Welcome to RUIN REBORN, Venturers! This TTRPG campaign is a celebration of the best of Steampunk, a genre of mechanical curiosity, eccentricity of character and good ol' fashioned memorable CHAOS. RUIN is a vast setting modelled after the bygone eras of Treasure Planet and Atlantis: The Lost Empire. These were experimental times in popular culture...

From the original novel to community liveplay RPG events, RUIN REBORN is our hobbyist's dream. All roads led here.

"The wealthiest echelon of RUIN understand a pivotal fact of post-fall life: that somewhere beneath the sands of RUIN lies the secret to controlling the surface."

In the RUIN ROLEPLAYING GAME, you are a VENTURER: one of many freelance mercenaries that make a living discovering and delivering secrets for faceless individuals. These powerful PATRONS from Ruin's elite hire crews to venture out, complete the mission, and simply not poke your nose in further.

Sure each expedition is an incredible adventure, but there's always the burning question as to what you are recovering for your masters, and WHY?

Ruin: The Roleplaying Game runs on A.W.E (Authocracy Waythread Engine), our own system we built from the ground up. AWE is fast, cinematic and player-facing. That means that players roll for everything to do with their character, allowing the GM (Game Master) to stay focussed on the experience they are trying to create.

A.W.E in a nutshell:
🎲 2D6 and a modifier.

🎭 Players roll, and the GM focuses on narration

📉 Far less prep

🔀 Failure simply changes the scene instead of stalling it

The AWE system and much more is outlined in the RUIN ROLEPLAYING GAME CORE RULEBOOK, or in the Quickstart Guide below.

You can read and play RUIN for free. No pledge or sign-up required.

👉 CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE QUICKSTART GUIDE NOW (DROPBOX)

🎲 The RUIN ROLEPLAYING GAME Quickstart
Look through 100 pages of the A.W.E system and The Last Train to Hurria, the opening scenario of the Clockwork Bastion campaign.

📖 Rise of the Liberator Collector's Edition (The First Third)
The opening of the novel the whole world was built on. Meet the Liberator crew as they begin their battle against the Prophetess.

Please bear in mind that these are WORK IN PROGRESS builds (except for the Collector's Edition Novel), so feedback is welcome and encouraged!

The RUIN Core Rulebook contains the full A.W.E ruleset, character creation, a complete bestiary, GM guidance and an encyclopedia of the setting, plus The Last Train to Hurria Adventure to get things started. It's built to be used mid-session too: the rules are laid out as a Field Manual, so the answer is always easy to find mid-play.

BEHIND THE SCENES: We originally wanted to have the BASTION CAMPAIGN and the CORE RULES in one comprehensive tome, but our printers informed us that doing so would result in broken spines and broken thumbs... (broken book spines and broken human thumbs, we assumed!)

Rise of the Liberator Collector's Edition Novel is book one of Brandon Berryhill's RUIN series, the story the whole TTRPG is built on, in a limited run collector's hardcover.

The RUIN Roleplaying Game Core Rulebook is 300+ pages and contains all you need to get started, including character creation, TAG assignment, skills, abilities, enemies, reaction tables, an introductory adventure and much more! This is a signed hardcover with a special edition (exclusive to this campaign) cover.

Rulebook features in the following tiers: 'Venturer', 'Expeditioneer', 'Game Master', and 'Everything!' (or added separately as an add-on.)

"The gig is up. The secrets held by Cyril Pendergast have been seized, our trust compromised. Spies are everywhere, and now... every Patron in the realm is after the same damn thing... to be the one to locate and excavate the Clockwork Bastion."

The first RUIN ROLEPLAYING GAME Campaign Book, The Hunt for the Clockwork Bastion. The 300+ page campaign book includes five campaign scenarios, a gazetteer, a large cast of new NPCs, new beasts, and much more! This is a signed hardcover with a special edition (exclusive to this campaign) cover.  

Campaign book features in the following tiers: 'Expeditioneer', 'Game Master', and 'Everything!' (or added separately as an add-on.)

"I believe the children of the prophecy are here. There is a stirring in the ether. I doubt they know who they are yet, but the next age of this world may begin here if I’m right.”

The Collector's Edition of RUIN: Rise of the Liberator is 387 pages of steampunk goodness, featuring lavish illustrations from RUIN's artist, Brandon Ellis. Join the crew of the Liberator as they confront their destiny, take on the Prophetess and break her hold on the realm of RUIN before it's too late.

RUIN Collector's Edition features in the following tiers: 'Everything!' (or added separately as an add-on.)

"I may not understand many of the eccentricities of this land, just as I may not understand the strange and sing-song language that you speak, but I am capable of much and will see you safely from this war-worn desert if I can. That, I promise you."

A Clockwork Road is a solo campaign module for RUIN: THE ROLEPLAYING GAME. Step into the chassis of Henry the Clockwork Man during his masked avenger phase. Learn the ropes of the A.W.E system in a solo adventure, making choices that will affect how your story ends. Expect around 8-10 hours of thrilling gameplay! This is a softcover with a special edition cover (exclusive to this campaign).

The Solo Campaign features in the following tiers: 'Everything!' (or added separately as an add-on or as a pre-launch reservation.)

"We leave everything to chance, albeit with one most important of caveats, that we be the ones to roll the dice on a surface of our choosing."

We're lucky enough in this campaign to get to work with our good friends at FANROLL to provide custom RUIN-themed dice accessories! This includes a set of 6 D6 steampunk resin dice with an accompanying tie bag, and two beautiful dice trays, all featuring illustrations from the world of RUIN.

Dice accessories feature in the following tiers: 'Game Master', 'Everything!' (or added separately as an add-on.)

"Easy referencing of rules is key to engaging and immersive play. That is one of our first motivations with A.W.E."

A three panelled illustrated RUIN GM board with player-facing art, and GM facing easy-referencable rules. Great when partnered with the Quick Guides.

GM Board features in the following tiers: 'Game Master', 'Everything!' (or added separately as an add-on.)

"What's the penalty threshold for this system again?" said a player somewhere, all the time.

This is a new system, and it's player facing. That means players are going to forget certain aspects of the rules. They're going to ask in the middle of play and interrupt the flow. Well, we thought of that. Simply slide the relevant quick guide card across to them and let them find out for themselves. Then you can focus on all the good stuff! We've also bundled this in with the 'Venturer' tier and above, you know, just because!

The Quick Guide cards feature in the following tiers: 'Venturer', 'Expeditioneer', 'Game Master', 'Everything!' (or added separately as an add-on.)

"You picked the wrong time to come back to RUIN, stranger. So who are you?"

Develop your Venturer's profile with over 30 questions to determine their backstory, ideology and reasoning for joining the expedition. This book contains plenty of space for note-taking and drawing, and is primarily used to keep track of your player's characters for more rewarding play.

Venturer Journal features in the following tiers: 'Game Master', 'Everything!' (or added separately as an add-on.)

"Your mission should you choose to accept it, is to serve the whims of your Patron with complete discretion, even if said whims are to your detriment."

Impress your group with an envelope of top secret expedition material to help them orient and immerse themselves in the story you're telling. And when they do something noteworthy, write it down and hand them one of the tearable achievement and loot cards with their rewards.

Immersion Accessories feature in the following tiers: 'Game Master', 'Everything!' (or added separately as an add-on.)

"Not every venturer can make the physical journey. But that should not stop them from serving their patron with absolute devotion."

We are lucky enough to be able to work with coders on our own custom RUIN ROLEPLAYING GAME premium module on FOUNDRY VTT.

A VTT is a virtual tabletop software that allows players to play their TTRPGs online, anywhere in the world. This way, all the heavy lifting of a new system like ours is handled, from the character sheets to easy access rules.

The VTT bundle will include the Core Rulebook, the Hunt for the Clockwork Bastion, and much more!

Foundry VTT features in the following tiers: 'Game Master' and 'Everything!' (or added separately as an add-on.)

Below is a breakdown of the different pledge tiers. Of course you can construct your own pledge if you don't like the bundling, but it's definitely the best value for money this way!

Note: currency conversions are approximate (accurate at the time of launch.)

The complete RUIN Roleplaying Game Core Rulebook in PDF. Full rules, the realm encyclopedia, bestiary, and your first scenario. Everything you need to play.

This pledge contains:
- Core Rulebook (PDF)
- All Printables (PDF)

The complete digital package. The rulebook, the campaign book, the novel, and all printables.

This pledge contains:
- Core Rulebook (PDF)
- Hunt for the Clockwork Bastion (PDF)
- Rise of the Liberator (PDF)
- All Printables (PDF)

The core rulebook in a signed hardcover with an exclusive cover, plus Quick Guide cards for your table and PDFs.

This pledge contains:
- Core Rulebook (signed, special edition cover)
- Quick Guide cards
+ Core Rulebook PDF

Venture further and embark on the Hunt for the Clockwork Bastion. Both signed hardcovers, the rulebook and the 300-page Hunt for the Clockwork Bastion Campaign. Quick Guide cards and PDFs.

This pledge contains:
- Core Rulebook (signed, special edition cover)
- Hunt for the Clockwork Bastion (special edition cover)
- Quick Guide cards
+ Core Rulebook PDF + Hunt for the Clockwork Bastion PDF

For the GM who prides themselves on their players' immersion. Both signed hardcovers (Core and Campaign) plus the full table kit: Venturer Journal, GM screen, Fanroll dice, dice trays, Loot cards, Achievement cards and Quick Guides. This is THE tabletop package and also includes the Foundry VTT Module. PDFs included.

This pledge contains:
- Core Rulebook (signed, special edition cover)
- Hunt for the Clockwork Bastion (special edition cover)
- Venturer Journal
- GM Screen (Backerkit Exclusive)
- Fanroll Dice Set (Backerkit Exclusive)
- Fanroll Dice Trays (Backerkit Exclusive)
- Loot Cards (x100)
- Achievement Cards (x100)
- Quick Guides
+ Core Rulebook PDF + Hunt for the Clockwork Bastion PDF
+ Foundry VTT Module

Absolutely everything from this campaign. All four books signed, the complete table kit, realm map, Venturer Packs, numbered art print exclusive to this tier AND access to the Foundry Virtual Tabletop Module. Plus all PDFs.

This pledge contains:
- Core Rulebook (signed, special edition cover)
- Hunt for the Clockwork Bastion (special edition cover)
- Rise of the Liberator (Collector's Edition, 2nd printing)
- A Clockwork Road Solo Campaign (special edition cover)
- Venturer Journal
- GM Screen (Backerkit Exclusive)
- Fanroll Dice Set (Backerkit Exclusive)
- Loot Cards (x100)
- Achievement Cards (x100)
- Immersion Packs (x4)
- Realm map
- Signed and numbered Art Print
- Quick Guides
+ All PDFs
+ Foundry VTT Module

The Pledge Tiers contain the best discounts for multiple items, but if something just doesn't quite fit, you can of course build your pledge individually, item by item.

Shipping and applicable taxes are not included in your pledges and will be added in the Pledge Manager phase closer to when we ship. 

Please note that all shipping prices are estimates. However, we offer a 10% Guarantee, which means if the shipping rises by more than 10% of what is predicted above, then we will cover the difference.

When it comes time to prepare for shipping, you will receive an email from our fulfilment partners in your local area with a chance to amend your address (so please don't worry if you move!)

We've had the amazing luxury of working with the incredible Brandon Ellis on RUIN for the past 6 years. Everything you see in this campaign, from the characters to the vistas was meticulously crafted by him during our years working on this setting.

Not only is he a phenomenal artist, who its been a great pleasure to watch evolve as a creator, but he is also a good friend to us on the team. I am sure RUIN's author Brandon Berryhill would agree, that it's very much because of him that RUIN has the distinct flavour that it does.

Below is just a small insight into his process.

Every illustration begins with setting the scene. A pentimento, as it's called in the art world (a remnant of an artist's earlier work beneath the polished final). It's here that the layout and the distinct flavour of the art piece is decided, often with either Brandon B's or my input. Ruin's distinct biomes are very fun to build out, as are the unique cultures that inhabit them.

From there, Brandon crafts the final piece. This one here is one of my personal favourites, titled "Golden Spire", Capital of the Holy Land and home to the Prophetess.

I hope you enjoyed that small peak into the ridiculously addicting world of working with real artists. It makes the world of difference in an age of rampant AI to see human creativity flourishing. So thank you, first and foremost from us here, who insist on doing stuff the old fashioned way.

If you would like to support Brandon Ellis, you can find him here on Instagram and Facebook.

Thanks again for supporting human art!

Authocracy is a small independent studio with no big corporation behind it. We're just a handful of people who've spent more than six years building RUIN, one book at a time. The novels, the art, the game system and everything in this campaign is the hard work from the Authocracy team. Here's who they are.