The Mystical Warriors of the Space Wolves
Within the storied ranks of the Space Wolves, a unique group of warriors stands apart from their battle-brothers. These individuals, known as Rune Priests, wield the power of the Warp while rejecting its corrupting influence. Instead, they tap into the primal energies of their homeworld, Fenris, channeling them through ancient rituals and sacred totems.
Speakers of the Dead
During the Great Crusade and Horus Heresy, a specialized order of Rune Priests emerged, known as the Speakers of the Dead. These priests were the most resilient and self-disciplined of their kind, serving as masters of discipline, cultural guardians, and wardens of the Legion’s gene-seed and collective memory. They encoded the Legion’s history within epic sagas, recording and judging the deeds of the living and the dead.
Abilities and Equipment
Rune Priests arm themselves with psychically charged runic weapons, summoning storms across the battlefield to cover their advance. They can cast runes that predict the ebb and flow of future events, carved from the bones or teeth of sacred totem animals. Many Rune Priests are psyber-linked to ravens, known as “Choosers of the Slain,” which serve as scouts and messengers.
The 13th Company
Within the lost 13th Company of the Space Wolves, Rune Priests play a crucial role in guiding their brothers through the perils of the Eye of Terror. They have learned to open temporary Warp gates, allowing them to step through and divine the path ahead. The 13th Company boasts a disproportionate number of Rune Priests, as constant exposure to the Warp has endowed many of their battle-brothers with psychic abilities.
Notable Rune Priests
Aun Helwintr, Bodvar Bjarki, and Njal Stormcaller are just a few examples of the many notable Rune Priests who have shaped the history of the Space Wolves. Their names are etched into the sagas, their deeds inspiring generations of warriors to come.
The Role of the Rune Priest
Rune Priests preserve the Chapter’s history through oral tradition, memorizing the great sagas and passing them down to their successors. They serve as advisors to the Great Wolf, providing counsel and guidance in times of war and peace. On the battlefield, they unleash their fury upon the enemies of the Imperium, calling upon the primal powers of Fenris to smite their foes.
Conclusion
The Rune Priests of the Space Wolves embody the mystical and martial aspects of their Chapter, wielding the power of the Warp while remaining true to their Fenrisian heritage. As warriors, priests, and guardians of the Chapter’s collective memory, they stand as a testament to the unyielding spirit of the Space Wolves.
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