Age of Blood Warband

Hello again, I hope you are all well out there.

As I mentioned in my last post number one son wants to play some Viking raid games after watching Vikings on Amazon. 

After a search online he found a set of rules called Age of Blood and coerced me into playing it with him. I already have a fair sized collection of Dark Ages figures, but they are mostly painted up as Romano-British and Saxons. They are also less dynamic than #1 wanted, so I ordered some Victrix Vikings and set too with some cutters, knives and glue. The 30 figures I have done so far were shown in the last post, there are another 30 to do.

Age of Blood is a campaign skirmish system that will see your starting force gradually grow in size, at least hopefully. You have a leader or Hersir, supported by a few Champions and Berserkers, some Huscarls and some Carls.  The Champions, Berserkers and Huscarls are all permanent additions to the group, unless the are killed in a raid. The Carls are hired on for a single mission, being farmers who feel the need to go raiding for a quick cash fix. I have worked out a starting force and made up a roster, so here is a rundown of my merry bloodythirsty  band.

The Hersir is Eirik of Horkidalr. He has the shipmaster trait which allows him to carry 10% more men and cargo in his ships and also reduces the cost of voyages. Being a man of means and a rising star of the Viking world he is well equipped, with  sword, axe, shield, chain hauberk and a helmet. 

Eirik's renown has meant his call to arms has gathered a small but strong force. He is joined my two champions, both capable warriors with abilities that will aid in the raids. On the left is Bjarni, a very tough man, believed to be descended from the dwarves. He also has mail and a helmet but favours the Broad Axe over the sword and shield, relying on his resilience to keep him going. To the right is Gylfi, equipped in the same manner as Eirik. He is a scout, giving the ability to see what force defends a village before the raid takes place.

LtoR, Bjarni, Eirik and Gylfi

Tales of Eiriks fine mead and plans to go raiding led to a pair of Berserkers joining his group. First up is Gauti the Red, a fiery character with a Broad Axe. He is joined by Ottar Bearslayer, armed with a sword and shield. These two are faster and stronger than other warriors but cannot wear any armour so are more easily injured.

Gauti and Ottar

Five Huscarls have sworn their service to Eirik, a decent number to start with. On the flanks are the spearmen Aun and Jacob. In leather armour with helmets and shields, they carry spears and swords. Inside of them are Ingjald and Estrid, wearing chain and a helmet while carrying Broad Axes. They are the impact troops to try and smash through any enemy shieldwall with Bjarni. Finally, in the centre, we have Fafnir, equipped like Eirik he is a jack of all trades, able to fill in where needed.

Aun, Ingjald, Fafnir, Estrid, Jakob

Last, and least, are the ten Carls. These farmers are less capable than the others but should still be more than a match for enemy villagers and militia. They are hired on in groups of 5 and come with mixed weapons. One group have spear and shield while the others have shield and axe. Yes, I know two have Broad Axes, I got carried away when gluing them together. I have some more with axe and shield in the painting queue.

Ten Carls

This merry band are going raiding in a light Drakkar or Longship. This can carry 30 crew and 30 cargo, up to 33 of each due to Eiriks skill.

A starting warband has 1000 silver pennies(sp) to spend, with costs ranging from 20  to 80 for the man, then adding weapons and equipment. For example Fafnir cost a total of 99sp, half of which was the cost of his chain hauberk while Aun only cost 58sp. In addition you also need to keep some money back to pay for the voyages to get to the target of your raid and to return home. You also have an upkeep cost to pay after each raid, 2sp for a huscarl, 6 for a champion and 8 for berserkers and your Hersir. 

My initial spend came in at 966sp, so I have 34sp left in the bank. The upkeep of my band is 46sp, so I really need to be successful to keep them all together.

All I need now is for lockdown to end so that #1 and I can get together for a game. 

Plus I might need some more buildings.......

And maybe a Viking longship........

Take care of yourselves and I will see you later.