The Armies of the Snow Barbarians

The household retinue of King Orvung (F16) is relatively small, but the number of troops that can be fielded by his noble retainers is considerable. Little in the way of organized warfare is practiced, for much like their cousins to the north and south, the Snow Barbarians focus on seaborn raiding. Whether this will change in reaction to the more civilized and modern army now fielded by the Frost Barbarians remains to be seen. The king has 15 longships in his personal fleet, which are manned by these troops during the summer raiding season.

The Fyhrhing

(the king’s personal retinue) consists of the following:

• 500 light infantry with axe or sword wearing chainmail and shield

• 700 light infantry with sword and shield

• 300 light infantry with longbow

• 100 berserkers

The following forces can be called up by the

king’s liegemen

is more considerable:

These forces are generally organized around the ships used for raiding (with each noble owning one or more such vessels), each ship holding a mixed force of 100 men or so.

• 2,500 light infantry with axe or sword, wearing chainmail and shield

• 4,000 light infantry with sword and shield

• 300 berserkers

Viking miniatures will do admirably for the Snow Barbarians, with Swedes preferable if available, but such is not at all necessary.