Northerners

In Northerners, players become jarls, leading their Viking clans into the untamed lands of Westfoldir—a place of rich resources and opportunity, but also fierce competition. After harsh winters and dwindling resources in their homelands, four powerful jarls arrive, each determined to claim supremacy over these new lands. In this strategic 4X game (explore, expand, exploit, exterminate), players must balance resource gathering, village building, and tactical combat, all while keeping a wary eye on their rivals and seeking the favor of the gods.

With a dynamic map that expands as players explore, Northerners offers a constantly shifting landscape of alliances, territory grabs, and sudden confrontations. Each jarl can recruit warriors, gather workers, and construct buildings to strengthen their clan's hold on the land. But, to achieve victory, jarls must also navigate the whims of the Aesir—the Norse gods—who can bless their efforts or hinder them with challenges. Quest cards and blessing cards add layers of strategy, offering unique opportunities for players to gain advantages or disrupt their opponents’ plans.

Victory requires cunning, resilience, and a deep understanding of the Viking way: defend what’s yours, honor the gods, and never back down from a fight. Will you rise as the supreme jarl, or will your ambitions be buried in the cold soil of Westfoldir? Northerners is a game of survival, strategy, and Norse myth brought to life, offering high replayability through its rich mix of exploration, resource management, and tactical warfare.

—description from the designer