It’s the start of the new year and I am here with announcement regarding new and current content produced by me: books, podcasts, videos, and more. There are two notes that I would like to make before the announcements. First, on some of these projects, I may post a release date or period, but those are going to be tentative. As a college student approaching senior year, schoolwork is always going to be my priority over anything else. Secondly, I am someone who is inspired in the moment. What this means is that while this list is of projects I am already planning for, I may add more whenever inspiration strikes.
Books
Let’s start with the biggest projects first, and that would be the books I am writing. I label myself a podcaster and still do intend to do podcasts but it has always been my dream to be a writer. I have already written and published one book and intend to finish more to create a setting with an overarching story shown through multiple books.
The first book you can expect is the sequel to House of Virgil. Simon Crowley is back on another adventure, joined by old and new faces. With the looming threat of Virgil the Damned, the return of Darius Murdoch, and the arrival of the mythic Adept complicating the future of magicians, Simon will take a new approach to face these threats. The outline to the sequel has been finished and I have been writing the first few chapters. I can’t say much about the story aside from what I have already revealed, but it is going to be quite different from House of Virgil. At this time, I am aiming for a summer release, much like with House of Virgil.
Additionally, as it is my goal to create a shared setting, I am announcing a spin-off, tentatively called Vigilant, which will be the start of a trilogy of books that takes place in Simon’s home city, Santiago’s Shield. Vigilant is the story of Russell Downes, a teenager who is changed forever after a failed kidnapping attempt. Marked with inhuman powers, Russell must seek the help of the masked hero of Santiago’s Shield, Vigilant. Although Santiago’s Shield was first introduced in House of Virgil and is going to be again featured in the sequel, I wanted to write something that would really build the city while telling another story. For those of you who are worried about me overworking myself, let me reassure you: I have already written a good amount of Vigilant as a National Novel Writing Month project two years ago, and have an outline finished. The House of Virgil will take priority over Vigilant, so the expected release period is going to be winter, although I would not be surprised if it was 2022 instead.
Now, it may appear that these two stories have vastly different tones, and I would both agree and disagree with you. The adventures of Simon and Russell are not meant to be the same. But, as I have hinted at previously, I am writing about superheroes. Having been inspired by the comics and books, I’ve wanted to try to do the same, but with books. It will be interesting to see how this plays out but I am very much excited.
Podcasts
Given the website’s name, it’s only fitting that I talk about podcasts next. There’s not going to be a whole lot new projects but updates on current ongoing projects, so this will be a shorter section.
First off, after a small hiatus, Running Curse of Strahd will return this year, likely during February or March, with an episode covering the village of Vallaki. There’s a lot worth mentioning and I had to figure out how to divide it up, but I believe that what I am working on will be good. Where I go next remains to be seen but I am hoping to finish Running Curse of Strahd this year.
Running Curse of Strahd isn’t the only podcast series returning. Runt of the Litter and Mysteries of Baroque are long overdue for an update. I intend to arrange with my previous guest stars for these episodes, with the expected release date being during the first half of the year, before summer is over.
And speaking of the Choice of Games podcasts, I do intend to start and run more of those soon. I’m not sure when given how the current situation limits guests but I will either wait it out for better circumstances or figure out a new way to get it done. I might even just do one by myself.
Videos
Now, I did not expect for my biggest section to be on videos, but when you’re learning about how to make videos, it’s just something fun to make and share. I will provide an update on old video projects, both ongoing and previously announced, as well as announce some new projects that I am very excited about.
Let’s start with the only video I have right now, the Iron Man Challenge. It has been months since the last update, but everything has been recorded. It is only a matter of editing now. I expect for there to be a video to be posted sometime in the spring. Additionally, I will announce now that given that the Iron Man Challenge is over, I do plan on wanting to start a new World of Warcraft video series. I am not sure what it will be or when to expect it, but it’s coming.
Additionally, I did announce two video projects last year that did not come to be: an Overwatch gameplay video and a video of a stand-up comedy routine done during a talent show. Both of these should be posted sometime during the spring. All I have to say is regarding the Overwatch video, I’m just going to compile all of the gameplay events together rather than break them apart, so I will wait for the Archives event.
But onto the new projects, which I am excited for. Inspired by some of the Youtubers I watch online, and wanting to do something relating to Dungeons and Dragons but not having a group for a Let’s Play, I am announcing two new series: the League of Dungeons and Dragons, and Dungeons and Dragons and Warcraft. These two series will cover me making characters from League of Legends and World of Warcraft respectively as playable characters in Dungeons and Dragons. This is perhaps one of the most exciting projects I have and I have been working hard on notes. Recording and editing for the first episode of the League of Dungeons and Dragons is going to happen this week with the video released on January 8, the start of the new competitive season. The first episode of Dungeons and Dragons and Warcraft will be on February 19, the first day BlizzConline.
Writing
This section is different from the books section as it relates to the writing I post on this website for anyone to see. Aside from it being one of my more consistent projects, it is also one I hear that people enjoy, so I look forward to expanding on this section quite a bit.
To start off, the Journal of Darius Ballester will continue, and I intend to address the brief absence it went last month during the monthly agenda. Additionally, progress is being made with Gravoll’s campaign and I expect for the Expedition Log of Gravoll (or some equivalent in the event of his death) to become reality shortly.
What is most exciting about this project is the addition of three more series. The Tome of Kalvar will cover the story of a human wizard undergoing the events of Dungeon of the Mad Mage, with a tone that I expect to be quite similar to that of the journal entries found in House of Virgil. The Journal of Runark will cover a half-orc ranger surviving the arctic in Rime of the Frostmaiden. And finally, there is an untitled series that will cover the character for a new campaign I’m making that utilizes the published adventures of the Adventure’s League. I cannot say for sure when any of these will start being posted, other than that the Journal of Runark should be posted during January.
Website
To close off on the announcements, I wish to talk about the future of the website. This is not going anywhere but there is still a lot that needs to be done. The layout needs to be improved and I am still in the process of transferring old content onto the site.
I am also going to announce here rather than give a new section the addition of image galleries with photos taken by me. Over the last year, I have been taking pictures, and it turns out I have a talent for it. I haven’t posted them yet since I don’t know how to but that is going to happen this year as I learn how by improving on the website.
Conclusion
Not counting the projects started or announced last year, this means that there are two books, two video series, three writing series, and a general website improvement planned for this year. We’ll see how 2021 turns out but I will remain optimistic.
Until next time.
Chance The Podcaster 