Vikings on the beach.

As the dawns early rays pierce the morning mists the ghostly silhouette of dreaded Viking long-ships can be seen on the horizon.

The Vikings are coming.

The local Saxon Eoldorman, Beaodwulf, wastes no time in mustering his small force together ready to defend his village to the death. He hurriedly sends all the towns folk who are unable to fight to the next village with a message imploring their help.

Even as the Viking's long-ships nudge their bows into the soft shingle of the enemy beach Saxon reinforcements are on the way. The Vikings eagerly leap from their ships and spread out, with two war-band going either side of the rocks.

Vikings on the eastern beach.

Sheep, loot and a building to burn.

The Saxons from the village deploy to meet the threat coming along the Eastern beach. Arrows are loosed, stones flung and insults traded as both side’s war-bands prepared to meet each other head on. 

Hold this line.

The other two Viking war-band advance along the Northern beach before heading inland, intent on killing livestock and destroying the village, thoughts of rape and pillage foremost in their thoughts. 

Northern beach.

Vikings on the attack.

Two more Saxon war-band from the neighbouring villages arrive to the south and immediately head North to meet the Vikings there. 

"Backup" moving through the village.

Close up.

By this time the Vikings on the Eastern beach are charging up the rise to attack the Saxons.  Vicious hand to hand fighting ensues and the bloody struggle rages long into the morning with neither side really gaining the upper hand. 

Vikings attacking from the eastern beach.

Saxons defending the village.

Close up view

Angry shouts and the clash of steel can be heard from the other side of the village as the other war-bands engage each other... same result, lots of blood and guts and not much progress for either side.

North side of the village.

Viking high tide.

With their numbers drastically reduced and the initiative lost the Vikings decide it's time to call it a day. They've  managed to set fire to two of the Saxon buildings but no longer have the manpower to push their case any further. They dejectedly return to their ships and head back home to lick their wounds and contemplate their next raid on Saxon soil.  Who said those damned Saxon dogs were a pushover?

This game was our first crack at “Strandhogg”, (Viking Raid).  I gave each of the four players two war-band each. Because it was our first game I made all the war-band roughly the same. 

The Saxon objective was to simply defend their land and livestock. The more Vikings they could kill the better. For the Vikings this was a raid to cause as much havoc as possible. Kill Saxons, kill their animals and burn their buildings, with the usual bit of raping and pillaging thrown in for good measure.

I had a points system worked out for each side.  

Neither side knew the others objectives. There were a few indignant cries when the Saxons realised some of their buildings were on fire. 

Saxon building on fire.

All in all, an enjoyable game with the usual light hearted banter and derogatory insults.

Reasonably simple but effective rules for skirmishing.