Step into the shadows of World War II as an agent of Britain’s Special Operations Executive (SOE). Ashes of Isar is a tabletop role-playing game of espionage, courage, and consequence, where every decision can change the course of history.
Play as covert operatives behind enemy lines in Nazi-occupied Europe. Infiltrate, sabotage, deceive, and survive as you fight to undermine the Axis war machine.
Be sure to check out our gameplay transcript to see how fun — and tense — it can be to play Ashes of Isar. Download a PREVIEW copy here.
What Is Ashes of Isar?
Ashes of Isar is a WWII spycraft and espionage RPG for 2–6 players. Its core tenet is plausible realism: missions are tense, grounded, and inspired by true operations.
Each player creates an agent — a trained SOE operative with skills that grow through experience. Success brings advancement; failure can mean injury, capture, or death. Every dice roll (2d6 + Skill) decides whether your mission ends in triumph or tragedy.
Your purchase includes the full Ashes of Isar Core Rules plus the introductory mission Operation: VIRGIN SNOW, designed to teach the mechanics and immerse players immediately.
How the Game Works
Gameplay unfolds as a campaign of missions spanning the length of the war. Each operation is a self-contained story that influences what comes next.
The Game Master (GM) creates and referees missions, interpreting the outcomes of player actions and deciding how they ripple through the ongoing conflict. Players cooperate — and sometimes improvise under pressure — to complete objectives, stay alive, and ultimately help win the war.
Why You’ll Love It
- Grounded, not grimdark – Emphasizes courage, ingenuity, and moral weight, not pulp fantasy.
- Authentic WWII atmosphere – Gear, locations, and tactics drawn from real SOE operations.
- Fast, cinematic mechanics – Simple 2d6 + Skill system keeps tension high and play quick.
- Complete in one book – No expansions required. Everything you need to play is inside.
- Expandable with missions – Add-ons like Operation SONGBIRD and Operation GROUSE introduce new challenges and historical settings.
Realism Without the Red Tape
SOE work was brutal, lonely, and filled with risk. Ashes of Isar captures the tension and danger while trimming away bureaucracy and downtime. It’s realistic without being slow — every decision matters, and every mission tests both skill and resolve.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What do I need to play?
Just the Ashes of Isar Core Rules and a few six-sided dice. No other books or expansions are required.
Q: How many players is it for?
One Game Master and 2–5 players. Most missions take 3–4 hours.
Q: Is it historically accurate?
It’s grounded in real SOE operations and equipment, but focused on storytelling and cinematic tension over strict simulation.
Q: What missions are available?
The core game includes Operation: VIRGIN SNOW. Additional missions like Operation SONGBIRD and Operation GROUSE expand the campaign.
Q: Where can I buy it?
Buy direct from Ruckerworks.com (It’s also available at DriveThruRPG)
Take the Field
Your mission begins now. Download Ashes of Isar today — and experience the war from the shadows.
“Courage, Caution, Consequence.”
DISCLAIMER: Cover design by Steven Novak. All images sourced via Steven Novak or via Creative Commons License, except “Franz Oster” pg. 11 and “circled house” on pg. 36 — they were sourced via DALL-E because obtaining period photographs or documents with an available license allowing commercial use is extremely difficult or prohibitively expensive.
