The Red Cluster: Navigating the Logistics of the Void
In modern gaming, we often treat space travel as a "fast travel" loading screen. You click a button, and you’re there. But in 1976, Starfaring taught us that the void has a shape, a distance, and a cost. To celebrate the deep logistics of Ken St. Andre's system, we are looking at the heart of the exploratory experience: The Red Cluster Navigation Chart.
Precision in the Stars
The Red Cluster was the first "sandbox" for many early sci-fi gamers. It wasn't just a list of names; it was a mathematical grid. Because starships in this era relied on relativistic speeds and Subspace jumps, knowing your distance in Parsecs was the difference between a successful mission and running out of life support in the dark.
The Navigator's Bible: The Distance Matrix
The chart below is a Master Data Table for the Red Cluster. It allows a Galaxy Master (G.M.) to instantly calculate travel times without needing to perform 3D Pythagorean theorem math at the table.
How to use this Chart:
Find your current star number in the left-hand column.
Find your destination star number across the top.
The intersection is the distance your ship must travel in Parsecs.
| Star | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 10 | 15 | 20 | 25 |
| 1 | 0.0 | 1.4 | 2.2 | 3.2 | 4.1 | 10.0 | 15.0 | 20.0 | 25.0 |
| 2 | 1.4 | 0.0 | 2.2 | 2.8 | 3.6 | 10.2 | 15.1 | 20.1 | 25.1 |
| 3 | 2.2 | 2.2 | 0.0 | 3.2 | 3.6 | 10.4 | 15.3 | 20.2 | 25.2 |
| 4 | 3.2 | 2.8 | 3.2 | 0.0 | 4.1 | 10.8 | 15.5 | 20.4 | 25.3 |
| 5 | 4.1 | 3.6 | 3.6 | 4.1 | 0.0 | 11.2 | 15.8 | 20.6 | 25.5 |
| 10 | 10.0 | 10.2 | 10.4 | 10.8 | 11.2 | 0.0 | 18.0 | 22.4 | 26.9 |
(Note: Data truncated for clarity; the full grid supports all 25 stars in the cluster.)
Why the Math Matters
In the Tiger Force Shadow Saga or any campaign using these rules, distance equals Risk.
Fuel Consumption: Every parsec drains your energy standards.
Subspace Hazards: The longer you spend in transit, the higher the chance of a Kthulhu detecting your ship's brain or a Derbis impact breaching your shields.
Time Sensitivity: If a Supernova is triggered at Star 15, and you are at Star 1, you are 15 days away from the aftermath. Can you get there before the Star Crystals are scavenged by the Slish?
Navigation in Starfaring reminds us that space is big—really big. And in the Red Cluster, your best friend isn't just your laser; it's your chart.
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 Ether Dragons and their portal mechanics, the specific "Hedge Wizard of the Shreveport Cabin" persona, and the original adventure "The Drifting Tower of Frifon." Monsters! Monsters! is a trademark of its respective owner. The monster stats provided here are compatible fan content and not an official product. © 2026 Arthur Earl C. Hedges Jr. All rights reserved.
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 "Royal Cartographer" archetype and the character "Emperor Rajah," Unique Items: The Ink of Anticipation, The Compass of Lost Things, Parchment of Echoes, The Scope of the True Meridian, The Rod of Infinite Spanning, and The Plumb of Gravity’s Anchor. 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.
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