These rules were drafted using AI. They are not finished and may change before the game begins.

A cooperative-competitive strategy game of geopolitics, resource management, and the long shadow of a war that may not be avoidable.

Tutregna Ĉiaro is expanding. Everyone knows it. Nations trade, squabble, and sign treaties as they always have — but Ĉiaro's armies grow, its navy stretches into the Northern Sea, and its diplomats arrive bearing gifts that feel increasingly like ultimatums.

Shadow of Helheim is a tabletop strategy game for 7–10 players plus a Game Master. Each player governs one nation of the Old World, managing resources, forging alliances, raising armies and fleets, and jockeying for power and prestige — all while navigating the growing threat on their doorstep.

Tutregna Ĉiaro — controlled by the GM — is an expansionist power with a clear goal: control enough of the Old World to make resistance futile. The players' collective goal is to prevent this, but they will not be given a countdown. The question is never whether Ĉiaro is a threat. It is whether the nations of the Old World can stop arguing long enough to do anything about it.

The World

The Old World is a continent of 24 nations, each distinct in race, culture, and ambition. The seas surrounding it are divided into 8 zones: the Northern, Northwestern, Western, Eastern, and Southern Seas; and the Ĉhesapiko, Ope, and Tinathley Bays. Control of the seas is as important as control of the land.

Winning & Losing

Step 1: Choose Nations

Each player selects a nation. Spread selections geographically. Tutregna Ĉiaro is always GM-controlled.

Step 2: Distribute Starting Resources

Step 3: Draw Intel Cards

Each player draws 2 Intel Cards, kept secret. Cards may be shared voluntarily during Diplomacy.

Step 4: GM Sets Up Tutregna Ĉiaro

The GM reviews the GM Section and sets up Tutregna Ĉiaro's starting forces privately. Tutregna Ĉiaro's resources, armies, and position are known to all players from the Nation Card — its intentions will be revealed through play.

Each round has six phases, resolved in order. All players act within each phase before moving to the next.

The Old World runs on five resource types. Understanding what your neighbors produce is as important as managing your own stockpiles.

Trade

Trade is negotiated during Diplomacy and fulfilled during Resources. Merchant Powers (3+ Luxury/round) gain +1 Gold per completed trade. Timber may be traded freely between any nations, including landlocked ones.

Gold

Gold buys any resource 1-for-1, pays tributes, or funds bribes. It does not expire. Earn it by converting Luxury (2:1) or through trade.

Land Units

Feeding Armies

During Resources, spend 1 Food per active army. Unfed armies fight at −1 die next Combat Phase and cost 1 Stability.

Land Combat

Both sides roll simultaneously. Each unit rolls its die; a 4+ deals 1 hit. Remove 1 unit per hit. Repeat until one side retreats or is eliminated. Winner occupies the territory.

Fortifications

Spend 2 Stone to build a Fortification on any controlled territory. Defenders roll on 3+. Spend 2 more Stone to upgrade to a Citadel: defenders gain +1 extra die. Fortifications are destroyed if the territory is captured.

The Diplomacy Phase

Open negotiation. Players may speak freely, share Intel Cards, make offers, and form pacts. The GM participates as Tutregna Ĉiaro and any relevant neutral nations.

Agreement Types

Merchant Powers

Nations producing 3+ Luxury/round gain +1 Gold per trade and may mediate disputes (+1 Stability to both sides of any agreement they broker). If an agreement they broker is broken, they lose 1 stability.

Acts of War

Moving armies or fleets into another player's territory or sea zone without permission is an Act of War. The aggressor loses 1 Stability immediately.

Intel Cards represent scouts, spies, and rumor networks. They give players actionable information about neighbors, Tutregna Ĉiaro, and the shifting state of the world — information that can be shared, traded, or withheld as political currency.

The Old World is not only land. Its seas connect nations, carry trade, and — for those who control them — offer the most dangerous route into an enemy's heartland.

Any coastal nation may build ships and project power across the sea. Naval units follow the same basic rules as land armies, with modifications for sea zones, blockades, and amphibious landings.

Timber

Ships are built from Timber. Timber stockpiles freely and can be traded. It has no use other than shipbuilding.

Ship Types

Ships are built from Timber and AP during the Mobilization Phase, launched from any coastal territory you control bordering the relevant sea zone.

Sea Zones

The Old World's waters are divided into four sea zones: Northern, Western, Eastern, and Southern. Each coastal territory borders one zone. Ships spend 1 AP to move 1 sea zone.

Naval Combat

When two hostile fleets occupy the same sea zone, combat resolves identically to land combat: simultaneous dice, hits on 4+, remove 1 ship per hit. The loser retreats to the nearest friendly port. Ships in the same fleet combine their dice.

Boarding

If an attacker wins naval combat and has a Warship or Carrack with army units aboard, they may attempt boarding. Roll 1d6: on a 4+, 1 army unit transfers to the defeated ship (capturing it). The captured ship joins the victor's fleet.

Special Naval Actions

Blockade: A fleet of 2 or more ships may declare a Blockade of a sea zone during Mobilization. Any nation whose coastal territories border that zone loses all sea trade income for the duration. Costs 1 AP to establish; no ongoing cost. Takes effect from the following Resource Phase. Ends if the fleet is driven off, destroyed, or withdraws.

Amphibious Landing: A Warship or Carrack carrying army units may land them on any coastal territory as a Mobilization action. Friendly or neutral coast: free, no combat. Hostile coast: immediate combat — defenders get +1 die (home shore); covering fire from ships: each ship rolls 1 die (4+) as bonus hits before defenders respond. Maximum 1 amphibious landing per fleet per round. Costs 1 AP.

Convoy Escort: A Carrack may escort a trade agreement for 1 round. While escorted, the convoy cannot be intercepted. The Carrack must be in the same sea zone as the trading route.

Interception: Any fleet in a sea zone may declare an Interception of a trade convoy passing through that zone. Roll 1d6: on a 3+, the interception succeeds, cancelling the trade and awarding 1 Gold to the intercepting nation. A Carrack-escorted convoy cannot be intercepted.

Ports & Shipyards

Ships must be built and repaired at a Port. Every coastal nation begins with 1 Port in their home territory. Additional Ports may be built for 2 Stone on any controlled coastal territory. Captured coastal territories lose their Port.

Stability (0–10, starting at 5) represents a nation's internal cohesion and diplomatic standing.

Effects of Low Stability

Each player receives a Nation Card for their own country. Information about other nations must be gathered through play.

Neutral Nations

Nations not controlled by players have no armies or navies. They can be occupied by having ground forces in the territory.

Each Round (in order): Draw 1 Intel Card → Negotiate (Diplomacy) → Collect resources; feed armies & ships → Spend AP: recruit, move land & naval → Resolve land and naval combat → Adjust Stability

Fortifications: Fort: 2 Stone — defenders roll 3+ | Citadel: +2 Stone — +1 extra die

Stability: Lose battle: −1 | Break NAP: −2 | Complete trade: +1 | Win defence: +1 | Sink enemy ship: +1

Print one per player. Fill in at setup and maintain throughout the game.