My new "Pillage," mat arrived, rather small but what I was after for the level of game I'm looking for here. I also wanted to print this to evaluate it's use for terrain pieces I can get printed and then cut out from the fleece. It's looking great for that!
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50 cm by 70cm. Small but it cost a fiver so let's give it a go. |
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Count Adalhard, on his old fashioned and slow horse armoured dray! |
The Locals
Warband 1: The Retinue of Count Adalhard of Hastlingen
Warband 2. The Warband of Hrothgar of Dokkum
Warband 3: The Host of Eilrad the Fat of Westergo
⚔️ Warband 1: The Retinue of Count Adalhard of Hatlingen
Background: Once a loyal nobleman under Charlemagne, Adalhard now defends the Frisian frontier against pagan raiders and rebellious lords.
Count Adalhard Mounted Elite Spear, Sword, Shield 8 pts
2 Frankish Retainers Mounted Spear, Shield 6 pts each. Clovis Big Head, Little Pepin
Lothair
Foot Soldiers (7):
Nurbald
Carloman
Arnulf
Charles
Pepin, but not that one.
2 Autun Levy Archers Foot, Ranged Bow 4 pts each, Arnulf, Charles
3 Town Militia Spearmen Foot, Spear Spear, Shield 4 pts each. Lothair, Nurbald, Carloman
2 Rural Freemen Foot, Spear (no shield) 3 pts each Louis, Grimald
Total Points: 56 pts
Faction: Franks
Total gp: 350
Max Cost: 600
• Chieftain (1 × 65 = 65)
- Armour (5)
- Shield (5)
- Hand Weapon (10)
- Horse (25)
• Warrior (2 × 50 = 100)
- Armour (5)
- Shield (5)
- Spear (5)
- Horse (25)
• Warrior (3 × 20 = 60)
- Unarmoured (0)
- Shield (5)
- Spear (5)
• Warrior (2 × 20 = 40)
- Unarmoured (0)
- Sling (10)
• Warrior (1 × 35 = 35)
- Unarmoured (0)
- Bow (25)
• Warrior (2 × 25 = 50)
- Unarmoured (0)
- Shield (5)
- Hand Weapon (10)
⚔️ Warband 2: The Warband of Hrothgar of Dokkum
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Hrothgar and his retainers move in to defend the village. |
Background: Hrothgar, a Frisian noble with distant Frankish ancestry, claims rule over the old missionary lands near Dokkum. A staunch Christian and shrewd war leader, he seeks to restore order — under his rule.
Unit Name Type Equipment Points
Hrothgar of Dokkum Mounted Elite Spear, Sword, Shield, Mail 8 pts
2 x Mounted Household Retainers Spear, Shield, Light Armor 6 pts ea, Gundobal and Audoin —“old friend
2 Hearth-Warriors Foot, Spear Spear, Shield, Light Armor 5 pts ea Sigebert and Merovar
3 Village Archers from Dokkum Foot, Ranged Bow 4 pts ea Theuderic Fat Childeric and Dagobart
2 Bondi Spearmen Foot, Spear Spear, Shield 4 pts ea Little Lothar, Ansegisel
Total: 56 pts
⚔️ Warband 3: The Host of Eilrad the Fat of Westergo
Background: Eilrad, a fiercely independent Frisian warlord, opposes any return to Frankish-style rule. Pagan-leaning and proud, he commands fierce loyalty from the coastal clans of Westergo.
Unit Name Type Equipment Points
Eilrad the Red,Mounted Elite, Axe, Shield, Mail 8 pts
Ansegisel — the veteran
Gundobad — battle-hardened
Theuderic — skilled horseman
Foot Soldiers (7):
Bernard — trusted veteran
Audoin — loyal
2 Coastal Riders, Mounted Spear, Shield, Light Armor 6 pts ea Ansegisel — the veteran, Gundobad — battle-hardened
2 Slingers of the Salt Marsh Foot, Ranged Sling 4 pts ea. Ansegisel, Merovech —
3 Clan Spearmen of Westergo Foot, Spear Spear, Shield 4 pts ea Dagobert — strong, Childeric Lothar ,Experienced
2 Shield Brothers of the Fen Foot, Spear Spear, Shield, Light Armor 5 pts ea Bernard — trusted veteran, Audoin — loyal
Total: 56 pts
Additional Notes:
Names are based on Frisian/Frankish naming conventions from the 9th century.
Setting: This setup places these warbands on the northwestern coastal frontier, where local lords now fight for power in the absence of strong imperial oversight.
Cultural flavor: Both Adalard and Hrothgar lean toward the Carolingian model (Christian, semi-centralized), while Eilrad represents more traditional Frisian independence and lingering pagan customs.
Missile choice: Adalard and Hrothgar’s archers reflect growing Frankish military influence, while Eilrad's slingers are more traditional for local marshland clans.
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Father Liudger, named "the Bishop in Waiting" attempts to dissuade the raiders. |
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And the Priest gets thumped and taken hostage. |
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Adalhard gets stuck in. |
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And Adalhards Mounted guys are mighty, well their dice are! |
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Adalhard on his Goth armoured horse cuts through the Franks. |
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As the Infantry fight over a field wall. |
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The enemy break, it's a win for the Count. |
Notes
Fractured Authority: After Charlemagne’s death (814 AD), central control weakened. Marches (frontier districts) became militarized and autonomous
Paul Budde History
Dark Ages History
Frisian Resistance and Collapse: Frisia was repeatedly in revolt—Redbad, Poppo, later suppression—showing both independent Frisian power and Frankish conquest
Dark Ages History
Cavalry Tradition: Frisians and Franks maintained mounted warbands; Frisians were noted horse breeders, and cavalry tactics (ambush, feigned retreat) were integral
Frisia-coast-trail!