 140: The Verano Heist

Casimir, Anthony, and Isabel form a plan to try to find out what information the princess has discovered. However, their attempt to get that information is opposed by none other than Casimir's former teammate, the now Knight Commander Gagnon.

Now Available: Ruins & Robots 2: Saved Images

Ruins & Robots 2: Saved Images is NOW AVAILABLE!

Check out the next chapter of the epic space-faring science fiction saga with cyberpunk themes and gamelit elements.

Join with MAI and the rest of her robot crew as they explore the ruins of a grand temple and an underground city-sized bunker. Here they will face new threats and find new revelations about what humanity left behind.

Human ghosts, a machine god, and more await the crew in their mission. All the while, a ship of the cannibalistic machines known as the Enhanced Autonomous is approaching the planet. Can the crew find what they're looking for and get out before disaster arrives?

Get your copy of R&R 2 here: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08JM41FWF

Other Ruins & Robots books:

0: Tutorial:

If you're new to the R&R series, check out the FREE prequel short story here: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/949655

In this short story, MAI receives her first mission and training, but might be in over her head. The planet that she visits proves to have greater threats than she or the Thaum corporation anticipated. With only her tutorial program and an eccentric projection of a human identity as her guides, MAI will have to survive the monsters and other dangers of the world, get an item of interest, and get back without running out of battery.

1: Audio Virtualization:

Get the first full book of the R&R series, Audio Virtualization, here: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07W71VT7K. Available for FREE on Kindle Unlimited, and cheap otherwise.

In Audio Virtualization, the team finds themselves in an abandoned former human vacation city. Here they will face many perils including security robots, environmental hazards, flooding, overload, and more.

Book of Destiny Character Profile: Drake Falco

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As of the start of the Book of Destiny:

Gender: Male

Homeworld: Furvpileus

When Drake grew up the son of a wealthy family on his world. As he grew up, he wanted for nothing. He took a great interest in sword fighting, and his parents provided him with the best teachers.

Drake was constantly getting himself into trouble, but no matter the issue, his parents would continue to bail him out. His lack of consequences drove Drake to more and more elaborate and destructive activities. He showed that he cared little for the lives and well beings of those around him, killing when it suited him.

When travelers came to Furvpileus from another world, Drake took the first voidship that he could off world, wanting to seek excitement and less boring activities.

Drake ended up embedded in a interworld criminal organization which was actively involved in thievery and smuggling. However, the organization was a divided one. It had once been ruled by a Merchant Prince from the world of Jixie, but said Merchant Prince had divested himself from his criminal empire a couple years before Drake joined. 

Through a series of difficult events involving the machinations of the various factions of the organization, Drake ended up stranded on a small inner circle world where a deal was supposed to have gone down. Adriana Voronin, a wolf, showed up to destroy the world. She saw potential in Drake and took him with her. She spoke up for him joining the wolves, and he ended up as a member of her small pack.

Books of the Universe Homepage
Appearances:

• Episode 105: Shattering Reality
• Episode 128: A Wolf Among the Ruins
• Episode 135: The Battle for Kleidi
• Episode 139: Cruel Secrets
• Episode 141: The Book of Destruction

Book of Destiny Episode 139: Cruel Secrets

Waking aboard the wolves' void ship, Rinus tries to hide and form a plan to rescue Mara. Meanwhile, the wolves hurtle on towards Vincludraco, intent on freeing the dragons. As Rinus searches the ship for anything he can use to oppose the wolves, he comes face to face with an irate Theron Spiros, willing to kill anyone who gets in his way.

Book of Destiny Character Profile: The Everlasting Empress

 

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As of the start of the Book of Destiny

Gender: Female

Homeworld: The Charred Land*

The ruler of the Charred Land is almost as mysterious as the land that she leads. The implication of her name is that she is immortal, which is a claim that no one has been thus far able to disprove. Her longstanding policy of isolation means that most people never see her twice, which leads to an inability to verify if her identity is or isn't changing.

If she truly is immortal,

Ruins & Robots 2: Saved Images Available for Preorder

The second book of the Ruins & Robots series, Saved Images, was originally scheduled to be released on September 20, 2019. Unfortunately, my mental health made me unable to work on editing book 2, thus holding up the rest of the series.

However, I did finish editing and formatting Saved Images on September 20, 2020, exactly 1 year after when it was scheduled to come out (this was a major coincidence, not a plan). Now, you can preorder the book here: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08JM41FWF

It will be released next week on Thursday, October 1st.

Saved Images Description

Ruins & Robots is a post-apocalyptic space traveling sci fi series with cyberpunk themes and gamelit elements.

Humanity is no more. Or is it?

Book of Destiny World Guide: The Charred Land

 As of the start of the Book of Destiny

World Status: Sparkling Band

The Charred Land is the least inhabited and most mysterious of the Sparkling Band worlds. While it has the size and stability of the other Sparking Band worlds, the Charred Land does not have the same level of civilization or connection that the others do. The world of the Charred Land is scarred and blackened desert, with little to no vegetation or natural life.

The ruler of the Charred Land,

Book of Destiny Episode 138: The Book of Time

Zhou searches the Timeless Tower for the artifact needed to pass into the Calamity. Will she find what she seeks, or will her search prove too overwhelming for her?

Book of Destiny Episode 137: The Everlasting Empress

The Desmond's team's journey finally brings them face to face with the legendary immortal Everlasting Empress. All depends on if they can convince her to help, despite her opposition to intruders setting foot on her world.

Book of Destiny Episode 136: Breakout

It's execution day at the Vera City dungeon, and Casimir's head is on the chopping block. Can Isabel get him out before it's too late? Meanwhile, what schemes are being worked by Lord Anthony Thompson?

Book of Destiny Episode 135: The Battle for Kleidi

Mara and Rinus rush to the village as it undergoes the greatest monster attack that it has ever seen. Will Mara's preparations be enough to defend the village? Will her pride come before her fall? What other evils wait in the darkness to consume Kleidi?

Book of Destiny Episode 134: The Charred Land

Arriving in the Charred Land, Desmond's chosen team find the land to be inhospitable and unwelcoming. Not everyone will make it through the journey alive.

Book of Destiny Episode 133: Shall We Dance?

With Casimir taken away, Lord Anthony Thompson must continue the investigation at the Princess Verano's party. However, his investigation will be hindered by a clash with the last great swordsman of Tarnicia.

Book of Destiny Episode 132: Royal Intrigue

Continuing their investigation leads Knight Commander Casimir Lecuyer and Lord Anthony Thompson into a party put on by the Princess Verano. Will they find new information, or will the schemes of the royals prove too much for them?

Book of Destiny Episode 131: Infighting

Recovering from his injuries and discovering the truth of Mara's past puts Rinus on a path against her for her betrayal.

Book of Destiny Episode 130: Time for the Truth

As the Void Ship Elpida nears the Charred Land, Desmond Tindall gathers together a select group to join him on world. To these people, he reveals the true purpose for traveling to this hostile realm. As the truth is revealed, how will it impact and change those on board the Elpida? What does it mean for the multiverse as a whole?

Book of Destiny Episode 129: The Most Valuable of All

While this episode of the podcast did post on Friday per the schedule, I forgot to post the update about it here. Here you go!

Knight Commander Casimir Lecuyer, Lord Anthony Thompson, and Investigative Weaver Isabel Utkin deal with the fallout of their encounter with the void at the barracks. Anthony reveals a deadly secret to Casimir.

Book of Destiny Episode 128: A Wolf Among the Ruins

Mara and Rinus try to root out Seth and the wolves, but come face to face with yet another threat. Can Rinus survive the battle ahead of them?

Book of Destiny Episode 127: Listening to Whispers

Itzal Zabala helps search the Elpida for the Whispers. In his search, he will learn dangerous secrets of a dark bargain and come face to face with a manifestation of the void, bent on killing everyone on the Elpida.

Electric Bastionland: Quest for the Nine Piece Suit Part 4: The Trousers

Cover Image property of Bastionland Press LTD

My regular group has been playing Electric Bastionland. For more information about Bastionland and our current campaign, check out the other posts in this series:

• Part 1: The Shirt 
• Part 2: The Collar 
• Part 3: The Sash 
• Part 4: The Trousers (You Are Here)

Or check out the blog of Bastionland's creator, here.

My Player Characters:

1. Zastra, a failed practising chemist. He has a long knife, a flask of Never-Melting Crushed ice, and a test tube of liquid that can make an object look gold. 
2. Rades, a failed corpse collector. He has an axe,

Book of Destiny Episode 126: Ongoing Investigation

Knight Commander Casimir Lecuyer and Lord Anthony Thompson return to Navtyi in search for more clues on the whereabouts of Claire Vezen. Their search crosses paths with Investigative Weaver Isabel Utkin and leads to a fatal clash with a manifestation of the void.

Book of Destiny Character Profile: Lord Anthony Thompson

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As of the start of the Book of Destiny.

Gender: Male
Homeworld: Tarnicia

Born the son of two noble families, the family of Anthony's mother had the much more recognizable name. The Marrax family was well known, but also had a reputation for dark magic and treachery.

Growing up, Anthony's mother often pitted her children against one another, and he frequently competed in tests and trials against his siblings. Sometimes, these resulted in the deaths of the siblings involved.

At the age of twelve, Anthony was sent to train in the art of swordmastery under the tutelage of the noble Lord Dacre. A few years after Anthony started his training, Dacre attempted a coup

Book of Destiny Episode 125: A Wolf Among the Flock

Mara and Rinus try to warn the people of Kleidi about the new danger facing the world. Together, they learn more about the wolves' plans to destroy Kleidi, but are they already too late?

Book of Destiny Character Profile: Rinus Wyman

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As of the start of the Book of Destiny.

Gender: Male

Homeworld: Innleet

In his first placement, Rinus discovered that members of his team were unfairly acting against people from Inner Circle worlds. Exposing this fact drew a lot of attention to Rinus. He gained great praise, and great contempt. 

Rinus was assigned off-world as a UA representative on the missionary Void Ship Elpida, where his primary responsibility was to be ensuring that the Elpia traveled safely and that any unification efforts followed the UA's guidelines and regulations. This position is often seen with high prestige. Because it is generally not an incredibly demanding position, it is often reserved for UA agents who are later in their careers. Rinus receiving this position was either a reward or a punishment, depending on who one asks.

Books of the Universe Homepage

Appearances:

• Episode 117: Citizens of Nowhere
• Episode 118: Interrogation
• Episode 121: Painful Conversations
• Episode 125: A Wolf Among the Flock
• Episode 128: A Wolf Among the Ruins
• Episode 131: Infighting
• Episode 135: The Battle for Kleidi
• Episode 139: Cruel Secrets
• Episode 141: The Book of Destruction
• Episode 144: Redemption
• Episode 146: Into the Calamity
• Episode 147: The Tower of the Universal Powers, Part 1
• Episode 148: The Tower of the Universal Powers, Part 2
• Episode 149: The Tower of the Universal Powers, Part 3
• Episode 150: The Tower of the Universal Powers, Part 4

Book of Destiny Episode 124: Whispers

In the aftermath of the disaster that has befallen the Elpida, Seda and Penuel discuss the matter of the Whispers. Together they work to understand the severity of the new circumstances that the ship is facing.



Listen or download from here, or listen on to the podcast version which can be found on any major podcast service by searching "Books of the Universe." If you have any trouble finding it, let me know what service you use and I will try to help.
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World: 

• Void Ship Elpida

Characters:

• Seda Zabala
• Penuel Clark

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Book of Destiny Episode 123: Nightmares

As the Elpida crosses the void towards The Charred Land, its inhabitants suffer terrible dreams. Seda and Penuel discuss what the future looks like for her and Itzal. But all are caught off guard when an unexpected disaster strikes the ship.



Listen or download from here, or listen on to the podcast version which can be found on any major podcast service by searching "Books of the Universe." If you have any trouble finding it, let me know what service you use and I will try to help.
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World: Void Ship Elpida

Characters:

• Seda Zabala
• Penuel Clark
• Itzal Zabala
• Desmond Tindall
• Zhou Jin
• Yolotl Ural

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Book of Destiny Episode 122: Death's Pursuit

Knight Commander Casimir Lecuyer wakes to find himself on a new world under in the care of a mysterious stranger. But did the stranger rescue Casimir, or kidnap him? Is the stranger a friend, or a foe?



Listen or download from here, or listen on to the podcast version which can be found on any major podcast service by searching "Books of the Universe." If you have any trouble finding it, let me know what service you use and I will try to help.
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World: Tarnicia

Characters:

• Casimir Lecuyer
• Anthony Thompson

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Electric Bastionland: Quest for the Nine Piece Suit Part 3: The Sash

Cover Image property of Bastionland Press LTD

My regular group has been playing Electric Bastionland. For more information about Bastionland and our current campaign, check out the other posts in this series:

• Part 1: The Shirt 
• Part 2: The Collar 
• Part 3: The Sash (You Are Here)
• Part 4: The Trousers 

Or check out the blog of Bastionland's creator, here.

Based on the response to the last post of this series, I've decided to keep this one strictly to the adventure my players went through, rather that putting out all my planning. If you're interested in a post with my planning for this part, let me know in the comments below.

I will, however, give a map of part of the adventure later on when that becomes relevant.

My Player Characters:

1. Zastra, a failed practising chemist. He has

Book of Destiny Episode 121: Painful Conversations

Rinus Wyman seeks Zhou's forgiveness, but he may be given an opportunity for redemption from another unexpected and dangerous source. Theron's search for the box continues with violence as a primary tool of the trade.




Listen or download from here, or listen on to the podcast version which can be found on any major podcast service by searching "Books of the Universe." If you have any trouble finding it, let me know what service you use and I will try to help.
Books of the Universe Homepage

World: Void Ship Elpida

Characters:

• Zhou Jin
• Rinus Wyman
• Desmond Tindall
• Theron Spiros

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Book of Destiny Character Profile: Seth Xun

Image created with Heromachine 3

As of the start of the Book of Destiny

Gender: Male
Homeworld: Unvelin

Seth Xun grew up on the inner circle world of Unvelin. Unvelin was a violent and competitive world, and these things were instilled in Seth from a young age. Seth was naturally physically gifted, and he excelled as a fighter. When Unvelin found its place in the multiverse, Seth ended up being volunteered to serve in some of the wars on Petharchia. 

Still, physical prowess wasn't enough for Seth. His harsh and competitive nature pushed him to seek out greater power, and this search led him down the paths of the Vault. Learning the Essence manipulation techniques of the Temple of Truth, Seth learned to access the vault and the powers within.

This still failed to sake Seth's desire for power. His drive pushed him to keep looking, and in doing so he found 

Book of Destiny Episode 120: A Wolf Among the Trees

Mara Quirke receives a choice from the Elpida: stay and look after the people of Kleidi without any external support, or go with the ship and remain safe from whatever dangers might befall Kleidi while it is away. Discovering a sinister foe with terrible plans helps Mara to make her choice.



Listen or download from here, or listen on to the podcast version which can be found on any major podcast service by searching "Books of the Universe." If you have any trouble finding it, let me know what service you use and I will try to help.
Books of the Universe Homepage

World: 

• Kleidi

Characters:

• Mara Quirke
• Desmond Tindall
• Seth Xun

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Book of Destiny Episode 119: Changing Plans, Changing Destinies

High Priest Desmond Tindall calls together another meeting based on Zhou's questioning. This meeting, with the whole of the priesthood on the Elpida, is held to discuss the new threat facing the worlds and what the Elpida's role is in dealing with it.



Listen or download from here, or listen on to the podcast version which can be found on any major podcast service by searching "Books of the Universe." If you have any trouble finding it, let me know what service you use and I will try to help.
Books of the Universe Homepage

World: Void Ship Elpida

Characters:

• Zhou Jin
• Desmond Tindall
• Penuel Clark
• Unity Olaz

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