You may have read my review of Modiphius’ Forgotten Ruin recently, a solo adventure game set in a fantasy world of Orcs, Trolls, and Dragons. But, rather than controlling a warband of Warriors, clerics, and healers, you instead have a unit of modern-day infantry.
I enjoyed the game so much I decided I would do a campaign for the site.
So… prepare to enter the world of Forgotten Ruin from the British perspective, the eyes of the elite 22 SAS regiment. This series will follow a troop of SAS as they navigate the dangers of Ruin, paving the way for a larger force. This article introduces the team, their equipment, the environment they’ll be fighting in, and the first enemies they’ll face.
We’ll publish a new article each month as we keep track of 22 SAS in the Forgotten Ruin.
Squad Creation
First up is creating our unit. Forgotten Ruin asks you to create a squad along with a platoon leader and platoon sergeant. In the book, these soldiers are from the US Army Rangers. But being British, I wanted to switch the unit up and bring it closer to home.
PLATOON COMMAND
Captain Anthony Smith – Troop Commander
The officer in overall command, responsible for strategic decisions.
Sergeant-Major Craig Daniels – Troop Sergeant
The senior NCO, responsible for discipline and operational efficiency.
Sergeant Leo Woods – Squad Leader
Leads the initial ground element and reports to the Sergeat-Major.
1 FIRE TEAM
Corporal Ben Richardson – Section Commander
Section commander leading the first fire team.
Trooper Cian Fletcher
Trooper Adam Bennett
Provides additional firepower to the fire team with an underslung grenade launcher
Trooper Lawrence Bell
Provides long-range reconnaissance and overwatch with their sniper rifle.
2 FIRE TEAM
Lance Corporal John Porter – Section Second-in-Command
Leads the second fire team.
Private Jacob Fox
Private Liam Baxter
Provides additional firepower to the team with an underslung grenade launcher
Private Danny Jordan
Provides heavy firepower with the team machine gun and anti-tank capability with an NLAW.
I chose to use Anvil Industries 3D prints for the models of the SAS, using their modern infantry choices to create what hopefully would pass as the elite British unit. To make them stand out, I chose a simple camouflage scheme (though not green as I didn’t want them to blend into the board too much).
When you first create your unit, you can create three known personalities. Think of these like the main characters of a TV series. One of these has to be the Squad Leader, while another needs to be one of your Fire Team leaders, and the final one can be anyone.
I rolled the personality traits for Sergeant Leo Woods and got Independent Minded, Confident and Hot tempered. As an added bit of depth I used a random hometown generator, and Sergeant Woods comes from the village of Washington in Northumberland.
Corporal Ben Richardson got Loyal, Imaginative and always asking to borrow things. Cpl Richardson comes from Macclesfield in Cheshire.
Finally I decided to choose trooper, Cian Fletcher, as the third character who got Logical, Confident and Loves snacks. Cian Fletcher comes from Liverpool.
Region 1
I rolled up the enemy mobs of evil humans for the first region and got three mobs of warriors with one led by a champion.
I don’t actually have any suitable miniatures for the Evil Humans so I bought a box of Wargames Atlantic Dark Age Irish Warriors.
Touchdown, lads
The familiar thrum of the Chinook’s rotors vibrated through the cabin as it descended, stirring up a gritty haze that smelled faintly of earth and something else… something metallic. Strapped into the jump seats, the troop was a collection of green and black shapes in the dim light. This wasn’t a standard drop; the landing felt heavy, almost reluctant.
“Touchdown, lads,” Troop Sergeant Craig Daniels’ voice, calm and steady, came over the comms. “Let’s get this bird secured. Looks like she’s decided to take an early retirement.”
Corporal Ben Richardson shifted in his seat, peering out into the gloom. “Early retirement in this charming locale, Sar’nt Major? Hope the pension plan’s decent.”
A low chuckle rippled through the comms. It sounded like Trooper Cian Fletcher. “Knowing our luck, Richo, the retirement package involves a complimentary burial plot.”
Sergeant Leo Woods’ voice cut in. “Less talk, more action. Let’s see why our chariot’s decided to become a garden ornament.”
The Chinook settled with a final, shuddering thud. The rotors wound down, the sudden silence amplifying the strange sounds of the night a low hum, the rustling of unseen things. Then, a series of worrying mechanical groans and clicks echoed from the engine compartment.
“Pilot’s reporting issues, Sar’nt Major,” a voice crackled, Trooper Liam Baxter, sounding a touch strained. “Something’s gone tits up with the power.”
Daniels’ reply was immediate and decisive. “Right, standard drills. Woods, you’re with me. Richardson, take Fletcher and Bennett, sweep three-six-zero out to twenty metres. Porter, you take Fox and Baxter, same on the opposite arc. Bell, find us some high ground on the bird. Jordan, heavy gun facing out, eyes peeled.”
The side door creaked open, revealing a wall of darkness. The air was cool and carried that odd metallic scent.
Woods was the first out, his rifle held low and ready. Daniels followed,
“Anything obvious?” Daniels’ voice was a low murmur.
“Negative, Sar’nt Major,” Woods replied, his gaze sweeping the unseen terrain. “Just black as pitch and quiet… too quiet.”
Richardson’s voice came over the comms. “Strange vegetation out here, Sar’nt Major. Nothing I recognise.”
Fletcher’s voice followed quickly. “Smells like a scrap yard after a thunderstorm.”
Bell’s calm tone reported, “Good overwatch from the roof, Sar’nt Major. Can’t see much beyond the immediate vicinity.”
Jordan’s steady voice confirmed, “Heavy weapon’s online, Sar’nt Major. Ready to roll if needed.”
Daniels surveyed the immediate area, his senses sharp. The unexpected grounding of their transport had thrown a spanner in the works, but these lads were adaptable.
“Alright,” he commanded, his voice firm but low. “Woods, secure the immediate perimeter around the Chinook with me. Richardson, Porter, keep your patrols tight and report anything out of the ordinary. We’re not going anywhere for a while, it seems. Let’s make sure whatever’s decided to trap our taxi doesn’t get any closer.”
With practised efficiency, the troop moved into their assigned roles, the initial banter fading into the focused silence of professional soldiers facing an unknown situation.
Campaign Area
I used a map I found in the style I wanted off the Internet and then drew regions on it using Canva. For additional forward planning, I randomly determined the mob types that would be in each region as well. This way, I can plan the models out!
The initial battle will take place in region 1, a dense woodland area. The terrain will be similar to that of a European woodland but with subtle differences. The Chinook, will be barricaded for defense and will serve as the troop’s initial base of operations.
Check in next month for the first Batrep.
