Rise and shine with Captain Hedges across time and space! ☕ Coffee’s Hot, Stories are Fresh

 

☕ Coffee’s Hot, Stories are Fresh

Rise and shine with Captain Hedges across time and space!

Good morning, everyone! The coffee is steaming in the mug here in Shreveport, the air is crisp, and the creative juices are finally flowing at full throttle. There is something special about these early morning hours—the world is quiet, the screen is glowing, and the only thing louder than the birds outside is the sound of the keyboard clicking away. I’m stepping away from the porch for a bit to dive headfirst into several new manuscripts that have been demanding my full attention.

I have some major announcements coming your way next month that I can’t wait to share, but until then, I’ll be a bit quiet here on the blog. Writing is a solitary business when you're in the thick of it, and these new projects are reaching a critical stage where every word counts. I wanted to take a moment to give you a glimpse behind the curtain at the massive production schedule currently occupying my desk

The March 2026 Master Box Sets

The scope of what is coming is truly intergalactic. I am currently finalizing six Master Box Sets for production, as well as opening a brand-new business in my own gaming studio named Striped Coast Studios that will be producing these box sets.

These aren't just small adventures; they are entire universes ready for your table. Each set is packed with 13 unique manuscript books that I am currently whipping into shape to be new books. We are talking about everything from the high-fantasy grit of The Tygerian Reach: Leo Galaxy to the highly anticipated New Tuslan Manuscript—which, as many of you know, is the definitive Escape to Zimrala Adventure (utilizing the Monsters! Monsters! 2.7 and MoZ systems).

A Legacy of Stars: Starfaring 2nd Edition

Beyond the fantasy realms, I am putting the finishing touches on Starfaring 2nd Edition. This project is deeply personal and is dedicated to the Cosmic Trollgod, Ken St. Andre. I am updating the original 1976 Starfaring mechanics written by Ken into this 2nd Edition with 13 new manuscript books that will allow you to go Starfaring across The Urland Universe within The Leo Galaxy campaign setting.

Honoring the legacy of those original 1976 Starfaring mechanics while pushing the boundaries of deep-space exploration has been a highlight of this writing cycle. I’ve spent countless hours ensuring that the transition from the 1976 rules to the modern Urland setting is seamless and robust. Whether we are traveling the stars or navigating the shadows of the multiverse, Ken’s influence on the hobby is the North Star for this entire project. It is about taking that 1976 spark and fueling it into a multi-galaxy fire.

The Zosma-Zimrala System and Zimrala One

A massive part of the Starfaring Box Set will be the new home system of the Liones: the Zosma-Zimrala System. This is the new home of Zimrala and its new space station home system setting of Zimrala One and its Starfaring Exploratory Fleet.

Developing the Zosma-Zimrala System has been a journey in itself. Zimrala One stands as a beacon in the void, a station that serves as the staging ground for the Starfaring Exploratory Fleet as they venture out to map the Urland Universe. I am making sure the mechanics for the fleet stay true to the spirit of the original Starfaring mechanics while providing the depth needed for a modern campaign.

Multiversal Mechanics and the 31st Century

I am also putting the finishing touches on the Boblin Station System specifically for Pathfinder/Starfinder 2E. This has been a labor of love, ensuring that the tactical crunch of the system matches the high-octane sci-fi environment of the station. At the same time, I am deep into the mechanics of the Urland Universe using the Open D6 system. There is a versatility in the d6 system that fits the Urland vibe perfectly, allowing for fast-paced action without losing the depth of the lore.

For those who enjoy the "Epic Fantasy" style of play, I am bringing the 31st Century to life for 13th Age. These manuscripts dive deep into the lore of the "thin spots" in reality. This includes the harrowing history of the massive Klon Invasion of the Earth, a cosmic catastrophe that nearly extinguished the human race. In this timeline, the Martian Colonies stand as the only survivors of this invasion, creating a high-stakes setting where the remnants of Earth's legacy struggle to endure.

Exploring the Whispering Isles and Nocturnis City

A major focus of my current writing involves the Whispering Isles within the Tygerian Reach. This box set explores the hidden corners of the reach, where the wind itself carries secrets and the geography defies standard cartography. Each of the 13 manuscripts in this set provides a new layer to the mystery of the Isles.

Additionally, I am constructing the rain-slicked streets of Nocturnis City. This is a Neo-Noir setting that brings a completely different energy to the table. It is a world of neon shadows, high-stakes investigations, and moral ambiguity. Mapping out the districts of Nocturnis City has allowed me to play with a darker, more atmospheric narrative style that fits perfectly with the gritty mechanics I’m implementing for this urban sprawl.

Striped Coast Studios: A New Beginning

Opening Striped Coast Studios is the realization of a long-term dream. This isn't just a name on a cover; it’s a dedicated space for creative independence here in Shreveport. By controlling the production of these box sets through my own studio, I can ensure that every book, every map, and every stat block meets my specific vision. This studio is the forge where the Urland Universe, the Leo Galaxy, and the Zosma-Zimrala System will be hammered into their final forms.

It allows me to maintain the quality I demand for my readers and players, and continue to be a fully functional spirit as we create the new TTRPGs we all love to play with that Old School gamer vibe from the 1970s gaming clubs.

The Road to March: 1,300 Pages of Adventure

For these box sets, my morning coffee is fueling the development of the Whispering Isles: Tygerian Reach, the Nocturnis City sprawl, and the New Tuslan Manuscript simultaneously. When you factor in 13 manuscripts per box set across six sets, we are looking at a monumental amount of content.

Because I am juggling these complex timelines—from Escaping to Zimrala, building Zimrala One, and Starfaring Across the Urland Universe—I won’t be posting as frequently here on the website's blog. A writer’s focus is a finite resource, and right now, every ounce of that energy is going into these manuscripts to ensure they are polished and ready for the big reveal next month.

I’m meticulously checking every spell, every stat, and every comma. I am looking at the balance between the Starfaring Original Rules from the 1976 manuscript Ken wrote and published in 1976, and all of the OGL and SRD mechanics and rules for all the other box sets, making sure they fit their specific system and the narrative I am building here across my Original Urland Universe Setting.

I am ensuring that the New Tuslan Manuscript provides the definitive Escape to Zimrala experience that fans have been waiting for. I want these to be more than just words on a page; I want them to be experiences you can live through at your gaming table. These projects are a culmination of years of playtesting, lore-building, and collaboration with the greats like Ken St. Andre.

I’ll see you on the other side of this writing sprint. Stay tuned, keep your dice ready, and keep the coffee hot. The best is yet to come!

— Captain Hedges

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Product Identity & Legal

The following items are designated Product Identity of Arthur Earl C. Hedges Jr. / The Adventures of Captain Hedges: The world of Zimrala, the Zosma-Zimrala System, Zimrala One, the Starfaring Exploratory Fleet, the Whispering Isles, the Neo-Noir Nocturnis City, the Ether Dragons, the Tiger Force Shadow Saga, the specific "Hedge Wizard of the Shreveport Cabin" persona, the character "Emperor Rajah," the Urland Universe, the Klon Invasion, the Martian Colonies of the 31st Century, and Striped Coast Studios. Monsters! Monsters!, Starfaring, and Humans, Humans (1st Edition) are trademarks of Ken St. Andre and Troll Godfather Press and are used with permission. All rights to the Starfaring (1976) mechanics are the sole property of Ken St. Andre. © 2026 Arthur Earl C. Hedges Jr. All rights reserved.

3 AM Whispers: Coffee, Cartoons, and the Cold Front

 

3 AM Whispers: Frost on the Bayou and the 1:00 AM Brew

Hello all, my fellow monsters, world-builders, and swamp-dwellers! Welcome back to the cabin. While most of Shreveport is tucked under blankets, the "Hedge Wizard" is fueled and ready for another day of chronicling the shadows. A bone-chilling 10°F cold front has turned the Red River sluggish and brought the "Swamp Dread" right to our doorstep. Grab a hot cup of coffee and settle in as we look at the moon, the magic, and why the fish are retreating deep today.

🌅 The Monday Morning Vigil (Feb 9, 2026)

The air outside the cabin is a bone-chilling 10°F, a sharp reminder of the cold front that has settled over the Red River. High above, the Third Quarter moon hangs like a silver blade, 50% illuminated and refusing to leave the sky. It watches over us through the early morning, lingering until it finally sets just before noon.

In our saga, this frozen stillness is a time of high magic—it's when the portals of the Ether Dragons shimmer with their greatest clarity against the bite of the frost. When the bayou air gets this cold and the world falls this silent, the "Swamp Dread" begins to itch at the back of your mind, letting you know that something ancient is watching from the mists.

The 1:00 AM Alchemist

Long before the sun even thinks about touching the Shreveport skyline, the ritual begins. At 1:00 AM, while the bayou frost is still hardening, the new coffee pot starts its low, rhythmic hum. It’s the first sign of life in the cabin—a steady gurgle that sounds like an old machine waking up to guard the night. As that dark, high-octane brew fills the carafe, the scent drifts through the halls like a summons—fuel for the morning's magic.

.The Morning Ambush

But by 3:30 AM, the "Hedge Wizard" peace was officially over. I was woken up by the best kind of alarm clock: a pile-on from the monster kids and Uncle Bill’s morning "motivation" to get my sleepy head moving. There’s no retreating back into the quiet once the crew decides it's time to face the day. While the kids are locked into cartoons and Angela is busy at the easel capturing the misty atmosphere of our latest campaign, I’m looking out at a Shreveport morning that feels frozen in time.

Gathering Now in the Living Room

We are all gathering now in the living room as I am working on this blog post this morning. The kids are busy playing with their toys and Angela is focused on her painting, while Uncle Bill enjoys his coffee. Even with the cold pressing against the windows, the cabin is full of life and the steady energy of the morning ritual.

GM Campaign Primer: Cypress Shadows – The 10°F Flashpoint

This primer is designed for immediate use in the Cypress Shadows saga campaign. The extreme cold front hitting Shreveport is a supernatural catalyst, thinning the veil between our world and the ancient terrors of the bayou.

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❄️ The Campaign Atmosphere: High Magic & Swamp Dread

In our Cypress Shadows saga campaign, this frozen stillness is a time of high magic—it's when Lucy shimmers with her greatest clarity against the bite of the frost. When the bayou air gets this cold and the world falls this silent, the "Swamp Dread" begins to itch at the back of your mind.

Out in the freezing mist, she stands vigil at the shoreline, her eyes locked on the dark water where the Zimralan Sea Serpent stirs beneath the ice. The ripple of its massive coils is the only thing moving in the dead of the morning, and the discovery of one of its crystalline scales—still humming with the song of the Sentinel Willow—is a silent reminder that something ancient is watching from the mists.

Lucille (Lucy), Guardian of the Serpent

• Role: The Keeper of the Deep & The Weeping Woman

• Attributes:

  • WIZ: 30 (Needed to sing to the Riverine colony)

  • LK: 25 (Required for survival against the Swamp Dread)

• Special Ability: Song of the Sentinel. Lucille is the only one who can "sing" to the serpent and the Riverine colony, calming the tremors in the oxbows when the Ether magic peaks.

• Beast Mode: If she shapeshifts to defend the bayou, her CON becomes equal to her MR.

The Zimralan Sea Serpent (Cindy's Shadow)

• Monster Rating (MR): 1,500

• Dice + Adds: 151D6 + 750

• Deadliness Rating: 7

• Special Note: Its scales are designated Product Identity. Finding a scale allows a character to resist the "Swamp Dread" for 1D6 hours, as the scale vibrates with Lucy’s protection.

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🌤️ Weather, Conditions, and Bayou Intel

Forecast: Expect a cloudy day with a high of 79°F and a low of 54°F.

Wind: Light breezes from the south at about 8 mph.

Visibility: Generally clear at 10 miles, though it may dip slightly in the early morning.

Bayou Intel: If you’re brave enough to leave the cabin today, the fish are playing it smart.

• Water Status: Cold and sluggish, with fish holding in deeper holes and structure.

• Where to Look: Bass and Crappie are retreating to 10–15 ft holes in the Red River or local spots like Black Bayou.

Morning Outlook: Expect north-northwest winds (7-14 mph) to bite through any coat you own. It’s a short, sunny daylight window today, so keep the coffee hot and the fire going.

The Warning: High pressure is settling in. In Cypress Shadows, high pressure means the mist doesn't move—and neither do the things hiding in it.

🎲 1D6 Weather & Conditions Table

Roll at the start of each game session or in-game day:

🎲 Roll	Weather & Conditions	Description & GM Notes
1	Classic Bayou Fog	A heavy, almost supernatural fog settles in early and lingers until nearly noon. Visibility < 50 feet. All Perception checks related to sight are heavily penalized. Perfect for water-side ambushes.
2	Overcast & Oppressive	90% humidity makes 79°F feel much hotter. The air is heavy and still. NPCs are lethargic or irritable. Ideal for tracking by scent or sound.
3	Light Drizzle & South Wind	Persistent, light mist. The ground is muddy and slippery. Ideal for stealth rolls near the riverbanks, as the rain dampens sound and washes away tracks quickly.
4	Afternoon Thunderstorm	Massive, noisy thunderstorm rolls in by 2 PM. Heavy rain reduces visibility to zero. All electronics might be temporarily affected by electrical surges.
5	Clear Skies & Bright	Rare break in the clouds. High sun creates excellent visibility (10+ miles) and high contrast, making it difficult to sneak around in open areas.
6	Windy & Choppy Waters	South wind picks up significantly (20+ mph gusts). This makes the main channel of the Red River and Caddo Lake difficult to navigate in smaller craft.

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🎣 Fishing Outlook & GM Bonus (Monsters! Monsters! 2.7 Stats)

Activity Rating: Fair. The Third Quarter moon often sees a pick-up in activity during these early morning hours.

Recent Reports:

• Bass: Moving toward oxbows and keying on shad.

• Crappie: Slabs are biting slow but steady; tournament activity is expected later this month at Grand Bayou Resort.

• Catfish: Stacking in deeper bends; blue cats are responding well to cut bait.

• Hot Spots: Stoner Boat Launch for easy oxbow access and Bishop Point for deeper water.

🎲 1D6 Cypress Swamp Fishing Hole Encounter Table

All dice for Monsters! Monsters! 2.7 is always D6s.

1D6 Roll	Encounter	MR	Dice + Adds	Deadliness
1	Shadow-Scale Bass	15	2D6+8	1
2	Slab-Ghost Crappie	10	2D6+5	1
3	Deadlypike NPC	20–100	3D6+10 to 11D6+50	1–2
4	Deathfrog NPC	20–75	3D6+11 to 8D6+37	1–2
5	Blue River Glutton	65	7D6+33	3
6	The Riverine NPC	500	51D6+250	5

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🪝 Gamemaster Plot Hooks

1. The Hounds of Keithville (Horror/Mystery)

The Hook: A series of gruesome, ritualistic animal mutilations and disappearances have local law enforcement stumped. The victims aren't just livestock; they are also pets and wild animals found near the rumored site of the "Dog Boy" legend. One of the player characters (PCs) has a friend who went missing after trying to investigate the old house where the "Dog Boy" supposedly lived.

GM Options: Is the "Dog Boy" real, a cryptid, or a cover for a cult? Perhaps a powerful loup-garou (Cajun werewolf) is using the legend to hide its own activity. The disappearances are actually sacrifices for an entity that grants illicit power to a wealthy Shreveport citizen.

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2. The Moaning Bride of Taylortown (Mystery/Urban Exploration)

The Hook: A historical society hires the PCs to investigate the ruins of an old church near Taylortown. The legend claims the ghost of a bride, left at the altar, moans near the tower, especially when the Red River is high. A local crime syndicate, tied to a new casino project, is actively discouraging all visitors.

GM Options: The "ghost" is a complex illusion created by an old family trying to protect a secret (lost will or magical artifact). Alternatively, the moaning is a warning signal for smugglers using the ruins as a drop-off point.

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3. The Barksdale Anomaly (Sci-Fi/Conspiracy)

The Hook: A PC is contacted by a worried airman stationed at Barksdale AFB who stumbled upon something "not of this earth" in a secure hangar. The airman suddenly goes silent, and the PCs must navigate military security to uncover the truth.

GM Options: The "anomaly" is a Stargate-style portal controlled by a secret government branch, or a classic UFO crash recovery scenario.

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4. Caddo Lake's Ancient Secrets (Swamp/Exploration)

The Hook: Strange seismic readings disrupt oil and gas operations on Caddo Lake. The cause is not geological; an ancient, Lovecraftian entity or structure is awakening beneath the murky waters, disturbed by decades of drilling.

GM Options: The structure is a sunken city belonging to an ancient bayou civilization. A rival voodoo practitioner may be intentionally waking the entity to force corporations out of the area.

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5. The Voodoo Queen's Gambit (Supernatural/Intrigue)

The Hook: A revered Mambo has passed away, leaving a scavenger hunt across Shreveport for her magical grimoire. The race is on, as several unsavory characters, including a corporate spy from a pharmaceutical giant, are also following the clues.

GM Options: The grimoire contains the key to stopping the Caddo Lake entity. The final item isn't treasure, but the Queen's soul trapped in a talisman.

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6. The Red River Smugglers' Run (Action/Crime)

The Hook: A sophisticated smuggling ring is using the bayous to move something valuable and illegal across state lines. PCs must go undercover to intercept the shipment.

GM Options: They are moving black market magical artifacts or high-tech military prototypes. The smugglers have supernatural help—perhaps a "gator-man" or a river spirit they pay off with sacrifices.

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7. The Eclipse of the Pale Lady (Timed Event/Ritual)

Location Focus: Cross Lake or a secluded oxbow off the Red River.

The Hook: In Shreveport today, the Moon stays up until 11:07 AM, well after the 7:03 AM Sunrise. Local legends speak of the "Pale Lady," a spirit that can only manifest when the Sun and the Third Quarter Moon share the sky. A frantic local historian approaches the PCs, claiming that a group of "relic hunters" (or cultists) plans to use this window of celestial overlap to pull a cursed steamboat—the SS Vermilion—out of the spectral plane and back into the physical mud of the bayou.

The Encounter: The PCs must navigate the bayou during that specific morning window. The atmosphere is eerie: the sun is bright, but the visible half-moon feels "wrong" and heavy. As they approach the site, the water begins to churn, and the rusted smokestacks of a 19th-century ship begin to rise from the water like a ghost.

GM Options:

• The Combat: The relic hunters are already there, using a specialized crane and occult chants. The PCs must stop the ritual before the moon sets at 11:07 AM, or the ship (and whatever is trapped inside it) becomes permanent.
• The Twist: The ship isn't empty. It was a "mercy ship" during the Yellow Fever epidemic of 1873, and it's carrying a biological or supernatural contagion that could devastate modern-day Shreveport.
• The Loot: If the PCs board the ship before it vanishes, they might find "Ghost Gold"—coins that are physical during the day but become intangible at night.

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SWAMP OF DREAD

🎲 Save vs. Madness: The Swamp Dread Table

When characters witness the Serpent or the thinning of the veil at 10°F, they must make a Saving Throw (Lvl 1-3 depending on proximity) using LK or WIZ.

🎲 Roll (1d6)	Effect of the Dread	Game Mechanic
1	The Serpent's Hum	Character becomes obsessed with the water. Must move toward the shoreline.
2	Frost-Locked Terror	Character is paralyzed for 1D6 combat rounds as their blood feels like it's turning to ice.
3	Echoes of the Sentinel	Character begins to hear Lucy’s song. -5 to all Perception checks as they tune out the world.
4	Visions of Zimrala	The veil breaks. Character sees the "other side" and gains +10 WIZ but loses -10 LK temporarily.
5	The Weight of the Mist	Suffocating pressure. Character's combat adds are halved until they reach a heat source.
6	Clarity of the Scale	If holding a Serpent Scale, the Dread is banished and the character gains a +10 Luck surge.

TO BE CONTIUED  LATER TODAY

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🌤️ Personal Note & Outlook

This may be my only post today as we have some personal business to take care of. Aunt Peggy is picking us up to go shopping, get groceries, and handle the bills. See you all on the flip side of the errands!

Signed,

Bayou Earl (aka Captain Hedges)

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Product Identity & Legal

The following items are designated Product Identity of Arthur Earl C. Hedges Jr. / The Adventures of Captain Hedges: The world of Zimrala, the Tygerian Isles, the Ether Dragons, the Tiger Force Shadow Saga, the specific "Hedge Wizard of the Shreveport Cabin" persona, the "Cypress Shadow B&B" location, and the "Swamp Dread" mechanics.  ALL PERSONALITES AND CHARERTERS LISTED IN THIS BLOG POST INCLUDING ALL GM PLOT HOOKS

Monsters! Monsters! and Humans, Humans (1st Edition) are trademarks of Ken St. Andre and Troll Godfather Press and are used with permission. The statistics and game mechanics provided herein are designated as unofficial playtest material for the Tygerian Isles campaign setting. © 2026 Arthur Earl C. Hedges Jr. All rights reserved.