Peering across the water from the shore, a grizzled veteran examines the warriors upon the walls of the fort that stands above the waves on salt-caked pilings. Singling out his targets, he speaks to his companions as they prepare for their assault, formulating the plan that will see them through to victory...
Locked in combat with a rival duellist, a young shieldmaiden turns aside blow after blow with her targe. Her sword sings in her grip as she brings her skill to bear, lashing out with an unexpected blow that severs her opponent's hamstring, laming him. Blood dripping from her blade, she retreats, forcing him to follow on his newly-wounded leg...
In the thick mud of a rain-soaked village in the path of a marching army, a mercenary demonstrates the use of the spear to a dozen frightened farmers. Lashing out with his spear's butt, he sends a villager crashing brutally to the earth with battered ribs and his breath stolen. Two more days of such treatment, and the farmers will be ready to fight for their homes...
Under a withering hail of arrows, a seasoned captain orders her men to lock shields and stand shoulder to shoulder, weathering the storm in a tight shield wall. When the archers break, she charges at the head of her companions, and they follow behind her in a wedge of iron bristling with weapons, prepared to crash into the enemy like a wild boar...
The Hersir
This playbook was a late addition to the Bodil's Gap project, intended to cover an archetype I felt was missing. While the Dýrsark and Fighter playbooks offer effective warriors skilled at dispatching their foes, the Hersir is more focused on supporting the other members of the party, giving up the sheer damage potential of other warrior playbooks in exchange for greater control over the battlefield.
Leadership and a Tactical Mind
Endowed with a keen eye and a keener mind, the Hersir is adept at taking the measure of the opposition and formulating a plan of attack. With a glance the Hersir can judge how dangerous a person is, and by exchanging a few words they can glean information about a person's past experience of battle, good and ill; what drives them to fight; and to whom their loyalty is owed. And when laying out an opening gambit before battle, the Hersir can give their allies greater chance of success and victory—as long as their plan is being followed.
Fighting alongside others, the Hersir is a master of formations, able to arrange allied warriors into lines of defense or attack that protect those within or add greater force to every charge and sword-swing. And at a companion's side, the Hersir's assistance can turn a fumbled swing into a glancing blow that draws the enemy's blood. The Hersir can take advantage even of the battlefield itself, using every quirk of terrain and positioning to thwart their foe. And at the height of their powers, the Hersir can turn the tide of battle by revealing the extent of their foresight, bringing out hidden preparations to counter their enemy's strength and mercilessly exploit their weakness.
But a leader is nothing without followers, and even leaving aside the other members of their party, no Hersir fights alone. Every Hersir has the support of a loyal huskarl as their right hand, a sort of superior hireling whose loyalty is above question—and as the Hersir grows in skill, so too does their huskarl. And under the command of a Hersir, even normal hirelings fight with greater vigour and loyalty—particularly those trained up from nothing by the Hersir themself.
The Way of the Shield and Sword
Though the Hersir is a commander, they are one who leads from the front. Embroiled in the thick of the fighting, a Hersir must be able to fend for themselves in battle. Though without the savage strength of a berserker, a Hersir is still an adept combatant able to employ a variety of tricks and techniques to aid themselves and their allies. No two Hersir have the same knacks, but a Hersir might parry their opponent's blows, distract or daze them, maneuver them about, hamstring them, or aggress against a whole swarm of lesser foes.
The Hersir is also a master of shield combat, skilled at defending themselves and others. In their hands, a shield can be a deadly weapon, or it can be sacrificed to turn aside even a blow that would tear through armour like cloth.
Using the Hersir
This playbook is intended for those who want a more tactical warrior than the Dýrsark and a more leadership-oriented role than the Fighter. Use it to play someone who organizes raids, captains a ship, or commands other warriors in battle.
Bodil's Gap is currently in playtesting, and the playtesting version of the Hersir playbook can be found here. If you have any insight or feedback, leave a comment or send an email to brazenhead@zoho.com.
Art Note
Like the others I showed off earlier, this fantastic playbook illustration was done by Anton Vitus. Check his other work out here.
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