Wyrd Games - by Kvasir

Viking-Age Games

During the Viking-Age board games and dice games were very popular. This is evidenced through the writings of foreign historians who described the various games played by the Norse people or through archeological discoveries at dig sites and within gravesites. Like today, Vikings needed to pass the time while on long voyages or when relaxing in the mead hall, so games were ubiquitous.

Rules

Rules for these Viking-Age games were not commonly documented by the Norse people. Some basic descriptions can be found in the Icelandic Sagas, but rarely do they give a full accounting of the actual ruleset. Foreign historians were sometimes intrigued by unique games and did take detailed notes, which grants us with extra insight into the game and others in the same genre. Some games were played throughout the Western world or they were played continuously in Scandinavia which allowed for better documentation. However, some games have no descriptions of the rules, requiring a lot of creativity and subjective interpretation to reconstruct a modern ruleset.

Handmade Games

All games are handmade by Kvasir himself. Game boards are hand-painted upon full-grain suede leather, which makes them very soft, flexible, durable, and beautiful. Game boards sinch-up with a leather cord to form an easy-to-transport pouch that contains all the game pieces and dice needed to play. These games are specifically designed for those who enjoy travelling to renaissance festivals, where a leather game bag hanging from your belt will go great with your garb. And the portability means they travel well to the local tavern, so you can play games with friends while enjoying a horn of mead!

Purchase Yours Today!

Visit Kvasir's online store (link above) to order yours today or come visit Clan Wyrd's shop at the Texas Viking Festival to buy one in person!

Visit the Store

Game Descriptions & Free Rules for Download

Hnefatafl — Copenhagen. Two players face off with unequal forces: one protects a king trying to escape, while the other surrounds him. Hnefatafl belongs to the historical Norse tafl family; the Copenhagen rules are a modern tournament version. The rules take a little study, and the game rewards careful planning, coordination, and tactical sacrifices.
Tablut. In this two-player tafl game, the king and his smaller defending force try to escape while a larger force closes in around them. Tablut is a Sámi game recorded by Carl Linnaeus in 1732; this rules sheet presents a playable interpretation of that historical account. It’s quick to learn but strategically unforgiving, with a single mistake potentially changing the game.
Halatafl. Two players command 22 pieces each, advancing across the board while making jumping captures, sometimes in long chains. The name appears in Old Norse saga tradition, but the precise rules are not securely preserved; this is a modern reconstruction. It’s moderately easy to learn, with forced captures, movement limits, and competing victory conditions adding tactical depth.
Úlvtafl. One player controls two wolves, while the other directs 20 sheep; the wolves capture by jumping, and the sheep must work together to reach safety. The game draws on the wider fox-game tradition, while this particular setup is best presented as a modern playable adaptation. The basic rules are easy to teach, but the sides play very differently, making coordination and position central to the strategy.
Nitafl — Nine Men’s Morris. Two players place nine pieces each, trying to form lines of three called “mills” and capture their opponent’s pieces. This is an ancient, widely played game known today as Nine Men’s Morris, not a game uniquely Norse in origin. It’s easy to learn and offers satisfying strategic play through placement, blocking, and timing.
Dablot. Two players command ranked armies of Kings, Princes, and Soldiers, capturing by jumping over enemy pieces. Dablot is a traditional Sámi capture game; this sheet offers a playable rules presentation of that tradition. The ranks are easy to grasp, while compulsory captures and multi-jump choices give the game strong tactical play.
Daldøs and Sáhkku (one shared rules sheet).
Daldøs is a two-player dice-driven race-and-capture game: players activate warriors and move them around a looping track, capturing enemies by landing on them. Its precise age and origin are uncertain, and this sheet presents a simplified version. It’s easy to start, with tactical choices about activating pieces and combining dice.
Sáhkku is a two-player Sámi race-and-capture game that adds a special King with distinctive movement and capture abilities. It is a traditional Sámi game, though regional versions and details vary; this sheet adapts it to a shared board and pieces. The core is approachable, with added strategic choices around the King and piece activation.
Sækonungar — “Sea Kings.” For 2–6 players, this dice-and-coin game has players trading, building wealth on the board, and launching risky Raids. It’s Kvasir’s modern Viking-themed adaptation of the medieval Glückshaus gambling game, rather than a surviving Viking ruleset. The basic game is quick to teach, with luck driving the action and choices such as hiring Mercenary Vikings adding risk and control.
Meier — Liar’s Dice. For three or more players, Meier uses hidden dice, escalating claims, bluffs, and challenges. The game has a possible Viking-Age connection, but this ruleset is a modern reconstruction adapted to the unusual rectangular dice. Its core is easy to learn; reading opponents, judging the odds, and deciding when to challenge create the social strategy.

Kvasir the Seer

Wyrd Games - by Kvasir

Viking-Age Games

Rules

Handmade Games

Purchase Yours Today!

Game Gallery

Game Descriptions & Free Rules for Download

Wyrd Games - by Kvasir

Viking-Age Games

Rules

Handmade Games

Purchase Yours Today!

Game Gallery

Game Descriptions & Free Rules for Download

This website uses cookies.