History Literature / TheMaximusUniverse

%%%* TheArcher: Estelle/Midnight.

* StellarName: Overlaps with FamilyThemeNaming: the Maronas are all named for the night sky and its inhabitants. Andromeda, Erebos, Hesperus, Estelle, Luna, Aurora, Leila...[[TheLastOfTheseIsNotLikeTheOthers and]] [[OddNameOut Ward.]]

** Callan Garredin pulling one of these is what really pushed Estelle into becoming a BadassPrincess.

* AffablyEvil: [[spoiler: Aurora and Ward]] don't speak an unkind word for the duration of the novel, but they also show no remorse for [[spoiler: condemning their sixteen-year-old niece to death.]]

* AppropriatedAppellation: Estelle encourages Belthor to do this with Vivian's insulting nickname "Spellweaver". It sticks.

* TheArcher: Estelle/Midnight.

* BadassPrincess: Estelle is the youngest daughter of the late King of Nurem. She also survives for three years on an island with nothing but a bow and arrows she made herself.
** Luna gets a moment in the finale, causing Kui to wonder if it's InTheBlood.

* HeroicSacrifice: Callan Garredin pulling one of these is what really pushed Estelle into becoming a BadassPrincess.

* TheMedic: Belthor fills this role, as it's the one power he has.
* MyGreatestFailure: Luna considers her role in the Burning this.

[[http://heroesofmaximus.blogspot.com/p/blog-page_14.html The Maximus Universe]] is a collection of [[WebSerialNovel Web Serial Novels]] written by Kevin Haulsee. At their core, they are a series of superhero-esque novels centered around [[SharedUniverse individual protagonists in a high fantasy universe]]. It updates on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and the occasional Saturday.

* ''Midnight'' is the story of Estelle Marona, a castaway taken in by a secretive order that trains her as an assassin. It will be released on Amazon on January 15th.

* AffablyEvil: [[spoiler Aurora and Ward]] don't speak an unkind word for the duration of the novel, but they also show no remorse for [[spoiler condemning their sixteen-year-old niece to death.]]

Currently, there is only one novel available.
* ''Midnight'' is the story of Estelle Marona, a castaway taken in by a secretive order that trains her as an assassin.

Each novel caps off with a [[TheStinger Stinger]] scene, serving to directly {{Foreshadow}} the next installment.

* AffablyEvil: Aurora and Ward don't speak an unkind word for the duration of the novel, but they also show no remorse for condemning their sixteen-year-old niece to death.
** [[spoiler: Tempest is a kind sort, and Vaneer is also quite sociable...until he takes Estelle and Luna captive.]]

->''"This world is in a state of change...[[BadassNormal Ladies]] [[RoyalsWhoActuallyDoSomething of]] [[BadassPrincess Nurem]] make war on [[AncientConspiracy ancient powers]]. [[PhysicalGod Char]] [[SealedEvilInACan is unleashed]], and then thrown back in his bottle by the grit and will of the young. Men walk through worlds and time, [[ResurrectiveImmortality with contempt for death.]] [[FantasticRacism Drow study magic alongside wizards]], and we are not the only [[CallBack weavers of spells]]."''
-->-- '''Frode, Shieldmaiden'''

[[http://heroesofmaximus.blogspot.com/p/blog-page_14.html The Maximus Universe]] is a collection of [[WebSerialNovel Web Serial Novels]] written by Kevin Haulsee. At their core, they are a series of superhero-esque novels centered around [[SharedUniverse individual protagonists in a high fantasy universe]], with each book bringing the various titular "Heroes of Maximus" closer to each other and to their shared enemies. It updates on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and the occasional Saturday under certain conditions.

Currently, there are three completed novels and a fourth starting its run.

* ''Belthor Spellweaver'' picks up right where Midnight left off, and follows the titular character through his adventures at wizard school.
* ''Shieldmaiden'' is the story of Kacey [=MacTavish=], a half-drow Highland woman forced to come to terms with her heritage.
* ''Walker of Worlds'' follows Walker, a man with ResurrectiveImmortality on a quest to learn who and what he really is.

Each novel features the guest appearance of the titular character from at least one other, as well as tons of [[ContinuityNod continuity nods]], as befitting a SharedUniverse. Each one also caps off with a [[TheStinger Stinger]] scene, serving to directly {{Foreshadow}} the next installment.

* AffablyEvil: Aurora and Ward don't speak an unkind word for the entire duration of the novel, but they also show no remorse for condemning their sixteen-year-old niece to death.

* EarlyBirdCameo: Camilla makes her first appearance here, before returning as a viewpoint character in Shieldmaiden.
** Kulkas has only a minuscule role in Midnight, but he's a major supporting character in Belthor Spellweaver.
** John [=MacTavish=] makes his first appearance midway through, and references his daughter Kacey twice. Come Shieldmaiden...

** [[spoiler: Estelle herself attempts one of these in the finale, but Kulkas rescues her.]]

* TheStinger: Belthor finally [[spoiler: arrives at the School of Sorcery, and Agnete begins her own journey.]]

[[/folder]]

[[folder: Belthor Spellweaver]]
* AffablyEvil: [[spoiler: Theron seems to really like Belthor. It doesn't stop him from kidnapping and burying women for his own gratification.]]
* AndIMustScream: The Owned are still alive and still conscious, and completely unable control their own bodies...or even to die, despite being BuriedAlive.
* BigDamnKiss: At the end, after Belthor [[spoiler: gives Agnete his wand, ensuring she can remain at the School]]...well, this ensues.
* BrainwashedAndCrazy: Prior to the kidnapping, [[spoiler: Yvette]] is quite polite and reasonable. Afterward, she's a soulless undead warrior content to try and murder and abduct her former friends. The same goes for the other Owned.
* BreakTheCutie: Agnete and Belthor both go through this hard after seeing the worst of what magic is capable of. Belthor gets better. [[FaceHeelTurn Agnete does not.]]
* BrickJoke: Near the beginning, Estelle gets Belthor to admit he could use a bookbag for school, which she promptly promises to send. At the end of the book, [[spoiler: after Belthor has decided to quit the Grand School of Sorcery for good,]] Estelle personally delivers the bag.
* TheCasanova: Theron is constantly followed by a pack of girls, and brings one - or more - back to his dorm every night. This eventually drives Belthor to bunk with Tori and Sam just to escape the noise.
* ContinuityNod:
** Belthor has Estelle and Luna's patronage marks cut into his staff.
** Belthor and Kui's fight against the Guiding Light in Midnight is referenced, as well as how he claimed his staff in the first place.
** Estelle reminds Belthor that she knows what a cult looks like.
** Estelle also orders Belthor not to get too wound up over her financial assistance, as she considers it repayment for his services in Midnight.
* TheDeterminator: Belthor never gives in, never gives up, and never once shows the slightest inclination to back down. In the third act, he winds up fighting [[spoiler: Protec]] in a sustained battle that leaves him horribly wounded and [[YouCanBarelyStand barely able to stand]], while barely marking his foe. When his enemy hesitates, how does he respond?
-->Belthor sucked in a pained breath, lifting his staff. "I'll willingly accept your surrender, [[spoiler: Master Protec]]. No need to stand on honor." [[BloodFromTheMouth He spat blood.]]
* DirtyCoward: Hastel acts tough and talks up his family's dragon-hunting heritage every chance he gets. When [[spoiler: Agnete]] captures him, and again when he has the chance to help the team fight Char, [[AintTooProudToBeg he proves what]] [[ScrewThisImOuttaHere his talk is worth.]]
* DiscOneFinalBoss: [[spoiler: Theron]]'s defeat doesn't end the story. In fact, it's the direct catalyst for [[spoiler: Agnete's FaceHeelTurn.]]
* EvenEvilHasLovedOnes: What motivates the Owner to try and take Agnete? [[spoiler: The Owner is Theron, and Agnete nearly froze Hastel - his little brother.]]
* EvilCounterpart: With his magical gifts, [[spoiler: Theron]] is a walking example of what Belthor could have become without his moral compass.
* EvilFormerFriend: [[spoiler: Theron]] is this for Belthor, after the truth comes out. Later, [[spoiler: Agnete]] also.
* FantasticRacism: A huge element of the story. Most of the conflict stems from the wizarding world's inability to accept Agnete for what she is, while Belthor considers her a friend and refuses to abandon her.
* FiveManBand:
** TheHero: Belthor
** TheLancer: Agnete
** TheSmartGuy: Sam
** TheBigGuy: Walker
** TheChick: Tori
* GodWasMyCoPilot: At the end of the book, [[spoiler: Nerien reveals herself to Belthor when she rescues him from Hell, and quickly points out how many of the events of both Belthor Spellweaver and Midnight she had a hand in.]]
* HeroicBSOD: After finding out what [[spoiler: Theron]] [[AndIMustScream has been doing]] [[BuriedAlive to his captives]], Belthor and Agnete both go through these. Belthor manages to pull through by putting his faith in ThePowerOfFriendship. [[DespairEventHorizon Agnete...]]
* HeroicSacrifice: After the team battles Char to a standstill, they realize the only way he can be defeated is if he's tricked into possessing someone, and then that person is killed, [[SealedEvilInACan banishing Char back to his prison.]] [[spoiler: [[ResurrectiveImmortality Walker]]]] volunteers, and insists over Belthor's strenuous objections.
* HeroOfAnotherStory: Walker, with what he says about his capabilities and his history, comes across as this.
* HeWhoFightsMonsters: This is what gets[[spoiler: Agnete.]] Belthor grapples with it, but eventually defeats his demons.
* HoistByHisOwnPetard: Early in the book, [[spoiler: Theron]] pauses to teach Belthor how to perform enchantments with no wand or staff. In the climactic battle between the two, Belthor is separated from his weapons, leading [[spoiler: Theron]] to believe him finished and turn his attention to Agnete. Belthor promptly shows off his newfound mastery of the skill by hurling ice shards into [[spoiler: Theron's]] knees hard enough to break them.
* HumansAreBastards: Agnete was raised to believe this, and tries to keep an open mind in spite of it. [[spoiler: Theron]] and his deeds shove her over the edge, and she reverts to this school of thought. [[spoiler: [[HeelFaceRevolvingDoor For a while.]] ]]
* IKnowYoureInThereSomewhereFight: Spellweaver vs [[spoiler: The Frost Queen]] is one of these.
* IfYouKillHimYouWillBeJustLikeHim: [[spoiler: Nerien]] disapproves most heartily when Belthor nearly offs [[spoiler: Theron]].
* KillMeNowOrForeverStayYourHand: In the finale, [[spoiler: Agnete]] stands all but victorious over the team, cemented in her new role as Char's summoner. Belthor [[spoiler: allows her to freeze him solid, believing she would never actually kill him, whatever she believes.]]
* LoveRedeems: Walker, and even Tori and Sam, don't see a choice but to kill [[spoiler: Agnete]] in the finale. Belthor never loses his faith...and because of it, he brings his friend back from the brink.
* MartialPacifist: Belthor does not like fighting. Belthor is remarkably good at it.
* TheMedic: Belthor's one major power is to heal, and he uses it more often than any of his other abilities.
* OOCIsSeriousBusiness: You can tell Belthor's shaken by what he uncovers in [[spoiler: Theron's]] lair. But when [[MartialPacifist he]] [[ThouShaltNotKill actually]] [[IfYouKillHimYouWillBeJustLikeHim moves]] [[TheMedic to]] '''kill''' him...
* ResurrectiveImmortality: Walker claims that this is his powerset, with the caveat that every time he dies, he returns just a bit stronger and bigger. As of the end of the novel, it's left unclear if he's right, though [[spoiler: Nerien]] implies he is.
* SealedEvilInACan: Char is locked in Hell.
* SlaveMooks: The Owned.
* TheStinger: [=John MacTavish=] returns home and meets with Brigid about Kacey. Meanwhile, [[spoiler: Theron is approached in jail by Jason.]][[/folder]]

[[folder: Shieldmaiden]]
* {{Ambadassador}}: A recurring character is the Nuremite Ambassador. At the end of the second act, it comes out that it's [[spoiler: [[UnexpectedCharacter Estelle]].]]
* ArrangedMarriage: John's plan to ensure Kacey's safety boils down to one of these. It doesn't go well.
* AscendedExtra: Camilla got one scene in Midnight. She's a frequently-appearing viewpoint character now.
* BeCarefulWhatYouWishFor: Kacey comments late in the story that she wants nothing more than to [[spoiler: burn down her father's old house, as it reminds her of him too much]]. [[AllYourBaseAreBelongToUs Just one chapter later...]]
** Earlier in the book, an angry Kacey makes a snappy crack about wishing [[spoiler: her father was dead]]. [[DeceasedParentsAreTheBest Just]] [[DeathByOriginStory one]] [[YouKilledMyFather chapter]] [[RunningGag later...]]
* BloodSplatteredWeddingDress: Kacey has hers burned after the fact.
* CharacterDevelopment: Kacey starts the book angry and lost. By the end, having found the truth of her history and a purpose to adhere to, she's a lot calmer and more mature.
* ChildByRape: [[spoiler: Kacey eventually discovers '''she''' is one of these.]] [[HeroicBSOD She doesn't take it very well at all.]]
* ContinuityNod:
** Agnete is mentioned in North Vale, and her uncle and cousin have roles. Char is also brought up.
** Frode discusses the events of Midnight and Belthor Spellweaver.
** Angus and Ardyn discuss the dockyard fight scene from Midnight.
** When [[spoiler: Kacey has Estelle prisoner in her basement]], the latter mentions her shard of Ardwal glass, and congratulates Kacey on taking it, saying that if she hadn't, Belthor would have arrived to blow her house down by then.
** John's journey to Nurem in Midnight is referenced, as is the Compromise.
** When Ardyn cases [[spoiler: Estelle's]] chambers, she finds a Guiding Light necklace and documents about "Plan Thirteen".
* EvenEvilHasStandards: Theron may be working with the Guiding Light, but Camilla explicitly notes that the rank-and-file absolutely detest him.
* FauxAffablyEvil: Theron is still the socialite and charmer he was in Spellweaver, but given that the lead character is female, his banter becomes a lot more threatening.
* FieryRedhead: Kacey.
* FiveManBand:
** TheHero: Kacey
** TheLancer: [[spoiler: Estelle]]
** TheSmartGuy: Ardyn
** TheBigGuy: Corlane
** TheChick: Brigid and [[spoiler: Kui]]
** TheSixthRanger: Angus
* HumanMomNonhumanDad: Inverted for Kacey. Her mother was a drow that her father met while campaigning in the north. Why her father took her home - and how her parents met - is a major plot point, since John doesn't like to talk about it. [[spoiler: [[RapeAsBackstory There was a reason for that...]]]]
* IHaveYouNowMyPretty: Kacey spends a chapter in [[spoiler: the Owner's]] clutches. She escapes in the nick of time due to a witchery-trick, but is quite unsettled by the whole business.
* JerkWithAHeartOfGold: [=MacDonald=] starts off as demeaning and petty, but in the finale he defies everyone's expectations by accepting every single necessity of stealth and escape given to him, no matter how inconvenient. He even helps save Kacey's life at the end.
* [[LetsYouAndHimFight Let's You And Her Fight:]] Kacey breaks out of the Guiding Light's encampment and pursues Jason all the way to the edge, only for [[spoiler: Midnight]] to arrive. When neither Kacey nor the newcomer know each other, Jason tricks them into fighting so he can escape.
* MissingMom: Kacey's mother is nowhere to be seen, which causes her angst. Frode later confirms she ran away into the north after John took Kacey south.
* NotQuiteDead: Jason returns, apparently having survived what happened in Midnight.
* PapaWolf: John is mild-mannered and quite polite to everyone, barring some arguments with Kacey. When [=Laird MacDonald=] mentions her name in his tirade of threats, John utterly destroys him...without raising his voice.
* PlotTriggeringDeath: While the ArrangedMarriage and the King of Clans election were moving earlier, what kicks Kacey into starting her journey is [[spoiler: Jason's assassination of her father...on her wedding day.]]
* RedOniBlueOni: Kacey is emotional, impulsive, quick to action, and [[ColorCodedForYourConvenience redheaded.]] [[spoiler: Estelle]] is calmer, more thoughtful, more experienced and more methodical. When they team up in the third act, [[CurbStompBattle they utterly demolish the GuidingLight.]]
* RunningGag: Virtually every time a fight starts with the Guiding Light, the first character taken out - usually via DynamicEntry - is Becky. Which leads to Camilla crying "Dammit, Becky!" and progressively more enraged variations as it continues.
* SecretlyDying: [[spoiler: John confesses in his note that he was, and this was part of his motivation for arranging Kacey's marriage.]]
* ServileSnarker: After [[spoiler: Estelle]] explains to [[spoiler: Kui]] that she was with Kacey for the last few days:
-->"Well, that does explain why her house burned to the ground last night."
* TakingTheBullet: [[spoiler: John]] does this for Kacey, leaving her with SurvivorGuilt.
* TheStinger: Camilla and Tempest report on the failure of the Light's plans to [[spoiler: Vaneer]], who comments that it's AllAccordingToPlan. Meanwhile, Walker returns after the events of Spellweaver.
* ThoseTwoGuys: Camilla and Becky.
* ThouShaltNotKill: Kacey slides into this mentality over the course of the book.
* VillainTeamUp: Playing off the events of Spellweaver's stinger, [[spoiler: Theron is now working with the Guiding Light.]]
[[/folder]]

[[folder: Walker of Worlds]]
* ArrogantKungFuGuy: Khaled acts like this. Whether he has the skill to back it up remains to be seen.
* ObfuscatingStupidity: Prelate Archer seems to rely on this. He drops the act when Khaled sees through him.
* ResurrectiveImmortality: This is Walker's primary ability.
* SecretTestOfCharacter: The Prelate's offer to the Kairos brothers - instead of gold and silver, one of his own daughters - is this. When Khaled sees through it [[RightForTheWrongReasons and demands proper payment]], he's impressed.

Currently, there are two completed novels and a third well into its run.

Each novel features the guest appearance of the major character from at least one other, as well as tons of [[ContinuityNod continuity nods]], as befitting a SharedUniverse. Each one also caps off with a [[TheStinger Stinger]] scene, serving to directly {{Foreshadow}} the next installment.

* PapaWolf: John is mild-mannered and quite polite to everyone, barring some arguments with Kacey. When Laird MacDonald mentions her name in his tirade of threats, John utterly destroys him...without raising his voice.

->''"This world is in a state of change...[[BadassNormal Ladies]] [[RoyalsWhoActuallyDoSomething of]] [[BadassPrincess Nurem]] make war on [[AncientConspiracy ancient powers]]. [[PhysicalGod Char]] [[SealedEvilInACan is unleashed]], and then thrown back in his bottle by the grit and will of the young. Men walk through worlds and time, with contempt for death. [[FantasticRacism Drow study magic alongside wizards]], and we are not the only [[CallBack weavers of spells]]."''

[[http://heroesofmaximus.blogspot.com/p/blog-page_14.html The Maximus Universe]] is a collection of [[WebSerialNovel Web Serial Novels]] written by Kevin Haulsee. At their core, they are a series of individual superhero-esque novels centered around [[SharedUniverse individual protagonists in a high fantasy universe]], with each book bringing the various titular "Heroes of Maximus" closer to each other and to their shared enemies. It updates on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and the occasional Saturday under certain conditions.

* RunningGag: Virtually every time a fight starts with the Guiding Light, the first character taken out - usually via DynamicEntrance - is Becky. Which leads to Camilla crying "Dammit, Becky!" and progressively more enraged variations as it continues.

Each novel features the guest appearance of the major character from at least one other, as well as tons of [[ContinuityNod continuity nods]], as befitting a SharedUniverse.

* HumansAreBastards: Agnete was raised to believe this, and tries to keep an open mind in spite of it. [[Theron]] and his deeds shove her over the edge, and she reverts to this school of thought. [[spoiler: [[HeelFaceRevolvingDoor For a while.]] ]]