Here are complete Cepheus Engine stat blocks and character profiles for the three central figures of New Texas, formatted using standard Cepheus Engine / OGL 2D6 conventions.
Marshal BraveStarr
"Eyes of the Hawk, Ears of the Wolf, Strength of the Bear, Speed of the Puma!"
A native of the planet Starr-Arra, BraveStarr was saved as a child by the mystic Shaman. Appointed Galactic Marshal to New Texas, he serves as the primary lawman protecting Fort Kerium and the surrounding frontier.
Marshal BraveStarr Human Male Age 30 6 terms Cr 12,000
STR 11 (+1) DEX 10 (+1) END 11 (+1) INT 9 (+0) EDU 8 (+0) SOC 8 (+0)
UPP: BBBA88
Skills: Gun Combat (Slug/Energy) 3, Leadership 2, Melee (Unarmed) 2, Recon 2,
Riding (Equine/Cyber) 2, Survival 2, Mysticism 2, Athletics 1, Admin 1, Drive 1
Combat Statistics
Armor: Reinforced Lawman Duster (Armor 4)
Primary Weapon: Neura-Stunner Pistol (Gun Combat +1, Range: Pistol, Damage: 2D6 Non-Lethal / Stun, Magazine: 20)
Special Gear: Star-Badge Communicator (TL12 orbital link), Kerium Lasso, Cyber-Saddle Link.
Special Abilities (Shamanic Totems)
BraveStarr can channel Spirit Totems by spending 1 Power Point (Psionic/Mystic Pool: 6 PP) and passing an END or Mysticism check (8+). Effects last for 1D6 rounds:
Eyes of the Hawk: Telescopic, thermal, and EM vision. Ignores concealment/darkness; grants +3 DM to Recon and Gun Combat at Medium+ range.
Ears of the Wolf: Superhuman auditory sensing. +2 DM to Initiative; detects hidden or ambushing targets within 100 meters automatically.
Strength of the Bear: STR temporarily rises to 15 (+3 DM). Melee damage becomes 3D6+3; allows lifting or moving vehicle-scale objects up to 1 ton.
Speed of the Puma: Triples tactical movement rate. Grants +2 DM to Athletics/Dodge checks and +1 extra Minor Action per combat turn.
Thirty/Thirty
"I'm Thirty/Thirty! And I like to fight!"
BraveStarr’s partner is a Cybernetic Equestroid—a sapient, heavy-built cyborg equine who can alternate between galloping on all fours and standing on his hind legs to wield heavy artillery.
Thirty/Thirty Cybernetic Equestroid Age 34 7 terms Cr 2,500
STR 14 (+2) DEX 8 (+0) END 13 (+2) INT 7 (+0) EDU 6 (+0) SOC 5 (-1)
UPP: EDD765
Skills: Heavy Weapons (Vehicle/Gunnery) 3, Melee (Unarmed/Hooves) 3, Gun Combat 2,
Survival 2, Athletics 2, Drive 1, Mechanic 1, Tactics (Ground) 1
Combat Statistics
Armor: Integrated Cyber-Plating & Heavy Frame (Armor 6)
Primary Weapon: "Sara Jane" Heavy Energy Cannon (Vehicle-Scale Weapon)
Stats: Range: Very Long (500m), Damage: 6D6 (AP 10), Magazine: 12 Kerium Cells, Traits: Two-Handed (Bipedal Stance Only), Heavy Blast.
Secondary Weapon: Cybernetic Hoof-Strike / Trample (Melee, Damage: 2D6+2).
Special Traits
Mode Shift: Can shift between Quadruped (Gait) and Bipedal (Combat) as a Minor Action.
Quadruped Mode: Base movement speed tripled (150m/round); can carry 2 human passengers comfortably; cannot wield Sara Jane.
Bipedal Mode: Standard movement (10m/round); full access to two-handed heavy weaponry and unarmed combat moves.
Stubborn Grit: May ignore the effects of being Wounded or Fatigued once per day for up to 10 combat rounds.
Tex-Hex
"You haven't seen the last of Tex-Hex, Marshal!"
Leader of the Carrion Bunch, Tex-Hex is a undead sorcerer-outlaw empowered directly by Stampede. He fuses dark mystical magic with cybernetic enhancements and high-tech weaponry to terrorize New Texas.
Tex-Hex Undead Cyber-Sorcerer Age Unknown Cr 85,000
STR 9 (+0) DEX 11 (+1) END 12 (+2) INT 10 (+1) EDU 9 (+0) SOC 3 (-1)
UPP: 9BCA93
Skills: Mysticism (Dark) 4, Gun Combat (Pistol/Rifle) 3, Deception 3, Persuasion 2,
Tactics (Raids) 2, Recon 2, Stealth 2, Driving (Skimmer) 2
Combat Statistics
Armor: Cyber-Undead Mesh (Armor 5, Immune to non-lethal/stun damage and poison/vacuum)
Primary Weapon: Dark-Magic Kerium Blaster (Gun Combat +1, Range: Medium, Damage: 3D6 Energy + 1D6 Dark Magic corruption)
Secondary Weapon: Mystical Bolts (Range: Short, Damage: 3D6 Life Drain—heals Tex-Hex for half damage dealt).
Special Abilities (Stampede's Blessings)
Tex-Hex channels dark magic (Mystic Pool: 10 PP):
Phantom Transformation (2 PP): Transforms himself into a flying red mist for up to 1 hour. In mist form, he is immune to all non-energy attacks and flies at 60m/round.
Summon Shadow Creatures (3 PP): Summons 1D4 shadowy serpent-like entities or phantom beasts to attack foes (Use standard Cepheus Engine Predator stats with Armor 2 and 2D6 bite attacks).
Corruption Pulse (2 PP): Creates an aura forcing all targets within 10 meters to make an END check (9+) or suffer a -2 DM to all skill rolls due to intense dark terror for 1D6 rounds.
Adapting BraveStarr—Filmation’s 1987 space-western sci-fi animated series—to the Cepheus Engine (a classic 2D6 20D100/Traveller-compatible OGL system) creates a unique setting: Gothic Western Space Fantasy.
Below is a complete setting sourcebook framework, including world mechanics, character creation, alien species, shamanic magic, and signature gear.
1. Setting Overview: New Texas
Located in a remote sector on the galactic frontier, New Texas is a harsh planet rich in Kerium, a highly unstable, immensely powerful glowing energy crystal. Kerium fuels interstellar starships and hyper-advanced weaponry, making New Texas a target for interstellar syndicates, outlaw bands, and corporate cartels.
Key Themes & Tone
High-Tech Western: Hover-crafts, laser-revolvers, cybernetic horses, and dusty saloon towns.
Frontier Lawlessness: The Galactic Council’s law reaches New Texas through lone Marshal offices. Law enforcement is outnumbered and reliant on grit and superior firepower.
Ancient Mystic Powers: Mystic shamans tap into primal spirits (represented as animal totems) to grant superhuman physical feats.
2. Character Creation & Species
In Cepheus Engine terms, characters follow standard character generation with specific sector-appropriate species choices.
Distinct Species
Humans: The dominant settlers, prospectors, and lawmen on New Texas.
Trait: +1 to any one attribute during creation.
Prairie People (Equestroids / Native Folk): Small, industrious burrowers native to New Texas who mine Kerium.
Trait: Small stature (STR -1), inherent +2 DM to Recon, Survival, and Mining-related checks.
Cybernetic Equestroids (Thirty/Thirty's Species): Uplifted or cybernetically enhanced equines capable of switching between quadrupedal galloping and bipedal combat stances.
Trait: High Strength (STR +2, END +1). Can wield heavy vehicle-scale weaponry when standing on two legs.
Saratoga / Alien Species: Amphibious, reptilian, or avian humanoids from neighboring star systems serving as traders, mercenaries, or bandits.
3. The Mystic Path: Shamanic Powers
Instead of standard Cepheus Engine Psionics, New Texas features Shamanic Magic / Spirit Animal Totems, famously channeled by figures like Marshal BraveStarr through Thirty-Thirty's mentor, Thirty-Thirty and Shaman.
Mechanics for Animal Powers
To tap into a spirit power, a character must possess the Psionics / Mysticism skill and pass an END or INT check (Difficulty 8+) using 1 Power Point (PP) per activation. Powers last for 1D6 combat rounds.
| Power | Spirit Call | Cepheus Engine Effect |
| Eyes of the Hawk | "Eyes of the Hawk!" | Grants long-range telescopic and thermal vision. +3 DM to Recon, Gun Combat (Ranged), and Observation. Ignores concealment/darkness penalties. |
| Ears of the Wolf | "Ears of the Wolf!" | Super-hearing. Multiplies perception range by 10. Automatically detects stealthy movement; grants +2 DM to Initiative. |
| Strength of the Bear | "Strength of the Bear!" | Temporarily increases STR attribute to 15 (+3 DM). Unarmed damage becomes 3D6. Allows lifting heavy vehicles/boulders. |
| Speed of the Puma | "Speed of the Puma!" | Triples base movement speed. +2 DM to Athletics/Dodge. Grants an extra minor action each combat turn. |
4. Iconic Weapons & Technology
Technology on New Texas blends standard Cepheus Engine TL11–13 tech with frontier aesthetics.
[ Kerium Energy Cell ]
│
┌──────────────┴──────────────┐
▼ ▼
[ Neura-Stunner Sidearm ] [ Sarah Jane Cannons ]
(Personal Defense / Non-Lethal) (Vehicle-Scale Anti-Armor)
Signature Equipment Table
| Item | Range | Damage | Tech Level | Cost (Cr) | Notes |
| Neura-Stunner Pistol | Ranged (Pistol) | 2D6 (Non-Lethal) | TL 11 | 500 | Standard lawman sidearm; targets must pass END check or fall unconscious. |
| Kerium Laser Carbine | Long Range | 4D6 | TL 12 | 2,500 | Standard weapon of Tex-Hex's outlaws. Explosive burst on natural 12. |
| "Sarah Jane" (Big Gun) | Very Long | 6D6 (AP 10) | TL 12 | 12,000 | Heavy cybernetic-mounted cannon (Thirty/Thirty's signature rifle). Vehicle-scale weapon. |
| Techno-Horse / Cyber-Mount | Movement: 150m/round | Armor: 8 | TL 12 | 45,000 | Cybernetic steed; integrated communications, life support interface, and jump-thrusters. |
| Trans-Stellar Kerium Ore | N/A | N/A | N/A | 50,000/ton | Highly unstable; requires Volatile Goods handling checks during transport. |
5. Main Antagonists & Threats
Stampede & Tex-Hex's Outlaw Gang
Stampede: An ancient, monstrous cosmic demon-bronco possessing high-level mystical/psionic powers. Operates as an overarching patron/villain driving corruption across the sector.
Tex-Hex: A cyber-undead sorcerer-outlaw.
Special Ability (Phantom Transformation): Tex-Hex can turn into a cloud of red mist to dodge attacks or terrorize settlements.
Random Encounters in the Badlands (1D6)
Sand-Squid Attack: Ambush while traveling through dry Kerium canyons.
Dingo-Dan's Hijackers: Outlaws using hover-bikes targeting Kerium transports.
Kerium Mine Collapse: Unstable energy crystals threatening to detonate a settlement.
Stampede Cultists: Cybernetic mystics summoning dark magic storms.
Prairie People Distress Call: A local burrow under siege by corporate mercenaries.
Marshal Inspection: Galactic Council Marshals searching for contraband or unregistered Kerium.
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