DISCLAIMER: This hasn't been play-tested, it's just an idea for a bit of fun. I fully intend to play-test it when I've found someone with enough cavalry. All feedback gratefully received (as long as it's not about the historical accuracy of the film...).
The Viking chieftain Buliwyf answers King Hrothgar call for help save his land and people from the depredations of a vicious enemy. Consulting the soothsayer, Buliwyf is told that he will only be successful if 13 men travel north, and one of those men must not be a Northman. Arab diplomat, Ahmed ibn Fadlan is dragged along as the 13th Warrior.
This mini campaign is for two players and is built around the plot of the movie 'The 13th Warrior'. The factions involved are the 13 Warriors (obviously represented by the Viking faction) and the Wendol (Javelin-armed, mounted, relying on stealth? Sounds like the Welsh to me!). The scenarios are weighted (I think) in the Vikings' favour, but the Viking player has to keep winning to stay in the campaign.
Campaign Rules
The 13 Warriors
The basic Viking 4 point warband consists of the following: Buliwyf (use the rules for Ragnar Lothbrook) and 12 Hirdmen (one of these can be modelled as Ahmed the Arab). At the end of each scenario roll a d6 for each of the 13 that has been removed as a casualty. On a roll of 1, 2 or 3 the model cannot be used in any subsequent scenarios in the campaign. As you can see, the Hirdmen are a valuable resource which need to be used with caution and not wasted.
Scenario 1 - "Fear profits a man nothing"
Discovering that the attacks are being perpetrated by the Wendol, the eaters of the dead, Buliwyf lays a trap for the next group of Wendol to attack King Hrothgar's hall. The 13 Warriors pretend to be asleep and wait to surprise their unseen enemy.
Warbands:
Vikings: the 13 Warriors
Wendol (Welsh): 4 points of Priodaur on foot. The Wendol do not have a warlord in this scenario.
Scenario Rules:
The battlefield resresents the inside of King Hrothgar's hall and so is only 2'x2' to reflect the close and brutal nature of the fight. A few benches can be added as scenery.
Buliwyf is deployed in the centre of the table and all the rest of the Vikings are deployed within M of him.
The Wendol are all deployed within M of any of the table edges.
The Vikings get the first turn as they spring their ambush.
Victory Conditions:
The warband which wipes out their opponents is the winner. If the Wendol win, they have won the campaign.
Scenario 2 - "It's alright little brother...there are more!"
In response to their mauling at the hands of the 13 Warriors, the Wendol mass to attack King Hrothgar's hall and burn it to the ground. Buliwyf rallies what is left of Hrothgar's people to the defence of their King and they fortify the town.
Warbands:
Vikings: the 13 Warriors minus any casualties from the first game, 2 points of Thralls.
Wendol (Welsh): 6 points of mounted Priodaur. The Wendol do not have a warlord in this scenario.
Scenario Rules:
This scenario uses all the rules from the Homeland scenario except for the fact that there is no bidding to be defender - the Vikings are defending with their full force and the Wendol are attacking.
Victory Conditions:
In addition to the victory conditions for the Homeland scenario, if the Wendol win, they have won the campaign.
Scenario 3 - "IS THERE A CAVE?"
Heeding the words of the Oracle, the 13 Warriors sneak into their enemy's camp to kiIl their queen, the Mother of the Wendol, and cut the heart out of their opponents.
Warbands:
Vikings: the 13 Warriors minus any casualties from the first two games.
Wendol (Welsh): Mother of the Wendol (use the rules for a baggage marker) and 4 points of Priodaur on foot. The Wendol do not have a warlord in this scenario but the Mother of the Wendol does generate a Saga die.
Scenario Rules:
The Mother of the Wendol is deployed in the centre of the table and one point of Priodaur is deployed within M of her. The rest of the Wendol are deployed within M of either of the short table edges.
The Vikings deploy within M of one of the long table edges.
The Viking get the first turn.
Ideally the table for this game should be a maze of passageways, caverns and pools. This can be reflected by having lots of rocky terrain (difficulty, very difficult and impassable) all over the table.
Victory Conditions:
The Vikings must kill the Mother of the Wendol and then escape with Buliwyf off one of the short table edges. If Mother of the Wendol survives or Buliwyf is killed the Wendol win. If the Wendol win, they have won the campaign.
Scenario 4 - "In the halls of Valhalla, where the brave shall live forever!"
With their morale almost broken, the Wendol mass for one final attack on Hrothgar's hall. Despite a poisoned wound which seems mortal, Buliwyf rises to meet the leader of the Wendol in battle. Kill him, and they shall break.
Warbands:
Vikings: the 13 Warriors minus any casualties from the rest of campaign, 2 points of Thralls.
Wendol (Welsh): Mounted Warlord, 5 points of mounted Priodaur.
Scenario Rules:
This scenario uses all the rules from the Clash of Warlords scenario, except for the fact that game continues until one of the warlords is killed.
Place a few buildings on the table to reflect the fact that this fight takes place near Hrothgar's hall.
Victory Conditions:
In addition to the victory conditions for the Clash of Warlords scenario, the winner of this scenario wins the campaign.
