Purity seals?

[wulfric_1066]

Space Wolves are an oral culture. They trust to the memory, the story told over the fire, the boast before comrades. They do not believe in the written word.

 

So why are my Space Wolf miniatures covered in purity seals, which are the development from the written oaths in the HH books? The Wolves wouldn't have had them (and there's no reference in Prospero Burns, which there has been for every other legion) so they wouldn't have developed within the legion. And I don't see the fiercely independent Space Wolves saying 'Oh, everyone else has those purity seals now, we'd better get some' - so why?

 

Cheers,

Wulfric

[Grizwald714]

I think they r oath papers every marine swears an oath (oath of the moment I think) that he will complete what ever the mission is that they r on and his capt. and some bros witness. And the oath is written on the paper or pretty seal what ever it's called so that why r all the marines rock em if my memory serves me right.

[Max_Dammit]

http://wh40k.lexicanum.com/wiki/Purity_seal

[Token]

I dont think he is asking what a purity seal is, but instead asks about why a culture that dont write stuff down would have pieces of paper with written stuff on them.

[Durfast Spiritwolf]

The SW are the surviving core of the VI Legion, which was founded on Terra.

 

On meeting its Primarch and bringing in new recruits from Fenrisian stock, the VI Legion underwent a number of organisational and cultural changes.

 

However, this did not wash away everything that had gone before and Terran packs continued to exist with all their particular foibles.

 

So not all its traditions are Fenrisian and some, such as the wearing of oath papers, are Terran and common to loyal SMs.

 

The comprehensive education process that recruits go through no doubt includes reading and writing so that they can operate effectively - passage of orders etc. - so the use of oath papers and its noble heritage is in keeping with being a SW.

[Master Of Malfeasance X]

They write things down. Just as your wolves are covered in purity seals, they are also covered in runes. Honestly, wouldn't you feel better reading the manual for that plasma cannon, rather than having an iron priest try to remember everything from rote?

 

Also, their armor's heads-up display and datacore all read as text along with icons. Armor must be maintained by its operator to exacting standards and ships have to be clearly labeled so people don't get lost. It would be a pretty ignominious end for a blood claw to be stuck with 'Saga of the illiterate and therefore starving novice' because he couldn't be bothered to read his way to the chow hall.

 

Likewise, though the SW like to pretend that either the Imperium doesn't exist or they aren't a part of it, purity seals are a throwback to the great crusade, and even though a purity seal plays second fiddle to a golden armband or a slap on the back, they still give them out of respect for the Imperium as a whole.

[hendrik]

ha, you're all wrong about it! most of the purityseals are actually flyers for the next party! it must be either this or it's ment to represent an extra supply of toilet paper;p

[Schertenleib]

ha, you're all wrong about it! most of the purityseals are actually flyers for the next party! it must be either this or it's ment to represent an extra supply of toilet paper;p

 

 

Gee Hendrik, I thought it was more like the hand stamp from last nights party that you just can't wash off.

[nurglez]

know its not cannon, but in prospero burns, it does mention them using oaths of moments too, so guess they do like to write stuff down sometimes :)

[Kjarl Bluetooth]

know its not cannon, but in prospero burns, it does mention them using oaths of moments too, so guess they do like to write stuff down sometimes :)

 

But that's Horus Heresy era - 10k years ago!

 

My personal view is that the current SW Grand Companies DON'T use purity seals and so have painfully carved them off every one of my models!

 

Our oaths are sworn in blood and mead and writing is for the sissy chapters!!

[Durfast Spiritwolf]

know its not cannon, but in prospero burns, it does mention them using oaths of moments too, so guess they do like to write stuff down sometimes :)

 

But that's Horus Heresy era - 10k years ago!

 

My personal view is that the current SW Grand Companies DON'T use purity seals and so have painfully carved them off every one of my models!

 

Our oaths are sworn in blood and mead and writing is for the sissy chapters!!

 

So how come you are writing on this thread, doesn't that make you a sissy too, little brother?

 

Whoops :)

[Zynk Kaladin]

I have it on good authority that Bloodclaws only get to use crayon when they scribble their oath papers.

[Lord Ragnarok]

In use for outside the chapter, not really needed inside the chapter.That is why we employ skalds. But fully see the use for outside especially while on a campaign.

[Stormshrug]

Fenris may have a strong oral tradition, but the Space Wolves themselves *are* literate...

 

-Stormshrug

[Growler67]

Space Wolves are still Astartes. Literate as well as feral. I just think of Purity Seals can be used a: Marksmanship Awards/Badges, Campaign Ribbons, Honor/Blood Oaths, and other means of distinction within ones Pack or Great Company. Perhaps as a show of faith and respect/thanks to a particular part of their armor that withstood damage that would've certainly changed ones fate if it had failed at that particular moment in his memory of those evnts on that one battlefield. With the blessings of Russ and the Iron Priests via their servitors, one may honor their gear with the ritual placing of a Purity Seal. What is written on such things may be in High Gothic or the NativeRunes of Fenris, it doesn't not matter. That a Marine of the Imperium inclusive of Space Wolves consides them significant to themselves is all that matter to that individual. Anything anyone else says or cares about is their own business.

 

Why not?

[Stormbrow II]

My Wolves are festooned with Purity Seals. They're thank you notes from all the other chapters for coming to the rescue and getting them out of trouble.

 

Crusades still happen you know.