“Wolves on the Water” Interlude Scenario.

Between Scenarios 3: The Marsh of Broken Reeds and 4: The Forest Clearing

NARRATIVE SETUP

Word reaches Alsuum that two supply vessels are sailing upriver from the Duke, bearing:

Reinforcements
Supplies
A rival lord’s authority

Among them sails Serjent Lambert, one of Crispinus’ trusted Sergeants at Arms, sent to guide them through the river mouths and dykes.

They do not sail alone.

Three Viking longships, under a newly risen chieftain, lurk among the islands and tidal channels — raiders, mercenaries, or something worse.

THE VIKING CHIEFTAIN (INTRODUCTION)

Hróðgeirr Black-Oar

Sea-Wolf of the Wädden Coast

Ruthless, calculating, not a berserker
Interested in plunder, hostages, and leverage
Will return later in the campaign regardless of outcome

FORCES INVOLVED

Frankish Convoy

2 Supply Vessels
- Each carries:
  - 1 Foot Serjeant unit (reinforcements)
  - 1 Missile unit (archers or crossbows)
One named Crispinus retainer, Serjant Lambert, aboard

Vikings

3 Longships
- Each carries:
  - 1 Foot Men-at-Arms–equivalent unit
  - Optional missile support (javelins or bows)

TABLE SETUP

Long table (river or coastal channel)
Narrow navigable lanes
Sandbanks, islands, tidal flats
Cogs start together; longships may start hidden or staggered

OBJECTIVES

Frankish Player

Get at least one cog safely off-table
Prevent capture of the named retainer

Viking Player

Capture or sink at least one cog
Capture a character (preferred over killing)

HRÓÐGEIRR BLACK-OAR

Sea-Wolf of the Wadden Coast

Role in the Campaign

Naval raider, opportunist, hostage-taker
Prefers leverage over slaughter
Will retreat if victory is uncertain
Returns stronger if not decisively defeated

HRÓÐGEIRR BLACK-OAR (Leader Profile)

Counts as: Foot Men-at-Arms (Viking Hird)
Leader Type: Commanding Villain

Combat Stats (base unit)

Attack: 5+
Defence: 3+
Courage: 3+
Armour: Heavy
Weapons: Axes, spears, shields

SPECIAL TRAITS (choose ALL – he is a major villain)

⚓ Sea-Born Commander

Units within 12” may re-roll one failed Activation if they are:
Embarked
Within 6” of water terrain
This represents disciplined ship crews and naval confidence.

🪓 Measured Brutality

Once per game, after winning a melee, Hróðgeirr may:
Force the enemy to re-roll successful Courage tests
If this causes the enemy unit to flee, it counts as captured, not destroyed.

🐺 Never the Last Man

If Hróðgeirr’s unit would be destroyed:
Roll 1d6
4+ → He escapes and returns in a later scenario
1–3 → He is wounded and misses the next game
Only death occurs if defeated twice in one campaign arc.

🧠 Ransom Over Revenge

If Hróðgeirr captures a character:
Viking player gains +1 Campaign Resource
Frankish player must roll on a Ransom / Humiliation table (optional later)

HRÓÐGEIRR’S PERSONALITY (Narrative Use)

Cold, mocking, pragmatic
Will parley mid-battle
Respects competence, not rank
Knows the coast better than anyone except the Frisians

SUBORDINATE CHARACTER

Egil Sharp-nose

Hróðgeirr’s Boarding Master
Lost part of his hand to a cog’s anchor chain. Replaced it with an iron hook. Brutal, loyal, hates knights.

EGIL Sharp-nose (Sub-Leader)

Counts as: Foot Serjeants (Veteran Raiders)
Leader Type: Subordinate Villain

Combat Stats

Attack: 5+
Defence: 4+
Courage: 4+
Armour: Medium
Weapons: Axe, hook, shield

SPECIAL TRAITS

⚔️ Boarding Specialist

Gains +1 Attack die when charging from:
A ship
Difficult terrain
Marsh, ford, or riverbank

🩸 Cruel Enforcer

Enemy units Engaged with Egil suffer −1 Courage when testing to Rally or Withdraw.

🔗 Hook and Drag

Once per game, Egil may:
Cancel an enemy Withdraw
Forcing a second round of melee immediately

CAMPAIGN RELATIONSHIP

If Egil is killed:
Hróðgeirr gains Hatred (Crispinus’ Retinue) in future battles
If Egil survives multiple games:
He may be promoted to lead a second raiding force

RETINUE LOYALTY IMPACT

Whenever Hróðgeirr appears:
Frankish Retinue:
−1 Loyalty if supplies, ships, or men are lost to him
If Hróðgeirr is driven off:
+1 Loyalty (men believe the coast can be held)
Sergeant Lambert, the game and the narrative versions!
The Rhine Estuary. Frankish supply ships sight three Viking raiders

The lines close and the Franks launch a volley of arrows

But the lead Viking grapple, and fails.

The second d Viking ship does grapple. The second Frankish ship swings out to bypass.

The Viking shooting is poor.

A boarding action. The Franks do well. I'm using e chipboard terrain as rough. All figures hit on 5-6.

And the Franks get onto the Vling ship

More shooting

And the Viking shooting is poor, again.

Shooting from the second Frankish ship is powerful. Courage test fail.

The locked together ships drift inshore.

And the third Viking ship comes to the rescue. But al, three drift around.

Leaving g it's Milites on board the third Viking ship, still locked in a boarding action, the second Frankish ship makes a break for it.

And the Viking ship is taken

A captured Longship and stolen longship escape off table. Sergeant Lamberg makes it home.

But the locked together ships are aground

SPECIAL EVENTS (Roll When a double is rolled for activation --> on 1d6)

Shifting Tides – Random sandbank emerges

Fog Bank – All shooting −1 this turn

Oar Clash – One longship loses movement

Panicked Crew – Test Courage or lose activation

Favorable Wind – One cog gains extra move

Boarding Opportunity – Free Charge if in contact

CAMPAIGN CONSEQUENCES
If the Franks Win:

One reinforcement unit arrives immediately in Scenario 4

The Duke’s favor increases (future event bonus)

If the Vikings Win:

One reinforcement unit is lost or captured

Hróðgeirr gains intelligence about Alsuum

Vikings may appear in a future land raid

If It’s a Draw:

Supplies lost, but men survive

Both sides gain reason to escalate

Wednesday, 21 January 2026

The Warlord: Naval Game Scenario 3.5