Destiny: the Mini-Series

DESTINY: The Mini-Series

An extended and re-edited version of the Destiny Trilogy, this mini-series takes you inside the kingdom of Traldon and into a story of intrigue, betrayal, love, and murder. Includes scenes that were not in the movies and a special final episode entitled “The Making of Destiny” which includes interviews and bloopers.

Number of Episodes: 12

Date Completed: June 1999

Airdates:

January 1999 – July 1999 on PCTV in Champaign, IL

September 1999 – December 2002 on SPC-TV in Carbondale, IL

Main Cast:

Ketlan — Christopher Hutchens

Esteban — Tanino Minneci

Balthazar — Jacob MacLeod

Melantha — Annamarie MacLeod

Princess Elaina — Jill Hutchison

Ali-Jinjil — Edward Stasheff

Erion — Jen Weber

Molly — Kate Weber

May — Rachel Anderson

Queen Lavina — Annamarie MacLeod

Maggie — Morgan Diektus

Written, Directed, Edited, & Costumed 

by Eleanore Stasheff

Check out the article from the News Gazette that came out before the series premiered. 

Visit the Destiny Photo Album for more Destiny photos!

Episode Guide

Episode 1: Dreams – On his twenty-first birthday a young farmer discovers he is really a prince, the only child of a murdered King and Queen. Suddenly he is engaged to a princess, falling in love with a gypsy, and when an innocent dance becomes a declaration of war, Ketlan must accept who he really is and what fate has planned for him.

Episode 2: Desires – With Melantha banished and a new enemy at Court, Ketlan must decided what he wants more — his throne or the love of his life. Esteban finally reveals to him the treacherous plans of his uncle, King Gergio of Traldon. Balthazar plots to kill the king and take the throne for himself while Melantha is sold into slavery and saved by a mysterious man with an even more mysterious past.

Episode 3: Reunions – Ketlan takes back his throne at last with help from Ali-Jinjil and the OOPS. Balthazar escapes and Melantha and Ketlan marry. But as one journey ends another begins. A year later Ketlan and Melantha have a son and Ketlan asks Esteban to tell him more about his parents and a past he can’t remember; a past Esteban would rather forget.

Episode 4: Nightmares – Esteban continues his tale of Ketlan’s parents’ life and death. Lord Geoffrey is destroyed and life seems perfect. The King and Queen rule and raise Ketlan without any knowledge of the sinister plot that Gergio and the banished Balthazar are creating.

Episode 5: Sacrifice – Esteban continues his tale of Ketlan’s parents’ life and death. Ketlan is now eight and for a year Queen Lavinia has been driven mad by a terrible feeling of disaster and murder. Plauged by nightmares she turns to her guardian fairy, Erion, for guidence and through her own magic comes to realize that she must pay the ultimate price in order to save the life of her only child.

Episode 6: Reunions – Esteban concludes the tale of Ketlan’s parents and Traldon settles into an Golden Age of peace and prosperity. Twelve years later that peace is threatened when Balthazar returns after making a pact with an evil god to gain enough magic to destroy the royal family and get his revenge.

Episode 7: Deception – A surprise confrontation between Balthazar and Esteban leaves one unconscious and the other taking his place at the royal ball. Balthazar uses his magic to court Elaina and disguise himself as Esteban to gain the royal family’s trust. But when the real Esteban turns up no one is sure who to trust.

Episode 8: Kidnapped – Balthazar puts his plan into action and uses his magic to kidnap Ketlan and Melantha’s two children, but his plan almost goes wrong as little Princess Telana fights back and Balthazar nearly doesn’t escape alive. As he disappears into thin air the heroes are left to wonder if they will ever see the children again.

Episode 9: Journeys – With Balthazar and their children gone, Melantha and Ketlan fight over who is better able to get them back. Ketlan locks Melantha in her room to prevent her from going after Balthazar and getting kidnapped by him too. He then heads off in persuit of Balthazar, but Melantha won’t let anything stop her from getting her children back.

Episode 10: Defiance – Balthazar brainwashes Prince Rowan into believing that he saved his life and adopts him as his own son, but the evil god must be repaid for the magic he gave Balthazar and demands that Princess Telana be sacrificed to him. Melantha and Ketlan meet up when the ships their on attack each other and end up washed ashore in Balthazar’s kingdom. Erion helps Ketlan make a plan while Melantha takes Elaina to sneak in a rescue the children on their own, but when they get caught who will rescue the rescuers.

Episode 11: Deliverance – Ketlan and Co race against time to save Melantha, Elaina, and the children. Erion fights an old flame to rescue Telana while Ali saves Rowan and Esteban takes on Balthazar. But in the end it’s up to Ketlan to finish the fight he began twelve years ago and destroy Balthazar once and for all.

Episode 12: The Making of Destiny – Go behind the scenes in this epic mini-series that started it all. Full of interviews and bloopers, take an inside look at the people who created the Kingdom of Traldon.

Character Bios

Ketlan – First Prince, then King of Traldon, Ketlan is raised in Liliya by Esteban after his parents are murdered. He must come to terms with going from being a peasant to a prince when he turns 21 then takes back his throne and leads his kingdom into a golden age.

Esteban – Known as the most intelligent man in the Kingdom of Traldon, Esteban is the royal tutor who raised young Prince Ketlan in safety when his parents were murdered. He has a deep hatred and rivalry with Balthazar that no one knows the reason for except the two of them. He is both a mentor and a father to Ketlan, is loyal to the crown and will protect the royal family with his life.

Balthazar – The bastard son of a vicious Duke, Balthazar was banished from the kingdom of Traldon at a young age and returned years later to take his revenge on Esteban and the royal family. A charming, handsome, charismatic man, Balthazar is also a vicious, vengeful, scheming villain.

Melantha – A gypsy by birth, Melantha and her sister Telana were raised as ladies in waiting, and best friends, to the Princess of Liliya. Melantha is beautiful, vivacious, and courageous woman who dances her way into Ketlan’s heart and stands by his decision to take his throne.

Princess Elaina – Feisty, spunky, and something of a brat, Elaina — the Princess of Liliya — is a woman who knows what she wants and won’t let anyone but her mother tell her what to do. Originally engaged to Ketlan, she was only too happy to let Melantha take her place by his side while she ruled her own kingdom. She is best friends to both Ketlan and Melantha.

Ali-Jinjil – Tall, serious, and brave, Ali-Jinjil is known as the Ghost of the Desert. A tribal chieftain in the kingdom of Illishar, he is a warrior with a mysterious past who lost his family. He adopts Melantha when she is alone in Illishar and in danger and becomes a friend to the royal family.

Erion – Tall, slender, and magical, Erion is a fairy from the Kingdom of Achea who is guardian to Ketlan’s mother, Queen Lavinia. She then protects Ketlan from a distance and in disguise.

Molly and May – Molly and May the are fun loving, wacky, and strange sidekicks of Erion. Disguised as hapless bandits turned bodyguards, they serve and protect Princess Elaina and the royal family of Traldon.

All Destiny movies and material is under copyright.

©1996, 1997, 1999 by Eleanore Stasheff

Pandora's Box

Set in a post-apocalyptic future where war and natural disasters have thrown the continent into a dark age where technology is lost. The series takes place 700 years after the “Great War” as humanity emerges into a Renaissance and rediscovers the technology of the past.

In this harsh, desolate world where modern meets medieval, where swords and horses exist beside cars and guns, an evil Empire rules completely. A group of rebels fight against the tyranny of Empress Zarina, lead by Cat – a former officer in the army; Turlo – a technical expert; Zarc – a talented thief; and Diyara – the Chosen One of the Druids. Together they vow to fight until the Empire is destroyed.

Number of Episodes: 24

Date Completed: December 2000

Airdates:

January 1999 – July 1999 on PCTV in Champaign, IL

January 2000 – December 2002 on SPC-TV in Carbondale, IL

Main Cast:

Cat — Margaret Olson

Diyara — Kali S.

Turlo — Jacob MacLeod

Zarc — Virginia McCreary

General De Carlo — Chris Hutchens

Zarina — Nina Samii

Written, Directed, Edited, and Costumed

by Eleanore Stasheff

It took more than a year to film Pandora's Box.  During

that time the weather had a big impact on shooting

days and actors were often miserable.  Check out posts from the Survivor's Club to see what it was like to film on hot days, rainy days, and even hot and rainy days!

Check out the article from The Octopus that came out before the series premiered.

To see more photos visit the Pandora’s Box photo gallery!

Episode Guide

Episode 1 — Shattered Dreams

Zarina orders the massacre of the druids and Diyara barely escapes with her life.  She meets up with the rebels and the adventure begins.

Guest Stars:  Monica Samii as Zarynthia, Morgan D. as Captain Jeri, Jen Weber as Aggie, and Rachel Anderson as France Wah

Episode 2 — Deadly Games

The rebels find a base in a place called the Forbidden Zone while Zarina plots to destroy them and Turlo comes up with a plan of his own.

Guest Stars:  Monica Samii as Zarynthia, Morgan D. as Captain Jeri, Jan D.  as Mara, Brian Paris as Brian, Chris Lamb as Lord Scarsdale, Jen Weber as Aggie, and Rachel Anderson as France Wah.

Special Guest Star: Annamarie MacLeod as General Leffridge.

Episode 3 — Broken Promises

All hell breaks lose when General De Carlo kidnaps Zarc.  Cat has to confront her greatest enemy, as well as her past, if she hopes to save her friend's life.  Zarina is kicked out of power and off the throne by her worst enemy, General Leffridge and a civil war ensues.

Guest Stars:  Morgan D. as Captain Jeri, Jan D. as Mara, Chris Lamb as Alban, Mike Baym as Coskin, and Rachel Anderson as France Wah.

Special Guest Star: Annamarie MacLeod as General Leffridge.

Episode 4 — Dark Mentor

Turlo is nearly thrown out of the base and Cat must help an old enemy survive when the Empire tries to kill them both.

Special Guest Star: Annamarie MacLeod as General Leffridge.

Episode 5 — Dark Mentor, Part 2

Cat and Leffridge have to settle their differences and work together.  It’s a fight for survival after an earthquake traps them in a cave full of surprises.

Guest Stars:  Brian Paris as Brian and Ryan Segovich as the Colonel.

Special Guest Star: Annamarie MacLeod as General Leffridge.

Episode 6 — In Memoriam

Diyara journeys back to the site of the druidic massacre while De Carlo plots to destroy the Chosen One.  Zarc has to confront her old life in the Underworld when her foster parents - the Underworld Royals - call her home.

Guest Stars:  Edward Stasheff as Cordero, Anna N. as Zurielle, Heather F. as Qadra, and Mike Baym as Coskin, and Jen Weber as Aggie.

Episode 7 — In Memoriam, Part 2

Zarc is forced to make a choice between the Rebels and the Underworld. De Carlo's evil plan falls into place, but Diyara threatens to destroy him and  seeks revenge for the murder of her druidic family -- a crime that he committed.

Guest Stars:  Edward Stasheff as Cordero, Anna N. as Zurielle, and Heather F. as Qadra.

Episode 8 — Chosen Darkness

Diyara falls under the spell of a powerful sorcerer.  With the help of a scientific monk, Cat and Turlo vow to save her, if they don't kill each other first. 

Guest Stars: Ryan Segovich as General Ralin and Neil Cappetta as Brother Bob.

Episode 9 - Chosen Darkness, Part 2

Brother Robert reveals more of the legend of the Chosen One as Cat and Turlo race against time to save Diyara from Mordecai's evil clutches.

Guest Stars: Ryan Segovich as General Ralin and Neil Cappetta as Brother Robert.

Episode 10 - Chosen Darkness, Part 3

Cat, Turlo, and Brother Robert free Diyara from Mordecai's spell, but in the end only the Chosen One herself can destroy his evil forever.

Guest Stars: Ryan Segovich as General Ralin and Neil Cappetta as Brother Robert.

Episode 11 — Treasure Hunt

General De Carlo battles his own doubts about what's left of the Empire, while Zarina plots to take back her throne from the rebellious Army Faction with the help of a secret weapon buried deep in the Forbidden Zone.  The rebels discover her plan and the race is on to see who will get the weapon first.

Guest Stars: Mike Baym as Coskin.

Episode 12 — Locked Up

Zarc forces Cat and De Carlo to settle their differences while Aggie and France-wah battle an evil toaster that is trying to take over the world.

Guest Stars:  Jen Weber as Aggie, Rachel Anderson as France Wah, and Annamarie MacLeod as the Toaster.

Episode 13 — Evil Transformed

The Civil War is over and Zarina is dead.  Mira Mernecky tries to get into the army and ends up injured and alone until she is taken in by a kind old woman named Thebe.  De Carlo has to deal with the fact that no one trusts him as he tries to settle into his new life as a rebel.

Guest Stars: Mike Baym as Coskin, Diana Neatrour as Major Fenric, Travis S. as Kigar, Jen Weber as General Watarly and Rachel Zoralee as Thebe Rackon.

Episode 14 — Warrior’s Heart

Thebe turns out to be a retired General and agrees to teach Mira how to be a soldier so she can get join the Army Faction and gain power.  The rebels have to deal with an insane renegade who threatens to destroy them all.  But can they deal with her before she crosses paths with Rackon and leaves a devastating mark on Mira’s life forever?

Guest Stars: Rachel Zoralee Fisher as Thebe Rackon, and Kate Weber as Ryaka.

Episode 15 — Lively Spirits

The base comes under attack when Turlo unwittingly releases a ghost from the past.  The rebels face their fears and find their feelings for each other with surprising results.

Guest Stars: Chris Lamb as Alban, Sam S. as Emil, Jen Weber as Aggie, Rachel Anderson as France Wah, 

Special Guest Star:  Christopher Stasheff as Horace the Ghost.

Episode 16 — Fool’s Gold

Zarc and Turlo meet up with a new rebel and technical expert named Phil Gamon, who joins them.  Zarc falls in love with him, while Mira Mernecky, now a general in the Army Faction, plots to destroy them all.

Guest Stars: Ryan Segovich as Phil Orion, Diana Neatrour as Major Fenric, Chris L. as Alban, Travis S. as Kigar, Jen Weber as General Watarly, Brian Smith as the Bartender, Jen Weber as Aggie, Rachel Anderson as France Wah, and Tanino Minneci as Gregor.

Special Guest Star: Annamarie MacLeod as General Leffridge.

Episode 17 — Fool’s Gold, Part 2

Phil convinces Turlo and Zarc to help him find a weapon hidden in the Forbidden Zone.  He tricks them into helping him rebuild it.  The rebels

are caught when the trap is sprung and General Mernecky steps in and takes over. Meanwhile, Turlo and Zarc’s absence has not gone unnoticed.

Guest Stars: Ryan Segovich as Phil Orion, and Diana Neatrour as Major Fenric.

Episode 18 — Fool’s Gold, Part 3

The rebels try to rescue their captured comrades.  Mira's plan goes terribly wrong when Turlo has an allergic reaction to a drug she gives him and goes insane. . .with fatal consequences.

Guest Stars: Ryan Segovich as Phil Orion, Michael M. as young Turlo, and Mark MacLeod as Turlo's Father, and Diana Neatrour as Major Fenric.

Special Guest Star: Annamarie MacLeod as General Leffridge.

Episode 19 — Trust Me

The rebels start to plan a massive attack against the Army Faction, but first they have to figure out who in the base is really a Faction spy. Zarc and Turlo steal a secret weapon and Mira attempts to infiltrate the rebels with a new spy – a very familiar looking spy.

Guest Stars:  Diana Neatrour as Major Fenric, Sam S. as Emil, and Jen Weber as Aggie.

Episode 20 — Good Times

Zarc has to decide whether or not to take her throne in the Underworld and leave the rebels forever.  Cat and De Carlo offer their advice as she makes this difficult decision.

Episode 21 — Together Again

 The rebels are planning a big conference to unite all the rebels and get them ready for a major attack.  General Mernecky has plans of her own and puts them into action. The rebels gain a surprising new ally.

Guest Stars:  Edward Stasheff as Cordero, Diana Neatrour as Major Fenric, Anna N. as Zurielle, Roger E. as Qadim, Chris Lamb as Lord Scarsdale, Julia Mayfair as Keira, Nathan M. as David, Michael M. as Vance, Jen Weber as Aggie, and Rachel Anderson as France Wah.

Special Guest Star: Annamarie MacLeod as General Leffridge.

Written by Diana Neatrour and Eleanore Stasheff

Episode 22 — Together Again, Part 2

Mira's plan unfolds when she kidnaps Darion De Carlo's niece and nephew and Cordero's son, putting both the rebels and the royals at risk. Darion confronts Mira while Cordero tries to rescue the kids.

Guest Stars:  Edward Stasheff as Cordero, Diana Neatrour as Major Fenric, Anna N. as Zurielle, Roger E. as Qadim, Julia Mayfair as Keira, Nathan M. as David, Michael M. as Vance, Jen Weber as Aggie, and Rachel Anderson as France Wah.

Special Guest Star: Annamarie MacLeod as General Leffridge.

Written by Diana Neatrour and Eleanore Stasheff

Episode 23 — Together Again, Part 3

Mira's plan begins to fall apart when the children escape. The rescue attempt goes wrong and in the end a sacrifice has to be made if the rebels are going to get the children out alive. Fenric brings the muffins.    

Guest Stars:  Edward Stasheff as Cordero, Diana Neatrour as Major Fenric, Anna N. as Zurielle, Roger E. as Qadim, Julia Mayfair as Keira, Nathan M. as David, Michael M. as Vance, Jen Weber as Aggie, and Rachel Anderson as France Wah.

Special Guest Star: Annamarie MacLeod as General Leffridge.

Written by Diana Neatrour and Eleanore Stasheff

Episode 24 — The Final Fight

The rebels decide to end the rebellion with an all out attack on the Army Faction Headquarters, but when their discover a spy in their midst they have to retreat.  In the end a major sacrifice must be made in order for the rebellion to continue and for the rebels to survive.

Guest Stars:  Diana Neatrour as Major Fenric, Chris L. as Alban, Sam S. as Emil, Michael Baym as Coskin, Brian Smith as Garn, and Ryan Segovich as General Gamon, and Rachel Anderson as France Wah.

Character Bios

Diyara DeQuoi

Diyara is the Chosen One of the Druids, prophesied long ago to destroy the Empire. Protected by the druids since the time of her parents’ murder, when she was eight years old, Diyara is forced to face the harsh realities of the world when the druids are massacred by the Empire. She joins the rebels and fights through her religion to free the world and fulfill the prophesy.

Catalina Crims 

Cat is primary leader of the Rebellion Against the Empire (RAE). The daughter of a merchant, she joined the Officer’s Academy at the age of fourteen and became a General in the Imperial Army by the age of 21. At the age of 24 she quit the Army and defected from the Empire, eventually joining the rebels.

Turlo Mason

Turlo is a brilliant scientist and an egotistical bastard. He uses his charm and charisma that he learned as a noble to con people out of their money. Greedy, self-centered, and arrogant, Turlo tries to stay one step ahead of everyone else. The only son of an Earl in the Royal Court, his father was executed as a traitor and he was cast out by Princess Zarina. Forced to make his own living, he prefers to con others into doing all the work and giving him the profits.

Zarconia Gold

Zarc is the young, spirited Underworlder known as the Queen of Thieves. She joined the rebels shortly before Cat did and saved the rebel’s life. Although she is impish and carefree, she does have a serious side that is most often apparent when her foster family comes to call.

General Darion De Carlo

General De Carlo is a career soldier, assigned to protect the Empress and kill the rebels. He is the 16th De Carlo to be a General in the Army and is proud to carry on the family tradition. He is above all loyal to the Empire and Zarina and will do anything to protect them both. He also hates Cat and is constantly trying to find her one weakness so that he can destroy her and the rebels permanently.

Empress Zarina

Zarina is the only daughter of Empress Zarynthia and heir to the throne. She is bratty, bitchy, selfish, cruel, and self-centered. She cares about no one but herself and her own power and will do anything to keep her power.  However, she has a softer side that she doesn't know how to express until her life takes a dramatic turn and she meets someone who truly understand her.

Pandora’s Box ©2000 by Eleanore Stasheff