STARFARING ACROSS THE ZOSMA (ZIMRALA) SYSTEM: CHASING THE STARS ABOARD THE STAR-CHASER FILES
[CONSOLE TERMINAL: BRAHMA-VISHNU OVERRIDE ACTIVE] [
LOCATION: DEEP SPACE – ZOSMA (ZIMRALA) SYSTEM] [
STARDATE: 1192026.0844]
SHIP STATUS: ACTIVE
VISHNU SHIELDS: RATED 150 [NOMINAL]
WARP DRIVE: STANDBY (FACTOR 6 CAPABLE)
BRAHMA POWER: 100 PU (POWER UNITS)
CREW COMPLEMENT: 09 [AUTHORIZED]
LOG ENTRY: CAPTAIN HEDGES RECORDING...
The air in the Star-Chaser’s cockpit smelled of stale caf and ozone—the scent of a job just barely pulled off. I sat back in the pilot's chair, boots up on the console, watching the starlight stretch into long, neon ribbons as we engaged the Warp Drive within the gravity well of the Zosma (Zimrala) System.
We had no business getting out of that spaceport in one piece. Between Head Stone’s energy crossbow lighting up the loading dock and Grimmer screaming at the Brahma Crystals like they owed him money, it was a miracle the ship didn't tear apart. I looked over at The Wizard, her skin glowing in the light of her technomancy displays, and realized this wasn't just a crew of misfits—it was a powder keg waiting for a match.
I don’t know where we’re headed next, but with Dez Nuts—our resident Sci-Fi Space Squirrel—already calibrating the Shiva Cannons and The Brass Astrolabe chirping back at The Gilded Lexicon, one thing is certain: the Outer Rim won't know what hit it. Both of them were gleaming in the overhead lights, their Golem Droid bodies a reminder of the ancient Zimralan "Android Golem" tech that keeps them running when modern circuits would have fried.
We’re out here in the black, navigating the etheric tides, and for the first time in a long time, the Star-Chaser feels like she’s exactly where she belongs.
PART 2
🚢 SHIP PROFILE: THE STAR-CHASER
Registry: New Stellar Alliance / Tygerian Isles Patrol
Class: Trinity-Class Scout Frigate
⚙️ CORE SYSTEMS & ATTRIBUTES
| System | Rating / Value | Description |
| Brahma Power (Core) | 100 PU | The primary power bank fueled by Brahma Crystals. |
| Vishnu Shields | 150 Rating | Multi-layered energy defense drawn from the Brahma Core. |
| Shiva Cannons | Twin-Linked | Heavy thermal batteries capable of Factor 4 output. |
| Warp Drive | Factor 6 | Capable of high-speed transit through etheric tides. |
| Ship Mentality (ME) | 3d6 (Variable) | The intelligence of the Brahma-Integrated "Ship's Brain." |
🛠️ DECK & HULL SPECS
Chassis Composition: Reinforced Zimralan Bronze and Lead-Shielded Titanium.
Automation Link: Currently connected to The Brass Astrolabe and The Gilded Lexicon.
Operational Cost: Consumes 20 PU per day for standard "Automated Hive-Mind" link maintenance.
Emergency Protocol: Brahma-Vishnu Override—Allows the Captain to dump all remaining PU into shields for 1 round of near-invulnerability.
CHASING THE STARS: CLASSIFIED CREW MANIFEST
NEW STELLAR ALLIANCE PERSONNEL FILE [OVERRIDE ACCESS GRANTED]
To survive the etheric backwash of the Zosma (Zimrala) System, you need more than just luck—you need the raw power of the New Stellar Alliance. These attributes are calculated using the 3D6 base multiplied by the official racial modifiers established for this campaign.
| Name | Role / Designation | Species | Multiplier | ST (Strength) | ME (Mentality) |
| Captain Hedges | Ship Master / Pilot | Human | x1.25 | 14 | 16 |
| Head Stone | Security / Marksman | Tygerian | x6.00 | 66 | 42 |
| Grimmer | Chief Engineer | Space Dwarf | x2.00 | 22 | 18 |
| "The Wizard" | Astrogator | Moon Elf | x1.66 | 18 | 25 |
| Dez Nuts | Shiva Specialist | Space Squirrel | x0.50 | 06 | 14 |
| Lizard-Man Merc | Tactical Muscle | Lizard-Man | x3.00 | 33 | 15 |
| Sasquatch Tech | Engine Tech | Sasquatch | x5.00 | 55 | 20 |
| The Brass Astrolabe | Maintenance Golem | Golem Droid | x1.00 | 10 | 17 |
| The Gilded Lexicon | Comms Golem | Golem Droid | x1.00 | 08 | 14 |
Crew Notes:
Head Stone (Tygerian): Bringing that massive x6.00 multiplier into play makes him the most dangerous security officer on this side of the Tygerian Isles.
The Golem Droids: The Brass Astrolabe and The Gilded Lexicon are our "anchor" units. While they have lower multipliers, their ME (Mentality) scores are optimized for surviving the data-scrambling radiation of the Zosma mists.
Dez Nuts (Space Squirrel): Small but mighty. His multiplier might be lower, but his speed and ability to crawl into Shiva Cannon maintenance shafts make him indispensable.
CHASING THE STARS: THE GOLEM-FORGE PROTOCOLS
PART 3: ASSEMBLING YOUR OWN ANDROID GOLEMS
“Listen up, recruits,” Gimmer rumbles, wiping a thick layer of axle grease onto his apron. “Standard circuitry is for inner-rim dandies. In the Zosma (Zimrala) System, the ether-tides will melt a silicon chip before you can say 'hyperspace.' If you want a crew that won’t fry, you need a Golem forged from brass and stone.”
Dez Nuts hops onto the workbench, spinning a glowing Brahma Shard like a coin. “Exactly! We’re talking about Android Golems—ancient Zimralan technomancy meets New Stellar Alliance muscle. You don’t just buy these; you build 'em!”
🛠️ THE WORKBENCH GUIDE: BUILDING YOUR OWN
To create a Golem Droid for your Starfaring campaign, you must choose your frame, install the core, and awaken the machine spirit.
STEP 1: CHOOSE YOUR CHASSIS (THE FRAME)
The frame determines the Golem’s base durability and weight class.
Light Brass Frame: (Used for The Gilded Lexicon) - +2 to DEX, -2 to STR.
Reinforced Bronze Frame: (Used for The Brass Astrolabe) - Standard base stats.
Heavy Black Iron Frame: (Used for The Sentinel Prime) - +5 to STR, -2 to SPD.
Titan Grade Steel: (Used for The Titan Loader) - +10 to STR, -5 to SPD.
STEP 2: INSTALL THE CORE (THE BRAHMA SPARK)
Every Golem requires a Brahma Power Shard to function.
Standard Shard: Provides 12 hours of operation.
Refined Zimralan Crystal: Provides 7 days of operation and +1 to ME (Mentality).
Trinity Engine Link: Permanent power, but the Golem must stay within 100 meters of the ship’s core.
STEP 3: THE "STAR-CHASER" SPECIAL BUILDS
If you want to replicate the legendary droids of our crew, use these specific part-lists:
1. The Gilded Lexicon (The Scholar Golem)
Focus: Mentality (ME) and Charisma (CHR).
Parts: Gold-leaf plating, Universal Translation Matrix, Vocal Harmonic Synthesizer.
Special: Gains the "Diplomatic Shield" (can ignore the first 5 damage of any energy attack).
2. The Brass Astrolabe (The Navigator Golem)
Focus: Dexterity (DEX) and Mentality (ME).
Parts: Multi-spectrum optics, Magnetic-grip feet, Scomp-link repair arm.
Special: +2 to all Ship Repair rolls and Star-Mapping tasks.
3. The Sentinel Prime (The Iron Guardian)
Focus: Strength (ST) and Constitution (CON).
Parts: Heavy plating, integrated Shiva-Gauntlet (3D6 Damage), Night-Vision sensors.
Special: Can act as a mobile cover unit for other crew members.
⚙️ THE AUTOMATED SHIP & CYBORG OVERRIDE
To run a ship with a Golem crew, the ship must be Brahma-Integrated.
The Ship’s Brain: The ship itself gains a Mentality (ME) attribute (Roll 3D6 base).
The Hive-Link: Subtract 20 PU from your total Brahma Power to maintain the link.
The Cyborg Ship Master: For a captain like Sprocket, use a x1.50 multiplier. When plugged in, the ship gains +10 Vishnu Shields.
CHASING THE STARS: ENCOUNTER AT THE RIM
PART 4: THE GHOST OF THE TRINITY ENGINE
[CONSOLE TERMINAL: BRAHMA-VISHNU OVERRIDE ACTIVE] [TARGET ACQUIRED: THE GHOST-SHARK – PIRATE FRIGATE] [STARDATE: 1192026.0845] // STATUS: THREAT DETECTED – SHIVA-WEB DEPLOYED // LOG ENTRY: CAPTAIN HEDGES RECORDING...
The peace of the Zosma (Zimrala) System didn't last. A jagged, black-hulled predator emerged from the shadow of the fourth moon. It was the Ghost-Shark, and standing on its bridge was Captain Sprocket. Through the tactical link, I could see the cables snaking from his spine directly into his ship's Trinity Engine.
"Lower your shields, Hedges," his voice crackled through the comms, cold and processed. "Your Golem constructs belong in my fleet. Resistance is mathematically inefficient."
He launched the boarding pods before the message finished. Massive Titan Loaders smashed into our hull, their hydraulic claws tearing through the outer plating. But Sprocket forgot one thing: my crew isn't just numbers on a spreadsheet. We have a Sasquatch in the engine room defending the Brahma Core and a Lizard-Man with a thermal-axe waiting at the airlock. The fight for the Star-Chaser has just begun!
🎲 EARL’S GAME MASTER NOTES: RUNNING THE HEDGES WAY
To all my fellow GMs out there, here’s how I handle the "Chasing the Stars" sessions at my table. Use these to keep your players on their toes!
The Captain as a GM Tool: In my games, Captain Hedges is a GM-controlled character. He’s the anchor. He’s there to provide the mission, offer a bit of "Hedge Wizard" wisdom when the players get stuck, and keep the ship flying while the players handle the heroics. If the players are overthinking, Hedges is the one to say, "Enough talk, Grimmer's screaming about the crystals—we move now!"
The Trinity Tension: Don't just track HP. Track Brahma Power (PU). When the players take a hit to the shields, tell them they feel the lights flicker and the air get cold. It forces them to make choices: do we keep the Shiva Cannons firing, or do we reroute power to the life support?
Running the Golems: I treat the Golem droids like specialized tools. They aren't chatty like humans, but they have personality in their "quirks." When The Brass Astrolabe chirps, I describe it as a musical gear-grind. It adds to the 1976s sci-fi aesthetic.
The Sprocket Dynamic: When I run Captain Sprocket, I play him as a tragic figure. He’s a man who gave up his feelings for a higher calculation. When he meets the players, he shouldn't be a "villain" who wants to rule the world—he’s an auditor who thinks the players are wasting a perfectly good starship.
ALSO, THIS IS MY VERSION OF A SPACE OPREA AND HOW YOU CAN RUN IT WITH THE MONSTERARY OF ZIMRALA IN THE ZOSMA (ZIMRLA) SYSTEM OF THE LEO GALAXY CAMPAGIN. HERE IS A STEELR CARTOGRAPHY BY ANGELA HEAD BELOW FOR ALL OF YOU TO USE AS A REFRENCE FOR YOUR GAMES
⚔️ BONUS ADVENTURE: THE GHOST-SHARK AMBUSH
The Hook: The players are navigating the etheric tides near the Monastery of Zimrala when a massive energy dampening field (The Shiva-Web) pulls them out of warp. The Threat: Captain Sprocket and the Ghost-Shark appear. He demands the players' most skilled Golem or Engineer to join his automated collective. The Twist: Mid-negotiation, a swarm of Ophidian Bio-Ships attacks. These organic horrors are immune to Sprocket's logic-bombs. The Goal: Players must decide whether to fight Sprocket off or board the Ghost-Shark to save him from a virus turning his ship into a bomb.
STARFARING ACROSS THE ZOSMA (ZIMRALA) SYSTEM: CHASING THE STARS ABOARD THE STAR-CHASER FILES
🌌 GM PROLOGUE: THE INDIGO CORRIDOR
Setting the Stage for the Zosma (Zimrala) System
“The Zosma (Zimrala) System is a place where the laws of physics take a back seat to the laws of magic. You are currently navigating the ‘Indigo Corridor,’ a stretch of space where the nebula gas is so thick it looks like bioluminescent soup. The Star-Chaser’s Brahma crystals are humming a low, steady tune, but the sensors are twitchy. Check your seals and prime your Shiva Cannons—space is about to get very crowded.”
PART 1: LOG ENTRY – THE APPROACH
[CONSOLE TERMINAL: BRAHMA-VISHNU OVERRIDE ACTIVE]
// LOG ENTRY: CAPTAIN HEDGES RECORDING...
The air in the cockpit smelled of stale caf and ozone. We had no business getting out of that spaceport in one piece, but between Head Stone’s crossbow and Grimmer screaming at the crystals, we made it. I looked over at The Wizard, her skin glowing in the technomancy displays. We’re out here in the black, navigating the etheric tides of the Zosma (Zimrala) System, and for the first time, the Star-Chaser feels like she’s exactly where she belongs.
PART 2: THE CLASSIFIED MANIFEST
Attributes calculated at 3d6 base multiplied by Racial Modifiers (M!M! 2.7).
| Name | Role / Designation | Species | Multiplier | ST | ME |
| Captain Hedges | Ship Master / Pilot | Human | x1.25 | 14 | 16 |
| Head Stone | Security / Marksman | Tygerian | x6.00 | 66 | 42 |
| Grimmer | Chief Engineer | Space Dwarf | x2.00 | 22 | 18 |
| "The Wizard" | Astrogator | Moon Elf | x1.66 | 18 | 25 |
| Dez Nuts | Shiva Specialist | Space Squirrel | x0.50 | 06 | 14 |
| Lizard-Man Merc | Tactical Muscle | Lizard-Man | x3.00 | 33 | 15 |
| Sasquatch Tech | Engine Tech | Sasquatch | x5.00 | 55 | 20 |
| The Brass Astrolabe | Maintenance Golem | Golem Droid | x1.00 | 10 | 17 |
| The Gilded Lexicon | Comms Golem | Golem Droid | x1.00 | 08 | 14 |
PART 3: THE GOLEM-FORGE PROTOCOLS (GIMMER & DEZ NUTS)
The Chassis: Choose from Light Brass (Lexicon), Reinforced Bronze (Astrolabe), or Heavy Black Iron (Sentinel).
The Spark: Install a Brahma Shard for power.
Special Models:
Sentinel Prime: The Iron Guardian (STR x3.00).
Titan Loader: The Hull-Breaker (STR x6.00).
The Cyborg Captain: x1.50 Multiplier. Hard-wired into the ship's Trinity Engine. Provides +10 Vishnu Shields when plugged in.
PART 4: THE ADVENTURE – THE GHOST OF THE TRINITY ENGINE
⚔️ ENCOUNTER 1: THE SHARK'S AMBUSH
The Ghost-Shark predator frigate decloaks. Captain Sprocket engages the Shiva-Web, locking your ship in place.
The Attack: Sprocket fires magnetic harpoons that drag the ships together. He demands your Golems.
The Threat: If the players don't surrender, Sprocket begins charging his twin-linked Shiva Cannons.
⚔️ ENCOUNTER 2: THE OPHIDIAN SWARM
Just as the pirates prepare to board, the nebula bleeds green. Dozens of organic Ophidian Bio-Ships erupt from the mist.
The Attack: They fire "Leech-Pods" at both the Star-Chaser and the Ghost-Shark.
The Threat: These pods contain Ophidian Warriors and acid spores that eat through the bulkheads. The Ophidians want to capture both crews for consumption.
⚔️ ENCOUNTER 3: THE DARING CROSSING
The Ghost-Shark takes a direct hit from an Ophidian "Mind-Leech" spore. Sprocket’s spine-link is compromised.
The Mission: Players must cross the 50-meter vacuum gap between the ships as they are being dragged toward an Ophidian rift.
The Threat: Acidic spores floating in the debris field.
⚔️ ENCOUNTER 4: THE BOARDING PARTY
Players reach the Ghost-Shark bridge, which is now an Ophidian hive-nest.
The Combat: Players must face the Ophidian Hive-Alpha (STR 100) and two Sentinel Primes that have been corrupted by the bio-virus.
The Rescue: Ripping the vines from Sprocket’s mechanical spine to reboot his system.
⚔️ ENCOUNTER 5: THE TEAM-UP & OPHIDIAN DEFEAT
Sprocket reboots and realizes the players saved his life. He grants them temporary command access.
The Combat: The combined crew (Players and Pirates) must repel the final wave of Ophidian Warriors.
The Victory: Bridging the two Trinity Engines to fire a Super-Shiva Pulse, incinerating the remaining Bio-Ships and closing the rift.
🏁 EPILOGUE: THE SPROCKET OVERRIDE
The "Hedges Method" Ending
Once the Ophidian swarm was cleared, Sprocket thought he was being generous by offering us a place on his ship to "serve" him. He invited the wolf into the den. While he was busy calculating his tactical advantage, Angela and the kids were already in the ship's guts.
By the time the Star-Chaser was docked in the hangar, the pirate captain found himself frozen. Angela and the kids remapped the logic-cores of every Golem on the ship. The Titan Loaders now take orders from the kids like giant iron toys.
As for Sprocket? He’s been reprogrammed. He’s still on the bridge, but he answers to Captain Hedges now. He grumbles, he complains about "efficiency," and he sighs with mechanical disdain every time I tell him where to fly, but he has no choice. If he even thinks about attacking the crew, his safety-lock kicks in and he shuts down instantly. He’s the galaxy’s grumpiest chauffeur, and the Ghost-Shark is now an Alliance vessel—whether he likes it or not.
Product Identity & Legal
The following items are designated Product Identity of Arthur Earl C. Hedges Jr. / The Adventures of Captain Hedges: The Tygerian Isles, the Ether Dragons, the Trinity Engine, the Golem Droids "The Brass Astrolabe" and "The Gilded Lexicon," the ship "The Ghost-Shark," the character Cyborg Pirate Captain Sprocket, and the "Sprocket Override" mechanic.
Monsters! Monsters!, Starfaring, and Humans, Humans (1st Edition) are trademarks of Ken St. Andre and Troll Godfather Press and are used with permission. The world of Zimrala, the Zosma (Zimrala) System, and the Monastery of Zimrala (MoZ) are the official campaign settings and intellectual property of Ken St. Andre and Troll Godfather Press. © 2026 Arthur Earl C. Hedges Jr. All rights reserved.
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