RavenFeast - A Skirmish with Raiders

I've spent the later part of 2024 painting up some additional Vikings so that I could bring RavenFeast to the table so it was good to make it the first game of the year. I had built and painted a small host for SAGA a year or so ago but the only player with all the rules and dice needed at SWWG had to stop coming and I was never able to get hold of a set for myself so they sat in a box. I was recently made aware of RavenFeast as a good simple skirmish game for Vikings.

RavenFeast was designed to be used as a, freely available, introduction game to the world of historical wargaming. It has a low figure count, only needs D6 and Ruler and the rules, which can be downloaded at http://www.ravenfeast.com/, to play. The Little Wars TV team produced a number of videos and scenarios to support the rules which you can find on their YouTube channel.

For a first game to get my head around the rules I opted to play a narrative solo game. 

BloodBeard has been raiding the lands of Jarl Erik with a small band of Huskarls, Hirdman & Bondi Spearmen. Jarl Erik has a force of his Huskarls, Bondi Spearman & Thralls armed with Javelins. He must prevent BloodBeard from crossing the table and fleeing to the coast.

The Battlefield

Looking from West to East , BloodBeard must enter and leave the battlefield along the centre line.

Looking from South to North the high ground each side of the gully and the abundant cover will make the defenders harder to defeat.

Deployment

BloodBeard deploys Bondi Spearmen and Hirdman Swordsman in two ranks with his Huskarls close to his side.

Jarl Erik with his Huskarls holds the southern summit in clear challenge to BloodBeard , Meanwhile his Thrall's are hidden in the trees of the Northern slope and his Bondi Spearmen lay hidden in the gully.

Turn 1

Erik wins the initiative but holds his ground waiting to see what BloodBeard will do.

BloodBeard advances down towards the gully with his Bondi spearmen and Huskarls, however the Hirdman peel off to the south using the cover of the trees to head for the southern slope. 

Turn 2

Erik's forces stand allowing BloodBeard's men to advance deeper into the gully and around the back of the woods to a hidden slope upto the southern bank.

 Turn 3

BloodBeard and his men continue their advances forward but Erik's forces are on the move. His Thrall use the treeline to maneuver behind BloodBeard's forces.

In the centre of the gully Erik's Bondi Spearmen move out from cover to challenge BloodBeard's advance.

Turn 4

Seizing the initiative BloodBeard heads towards the emerging Bondi feeling safe that his Hirdman cresting the southern slope can protect his flank if Erik moves down the slope.

Erik's Bondi form the shield wall and prepare for battle as the Thralls move through the trees ready to attack BloodBeard's rear.

Turn 5

Battle is Joined. While Eriks forces hold ready BloodBeard's Bondi crash into the Shieldwall. 

In the initial crash of shields one of BloodBeard's men falls wounded. The Thralls launch their Javelins down the slope at BloodBeards  Huskarls but only one hits and is deflected by the targets armour.

Turn 6

With the blood up BloodBeard's Huskarl join the assault on the Shieldwall which is soon overpowered with two of Erik's men receiving 'Deaths worthy of a song' and another wounded.

On the southern slope BloodBeard's Hirdman advance and form a shield wall in challenge to Erik and his Huskarls.

Turn 7

Amazingly the last man in Erik's Shieldwall passed both morale tests caused by the 'Death's worthy of a song' and while his survival was limited he did manage to take out another of BloodBeard's Bondi before he to was dispatched to Valhalla.

Seeing their Lord's predicament Erik's Thralls have run across the gully and up the slope behind the Hirdman Shieldwall but cannot get into range to loose their Javelins.

Turn 8

BloodBeard along with his Bondi and Huskarls reach the far end of the. gully and safety.

But up on the southern slope the Hirdman are in trouble. with their path of retreat cut off by the Thralls approaching from behind they decide to advance their wall into combat with Erik and his Huskarls.

With Javelins coming from the rear and Erik and his warriors in front the Hirdman are slaughtered till only one man remains! His morale fails as his comrades fall.

Turn 8

Realising his fate is sealed the last man rallies grips his sword and swings for Jarl Erik who deflects the blow as one of his Huskarls cuts the man down, The Battle is over.

BloodBeard has escaped Jarl Eriks trap but at a high cost in men.

Conclusions

Wow what an excellent game. 

It took about two hours to play through from start to finish, only really needed the QRS sheet when playing.  Played out the narrative in a twisted way from what I anticipated.

I enjoyed playing SAGA but found it a bit complex with the battle Boards and never really invested in it. This game however was simple to play , dynamic in the way it flowed and with a healthy online community supporting it I intend to delve much deeper maybe with a Saxon Warband (included in the core rules) or perhaps a Norman, Pict, Irish or Welsh warband for which the community have created lists. There is even an expansion to include mythological creatures like Giants and Trolls. 

This is also gonna make a great game for SWWG club night multiplayer games.