Vash113 Posted March 25, 2014 Share Posted March 25, 2014 So my order of the Limited Edition of Arjac Rockfist: Anvil of Fenris arrived today and I just finished reading it now. So how is it? Well... in some ways good... and in some ways... very... very bad. Ben Counter is easily among my least favorite Black Library authors, his works frequently make me cringe, not necessarily because of the writing which is usually average, but because his details and knowledge of 40k lore is generally abysmal and in some ways Arjac Rockfist is no different. For starters he places an Iron Priest in charge of a Great Company, limits Great Company size to 100 including that of Logan Grimnar, he confuses the ranks for Great Wolf and Wolf Lord, and he ignores the Space Wolves standard of ensuring at least one Great Company always remains to guard the Fang. And though I usually try not to let little bits of fluff inconsistencies bother me this isn't mistaking Godwyn and Godwyn-Deaz pattern bolters, or mixing up MK VII and MK VIII power armor, these are some very basic and foundational aspects of the Space Wolves background that were completely ignored or simply never researched in the first place and that is something I find both sad and frustrating. On the other hand Ben Counter actually does something here that I greatly enjoyed and would love to see more of, the story is told from the perspective of a Thrall storyteller and in a style of a bardic retelling of a saga. Frequently Counter mentions names, wargear, past battles and past heroes in much the same way as the tales of Roland or Beowulf and in a style that really fits the character of the Space Wolves. I enjoyed soaking up the references to past Wolf Lords, past Great Wolves, and the names and deeds of individual characters. Those are the things I love to see in space marine novels. Yet the story itself came to frustrate me equally, contradicting and complicating aspects of codex fluff surrounding the Fenresian Krakens and the Tyranids and leaving some gaping holes.All told it was a relatively enjoyable story for a fan of the Space Wolves but was it worth $60? Not really, and I could hardly imagine having spent twice that on the Delux Edition. That said the binding and artwork were nice and the book is a real treat to hold and read. Twelve Wolves was a nice inclusion but nothing special and the little art card is well... it's something.With everything considered I'd rate this at roughly a 3/5, good but not great. Since it will probably be a bit before I can get around to updating the SW: CH article here's my notes taken from the novella if anyone is interested, no real story spoilers there: Great Wolf Gunnar White-of-Claw -For reasons unknown Lord Gunnar was targeted for assassination by the Venenum Temple of the Assassinorum. A Venenum Assassin infiltrated the Fang with the intention of slaying Great Wolf Gunnar White-of-Claw but was discovered and slain instead and his wargear was hung in the Trophy Hall. High Iron Priest Hengis Blackhand -The High Iron Priest of the Chapter when the youngArjac Rockfist was recruited to the chapter. No sooner had Arjac completed the trial of Blooding than Hengis summoned him to apprentice with the Iron Priests. Wolf Priest Gunnar Skyfire -Brother Gunnar served as Wolf Priest to the Great Company of Logan Grimnar during the Calunian Crusade but a warp storm prevented a portion of the Company from reaching the crusade's destination and upon their return to the Fang they found their home besieged by Tyranids who had long lain hidden in the depths of Fenris' oceans. Wolf Lord Torjek Granitebrow -A storied hero of the chapter who possessed a suit of magnificent Terminator Armor of such masterful craftsmanship that no Iron Priest of the chapter could repair it after Lord Torjek was slain during the assault on Brehan IV. Wolf Lord Lykki Clovenhelm -A great hero of the chapter whose banner hangs in the Great Hall still. Wolf Lord Gorri Sunderblade -Renowned for his defeat of the Thousand Sons Sorcerer Lord Salvardis the Silver. Not only was the sorcerer defeated but Lord Gorri beat Salvardis into submission with his bare fists and forced him to divulge some of the darkest secrets of the Thousand Sons Traitor Legion. Wolf Guard Champion Arjac Rockfist, the Anvil of Fenris -Spent time on Mars studying under the Adeptus Mechanicus during his apprenticeship to High Iron Priest Hengis Blackhand. Arjac's saga includes many great feats of endurance, during his Blooding he was lost in a blizzard that would have seen any other recruit frozen and dead but not Arjac. He survived the sting of the deadly Psychneuein wasp and had even overcome the Vileheart Pox, a disease of extreme lethality created by the debased arts of the Plague God's worshipers. Wolf Guard Haarald Forkenbeard -A mighty hero of the chapter Brother Haarald wielded a deadly Lightning Claw and a Bolt Pistol, relics that were carried on first by Grey Hunter Pack Leader Daegal Mountainclaw, and then by Grey Hunter Pack Leader Fornjot Halfenhelm. Grey Hunter Pack Leader Daegal Mountainclaw -Former Leader of Brother Fornjot's Grey Hunter Pack, his Lightning Claw and Bolt Pistol were carried on in the hands of the pack's new leader, Fornjot Halfenhelm. Grey Hunter Pack Leader Fornjot Halfenhelm -Leader of Grey Hunter Pack Fornjot assigned to garrison the Fang during the Calunian Crusade. Slain by a Tyranid Lictor that managed to infiltrate the Fang. Grey Hunter Vidfinn -Bearer of Pack Fornjot's Meltagun. Brother Vidfinn was renowned for standing firm in the face of an Abyssal Wurm during his Blooding and has since earned a reputation for fearlessness and intractability in the face of even the most terrible of foes. Grey Hunter Anvakyr -Member of Pack Fornjot, Brother Anvakyr served as the pack war-poet. Slain by a Tyranid Lictor while serving as garrison of the Fang. Grey Hunter Dvarnn -Member of Pack Fornjot. Recruited on the same day, from the same tribe, as Brother Brokkyr and many wonder if the two are actually blood brothers. Brother Dvarnn carried one half of a paired set of lightning claws. Slain by a Tyranid Lictor while defending the Gene-Seed Vault. Grey Hunter Brokkyr -Member of Pack Fornjot. Recruited on the same day, from the same tribe, as Brother Dvarnn and many wonder if the two are actually blood brothers. Brother Brokkyr carried one half of a paired set of lightning claws. Slain by a Tyranid Lictor while defending the Gene-Seed Vault. Grey Hunter Svalin -Member of Pack Fornjot. By far the oldest member of the Pack most warriors of Svalin's age would have long since been promoted to the ranks of the Long Fangs or the Wolf Guard but Svalin preferred to remain as a Grey Hunter, letting his age and experience benefit the younger warriors. Pack Leader Myrikk Brother Hef Thunderhawk Gunship Savage Steed -The personal vessel of High Iron Priest Hengist Blackhand, restored and refitted during his rise through the ranks of the Chapter's Iron Priests. Fenresian Drakes -Large lizards sometimes used to pull carts and chariots by the tribesmen of Fenris. Horses native to Fenris' mountain valleys. Abyssal Wurm Razorhawk Peak Render Frost Wolf Sporebear – Clubbing fists of bony spurs. Storm Elk – These great beasts roam the tundras of Fenris in mighty herds up to a million strong. Fathom Whales – These great sea creatures come to the polar shores to spawn in their thousands, great teeming masses of blubber and flesh. Wendigore – these predators hunt across the glaciers of Fenris, their shrieks carrying for leagues across the ice. Glacier Wurms – Haunt the foothills of the Fang. Rot Spectres – Haunt the foothills of the Fang. Rockworm Warrens - Rime Spider -A deadly predator native to Fenris the Rime Spider hides in show drifts and crevices in the ice, waiting to ambush lone animals or travelers. Hel – The Underworld. The Heart Forge -Situated on the lower slopes of the Fang the Heart Forge is an open pit of boiling lava ringed by a hundred sacred anvils. Only in the Heart Forge can the greatest of the Space Wolves weapons be forged, the mighty Frost Blades. The Forge Hills -This area of the lower slopes of the Fang includes the mighty Heart Forge but also contains numerous other forges and foundries worked by the chapter's Iron Priests and forge Thralls. Hall of the Wolf Priests -Among the largest chapels of the Fang the Hall of the Wolf Priests is where the spiritual leaders conduct prayers to the spirits of Fenris and their ancestors. At the far end of the hall stands amighty statue of the Primarch Leman Russ, his shoulders the mighty pillars that hold the ceiling aloft. When a Tyranid Lictor infiltrated the Fang it was chased by Brother Arjac to the Hall and it's claw marks and the damage caused by it's acid spit can still be seen upon the statue. So too can be seen a great crack and missing chunk of stone on the breastplate of Leman Russ where Arjac's mighty hammer throw struck the rock. The Trophy Hall The Gene-Seed Vault -This mighty hall lays beyond the Apothecarion of the Fang, accessed down a long hall lined by the armor of great heroes of the chapter who asked that their wargear stand guard over the chapter's lifeblood for all time. The vault itself is carved into the unique and incredibly hard vein of metal alloy that runs through the heart of the Fang and is sealed by a great slab of granite so vast and heavy that only a Dreadnought of the chapter can move it to gain access to vault. The only warrior not encased in the mighty form of a Dreadnought who has ever shifted the entry stone is Arjac Rockfist. Into the sealing stone are carved the names and heraldry of the chapter's greatest Wolf Priests from the time of Leman Russ through to Logan Grimnar himself. The Basalt Vaults -Deep beneath the Fang proper lay the burial vaults where Space Wolves and aspirants lost during the Blooding are interred, their remains covered in cairns of volcanic glass adorned with arms, armor and trophies to honor the fallen. The Armor of Torjek Granitebrow -Once worn by Wolf Lord Torjek Granitebrow the armor was badly damaged when Lord Torjek was slain in the assault on Brehan IV. So intricate were the workings of the armor and so masterful it's craftsmanship that none of the chapter's Iron Priests deemed the armor within their skill to repair and so this relic of the chapter lay broken for centuries, awaiting one with the skill to restore it. The task eventually fell to the young Arjac Rockfist. The Anvil of the Bear Tribe -Following his elevation to the rank of Wolf Guard Brother Arjac chose to restore a suit of Terminator Armor considered damaged beyond repair and adorned the top of the armor with a Bear Tribe Blacksmith's anvil in place of a personal banner and as a reminder of his heritage amongst the tribes of Fenris. The Axe Morkai -The second relic given to Arjac Rockfist to repair during his testing was the Axe Morkai which had been shattered in battle with the Mad Butcher of the Gorgavian Maw. The Blood of Leman Russ -One of the most sacred relics of the chapter is a vial of Leman Russ own vitae held within the vaults of the Fang. When the Great Wolf Logan Grimnar sanctified the Axe Morkai he did so in part with the Blood of Leman Russ and when the axe shattered and needed to be reforged the Blood of Leman Russ sanctified the shards once more. The Tooth of the Lion -When the Primarchs Leman Russ and Lion El'Johnson came to blows one of the Lions teeth was punched from his jaw by Russ. The tooth was recovered by the Space Wolves and preserved embedded in a mighty ruby and set into the head of a great scepter. The relic can still be seen in the great Trophy Hall of the Fang. The War Crown of Salvardis the Silver -A vile Sorcerer Lord of the Thousand Sons Traitor Legion. Salvardis was defeated by Wolf Lord Gorri Sunderblade and beaten into submission. Under Gorri's fists Salvardis eventually divulged the darkest secrets of his Legion and his ornate crown now stands on display in the Trophy Hall of the Fang. Venenum Assassin Wargear -A member of the Venenum Temple of the Assassinorum infiltrated the Fang with the intention of slaying Wolf Lord Gunnar White-of-Claw. Far from succeeding the assassin was discovered and slain and his wargear was put on display in the Trophy Hall of the Fang. The Skull of the Beast of Karchadan -A creature of fearful cunning the Beast of Karchadan possessed an enormous brain held within the great skull now displayed in the Trophy Hall of the Fang. The Voidstone Anvil -Carved from a single meteor by the ancient lords of Fenris this mighty Anvil stands amongst the hundred that make up the Heart Forge. Steel Glacier, the blade of the Axe Morkai. Starmetal. Titansteel. The Cleansing of Ouroboris -Millennia before the vast swarms of Hive Fleet Behemoth would blight the Imperium the Space Wolves brought battle to xenos invaders on the world of Ouroboris. Records made of that battle show the foe to be related to the deadly foe that would come to be known as the Tyranids. That tendrils of this xenos threat were encountered thousands of years before the Hive Fleets arrived is troubling indeed for it suggests the Tyranids arrival was no mere accident but a planned predation cunningly devised and prepared over many thousands of years. The Cleansing of the Gorgavian Maw -Shortly before the onset of the Calunian Crusade the Space Wolves fought to cleanse the greenskin infestation of the Gorgavian Maw. At the height of the fighting the Great Wolf Logan Grimnar dueled with the mighty Ork Warboss, the Mad Butcher of the Gorgavian Maw. Though the greenskin warlord was mighty indeed, the Great Wolf was mightier, the Axe Morkai shattered the greenskin's skull and left the ork horde leaderless. Alas the skull of the Mad Butcher was even thicker and tougher than the armor plates of a Rhino APC and even as it was crushed beneath the Axe Morkai's blade the weapon itself shattered. It would fall to the young Arjac Rockfist to reforge the mighty blade. The Calunian Crusade -While Arjac Rockfist toiled at the Heart Forge upon the ruin of Torjek Granitebrow's suit of relic Terminator Armor the chapter prepared to embark on the Calunian Crusade, a campaign that would see a sizable portion of the chapter including Grimnar himself take the fight to the enemies of the Emperor. Though the Space Wolves reached their destination and prosecuted the Crusade with righteous zeal two Great Companies were turned back by unexpected Warp Storms including the Great Company of the Great Wolf Logan Grimnar. The Battle of the Forge Hills - “Crone-Mother Fenris! I was born into cruel arms, your arms. Yet the galaxy is cruel, and so you taught me well. Father Fenris! I was raised a short cast away from death, your death, the death of your storms and your predators. But this galaxy is full of death, and so you taught me well. Brother Fenris! I was born into sorrow, for you watched over many good men and women lost, when I was spared. But this galaxy is full of sorrows, and through it I survived, for I was ordained to serve as a Space Marine. And so, Brother Fenris, you taught me well.” -Words spoken by Grey Hunter Brother Anvakyr momentsbefore his death. Thane Morgharn Thane Darskaan Healer Thelrid of the Ice Bear tribe who hunt through the chill caverns of the Frozen Sky glacier. Imrak the Bear Each thrall serving the Iron Priests must forge their own weapon as part of their apprenticeship. Thus every craftsman of the chapter forges bears a weapon of some kind, forged by their own hand and tested under the keen eyes of the Iron Priests. Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/288580-arjac-rockfist-review/ Share on other sites More sharing options...
DanPesci Posted March 25, 2014 Share Posted March 25, 2014 chers vash, good review. Although i really liek the fluff behind arjac in the last codex, the price for this i found jsut daft...i know its bound well and has art cards and such, but id just prefer they release a bog standard £10-15 version for us folks not bothered about that side of things...but hey...sounds average at best anyway. cheers for putting up all the background info....sounds like that one lictor did a fair bit of damage running about the fang! Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/288580-arjac-rockfist-review/#findComment-3632508 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lord Ragnarok Posted March 25, 2014 Share Posted March 25, 2014 Grrrrrr. Why can't the keep basic fluff facts accurate?
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