🚀 Captain Hedges: A Journey Through Time, Space, and the Web (Our Story So Far - Updated Through October 2025)
Greetings, fellow travelers of the digital cosmos! Welcome back to the official blog chronicling the ongoing adventures of Captain Hedges and the evolution of our online presence. For those who are new to our corner of the internet, I'm Earl C. Hedges Jr., a lifelong Star Trek enthusiast and the driving force behind urlanduniverse.com and our family of websites.
Our journey began back in November 2002 with the launch of urlanduniverse.com, a passion project dedicated to all things Star Trek. This love for the franchise soon blossomed into a science-fiction internet business in October 2006, as we embraced affiliate programs to share our enthusiasm and curated selections with fellow fans. From the very beginning, our mission has been to provide quality merchandise, superior service, and a secure online shopping experience. As a dedicated fan and collector myself, I always aimed to offer a selection and level of knowledge that was truly second to none, especially when it came to Star Trek collectibles.
Life, as it often does, threw us some unexpected challenges. June 2009 brought the profound loss of my father, Earl C. Hedges Sr. This personal tragedy was compounded by a significant shift in my circumstances, leaving me without a stable income beyond what the websites generated. Unfortunately, the global economy took a downturn, and the demand for collectibles dwindled. Faced with these hardships and the need to care for my mother, Marlene Joan Hedges, I made the difficult decision to temporarily shut down the websites. My focus shifted entirely to being there for her until her passing on September 27th, 2011, just a week after her 74th birthday.
The period following my mother's passing was undoubtedly challenging. However, I was incredibly fortunate to have the unwavering support of close personal friends – you know who you are, and my gratitude for your kindness during that time is immeasurable. Your help was instrumental in navigating those difficult years.
A significant turning point came on April 11th, 2013, when I moved to Tucson, Arizona. Facing homelessness once again, I had to find a path forward. The support of organizations like the Salvation Army and the Primavera Foundation, along with new friendships forged in Tucson, proved to be a lifeline. Slowly but surely, I began to rebuild. To honor this journey of resilience, we embarked on a new chapter, launching a suite of new websites, including this very blog! This space is dedicated to sharing the ongoing adventures of Captain Hedges, reflecting on our past, navigating the present, and charting our future course.
In 2015, we proudly launched an all-new, free fan-based website (Click Here [Insert Actual Link Here]). While we knew the road back to where we once were would be long, this felt like a significant step in the right direction, a testament to our enduring passion and determination.
As 2016 rolled around, I found myself a very busy individual, enjoying life and indulging in some much-needed gaming. I even took a leap back into education on April 1st, 2016. Sadly, this endeavor was short-lived as the school unexpectedly closed its doors and lost its accreditation, rendering the program non-viable. While it felt like a waste of time and money, there was a silver lining – I acquired an Apple iPad, which has become an indispensable tool in my daily life. It's my go-to for catching up on news and, especially, for enjoying my collection of ebooks and PDFs through the iBooks reader app. As a Game Master, this has been a fantastic way to prep adventures without the cost of printing.
On a brighter note, 2016 also saw me attend three fantastic conventions here in Tucson. I had an absolute blast at each of them! I had intended to blog about these experiences sooner, but life kept me quite busy. Now that things have settled a bit, I hope to revisit those memories in future posts.
The year ended with a mix of emotions. Thanksgiving was particularly difficult, marked by loneliness and the absence of family. However, December brought a positive shift as I took on a role as a paid bell ringer for the Salvation Army. This not only allowed me to afford a decent Christmas for myself but also gave me the opportunity to support a charity I deeply believe in.
January 2017 marked the beginning of a new and exciting tabletop role-playing campaign. I dove into the world of Dungeons and Dragons 5th Edition, running a game using the SRD rules and incorporating fantastic adventures from Frog God Games. The updated source material has been a joy to explore!
Thankfully, 2017 proved to be a year where I could consistently meet my basic needs. As we moved into 2018, my focus shifted towards engaging more with the convention scene. You may have noticed a rebranding effort across our websites and social media platforms, now reflecting "The Adventures of Captain Hedges Across Time and Space." This new identity encapsulates the ongoing journey and the spirit of exploration that drives us. Be sure to check out my blog posts starting in April of 2018 for updates on my convention experiences and other happenings!
The journey since 2018 has been a rollercoaster of personal challenges and exciting new creative endeavors. While the convention circuit slowed down for a bit, my personal life took some significant turns.
Between 2018 and 2021, I found myself navigating the challenges of homelessness once again, finding shelter first at the Salvation Army in Shreveport, Louisiana, and later at the Hope Connections shelter. These were tough times, and I'm grateful for the support I received during that period.
A significant change came in March of 2022 when I was able to move into the Motor City Hotel for a year. Having a more stable living situation provided a much-needed foundation as I worked towards regaining more permanent housing. It was during my time residing at the Motor City Hotel that I was fortunate to meet a new female friend. Her presence in my life became a significant source of support, especially during the health issues I faced from 2022 through 2023. Our friendship blossomed into a deeper relationship, and I am incredibly grateful for her companionship during those challenging times.
In January of this year, we received the sad news of the passing of her son, Anthony. Wanting to offer my support during this difficult time, I accompanied her on January 29th to southern Louisiana for the services. It was important to me to be there for her in her sorrow. During this trip, I had the opportunity to meet the rest of her family. I especially enjoyed spending time with her grandkids, and her children even started calling me their "new dad," which was a heartwarming experience. We returned to Shreveport on February 5th. While our time spent together has been less frequent recently, I deeply value the friendship we continue to share to this day.
From March through July of 2023, my primary focus was on the often complex and demanding process of completing the paperwork necessary to secure an apartment. It was a period filled with applications, interviews, and a lot of patience! Finally, on July 23rd, 2023, I signed the lease and moved into my first apartment in quite some time. This was a huge step forward, and while I am incredibly grateful to have a place to call home here in Shreveport, the experience of homelessness has left an indelible mark, reminding me that stability can be fragile.
Looking back a bit, between March and April of 2022, I had the incredible opportunity to contribute to a fantastic project: The Monsterary of Zimrala, a bestiary for the role-playing games of the legendary Ken St. Andre. The Kickstarter campaign for this project got off to an amazing start. As Steve Crompton shared during that time:
Hello All - this is Steve Crompton and I just wanted to pass on from Ken and I our thanks for your belief in this new dream project the Monsterary of Zimrala. (Its pronounced Monster-Airy) We're less than 24 hours in and already over the halfway point! That's a Hell of a start for us all. So thanks!
This bestiary, which saw its Kickstarter campaign run during this period, features over 111 unique illustrated creatures and provides guidelines for using them in any RPG system. The team behind this project is comprised of award-winning professionals, including writers, editors, and artists with impressive credentials in the gaming industry.
What makes the Monsterary truly special is that it introduces an entirely new fantasy world called Zimrala. This world is rich with unique monsters, mysteries, lost civilizations, and a tumultuous past. The book even includes details about the world and hints at its dark secrets, along with a partial map. Excitingly, Zimrala is set to be the foundation for Ken St. Andre's future solo and Game Master adventures.
As part of the Kickstarter, there was a unique opportunity for backers to "buy" and name islands off the coast of Zimrala, which would then be featured on the official map. Well, I couldn't resist! This is where the genesis of my current creative focus truly began. I contributed some of my own monster designs to the book, and I proudly "purchased" several islands, most notably the Tygerian Isles, as a home for my own intelligent species, the Tygerians. This was a significant moment for me, a creative spark that continues to fuel my work to this very day.
The period between February 17th, 2025, and March 19th, 2025, brought another exciting project to the forefront: the "Trollgod's Skull Quest Campaign Adventure - Ken St. Andre" Kickstarter campaign. I was thrilled to have my new Game Master Adventure (GMA) battle with Lamashtu included in this campaign. For those interested in more details about this, please check out my other blog posts!
Amidst these personal and creative events, the past few years haven't been without their health challenges. During the COVID-19 outbreak, I had to undergo quarantine twice. Thankfully, I came through those experiences okay. More significantly, from November of 2022 through December of 2023, I faced a serious health battle, suffering from attacks and strokes. This was a difficult period, but I'm grateful for the progress I've made in my recovery. As of March 2025, I'm feeling better and focusing on a healthier lifestyle, including a better diet and more moderate exercise. I've had to come to terms with the fact that my body can no longer handle the intense workouts of my past, particularly the dream of returning to the wrestling ring. My focus now is on finding other fulfilling ways to stay busy and active.
Finally, in February of 2025, I signed a new lease on my apartment here in Shreveport. This provides continued stability, though I always remember that I am only one step away from being homeless again, a perspective that shapes my outlook and my gratitude.
The period following March 2025 has been a powerful mix of intense creative output and profound personal challenges.
On the creative front, the Starship Urland Universe has been charting new sectors, primarily focusing on the Zimrala World of Monsters. My focus has been on fleshing out the lore and game mechanics for the Tygerian Isles—a project I'm passionate about, exploring the descendants of Earth's ancient travelers and their new home on Zimrala. The creative blueprint for the Gridiron League has also been taking shape, blending worlds and systems for new RPG content.
I've also been deep in the development of the Tiger Force Shadow Saga, working through the multi-generational storyline that connects the jungles of Vietnam to the sands of Desert Storm. Meanwhile, the grander scale of the multiverse continues to expand with the lore of the ether dragons and the escape to Zimarala.
However, the journey through the digital cosmos has been shadowed by real-world difficulties. Between late April and October, my attention was necessarily pulled away by personal matters, including an emotionally difficult situation involving my family in Shreveport. Most significantly, I have been dealing with the aftermath of a deeply felt personal loss—the passing of my beloved Uncle Jerry on Sunday, October 19th, 2025, following a tragic incident. This event has created a profound period of grief and difficulty for my family, especially for my Uncle Bill.
This personal struggle has been the primary focus of my time and energy, and it serves as a powerful reminder that even as Captain Hedges explores the vastness of space, the most important missions are often those that bring us back home. The themes of perseverance and resilience that define the Urland Universe have never felt more personal or relevant.
Thank you for your patience and continued support as I navigate this difficult season while continuing to steer the ship forward. Every article, every adventure, and every new monster created is a testament to the enduring power of community and creativity.
Looking ahead, as of this October 29th, 2025 update, I am deeply immersed in writing about the Zimrala World of Monsters, envisioning a scenario where the Troll World is being invaded by the formidable Star Spider Empire, forcing its inhabitants to seek refuge onto Zimrala. This is a project I am incredibly passionate about, and I am hoping it will become our next big collaboration with Ken and Steve.
On a personal note, I also want to acknowledge my dear friend Angela, who I mentioned earlier. She has truly been an angel in my life, especially during the challenging times I've navigated. Her unwavering support and friendship mean the world to me as I continue to pursue these creative endeavors.
Thank you for joining me on this ongoing journey through the past, present, and future. Your support and enthusiasm mean the world to me. Be sure to check back regularly for more updates from Captain Hedges and the ever-evolving universe of our websites!
Cheers,
Earl C. Hedges Jr. Captain Hedges
