The Penumbra Podcast Test

The Penumbra Podcast Test is inspired by psychometric methodology and based on research into the characters of the series. The test provides feedback such as the following:

Juno Steel

Juno Steel is a brooding, sharp-witted private investigator on Mars who constantly tangles with corrupt officials and crime bosses. He acts on his gut instincts and throws himself directly into danger to protect others, even when it ruins his own safety. While he uses sarcasm and a gruff, misanthropic exterior to hide his deep emotional pain, he secretly craves connection. He distrusts authority figures and established institutions, preferring to solve cases on his own terms. Despite his efforts to remain isolated, his circle of loyal friends keeps growing. He is a cynical protector who struggles to accept help but never hesitates to give it.

Vespa

Vespa is a fierce field medic and enforcer who protects her found family through sharp words and decisive, violent action. She survives under a harsh, exploitative system by maintaining absolute control over her body and her surroundings. While she often expresses her deep care for others by scolding them, she quietly shoulders her own immense physical pain and exhaustion. She fears becoming a burden to the crew she loves, yet she pushes herself to remain hyper-competent at all costs. Her cynical exterior hides a profound loyalty. She prefers direct, practical solutions to threats, refusing to let her vulnerability show to anyone but her closest allies.

Sir Talfryn

Sir Talfryn is a gentle tracker and reluctant knight who struggles to balance his duty to the Second Citadel with his deep empathy for the world around him. He joins the militaristic order to support his brother and prove his worth. However, he quickly realizes the knighthood demands a level of brutality he cannot stomach. Instead of resorting to violence, he relies on keen observation and quiet de-escalation to resolve conflicts. He quietly subverts harsh rules from within the organization to protect vulnerable lives. Though others sometimes mistake his kindness for weakness, his steady loyalty and quiet courage make him an invaluable ally.

Buddy Aurinko

Buddy Aurinko is the retired thief and captain of the starship Carte Blanche who leads her crew with dry humor and strict discipline. She acts as the protective matriarch of a found family of criminals, organizing high-stakes heists to secure their safety and freedom. While she commands respect as a ruthless and strategic crime boss, she secretly longs for a quiet life of retirement with her partner, Vespa. She prefers careful planning over chaotic action and expects absolute loyalty from her crew. Yet, she struggles to let go of the adrenaline and wonders who she is without the thrill of the heist.

Peter Nureyev

Peter Nureyev is an elusive master thief and con artist who shifts identities as easily as clothing. He uses charm, misdirection, and elaborate schemes to navigate a dangerous criminal underworld. His core motive is survival and the protection of the very few people he allows into his inner circle. However, his greatest contradiction lies in his social chameleon nature. He presents a dazzling, highly engaging exterior to the world while remaining deeply isolated and terrified of genuine intimacy. Haunted by a troubled past, he defaults to strategic lies and preemptive betrayal to keep others at a safe distance. He deeply desires connection but constantly fears he is too damaged to deserve it.

Sir Caroline

Sir Caroline is the first female Knight of the Crown in the Second Citadel, a cold and hyper-competent commander who fights her way into a hostile, male-dominated order. She is driven to secure her status and defend her home, even if she must play ruthless political games to do so. However, her fierce institutional loyalty clashes with her evolving personal ethics. She suppresses her emotions to make logical, tactical decisions under pressure. While she presents a harsh exterior to her peers, she secretly harbors a tender relationship with a powerful witch. Ultimately, she learns to question her kingdom's rigid dogmas, choosing her conscience over blind obedience.

Sir Marc

Sir Marc is a determined inventor-knight who fights to prove his worth in a rigid military order that constantly underestimates him. He cannot use his legs, so he relies on custom mobility aids, clever tools, and sheer cunning to outwit stronger foes. He masks his deep fears and vulnerabilities with dramatic flair and constant jokes. Although he experiences intense prejudice from the very institution he serves, he remains fiercely loyal to its traditional ideals. He strives to protect his brother Talfryn and earn the glory of official knighthood. His stubborn pride drives him to throw himself into danger rather than admit weakness.

Rita

Rita is a quirky secretary and brilliant hacker who keeps her found family connected and safe. She often presents herself as a bubbly, scattered assistant, but she possesses a formidable mind capable of breaching highly secure databases. Her cheerful optimism masks a fierce determination to protect the people she loves. She builds custom robots, executes complex digital heists, and refuses to abandon her friends even when their group scatters. Instead of relying on physical force, she uses her technical skills and clever workarounds to solve dangerous problems. She craves approval and connection, yet she readily breaks the law to support her chosen family.