A game of ball was held ... in the early winter, to which came a great gathering of people from all the countryside. … Odd was matched to play against a boy named Rolf, son of Hegg, of Heggstead. But when they played together Odd got the worst of it. … Then Odd got angry and lifted up the bat and struck Rolf, whereupon Rolf seized him and threw him down with a heavy fall, and handled him rather roughly, and said he would thrash him if he did not behave. But when Odd got to his feet, he went out of the game, and the boys hooted at him.
Odd went to Hrot and told him what had been done. Hrot said: ‘I will go with you, and we will be avenged on them.’
He gave Odd a great axe of the Danes that he had been carrying. … They went where the boys game was. Then Odd bounded upon Rolf, and drove the axe into his head, so that it at once pierced his brain.
After this Odd and Hrot went away to their own people. Rolf's folk ran to their weapons, and so did either party.
Egils Saga, Chapter 40 (more or less)
Blood feuds often developed out of long-standing political or personal rivalries. These tensions could flare into violence over seemingly small incidents, an event depicted in many sagas.
According to the sagas, festivals or social gatherings could sometimes be sites for this kind of outburst. Festivals such as the annual “Winter Nights” attracted visitors from all over to a wealthy host’s farm, and the opportunities for social competition and display meant that words could sometimes spill over into violence.
This scenario represents just such an incident. The two rival Leaders have both been invited to a festival – perhaps the Defender player is even the host. There is already high tension between the two rival Leaders, who have come to the festival well prepared. At the festival, their followers exchange smug expressions and mocking words until someone finally goes too far.
An axe or knife is drawn. In a moment, blood will be spilled, and the feud will truly begin.
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| So I rebased some of my 15mm Longships figures for this project. Not ideal for skirmish gaming but let's give it a go. |
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| Lion Rampant at reduced scale. |
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| And some of these are old figures. Odd son of Hrot is a 1970s Mike's models! |
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| The rest Lancashire Games and Essex. |
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| This is Odd getting stuck into Rolf |
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| And Rolf losing the fight grand style with four men gone at one roll. Rolf's men fall. The after game roll notes that Rolf is grievously wounded. |
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| Rolfs kinsman Ulf looks on, seriously annoyed. A feud is declared! |
Odd's Saga Characters
Ari Ulf's kinsman
Wolf. An outlaw and mercenary
Hrot. Farmer of Hrotsteade.
Odd. Hrot's son
Arse, Hrot's kinsman
Egil. A wise councillor with an unpleasant wife (Thora) and daughter (Hild)
0 – Neutral
1 – Insults
2 – Compensation demanded
3 – Raiding
4 -- The Challenge * (game one level)
5 – Blood Feud
6 – Kill-on-sight
Actions like killing, burning property, winning duels, or refusing compensation change this track by + or -1.
High feud levels give bonuses (vengeance) but also penalties (must attack).
B. Legal Phase
Pay compensation
Call witnesses
Attempt outlawry against rivals
Recruit new allies
Trigger plot events
Reduce (or escalate!) feud levels
A diplomacy / court phase makes narrative progression rich.
Fate / Prophecy Cards
A deck that represents omens, dreams, curses, and prophetic warnings.
“The Fated Dream” – see opponent’s deployment
“Bad Omen” – morale penalty
“the scorned woman” – vengeance bonus
These add the supernatural flavor without breaking historical realism.
Scenarios:
High Pass Ambush
Odd's Stand at Grimmsteade
Duel at the Hrotfljót
The Burning at Arsendi
Final Standoff – Odd's Last Stand
