Wulfen Gene

[Dexter Kong]

I am currently in the conceptual phase for a future 40k webcomic, and one of the principle characters is a Space Wolf scout. The idea for the character is he has a very animalistic and savage edge to his personality, and the physical manifestations of this are claws on his fingers, elongated fangs (not that the Space Wolves don't have those anyway) and a wolf-like growl. Before I get into any serious story-writing, however, I need to know more about the Wulfen Gene, and the Mark of the Wulfen.

My idea is that this guy will have the Mark of the Wulfen, which I take it to mean he is possessing the Wulfen Gene, but has thus far been able to keep it in check, and hasn't turned into a 13th Company-esque werewolf monster. I'd like to know what the Mark of the Wulfen actually is, and if a character like this could work and still be lore-friendly. I was thinking that his physical "mark" would be some sort of tattoo, most likely on the side of his skull.

[Valerian]

I am currently in the conceptual phase for a future 40k webcomic, and one of the principle characters is a Space Wolf scout. The idea for the character is he has a very animalistic and savage edge to his personality, and the physical manifestations of this are claws on his fingers, elongated fangs (not that the Space Wolves don't have those anyway) and a wolf-like growl. Before I get into any serious story-writing, however, I need to know more about the Wulfen Gene, and the Mark of the Wulfen.

My idea is that this guy will have the Mark of the Wulfen, which I take it to mean he is possessing the Wulfen Gene, but has thus far been able to keep it in check, and hasn't turned into a 13th Company-esque werewolf monster. I'd like to know what the Mark of the Wulfen actually is, and if a character like this could work and still be lore-friendly. I was thinking that his physical "mark" would be some sort of tattoo, most likely on the side of his skull.

 

Do a search on here for "Canis Helix" and see what that comes up with for you.

 

V

[Growler67]

http://www.bolterandchainsword.com/index.p...howtopic=148297

 

For starters, or you can google or wiki if you are so inclined.

[Dexter Kong]

Yeah, I tried both Google and Lexicanum, but couldn't find a definitive answer on either. Again, in that thread were plenty of interesting theories, but I was looking for something definitive. Of course, if nothing definitive exists, that means I can more or less wing it and not have to worry about someone pointing to a scrap of text in a book I never read and yelling "Nope! You got it wrong!"

In that case, I suppose the only potentially-significant puzzle I have is this:

The Mark of the Wulfen rule more or less states that any model that bears it does not attack with wargear in combat, but instead uses his claws and teeth, fighting like a savage animal. So, is the Mark of the Wulfen given to those that have succumbed to their animal nature, and reverted to a more bestial form? Or can a "normal" Space Wolf, still in control of his rational mind and lacking any significant physical mutation, possess the Mark, and be generally regarded as a Space Wolf with a more prominent savage side than most.

Keep in mind that this is for a webcomic, so I'm probably shooting myself in the foot by looking to gaming rules to serve as a yardstick. I'm notorious for over-thinking things.

[Grey Mage]

There is no "Wulfen Gene" per se- all the makings of a Wulfen are in each and every space wolf. This is called the "Canis Helix" and is part of the Gene-seed.

 

It is possible to be what is called "Wolf Bitten" without having the full mark of the wulfen, but having started and perhaps stalled the change. The farther along the path of the wulfen you are the less you think in human terms... and the more you think like an animal, or to some extent a beserker.

 

So yes, he could be a lil hairier than normal... and have say, golden eyes, without being a complete animal. Careful on the "claws" though, as thats noted as one of the last parts of the change...

 

The previous version of MotW allowed you to use weapons and wargear as you chose, keep your base attacks, and gave you +d3 each round. It also enforced a rule where you hit, and were hit on, a 3+ against any CC opponent.

[Quillen]

Basicly it's like this. Each chapter has a major geneseed that starts the process. Each Chapter has a different way of starting the process.

 

With Space Wolves they take it from a cup. Then when the change is upon them and the organs are being changed and waking up, they are cast out of the Fang and wonder the wilderness and have to make it back to the Fang. All while their bodies are mutating to the new genetic code. Which awakens part of the DNA chain that has Wolfy nature to it.

 

Some are over come by the process and unable to keep their sanity and become wolfen. Some fall later to the call, and some can master it and use it in battle. It's a part of them, In the back of their minds. A monster waiting to take them over and run wild. Yet they can not distance themselves from it cause it gives them strength and helps them make their packs. Think of it as if we had the insticts of a wolf all of a sudden. But it can take us over and make us do thinks we did not want. Yet it makes us fast and stronger and helps us to become top preditors.

[Levitas]

Basicly it's like this. Each chapter has a major geneseed that starts the process. Each Chapter has a different way of starting the process.

 

With Space Wolves they take it from a cup. Then when the change is upon them and the organs are being changed and waking up, they are cast out of the Fang and wonder the wilderness and have to make it back to the Fang. All while their bodies are mutating to the new genetic code. Which awakens part of the DNA chain that has Wolfy nature to it.

 

Some are over come by the process and unable to keep their sanity and become wolfen. Some fall later to the call, and some can master it and use it in battle. It's a part of them, In the back of their minds. A monster waiting to take them over and run wild. Yet they can not distance themselves from it cause it gives them strength and helps them make their packs. Think of it as if we had the insticts of a wolf all of a sudden. But it can take us over and make us do thinks we did not want. Yet it makes us fast and stronger and helps us to become top preditors.

 

This wolf needs an ale! in a nut shell well done.

 

I think the mark of the wulfen rule has thrown up all sorts of confusion, with models springing up that are almost were-wolves. Where as a space wolf showing this kind of mutation would not be with his pack and has fallen to the full curse of the wulfen. The canis helix having won the inner battle and ravaged his body. This is 13th company stuff.

 

The mark is as said before 'Wolf bitten'. Best illustrated in the novels as yellowing eyes and a certain dislocation from more human characteristics. The inner wolf having a longer leash but still not overcoming the marine, allowing him to be faster stronger etc. This could indicate that he either has a very strong control over the inner beast (canis helix) or has a very loose and dangerous one. Either way he is channeling its raw ferocity into D6 + 1 attacks, not running around transformed into a full blown wulfen.

 

In my opinion they should have called the rule 'wolf bitten'.

[Grey Mage]

In my opinion they should have called the rule 'wolf bitten'.

Agreed!

 

Give This man a Horn on me.

[Rohekken]

making this wolf-bittin marine a scout sound slike a fun idea, i'm taking it ur asking for only one of these characters so that means he is not apart of his pack if anything a lone wolf??

 

as a scout being wolf-bittin would creat the nastiest lil bugger the EYE could ever of hoped not to have silently stomping around there back yard. wolves alone are silent, cunning, and quick to move as a pack and even more so deadly alone because now they fave to be even sharper on the hunt, a Marine now even more intouch with his animal instincts and that of a wolf. give him a shotgun, a bolt pistol, and some nasty looking dagger, crouching and dashing from one patrol to the next reaking havoc when off his leash, take not a space wolf scout alone has the wisdom of a grey slayer (older and battle worn marine) not a new comer like most chapters that are closer to the 'dex.

[Dexter Kong]

Yeah this guy will be alone, more or less. The story, in a nutshell, is an Inquisitor requisitions a single scout from the Space Wolves to aid him in his hunt of a cult worshiping the Thousand Sons. I was asking this question mainly so I can get a good grasp on how animal-like I could make a Space Wolf, and yet keep him still in control of his personality and humanity (spacemarineanity?).

I appreciate the insight and info in this thread, I've got what I need to go on now.

[Duke Corwin]

I would equip him with a sniper rifle. The idea is he knows he is wolf bitten but tries to conceal it. He figures by staying at long range he can control the "wolf". Of course from time to time he will get into Close Combat and the "wolf" will emerge. This could give you an interesting character.