Midgardian Raids

Midgardian rulers can obtain obtain great wealth and prestige by raiding, and such raids are feared near and far. The most successful raiding commanders are known as víkingar.

Strategy

The best targets for raids are often nearby and overseas feudal lands which can be raided along the coasts and major rivers via longship and which lack the military forces needed to defeat the raiders. Midgardian rulers must also be mindful to watch their own backs, as their fellows may decide to raid them if they seem weak or while they have sent their own armies raiding far away.
Targeting holdings with lots of wealth is considered the most obvious choice, but by targetting seats of power valuable hostages or sacrifices can be obtained.
Few if any rulers would order the raiding and sacking of territory they intended to conquer for themselves in the near future.

Aftermath

Once the Midgardian raiders have overcome a holding's defenses, they slaughter all those who resist, set fire to thatched roofs and wooden buildings, rape women and girls of all ages, and butcher animals in wild pandemonium. When raiding rulers' capitals, the raiders may abduct surviving courtiers and family members for ransom, sacrifice, or concubinage.
Holdings victimized by raiding provide significantly less taxes, take significantly longer to construct buildings, and take slightly longer to develop in the several years following the raid.
Under the command of their rulers, armies of Midgardian raiders may have the option to sack the entire county or to engage in trading with local rulers after raiding a holding.

Sacking

After the fall of a county's stronghold, a raiding ruler may find his armies have the run of vast tracts of the surrounding land. In this circumstance, the commander may order his army to sack the county for additional treasure or, under the right conditions, thralls for the capital. Counties sacked for thralls suffer a major setback in development. Counties that have been sacked may take a couple decades to fully recover from the events.