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Skirmish battles set in the harsh north

Pohjola is a thrilling new skirmish miniature wargame with a heavy emphasis on narrative campaigns set in the fantasy world of Pohjola. Fight epic battles using sword, bow and magic to best your enemies in a variety exciting scenarios and grow and evolve your warband to become the ultimate champion.

6 unique factions

From the Highland Clans of the frozen lands to the once dead Returned to the Lakefolk lurking beneath the waters of Pohjola, play as any of 6 unique Factions in Pohjola, each with their exclusive units. Choose your playstyle by selecting from 3 different Commanders who shape the way you play and build your warband.

Return of the Divine Engine

Rumors say the Divine Engine has been unearthed in Hreiturholm and the old powers stir. Explore the unique branching story, experience 19 exhilarating special scenarios and investigate the enigmatic mysteries of the fishing hamlet in this first Pohjola campaign set.

const images = [ "https://pohjolagame.com/assets/images/image15.jpg?v=abcea7a9", "https://pohjolagame.com/assets/images/image17.jpg?v=abcea7a9", "https://pohjolagame.com/assets/images/image11.jpg?v=abcea7a9", "https://pohjolagame.com/assets/images/image02.jpg?v=abcea7a9" ]; let index = 1; let slides = []; const track = document.getElementById('simple-track'); const dotsContainer = document.getElementById('carousel-dots'); let isMoving = false; /* SETUP */ function createSlides() { /* Clone last slide */ const lastClone = createSlide(images[images.length - 1]); track.appendChild(lastClone); images.forEach(src => { const slide = createSlide(src); track.appendChild(slide); }); /* Clone first slide */ const firstClone = createSlide(images[0]); track.appendChild(firstClone); slides = track.children; track.style.transform = `translateX(-${index * 100}%)`; } function createSlide(src) { const slide = document.createElement('div'); slide.className = 'carousel-slide'; const img = document.createElement('img'); img.src = src; slide.appendChild(img); return slide; } /* BASE MOVE FUNCTIONALITY */ function onClick(direction) { moveCarousel(direction); } function moveCarousel(direction) { if (isMoving) return; isMoving = true; index += direction; const slideWidth = slides[0].getBoundingClientRect().width; track.style.transition = "transform 0.3s ease-in-out"; track.style.transform = `translateX(-${index * slideWidth}px)`; updateDots(); } function goToSlide(i) { index = i; const slideWidth = slides[0].getBoundingClientRect().width; track.style.transform = `translateX(-${index * slideWidth}px)`; updateDots(); } track.addEventListener('transitionend', () => { isMoving = false; const slideWidth = slides[0].getBoundingClientRect().width; if (index === slides.length - 1) { track.style.transition = "none"; index = 1; track.style.transform = `translateX(-${index * slideWidth}px)`; } if (index === 0) { track.style.transition = "none"; index = slides.length - 2; track.style.transform = `translateX(-${index * slideWidth}px)`; } updateDots(); }); /* DOTS FUNCTIONALITY */ function setupDots() { dotsContainer.innerHTML = ''; for (let i = 0; i < images.length; i++) { const dot = document.createElement('span'); dot.className = 'carousel-dot' + (i === 0 ? ' active' : ''); dot.addEventListener('click', () => goToSlide(i + 1)); dotsContainer.appendChild(dot); } } function updateDots() { const dots = dotsContainer.children; for (let i = 0; i < dots.length; i++) { dots[i].classList.remove('active'); } const dotIndex = index - 1; if (dots[dotIndex]) dots[dotIndex].classList.add('active'); } window.addEventListener('resize', () => { const slideWidth = slides[0].getBoundingClientRect().width; track.style.transform = `translateX(-${index * slideWidth}px)`; }); createSlides(); setupDots(); /* SWIPE FUNCTIONALITY */ let startX = 0; let isSwiping = false; track.addEventListener('touchstart', (e) => { startX = e.touches[0].clientX; isSwiping = true; }); track.addEventListener('touchmove', (e) => { if (!isSwiping) return; const dx = e.touches[0].clientX - startX; if (Math.abs(dx) > 50) { moveCarousel(dx < 0 ? 1 : -1); isSwiping = false; } }); /* LIGHTBOX FUNCTIONALITY */ const lightbox = document.getElementById("lightbox"); const lightboxImg = document.getElementById("lightbox-img"); const lightboxPrev = document.getElementById("lightbox-prev"); const lightboxNext = document.getElementById("lightbox-next"); let lightboxIndex = 0; let lightboxStartX = 0; let lightboxSwiping = false; lightboxImg.addEventListener("touchstart", (e) => { lightboxStartX = e.touches[0].clientX; lightboxSwiping = true; }); lightboxImg.addEventListener("touchmove", (e) => { if (!lightboxSwiping) return; const dx = e.touches[0].clientX - lightboxStartX; if (Math.abs(dx) > 50) { if (dx < 0) { lightboxIndex = (lightboxIndex + 1) % images.length; } else { lightboxIndex = (lightboxIndex - 1 + images.length) % images.length; } lightboxImg.src = images[lightboxIndex]; lightboxSwiping = false; } }); lightboxImg.addEventListener("touchend", () => { lightboxSwiping = false; }); Array.from(track.querySelectorAll('img')).forEach((img, i) => { if (i === 0 || i === slides.length - 1) return; img.style.cursor = "zoom-in"; img.addEventListener("click", () => { lightbox.style.display = "flex"; lightboxIndex = i - 1; lightboxImg.src = images[lightboxIndex]; }); }); lightbox.addEventListener("click", () => { lightbox.style.display = "none"; lightboxImg.src = ""; index = lightboxIndex + 1; const slideWidth = slides[0].getBoundingClientRect().width; track.style.transition = 'none'; track.style.transform = `translateX(-${index * slideWidth}px)`; requestAnimationFrame(() => { track.style.transition = 'transform 0.3s ease-in-out'; }); updateDots(); }); lightboxPrev.addEventListener("click", (e) => { e.stopPropagation(); lightboxIndex = (lightboxIndex - 1 + images.length) % images.length; lightboxImg.src = images[lightboxIndex]; }); lightboxNext.addEventListener("click", (e) => { e.stopPropagation(); lightboxIndex = (lightboxIndex + 1) % images.length; lightboxImg.src = images[lightboxIndex]; });

Disclaimer: Pohjola does not currently have a miniature line of its own. Miniatures used are combined from various different miniature manifacturers.

About Us

Pohjola is created by three passionate miniature hobbyist friends, who for years dreamed of the perfect miniature game. We combine years of experience on competitive wargaming and game design combined with a unique art style at the hands of a skilled artist to make Pohjola something truly unique and unforgettable.

Downloads

Eager to try out Pohjola for yourself? Then grab the rules below and jump right in. Be sure to join our Discord to give us feedback to make the game even better!

Base game rules

Pohjola Rulebook

The base rules for Pohjola, with all the rules you'll need to play single games or a campaign of your own, just grab the Factions from below to choose your warriors from.

Return of the Divine Engine

The first campaign set for Pohjola, Return of the Divine Engine contains 19 special scenarios to play through in a branching story driven campaign.
Note that his is a preview version of the campaign, with shortened story texts and no art.

Factions

Bestial Nomads

Everything you need to play the roaming Bestial Nomads.

Eternal Consortium

Everything you need to play the forces of the Eternal Consortium from the far west.

Highland Clans

Everything you need to play the brave human and jötnar warriors of the Highland Clans.

The Kinship

Everything you need to play the elven, dwarven and draconic forces of the Kinship.

Lakefolk

Everything you need to play the watery people of the Lakefolk.

The Returned

Everything you need to play the risen draugr warriors of the Returned.

What is Pohjola

Fast paced gameplay with low downtime

Games of Pohjola move fast and keep you on your toes the whole way. Alternating unit activations keep downtime low and the action going and the Action Point system makes sure every action or inaction is meaningful, giving Pohjola a ton of depth. With Pohjola’s objective based scenarios victory is never certain and game’s are always on a razor’s edge. Play your cards right and you can snatch victory from the jaws of defeat.

Experience the unique game mechanics of Pohjola

Pohjola features unique mechanics that keep even wargaming veterans hooked. Leverage your upper hand with the Advantage system that allows the victor of each combat to direct the course of the battle. Collect Stardust to tip the odds in your favor in a battle, but also to use as currency between games. Chant powerful Songs with Pohjola’s simple yet deep magic system that offers the ability to choose how much power you want for your magic. Each game is different due to Pohjola’s ever changing Environments, keeping the game fresh for years to come.

Campaign based evolving gameplay

Watch your warband evolve, grow and improve as you fight more and more battles in a Pohjola campaign. Equipment, injuries, skills and more keep your warband always feeling fresh and ready for action. Customise your units to fit your playstyle and counter your opponents’ strategies with your decisions.Your choices dictate the course of the campaign, with player decisions affecting available units, environmental effects, options in the aftermath between games and the story. In Pohjola the players direct the course of history, but each path has tangible effects to the game in a unique campaign system like never seen before.

Exciting small scale battles

Pohjola is a small scale skirmish wargame played with 5-20 models, with games taking between 45 to 90 minutes. Battles in Pohjola take place on a 90cm by 90cm battlefield using regular 6-sided dice and 28mm scale miniatures, making it easily accessible for anyone interested in miniature wargames. Individual games are designed for 2-4 players and campaigns can involve as many players as you see fit, so invite all your friends for an epic gaming experience.

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FACTIONS

Highland Clans

The northernmost reaches of Pohjola are home to the Highland Clans, groups of humans and jötnar living a harsh life in the rugged outskirts of civilization. The humans are both a passionate and a warlike people, but their temper is abated by their calm jötnar allies, who prefer the simple life of farming and stargazing.In times of strife humans and jötnars alike take up arms to defend their way of living. The warbands of the Highland Clans are led by martially adept Thanes who elevate their best warriors to true elites, mystical Shamans who thrive both in chanting powerful songs and in the melee of battle, or sometimes the jötnar Elders who can guide the destinies of the warband’s warriors.

The Eternal Consortium

Far to the south of Pohjola, beyond the seas is the kingdom of Qhanir, whose trade ships sail all the seas of the world. For a citizen of Qhanir, wealth is the true mark of position, but their true passion is found in the pursuit of immortality. Trade guilds of Qhanir are fierce rivals with each other, as competition breeds success.The ships of Qhanir are oft headed by wealthy Merchant Princes, bringing with them hordes of servants to do their bidding. Others again are commanded by Alchemists, bolstering their warriors with concoctions equally invigorating and dangerous. Yet some warbands of Qhanir are led by their most fearsome warriors, the Eternal Lords, who take what they will with their own hands, even at the expense of their own kin.

The Kinship

Below the freezing Icepeak Mountains lie the endless caverns of Myrkheim. These caves are the ancestral home of the elves, dwarves, and their draconic friends. The dwarves are unrivaled craftsmen and weavers of magical songs, yet their ancient curse forever haunts them. The elves, a spiritualistic people, also share strong ties with the draconic children of the god they worship, the Dragon.In battle the Kinship form a terrifying trio of elven warriors, dwarven spellsingers and draconic creatures of various forms. Marshaled by elven Chieftains specializing in defensive formations, mighty spellsinger Thyls, who can summon terrifying Golems, or fearsome Dragonsouls bringing forth the fury of the Dragon to their host, any warband of the Kinship is one to look out for.

The Bestial Nomads

The colorful caravans of the Eweneki people from the east are a sight to behold in Pohjola. Bears who walk upright, people with horns, snouts, fur and hooves like goats and crows the size and shape of humans are enough to make decent folk stay far away from the Eweneki caravans. The culmination of the War of the Gods led to the destruction of their considerable empire and leaving their people transformed, mutated and fused with animals, forcing them to wander the lands, never allowed to settle.Eweneki warbands often see the different types of their people flock to their own, enhancing each other’s strengths. The Ursine Huntmasters bestow upon their brethren a ferociousness unseen, allowing their kin to push their advantage. The Brightfeathers of the Crowfolk usually take on a scouting role, bringing to their kind a swiftness rivaling that of the wind itself. While not having the strength or speed of the others, the Beastkin Curators have access to the ancient weaponry of the Eweneki empire, giving their warbands an advantage like no other.

Lakefolk

The lands of the north are full of rivers and lakes. They are home to mysterious fae, who live around, in, and under the waters and whose realms lie beneath the surface. Most creatures who live beneath the waters seldom interact with surface dwellers. They lure mortals to their realms with ghostlights and charming songs, enticing them to their servitude for twelve years. Such are the strange customs of the fae.Where the Lakefolk go, so do the waters, as they can raise mystical Springs even in the desert. These Springs give the Lakefolk a strength beyond mortal men and the Ahto are even said to grant their host the ability to freely move between them. The ever beautiful Vellamo controls the magics of the stars to embolden their fighters. Yet perhaps the strangest of the Lakefolk are the Vettenemo, creatures seemingly made of water itself, whose presence alone seem to make their host nearly unkillable.

The Returned

For centuries, the hilltops and valleys of Pohjola have had a reputation of dread. Underneath lie the tombs of ancient warriors, ready to rise once more should the world need them. With the return of the Divine Engine their long slumber has ended, as they rise to once more fight against tyranny. Their bodies may have decayed and their weapons rusted, but they are nevertheless prepared to fulfill their ancient oaths.The fervour of battle has never been more visible than in the warriors of Draugr Warlords, who inspire their followers to never let their foe a moment’s respite. Spiritcallers, members of an ancient jötnar cult, raise their fallen foes to strike against their old allies. Of the Returned perhaps the most terrifying are the Ancient Kings, warriors predating even the War of the Gods, whose indomitable will cause even the bravest to waver against the strange undead abominations of the risen legion.

Get all of our factions rules for free here:

Return of the Divine Engine

Immerse yourself in an epic story

Return of the Divine Engine features an epic branching story for players to discover. The Divine Engine has been unearthed and warriors from all around the land have arrived to take part in this momentous event. Your choices determine how the balance of power tips and who will choose the fate of all. Whether you wish to use the Engine or destroy it you better act quick, for there are plenty more to try and take your place.

Live the story through your games

Clash with your opponents through 9 unique story-driven scenarios, determined by your choices during your campaign. End your campaign in one of 10 epic finales, each with their own engaging mechanics, providing tons of replayability and new ways of exploring the story of the Divine Engine.

Unearth the mysteries of the fishing hamlet

Delve into the cryptic past of the Divine Engine and the arcane effects its resurfacing has had on the poor fishing hamlet where it washed ashore. The Hamlet Expedition offers an optional way to evolve your warband between games, both in bad and good, while taking a deeper look into the lore of Pohjola.

Get the return of the divine engine for free here: