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So, you've made it this far, have you? It takes dedication to find this page hidden deep within the Tagonist Knights Website.
Congratulations!
As a reward, I present to you five new ways to immerse yourself within this novel. Some of it is insightful, other aspects of it is meant to make you laugh and smile. Hopefully, by the time you're done, you'll be eager to explore the book if you haven't already, or take a moment to read through it once again knowing what you do now.
“The problem is that the only one who had any information about it was Suzie, that psychotic little girl who tried to kill us.” – Lexia
Say Hello - The Cast of Dryad's Dream
“She has to be stopped at any cost. I don’t want to be the one to do it, but if someone must end her, it will be me who pulls the trigger.”
Lexia
Human Captain
“I don’t want anyone else and never will. If something happens to you, no one will ever take your place.”
Glen
Human Swordsman
“One small step for me, one giant leap for botanical kind.”
Dryad
Humanoid Plant
“Human history has proven that those who seek to focus their anger, hatred, and prejudice towards a single enemy will find a new opponent when the previous one is eliminated.”
Brent
Android Zenobiologist
“Ah’ix ‘ky me’ka be’ooz oss’ay ix‘ky me’ka. Ah’na ix’ky me’ka be’ooz ya’ay ya’na iv’ma.”
Tedorn
Gerbil Engineer
“Is this the part where you tell me what I’m supposed to do? I’ll just ignore whatever it is you just told me to do unless I’m interested in doing it anyway.”
Ter
Cat Theif
“Everything is so much more interesting in my mind than anything I’ve ever actually encountered.”
Zoon
Synthetic Being
“Eventually, all life must shed its innocence and learn the truth of this reality.”
Parallax
Synthetic Human
“I keep forgetting that your mind is limited in its understanding of the Universe and the possibilities of the potential of what can exist.” – Zoon
Relevant Memes/Artwork
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“Oh yes, humans in general are the most peculiar creatures I have ever encountered throughout my entire existence. So many fluids that get everywhere.” – Zoon
Origin Story:
If only...
I knew before I even began writing the previous book in the series of the tragic event at the end of that book and how it would open up the gateway for Dryad to visit other realities. I had been playing around with the idea that if any book series connected with the multiverse, it would be the Sunfire Chronicles. It was exciting for me to visit the various realities I had already written about.
I planned for this to be the middle book of the trilogy, where I knew everything would end badly in tragedy. It was my version of the the Star Wars trilogy, where the Empire won against the rebels in the second movie and they lost someone close to them.
What was fun was that this book confirms an ambiguous ending of the novel: Eye of the Beholder. Is the "cartoon" world real, or just a fictional reality in Logan's mind? Was it just a dream? This proves it exists.
I have been fascinated with multiple realities since I was in high school. I felt like the way to connect with these other realities was in our dreams. A great episode of the Justice League hinted that creators of comic books were writing about these other realities that actually existed somewhere in the multiverse, seen in their minds.
It was here that I embraced the idea of the Mattiverse, how the Tagonist Knights connected them all. Dryad becoming the Knight of the Cosmos at the end was an incredible concept for me. This book left some major cliff hangers that took two books to resolve.
“One, two, mommy is coming for you… Three, four, you are at death’s door… Five, six, no more of your tricks… Seven, eight, she has sealed your fate… Nine, ten, never threaten me again…” – Suzie
Easter Eggs and Inspiration
Evil Android
Suzie was first introduced in the novel, Tinker's Treasure along with Frank, her creation.
Did you catch this?
Tedorn gets his name from rearranging the letters in the word "Rodent".
How about this?
Tedorn's species, the Nimrev, is the word "Vermin" spelled backwards.
Activate!
Dryad activates her energy shields by saying, "Engage". This is a reference to Captain Picard from Star Trek: TNG.
Lizard Warrior
Rua'So'Nid, a former crew member, left the series at the end of Tinker's Treasure.
Android Community
The race of androids that Brent belongs to is called the Erocatad. It is the words Data Core spelled backwards.
Nightmare Reality
The opening of Chapter 2 refers to the novel: Prisoner of Silence.
Mysterious Voice
In both Chapter 1 and 2, the voice telling Dryad to leave is Raven, Knight of Shadows.
Connection?
The way Raven speaks, is similar to the witch from the novel: Silhouette of the Moon
What is in a Name?
Glen is named after the creator of Battlestar Galactica, Glen Larson, since he was once Nolyc.
Family Connection
On page 28, the story of the father and son refers to Luke Skywalker and Darth Vader from the Star Wars franchise.
The Lovers
Frea and Ferno are former crew members that departed the series at the end of the first novel: Lexia's Legacy.
Dream #1
On page 32, Brent mentions two dreams. The first refers to the novel: Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?
Dream #2
On page 32, the second dream Brent mentions refers to the movie "I, Robot" and the dream Sunny creates a drawing of.
Another World
The opening of Chapter 3 is a reality introduced in the novel: Eye of the Beholder.
Tagonist Knight
The woman that Dryad speaks to in the opening of Chapter 3 is Gemini, Knight of the Rose.
Firefly Captain
In Chapter 3, Liam is wearing is an outfit modeled after Malcom Reynolds, the captain of the Serenity of the Firefly TV series.
Emotional Oria
Why is one of the Oria acting differently than the rest? The answer is revealed in the 6th book of the Sunfire Chronicles.
Now You Know
The opening of Chapter 4 refers to the first story in the anthology: Knowing Gnowing.
Be Brave
Gold, a former crew member, is the first to use the phrase "Brave Warrior" for Dryad in the novel: Tinker's Treasure.
Ghostly Movie
“They’re here” while staring at a screen filled with static is a refers to the movie, Poltergeist.
Noble Souls
The opening of Chapter 5 involves Alice, from the Noble Souls Trilogy.
Team Rocket
“Prepare for trouble. Make that double. Yeah, that’s right!” is spoken by Team Rocket from the Pokemon TV series.
Sun Temp
On page 90, experiment 5,778 refers to the surface temperature of the sun using the Kelvin scale.
Sunfire Captain
On page 96, Parallax creates an outfit for herself mimicking the one worn by Lexia.
Broken Mind
I drew inspiration in how to reveal Parallax's mental state from the TV show: Criminal Minds.
Alien Cats
The word Grimalkin mans "old female cat", first introduced in the novel: Lexia's Legacy.
Cat Herbs
Pintac, the home world of the Grimalkin, is the word "Catnip" spelled backwards.
Loyal Follower
Frank first appeared in the novel: Tinker's Treasure, and is named for Frankenstein's Monster.
Fuzzy Bunny?
A wolpertinger is from German folklore, a mythical rabbit.
Pirate Deal
"Come to an accord" is a line from the first Pirates of the Caribbean movie.
Robot Man
On page 116, Glen refers to his former identity "Nolyc" which is Cyclon spelled backwards.
Mischevious Cat
Ter is named after and her appearance is that of Tyger, a cat I adopted. She was named after the William Blake poem.
Heroic Inventor
Gertrude is an inventor and a protagonist in the novel, Mystical Alliance.
Cosmic Knight
On page 127, Dryad is referring to Paradox, Knight of the Cosmos.
Mystical Strength
"May the... Be with you..." Refers to Star Wars, "May the Force be with you."
Tortured Past
How Glen was introduced back into Lexia's life and was transformed, is found within the novel: Lexia's Legacy.
Man Eater
The plant with sharp teeth refers to "Little Shop of Horrors".
Scifi Utensil
The fork design that Glen is using to eat is modeled after what was used in Star Trek.
Knock Out
On page 142, Paradox uses a variation on the "Vulcan Nerve Pinch" used by Spock in the Star Trek series.
When in Rome?
The Sumanor was inspired by the Roman empire and Ailati refers to Italy where Rome is located.
Five-Corder
The scanning device that Brent uses is inspired by the tricorder from Star Trek.
Eyes Closed
On page 166, "It worked didn't it?" during a robot uprising refers to the movie: I, Robot.
Stay On Target
Lexia mocks Glen for needing the computer refers to Luke Skywalker in Star War not using the computer targeting system.
Rogue Pair
On page 168, Sebastian and Nathaniel are protagonists in the Age of Shadows novels.
Mother Ship
Frank’s ship, the Wollstonecraft, is the middle name of Mary Shelley, the author of Frankenstein.
Space Elf
A space elf is a reference to the Vulcans from Star Trek.
Chieftan
A being with horns and brown fur refers to Winmir, a minotaur from Mystical Alliance.
Story Reading
On page 205, Dryad reading to Lexia occurred at the end of the novel: Lexia's Legacy.
Robot Thief
On page 211, "Kill all humans" refers to a phrase used by Bender in Futurama TV series.
Past Feeling
On page 225, Dryad feels, “…a presence of someone that…” which refers to a line by Darth Vader in Star Wars.
Telling Time
Click = Minute, Cycle = Day, Phase = Month, Rotation = Year.
Matter to Energy
On page 226, Brent refers to a matter to energy transporter, a method of transportation used often in Star Trek series.
Alien Species
On page 236, the Flexar were first mentioned in the novel: Lexia's Legacy.
Wise Adviser
Gold is a former crew member who first joined in Tinker's Treasure and left at the end of Parallax's Paradox.
Resistance is...
On page 247, cyborgs using cube shaped vessels refers to the Borg from Star Trek series.
Not Good Bye
Frank and Lexia say, "Good journey." It is a phrase used in the movie: Masters of the Universe.
Evil Snake
On page 275, Apophis was an antagonist in the novel: Tinker's Treasure.
Heroic End
Glen's last words before attacking in defiance refers to the "For Frodo..." line at the end of the movie: Return of the King.
Blue Weirdo
Zoon is modeled after and inspired by my favorite Muppet: Gonzo the Great.
Dangerous A.I.
On page 286, “I’m sorry, I’m afraid I can’t do that.” refers to the movie: 2001: A Space Odyssey.
Star Trek Log
The Captain’s Log refers to my birthday. May 26th, 1979. The “point four” is a reference to the fourth book in the series
Second In Command
Commander Frakes is named and modeled after Johnathan Frakes, who played William Riker on Star Trek: The Next Generation.
And now... My Favorite.
Liam is 6'2" because I couldn't decide who would be a better actor to play him, Samuel L. Jackson or Will Smith. Coincidently, they are both the same height. How he survived is hinted at in Tinker's Treasure in a temporal nexus where Lexia warns him of his fate much like Marty McFly warns Doc in Back to the Future. Lastly, a Tagonist Knight bestows their role upon those who are willing to take up such a position, often at a pivotal point in their reality. That is how Liam first becomes Paradox, assuming the role of a Tagonist Knight from his predecessor, saving his life.
Bald Captain
Captain Stewart is named and modeled after Patrick Stewart who played Captain Picard on Star Trek: The Next Generation.
Security Chief
Lieutenant Dorn is named after Michael Dorn who played Lieutenant Worf on Star Trek: The Next Generation.
A Fine Ship
Much of the layout of the Vostok mimics that of the Enterprise 1701-D, including a large visual screen on the bridge.
Engineer Leader
Lieutenant Commander Burton is named and modeled after Levar Burton who played Lieutenant Commander La Forge.
Cosmic Knight
Paradox is modeled after the artwork originally created for Tagonist Knights Publishing.
True Story
Lexia's broken legs, crawling to get help, was based off a true story that a man was saved after four days of desperate survival.
“For some, the space between stars, planets, and all the wonders that is awaiting exploration is little more than emptiness. A hallow void between celestial objects. Not to me. When I look out into space, I am comforted by that darkness, as I think of my mother’s loving gaze.” - Lexia
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