You Saw Things You Shouldn't Have Seen: Creating and Running a TTRPG Campaign Inspired by Sicario

 

The critically acclaimed movie Sicario is a gripping thriller that tells the story of an FBI agent who is recruited by a government task force to aid in the escalating war against drugs at the border between the United States and Mexico. The movie is known for its intense action sequences, complex characters, and morally ambiguous themes. It's no surprise that this movie has inspired many people to create their own TTRPG campaigns based on its world and themes. In this article, we'll explore how to create and run a TTRPG campaign inspired by the movie Sicario.

Step 1: Choose a System

The first step in creating a TTRPG campaign inspired by Sicario is to choose a system. There are many TTRPG systems to choose from, each with its own strengths and weaknesses. For a campaign inspired by Sicario, we recommend using a system that emphasizes realism, tactical combat, and moral ambiguity. Two systems that fit this description are Delta Green and GURPS.

Delta Green is a modern-day horror TTRPG that focuses on a top-secret government agency tasked with investigating and combating supernatural threats. The game's mechanics are designed to be realistic and deadly, with a focus on investigation, combat, and sanity. The game's themes of government conspiracy and moral ambiguity make it a great fit for a campaign inspired by Sicario.

GURPS is a generic TTRPG system that can be used to create campaigns in any genre or setting. The system's flexibility and focus on realism make it a great choice for a campaign inspired by Sicario. GURPS has detailed rules for combat, skills, and equipment, allowing players to create characters with a variety of backgrounds and abilities.

Step 2: Create the World

The world of Sicario is a complex and dangerous place, filled with drug cartels, corrupt officials, and violent criminals. To create a world for your campaign, you'll need to do some research on the geography, politics, and culture of the border region between the United States and Mexico.

Start by creating a map of the region, including major cities, border crossings, and cartel territories. Research the history and culture of the region, including the various drug cartels and their methods of operation. You'll also want to research the various law enforcement agencies and government organizations involved in the war on drugs.

There are many resources available for researching the border region between the US and Mexico. Here are a few suggestions:

1. Books: There are many books available on the subject of the US-Mexico border region, covering topics such as the drug trade, immigration, and border politics. Some recommended books include "The Devil's Highway" by Luis Alberto Urrea, "Borderlands/La Frontera" by Gloria Anzaldúa, and "The Line Becomes a River" by Francisco Cantú.

2. Documentaries: There are many documentaries available that explore the issues surrounding the US-Mexico border region. Some recommended documentaries include "The Undocumented" by Marco Williams, "The Wall" by John Carlos Frey, and "Drug Wars: The Camarena Story" by Elaine Epstein.

3. News Sources: Keeping up with current events in the region is important for understanding the ongoing issues. Some recommended news sources include The New York Times, The Washington Post, and NPR's "Border and Immigration" section.

4. Government Reports: The US government produces many reports on the issues surrounding the US-Mexico border region, including reports from the Department of Homeland Security and the Government Accountability Office. These reports can provide valuable insights into the current situation.

5. Academic Journals: Academic journals can provide a wealth of information on the issues surrounding the US-Mexico border region, including research on the drug trade, migration patterns, and border politics. Some recommended journals include the Journal of Borderlands Studies and the Journal of Latin American and Caribbean Anthropology.

By using these resources and others, you can gain a better understanding of the complex issues surrounding the US-Mexico border region and use that knowledge to create a compelling and realistic TTRPG campaign.

Once you have a basic understanding of the world, you can begin to populate it with NPCs, including cartel leaders, corrupt officials, and law enforcement agents. Each NPC should have their own motivations and goals, and their actions should have consequences for the players.

Step 3: Create the Characters

The characters in your campaign should be complex and morally ambiguous, much like the characters in the movie Sicario. Start by creating a list of character archetypes, including FBI agents, DEA agents, CIA operatives, and members of the Mexican police and military.

Each character should have a backstory that explains their motivations and goals. For example, an FBI agent may have joined the agency to make a difference and fight for justice, while a member of a drug cartel may have joined to provide for their family or to gain power and influence.

When creating characters, it's important to emphasize their flaws and weaknesses. No character should be perfect, and each one should have their own moral code and sense of right and wrong. This will create tension and conflict within the group, leading to interesting and engaging gameplay.

Step 4: Create the Campaign

The campaign should be designed to challenge the characters and push them to their limits. Start by creating a series of missions or objectives that the characters must complete. These objectives should be difficult and dangerous, requiring the characters to use all of their skills and resources to succeed.

Each objective should be connected to the larger story of the campaign, which should revolve around the war on drugs and the various factions involved. The story should be complex and morally ambiguous, with no clear heroes or villains. The players should be forced to make difficult decisions and face the consequences of their actions.

During the campaign, the players should encounter a variety of NPCs, including cartel members, corrupt officials, and law enforcement agents. Each encounter should be designed to challenge the players and test their abilities. The NPCs should have their own motivations and goals, and their actions should have consequences for the players.

Step 5: Run the Campaign

During the campaign, the GM should focus on creating a sense of tension and danger, while also allowing the players to explore the world and make decisions for themselves.

The GM should be prepared to improvise and adapt to the players' actions, allowing the story to take unexpected turns and twists. The GM should also be prepared to handle difficult and morally ambiguous situations, allowing the players to make their own choices and face the consequences of their actions.

Conclusion

Creating and running a TTRPG campaign inspired by the movie Sicario can be a challenging but rewarding experience. By choosing a systemthat emphasizes realism, tactical combat, and moral ambiguity, creating a complex and dangerous world, designing complex and morally ambiguous characters, and crafting a campaign that challenges the players and tests their abilities, you can create a campaign that is engaging, immersive, and unforgettable. Whether you're a seasoned GM or a newcomer to the hobby, the world of Sicario offers a wealth of inspiration and potential for a thrilling TTRPG campaign. 

 

Example NPCs

Here are ten NPCs that could be used in a TTRPG campaign inspired by the movie Sicario:

1. Miguel Álvarez - The leader of the Álvarez Cartel, one of the largest drug cartels operating in the region. Miguel is a ruthless and cunning man who will stop at nothing to protect his empire.

2. Agent Maria Rodriguez - An FBI agent who has been working on the war on drugs for years. Maria is a skilled investigator with a strong sense of justice, but her methods can be unorthodox and she is not above breaking the rules to get results.

3. Captain Juan Morales - A member of the Mexican military who is leading the fight against the drug cartels. Morales is a veteran soldier who is respected by his men, but he is also haunted by the violence he has witnessed.

4. Javier Hernandez - A former member of the Álvarez Cartel who has turned informant for the FBI. Javier is a conflicted man who is torn between loyalty to his former boss and a desire to do the right thing.

5. Agent Michael Thompson - A DEA agent who is obsessed with taking down the Álvarez Cartel. Thompson is a driven man who will stop at nothing to achieve his goal, even if it means bending the rules.

6. Sofia Ramirez - A journalist who is investigating the drug trade in the region. Sofia is a tenacious reporter who is willing to risk everything to uncover the truth, but her investigations have made her a target of the cartels.

7. Carlos Hernandez - A member of the Álvarez Cartel who is rising through the ranks. Carlos is a young and ambitious man who is eager to prove himself to his boss, but his loyalty is tested when he is forced to make difficult choices.

8. Agent John Davis - A CIA operative who is working on a covert mission in the region. Davis is a seasoned spy who is used to operating in the shadows, but his mission becomes more complicated when he is forced to work with the FBI and DEA.

9. Dr. Ana Torres - A psychiatrist who is working with law enforcement to provide support for agents dealing with the trauma of the job. Ana is a compassionate and empathetic woman who is dedicated to helping those who protect the border.

10. Antonio Gonzalez - A corrupt police officer who is on the payroll of the Álvarez Cartel. Gonzalez is a sleazy and opportunistic man who will do whatever it takes to keep his job and his position of power.

 

Plot Hooks

Here are a few potential plot hooks involving the NPCs listed above:

1. Miguel Álvarez has issued a challenge to the FBI and DEA, daring them to take down his organization. He has put a bounty on the heads of any agents who successfully capture or kill one of his lieutenants.

2. Agent Maria Rodriguez has received a tip about a major drug shipment that is due to cross the border in the next few days. She must assemble a team of agents to intercept the shipment and take down the cartel operatives responsible.

3. Captain Juan Morales has received intelligence that a group of drug cartel infiltrators have managed to infiltrate his unit. He must work with the FBI and DEA to identify the infiltrators and root them out before they can do any damage.

4. Javier Hernandez has been kidnapped by the Álvarez Cartel and is being held for ransom. The FBI and DEA must work together to rescue him before the cartel can extract valuable information from him.

5. Agent Michael Thompson has become obsessed with taking down Miguel Álvarez and has gone rogue. The FBI and DEA must track him down before he does something reckless that could compromise the entire operation.

6. Sofia Ramirez has uncovered evidence of corruption within the Mexican government and is being targeted by both the authorities and the cartels. The FBI and DEA must protect her and use her information to bring down the corrupt officials.

7. Carlos Hernandez has been tasked with carrying out a hit on a high-ranking FBI or DEA agent. The players must work to identify the target and prevent the hit from being carried out.

8. Agent John Davis has uncovered evidence of a conspiracy involving the CIA, the FBI, and the cartels. He must work with the players to expose the conspiracy and bring those responsible to justice.

9. Dr. Ana Torres has been kidnapped by the Álvarez Cartel and is being held hostage. The players must rescue her before she is harmed or killed.

10. Antonio Gonzalez has agreed to provide the players with information about the Álvarez Cartel in exchange for immunity. However, the players must be careful not to trust him too much, as he may have his own agenda.