DIY Chapter "Wolfhounds"

[Olddog]

I am new to this, so go easy. I know there are Wolfhound Titans and Warhounds (World Eaters) and Space Wolves and Luna Wolves out there, but what I was going for, is an individualistic chapter with a hunter ethos.

Decoded Administratum archives, retrieved by archive servitor beta zero zero five, biblio coventus on Be'alich prime, sanctioned by Ordo Zenos directive. Full moral danger precautions, machine spirit placations and liturgies in effect.

Enter Command: Retrieve data- origin: Wolfhounds chapter Adeptus Astartes

From the recollections, musings and memoirs of Inquisitor record expunged, representative and adjudicator extremis of the Ordo Hereticus-

Examples of Wolfhounds chapter iconography:

http://cdnimg.visualizeus.com/thumbs/bf/28/dogs,heraldry,illustration,red,werewolf,wolves-bf28c3791646cd3f058a07a8d62ed614_h.jpg

http://www.teuton.org/~stranger/PLAYMOBIL/armoury/heraldry/wolf2.gif

The Cenothaph Sector in Ultima Segmentum, date of founding and parent chapter are officially unconfirmed, but they are generally accepted to be a 25th founding successor of the Dark Angels due to current close ties with Dark angels and prevalence of dark angels influenced older iconography, heraldry and armor within the chapter. -note further clarification to be sought from records held with the Adeptus Terra- Chapter lore reveals it was founded to guard against a predicted, specific, but now forgotten threat in the Cenothaph sector at the fringe of the Ultima Segmentum.

Chapter records further relate:

“Although it troubles us to place so much faith upon the prescience and the divination of record expunged , and their over-reliance upon the Emperors Tarot, the High Lords of Terra charge the adeptus astartes with the stewardship of the Cenothaph sector, the record expunged Chapter will in the name of the Immortal God-Emperor and the illustrious Imperium of man to keep watch for, hunt down and slay the vile great beast which has been divined and predicted, which shall consume, devour and inflict predations upon our planets, fiefs and holdings. May the immortal Emperor on the Golden Throne light their way and protect them against the malevolent influence of the warp. They shall know no fear.”.

There is no record of what the “vile great beast” rampaging through the Cenothaph sector was, nor what was exactly predicted or how, but Administratum records and chapter archives show that approximately two hundred years after the founding, a number of tithes from Imperium worlds within the Cenotaph sector went uncollected without sanction due to “predations of the beast” and shipping lanes were disrupted. This was but the prelude to the far more dire events which were to follow.

Typical Wolfhound Space Marine with armor shine dulled for night combat:

It would appear the Wolfhounds were initially a codex compliant chapter and known under a different long lost -or perhaps purposely forgotten? More research required!- chapter name. The loss of their original chapter name seems to be inextricably connected to the great shame and subsequent penance early in the chapters history.

The Wolfhounds originally had their Chapter Monastery on the Hive World Cenath II in the Cenath system.

Some two hundred years after their founding, Cenath II fell prey to the “vile great beast” and its defence fell to the Wolfhounds, local PDF and Imperial Guard Cenath Carbineers regiment. At the same time the majority of the sector became isolated by warp storms which subsequently endured for a further 500 years. Cenath II and indeed entire swathes of the Cenotaph sector were presumed lost to the unknown “vile great beast” and or the Warp.

The ultimate fate of Cenath II and much of the sector was only revealed when the warp storms receded and contact was re-established. Chapter serf lore masters recollect that with Cenath II and much of its surrounding systems cut off from reinforcement and aid from the Imperium, a desperate battle ensued for Cenath II.

While the specifics have been lost with time, the Wolfhounds acknowledge a number of important facts; foremost that they failed to protect Cenath II, it was lost along with their Fortress Monastery to this unknown enemy. Among the cautionary tales chanted by the chapter serf lore masters, is the hunting chant of “Fall of Pride” which chastises the inflexible tactics which were ineffective against the “beast” and hubris which impeded cooperation with the Imperial Guard and PDF.

The “hunting chant,” prayer or catechism as it might be recognised in the more civilised parts of the Imperium is the first learnt by all aspirants to the chapter.

Following the destruction of Cenath II, the Wolfhounds retreated, regrouped and with the aid of Imperial Guard remnants from Cenath II took refuge on the civilised world Be'alich a safe, short warp jump away in the Boreal system. The Wolfhounds and Imperial Guard remnants knew that the unknown enemy would follow them to the Boreal system and in turn to the civilized world of Be'alich. It was also clear that they could expect no aid from the rest of the Imperium.

Lore masters recall that the chapter master had perished along with fully two thirds of the chapter in the shameful and failed defence of Cenath II, so it fell to the to the survivors, led by the Chapters new -due to attrition according to some chroniclers- Chief Librarian Seannach to lead the beleaguered remnants of Imperial military forces. Chief Librarian Seannach and his remaining warriors were said to be consumed by grief and shame, giving no thought to their own survival, only penance and redemption. Seannach led his forces to Carrig, the sister planet of Cenath II.

Carrig was already a death world populated by scattered tribes and clans of hunter and semi feudal humans, with only a few true outposts of civilisation.

Seannach had originally intended to lead the chapter to a glorious last stand, far away from the hive cities on Be'alich, but fate had other plans.

One Lore master recited for the researcher a brief tale:

To prepare for battle, Chief Librarian Seannach fasted for a week, reciting the catechisms of faith and honour, isolated in the wilderness of Carrig. Seannach is said to have sought guidance in prayer form the Emperor on how best to restore his chapters honour in the crucible of the battle that was surely to come. It was just at the end of his vigil that his faith was to be answered, but not in the manner he had expected.

Seannach is said to have heard a child crying in the woods a short distance away. His remarkable senses of smell and hearing, granted by the chapters gene engineering meant it was a trifling matter to locate the crying child, but he was not the only one.

His keen hearing had forewarned him just as a large predator emerged from the undergrowth. Seannach had recognised the predator as a minion of the great beast, a creature which blended in with its surroundings, a creature which was difficult to spot by sight alone, a merciless devourer and superior adversary.

Seannach realised that he was outmatched, it was not in question that this xenos beast would be the only victor in this contest of arms. Seannach later confided that he was in truth conflicted as to the matter; here was an Emperor granted chance to seek his redemption and indeed an honourable death in battle,.... but what of the child? Was the child's life the price for his pride, his glory, his redemption in an honourable slaying through battle?

Seannach never had the chance to finish the thought, he found himself running with the now screaming child in his arms, heading for what appeared to be a clearing.

Seannach could hear the predator charging through the undergrowth behind him, the gap between them inexorably closing.

How much time did he have? What would he do in the clearing? Should he drop the child and use his warp powers to fight the beast? Emerging into the clearing he saw what appeared to be a cairn or other primitive tomb. Seannach charged towards the cairn with all his will, before half flinging the child onto the roof of the stone cairn. It would not keep the child safe for long, but it would keep it out of the immediate danger while the librarian fought the predator.

Just as Seannach let go of the child, he felt excruciating pain in his left shoulder, just then he saw a razor sharp talon emerge from between his armour and left pauldren. The talon sheared straight through into the stone cairn before him. Seannach was pinned and with baited breath anticipated to be torn to shred within a heartbeat, before even having a chance to defend himself. Before a heartbeat could even pass, a large furred beast bowled into both librarian and predator.

We now know that this was the wolfhound Thorval, the pack leader for his hunting pack, owned by the Or'Krannog clan. It was the opening Seannach needed, drawing his combat power-gladius and shearing through the razor barbed talon behind his shoulder pinning him to the stone cairn, freeing himself to witness a spectacle he had not expected.

Charging into the clearing were monstrously large, viscous, shaggy coated canines with spiked collars, all snarling teeth and dripping drool.

The librarian later learned of the remarkable qualities of these beasts, which were bred specifically for hunting the largest and most dangerous predators of Carrig, from the Moerass Bear to the crag wolves from which they were in part descended from through selective cross breeding.

Seannach saw that the large furred beast which was his saviour was the same species as these newcomers and had its jaws locked around a limb of the predator, with its taloned paws dug deep into the predators back.

Seannach could see that these beasts were formidable and powerful, but he also could appraise that these beasts were still no match for the predator unaided.

Within moments the beasts, or hounds were joined by humans clad in furs, skins and chain-mail, armed only with machine-crossbows, primitive bolt action slug throwers and hunting pikes.

The hounds snarled, howled, snapped at and circled the predator, while Seannach's saviour held fast, with its jaws, shaking violently and remained out of reach of talon and snapping jaw. Some of its pack mates were not so fortunate, getting too close and being eviscerated by a free talon or shred by gleaming pointed teeth.

Seannach did not question his good fortune, but sought in vain an opening to smite the predator.

The humans fell into positions, each fulfilling a role, one stabbing, another firing, another shouting commands to the hounds and another casting a net over the predator to impede its movements. Seannach took advantage of the predators distraction and its weakening from myriad wounds inflicted by shot, stabs and mauling from sharp canines, he pulled the severed talon from his no longer bleeding shoulder, wielding his force gladius in one hand and the predators severed talon in the other, he joined his new comrades in facing the beast,....”

further records damaged due to improper storage of data -

…....despite the losses of all the librarians and most of the sanctioned psykers in providing the “lure” for the great beast, what is known is that the Imperial navy remnants performed their task admirably and also at great cost, isolating and trapping the beast and his minions.

It would take a further century of vigilance and hunting of the beasts minions on Carrig before the threat could be considered sufficiently neutralised. The lesson learned by the Wolfhounds was taken to heart,... the humility to accept that the Astartes needed to adapt their tactics according to their foe, to use subterfuge, feints, unconventional weapons and even utilise “normal” humans as part of their tactics. The loss of every librarian and the subsequent isolation from the rest of the Imperium resulted in the Wolfhounds not having a dedicated role for librarians for the rest of their isolation, instead combining the role and office of Chaplain and Librarian into the office of "Druichi". In recent centuries the Wolfhounds retain this office alongside dedicated Chaplain and Librarian roles.

Enter Command: Retrieve data- current status: Wolfhounds chapter Adeptus Astartes

Isolation from the rest of the Imperium also resulted in fervent adoption of the imperial creed and self sufficiency within the ranks, so that now there was traditionally an excess of dual roles such Chaplain / apothecaries or Chaplain / Librarians (Druichi) within the chapter. Equipment shortages mean that the Wolfhounds have acquired a reputation as battlefield scavengers, tomb raiders and display a distinct lack of uniformity in equipment and organisation. It can be confirmed that the chapter suffer from having to make do with limited, archaic and refurbished equipment, a legacy from its isolation. It is not unusual to see Wolfhound marines in a mismatch of mark V or mark VI power armor and uniformity is very unusual. Many Wolfhounds will even scavenge equipment from brother chapters, should it remain unattended or abandoned.

The Wolfhounds have renewed ties to their generally accepted parent Chapter the Dark Angels, with whom they appear to share a well guarded secret with. However there it has been observed that where the Dark Angels are prepared to abandon their objectives and allies in pursuit of their secret agenda, the Wolfhounds do not share this obsession. While there are great and obvious differences between the two chapters, such as military organisation and the wolfhounds extensive use of chapter serfs and close ties to the imperial guard, they both have their unique and inner circle organisations.

The Red Branch Knights are the terminator armor equipped "hunt pack" of the Wolfhounds. These warriors are the elite of the Wolfhounds, each a hero in their own right. The Red Branch Knights are sometimes deployed as a single hunting pack or unit when the threat is grave, deploying from landraiders punching through enemy forces as shock troops delivering a decisive blow. However the red branch knights more often deployed individually or in small numbers accompanied by their own private retinue of regular power armored battle brothers, who are named "Hounds" after the Red Branch Knight they are attached to, ie: "Hounds of Cuu" or "Hounds of Fianniach".

The hounds are the equivalent of other chapters Sternguard.

The current Chapter Master is a former "Druichi", The Lord Huntmaster Fianniach, Lord of the Red Branch Knights and hero of Cappadocia Secundus.

The chapter is as a general rule scattered in hunt packs across the sector, standing sentinel over a number of systems and also further afield working with a number of Ordo Xenos agents.

In general the Wolfhounds do not fight as a chapter, but in companies or "hunt packs" or very frequently in smaller ad-hoc formations as the mission or “hunt” dictates.

The chapter is still slightly understrength on paper, numbering around 600 battle brothers, but the scattered nature of the chapter means that this figure could be wildly inaccurate. The Ordo Xenos who work extensively with the Wolfhounds estimate that the real figure is probably twice this much.

Enter Command: Retrieve data- Homeworld: Wolfhounds chapter Adeptus Astartes

The Wolfhounds have their current fortress monastery “the Sett” on the Moon Tyrannax which orbits the feral world Carrig. The Sett was actually originally a crashed Imperial Navy warship, having been converted by the Wolfhounds into a suitable fortress. The system is also home to a Civilised world Be'alich.

Recruitment comes from a number of systems and different worlds, but primarily from the hunter clans on Carrig. Recruitment on other worlds is based on a tithes system, shared between the imperial guard and the Chapter. A long difficult weeding process splits recruits into Imperial Guard, Chapter Serfs and Wolfhound recruits.

Enter Command: Retrieve data- Combad Doctrine:

Very flexible. The Wolfhounds favor small unit tactics in cooperation with local loyalists or auxiliaries. The hunting packs specialise in raids, assassinations, shock assaults and ambushes.

This means the Wolfhounds are more inclined to use rapid movement with thunder hawks, bikes and landspeeders. The Wolfhounds also make use of some limited amounts of Imperial guard armour.

The Wolfhounds also have a number of weapons and other equipment unique to their chapter, such as the force blades (pike's, sabers, two handed swords etc) and fur cloaks called “corribh'dahn” which often functions as camouflage when required.

Each Hunt Captain or Master tailors his hunt pack for their specific task or campaign at hand. Uses imperial guard regiments as beaters or bait. The Wolfhounds specialise as xenos and specifically tyranid hunters.

Enter Command: Retrieve data- Wolfhound heraldry:

The Wolfhounds have livery of silver with reds pauldrens and individual heraldry, but this again will not always be apparent as true to their style of warfare and culture, they often adorn their power armor with soil, furs, pelts or cloaks made of animal hide, in order to camouflage themselves when required and as part of their inherited culture from the death world of Carrig.

Individuals often have highly individual markings or heraldry and will be adorned with skins, furs, pelts, trophies etc according to their experience and company traditions.

Veteran Wolfhound Battle Brother- note slight variances from the "standard" livery:

The Chapter symbol is invariable iconography depicting a wolfhound and sunburst, specifically that of a Carrig Wolfhound. It is not uncommon for an individual marine to be awarded a personal heraldry and the right to wear such heraldry on their pauldren.

http://schoolworkhelper.net/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/Heraldry-Coat-of-Arms-200x300.jpg

Enter Command: Retrieve data- Loyalty assessment of Wolfhounds:

The Wolfhounds acknowledge that the God Emperor is divine, though there are peculiar local deviations -tolerated by the ecclesiastic experts, they say this deviation is is well within acceptable parameters- , as He worshipped in the form of “the Great Hunter of the Stars”. Particularly pleasing to note is that the Chapter master is also a by tradition a chaplain. -In conclusion, I would say the Wolfhounds are perfect for the task Inquisitor record expunged has in mind-

[Marshal Rohr]

Well the most glaring thing is Adeptus, not Adeptes :P

[Olddog]

Sorted,... dumb mistake.

[Olddog]

Now updated with space marine livery and chapter symbol

[Octavulg]

Not uninteresting. I kinda like the idea of the glorious last stand not quite working out as expected.

 

However, I think the presentation is hurting you here. I found the various switches of text size, color, and person (to say nothing of the occasional interjections of 'data lost' or equivalent) to be confusing as all get out after a while.

 

You also need to use line breaks more effectively. Paragraphs are your friends. :ph34r:

 

I'm not really getting a coherent picture of what the chapter are supposed to be. What defines them? What are they like? What are you trying to create?