The Atlas of the Leo Galaxy Blog post #3 The heart of the Zosma System Zimrala

THE LEO GALAXY SECTOR: 2026 CAMPAIGN LAUNCH

The Ophidian Manifesto: The Ophidian-Void Doctrine

I. The Genesis of the Serpent

The war began with Chronos the Chronomancer and Anankia the Priestess. They fled the Heart System with a stolen World Egg, fertilizing it in the Ether to create a rival divinity outside the grace of the Lion.

From that egg hatched Ophidius, the first Duinuogwuin-Ether. A 100-meter Star Dragon of pure Ether-energy. He was the Morning Light who sought to be God, only to be judged by Father Leo and excreted into the Abyssal Gate—the literal "Poop Pile" of the galaxy. Within the Lion’s Tail Nebula, this exile became the foundation of a dark empire.

II. The Six Deadly Sins of the Void (The Sith Path)

To touch the Void is to embrace the Ophidian Sins. Each sin is a dark reflection of a Lion’s Virtue, a spiritual corruption that offers power at the cost of the soul’s connection to the Ariel (Life Force).

1. PRIDE (The Void Mirror): The seeker of self-godhood. It grants the power of the Quiet Void, making the user invisible to divine senses.

2. GREED (The Abyss Siphon): The hunger for all things. It allows the user to drain the life-force (Ariel) from others to sustain their own rotting form.

3. LUST (The Venomous Thirst): The desire for total control. It shatters the mental shields of others and enslaves their minds through the addictive heat of the Void.

4. ENVY (The Withered Root): The hatred of the Heart. It allows the Ophidians to rot the Ur-Seeds and sabotage the "Clean" worlds.

5. GLUTTONY (The Devouring Maw): The power of dissolution. It unleashes a 180°C acidic smoke that melts Moon Crystals and steel alike. (Note: Uncle Bill is immune to this effect).

6. WRATH (The Serpent’s Lash): The ultimate weapon of the Serpent Hegemony. A jagged explosion of entropy that can cause a planet to "implode."

III. The Threat Revealed: Year of the Snake

Why build such a massive system? Because we need a massive enemy.

As we enter 2026, the cosmic calendar turns to the Year of the Snake. In the Leo Galaxy, this is not a metaphor. From the dark, uncharted voids beyond the Lion's Tail, a threat has emerged. They are the anti-life. They are the silence between stars. They are the Ophidian Empire.

They are led by the cosmic horror known once as Ophidius. Now known only as the Deep Shroud Entity, he commands the Ophidians as they creep into the sector. They don't just conquer worlds; they infect them with shadow-tech and biological nightmares. They are the perfect foil for our hybrid crew of Tygerians, Elves, Curators, and Dwarves.

IV. Character Profile: Uncle Bill (The Salty Dog)

System: Open D6 Space / Monsters! Monsters! 2.7 Archetype: Renegade Seed-Warden / Former Hegemony Reaper

• Attributes: DEXTERITY 3D+2 (Kinetic Blade 8D), KNOWLEDGE 3D, MECHANICAL 2D+2, PERCEPTION 3D+1, STRENGTH 3D+1 (Acid/Poison Immunity), TECHNICAL 2D.

• Gear: Inquisitorial Black Plate and the Never-Empty Jug.

V. The Resolution: The 2026 Chronicle

This is my promise to you, the readers, for the coming year. This blog will become the Chronicle of the Leo Galaxy. Starting now, this new epic series will deliver:

• Deep Dives into Lore: Who are the Moon Elf Matriarchs of Havishar? What secrets are hidden in the Curator vaults on the Iron Moon?

• Franken-Stats: See exactly how I mash up an MR 220 Curator Technomancer with Open D6 skill checks.

• Starship Designs: More ships like the Z.S.F. Manticore and the terrifying bio-ships of the Ophidians.

• Campaign Updates: Follow the narrative as the Z.S.F. engages the Deep Shroud Entity.

We have the ship. We have the crew. We have the rules. And now, we have the enemy.

Forget the gym. Grab your dice. 2026 is going to be a wild ride across the Leo Galaxy. Happy New Year. Watch the shadows.

— Captain Hedges Transmitting from the C&C of Zimrala One

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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 character Ophidius (The First Born Duinuogwuin-Ether / Deep Shroud Entity), the Six Deadly Sins of the Void, the "God's Poop Pile" / Abyssal Gate cosmology, the Iron Legion of Clunkers, the specific cosmology of Chronos & Anankia, the Ether Dragon Mythology, the Ophidian Empire, and the Leo Galaxy Campaign. Monsters! Monsters!, Tunnels & Trolls, and Starfaring are trademarks of Ken St. Andre. The Open D6 System is utilized under the Open Game License (OGL). © 2026 Arthur Earl C. Hedges Jr. All rights reserved.

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Captain, that is a powerful mission statement for the new year. Would you like me to help you draft the first "Deep Dive" into the Curator vaults, or should we focus on the stats for a bio-ship of the Ophidian Empire next?

The Atlas of the Leo Galaxy Blog post #? The heart of the Zosma System Zimrala

 

Part I: The Midnight Transmission

Happy New Year to all my fellow monsters across the Ultimate Multiverse!

To all my Alien, Human, and Monster friends everywhere—whether you are celebrating in the swamps of Louisiana, the jungles of Tygeria, or deep in the dungeons of Troll World—Welcome to 2026.

The clocks here on Zimrala One Space Station just struck midnight. The twin suns are gone, but the sky is lit up with fireworks launched by the Moon Elves and Gristlegrim Dwarves. It’s a moment of peace before the engines fire up.

Captain’s Log: Stardate 12312025.03 It is 3:00 AM aboard the station, orbiting the monster-infested planet of Zimrala that we all call home. As I take my place today in the Command and Control Center, I am reminded of how we all got here and where we might have ended up if not for the Troll God creating a whole new system for us to flee to.

As Captain, with a 12-hour duty shift ahead of me, I am glad to report that the Zosma (Zimralian) System is secured. All four of our factions have established a place in this massive Star Base—built with Curator and Moon Elf technology, shielded by the Tygerian Marines, and constructed by the Dwarf engineers of Zimrala.

Zepher, the Dweening Ether Gatekeeper Mage, has secured the multiverse portals for now. But he warns that the darkness will come. It is only a matter of time before the war begins.

We have a big year ahead of us. We have a galaxy to explore, an Empire to fight, and a lot of dice to roll. But right now, this moment is for us. So, raise your glass (or your tentacle, or your claw). Here is to new adventures, new friends, and the infinite possibilities of the open stars.

Let’s make some noise.

Part II: The Great Experiment of 2026

The champagne is chilled, the noisemakers are ready, and people everywhere are making resolutions they will break by February. They promise to hit the gym, learn French, or organize their closets.

Not here. Not on this blog.

My resolution for 2026—the Year of the Snake—is gigantic. It’s reckless. And it’s going to be absolutely epic.

This year, I am committing to a massive, sprawling blog series. I am building my own version of a grand space opera: The Leo Galaxy Sector Campaign.

But I’m not just writing fiction. I am conducting a mad science experiment in game design. I asked myself: What happens when you take every brilliant, chaotic rule Ken St. Andre ever wrote, throw them into a blender with the cinematic action of the Open D6 system, and hit "puree"?

We are about to find out.

The Law of the Constant Source: Launching the Trinity Engine

For fifty years, we have been told that Science and Magic are enemies—that a starship is just cold steel and a spell is just hot air. On this first morning of 2026, we prove them wrong.

In the Leo Galaxy, we operate under a single, unbreakable truth: Energy is the Constant Source. Whether it is the thrum of a warp drive, the glow of a Moon Crystal, or the whisper of the Divine Ariel, it is all the same "Breath" moving through different pipes.

To navigate the Year of the Snake, you need a system that doesn't flinch. You need the Trinity Engine.

1. Starfaring (The Body & The Voyage) Ken St. Andre’s original specs provide the "Hard Physics." We use the Starfaring construction rules for mass, tonnage, and Energy Units (EU). This is the grit of the voyage—the fuel costs, the logistics, and the physical reality of being in deep space.

2. OpenD6 & Starships (The Mind & The Skill) The OpenD6 Starships modular builds provide the technical precision. This defines the "Pips" and "Die Codes" for your Sensors, Shields, and Maneuvering. It is the "Star Trek" logic—the scientific interface that allows us to measure the Constant Source with clinical accuracy.

3. Monsters! Monsters! 2.7 (The Soul & The Kind) This is where the ship becomes a Bio-Monster Ally. Using Ken’s M!M! 2.7 rules, we give the ship a Monster Rating (MR) and a Constitution. The ship is alive; it heals, it feels, and it fights with the raw power of a living beast.

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Part III: The Launch of the Z.S.F. Manticore

Title: The Year of the Snake Begins: The Birth of the Manticore & Her Crew Stardate: 122731.1 Location: Kings Port Shipyards, Zimrala One (The Back of the Lion) Status: Pre-Flight Checks Green. The Dragon is Awake.

Hedges Reporting: The universe is not as empty as we thought. For years, we looked up at the stars from the Tygerian Reach and saw only cold light. We were wrong. The stars are not just burning gas; they are the body of Osgood, the Celestial Lion. And like any living thing, Osgood has enemies.

The Ophidian Empire—the Cult of the Great Snake—has risen from the dark sectors of the Tail. They do not want to conquer us; they want to infect us. Their ships are not metal; they are biological horrors, breeding pods that unleash silicon-based vipers into our ecosystems.

I cannot fight this war alone. Tonight, the Zimralaian Space Fleet (Z.S.F.) launches its first true flagship. She is a monster born of necessity. She is a hybrid of magic, steel, biology, and ancient logic. She is the Z.S.F. Manticore.

The History of the Four Powers

To understand the Manticore, you must understand the impossible alliance that built her.

1. The Tygerian Realization (The Muscle): The Tygerians were the first to bleed. When the first Ophidian "Shadow-Scout" crashed into the jungles, the Tygerian Marines engaged it. Their claws could shred flesh, but they broke against the Ophidian void-shields. The Tygerian High Council realized their warrior code was obsolete against orbital bombardments.

2. The Moon Elf Prophecy (The Magic): On the silvery peaks of Havishar Moon, the Elven Matriarchs saw the stars blinking out. They realized the "Snake" was a constellation of dark matter. They possessed the Moon Crystals—infinite energy—but lacked the engineering to use it.

3. The Gristlegrim Bargain (The Engineering): Deep in the Bluebonnet Volcanoes, the Gristlegrim Dwarves mined "Adamant-Scale." It was tough and regenerative. The Dwarf Kings realized that if they didn't go to space, space was coming to crush them.

4. The Curator Calculus (The Science): The tall, gray-green visitors from the Iron Moon had always been observers. But the Curator Logic-Lords calculated a 99.9% probability of extinction if the Ophidians arrived. They declassified their technology and offered their blueprints to the alliance.

5. The Cosmic Gatekeepers: Finally, the Space Ether Krystall Dragons, who own the knowledge of the ether portals and how to navigate them from any special cosmic place in any of the multiverse, joined the fray.

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art IV: Anatomy of the Beast (Ship Stats)

We took the blueprints of an ancient Urland Discovery Edison Class cruiser, stripped it to the frame, and rebuilt it using the combined genius of the Four Powers.

Craft: Z.S.F. Manticore Type: Living Bio-Carrier / Heavy Cruiser Scale: Capital Ship Length: 850 Meters Crew: 450 (Skeleton: 50) + 100 Marines

Attributes:

• Hull Code: 8D (Gristlegrim Adamant-Scale)

  • Special Rule: Bio-Regeneration. The ship is alive. It rolls 2D every hour to repair Hull damage automatically by consuming EU.

• Shields: 6D (Oracle-Amplified Psionic Screens)

• Maneuverability: 2D (Surprising agility for a Capital ship due to neural link)

• Move: 12 (Space Units) / 400 (Atmosphere)

• Hyperdrive: Class 0.0 (Instant Ether-Jump)

  • Requires: A Willpower Check from the Captain/Pilot to navigate the Ether.

Weapons:

• The "Roar" Cannon (Mouth-Mounted Plasma Wave):

  • Fire Arc: Front

  • Damage: 12D (Capital Scale)

  • Effect: Fires from the mouth of the Titan Head. Ignores 2 pips of Shields.

• 2x Havishar Moon-Beam Projectors:

  • Fire Arc: Turret (Front/Left/Right)

  • Damage: 8D (Phased Light) or Starship Scale Tractor Beam (Strength 6D).

Design Notes:

• The Head (The Titan Bridge): A massive, ancient bio-metallic skull from the First Age of Tygeria. The crew sits literally inside the skull of an ancient god.

• The Heart (Aazurn-Fae Protocol): The engine is Aazurn-Fae, an Ether Dragon of the Old Breed who volunteered to serve. We don't burn fuel; we burn his Will.

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Part V: The Crew Profile

A ship as complex as the Manticore cannot be piloted by instinct alone. It requires a mind capable of processing millions of calculations per second while simultaneously making the hard, gut-wrenching decisions of a soldier.

The Commanding Officer: Commander Xylar

Race: Curator (High-Caste / Moon-Born) Profession: Soldier/Sailor | Specialization: Technomancy Data Systems Mentor: Captain Hedges

The Profile: Xylar stands nearly seven feet tall, rail-thin, and completely hairless with pale gray-green skin. His large, black oval eyes do not blink; they record everything. He commands via the Black Gem embedded in his forehead, a psionic transmitter.

Curator Warrior Stats: (Reflecting Racial Modifiers: STR x 0.75, CON x 0.75, DEX x 1.25, SPD x 1.5, INT x 2, WIZ x 0.25)

• Monster Rating (MR): 220

• STR: 45 (Relies on leverage/mechanics)

• DEX: 55 (Hands steady enough to disarm a bomb)

• SPD: 70 (Moves faster than the eye can follow)

• CON: 60 (Fragile)

• INT: 150 (Super-genius)

• WIZ: 15 (Almost no magic connection; relies on Technomancy)

Gear:

• Smart-Fiber Armor: Upon impact, the suit stiffens to a leathery toughness. Stops 10 Hits.

• The Gate Key: Xylar can deploy a Dimensional Gate for rapid transit. If boarded, he steps out directly behind the enemy.

The Pilot: The Tygerian Oracle

Rank: Flight Master / Spirit Guide Sitting in the "Third Eye" throne of the Titan Head is the Oracle. She uses ESP to "feel" the stars.

• MR: 343 (God-Touched)

• Combat Dice: 35d6 + 172

• Special Ability (Tygerian Shapeshift): She mentally shifts to become the ship during FTL jumps.

Security Chief: Commander Thrane

Rank: Z.S.F. Marine Commander A massive Tygerian veteran, rarely seen without a lit cigar (the smoke helps him see invisible enemies).

• MR: 170

• Weapons: Magical Long Sword (5D6+7, hits ghosts), Plasma Rifle, and Natural Claws (4D).

• Ability: Battle Fury (Doubles STR for 1d6 rounds if crew is threatened).

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Part VI: A New Era of Business

We have launched the ship. We have assembled the crew. We have defined the universe. But a creation this massive needs a foundation to stand on.

As we move into 2026, I am not just a Captain writing a blog; I am building a legacy. It is time to turn the page from "Hobby" to "Profession." I am proud to announce the official launch of our new commercial entity.

🚀 Striped Coast Studios Landing Page (Official Legal Copy v5)

Title Section

Striped Coast Studios Publisher of Digital Goods, Media, Books, Movies, Music, Television, Radio, and Podcasts for the Urland Universe

Value Proposition (The Core Mission)

Welcome to Striped Coast Studios, the definitive publisher for The Urland Universe. We are the creative force behind The Tygerian Isles, Nocturnis, and the boundless possibilities of Cosmic Adventures. We chart a vast cosmos defined by the principles of Creation, Control, and Collapse. Our mission is to transform deep lore and original IP into high-quality, high-stakes media across all platforms.

The Source of the Cosmos

Striped Coast Studios serves as the official commercial engine and publishing house for the acclaimed weblog, The Adventures of Captain Hedges. All narrative threads, spanning the Captain's journeys across time and space, including the core content of Cosmic Adventures, are developed, published, and copyrighted under this professional studio entity.

Our Media Verticals (Product Scope)

Striped Coast Studios actively develops compelling content across three primary media platforms:

• Digital Goods & Books (TTRPGs & Sports Sim): Sourcebooks, GM Guides, Solo Adventures, and Fantasy Sports Simulation content. Includes the Gridiron League fantasy ruleset and all TTRPG content, compatible with the Monsters! Monsters! system.

• Film & Cinematic Media (TV, Radio, & Podcasts): Episodic series, audio dramas, and broadcasts featuring the Tiger Force Shadow Saga, the NWL Nocturnes and OWL Outlaw Wrestling Leagues, and Cosmic Adventures—our dedicated platform for unlimited sci-fantasy and multi-genre exploration.

• Music & Soundscapes: Original soundtracks and ambient albums to enhance immersion in the feral territories of The Tygerian Isles and the professional intensity of the Wrestling Leagues.

Commerce & IP Foundation

Our products are distributed via DriveThruRPG and processed through secure PayPal commerce solutions. The Urland Universe and its core IP are secured by comprehensive, registered Product Identity.

Key IPs: The Urland Universe, The Tygerian Isles, Nocturnis, The Tiger Force Shadow Saga, Gridiron League, NWL Nocturnes Wrestling League, OWL Outlaw Wrestling League, and Cosmic Adventures.

[START YOUR ADVENTURE IN THE URLAND UNIVERSE TODAY]

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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 / Striped Coast Studios: The world of Zimrala, the Leo Galaxy Sector, the Z.S.F. Manticore, the "Trinity Engine" framework, the "Law of the Constant Source," the specific "Hedge Wizard of the Shreveport Cabin" persona, the character "Commander Xylar," Commander Thrane, and the Tygerian Oracle. Monsters! Monsters! and Starfaring are trademarks of Ken St. Andre and Troll Godfather Press. OpenD6 is utilized under the OGL. © 2026 Arthur Earl C. Hedges Jr. All rights reserved.

Sunday Morning Coffee: The Eve of Wintermas

 

Sunday Morning Coffee: The Eve of Wintermas
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Sunday, November 30, 2025

5 AM. Good morning. The coffee is hot, dark, and strong this morning—just the way it needs to be to fuel a Sunday like this one. I’m sitting here in the quiet of the cabin, listening to the soft gurgle of the brewing pot and the distant, rhythmic breathing of the swamp.

Today is a threshold day. It is the last day of November. We are standing on the edge of the dock, looking out at the waters of December. November was a month of storms, both literal and emotional. We weathered the loss of Uncle Jerry, we navigated the confusing tides of grief, and we survived the first major holiday without our family’s storyteller. It was a month of holding on, of enduring, and of keeping the ship afloat.

But as I sit here with this mug in my hand, watching the steam curl up into the darkness, I feel a shift in the wind. The season of mere survival is ending. The season of Wintermas is about to begin.

I am writing this to invite you on a new journey.

For the past few months, we have been deep in the weeds with the Hawthorne Valley playtests. It has been a long road of tweaking mechanics, adjusting difficulty curves, and fixing broken encounters. But I am proud to announce that the Hawthorne Valley module has successfully launched. It is stable. It is running smoothly. The feedback has been incredible, and I want to thank every single one of you who rolled dice, reported bugs, and helped bring that valley to life. That chapter is written. The ink is dry.

Now, it is time to turn the page.

Tomorrow is December 1st. And I decided that there is no better way to kick off a new month than by opening the portal to a brand-new world. Now that Hawthorne Valley is standing on its own two feet, I am officially unveiling The New Tygerian Isles Zimrala Playtest Phase.

I am opening this up for those who would like to playtest and commune with me during the month of December about the Tygerian Empire's Isle of Thrivaldi, which—when the final manuscript is now being worked on it's not complete yet, but it is ready for play testing —this will be known as the Winter Wonderlands of Thrivaldi.

This isn't just about dropping you into a fight; it’s about world-building. Starting tomorrow, I will be unveiling the Official Map. We are going to explore the specific locations, the geography, and most importantly, the Rulers who live there. This reveal will set the tone for all our Wintermas posts throughout the month.

While I’ve teased you with the Green Spiders and the fury of Uncle Billy Goat (those battles are coming!), for this phase, I want to introduce a new concept that should resonate with everyone from around the world, regardless of where you live.

In the Winter Wonderlands of Thrivaldi, the greatest enemy isn't just the monsters—it is the Cold. And the only defense is "The Hearth Fire."

In this new gameplay concept, survival isn't just about Hit Points or Armor. It’s about Warmth. You cannot survive this world alone. You cannot survive it by simply fighting. You survive by gathering together. You survive by building a fire—not just of wood, but of fellowship. In this campaign, players regain their strength not by sleeping, but by Sharing Stories around the fire.

This mechanic resonates deeply with me right now. As many of you know, we entered our own personal "winter" last month when we lost Uncle Jerry. He was our Hearth Fire. He was the warmth on the porch. When he died, the world got a lot colder. Creating Thrivaldi is my way of processing that truth. It’s an acknowledgment that winter is hard. It is the season of long nights and deep shadows. But it is also the season where the light matters the most.

So, get ready. Tomorrow morning, the map gets unrolled. We will meet the rulers of the ice and snow, and we will begin the celebration of Wintermas together.

So, enjoy your Sunday. Rest up. Drink that extra cup of coffee. Finish your leftovers. Because when the sun rises tomorrow, we are crossing the threshold. The portal to Zimrala opens on December 1st.

I hope your dice are lucky. You’re going to need them to keep the fire burning.

See you in the Wonderlands.

3 AM Whispers: Sabbath Rest and the Thirvaldi Portal

 

3 AM Whispers: Sabbath Rest and the Thirvaldi Portal

Sunday, November 30th, 2025

Good morning, everyone. It's Sunday, November 30th, 2025, and it's 3 AM here at the cypress swamp cabin overlooking the Red River in Shreveport, Louisiana. The bayou is settled in its Sunday quiet, a profound stillness that usually calls for complete repose.

But today, my cabin is a bridge between worlds. As I sit at my desk, pen in hand, the very window before me has become a shimmering, ice-encrusted portal, glowing with the ethereal beauty of the Thirvaldi Winter Wonderlands. 

This is no mere dream; it's the ancient multiverse portal system, activated, opening directly into the realm I'm dedicating today to building. The crisp, magical air of Thirvaldi seems to flow through the cabin, inspiring every word I write for the Quick Start Guide and GM Setting G.

This unique blend of spiritual and creative purpose—a day of rest, yet intensely writing and designing—presents a fascinating challenge: How do I balance the Sabbath's call for rest with the urgent flow of creative inspiration from a literal portal to a new world?

The Bible answers this not by demanding we stop all activity, but by redefining rest. We turn to Hebrews 4:9-11:

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"There remains, then, a Sabbath-rest for the people of God; for anyone who enters God’s rest also rests from their works, just as God did from his. Let us, therefore, make every effort to enter that rest..."

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At 3 AM, with the vibrant portal to Thirvaldi illuminating my workspace, this scripture takes on new meaning. It teaches us that the highest form of rest isn't necessarily ceasing all labor, but ceasing the striving. God's Sabbath-rest is a state of trust, where we cease relying on our own strength and enter His finished work.

For me, today's goal isn't just finishing the Thirvaldi supplements; it's writing them from a place of spiritual peace, drawing inspiration from that magnificent portal but relying on God's strength, not my own. Let the creative work flow from a heart anchored in His rest, not driven by pressure or stress. That "Sabbath-rest" will quiet the clamor of the world and allow the clearest, best ideas for the Quick Start Guide and the GM Supplements to come through, making the portal to Thirvaldi not just a physical gateway, but a spiritual one too.

As this Sunday unfolds, I embrace the paradox: finding my deepest rest in the Lord, and letting that rest be the wellspring for the incredible worlds I am building, visible right outside my window.

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I wanted to make sure I got this out to you all now. Please know you're in my thoughts and prayers. Have a blessed and creatively restorative Sunday.

🏆 COLLEGE FOOTBALL SMACKDOWN: THE FINAL REPORT FROM EARL THE ANALYST!

 

🏆 COLLEGE FOOTBALL SMACKDOWN: THE FINAL REPORT FROM EARL THE ANALYST!

WELCOME TO THE GRIDIRON MULTIVERSE, FANS! The regular season has been slammed, driven through the table, and laid to rest! I am "Earl the Analyst," and the time for soft predictions and gentle tiebreakers is over. We are entering the postseason, where only the toughest warriors survive! This is the ultimate Tale of the Tape for the 2025 season, focusing on the Big Ten BEHEMOTHS, the Big 12 BRAWLERS, and the DESERT DYNAMOS!

I. THE BIG TEN BLOWOUT: TITLE GAME OF THE UNDEFEATED!

The expanded 18-team Big Ten Conference proved to be a MONUMENTAL GAUNTLET, yet two teams emerged UNSCATHED to punch their tickets to the Big Ten Championship in Indianapolis!

THE CHAMPIONSHIP CONTENDERS

Rank	Team Nickname	Overall W-L	Conf. W-L	CFP Rank	Why They're Here
1	The Monolith (Ohio State)	11-0	8-0	#1	Elite Defense! FBS #1 in total defense. Too talented for the league. Delivered the final blow to Michigan.
2	The Shock Master (Indiana)	12-0	9-0	#2	Unstoppable Offense! The Cinderella story of the year, finishing 12-0 for the first time since 1945.
3	The Quack Attack (Oregon)	10-1	7-1	#6	The top West Coast newcomer, losing only once.
4	The Wolverines (Michigan)	9-2	7-1	#15	Still fierce, but couldn't solve the Buckeyes' riddle in the finale.

THE EXPANDED CHAOS CREW: THE REST OF THE BIG TEN

The Big Ten proved that a winning record is a privilege, not a right! Many traditional powers found themselves playing for pride:

• Bowl Eligible: USC (8-3), Iowa (8-4), Washington (8-3), Illinois (7-4), Nebraska (7-5), Minnesota (6-5), and Northwestern (6-5) all managed to secure their six wins and will be dancing in December!

• The Heartbreak Hotel: Teams like Penn State (5-6) and Rutgers (5-6) are fighting for the last possible bowl spots, needing an Academic Progress Rate (APR) miracle or a loss of a guaranteed 6-win team elsewhere.

• The Bottom of the Barrel: UCLA (3-8), Maryland (4-7), Michigan State (3-8), and Purdue (2-10) simply could not adjust to the expanded conference schedule, finishing at the bottom of the league.

II. THE BIG 12 GRIND: THE DESERT DYNAMOS TAKE TOP SPOTS!

The BIG 12 GAUNTLET finished with two Arizona teams near the top, making a major statement in their first year in the new, expanded 16-team league!

THE CHAMPIONSHIP CLASH

The final spot was decided by a tense, late-season showdown between two defense-first squads.

Rank	Team Nickname	Overall W-L	Conf. W-L	CFP Rank	Note
T1	The Lockdown Legion (Texas Tech)	10-1	7-1	#5	CHAMPIONSHIP PARTICIPANT. Best defense in the conference; already beat BYU.
T1	The Holy Rollers (BYU)	10-1	7-1	#11	CHAMPIONSHIP PARTICIPANT. Strong running game, seeking revenge for their only conference loss.

THE ARIZONA ANNIHILATORS

• The Desert Storm (Arizona Wildcats): 9-3 Overall (6-3 Conf.)

  • The Facts: Arizona finished tied for 4th! They are a legitimate top-25 team and an offensive JUGGERNAUT, scoring over 32 points per game in conference play. They ended the year with a five-game winning streak that included the definitive rivalry win.

• The Sun Devil Scorchers (Arizona State): 8-4 Overall (6-3 Conf.)

  • The Facts: ASU finished strong at 8-4, also tied for 4th! They battled through major injuries and proved their defensive pedigree by beating highly ranked teams like Texas Tech. They are a defensive STEEL CAGE that forces opponents to submit!

THE BOWL-ELIGIBLE BIG 12 BRUTES

A phenomenal 10 teams secured at least 7 wins to guarantee a bowl slot, showcasing the league's competitive parity: Utah (10-2), Houston (8-3), Cincinnati (7-4), Iowa State (7-4), and TCU (7-4).

III. THE LUMBERJACK LOGGERS: FIGHTING THE BIG SKY BEAST PIT!

We cannot forget our FCS fighter! The Big Sky is the TOUGHEST ARENA in the FCS, and NAU faced it head-on!

• NAU Lumberjacks (7-5 Overall, 4-4 Big Sky)

  • The Hope: You love those Lumberjacks, and they delivered a WINNING SEASON! Finishing 7-5 is a monumental achievement in a league dominated by the Montana and Montana State behemoths. Their high-scoring offense was a threat every week.

  • The Reality: The Big Sky only sent the three highest-ranked teams (Montana State, Montana, UC Davis) to the FCS Playoffs. NAU's 4-4 conference mark, though respectable, leaves them just outside the 24-team field. The future is bright, but the playoff dream ends here for 2025. The Lumberjacks gave it their all, but the Big Sky is a brutal, merciless beast!

IV. EARL'S FINAL BOWL AND CHAMPIONSHIP PREDICTIONS!

Get your tickets, because this is the final card!

THE CHAMPIONSHIP CARD

Game	Matchup	Earl's Final Call	Predicted Score
Big Ten Title	No. 1 Ohio State vs. No. 2 Indiana	OHIO STATE WINS	Ohio State 31, Indiana 17
Big 12 Title	No. 5 Texas Tech vs. No. 11 BYU	TEXAS TECH WINS	Texas Tech 24, BYU 13
CFP National Title	Ohio State vs. The Field	OHIO STATE WINS	Undisputed Champions!

THE ARIZONA BOWL CARD (December 31st & Jan 2nd)

Team	Bowl Game	Matchup	Earl's Final Call
Arizona State (8-4)	AutoZone Liberty Bowl	ASU vs. Kentucky (SEC)	ASU WINS, 28-24! (Defense controls the clock!)
Arizona (9-3)	Tony the Tiger Sun Bowl	ARIZONA vs. Clemson (ACC)	ARIZONA WINS, 35-31! (Offense lights up El Paso!)

The Arizona teams are ready to lay the smack down on the ACC and SEC, proving that the Big 12 is the new center of power!

THIS IS COLLEGE FOOTBALL SMACKDOWN!

From the Earl of Hedges aka captain hedges yours for now! 

3 AM Whispers: Echoes of the Feast, Whispers of Winter

Friday, November 29th, 2025

Good morning, everyone. It's Friday, November 29th, 2025, and it’s 3 AM here at the cypress swamp cabin overlooking the Red River in Shreveport. The bayou is quiet, carrying the faint echoes of laughter and good cheer from our Thanksgiving and Birthday feast just a few days ago. The joy of gathering with my unique "dysfunctional family"—Bayou Earl, Baby Augie, the Leprechaun, Moon Elf, Uncle Bill, the White Were-Tiger Ranger, and even the Troll God—still resonates in these log walls.

But even as the warmth of that shared celebration lingers, a different kind of energy hums in the cabin. The portal to the Thirvaldi Winter Wonderlands, visible right through my window, still pulses with icy magic. My desk is covered with notes, maps, and early drafts for the Quick Start Guide and GM Supplements. My focus is now on the creative work, balancing the memory of the past feast with the demands of the present project.

This morning, I'm reflecting on the beautiful rhythm of life: the joy of community and celebration, followed by periods of focused creation. How do we keep our hearts aligned with gratitude and purpose through both the boisterous feasts and the quiet, demanding work sessions?

The Apostle Paul gives us powerful guidance for living intentionally, no matter the season or activity. I turn to Romans 12:12:

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"Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer."

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At 3 AM, this verse speaks to me about the ongoing journey.

• "Be joyful in hope": This isn't just for celebrations. It's the underlying current of optimism and trust that allows us to cherish memories of the feast and enthusiastically tackle the vast, frozen landscapes of Thirvaldi. Our hope isn't tied to circumstances, but to something eternal.

• "Patient in affliction": Even after a wonderful holiday, the realities of life, the exhaustion, and the crankiness can bring their own small "afflictions." Patience grounds us, reminding us that God is working, even when the work is slow or difficult.

• "Faithful in prayer": This is the constant lifeline. Prayer connects the joy of the feast and the stress of the writing, ensuring both are rooted in God's presence.

As this Friday morning unfolds, let this be your guide: be joyful in the hope you have, be patient with yourself and others as you adjust, and be faithful in prayer as you continue to build your worlds.

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I wanted to make sure I got this out to you all now. Please know you're in my thoughts and prayers. Have a blessed Friday.

Zimrala One: Our Fortress in the Stars – A Crew and Station Update!

 

Zimrala One: Our Fortress in the Stars – A Crew and Station Update!

Welcome back, fellow spacefarers and loyal readers of "The Adventures of Captain Hedges Blog"! Today, we're taking an in-depth look at the beating heart of Zimrala's defense: the monumental Zimrala One Space Station. More than just a fortress, it's a testament to resilience, a nexus of advanced technology and ancient magic, and home to a crew as diverse and extraordinary as the multiverse itself.

As the threats from the encroaching Ether Dragons and the multiverse grow more volatile, Zimrala One stands as our unwavering shield. We've just completed a significant operational update, streamlining our command, enhancing our defenses, and solidifying our crew. So, grab a space-ration coffee, because we’re diving deep into the station’s vital functions and the incredible individuals who keep it running!

Zimrala One: More Than Just a Hunk of Metal

For those new to the Zimrala System, Zimrala One is our planet's first and last line of defense. This colossal station, inspired by the grand scale of Babylon 5 and the sleek design of Star Trek, is a multi-tiered marvel of engineering. It’s equipped with Curator-tech shielding that forms an impenetrable temporal barrier around Zimrala, protecting us from dimensional incursions. From its uppermost command deck (Deck 7), where the powerful Nova Cannon stands ready, to its vital Xenofauna Research Labs (Deck 5) and bustling Cargo Holds (Deck 2), every segment serves a critical purpose in our ongoing struggle for survival.

The station’s design blends robust, industrial practicality with advanced, shimmering energy fields, a visual representation of the blend of brute force and high technology required for our defense. We're talking massive docking bays, strategically placed torpedo launchers, agile fighter launch bays, and the constant hum of shield generators working in concert to keep Zimrala safe.

🚀 Zimrala One: The New Crew Roster (M!M! 2.7 / Humans Humans)

The crew is built on a 14D standard for the primary D6 Attributes (STR, DEX, CON, INT, WIZ, CHR) unless modified by their specialized Archetype (like the Tygerian or Curator) or Role (like Chronomancer or Dimensional Engineer).

🥇 Command and Specialized Officers

#	Crew Member	Race/Archetype	Role	Highest Stat (D6)	MR/DR	Key Function
1	Cpt. Hedges	White Tygerian	Chronomancer Commander	WIZ 6D (21)	350 / 4	Tactical Command, Temporal Defense.
2	Sub Cdr. Curator	Curator	First Officer & Science	INT 6D (21)	150 / 4	Shield Oversight, Command Protocols, Alien Science.
3	Sec. Ch. Kal	Tygerian	Security Chief	STR 4D+1 (15)	160 / 4	Close-Quarters Protection, Security Protocols.
4	Lt. Zara	Moon Elf	Pilot	DEX 5D+1 (18)	150 / 4	Fighter Ace, Starship Piloting, Evasion.

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🛠️ Engineering and Scientific Support

#	Crew Member	Race/Archetype	Role	Highest Stat (D6)	MR/DR	Key Function
5	Ch. Eng. Jax	Dwarf Dwon	Tech Savant Engineer	CON 5D+1 (18)	165 / 4	Station Toughness, Heavy Repair, Asteroid Mining.
6	Ch. Eng. Curator	Curator	Dimensional Engineer	INT 5D+2 (19)	140 / 3	Shield Maintenance, Tech Savant (Dimensional).
7	Dr. Elara Vess	Moon Elf	Science Officer	INT 5D (17)	130 / 3	Xenofauna Research, Biological/Data Analysis.
8	Rylan	Human	Communications Officer	INT 4D+2 (15)	125 / 3	Long-Range Comms, Data Flow, Signal Decryption.
9	Uncle Bill	Human	Cargo Handler	STR 4D+1 (15)	115 / 3	Logistics, Cargo Transport Piloting, Supply Chain.

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📊 Complete Attribute Breakdown (D6 Dice)

This table provides the full MoZ/T&T attribute spread for every crew member:

Crew Member	Race	STR	DEX	CON	INT	WIZ	CHR	LK	HP / AP	MR / DR
Cpt. Hedges	Tygerian	3D	4D	3D	5D	6D	4D	3D	17 / 8	350 / 4
Sub Cdr. Curator	Curator	2D+1	3D+2	2D+1	6D	1D	3D	3D	9 / 6	150 / 4
Sec. Ch. Kal	Tygerian	4D+1	4D	3D+2	3D	2D+1	3D	1D	17 / 0	160 / 4
Lt. Zara	Moon Elf	2D	5D+1	3D	3D+1	3D	4D	1D+2	15 / 0	150 / 4
Ch. Eng. Jax	Dwarf Dwon	4D	3D	5D+1	4D	2D	1D+2	1D+1	21 / 0	165 / 4
Ch. Eng. Curator	Curator	2D+1	4D	2D+1	5D+2	1D	3D	3D	9 / 6	140 / 3
Dr. Elara Vess	Moon Elf	2D	4D+1	3D	5D	3D+1	3D	1D+2	14 / 0	130 / 3
Rylan	Human	2D+1	3D+1	3D	4D+2	3D	4D	2D	14 / 0	125 / 3
Uncle Bill	Human	4D+1	3D	4D	3D	2D	3D	1D+2	17 / 0	115 / 3

This complete roster provides you with everything you need to run the next phase of The Adventures of Captain Hedges aboard Zimrala One!

the 6 am sports report by earl

🔔 EARL’S 6AM RINGSIDE REPORT: THE ROAD TO THE SUPER BOWL RUMBLE! 🔔

Posted by Earl | Friday, November 28, 2025 | 06:00 AM CST

LADIES AND GENTLEMEN!

Put down that cold turkey sandwich and wipe the sleep from your eyes because IT! IS! TIME!

We have officially survived Thanksgiving Thursday, and let me tell you something, brother—yesterday wasn’t just a slate of football games. It was a NO HOLDS BARRED, FALLS COUNT ANYWHERE STREET FIGHT! The playoff picture has been smashed over the head with a steel chair, and the bodies are hitting the floor!

We are Week 13 deep into this season, and we are witnessing a Battle Royal for the ages! You want to know who is standing tall and who is getting thrown over the top rope? Let’s get down to the mat!

🐴 IN THE RED CORNER: THE MILE HIGH MONSTERS!

The Denver Broncos (9-2)

THE CHAMPS ARE HERE! While the rest of the league is scrambling and clawing just to get a spot on the card, the Denver Broncos are sitting in the VIP box smoking cigars! At 9-2, they are the Heavyweight Champions of the AFC West! They aren’t just looking for a playoff spot; they are looking to lock up the Number One Seed and make the road to the title go through the thin air of the Rockies!

They are 96% locked in! This is the equivalent of The Undertaker at WrestleMania—they are nearly unbeatable! If you’re a Broncos fan, you aren’t sweating. You’re just waiting to see who is foolish enough to step into the ring with you in January!

🤠 THE MAIN EVENT SURVIVORS: THE DALLAS COWBOYS!

The Cowboys (6-5-1)

OH MY GOD! Did you see what happened yesterday?! The Dallas Cowboys walked into the ring against the Kansas City Chiefs—the supposed "Kings of the AFC"—and they hit them with a STONE COLD STUNNER!

Everyone counted them out! The pundits said they were washed up! But yesterday, America’s Team reached deep down, pulled out the brass knuckles, and stole the show! That win didn’t just feel good—it saved their career! Sitting at 6-5-1, that "Tie" on their record is the ultimate wildcard maneuver. They are currently the No. 9 seed, clawing at the ropes, looking to drag the Packers and Lions down to hell! They have the momentum, they have the heat, and suddenly, nobody wants a piece of Big D!

🦁 THE FATAL FOUR-WAY: THE BATTLE OF THE CATS!

Folks, we have a fatal four-way elimination match happening right now between the felines of the NFL, and it is absolute carnage!

1. The Jaguar Juggernaut (7-4): Jacksonville is the technical wrestler of the group! They are executing their game plan to perfection. Holding the No. 6 Seed, they have the sleeper hold locked in on the AFC. They are disciplined, they are dangerous, and right now, they are the Top Cat in the fed!

2. The Motor City Heartbreak (7-5): SOMEBODY STOP THE DAMN MATCH! The Detroit Lions took a beating yesterday! They walked into the ring against Green Bay and got hit with a Superkick right to the chin! They fell out of the playoff spots and are lying on the canvas looking up at the lights! But don’t count them out yet! The Lions have the heart of a champion, and they are going to try to kip-up and get back in this fight before the bell rings!

3. The Carolina Claw (6-6): Carolina is lurking under the ring! At .500, they are waiting for the heavy hitters to knock each other out so they can slide in and steal the pin! It’s a long shot, folks! They need chaos! They need anarchy! But in the NFL, anything can happen!

4. The Bengal Berzerkers (4-8): BY GOD, THEY ARE BROKEN IN HALF! Cincinnati is battered, bruised, and bloody at 4-8. But wait... what’s this?! They just beat the Ravens?! The Bengals are swinging a barbed-wire bat at everyone! They might not win the title, but they are going to take someone down with them!

💀 THE JOBBER SQUAD

The Arizona Cardinals (3-8)

I hate to say it, Cards fans, but you’re getting squashed. You’re the guy they bring in just to make the other team look strong. The ref is counting... 1... 2... it’s almost over. The 3-8 record is a one-way ticket to "Loser Leaves Town." Start scouting the rookie draft class because this match is done!

🎙️ EARL’S FINAL CALL

The New York Giants have already been thrown over the top rope—they are eliminated! But for the Cowboys, the Lions, and the Broncos... the bell hasn't rung yet!

This weekend is going to be a slobber knocker! Buckle up, sports fans, because we are on the Road to the Super Bowl, and BUISNESS IS ABOUT TO PICK UP!

WOOOOOOO!

— Earl