Armies

Unit Types

• Skirmishers-Armed with chainmail, helmet, shield sword or axe, & a spear or bow

• Horsemen-Most riders take two horses into battle, armed traditionally
  or specifically for unique tasks or objectives, See Warfare for more

Armies in Combat

When a King, Jarl, or Mormaer commands troops against his enemy in the field, his most valuable stat is his SAVE LVL, which he uses to wield his force in bloody combat.

Warriors

Beserkers-Only armored in animal skins, often wielding two hand axes ferociously without a fear of death or harm. Norse Berserkers put themselves into a blood-thirsty trance before battle, making them vicious and deadly to confront in melee. They are at times difficult to control and unruly when they are unable to make battle.

Gaels-Irish mercenaries forced into service with the Norsemen of Dublin, or professional soldiers in service of the Leinster kings. Others are escaped thralls finding safety and freedom in Alba or Strathclyde. Gaels are known also as kerns, are mostly utilized as light infantry units, ideal for penetrating defenses silently & unseen or for other miscellaneous clandestine activities.

Housecarls-Loyal Retainers and professional household bodyguards of the Anglo-Saxon and Norman lords of England. Housecarls are fearless infantry units highly skilled in the usage of arms & armor, ready to defend their lord to the death with staunch defense and ferocious attacks.

Saxon Housecarl fighting and dieing at the Battle of Hastings in 1066

Norman Knights-Elite mounted shock troops of Norman England. Noblemen skilled with the sword, shield, and spear, who first came ashore in 1066 at the Battle of Hastings, where they slaughtered the retreating Anglo-Saxon thanes, assuring William the Conqueror of victory. They can cover ground quickly and march to anywhere in the Kingdom on a nights notice.

A Norman knight of Edgar the Valiant’s host during the War of Three Crowns

Reavers-Light armored Viking raiders journeying from Scandinavia and the North Atlantic isles. These fierce Norsemen are raiders and pillagers of the high seas & expert navigators and sailors. Reavers are pirates who prefer to attack lightly defended or undefended targets in the Irish Sea and in the North Sea, able to flee back to the safety of their ships if confronted by larger or conventional forces.

A Norse reaver debarks from his ship and prepares for a raid