“Into the Wilds of Fenris: The Saga of Leman Russ”
As the interstellar tapestry of the Warhammer 40,000 universe continues to unfurl, we delve deeper into the origins of the Primarchs, the Emperor’s chosen progeny, in this multi-part series. This chapter will take us to the icy world of Fenris, where we encounter the Primarch known as Leman Russ.
Fenris, nestled in the extreme northwest of the Galaxy, was a harsh, cold world, perfect for nurturing the wild spirit of a future Primarch. A fenrisian She Wolf adopted a young Leman Russ, raising him amongst her pack alongside his two siblings, Frey and Jerry. A brutal existence, yes, but it honed Russ into a creature of indomitable will and unyielding ferocity.
One winter, the pack’s attack on a village led to a confrontation that would forever change Russ’s destiny. King Thar of Russ, determined to rid his people of this lupine menace, sent a party armed with poisoned arrows and sharp knives to eliminate the threat. The ensuing battle left many wolves dead, including Russ’s wolf mother and one of his siblings. Russ himself was captured, bound, gagged, and brought before King Thar.
Yet Russ, with his primal instincts and rapid adaptability, proved himself to be more than just a wolf. He swiftly mastered the way of War, quickly learning to wield weapons like iron axes and swords, and even acquiring the ability to speak. He was a wolf no more, but a human who seemed superior to both his former pack and his new kin.
King Thar gave Russ a proper name—Leman. With time, tales of Leman Russ’s strength and feats became legendary. He could uproot entire oaks, fell fenrisian mammoths, and rout entire armies single-handedly. When King Thar passed, the throne naturally fell to Leman. His leadership was unchallenged, his rule firm and just.
The Emperor himself, the Master of Mankind, would eventually take notice of this king of Fenris. Disguised as a mere warrior, the Emperor ventured into Russ’s run-covered court, demanding that the Primarch kneel and serve him for the rest of his life. In true Russ fashion, the king laughed and challenged the Emperor to a series of trials. If the Emperor won, Leman Russ would kneel. If not, he would kill him on the spot.
The Emperor lost the first two trials of gluttony and drinking, but in the final trial of combat, he won, felling Russ with a single mighty blow. Thus began the journey of Leman Russ, the Wolf King of Fenris, as a servant of the Emperor and one of the mighty Primarchs in the grand tapestry of the Warhammer 40,000 universe. Stay tuned for more tales of the Primarchs in this multi-part series.
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