2020, the weirdest year so far...

 

I want to start this post with a disclaimer. In this post, I'm going to be talking about my experiences in 2020: my struggles, and my successes. But I don't want to disparage those who have faired worse than I have. This year has been hard on everyone, and some people much more than others. Even if all you did this year was survive, I congratulate you and I want you to consider that a win.

As for me, the year offered many great challenges, but it also offered up many opportunities. I am not generally a very social person, so to begin with the idea of not being able to go into work and/or interact with people didn't bother me too much at the beginning. But that peace faded very quickly. I had a friend from a previous office at work who I'd get lunch with usually once a week, and I really missed being able to do that. I missed being able to see the families of myself and my wife. We moved our RPG sessions online which still worked, but lost any out-of-game personal connection.

But I did find myself with some extra time, and with a lot of extra drive to push in my creative efforts in order to try to fill in the areas in which I was lacking.

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.

Book of Destiny Character Profile: Drake Falco

Image made with HeroMachine 3

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.

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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,

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?