Space Wolves

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Space Wolves
Primarch Leman Russ
Battlecry Varies between Great Companies; all make a bloodcurdling howl when the assault is launched.
Colours Grey

The Space Wolves are one of the twenty First Founding Legions of Space Marines serving the Imperium of Man in the fictional future of the tabletop wargame Warhammer 40,000. They are considered experts at close-quarters fighting, and their warriors compete keenly for glory on the battlefield. Their homeworld is the Ice World of Fenris, (named after the Fenris wolf of Norse mythology.

As their culture and aesthetic designs are inspired by that of Viking warriors, the Space Wolves place great emphasis on personal martial qualities. They are sworn to protect the weak, and have a deep-seated hatred of the Imperial Inquisition for their continual abuse of strength to oppress the weak and helpless.

This dichotomy of savage honor and noble compassion makes the Space Wolves a popular chapter amongst enthusiasts of the Hobby.

Contents

[edit] History

[edit] Leman Russ

The Space Wolves Primarch Leman Russ, like all twenty Primarchs, mysteriously vanished from the Emperor's laboratories in his infancy. Of the eighteen recorded in imperial records, he was the sixth to be rediscovered by the Emperor. He turned up on the distant planet of Fenris, a snow-covered world inhabited by fairly primitive, warlike tribes of humans. He was raised by a pack of the massive Fenrisian Wolves that prowl the snowy lands. Among them, he grew to adulthood in only a few short years.

He was eventually discovered by a man named Thengir, King of the Russ. Thengir had organized a party of hunters to clear the wolf packs from his lands. Most of the wolves were slaughtered, and the young man was captured and brought to Thengir. Thengir took the man into his care, giving him the name ‘Leman of the Russ’. Leman learned the ways of man quickly, and many legends sprung up about him, such as how he could defeat a hundred men in only three minutes, or consume an entire auroch. Upon his adopted father's death, the leadership of the Russ passed to Leman. Leman became a mighty leader, winning many victories, often fighting alongside packs of Fenrisian Wolves, led by Freki and Geri (named after Odin's wolves), two of his Wolf-brothers who escaped Thengir's hunters.

Eventually, word of his exploits reached beyond Fenris, and to the ears of the Emperor. He travelled to Fenris, realizing that the exploits could only be the work of a Primarch. Travelling in disguise, he approached Leman Russ’ court during a feast, and challenged the Primarch to three contests of Leman’s choice.

Leman Russ, not recognizing the Emperor due to runes of concealment, boasted that he was far greater than any man, proceeding to win his first two contests (an eating and a drinking competition) by consuming three whole aurochs, then draining the royal cellars dry. Disappointed, the Emperor insulted Leman Russ, calling him nothing more than a drunkard and glutton. Insulted, Leman Russ then challenged the Emperor to a fight.

After a ferocious duel which served to convince the Emperor that Leman Russ was indeed one of his children, the Emperor took off his cloak of deception and showed the room his glory. Struck by the Emperor's immense power none could look upon him, save Leman. So the duel continued; however, even with Leman Russ's strength he could not best the true might of the Emperor. After many long hours of fighting, the Emperor found a gap within Leman's defences and with a crackle of his powerfist hit Leman square in the face, knocking him out with a single blow that would have killed a lesser man. After coming to consciousness (and his senses), Russ could not believe that he had lost and blamed the alcohol, but admitted defeat and swore fealty to the Emperor.

[edit] The Great Crusade

Leman Russ was granted command over the VI Space Marine Legion, which he renamed the Space Wolves. The Primarch and his legion fought well during the Great Crusade, gaining a reputation as cunning and fierce, as well as slightly unstable, warriors.

It was during the pacification of Dulan that the millennia-long rivalry with the Dark Angels began. The planetary governor, Durath, had turned to the worship of the Chaos gods and personally insulted Leman Russ by declaring that he was the Emperor's lap-dog and the Primarch's heart would be fed to his pet Grox. Enraged by this insult, Leman Russ hurled his warriors against the battlements of Durath's citadel. Unfortunately for Leman Russ, Lion El'Jonson and his Dark Angels, who had spent days preparing for the assault, managed to reach the tyrant first with El'Jonson beheading Durath whilst Russ could only watch and howl in frustration. After the battle, Russ strode up to the Lion and struck him across the face. Thus began a fight which lasted for hour upon hour, as the two Primarchs battled one another without pause. Suddenly Leman ceased his assault and began laughing, for he saw how childish and futile this quarrel was. El'Jonson, believing Russ to be mocking him, smashed Russ into unconsciousness and departed for new battlefields. Recent events may finally have led to an end to the rivalry, though it is still customary for selected champions from both sides to engage in a (usually) non-lethal duel.

[edit] Horus Heresy

At the beginning of the Horus Heresy, the Space Wolves came into conflict with their brother Space Marines once again. The Primarch of the Thousand Sons Space Marines, Magnus the Red, had ignored the Emperor's command not to dabble with sorcery. Sensing that Horus was being manipulated by Chaos, Magnus first tried to stop Horus turning. When he failed he tried to warn the Emperor by using sorcery to send a message directly to the heart of the Imperial Palace on Earth. The Emperor could not believe that Horus would turn, and was angry that Magnus had not heeded his warning. Leman Russ was ordered to bring Magnus to the Emperor to answer for his actions, but Horus countermanded this instruction and ordered the Space Wolves to destroy the Thousand Sons (McNeill, 2006). The surprise betrayal upon the Thousand Sons' homeworld of Prospero was furious, however, many of the Sons, including Magnus himself, escaped into the wild region of space known as the Eye of Terror. A blood feud still exists between the Space Wolves and the survivors of the Thousand Sons, who are now dedicated to the Chaos god, Tzeentch.

During the Horus Heresy, the Space Wolves were wrapping up the Prospero campaign. Stationed nearby in the Chondax system were the White Scars legion. Before Russ and Jaghaiti Khan could exchange greetings, the Alpha Legion attacked Russ's fleet. The superior numbers of the traitors quickly made Russ resort to hit-and-run tactics to survive. As the White Scars moved to assist them, they received orders to return to Terra. Reluctantly, Khan passed on the order to Russ as requested, adding his apologies. Russ and his legion stood alone until help from an 'unexpected quarter' helped them turn the tables on their foes, and make the warp-jump to Terra. The knowledge that the Space Wolves were en-route, along with the Ultramarines and Dark Angels, pushed Horus into goading the Emperor into single combat, a failed gamble that crushed the Heresy. The three Legions arrived just after the battle concluded.

[edit] After the Heresy

Leman Russ was devastated by his inability to save the Emperor, and threw himself into the campaigns to stabilise the Imperium after the loss of their leader and god. During this time, the Codex Astartes was drawn up, splitting the power of the Legions in the event known as the Second Founding. The Space Wolves refused to conform to the tenets laid down in the Codex, along with Rogal Dorn of the Imperial Fists and Vulcan of the Salamanders. A war between the new and old style legions was almost begun when an Imperial Fist vessel was fired on by the Imperial Navy. Eventually Russ conceded to some of his fellow Primarchs' demands; allowing for the formation of the ill-fated Wolf Brothers chapter.

One hundred and ninety-seven years after the dying Emperor was incarcerated in the life-preserving Golden Throne, Leman Russ vanished. He was last seen by his Legion during the Feast of the Emperor's Ascension, where it is said that Russ climbed onto the oak table on which he duelled the Emperor at their first meeting to give a speech, but froze. After a long silence, where it appeared that he was overcome with a vision, Leman Russ fell to his knees, then turned and issued hushed instructions to his most faithful retainers. He simply announced to his loyal brothers that he would be leaving, but would return "for the final battle, for the Wolftime".

He then vanished, taking all but one of his retinue with him. It is rumoured that they had gone into the Eye of Terror to continue hunting down the traitorous Marines who had fought against the Emperor during the Horus Heresy, but others say that he went into the Eye of Terror to search for the Tree of Life, whose seed would revive the Emperor.

For seven years, his place was set at the banquet table, as his Legion eagerly awaited his return, but it never came. After seven years, the Wolf Lords of the Space Wolves elected the one remaining member of Russ' retinue, Bjorn the Fell-Handed, as the new Great Wolf. Bjorn decided if Russ was not going to return, his Chapter would seek him out, beginning the first of many Great Hunts. These hunts recovered many relics, including the Primarch’s suit of armour, but none have come close to locating their leader.

In his honor, the Imperial Guard named its main battle tank after him. Just as its namesake did, the Leman Russ main battle tank defends the Imperium from its enemies with steadfast loyalty and courage. Because of this honor, the Space Wolves are given a number of the Exterminator pattern of this tank.

[edit] Organization

The Space Wolves are known for their fiercely anti-authoritarian behaviour. They strongly resist the central command structure of the Imperium,(organising themselves into packs instead of the usual tactical squad) and refuse to follow the dictates of the Codex Astartes, which lays down the structure and tactics to be used by all Space Marines. The Space Wolves always battle an invader until the end, when nothing can be done to save the planet (or they have somehow won), and leave behind some surprise to inflict a great wound to their enemies. It is not uncommon for that surprise to be a wounded space marine blowing himself up (comic/novel Lone Wolves from Games Workshop's Black Library). It is said that the best way to get a Space Wolf to do something is to tell him not to.

[edit] The Great Companies

Instead, of dividing into Chapters as per the Codex Astartes, the Space Wolves Legion split itself into twelve Great Companies, with a thirteenth named in honour of a large group of Space Wolves who had disappeared during the Great Crusade. Each of these is led by a Wolf Lord, who answers to the Chapter Master, the Great Wolf.

Each Great Company is a free-standing body of troops in almost all respects; occupying its own territory in the massive fortress-monastery known as The Fang, possessing its own equipment, forges and spacecraft, and following its own customs and heroes.

Each Great Company takes a lot from its current Wolf Lord, including his name. When the Wolf Lord dies, another is chosen to replace him, causing the Great Company to reinvent itself; with a new symbol from Fenrisian mythology.

[edit] The Great Wolf

The current Great Wolf of the Space Wolves is Logan Grimnar, who has held this position for over five hundred years. The Emblem of the Great Wolf has remained constant since the time Leman Russ held the title, The Wolf that Stalks the Stars.

Along with one of the twelve Great Companies, under the Great Wolf’s direct command fall the Chapter’s most venerable heroes; the Rune Priests (shamans and seers), Iron Priests (engineers), Wolf Priests (medics and religious leaders) and Venerable Dreadnoughts.

[edit] Progression of a Space Wolf

Most Space Wolves, after receiving the implants necessary to become a Space Marine, and completing several trials, are accepted into the Chapter as Blood Claws, hot-headed warriors who cannot wait to prove themselves, and are still struggling to control the beast within which is unleashed by the canus helix. Blood Claws are the shock troops of the Space Wolves, spearheading the majority of assaults with a joyous ferocity.

If they survive long enough to mature, they are promoted to the ranks of the Grey Hunters, tempered by battle, but always ready to do what is necessary for the Chapter and the Imperium of Man. Grey Hunters serve as the tactical backbone of a Space Wolf force, as they are equipped to serve in a variety of battle scenarios.

When a Space Wolf is fully mature, their hair grey and their canines pronounced, they are inducted into the Long Fangs, veteran soldiers with a reputation for being disciplined and cool-headed in the heat of battle. They are entrusted with the heavy weaponry possessed by their Great Company, watching over and providing fire support for their younger brethren. Long fangs are even disciplined enough to have the knowledge to choose their own targets separately (they are the only unit that can shoot at multiple targets).

Some Space Wolves, having achieved feats of exceptional valour and martial prowess, may become Wolf Guards. These mighty warriors lead small forces of Space Wolves, provide a retinue for the most experienced warrior in the force or lead squads. They are equipped with the best wargear, and are considered almost unstoppable in combat. From here, one may rise to the position of Wolf Lord, mighty leaders who command one of the twelve great companies that comprise the full Space Wolf military force.

For some, the close knit and boisterous brotherhood of the pack (squad) is not well suited to their personality, yearning for open spaces and isolation. These lone wolves are selected to become part of a Great Company's Scout force, providing reconnaissance and disrupting enemy movements. These Space Marines are often already veterans, as opposed to the raw recruits used in other Chapters.

Furthermore, some Space Wolves are sent to Terra to become Wolfblades. Wolfblades are an honour guard that protect the ancient Navigator House of Belisarius, long-time allies of the Space Wolves. The origins of this pact are lost in legend, but the most commonly accepted version of the story dates it from the time of the Great Crusade and the friendship that existed between Leman Russ and Alexander Belisarius. Belisarius was a Navigator of genius who aided Russ on many of his adventures and is said to have disappeared with him on his last fatal voyage. On the day of the Feast of the Founding, they are said to have sworn a pact of eternal friendship. As a sign of this friendship, the Belisarians agreed to provide Navigators for the Chapter in perpetuam. In return they would enjoy the military protection of the Space Wolves themselves. The pledge of this would be that an entire pack of Wolves would accompany the Celestarch as his bodyguard. Given the fractious nature of the Navigator Houses, and a commercial rivalry which at that time could result in conflicts that can only be described as wars, this was an alliance of considerable importance.

[edit] The Thirteenth Company

13th Company Space Wolves
Primarch Leman Russ
Battlecry An ancient and feral howl.
Colours Grey

Space Wolf legend states that the group that came to be known as Thirteenth Company was sent by Leman Russ to pursue the Thousand Sons legion, after the failed attempt to eliminate the Chaos-supporting legion. They vanished from Imperial records, and their loss is honoured by a black stone in the Grand Annulus (the record of Space Wolf Great Companies).

'Magnus through his arts, scryed the future, and seeing the treachery of Horus, used his sorcerous arts to send a message to his liege. The Emperor, however, did not believe that his son Horus who was much beloved could betray him, and instead sent Leman Russ, Primarch of the Space Wolves to destroy the Thousand sons, now suspected of attempting to spread discord and sedition between the Emperor and his sons. Russ took his Legion, and with all the Great Companies of the Space Wolves, fell upon the World of the Thousand Sons, Prospero, with the vengeful force of a mighty shower of comets.

The Thousand Sons met the Space Wolves on the field of battle, at its forefront was the Thirteenth company who with incredible ferocity fell upon their erstwhile brethren the Thousand Sons. The Traitorous Thousand Sons could not stand against the righteous force of the Space Wolves, and inch by inch grudgingly gave ground, until they were surrounded in their own Fortress Monastery, and determined to stand to the last man.

Meanwhile Magnus, Giant Cyclops lord of the Thousand sons knelt in his tower and wept as his sons were ripped away from him. In his anger and sorrow he called to all who would listen and one voice answered. Tzeentch the Manipulator, at the moment Magnus gave his soul Tzeentch to granted the traitorous-Mutant full mastery of the vagaries of sorcery, and Magnus with his new found power took the battle back to the Wolves of Russ.

Appearing amongst the lines of the Space Wolves, Magnus was unstoppable, even the Feral brotherhood of the Wulfen were unable to stand before the heretical might of the Daemonically enthused Magnus. All fell before him until, the great Primarch of the Space Wolves, Leman Russ advanced upon his Brother. The battle between these two titans was fierce, and would fill several tomes. Regardless, after two days and two nights of combat Russ took the battered body of Magnus, and raising him to the storm wracked skies, brought him down upon his knee.

With a mighty crack, Russ broke the back of his foe, and the heart of his enemy. Magnus sunk to the floor, and as Russ raised his fiery sword Mjalnar to strike his enemy's heart, Magnus whispered a single word of Power and sunk into the earth's dark embrace.

As Leman Russ howled his fury to the packs of the Space Wolves, the sorcerous-librarians of the Thousand Sons opened a vast maelstrom of energy, through which their forces fled. The Wolfkin, the Thirteenth Company of the Space Wolves, at a gesture from their Primarch, gave tongue to the chase and followed their foes into the very eye of the Warp. With a blinding flash, the swirling maelstrom of energy collapsed and the Thirteenth Company, passed from this plane and from Imperial history.'

Their reappearance at the beginning of Abaddon the Despoiler’s Thirteenth Black Crusade has brought them back into the spotlight. They appear to still be in pursuit of the goal Leman Russ set for them, and it was believed that Leman Russ himself was their leader, although this was never proven.

The Thirteenth Company's organization departs heavily from Space Wolf norms, due to the lack of reinforcements and 'fresh blood' supplying the Company, the inability to train members in specialist roles, the lack of heavy equipment, and the effect of having to exist within the Eye of Terror for ten thousand years.

The core of a 13th Company warband are the Grey Slayers. Similar to Grey Hunters but far beyond them in skill, they fulfil the same roles in battle.

Because of the impossibility of recruiting new brethren, there are no Blood Claws in the 13th Company. Each and every Blood Claw has long since advanced to a higher stage. The Company's assault specialists are the Storm Claws. They are equally experienced, but still more hot-headed and aggressive than the Grey Slayers.

The key to the 13th Company's movement through the Warp are the Rune Priests. Because the Eye of Terror has unlocked hidden psychic powers in many recruits, the Company has no shortage of these highly gifted individuals.

The Wulfen are the most drastic departure from a normal Space Wolf. The Space Marines who mutate into Wulfen bear resemblance to werewolves in the same way as Blood Angels suffering the Red Thirst resemble vampires. Any marine to suffer as a Wulfen becomes a half man, half wolf creature with a feral mind. The mutation normally manifests itself in the neophyte stage and Space Wolves must spend time in their training in a scenario designed to out those who have become Wulfen.

Though normal Space Wolves sometimes use individual Wulfen in battle, the 13th Company use entire packs. Each and every member of the 13th Company carries the Curse, and it manifests itself in the Space Wolves at different times. Thus even the Wulfen packs do not stay the same.

The 13th company was introduced into play in the Eye of Terror Campaign. The 13th Company cannot be used with the normal Wolves, but this is only a balance issue. The story "Engage the Enemy" shows the Space Wolves going so far as to lie to the Imperial Guard to protect the 13th Company.

[edit] Appearance

Prior to the Horus Heresy, the Space Wolves Legion wore grey power armour, with a red snarling wolf as the Legion symbol.

In the 41st millennium, Space Wolves power armour is a blue-grey, with other colours as highlights, most commonly red and yellow. The armour is often adorned with tokens taken from wolves, such as pelts, tails and teeth. Great Company symbols vary, but are taken from Fenrisian mythology and are always related in some way to the wolf.

[edit] Notable Members

  • Logan Grimnar - Chapter Master for the better part of the 41st millennium.
  • Ragnar Blackmane - Youngest Wolf Lord in the Space Wolves history and protagonist of the Space Wolf novel series. Current champion of the Wolf Helm of Russ, which he presented to Ulrik as a sign of respect.
  • Ulrik the Slayer - The Space Wolves' oldest Wolf Priest, and mentor to many of their greatest heroes. Ulrik has had a hand in training both Logan Grimnar and Ragnar Blackmane.
  • Bjorn the Fell-Handed - The oldest Venerable Dreadnought in the Imperium. He fought along side Leman Russ during the Horus Heresy and was the only member of Russ' retinue left behind by the primarch. He predicted that Russ will come again.
  • Njal Stormcaller - The Space Wolves' Rune Priest, accomplied by Nightwing the Psyber raven.

[edit] Background Inspiration

The most recent incarnation of the Space Wolves is described as "a fantasy-style army in a science fiction universe". The backstory and 'character' of the army is inspired by Viking mythology.

They are a primarily close combat army, who enjoy the rush of battle, and are reluctant to use some forms of 'advanced' technology in a perverse desire to fight in the style of their Primarch and homeworld. This is, of course, reflected in the army list and specialist rules used by Space Wolf players.

[edit] References

  • Johnson, Jervis, Chambers, Andy, and Thorpe, Gav (2000). Warhammer 40,000 Codex: Space Wolves. Nottingham: Games Workshop. ISBN 1-84154-010-2.
  • The Space Wolf series of novels:
  • McNeill, Graham (2006). False Gods. Nottingham: Black Library. ISBN 1-84416-370-9.
  • (May 2000) "Sons of Russ". White Dwarf: Australian Edition (245). ISSN 0265-8712.
  • (July 2000) "Codicium Imperialis – The Space Wolves". White Dwarf: Australian Edition (247). ISSN 0265-8712.
  • (July 2001) "Index Astartes – The Space Wolves". White Dwarf: Australian Edition (259). ISSN 0265-8712.
  • (July 2003) "Index Astartes – 13th Company". White Dwarf: Australian Edition (283). ISSN 0265-8712.
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