I fell down a rabbit hole with this one.

Highland Siege is my take on the old Norse game Tafl — one of the earliest tabletop games. (The word tafl literally just means “table,” which feels about right.)

Traditionally it’s the Highland King and his warriors defending against Viking raiders. I kept the Highlanders — but re-cast the attackers as Englishmen instead. History meets a bit of creative mischief.

It plays on a 7×7 grid, so you can use the board for Ard Ri, other Tafl variants, or any ancient game that fits the same layout.

Made to order. Please allow a few extra days for the build and send-off.

The Rules: 

• Players take turns - defenders go first!
  

• All pieces can move one square at a time vertically or horizontally but not diagonally. 

• Both sides can capture pieces

• Any normal piece can be captured by surrounding it either vertically or horizontally. It is then removed from the board. 

• The Ard Ri can only be captured by surrounding him horizontally AND vertically. 

• The Ard Ri can be captured by trapping him against the centre or corner tiles using two or three other pieces. 

• A piece must be moved to capture ie. a piece can move between two opponent pieces that are already in place and not be captured. 

• Only the Ard Ri can occupy the centre and corner squares. 

• Normal pieces can be captured by trapping them against the edge of the board using one other piece. 
  

Win Conditions: 

• Defenders - Get the Ard Ri to one of the four corner squares. 

• Attackers - Capture the Ard Ri

• Either Side - When the opposing side can make no move.