The Feral Warriors of the Space Wolves
In the grim darkness of the 41st millennium, the Space Wolves stand as a testament to the unyielding ferocity of the human spirit. These genetically engineered superhumans are the defenders of humanity, and their chapter is steeped in tradition and legend.
The Rune Priests: Keepers of the Chapter’s History
Within the Space Wolves, the Rune Priests serve as the equivalent of Librarians, tasked with preserving the chapter’s rich history and reciting the great sagas of old. These powerful psykers wield formidable psychic powers rooted in the shamanistic traditions of Fenris, the feral world from which the Space Wolves recruit their initiates.
The Iron Priests: Masters of the Machine Spirit
The Iron Priests are the Space Wolves’ equivalent of Techmarines, responsible for maintaining the equipment of their Great Company and keeping the machine spirits of their vehicles and weaponry in working order. This includes the revered Dreadnoughts, ancient war machines that hold a special place in the chapter’s history.
Dreadnoughts: The Sons of Ymir
Among the Space Wolves, Dreadnoughts are referred to as the Sons of Ymir, named after the legendary giant of Fenrisian mythology. These mighty war machines are often extremely ancient, carrying warriors who have walked beneath the same sky as the Emperor himself. The most revered of these Dreadnoughts is Bjorn the Fell-Handed, a legendary warrior who stood beside Leman Russ in battle.
Recruitment: The Trials of the Fang
The Space Wolves recruit their new initiates from the native humans of Fenris, who must undergo a series of grueling trials to prove their worth. These trials include battles against the Wolf Priests, who venture abroad from the Fang to challenge the locals’ champions to bouts of eating, drinking, or wrestling. Those who emerge victorious are taken back to the Fang, where they undergo further trials and are eventually administered the Test of Morkai, a genetic test that determines their suitability to join the chapter.
Heraldry: The Symbols of the Great Companies
The Space Wolves have a unique system of markings, using wolf symbols to denote the different Great Companies that make up the chapter. These symbols are chosen by the Wolf Lord upon his election and are adopted by all members of the Great Company as a mark of fealty. The symbols remain with the Great Company until the Wolf Lord falls in battle, at which point a new symbol is chosen.
The Household of the Great Wolf
The one badge that does not change is the household of the Great Wolf, which uses the symbol of Leman Russ himself, “The Wolf That Stalks Between Stars.” This badge is a testament to the respect that the Space Wolves have for their Primarch and represents the chapter as a whole.
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