Return to Zona Albion - AAR: Saint Ninian on the Moors

[Bullshott]

In a previous thread I introduced Zona Albion as a British setting for Zona Alfa. Having started to collect suitable figures I had to put the project on hold due to Real Life getting in the way. I've recently started to pick this project up again. However, over the intervening period, I've decided to refocus the project setting to late 1970s Britain.

(see here for my pevious thread: https://leadadventureforum.com/index.php?topic=134665.msg1709638#msg1709638)

This change in setting means I can bring in the aesthetics of classic 'old school' British influences such as the 1970s era of Doctor Who that I grew up with (3rd and 4th Doctors), Quatermas, John Wyndham Novels (Day of te Triffids, Midwich Cuckoos, etc.) and my love of British folklore (so I can throw in influences like the original The Wicker Man film).

This thread will my 'one stop shop' to track the development of this project.

Page 1 - Background: The Northmoor Exclusion Zone
Page 1 - Photos of completed stalkers
Page 2 - Abandoned 1950s vehicles (Bedford CA van and Morris Traveller)
Page 2 - Here be monsters - first zone hostiles completed - human mutants, hobgoblins
Page 2 - More zone hostiles completed - stag, barghest, green man
Page 2 - Zone Hazard: Phantoms
Page 3 - Advance Notice: Zona Albion game at Beachhead show, 11/12 Feb 2023
Page 3 - Royal Mail van completed
Page 3 - Scenario and AAR: Collecting the Post
Page 3 - Austin A35 added
Page 3 - Scenario and AAR: Bleakridge Farm
Page 4 - Scenario and AAR: The House in the Woods
Page 5 - New POIs: AA phone box, cairn and abandoned packs
Page 5 - Scenario and AAR: Saint Ninian on the Moors

[Bullshott]

Starting swiftly with background to the Zona Albion setting:

Zona Albion - the Northmoor Exclusion Zone

Background

Little is known about the nature of the incident in the late 1950s at the Atomic Energy Research Establishment site AERE Northmoor. The incident appears to have occurred during a routine high energy physics experiment, in which a previously unknown form of energy was released, killing all life within a one mile radius of the site and having a range of effects over a radius of several miles. The energy then dissipated, but its effects lasted.

Fortunately, the remote nature of the AERE site meant that the number of recorded casualties was limited. Within the irradiated area, those nearest the site fell ill and many died. Some survivors from the area nearest to the site showed genetic mutations, as did children born to survivors from further away from the reactor. Reports were also received of strange 'anomalies' that didn't obey the laws of physics. The government therefore initially set up a 15 mile radius exclusion zone around the site (the Northmoor Exclusion Zone). This area was later adjusted to take into account irradiated areas found further out from the original Zone and to conform to the local topography. Anyone living within the Zone was to be evacuated and all livestock in the area was to be killed. However, some local residents chose to stay within the Zone, hiding from the troops conducting the evacuation.

The government blockaded the entire zone. As per the UN Mandate covering such zones, security of the zone and control of artefacts found within the zone is the responsibility of the UN. Security of the perimeter is handled by a new government agency under UN oversight, the Exclusion Zone Security Force (ESF). The ESF holds powers equivalent to the police and provides armed checkpoints and patrolling of the perimeter. On occasions armed intervention within the Zone may be required. This intervention is provided through the services of specialist troops of the United Nations Intelligence Taskforce (UNIT).

No one knows for sure what the nature of the energy release was, as all involved in the were killed during the immediate energy release and a fire in the control room destroyed any data that might have been gathered at the time of the incident. Some say the experiment ripped through the fabric of reality, causing strange energies (and other things?) to break through from another dimension. Other nuclear incidents were subsequently recorded as producing similar energy releases, including at the SL-1 plant in Idaho in 1961. Although not confirmed by the Soviets, it is believed that a similar and much larger release of energy occurred at the Mayak plant in the Soviet Union. Reports also began to filter through of strange occurrences, similar to those seen in the Northmoor Zone, being observed in areas that had been subject to continued nuclear testing, such as the Nevada desert and Maralinga in Australia.

Into the Zone

By 1978, 20 years after the energy release, life in and around the Zone has become well established.  The ESF provides security, with occasional assistance of UNIT.

The escorting of scientists and others requiring access to the Zone can be performed by UNIT. However, more recently, in order to reduce the high levels of  death and injury to service personnel within the Zone, the government has approved the use of licensed armed 'guides' to  provide such escort duties. Unlicensed stalkers also exist, evading ESF patrols to escort people into the Zone (for a price) or entering the Zone by themselves for their own purposes.

[Dr DeAth]

Interesting background, now for some piccies I hope 

[Storm Wolf]

Nice I like the British angle and approve of following John Wyndham et. all 

I had a similar idea of nuclear disaster but I thought about basing it around Windscale  Except that disaster was caused by the Medusa man......

Following this keenly

[Bullshott]

Nice I like the British angle and approve of following John Wyndham et. all 

I had a similar idea of nuclear disaster but I thought about basing it around Windscale  Except that disaster was caused by the Medusa man......

Following this keenly

Think of Northmoor = Windscale 

[Pattus Magnus]

That setting sounds very cool! I am looking forward to seeing how it progresses.

[Grumpy Gnome]

Great background. 👍

[Storm Wolf]

Think of Northmoor = Windscale 

Ahh - doh!  , excuse my stupidity M'lord 

Maybe it was the Medusa man after all?

Glen

[Nellkyn]

Northmoor you say? Is there a CIA operative and a Yorkshire policeman creeping around the area?

Really looking forward to see what you do with this.

[Bullshott]

Northmoor you say? Is there a CIA operative and a Yorkshire policeman creeping around the area?

Really looking forward to see what you do with this.

Well done for spotting the llnk. There are.rumours of a cave system under AERA Northmoor. It would also be fun to do a military stalker team led by a large American in a cowboy hat 

[Storm Wolf]

There is also this https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/scp-6884 to contend with

The SCP site is full of ideas, some quite disturbing, so beware......

Its the UFOs I tells ya!

Glen

[Bullshott]

To start this game set-up I needed a collection of figures in suitable British 1970s military and civilian clothing, with correct weapons for the period.

For stalkers in military clothing I went for the Mofo Falklands War range from Gripping Beast:


These are mostly the SAS pack. With the exception of one head change and replacing a M16 with a British SLR (FN FAL), these are unmodified figures 'straight from the pack'. The SAS figures have a particularly good stalker vibe.


A selection from the British platoon command and Government House characters. With the exception of head changes, these are unmodified. A nice touch with the standard British infantry in this range is that they come with separate head options, including the knitted caps worn by some of these. Peaked cap heads are from Gripping Beast's Woodbine range.

For stalkers and bandits in civilian clothing I went for Killer B's Geezers range, all in a nice array of 1970s clothing:


All given rifles instead of shotguns. Heads unchanged other than the addition of one flat cap. SLR and M16 rifles from The Assault Group (SLRs are also available from Colonel Bill's)


The figure on the left has been given a SLR. Otherwise, these are unmodified.


Some of these have been given new heads and most have been rearmed and given rucksacks. Sterling SMGs from The Assault Group, most of the rucksacks from Warlord Games' plastic commandos.

Finally, a comparison of the Mofo and Killer B figures:

The three central figures are Killer B.

[Triarii]

Nice work there. Looking forward to seeing these in action.

[Grumpy Gnome]

Looking good mate! Lots of character and 70‘s vibe. Groovy.

[mikedemana]

I really like your world build - sounds like you can do a lot of fun stuff with it. Looking forward to battle reports and photos!

Mike Demana