The Lunar Wolves

[Bolt16]

So over the many years I have been a 40K fan (17 years wow I feel old) I've read many things about the Black Legion and about Horus but always after his betrayal never before the start of the Heresy......now I know I have to read False Gods and Horus Rising and Galaxy in Flames (especially as I've read others in the series) but I was wondering what the Lunar Wolves were actually like?

 

What were their key character traits? Were they arrogant/cheery/depressed/humourless/rigid/paranoid?

 

What sort of culture did they come from? Did they personalise their armour and if so how?

 

Apart from being good all round did they specialise in anything - stand and shoot/assualt/mech?

 

Was there gene-seed pure and how did they view the Great Crusade?

 

Any other bits of information anyone could provide would be really great as well.

 

Thanks in advance!

[Captain Juan Juarez]

The Wolves came from Cthonia - a world of barbarian tribes and rocky/cave-strewn terrain as I recall.

 

Their specialist tactic was the Speartip - penetrate the body of the foe and cut of the head, leaving mopping up the rest as an easier job, but they displayed a "standard" range of weaponry, like Devastator squadsand Assault squads.

 

I would say that their geneseed was as pure as could possibly be; the only noted change was the way it interacted with some Marines, making them look more like Horus - remember the term Sons of Horus?

 

I'd say they were fairly balanced as a Legion - the Mournival was supposed to feature elements that represent the "humours" of the Legion.

[Wrath of Terra]

They were arrogant in the way the best always are; they respected their other legion brother's efforts but believed that if the job was up to them they'd do it better.

[Valkyrion]

They were the Ultramarines of 30k.

[Trel]

As a Legion they generally seemed to be in a pretty good mood most times. They reflected the natural charm of their Primarch, who was as effective in turning a world to compliance with words as his Legion was with bullets.

 

They were a large, well-equipped Legion. They weren't necessarily a one-dimensional force, but they preferred the quick, decapitating strike, which reduced collateral damage and made post-war diplomacy easier.

 

From what I remember of Cthonia, though this may have been retconned by now, the planet was accessible from Earth even via non-Warp means, so it had been colonized, consumed and mined-out since long before the days of the Crusade. It was a poor planet, riddled with old mines and tunnels, inhabited by lawless gangs. Supposedly the Luna Wolves rounded up these gangs en masse, herded them onto prison-ships and worked on them to see who would biologically accept the gene-seed. The rest died, were hired as Legion serfs, or were servitor'ed.

 

I believe the Terminator squad led by Captain Abbadon painted their armor black, but I don't recall any specific mention of outstanding personalizations of their livery.

[Chengar Qordath]

I'd say they were fairly balanced as a Legion - the Mournival was supposed to feature elements that represent the "humours" of the Legion.

The Mournival was a classic Four Temperament Ensemble; a group of four people, each of who had one of the four main personality types. It's a fairly common group configuration, and actually makes a lot of sense for a group of Horus's closest advisers, since it should consistently give a good diversity of opinions.

 

On a semi-related note, I've always kind of liked the use of humours in a lot of the Horus Heresy books, since it lends them a slightly archaic feel that seems so appropriate for a series that is, from the perspective of 40k, in the ancient past.

[Bolt16]

Thanks everyone for the replies so far.

 

So would people generally agree that the Lunar Wolves were arrogant, but this was based on their belief that they were the best Legion and that if a job needed doing right then they should do it. They new how to use the other Legions to get the best out of them. They were skilled in all forms of combat but would clinically strike at the heart of the enemy and so probably employed lots of assualt craft to deliver them quickly into combat.

 

Given their preference for eliminating the enemy by decapitating the leadership they probably used sniper rifles etc?

 

What about teleporting?

 

From what people have said and what I've read they strike me as being unlikely to take to the field of battle in anything other than immaculate armour with it shining and free from battle damage? It is also seems to make sense that they would have the best technology available at the time what do people think?

 

Despite having come from Hive gangs they strike me as having a highly developed sense of honour?

 

Also do people think there were many Terrans in the Legion or is this unlikely given how close Cthonia was to Terra and how quickly the Emperor recovered Horus?

 

Does anyone know why the wolf iconography?

 

Did they where pelts etc like the Space Wolves?

 

Thanks again for any thoughts and information.

[Captain Juan Juarez]

Given their preference for eliminating the enemy by decapitating the leadership they probably used sniper rifles etc?

 

Less stealth and secrecy, more a Company or two loaded up in Stormbirds or Drop Pods to literally decapitate the enemy leadership.. Chainsword ahoy!

[Wrath of Terra]

From what people have said and what I've read they strike me as being unlikely to take to the field of battle in anything other than immaculate armour with it shining and free from battle damage? It is also seems to make sense that they would have the best technology available at the time what do people think?

 

The impression I got of the was that they were the ultimate all-rounders and they were practical. So they would keep their armour in exellent condition like any marine would but they wouldn't spend an extra 8 hours polishing something to perfection, like the Emperor's Children would have, because they could be doing something better with their time, like training.

 

As the legion of the favoured son of the Emperor I'd imagine that the Wolves did indeed have access to the best gear available, although I don't recall this being explicitly stated.

[lee265]

Lexicanum might help you out a bit. Also read the first three heresy books.

[Captain Juan Juarez]

Lexicanum might help you out a bit.

 

But beware fansites bearing data, especially unsourced data.

[Chengar Qordath]

Lexicanum might help you out a bit.

 

But beware fansites bearing data, especially unsourced data.

Lexicanum isn't exactly unsourced; the better articles include citations and such. That said, it's much the same as any wiki; good for a quick reference and overview, but still not 100% reliable and inferior to directly consulting canon materials.

 

As to the question of Snns of Horus battle strategy, I'm struck by a similarity in tactics between Horus and Alexander the Great; that comparison might help people get a better idea of how Horus fought.

[Ufthak]

@Chengar Qordath:

When you compare their tactics to those of Alexander the Great, you're thinking of Gaugamela, aren't you? :D

At the battle of Gaugamela Alexander's army faced a HUGE Persian force under the Persian king, Dareios. Alexander knew that in an all-out battle, his army would be annihilated; but he also knew that the Persian army could only function as an army as long as it was led by its God-King, Dareios. So Alexander formed the plan to cut off the enemy's head - Dareios. It was a gamble.

Essentially, what Alexander did was brilliant. He sent a force of cavalry and infantry in a diversion toward and around the Persian left flank, causing Dareios to extend his line in that direction. When the Persian line had reached a critical thinness because of over-extension, Alexander struck home with his best troops - his Hetairoi bodyguard heavy cavalry and his Hypaspisteis shock troops, followed by his best Phalanges, while the rest of his army held back the relentless, overwhelming Persian assault. With his shock troops, Alexander cracked the Persian line precisely where Dareios' command chariot was, reportedly coming within yards of the God-King himself, before Dareios turned and fled in terror. Seeing their God-King flee, the Persian army unravelled and routed. It was an absolutely brilliant and crazy gamble, typical of Alexander.

 

Now, that does sound a lot like the Luna Wolf tactics - strike swift, strike hard, and cut off the head, then mop up.

 

Generally, I would say, as stated, that they were the ultimate all-rounders who can easily adapt to all situations and are prepared for anything. Every single company appears to have tactical, assault, devastator and terminator squads. The only thing so far completely missing from any accounts are scouts; possibly the Luna Wolves employ fewer of them.

Their background is slightly ambiguous: noble, high-and-mighty, organized, perfectly drilled; yet also barbaric, slightly ritualistic, and brutal.

As regards equipment, various sources state that they did have first dibs at new equipment: they were some of the first to have terminator armour, the new MkIV Imperial Maximus Power Armour, and Thunderhawks. They also had support from Legio Mortis Imperator-class Titans (Dies Irae).

They probably kept a fairly clean and uniform appearance, though the books do state that Loken thinks his dented, dirty armour looks pretty scruffy compared to Fullgrim's dandy-boys' armour. Also, some of the Luna Wolves (most notably Horus himself) wore wolf pelts over their shoulders or around their waists, denoting their barbarian background.

As for how they viewed the Great Crusade:

Well, loyalists in the Legion, like Loken and Torgaddon, believed the Crusade was righteous, fought for the salvation of humanity, the glory of the Emperor, and, one day, to bring peace to the Galaxy (Sigismund destroys that nice cuddly view of things by stating that the Crusade will forever go on and that in the dark future, there is only war, thereby foretelling not only his own fate and that of his Templars, but of the Galaxy in general). The rest of the Legion appear to have had a narrower view: the Crusade was being fought for the glory and triumph of humanity, and of Horus Lupercal.

 

Hope that helped :P

[Pulse]

Ufthak pretty much said it all about the Luna Wolves.

 

Few mistakes on the battle of Gaugamela though. :D

[Ufthak]

:P I always thought I had researched the battle fairly well...what did I get wrong? I know I did give a short, quick version of it...but did I really get something wrong???

 

I mean, Dareios did get away - Alexander wanted to capture him - and that was because the Persian assaults on the Greek centre and left had split the line and Persian cavalry was ravaging the baggage trains and the camp, forcing Alexander to wheel around and save his left, leaving Dareios to flee.

 

That apart, I can't think of anything important i could have forgotten.

 

 

 

 

 

Oh, and about the Lunar Wolves:

 

Appearance:

Apparently, officers in the Legion often had a Roman-style plume-crest on their helmets (red?). Also, Abaddon's 1st Company Justaerin Terminator Squad wore black armour; possibly also other parts of or even the whole 1st company, denoting their veteran status.

 

Weapons:

Horus Rising states that the Terminators were equipped with Storm Bolters - a weapon which apparently was still being developed and not yet issued (they would have had twin-linked bolters) - which could mean that the Legion was so priviliged that they actually received prototype experimental weaponry; or that Dan Abnett got some of his research wrong.

[Captain Juan Juarez]

Oh, and about the Lunar Wolves:

 

Appearance:

Apparently, officers in the Legion often had a Roman-style plume-crest on their helmets (red?). Also, Abaddon's 1st Company Justaerin Terminator Squad wore black armour; possibly also other parts of or even the whole 1st company, denoting their veteran status.

 

Catalun Reaver Squadron wore black armour too I believe, as the primary Assault squad of First Company.

[Legatus]

One thing that has to be pointed out about the Lunar Wolves. Not only were they thinking highly of themselves, they were also dismissive/exploitative towards the other Legions, often exploiting the achievements of other Legions for their own glory. When the Lunar Wolves were campaigning together with the Iron Warriors and the Ultramarines, the Lunar Wolves would often quickly shatter the military forces of a world and then immediately depart for the next theatre. Often the worlds left behind were undefended, or new rebellions were flaring up. But the Lunar Wolves' commanders were refusing to stay behind to defend those worlds or to properly establish order, saying that all of their forces were needed at the front lines. They would often leave it to the Iron Warriors and the Ultramarines to stay behind on the just liberated worlds to sort things out. While Perturabo was taking all of that silently, adding it to the underappreciated burden ha was stowing up inside, Guilliman was said to have had words with Horus about this issue, who pacified Guilliman by telling him that he was so much better at these sort of things anyway.

When the Lunar Wolves were campaigning together with the Raven Guard, the Lunar Wolves would often use the Raven Guard's initial achievements due to their recon and strike team capabilities to then swoop in and defeat the already wounded enemy forces, claiming the glory. Corax was quite angry at this and a conflict between him and Horus was only averted by Corax removing his own Legion from the Warmaster's command.

[Captain Juan Juarez]

Emperor forgive me, but I'm forced to disagree Legatus; I think it is more that they had a very clear idea about what theywere to achieve and how they were to do.

 

They were the elite military force, their place was indeed on the front line of battle; administration and policing isnt the task best suited to their training or mindset.

[Legatus]

Emperor forgive me, but I'm forced to disagree Legatus; I think it is more that they had a very clear idea about what theywere to achieve and how they were to do.

 

They were the elite military force, their place was indeed on the front line of battle; administration and policing isnt the task best suited to their training or mindset.

I would say the Index Astartes Luna Wolves is pretty clear in that those sort of things usually would have been the responisbility of the Legionnes Astartes, and the Luna Wolves refused simly because there was no glory to be had. It was not so much administration and policing as it was making sure that the Planet was firmly in the Imperium's hand, and that no rebellious elements were left. The Index Astartes Luna Wolves describes that "the Ultramarines and the Iron Warriors were left behind to mop up", and that the Luna Wolves officers "refused point blank to assign any troops to these duties". The text also describes that Horus' and his Legion's credo was "fighting to be the best", and that they were "striving to conquer and liberate more worlds than the other Legions", which is very telling as well.

 

 

"His own Legion had all the glory of being the greatest Primarch's personal guard, and they shared Horus's credo of fighting to be the best. Under his inspiring command, the Luna Wolves were always at the forefront of the latest campaign, pushing the boundaries of the Imperium ever wider, driving further and further into the galaxy and striving to conquer and liberate more worlds than the other Legions. In the Aartuo, Keskastine and Androv Systems, the Luna Wolves are known to have moved swiftly on to planet after planet as soon as the local armies had been subdued. The Ultramarines and the Iron Warriors, who were fighting alongside Horus's Legion at this time, were repeatedly left to mop up any final pockets of resistance and establish garrisons on the conquered worlds. The Luna Wolves' officers apparently refused point blank to assign any troops to these duties, insisting that every man was required for the ongoing crusade. Further rebellion flared up on a number of the planets after the Luna Wolves had left, and it is believed that the Ultramarines' Primarch Roboute Guilliman subsequently had words with Horus on the matter. At the time it seems that Horus pacified the Primarch by admitting that Guilliman was much better at this sort of thing than he was, however in his great work, the Codex Astartes - completed much later - Guilliman prescribed a much more thorough tactical doctrine for the suppression of a planet."

Index Astartes Luna Wolves

 

 

"Corax's Legion garnered such a fearsome reputation that Warmaster Horus requested its aid many times in his campaigns, and it is thought that it was thanks to the Raven Guard's assistance that Horus's tally of victories was so high. The Raven Guard's records are curiously reticent concerning this period of history, and Imperial historians suspect that the taciturn Corax did not like the more gregarious Horus and found him overly boastful and manipulative. It is rumored that, on one occasion, the two almost came to blows, and bloodshed was only averted when Corax removerd his Legion from the Warmaster's command."

Index Astartes Raven Guard

[Vissah]

The whole First Company wore black armour.

[Captain Juan Juarez]

Despite the evidence you offer to support your argument, it still makes no sense.

 

They are not administrators or law enforcement officers, they are beings designed to kill.

[Legatus]

They were supposed to reclaim human worlds for the Imperium. Merely defeating the currently hostile armed forces was not enough to properly achieve this.

[Captain Juan Juarez]

They were supposed to reclaim human worlds for the Imperium. Merely defeating the currently hostile armed forces was not enough to properly achieve this.

 

But - in general - there were other forces and organisations attached to aid in this.

[Jarl Kjaran Coldheart]

Emperor forgive me, but I'm forced to disagree Legatus; I think it is more that they had a very clear idea about what theywere to achieve and how they were to do.

 

They were the elite military force, their place was indeed on the front line of battle; administration and policing isnt the task best suited to their training or mindset.

 

for once, i am forced to agree with legatus.

 

the the times of the GC, the Marines were not the elite precision formations that they are today. they are the main armed force of the Imperium, with all the duties and responsibilities that entails.

 

the Imperial Army, Martian Forces, and any other armed force were deployed in support of the Legions, not the other way around.

 

what the LW did was rude and downright insulting to their brothers.

 

WLK

[Legatus]

Several Index Astartes articles mention how a Legion would achieve compliance from the worlds they were liberating or were establishing garrisons for the purpose of communication or supplies. They were making sure that the world was properly part of the Imperium, and they were making sure, though some Legions more than others, that the world was defended and part of the supply or communications line. Though these tasks would not usually involve heavy fighting, the Primarchs were leaders of the Crusade and responsible for liberating Imperial worlds. They were not just commanding strike forces, they were in charge of the entire effort. As such, it was their responsibility to make sure that a world was properly conquered, and not just to shatter the local military beforer moving on. The Luna Wolves are described as having deliberately left those tasks to other Legions, not to the Imperial army, just so that they themselves could advance to the next theatre of war.

 

They are also described as having striven to be the best and to outdo all the other Legions, and the Index Astartes Raven Guard describes that Horus was probably owing a lot of his victories he claimed for himself to the Raven Guard. This does not sound like they were aware of what they were supposed to achieve and how to use their forces most effectively for the Crusade effort at all, and more that they were trying to hog more glory for themselves. The quote from the Index Astartes Luna Wolves starts out explaining that they were incredibly ambitious, and then goes on to explain how they were leaving such tasks for other Legions. In that context it appears to be a deliberate example of how the Luna Wolves tried to outdo the other Legions.