The war does not go well, Essex has repelled a number of armies, the Scotti and Britons raid occupied territory and the Christians raise up villages in revolts against pagan settlers.
When the Warlords and Shipthanes met, preparing for a raid into Scotland to make 'peace' with the Scotti, one of the closer and largest villages erupts into violence against it's pagan occupants, slaughtering many families. The corpses on public display in show of the Christian gods might against the pagan occupiers.
This had to be dealt with, but was petty work for a warlord.
So Four, young, landless relatives of one lord or another were summoned to the great hall in Jorvic.
They were told to deal with the revolt, to prove that they had the skill and bravery of their fathers in their blood and whether they were worthy of rings, gold, men and land.
They were given a golden arm ring each to fund their journey, at 100 coins in value, the boys cradled them like babes.
"We expect death to, or tribute from, the villagers responsible, you will bring back the priests for execution and you may take anything of wealth and sustenance that you desire. Failure will be met with slavedom or worse. Do you accept?"
Layout:
A universal temple is t the north, past a market full of traders, thieves, slavers and recruiters.
To the west lies the city gates, guarded by a throng of weaonsthanes and northumbian militia.
East, lies the harbour, you count 100+ saxon ships, Dragonboats and frankish merchants arriving and leaving, their is a vault here, containing the berth tax of each ship.
And to the south lies a sprawling war camp, a rudimentary practice circle lies here, if you want to test your arms.
Now, how do you act?
(Sorry if it is of poor quality, hopefully my writing skills will improve over the duration of the campaign.)