The Skannfyrd Subfaction
These clans of Mortals traces their legendary lineage back to the eight daughters of the god Thorgan Bergthor. Tall, muscular and fierce, the Skannfyrd are a hardy folk considered to be superstitious, backward and brutal by other nations. Like all mortal peoples across the world, the Skannfyrd are composed of both Humans and Ogres, and both possess the same pale complexion and fair hair. From the fallen warriors of these Skannfyrd tribes, the Valkyries have gathered a wealth of heroes to swell the ranks of the Vættir’s celestial battle-host. As one of the five blessed peoples chosen by the gods to re-civilize the post-Dark-Age world, the Skannfyrd carried their culture to the western edge of the world as part of the armies of the anointed champion Isenwolff. Though Isenwolff’s empire was shattered into dozens of pieces, Nordgaard’s civilization remains a potent force in the world today.
Scarjarl
Background
The Skannfyrd are a collection of Mortal tribes tracing their legendary heritage back to the god Haldan Bergthor and his mortal wife Skannya. Skannfyrd are endowed with an indomitable will and a ferocious warrior nature – both of which are exhibited by a portion of the population to dangerous excess. In Nordgaard, such violent misanthropes make up the ranks of the Ulfhednar of the human Skannfyrd and the Berzerkers of Myrgaerder Ogres.
Like ferocious dogs Ulfhednar can be a benefit and a curse for they are prone to fits of uncontrolled fury and represent a danger to civilized society. By their own choice, they live in communities in the deep forests, high mountains, and tundra barrens. Some rare individuals who have spent years following the teachings of Ulfeinar, God of Fury, gain some measure of control over their condition so that they can restrain themselves until the heat of battle. Such men are veterans of many battles and accomplished warriors; they are known as Scarjarls.
Game Role
The Scarjarl is basically a melee warlord, with a few motivational skills for his troops.
His fighting skills include MEL8 and a range of 2-handed swords with POW 6/7 or POW4 with his light attacks. His Berserk ability means that after suffering 4 points of damage, he suffers half damage from then on, and pays -1 ACT on his attacks. This means he can make up to 6 attacks per round, plus slay movement. He also gets free movement each time he kills an enemy.
On the defensive side, he suffers half damage, and additionally, the damage is further reduced by D3 due to his toughened scarified skin. Additionally his rune scars make him immune to missile attacks and enemy spells. Not only that, he also has a DEF of 15, so even elite models will be challenged to hit him. So the take this guy down you need MAG attacks or you need to get close up with some high-POW attacks.
In terms of helping troops, he has a tactic which gives all Skannfyrd models within his LEAD range +1 to attack and damage rolls when he kills an enemy. Secondly, he has a tactic he can order which enables friendly models to charge through difficult terrain.
Kinswords
Background
The Skannfyrd are descendents of the human Skannyr tribe who together with the Dwarves and the Myrgaerder Ogres fashioned the nation of Nordgaard. The mainstay of Skannfyrd armies is the regular fighter known as a Kinsword. Every able bodied free-man is considered a Kinsword from the moment he reaches manhood until the day his funeral pyre is lit.
The term was originally a title meaning “warrior brother”, but has since come to denote a particular type of warrior – one wielding the traditional Skannyr sword and shield. These free-men are a form of militia but not the typical, poorly equipped and poorly trained militias of many other cultures, for Kinswords are frequently tested in battle and equipped with high-quality arms and armor.
Kinswords arm themselves with heavy, one-handed swords, and circular shields, allowing them versatility but denying them any specialization. In battle they know that a valiant death is the greatest deed one can achieve in life. No wonder they are ferocious enemies to face, as they leap upon the enemy, hacking and smashing with both sword and shield.
Game Role
Kinswords are professional warriors, but still very cheap in points due to their no frills. MEL6 and POW3 are decent offensive stats but not special. However, they only cost 9 points and you can take 10 models in a unit. This makes it realistic to deploy 30 Kinswords in a regular warband.
One of their tactics gives them +1 on damage rolls and Fearless (which can be upgraded to Hardened Will when within LEAD range of a Valkyrie). Their other tactic allows them to make one free attack per round with their shields.
Kinswords are more offensive than Fjell Warriors but have much less defensive capabilities. Consider taking both in a warband for a hammer and anvil strategy. They also provide needed speed in a Dwarven warband for reaching scenario objectives and chasing down missile troops. Kinswords also represent the ideal core of a Skannfyrd warband
Valkyrie
Background
It is only a matter of time before the Asrae gods march once more to war. When the trumpets blare and the gods don their dazzling armor, the Heavenly Hosts march beside them. Men call them Angels, Devas, Seraphs, Asraedians and by many other names. To replenish these Heavenly Hosts destroyed in war, the Asrae enlist the souls of mighty Mortal warriors who die in battle.
The Valkyries snatch these souls before they pass on to an afterlife in the Halls of Hadon, then carry them upon their steeds to the land of the gods – there to feast and fight until the war-drums sound once more. Cloaked in a radiant light of divine power and attired in armor of silver and gold, these warrior-maidens are a glorious sight.
Valkyries are sometimes tasked by the gods to watch-over and aid particular heroes in their endeavors, and it is not uncommon for a Valkyrie to heal or resurrect these wounded and dead warriors. Being warriors themselves, these angelic maidens take every opportunity to aid Nordgaard forces by joining battle.
Game Role
The Valkyrie is a buffing character who is specialised in healing and resurrecting friendly models.
In addition to this the Valkyrie is a decent melee fighter. Her range-2 weapon means she can avoid counter attacks when she charges.
DEF14 and ARM7 make her pretty hard, but in addition she is Ethereal, suffering half damage, effectively doubling her 9 life points to 18.
The Valkyrie is a useful choice for warbands with Kinswords due to her natural synergy giving them Hardened Will. She is also a great choice for warbands with high-cost unit (like Einherjer and Fimbul Toughborns) models due to her healing and resurrection prayers. Even just resurrecting a single 24-point Einherjer model justifies her point cost of 35.
Chainslayer
Background
Among Mortal peoples, Ogres and Humans formed united cultures, bound together by symbiotic dependence. Just like the Human Ulfhednar, Myrgaerder Berzerkers are prone to fits of uncontrolled fury and represent a danger to civilized society, and for this reason some live in communities in the wilds with their own kind. The Chainslayer is a type of Ogre Berserker who is expert in the use of chain-blades – a vicious weapon with a long reach which can slash several foes in a single swing. Chainslayers live for battle, and when Nordgaard marches to war, they leave their communities and converge on the scene of slaughter.
Chainslayers are a fearsome spectacle – muscular brutes standing 9ft (3m) tall, clothed in chainmail, leather and plate armor. All night, they work themselves into a rage in which their primal instincts take over, then as dawn breaks and the mists rise these slaughterers charge into the enemy, swinging wildly with their chainblades as whirling storms of death.
Game Role
In some ways the Chainslayer is a lighter version of the Fjellgangr, they both have range-2 attacks which target all models within range.
His Berserk ability means that (like the Scarjarl), after suffering 6 points of damage, he suffers half damage from then on, and pays -1 ACT on his attacks. This means he can make up to 3 Thrash attack per round, targeting all models within 2 inches, or up to 6 regular attacks per round, plus slay movement. That is an impressive lawn-mower when used against enemy units with low POW.
The Chainslayer can also be used quite strategically by placing him out in front of the warband. His whirlwind tactic means any models passing within 2 inches either side of him suffer auto hits. This works even better when you take two of them.
Bloodvarg
Background
In the taiga, tundra and mountain ranges of Calydorn roams a deadly predator and king-of beasts which normally occupies the top of the food-chain in its region; men call them Vargs. In appearance they resemble giant wolves with powerful thick legs and sharp fangs. Nordgaard makes use of several breeds of Varg, including the Bloodvarg.
To increase their survivability in combat, Bloodvargs are trained from an early age to wear a harness of armor made from hardened leather and metal plates. Their primary weapons are their jaws, which are so powerful they can bite right through a man’s leg or skull. Nordgaard employs Vargs for patrolling the borders and also in war. They have become a favored support for Dwarven forces as they compensate for the ponderous speed of armoured troops.
Game Role
Warlord killer – the Bloodvarg knocks down models it charges, thereby debuffing the model -2 DEF and negating active tactics. This means on the charge it normally has MEL7 and POW4, plus an extra D3 direct damage. You can be sure the Bloodvarg will get the charge in most cases due to its charge range of 12 inches.
Binder – The Bloodvargs speed can be employed to engage units and thereby prevent them from charging. This allows your slower Dwarven units to close the gap and get in a charge or two of their own.
Flanker – this model can also run down the flanks and take out soft units like archers and war-machines.