Giving them that holy edge

[Leif Bearclaw]

That would only matter if he has a regular power weapon, where WSIWIG dictates the stats, rather than a relic with specific stats. But Immersturm says that the model also has a sword to represent the Krakenbone Sword. Although tbh, the spear would work for the relic too.

[Frater Cornelius]

Well, the history lessons weren't exactly off-topic. If you were talking about arabian culture, I would raise an eye brow. As it is, I regarded it as inspiration.

 

It ain't a lance in game. Just an ornament. He himself carries the Krakenbone Sword, which can be seen attached to his left side. The spear is just there to make him look more like Wodan.

 

As for the Wolves, I sorta found my liking for them.

 

On another note. I got more fluff ready. It is more about the inside of the Company and how things work there.

This is connecting to my Ulrik counts-as. I will probably base him on the the god Bradi, the skald.

I will post more on it later.

[Kasper_Hawser]

Do so, I look forward to how you write your wolves. 

 

Just remembered something: Black Templars don't have librarians so their chaplains are the record keepers too, which you could do the same for your wolf priests given the rarity and shortage of rune priests in your company. So the chaplains would serve as priest AND skald as well.

[Leif Bearclaw]

Unfortunately, I believe BTs have Librarians now. As part of their BS 'codex-ifying', along with only being 1000 strong now.

Sorry to bring another tangent into this thread .

[Frater Cornelius]

Well, first I have to tend to my 'Project Purity' thread and see how my list pans out. I have discovered very valued info. Ulrik sneak peak follows. After Ulrik and some more fluff test runs I will open my log and present the real thing. Until then, inspiration welcome.

[Kasper_Hawser]

Unfortunately, I believe BTs have Librarians now. As part of their BS 'codex-ifying', along with only being 1000 strong now.

Sorry to bring another tangent into this thread .

Not sure where in fluff says BT have librarians, certainly not the sixth ed codex which specifically says BT detachments can't have librarians. In truth, while they have been given the same toys and general rules of all Space Marines, BT still keeps to their fluff as a close combat oriented crusading chapter which most likely exceeds the codex 1000 rule, this is mentioned in the 6th ed codex.

One thing that changed is their opinion of psykers: they changed from hating all mutants into actually respect astropaths, navigators as well other librarians. The lack of librarians in BT is written off as a mystery in their gene seed not producing librarians for at least a thousand years.

[Leif Bearclaw]

Unfortunately, I believe BTs have Librarians now. As part of their BS 'codex-ifying', along with only being 1000 strong now.

Sorry to bring another tangent into this thread .

Not sure where in fluff says BT have librarians, certainly not the sixth ed codex which specifically says BT detachments can't have librarians. In truth, while they have been given the same toys and general rules of all Space Marines, BT still keeps to their fluff as a close combat oriented crusading chapter which most likely exceeds the codex 1000 rule, this is mentioned in the 6th ed codex.

One thing that changed is their opinion of psykers: they changed from hating all mutants into actually respect astropaths, navigators as well other librarians. The lack of librarians in BT is written off as a mystery in their gene seed not producing librarians for at least a thousand years.

Partly true, I was wrong abut the librarians, because I foolishly only looked under 'Chapter Tactics: Black Templars', rather than the Librarian unit entry .

I agree with you about the 6th ed codex fluff, there was nothing there that suggested the whole 'bigger than a codex chapter' thing had been retconned. the this thread made me sad:

http://www.bolterandchainsword.com/topic/295411-the-eternal-crusader/

It gives an outline of just how badly they've mangled the BT fluff recently, not as bad as Iron Hands admittedly, but still pretty shocking. I'm somewhat surprised we escaped as unscathed as we did with our new dex.

[Rune Priest Jbickb]

GW was probably worried all the space wolf players would band together and sack headquarters from our long boats if they effed around too much with our fluff.

[Frater Cornelius]

I can not suppress that mental image. Great laugh :D

[spjaco]

Can hardly wait to see how your work has progressed.

 

That fluff is awesome.  Would like to see you expand it some though.

[Frater Cornelius]

Can hardly wait to see how your work has progressed.

 

That fluff is awesome. Would like to see you expand it some though.

Then you shall get it. I have 2 more sneak peaks as far as fluff is concerned. The fluff or Wolf Priests and a section of chapter philosophy and ideals. Take a pint and listen:

 

I want to give my Wolf Priests a bit of a druidic edge. It goes damn well with the germanic/anglo saxon theme. I would use the regular SW armour bits but give them animal skulls for helmets and bone-y bits, trophies or something needed for a ritual. It also allows me to use the new GW Spirit Hosts (here is a short description of how I would implement them: http://www.bolterandchainsword.com/topic/296640-what-can-i-use-these-models-for/?p=3807552).

The job of a Wolf Priest are three-fold:

1) they are the ones leading the charges along with the Wolf Lords. They sing mighty songs of battle and raise the spirits of their battle brothers to new heights (I always have to think of that song:

:D).

2) they are the apothecaries, or 'healers' of the company. They tend to the injured and have a variety of balms, elixirs and plants for that. This also goes rather well with the druid theme.

3) as healers it is also their job to administer the last rites (removing gene seed). they also lead the final service for fallen battle brothers.

 

During a time when none of those services are required (during long periods of travel) they usually go through past records of mighty battles and write up new inspiring songs and revise tales of grand adventures.

The head Priest (my counts-as Ulrik) used to be somewhat of a skald before he was recruited by another Priest. Though given the life on Fenris, fighting was inevitable. And so his talent was often used in battle, where he lead the charges with battle songs to inspire them. This trait has not been lost centuries later. His booming voice, only second to that of a great Thunderstorm, is always heard at the front lines where the first drop pods land. His brothers are so inspired by them, that they fight with increased fervor and refuse to retreat even when the fight is going bad.

He is also the keeper of <a book that needs a name>, a book that contains every song ever sung by the company, and he knows them all, as is his duty. (This book is based on the real life Carmina Burana http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carmina_Burana, a book that contains a lot of minstrel songs and poems).

 

A picture of him will have to wait though ;)

 

As for the chapter itself, you may recall that it support the view that the journey is its own reward and every Wolf has to find himself on that way before passing on. That original thought from the first Wolf Lord has developed into a rather interesting chapter infrastructure and approach.

Firstly, they say that 'believe without choice is not real'. This means that forcefully removing memories limits someone. One has to believe in a cause (or just in himself and his brothers) and one can not do it with missing memories. This is why psycho-therapies and indoctrinations are kept to a minimum. Some are necessary in order to help an aspirant to adjust himself to his transformation into an Astartes. However, memories from before that time are not removed and usually nothing is kept hidden about that past. Wolf Priests take a lot of care not to damage ones memories.

This has developed into rather unusual practices, where Wolves pursue paths they had interest or talent in before they were recruited. Especially in those times where battles can not be fought (long distance journeys).

So it is not uncommon to find a former smith in the presence of Iron Priests helping to tend to the ships, machines and equipment. Or those with liking for beasts tend to the war beasts and bio-spheres on their ships.

Due to that and the fact that long travels and their wandering nature usually excludes Imperial support for long periods of time, a Master/Apprentice cycle has been developed. Thus they do not send their Iron Priests to Mars for example, but they train them themselves. Those with affinity to the forge will be taught by an Iron Priest, so that when he passes on, his apprentice can take his place.

 

Those many artisans amongst the company also have other purposes. Not only does it help a Wolf to find his way, it helps to keep the company operating without support for extended periods of time.

Chapter serfs have their tasks, but they do not have the skills and manpower to keep everything up and running. Thus even the Wolves are responsible to tend the beasts and bio-spheres where they are kept, to repair and maintain equipment, the creation of said equipment. Others go down on certain planets to find resources they need to build or create something. Maybe even other artisan work like armour decoration or the likes.

Basically, the serfs are not the only ones working, especially during long travels and many Wolves recall their former life and 'sort of' continue what they were doing.

This has been integrated into the daily routine.

After they wake up and had their morning meal, they proceed to do combat training, either on a passing planet or on board. Both melee and ranged training is required.

After the mid day meal and when wounds have been treated after the combat drills, the Wolves tend to other duties mentioned above.

In the evening they are more specialized training sessions, like special weapons, duels, drive bys on bikes, taking down monstrous creatures with as few men as possible and other scenarios. Special tactics are also discussed.

In the evening they are given free time. Some use it to further pursue certain craftsmanship, others use it to reflect upon their journey in the Huntsman's Chapel. Some simply spend time with their battle brothers and together they boast of their achievement and battles.

During this time Wolves are also found reading their chapters history, of past battles, memorizing battle songs or discussing certain issues with a Wolf Priest.

 

There, again, this is just me improvising and the final version still requires some thought ;)

[Frater Cornelius]

Here comes my last update in this thread. Two early WIP of Arjac and Ulrik. They are very early in process but the that is the general direction:

http://i.imgur.com/3z9eZGO.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/hNge0Er.jpg

Ulrik is the one I will be working on the most on.

But, let me tell you the final piece of fluff that I am going to reveal this time around: the burial rights

The Wolf Priests are the ones administering the last rites and leading the 'farewell' of the fallen brothers. The rites always happen on the fields of battle (or somewhere nearby), where they have fallen. Sometimes, when defeated, the Company will return until they can claim the bodies of their fallen brothers and complete those rites.

No brother has ever been left behind, no rite has even been skipped.. and not a single name has been forgotten. Once every Fenrisian year they commemorate their fallen brothers for their deeds and their heroism.

There is, however, one oddity: at the end they are wishing him good fortune in his travels and 'until we meet again'.

Does that mean their journey does not end there after all?

"May my ancestors guide my hammer!"

- Iron Priest when forging an Artifact

"I always know those Space Wolves were ferocious bastards, but this.. nothing compares to what I have seen. They were fighting with inhuman strength. I mean, I have seen Space Marines before, but this.. Every slash cut the enemy twice. That flurry of blows was unreal. No one could stand against that fury."

- Surviving Imperial Guard Sergeant after a joint-forces operation

"That 'Lord' should have been killed by that blow. Not even an Astartes could have survived a hit like that from a cursed artifact of Chaos, especially on with no formal training. That rabid dog must have had a guardian angel watching over him. Or something else.. I shall investigate."

- Notes of an Inquisitor

"This planets population has been slaughtered in the most brutal fashion. Imperial forces have abandoned that planet, claiming it and its people lost to Chaos. But I can hear their wails. Wrongfully killed souls craving revenge. And they shall get it. We will drive off those treacherous dogs and grant them their peace. Prepare the packs! Ready the beasts! We assault within the hours!"

- Wolf Priest prior to a battle

And finally, let me finish off with a small image of what is to come:

http://i.imgur.com/LiNIttx.jpg

Mind you, this is a fairly new development, so the original fluff might be altered a bit to fit in a bit better. The new releases really compelled me to add another spin to it. I will not rework it too much because the basic premise appeals to me.

You may now speculate