Showing results by narrator "Gabriel Vaughan" in All Categories

Did you know that a measles outbreak led to the assigning of phone numbers? How about the fact that pirates are the reason we don’t use the metric system in the United States? Or that there’s actually a reason why stepping on a Lego hurts so damn much? Now I Know: The Soviets Invaded Wisconsin?! is the ultimate challenge for even the biggest trivia buff. Based on the very popular newsletter, you are guaranteed to learn something new despite how much you already think you know.

The Weltall Tournament’s professional VR games were supposed to be a symbol of cooperation between SysGov and its militaristic neighbor, the Admin. But that was before star Admin player Elly Sako received a death threat, written in blood next to a copy of her own severed head. The Admin’s Department of Temporal Investigation swiftly seizes control of the crime scene, and the tournament transforms into a flashpoint of charged politics and conflicting jurisdictions.

In a sweeping generational saga, the story of Warlock is told by three humans: Shann Lontee was the lowest-ranking member of an exploration team sent to the newly discovered planet Warlock. When the insectile Throgs attacked the base, only he and two trained wolverines escaped. Charis Nordholm was sold into slavery by the outlaw colony on the planet Demeter. The trader, Jogon, who holds her contract, was on his way to Warlock to trade with the Wyvern. But the alien witches had ominous plans of their own....

Regan is back and has had enough of the war. Pushing himself and his forces, he works to put an end to the war that is raging on multiple fronts. At the same time, he sends his forces in the Beneath rumored to be home of the most powerful races on Murgin to find the missing Queen Louella. He quickly finds the Terra wave from Starfall had caused more of a mess than he originally thought, with the Beneath's political situation almost more of a mess than the surface.

Everything is going according to plan. Ivan Susanin has successfully installed a beacon in the undead territory and returned home. The situation changes when the next mission to the city of goblins is delayed, while his home planet becomes the battleground. Monsters invade Earth, and Ivan must become one of the leaders and unite the players under his banner, albeit within the borders of his own country. If circumstances demand that he discloses his identity and cooperates with the authorities, so be it! Modern weapons and equipment, instructors, financing, and protection by law....

Last summer, Mackenzie Bishop, a Keeper tasked with stopping violent Histories from escaping the Archive, almost lost her life to one. Now, as she starts her junior year at Hyde School, she's struggling to get her life back. But moving on isn't easy - not when her dreams are haunted by what happened. She knows the past is past, knows it cannot hurt her, but it feels so real, and when her nightmares begin to creep into her waking hours, she starts to wonder if she's really safe.

Alden likes to follow people. He's not trying to be a creep, he just wants to be an investigator someday, and it's good practice. But spying on people comes with risks, like when Alden sees popular Greg Matthes seemingly murder his girlfriend, Amy, one night in the bad part of town. But the facts aren't adding up, especially because Amy may be alive. Now Alden has to figure what he could have seen...and what secrets Greg is hiding.

Ivan Susanin, a typical guy and unemployed techie, is initiated by the System and transported, together with a thousand other players, to an unknown location beyond Earth. Ivan has an interface, a spear, and basic weapon skills. All he has to do to return to Earth is complete a simple quest and reach the second level. But experience points are only awarded for kills in this game, and the clock is ticking.

Happily ever after. That was what we were supposed to have. Pudding cups, sandy toes, and a lifetime of making each and every one of our dreams come true - that is the future I'd promised her. I could see it in my dreams, hold it in my hands, but then I watched as all of our hopes and wishes suddenly slipped through my fingers like sand.

Tired of the necromancer threat, Regan increases efforts to deal with them at their heart of power in the north. Seemingly aware of his presence, the monster horde continues to grow until finally they charge the valley. Steel Spire, one of Regan's sub-core ends up attracting their attention. Will his new inventions be able to handle the mass of monsters? Meanwhile, Louella has her own monster horde to deal with. Enlisting the aid of the adventurers that have come to her valley, she marshals a force to meet the horde on the battlefield.

The year is 2016. Not our 2016. Theirs. Earth is dying, the result of a worldwide nuclear holocaust caused by America’s dictatorial President-for-Life Lewis Henderson, a man who will use any means necessary to maintain power and survive. Enter: The Splitter. A machine capable of splitting off an exact replica of Henderson’s world. A world where the cataclysmic events causing its destruction have yet to occur. That world is ours.

To say things have changed since the battle with the demons would be an understatement. Louella is working to pick up the pieces that were seemingly held together only through the glue that was Regan. Can Louella rise to the occasion without the Regan's aid? With Lelune's followers decimated or losing faith along with the ever-ambitious Cassin finally making his presence in Celestia felt, the world is literally crashing down around her. That doesn't mean Lelune is going to lie down and let it happen. It has been a long time since the Celestials went to war. Can Murgin survive it?

Within these walls, he became my solace, my sanctuary, and my strength. I am not strong. I am just a survivor of circumstance. Isn't that what we all do? Survive? Each of us has our own set of circumstances to muddle through. Mine are just more.... complicated.

The remnants of Lecazar are in turmoil. Louella is working as hard as ever to save as many people as possible from the constantly spreading undead taint in the east. With new visitors investigating the Wave of terra mana that swept through the world, she will need to stay on her toes to protect her valley.

The continent is in chaos as one world-shaking event after another continues to rattle the foundations that the people have lived with for centuries. The flames of all-out war threaten everyone, and few people seem to want to stop it. Louella and Regan work tirelessly to protect their own slice of home from forces that want to bring ruin to everything around them. As secrets and truths come to light, will Regan's intellect and Louella's compassion be enough to lead their people through the troubled time?

A month has passed since a devastating EMP ravaged the nation's power supplies. Jack and his family are surviving on a sustainable farm in the middle of the countryside. Reunited with people he never thought he'd see again, Jack is determined to do all he can not to lose them once more. Logan and Emma are seeking shelter of their own. When they discover an idyllic farm in a perfect location, Logan is determined to make it their home - at any cost.

Regan and company have successfully escaped Hellia. The question that now haunts him is at what cost to the universe? Back in Murgin, Regan has to deal with more mundane threats. If you can call the potential return of the Primordial Dragon a mundane threat. With a new desire to protect his family, the question is how far he will go to ensure that desire is achieved.

After surviving the EMP blast that crippled their cruise ship, the exhausted passengers from Rose of the Sea finally reach dry land. But the deserted island has a sinister history, and one wrong step on its sandy shores can mean the difference between life and death.

The exciting final three volumes of the Free Trader in one package! New enemies abound from the southern tip to the northernmost settlement and onward into space. Braden, Micah, the Golden Warrior, and Fealona lead the charge against those who would tear the fabric of a rebuilt society.

The horde dealt with, Regan turns his attention to the north. As he works to increase his children's and his power, events in the world seem to be against him. Powers continues to grow all around the continent in response to this new player emerging on the map. Louella only wants a few moments of peace to process the changes happening to her and her valley. No one wants to give her that peace as her valley grows to be the center of the continent.