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Battle of the Fang


mckoll101

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Hello B&C! A little background info to start. Right before I went away to school I acquired roughly 3k worth of space wolves. After reading The Battle of the Fang (excellent book btw) I decided I want to model my army around Greyloc's 12th great company, and use 6th ed's allies to model the auxiliary forces as imperial guard.

 

The thing I'm stuck on is how to model the kaerls ("pdf" force stationed at the Aett). I can't seem to find what type of war gear they have other than the following:

They use the skjoldtar carbine (basically a heavy autogun variant).

They rely on heavy weapons rather than special weapons for the most part.

The let the vlka fenryka do the close combat and rely on mass firepower.

 

My biggest question is what models to use for them. Do they wear body armor like cadians? Or would valhallans be a better fit? If anyone can help me with this I'd greatly appreciate it!

I posted this on another forum and someone suggested vostroyans, I've always loved the models but a couple problems are: 1 vostroyans are pricey and 2 they're pure metal models (id have to remove their heads and guns (or at least part of it to swap out barrel and magazine). I was thinking of starting with a small force including a command squad, a blob unit of 40 or so troopers, and 3-6 heavy weapon teams, and i just don't see myself affording that many vostroyans let alone conversion bits etc. I'd prefer to stick to gw models but maybe there is a cheaper alternative?

 

 

Also I'm not sure if there is already a thread on here about this, but I thought It"d be a good "information gathering thread".

 

What I mean by that is post any characters, units, vehicles, or terrain features, and what weapons/equipment/markings/etc they had, and I'll consolidate them into a comprehensive list in the first post.

 

Thanks for the help!

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I posted this on another forum and someone suggested vostroyans, I've always loved the models but a couple problems are: 1 vostroyans are pricey and 2 they're pure metal models

 

3. they're Russian.

 

Can't stand the hats. Not Fenrisian, imo.. I truly hope you follow through and chop off their heads, spanish inquisition style, should you get them.

 

Personally, I intend to use Cadian Kasr'kin models when I can scrape together the $$ for them.

 

I think modelling skjalds and kaerls, etc, was a expansive topic discussed in one of our Allies threads. Might try searching "allies+kaerl+guard"

I don't think the vostroyans are too russian (if anything the muskovites are valhallans) but the factor of them still being metal makes them too pricey to build a decent force from much as they are lovely models (with the right type of rifles as well) - I'd suggest using a mixture of cadian, catachan and fantasy marauders - those three together should allow you to create some suitably savage but armoured and armed warriors for your Aett Guard - also the Kaerls where only those who were 'professional' soldiers.

Meh.. They're both Russian. They are just the upper nobility (vostroyans) versus the lower class (valhallans).

 

I agree with the chaos marauders, especially the heads. I love those heads... and would throw down in a bar fight just to snag a couple handfuls.

 

The rest of it... marauders and catachans.. This is where my preference differs from most people. Where I can see the appeal in the ruggedly feral outfits, if I'm making Fenrisian Aett Guard on the belief that they're the homeworld and/or battleship defenses, I absolutely do not see them wearing wifebeaters and leather harnesses.

 

Fenris and space are cold. Colder than Russia! My Aett Guard will be well-bundled or in environmental suits.

So i just trolled through the forum and gathered some information and whatnot, BUT i still cant find much about the kaerls other than when outside of the aett they need environmental suits or rebreathers because of the extreme cold. I did compile some info from the comprehensive history topic post. but when i picture the kaerls i think of a cross between valhallans. cadians, and marauders. well structured and equipped like the cadians, rugged winter gear like the valhallans (rather than the vostroyans who are very ornamental), and that wild ferocity look of the marauders (beards and long hair). soo with that being said i dont know how to cost efficiently and easily construct (more plastic/resin then metal) a full platoon of these guys. so comments and critique still welcome! :)

 

Anyways here's the info I compiled from the history post that pertained to the 1st Battle of the Fang in M32:

 

 

Wolf Lord

Wolf Lord Vaer Greyloc White Wolf -Jarl of the 12th Great Company. Not known for his camaraderie, Wolf Lord Greyloc is a lean, agile hunter. Pale of skin and white of hair with eyes the color of steel Greyloc is often likened to a ghost. Unusually for a Space Wolf Greyloc bears a Fenrisian axe from his time as a mortal tribesman named Frengir. Though the Wolf Priests frown on such a practice, and the blade is iron and far too soft for a Space Marine to wield, the Wolf Lord has kept the blade pristine over the long years. During the Battle of the Fang Wolf Lord Greyloc chose to wear a mighty suit of Terminator armor and wield a pair of Wolf Claws. The prowess and majesty of Wolf Lord Greyloc during the 1st Battle of the Fang were worthy of many Sagas, the White Wolf leading the defense at the Sunrising gate, fighting tirelessly to hold the enemy back in the defense of Borek's Seal and finally fighting free an confronting Magnus the Red in the upper reaches of the Fang. Greyloc, Sturmhjart and the 12th Company's two surviving Wolf Guard fought peerlessly against the fallen Primarch, wounding the mighty being greviously before they were all finally felled. Greyloc was the last to fall before Ironhelm himself arrived to contest Magnus, cast down and his hearts torn out by the foul traitor.

 

 

Priests

High Wolf Priest Thar Ariak Hraldir Wyrmblade -Bearer of the Wyrmblade. Veteran of more than five hundred years service to the Chapter. Wolf Priest Hraldir was responsible for selecting and transforming Great Wolf Ironhelm from a feral Fenrisian Tribesman into a Space Wolf. Hraldir spent several lifetimes of men working on a project he dubbed the Tempering. Since the failure of the Wolf Brothers it became obvious that the Curse of the Wulfen, the genetic instability of the seed of Russ would prevent any further successors and would forever stigmatize the Wolves of Russ in the eyes of the greater Imperium. Thus Hraldir determined to eradicate the Curse of the Wulfen from the seed of Russ while retaining the Space Wolves strengths, to stabilize the Chapter's gene-seed and allow hundreds of Successors to be founded. The High Wolf Priest envisioned the Space Wolves and their progeny carving an empire the size of Ultramar within the Imperium and surrounding the Eye of Terror, preventing the traitors from ever leaving it again. His research was coming to fruition when the Thousand Sons launched their attack on the Fang, for Magnus had seen the potential future that Hraldir's work might bear and was himself determined to thwart it and bring great harm to the Space Wolves in the process. Even as Hraldir rushed to the Fleshmaker laboratories to salvage his work the traitor Primarch set about destroying it utterly. When the Wolf Priest arrived he confronted the Primarch in his grief and rage, fighting with a ferocity he had not wielded since his youth but it was not nearly enough and he was cut down by the fell power of Magnus.

 

High Rune Priest Odain Sturmhjart -Bearing the Rune Staff of his calling Sturmhjart was the greatest of the Chapter's Rune Priests in M32 when the Thousand Sons launched their invasion of Fenris. Ordered to remain behind on Fenris and watch over Wyrmblade's Tempering. When the Thousand Sons arrived to defile the Fang the venerable Rune Priest was distraught with his failure to foresee the attack and kindled that grief and shame into a cold fury that proved the bane of the Thousand Sons through every step of the battle. At last when Magnus manifested within the Fang itself Sturmhjart joined Wolf Lord Greyloc, his two remaining Wolf Guard and Bjorn in breaking free of Borek's Seal and rushing to oppose the Daemon-Primarch who was carving his way through the upper levels of the Fang. Catching up to the traitor in the Fleshmaker laboratories Sturmhjart and the others were in time to witness Wyrmblade's death.

 

Rune Priest Lauf Cloudbreaker -One of only six Rune Priests to remain in the Fang alongside High Rune Priest Sturmhjart when the Great Wolf Ironhelm led nearly the entire Chapter to the Gangava system to hunt down the Thousand Sons in M32. Cloudbreaker fought alongside the High Wolf Priest Wyrmblade in the defense of the Fangthane and stood against the terrible power of Magnus the Red but was literally blasted into scraps of flesh and blood by the traitor Primarch.

 

Iron Priest Garjek Arfang -Iron Priest serving with the 12th Great Company in M32. While the rest of the 12th Great Company fought hard to hold back the Thousand Sons Iron Priest Arfang worked tirelessly to prepare the defenses and awaken the Chapter's Dreadnoughts. By the time the Bloodfire and Sunrising Gates fell he had woken twelve of the mighty ancients including the legendary Bjorn the Fell-Handed. Like many others Arfang gave his life in the defense of the Fang.

 

 

Wolf Guard

Wolf Guard Tromm Rossek -A member of the 12th Great Company, Rossek wore a suit of venerable Terminator Armor and wielded a storm bolter and deadly chainfist. A red haired giant of a warrior with a dragon tattoo marking the left side of his face. Rossek bears six metal studs hammered into his skull, though they do not denote any particular term of service as they would in other Chapters, the Wolf Guard simply likes having the studs. When the previous Jarl of the 12th fell in battle Rossek was one of the leading candidates to become the new Wolf Lord but was beaten by Vaer Greyloc. During the opening stages of the Battle of the Fang Rossek led a Pack of Grey Hunters in attacking the Thousand Sons landing sites. Rossek refused the initial orders to withdraw back to the Fang and lingered too long in the face of the Thousand Sons advance. When the first squads of Rubric Marines and Sorcerers reached Rossek's pack they were caught in potent sorceries they could not resist and were slaughtered. Of the eleven strong pack only Rossek and Grey Hunter Frar survived. Rossek later took charge of an amalgamated pack of Blood Claws in defending the Fangthane but was slain by the dread might of the traitor Primarch Magnus, though alone among the Space Wolves who stood against the traitor Rossek managed to land a solid blow against his foe.

 

Wolf Guard Sigrd Brakk -Member of the 12th Great Company and Wolf Guard Pack Leader to eleven of the Great Company's Blood Claws. Alone of all the 12th Company's Wolf Guard only Brakk chose to wear his usual Power Armor during the Battle of the Fang instead of a suit of Terminator war-plate. Brakk led his pack of Blood Claws in the defense of the Sunrising Gate, in that battle Brakk fell to a squad of Rubric Marines, fighting as a berserker until he was finally overwhelmed and cut down. Wolf Guard Brakk wielded the dread Power Sword Dausvjer, though his body had to be left behind the blade was recovered by the Blood Claw Aesval Helfist.

 

Wolf Guard Hamnr Skrieya -Member of the 12th Great Company stationed in the Chamber of the Watch when the Thousand Sons launched their attack on Fenris in M32. During the Battle of the Fang Skrieya was placed in command of the forces defending Bloodfire Gate, while Wolf Lord Greyloc led the defenders at Sunrising Gate. Later he commanded the Grey Hunters defending the Fangthane alongside Rossek who led the Blood Claws and Rojk leading the Long Fangs. Skrieya fell in battle defending the Fangthane.

 

Wolf Guard Leofr -Member of the 12th Great Company. Killed during the Battle of the Fang.

 

 

Dreadnoughts

Dreadnought Aldr Forkblade -One of the many ancients woken by the Iron Priest Arfang during the 1st Battle of the Fang.

 

Dreadnought Hrothgar -One of the many ancients woken by the Iron Priest Arfang during the 1st Battle of the Fang. When Bjorn, Greyloc and Sturmjart broke out from the defense of Borek's Seal to confront Magnus the defenses were left under the command of Hrothgar. The Venerable Dreadnought led the defenders in a controlled retreat in the face of the Thousand Sons sorceries.

 

 

Wolf Scouts

Wolf Scout Haakon Gylfasson Blackwing -Slight of build but as deadly as any Son of Russ. Haakon prefers to pilot the Nauro, a small but extremely fast and agile warship of indeterminable classification favored by the scouts. Like many Wolf Scouts Haakon does not share in the easy camaraderie shared by most Space Wolves and much prefers the empty hours and quiet of deep space patrol missions. When he finally took off aboard the Nauro on a system patrol days after the Space Wolves fleet departed he had the misfortune of flying directly into the chaotic space battle that erupted in the void above Fenris within minutes of the Thousand Sons arrival. During the fighting the Nauro received orders to bring word to the Great Wolf and though severely damaged managed to break the blockade and make the trip to the Gangava system four days faster than estimated, bringing word to Harek Ironhelm of the Thousand Sons invasion at the cost of the priceless vessel and most of its crew. Though he suffered severe injuries with the destruction of the ship Wolf Scout Haakon survived and was recovered by Wolf Lord Kjarlskar and his ship the Gotthammar.

 

 

Long Fangs

Long Fang Torgrim Rojk -Assigned to provide heavy-support to Wolf Guard Rossek's pack during the opening skirmishes of the Battle of the Fang in M32. Dependable and level-headed the veteran Long Fang Pack Leader pulled the Wolf Guard Rossek from a near certain death in the opening ground battles of the Thousand Sons invasion and later fought to defend the Fangthane alongside Wolf Priest Wyrmblade. Rojk chose to paint a skull on the faceplate of his helmet, giving him an appearance akin to that of a Wolf Priest.

 

 

Grey Hunters

Grey Hunter Aunir Frar -Member of Pack Rossek of the 12th Great Company. Seriously injured by the foul sorceries of the Thousand Sons early in the Battle of the Fang, the Grey Hunter was taken to the Fleshmaker laboratories and would have recovered from his wounds until the dread Daemon-Primarch Magnus came to the lair of the Wolf Priests and ended the wounded that had lain within.

 

Grey Hunter Scarjaw -Member of Pack Rossek of the 12th Great Company. Killed by the foul sorceries of the Thousand Sons early in the Battle of the Fang while opposing the enemy landings.

 

Grey Hunter Eriksson -Member of Pack Rossek of the 12th Great Company. Killed by the foul sorceries of the Thousand Sons early in the Battle of the Fang while opposing the enemy landings.

 

Grey Hunter Vre -Member of Pack Rossek of the 12th Great Company. Killed by the foul sorceries of the Thousand Sons early in the Battle of the Fang while opposing the enemy landings.

 

 

Blood Claws

Blood Claw Kyr Aesval Helfist -Former hmanni tribesman and member of Sigrd Brakk's Pack of the 12th Great Company. In keeping with his name Helfist wields a potent Power Fist and inscribed his breastplate with the two runes of ending, Ymir and Gann. When Wolf Guard Brakk fell during the battle at Sunrising Gate the young Helfist was grieved and fought with unmatched brutality and ferocity to defend the body of his pack leader, crushing an entire squad of Rubric Marines with his Power Fist. Helfist came very close to giving in to the Wulfen within him but was pulled back from the brink by Wolf Guard Rossek. Ordered to withdraw the young Blood Claw retrieved the Power Sword of his pack leader, the blade Dausvjer, before withdrawing with the rest of the Space Wolves. In the battles that followed Helfist wielded the blade of his mentor and his power fist together against the silent, soulless Rubricae of the Thousand Sons. Like the rest of his pack Helfist was amalgamated with a number of other depleted Blood Claw packs and fought under the guidance of Wolf Guard Rossek in the defense of the Fangthane. Though he remembered himself at the Sunrising Gate the young Blood Claw gave in to the call of the Wulfen during the defense of the Fangthane, throwing himself into the ranks of Rubric Marines, killing more foes than his comrades believed possible but doomed to certain death.

 

Blood Claw Ogrim Raegr Vrafsson Redpelt -Member of Sigrd Brakk's Pack of the 12th Great Company. A pack brother to Aesval Helfist, the young Blood Claw fought in contesting the Thousand Sons landings, he stood against the enemy at the Sunrising Gate and later in the defense of the Fangthane. When Magnus the Red manifested at last within the Fang and laid waste to the barricades defending the Fangthane only a dozen Space Wolves escaped the slaughter, Redpelt among them. The twelve survivors fell back to the Chamber of the Annulus with the survivingKaerls and there staged a last stand. When the rest of the Chapter broke through and retook the Chamber the only defender still standing was Redpelt, greviously injured and surrounded by felled Rubric Marines the young Blood Claw nearly succumbed to his injuries but after a long time in the Red Dream he eventually recovered. One of the few surviving Blood Claws Redpelt was heavily affected by the loss of his pack mates and destined for life as a Lone Wolf. Into that service he carried the dread blade Dausvjer, the last weapon wielded by his pack mate Helfist. Carried merely as a weregild, Redpelt did not know that the blade carried a potent wyrd and would play an important role in the millennia to follow.

 

Blood Claw Fyer Brokentooth -Member of Sigrd Brakk's Pack of the 12th Great Company. Killed during the retreat from Sunrising gate by a lascannon beam to the back.

 

 

Vehicles

Thunderhawk "Vragnek" -Thunderhawk used by Wolf Lord Greyloc during M32.

 

 

Auxullery Units/Kaerls/Aett Guard

The Kaerls were (from all appearances in the fluff) strictly an infantry force, mostly perimeter security for the Fang and counter-boarding parties in the Legion fleet. Bearing that in mind, I'd keep the armor on the Wolves side of things, and augment with foot. That being said, though, we know the Kaerls needed rebreathers just to go outside the Fang, and that they employed some fairly heavy weaponry, so heavy weapon squads, veterans, even drop troops are likely all permissible as far as the fluff is concerned.

How would you feel about Death Korps of Krieg? They rock the rebreathers and have more than suitably heavy clothing for the cold. I have thought about using them as they fit the description pretty well in my mind, with perhaps a few minor conversions (things as small as wolf icons or fur). Plus think of the awesome conversion possibilities of putting a DK of Krieg Death Rider on a fenrisian wolf... Thats my 2 cents anyways!
Armageddon Steel Legions with sculpted fur would look interesting and unique. I doubt anyone has ever tried for that.

 

Thick, grey rubberized coats, a fur scarf, gas mask and helmet, and a lasgun...

 

 

What about a couple boxes of karskins and the bits left over from the SW pack box. That'd be cheap and effective.

 

On a side note, did anyone else get kind of annoyed by the authors use of the 'murder' as a kenning for anything and everything relating to combat?? At first it was neat then it was like "really? you couldn't think of anything else?"

I see where the whole "murder" thing could bug you, i actually didnt notice it all that much, but the way i look at it they come from a "death world" so murder and death are heavily incorporated into their survival based nature.

 

Although I love the Dkok, Steel legion, and Karskin models, I just dont think of the full chemical gas mask look when it comes to the kaerls. Also I dont think they had carapace armor other than maybe the rivenmasters. I think they would have more of a "high altitude oxygen mask" instead, kind of like the ones that come on the cadian command sprue, or elysians. Also they only needed these when outside the fangs walls since within the fang itself they have an artificial atmosphere. If my memory recalls correctly I believe they were a structured fighting force with a fairly uniform dress and weapon distribution through the troops.

I see where the whole "murder" thing could bug you, i actually didnt notice it all that much, but the way i look at it they come from a "death world" so murder and death are heavily incorporated into their survival based nature.

 

Although I love the Dkok, Steel legion, and Karskin models, I just dont think of the full chemical gas mask look when it comes to the kaerls. Also I dont think they had carapace armor other than maybe the rivenmasters. I think they would have more of a "high altitude oxygen mask" instead, kind of like the ones that come on the cadian command sprue, or elysians. Also they only needed these when outside the fangs walls since within the fang itself they have an artificial atmosphere. If my memory recalls correctly I believe they were a structured fighting force with a fairly uniform dress and weapon distribution through the troops.

 

I think only the Kaerls and their Rivens where regulars, the others were sort of a militia of all the thralls that work inside the fang, doing all the menial labor. Then again it does say that every single one of them from infant to crone knew the arts of....you gussed it, murder. B)

 

If I remember right it mentions them being armed with a kind of auto-gun not las rifles like regular guard. I could be wrong about that. But really even Fenrisian militia is probably equivalent to real world Marines. Not that I think everything that comes from Fenris is better than anything else in the 40k world. It just is. :devil:

Yes your right on all of your points! :P

 

The Kaerls (Including the chain of command) are the Aett's human defense core. The do the fighting and defending of the Fang beside the Vlka Fenryka.

 

The Thralls and servitors do the menial labor and keep everything running smoothly.

 

Everyone on Fenris are trained in the art of war, or dead before they can. It's about survival more than anything.

 

The weapon of choice used by kaerls is the skjoldtar carbine, which is a heavy bore, armor piercing autogun. The also have multitudes of heavy weapon teams and emplacements (they are tasked with defending a fortress so this is a bit of a no brainer)

 

I have the same thought process, I think of them as cadians (40k US armed forces equivalent) so a well armed, equipped, and properly maintained fighting force. But I think of them having that feral Celtic/Viking feel that native Fenrisians have. Which includes: heavy set features, beards and long hair, totems, and ritual superstitions.

 

And of course Fenris is Fenris nothing beats it. ;)

It might be cool to use some of the scout heads from the SW box on Cadian IG models. I'm kinda stuck on the Karskins for the Karels and regular cadian guard for the thralls. Toss some of the wolf tails and combat knives in there and paint them in greys and blues.

 

Man, I kinda want to do this too now. lol

I still think that clashes too much. That's carapace armor like the karskins, and i just picture them with a flak jacket or light armor rather than the heavier armor.

 

Make them veterans with the grenadier option and you are covered. With proper modeling, you will be able to easily make them look like NOT scouts while still being able to wolf them up via the SW pack scout sprue.

Something to munch over.. why would they have furs? Do they hunt? CAN they hunt the fauna of Asaheim? Unlike a single, typical BC/GH, I would think it'd take a whole pack of kaerls to take down just one fenrisian wolf.. and even then, are they given that task or is it left to BC recruits? Somehow I don't picture Aett Guard venturing out from the Fang, having everything provided to them by true astartes-manned supply lines.

 

So if they don't hunt, is there a barter system for them to acquire these pelts/totems, or are they permitted to rifle through lost&found...or do they simply not have animal items at all?

Something to munch over.. why would they have furs? Do they hunt? CAN they hunt the fauna of Asaheim? Unlike a single, typical BC/GH, I would think it'd take a whole pack of kaerls to take down just one fenrisian wolf.. and even then, are they given that task or is it left to BC recruits? Somehow I don't picture Aett Guard venturing out from the Fang, having everything provided to them by true astartes-manned supply lines.

 

So if they don't hunt, is there a barter system for them to acquire these pelts/totems, or are they permitted to rifle through lost&found...or do they simply not have animal items at all?

 

They are still Fenrisians and by all accounts from Battle of the Fang, they are not just a pampered guard force staying warm in the Aett. Not every kill trophy needs to be a massive thunderwolf, wooly mammoth, or ice troll.

I was thinking about that as well. Here' my thought:

 

As they are Fenrisian hunting, fighting, and drinking are as natural to them as breathing. Germans in history have had a similar slant. A lot of Germanic decoration will have a "nature" touch. (Deer heads, antlers, leaves, tree bark, etc...). That being said though I think the "spiritual" nature of the wolves on Fenris would prevent normal men from hunting them. If nothing else a tradition of, hunting the wolves is a privilege left to the Sky Warriors. Something akin to, "Thou shalt not hunt the King's Deer!"

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