Vash113 Posted August 5, 2015 Share Posted August 5, 2015 Index Astartes: The Red Wolves +++Founding: 991.M35, 21st Founding (Unconfirmed)+++ +++Gene-Seed: Unknown+++ +++Primogenitor: Unknown+++ +++Homeworld: Bloodfall, Segmentum Solar+++ “To the last bolt, to the last blade, to the last breath!” -Common chapter battle-cry. http://i107.photobucket.com/albums/m307/Vash113/40k%20Images/latest_zpslvlq4xp5.png History: The history of the Red Wolves is largely unknown outside the chapter, a mystery to friend and foe alike, and this is just as the Red Wolves like it. It is believed by some chroniclers of the Ordo Astartes of the Inquisition that the Red Wolves were founded during the 21st Founding in 991.M35, also known as the Cursed Founding. The powers behind the founding are as dangerous as they are mysterious and those who look too closely into the 21st Founding typically end up dead or disappeared. What was done during the founding remains a mystery best left forgotten, but those who do dare to study the 21st Founding postulate that heretical gene-science was utilized to hybridize or attempt to purify gene-seed from the less stable Primarch sources. The Black Dragons, speculatively descended from the gene-seed of Vulkan, commonly possess aberrant bone growths. The Lamenters, a Blood Angel successor, were initially believed to have been cured of the Black Rage and Red Thirst, the twin curses of Sanguinius' sons. That belief has been shattered, even so the Lamenters still possess greater control of their twin curses than any of the other Sons of Sanguinius. Other chapters like the Sons of Antaeus and Minotaurs are of even less certain origin but tactical and doctrinal analysis would suggest these chapters possibly descend from Roboute Guilliman and Rogal Dorn respectively, though no proof of such lineage can be found. Still other chapters of the founding, the Flame Falcons, Fire Hawks and Blood Gorgons, have all been lost to tragedy or heresy. Given the tainted nature of such a brotherhood of chapters it is little surprise that the Red Wolves would wish to keep the details of their founding and gene-seed source a closely guarded secret. Yet speculation remains, particularly in the shadowed halls of Inquisition fortresses. The red armor and some of the chapter's battle rituals suggest Sanguinius as the source of the chapter's gene-seed, while other combat tactics and doctrines point to Imperial Fists, Iron Hands, or perhaps even Salamanders as the primogenitor gene-source, however some have staked their reputations on the claim that the chapter is in fact descended from Leman Russ and his Space Wolves. The few who have made such claims have universally become the laughing stock of their peers, shamed and ridiculed for making such a wild and unsupported assertation, yet theory has slowly gained support among some circles, particularly given the greater details being uncovered on the chapter's iconography, battle-doctrines and culture. The possibility of a Space Wolves successor, even one hailing from the cursed founding, is enough to chill the blood of even the most venerable Inquisitor. The disastrous fallout of the 1st War for Armageddon, and the failed invasion of Cardinal Bucharis against the Space Wolves have shown beyond shadow of doubt the tenacity and independance of the Sons of Russ as well as their willingness to challenge the power and authority of the Imperium's highest agents. Should the numbers of Russ' stock ever rise none know what impact it could have on the balance of power in the Imperium. The Adeptus Administratum, the Ecclessiarchy, and the Inquisition all have enough cause to fear the merest hint of such a possibility becoming reality that should even the slightest proof be gathered the fate of the Red Wolves would surely be sealed. Unsurprisingly the Red Wolves deny any assossiation with the Space Wolves or any descent from the gene-stock of Leman Russ, citing the failure and dispanding of the Wolf Brothers as obvious proof that no such succession could be possible. Furthermore the chapter has always supplied their gene-seed tithe to the Adeptus Mechanicus in full and on time, never missing a single submission nor has the chapter ever provided less than required. The tithed gene-seed has always proven to be of utmost purity but of obscure origins, attempts to identify Primogenitor gene-markers has routinely failed. Occasionally a few genetic markers tied to the line of Sanguinius have been identified but only in one or two samples in a tithe, not enough to provide definitive proof. While most in the Ordo Astartes and the Adeptus Mechanicus hold these results as indicative of the veracity of the Red Wolves claims there continue to be a small number of dissenting voices who find the small number of confirmed results suspicious and possibly indicative of gene-seed stolen and supplied as a diversion. These detractors are largely considered paranoid, yet the suspicions remain and the gene-marker tests are inevitably tried again, and again, and again, the answers never quite enough to satisfy the doubters. Aside from the machinations of the Imperium's elite few in the Imperium have either seen or heard of the Red Wolves, in fact their history and battle-honors prove incredibly difficult to find, even for the most learned of Imperial scholars. Only two battle-honors appear in common Imperial chronicles, the Shadeblight Denial, and the Fourth Quadrant Rebellion. Both battles were fought between 750 and 780.M41. What battles the chapter fought before, or since, are unknown outside the halls of Bloodfall, the chapter homeworld, at least, until now. With the onset of the 3rd War for Armageddon and the 13th Black Crusade, and countless other battlefields spreading like wildfire across the Imperium in the last years of the forty first millennium every chapter of Space Marines is swiftly becoming fully deployed trying to put out the fires and hold the Imperium together. The Red Wolves are no different and have been seen appearing across dozens of battlefields in detachments ranging from a few squads to entire companies, even chapter level deployments have been witnessed, bringing battle against nearly every foe who dares threaten the realms of man in these trying times. Despite the countless demands of late a few within the Imperium have taken the opportunity to learn more about the Red Wolves in the last few months than in all the previous centuries combined. Organization: Though the Red Wolves appear to be nearly as feral and savage as the Space Wolves and White Scars are believed to be, in reality the chapter adheres fairly closely to the dictates of the Codex Astartes. Perhaps this has as much to do with the constant scrutiny the chapter faces from other Imperial agencies. Even so the chapter maintaines the standard arrangement of ten companies, the first being the veteran company, the second through fifth organized as battle companies, the sixth and seven as tactical reserve, the eighth as the assault reserve, the ninth as the devastator reserve, and the tenth as the scout company. Each company stands at a hundred battle-brothers when at full-strength organized into the standard array of Tactical, Assault and Devastator squads in the standard numbers. Squad markings and identifications remain entirely within the outlined standards of the codex. However the Red Wolves do diverge from the standard in a few notable ways, though even these variations stand within the allowances of the codex. First and foremost amongst the Red Wolves divergences from the standard tenets of the Codex Astartes is that every tactical marine in the chapter is more heavily outfitted than most Codex Chapter line-brothers. Each battle-brother is issued a bolter, bolt pistol, chainsword or chainaxe, a combat blade, and a siege mantlet or boarding shield. Each marine is expected to maintain these weapons and have them ever at the ready. Many Red Wolves choose to leave behind their chain weapons in favor of their combat blade as their sole melee weapon, however it is not unusual for battle-brothers to take to the field bearing their entire panoply of war. This alternate equipment loadout is a key to the central combat doctrine of the Red Wolves, the shield-wall. Most of the Red Wolves remaining significant organizational divergences are also tied to the shield-wall. The first company of the Red Wolves fields entirely as Terminators, the vast majority of these outfitted as Assault Terminators armed almost exclusively with Thunder Hammers and Storm Shields. Because of this the exact numbers of the first company are tied to the number of available suits of functional Tactical Dreadnought Armor in the chapter armory. At times this number has fallen as low as thirty, and at others has stood as high as a hundred and twenty. The Red Wolves are meticulous in the maintanence and repair of the chapter Terminator suits and will sacrifice much to secure fallen suits or to acquire new ones, be they taken from ancient and forgotten caches, stripped from fallen enemies, or bargained for with fellow Imperial agencies. The Red Wolves first company is also unusual in that it maintains two secondary formations within the larger company, the Ancient Brotherhood and the Centurion Brotherhood. The former is a collection of all active Dreadnoughts within the chapter, individual warriors being seconded to individual companies as needed. Normally a chapter's Dreadnoughts fall under the auspices of the chapter armory however the Red Wolves prefer to keep the Ancients gathered amongst the veterans of the 1st Company, actively sharing their wisdom and experience and serving as a direct inspiration to the battle-brothers of the chapter rather than as a distant tactical reserve. The Centurion Brotherhood currently stands at around sixty battle-brothers strong and encumpases the chapter's entire collection of Centurion Warsuits. A relatively new addition to the armories of the Adeptus Astartes the Centurion Warsuit was implemented as a more easily manufactured and maintained tactical replacement for Terminator Armor. Despite this most chapters assign Centurion Warsuits to existing Tactical and Assault units serving Battle or Reserve companies, not to the chapter veterans of the first company. The Red Wolves however have created a new formation within the larger first company to accomodate this new weapon, elevating battle-brothers from the line and reserve companies to pilot the newly acquired suits alongside the chapter veterans. This does not mean that battle and reserve companies do not have access to Centurions, rather these warriors are assigned on an as needed basis to the companies rather than serving as optional equipment to be used or stored as the tactical situation requires. This means that battle-brothers piloting the Red Wolves Centurion Warsuits are more experienced in their use than pilots of most other chapters, even if this comes at the expense of greater flexibility. While not notably divergent the Red Wolves armory does maintain a few peculiarities compared to most Codex Chapters. While the Red Wolves armory contains all the standard warmachines known to the Adeptus Astartes the chapter relies much more heavily on Land Raiders of all types than the more ubiquitous Rhino chasis. Predators, Vindicators and Whirlwinds are all deployed fairly regularly but the majority of chapter mechanized assaults are undertaken from the armored holds of Land Raiders, the greater transport space critical to the transportation of squads outfitted with siege mantlets. Of particular note is the large number of ancient vehicle types in the chapter armory. Older marks of rhino and Land Raider chasis are present as well as even rarer vehicles such as the Spartan Assault Tank, the Sicaran Battle Tank and the Mastodon Heavy Assault Tank. In particular the Spartans and Mastodon tanks in the chapter armory are highly prized warmachines well suited to the Red Wolves combat doctrines. Though once fielded in large numbers by the Space Marine Legions of old few chapters possess even a handful of these ancient machines. To possess such a large number is quite the feat for a chapter of the Red Wolves age. A few witness acounts even claim to have seen super heavy transports in the colors of the Red Wolves taking to the field, machines such as the Stormlord, Banehammer and Doomhammer. The veracity of these claims has yet to be proven but should they be accurate they would suggest the Red Wolves armory is willing to bend the rules of the codex to provide the chapter with as many heavy assault capable battle tanks as possible. Unlike the Blood Angels, Space Wolves and many other venerable chapters the Red Wolves maintain a fairly standard array of chapter specialists. Apothecaries, Chaplains, Librarians and Techmarines all serve in codex outlined roles and in fairly standard roles, equipment, doctrines and numbers. A few cultural influences have made their way into the Red Wolves doctrines. The chapter Chaplains are informally known as the dark-watchers, grim wardens who stand distant from their battle-brothers, watching the feats of heroics or foolishness on the battlefield from a lofty vantage. This enigmatic aura surrounding the chapter chaplains originates with the recruitment process of the Red Wolves where the chapter's Chaplains will stalk the battlefields of the warring tribes of Bloodfall, ever vigilant for promising youths. If a promising young warrior is spotted the chaplain will descend, sometimes at the height of the fighting, to walk amongst the combatants and quietly mark out an individual or small group of individuals. The chosen men will then follow the chaplain into the hills, never to be seen or heard from again. Even once an aspirant has risen to the rank of full shield-brother the chaplains remain a distant and shadowed brotherhood, ever standing apart from their brethren, grim and brooding of aspect. Far from the fiery orators and inspiring figures of other chapters the chaplains of the Red Wolves are grim slayers who lead through example. It is relatively rare for a Red Wolves chaplain to join the front-lines of battle, instead the chaplains stand as distant observers, providing tactical advice to field commanders, words of wisdom, caution and counsel. If need be a chaplain will rally the rear-guard and lead a counter-charge should the shield-wall begin to fail, the enemy force a breach, or a new threat arise. The chapter Apothecaries and Techmarines are known as flesh weavers and iron smiths respectively, titles derived from the language and culture of Bloodfall but used only as honorary signifiers. The strangest and strongest doctrinal influences from the culture of Bloodfall to have found their way into the chapter specialists is seen amongst the chapter Librarians. A very closed and isolated brotherhood within the ranks of the chapter the Librarians of the Red Wolves are cloaked in ritual, dogma, shadows and secrets. While ostensibly organized and trained to the exact standards outlined in the codex astartes the Red Wolves Librarius maintains a number of specializations, methods, ranks and honors unique to the chapter and derived from the shamanistic culture of Bloodfall. The psychic disciplines of the Red Wolves are identified by shamanistic totem powers, earth, wind, water and fire being the most common and well known disciplines. Yet others, stranger disciplines can be found within the chapter, disciplines of death, vision, fortune, stars, sun, iron and many others. The exact nature of each discipline, the psychic abilities that constitute the disciplines, the precise number of disciplines, and even which disciplines are known to each Librarian are all closely guarded secrets of the Red Wolves Librarius. Collectively the Red Wolves Librarians are known as the Circle, traditional ranks of Lexicanium, Codicier, Epistolary and Chief Librarian are all used however decisions affecting the Librarius and the chapter at large are decided by consensus among the entire Circle. Though strange the practices of the Red Wolves Librarius still fall well within acceptable variance and doctrines for a chapter Librarius as outlined by the codex. The Red Wolves maintain a few specific ranks and honorifics unique to the chapter, however to outsiders the chapter uses the more common titles almost exclusively. Within the chapter the Chapter Master is known as Jarl, or king, and the chapter officers and Captains bear the title of Thane. Every captain from the first through tenth company holds the title of Thane, as do the Master of the Forge, the Chief Apothecary, the Chief Librarian and the Master of Sanctity. Senior officers of the chapter fleet and armory also bear their own unique titles and fall under the loosely defined rank of commander. These specialized officers are generally held to be senior to the chapter's sergeants and veteran sergeants but beneath the ranks of captains, though few Captains would casually disregard the advise or orders of the Master Gunner and Fleet Master as both warriors are undisputed masters of their craft with wisdom and experience far exceeding that of even the most senior captain in their specific theaters of war. Chapter Strength as of 015.M42: Chapter Command Chapter Master Wulfgar the All-Slayer -Chapter Champion Grimvar Head-Taker -Chapter Ancient Beirand Oath-Sworn -17 Honor Guard Librarius Reclusium Chief Librarian Jurgen Spirit-Walker -8 Epistolaries -11 Codiciers -5 Lexicanium -23 Acolytum Master of Sanctity Olaf the Black -Chaplain Alvor the Grim -10 Chaplains -74 Chapel-Bondsmen -142 Cenobyte-Servitors First Company (Veteran) Captain Skjor Whitemane Chaplain Vignar Skull-Crusher Epistolary Hadvar Blackfang -106 Terminator Armored Veterans -4 Spartan Assault Tanks -1 Mastodon Heavy Assault Tank -11 Land Raiders -6 Land Raider Crusaders -4 Land Raider Redeemers Ancient Brotherhood Centurion Brotherhood -8 Venerable Dreadnoughts -5 Ironclad Dreadnoughts -13 Dreadnoughts -3 Contemptor Dreadnoughts -1 Deredeo Dreadnought -27 Assault Centurions -33 Devastator Centurions Second Company (Battle) Third Company (Battle) Captain Baldr the Fell-Cutter Chaplain Kraldar Command Squad -6 Tactical Squads -2 Assault Squads -2 Devastator Squads Captain Sigurd Twin-Blade Chaplain Eorlund Command Squad -6 Tactical Squads -2 Assault Squads -2 Devastator Squads Fourth Company (Battle) Fifth Company (Battle) Captain Thorek Ironblood Chaplain Lokir Command Squad -6 Tactical Squads -2 Assault Squads -2 Devastator Squads Captain Kyr Silverfist Chaplain Rorik Command Squad -6 Tactical Squads -2 Assault Squads -2 Devastator Squads Sixth Company (Tactical Reserve) Seventh Company (Tactical Reserve) Captain Gregor Red-Axe Chaplain Yngvar Command Squad -9 Tactical Squads Captain Bulfrek Longbeard Chaplain Irnskar Command Squad -10 Tactical Squads Eighth Company (Assault Reserve) Ninth Company (Devastator Reserve) Captain Falk Skyclaw Chaplain Harald Command Squad -9 Assault Squads Captain Igmund the Bear Chaplain Skulnar Command Squad -8 Devastator Squads Tenth Company (Scout) Captain Svaknir One-Eye Chaplain Vorstag Command Squad -16 Scout Squads -19 Land Speeder Storms Armory Apothecarion Master of the Forge Einarth Thrice-Born -24 Techmarines -9 Thunderfire Cannons -13 Armory-Initiates -57 Armory-Bondsmen -283 Servitors Chief Apothecary Ralof Skinweaver -7 Apothecaries -39 Medicae-Bondsmen -93 Medicae Servitors Motor Pool Fleet Master Gunner Argis Giant-Slayer -63 Rhino APCs -36 Razorback APCs -11 Predator Battle Tanks -5 Deimos Predator Battle Tanks -5 Whirlwind Artillery Tanks -1 Deimos Whirlwind Scorpius Artillery Tank -15 Vindicator Siege Tanks -6 Hunter Anti-Aircraft Tanks -6 Stalker Anti-Aircraft Tanks -3 Sicaran Battle Tanks -18 Land Speeders -5 Land Raiders -2 Land Raider Crusaders -3 Land Raider Redeemers -1 Land Raider Achilles -2 Land Raider Helios -1 Land Raider Prometheus -14 Spartan Assault Tanks -8 Mastodon Heavy Assault Tanks -1 Fellblade Super-Heavy Tank Fleet Master Hakon the Sky-Reaver -Apocalypse Class Battleship -2 Battle-Barges -5 Strike Cruisers -1 Stormbird Gunship -14 Thunderhawk Gunships -3 Thunderhawk Transporters -2 Storm Eagle Gunships -1 Fire Raptor Gunship -9 Stormraven Gunships -12 Stormtalon Gunships -8 Xiphon Interceptors -52 Caestus Assault Rams -28 Frigates -42 Destroyers -19 System Monitors -3 Star Forts Chapter Colors and Iconography: The Red Wolves chapter color is a bright blood red with black shoulder pad insets and gold chest aquila. The chapter symbol is a red wolf's head on the black field and squad iconography is depicted on the right shoulder in white codex adherent markings. Shoulder pad trims do not show company designation rather company is marked by a high-gothic numeral on the left knee-pad. No records exist depicting specific veteran or honor guard markings. Little information exists regarding squad numbers or symbols, what exists suggest squad number is commonly depicted by high-gothic numerals set within the squad symbols on the right shoulder. http://i107.photobucket.com/albums/m307/Vash113/40k%20Images/latest_zps1dgw7pwv.jpg Combat Doctrine: Virtually every combat doctrine of the Red Wolves revolves around the Shield-Wall, a tactic central to the fighting styles of the native tribes of Bloodfall. Composed of overlapping shields formed into both simple and complex formations the shield-wall is capable of providing a mobile fortress from which the Red Wolves can fight, either on the defense or the offense. Vast ammounts of firepower and overwhelming assaults can break against the shield-wall without breaking it. Curiously the shield-wall is one of the oldest and most effective battle-tactics in the history of mankind and has even been a core doctrine of the Space Marine Chapters from the time of the Legions of old. Alexis Polux, the first Chapter Master of the Crimson Fists, was renowned for his use of shield-wall tactics in boarding assaults and famously used those self-same tactics to great effect during the Battle of Phall. Despite this history few chapters maintain regular use of siege mantlets or boarding shields, only a select few chapters such as the Iron Snakes regularly use shield tactics as part of their standard combat doctrines. The Badab War was one of the few events in recent Imperial history where boarding shields were used in any significant numbers in assault formations known as Siege Assault Vanguard. Even then these tactics were used almost exclusively by a handful of the chapters involved in the conflict such as the Minotaurs. For the Red Wolves however the shield-wall is the core battle doctrine of the chapter, every battle-strategy and combat-drill is built upon this central tactic. The Red Wolves favor for the Shield Wall has manifested in a general preference for endurance over speed or flexibility. Tactical Dreadnought Armor, Land Raiders, Centurion Warsuits, Dreadnoughts and ablative armor plating are all favored over faster and more versatile vehicles and equipment. Land Speeders and Bikes are relatively rare sights in Red Wolves deployments and while the chapter maintains the prescribed number of Assault Marines these units often fulfill a reserve or tactical counter-strike role rather than forward assault. It is also common for Assault Squads to be deployed as vehicle crews and shock troops mounted in heavy transport vehicles rather than as air-mobile troops. Beliefs: Like many chapters of the Adeptus Astartes the Red Wolves do not follow the Imperial Creed and do not worship the Emperor as a god. Instead the chapter cult holds the Emperor as the greatest hero, champion and leader of mankind. The nine loyal Primarchs are held as the Emperor's greatest generals and the traitor Primarchs are held as the greatest villains in human history. A statue of the Emperor depicted as a warrior king armored in gold and bearing a flaming sword and taloned fist standing thirty feet tall can be found in the great Reclusium of the chapter fortress monastery. Around the Emperor are statues of the nine loyal Primarchs, each one shown at the height of their power, armed and armored for war. Outside of the great Reclusium images of the Primarchs and the Emperor are relatively rare, instead the chapter favors the construction of cairns and barrows throughout the fortress monastery and across the surface of Bloodfall, the greatest being the field of bones. A great battlefield surrounding the chapter fortress monastery where the bodies of the chapter's slain are entombed in cairns and barrows and surrounded with the detritus of war. Chapter legend holds that the field of bones was the site of the chapter's final battle to reclaim Bloodfall for the Imperium though the date of this battle or even the nature of the foe are both unrecorded. Weapons, armor, wreckage from warmachines, skulls, bones and treasure are all heaped around these buirial mounds wherever they may be found. Though initially these offerings are left by the warriors closest to the fallen or were taken in the battle in which the warrior fell it is not uncommon for future warriors to leave offerings at various buirials. Sometimes this is done to show respect for a legendary hero of the chapter or the warrior whose gene-seed the young warrior bears while at other times offerings are left at buirials whose occupant has been forgotten or neglected simply as a show of respect for the warriors of the past. As a result each barrow and cairn collects a heap of battlefield detritus around it over time, the oldest offerings rusting and decaying even as new items are added. The sight of the field of bones is said to make aspirants to the chapter fall to their knees in awe, the field serving as a visual record of the thousands of Red Wolves who have fallen in service to the Emperor and the countless foes they have slain. The sheer scale of the monuments is difficult for young tribesmen to comprehend and serves to humble their arrogant and reckless youth with a stark reminder of mortality. The chapter reverence for the heroic dead is matched by shamanistic worship of totem spirits and forces. In addition to the totems of the Librarius the battle-brothers of the chapter revere many totem animals, from bears, eagles and wolves to sharks, spiders, snakes and even dragons and sea serpents. Many of these traditions stem from the beliefs of the tribes native to Bloodfall who gather yearly at Yggdrasil, the world-tree. A spirit shrine located on an isolated island near the southern pole of Bloodfall. The Adeptus Ecclesiarchy has long sought these traditions stamped out but has been repeatedly rebuffed by the Red Wolves who cite the independance of chapter cults in defense of their traditions. Battle-Cry: A Red Wolves advance is accompanied by the raucus din of weapons banging against shields, a battle-challenge as old as human civilization. Countless foes have trembled in fear at the sight and sound of scores of post-human warriors advancing into the teeth of their guns while drumming out a constant challenge of clashing arms and armor. When the Red Wolves draw close enough to charge into close assault the clashing of weapons fades into roared battle-cries; “for the Emperor,” being amongst the most common. The official chapter motto and battle-cry however is the following: “To the last bolt, to the last blade, to the last breath!” -Common chapter battle-cry. This battle-cry affirms the chapter's determination to fight on to the bitter end, regardless of the odds against them or the chances of success, victory and survival. This does not mean the Red Wolves are reckless or necessarily too stubborn to retreat or withdraw when sound tactics demand they do so, rather this battle-cry speaks to the Red Wolves willingness to sacrifice when necessary, even when all others would flee, a common tenet of many chapters of the Adeptus Astartes. Gene-Seed: Countless historians, biologis adepts and Inquisitors have speculated on the origins and nature of the Red Wolves gene-seed. What is known is that a handful of genetic markers tied to the Blood Angels lineage have been discovered but not enough to definitively prove the Red Wolves are a Blood Angels successor. To further complicate the matter the Red Wolves gene-seed appears to be extremely pure with all implants functioning within acceptable parameters and deviations and the chapter has yet to show any sign of either the Black Rage or the Red Thirst, the twin curses aflicting the Blood Angels. These traits alone are not enough to prove the Red Wolves are not Blood Angels successors given the recently uncovered nature of the Carmine Blades and Lamenters yet there is more evidence to suggest the chapter descends from an alternate gene-source than there is to suggest the Red Wolves are Sons of Sanguinius. Whether the Red Wolves know their true origins or not is unknown and the chapter is certainly little inclined to reveal the information even if they do. +++Adendum Redacted+++ +++Restoration Code: Absolution of Eternity: Ordo Astartes+++ +++Content Loading...+++ +++... ... ... ... +++ +++Content Loaded+++ +++ AUTOMATED TRANSMISSION BEGINNING... To: Inquisitor Lord [fragment destroyed] From: Inquisitor Crescere Date: 991.M35 Subject: Project Homo Sapiens Novus is Lost Thought for the Day: The only failure in defeat is failing to plan for it. My Lord, if you are receiving this message it means that I have, for one reason or another, been unable to transmit my daily delay code to an automated relay vessel I have hidden in the outer reaches of the system. This measure was undertaken as a final layer of security should something happen to me or project Homo Sapiens Novus. I can only hope that whatever happened to cause this transmission to be sent our work on Incunabla endures and serves the Imperium well for centuries to come, Ave Deus Imperator! +++Content Loaded+++ To: High Lord [fragment destroyed] From: Inquisitor Lord [fragment destroyed] Date: 993.M35 Subject: Project Homo Sapiens Novus Thought for the Day: Faith in the Emperor and his work is it's own reward. Search teams investigating the battle sites on Incunabla have reported back with their findings. Recovered logs suggest that at some point one of the chief biologis adepts began to doubt our great work and sought to undermine it. Creating six accelerated subjects in his own hidden lab the adept unknowingly brought about his doom and the doom of the entire project. The third of his subjects appears to have manifested psychic powers and was able through as-yet undetermined means to contact the arch-traitor Fabius Bile who preceded to raid the gene-labs and take what he wished, including the mysterious subject three, loss of research materials and personnel is determined as total. The loss of Incunabula leaves the project at a turning point. As you know a number of chapters created by the project have already been lost or manifested significant mutations and/or genetic degeneration. While these results have fallen well within predicted deviation and loss the failures have nevertheless already drawn too much unwanted attention to our great work. It is thus my recommendation that Project Homo Sapiens Novus be terminated and all records destroyed. Our back-up logs and research materials have already been transferred to the [fragment destroyed] site so that our work may continue at a future date. As for the chapters already created the Flame Falcons were a setback but the Sons of Antaeus and Minotaurs show great promise and bear futher watching and direction and should serve us well in the centuries to come. However it is my belief that the greatest potential lies with the Red Wolves, the last of the chapters deployed from lab [fragment destroyed]. The manipulation of gene-source VI proved exceptionally difficult with most early attempts requiring total sanitation. Most of the adepts and overseers of the project believed progress could better be made by focusing on gene-source VII, gene-source IX and gene-source XVIII but time I believe has vindicated my decision to keep lab [fragment destroyed] focused exclusively on source VI. The resulting chapter appears to maintain a great deal of the ferocity and tenacity of the original gene-source with none of the impurities or genetic deviations and much broader genetic compatibility. I must admit that such success would not have been possible without Data-Source-Th...[fragment destroyed]... ade, I cannot imagine how you acquired that data, or from where but it proved invaluable. The resulting gene-batches proved extremely effective, particularly in regards of our goal to create minds particularly resistant to the influence of chaos. Though project Homo Sapiens Novus has ultimately failed in recreating the [fragment destroyed] I am confident that the Red Wolves gene-source will prove a powerful weapon against the great enemy. Ave Deus Imperator. +++End of Restored Content+++ Homeworld: The homeworld of the Red Wolves is a cold and inhospitable place. A relatively small world featuring three mountainous landmasses dotted with twisted ruins situated within a world spanning ocean of toxic sludge, shifting in color from bright orange to the red of dried blood. The homeworld of the Red Wolves bears significant evidence of past turmoil. Rusted metal and tumbled stone hint at past civilizations brought low by catastrophic war while mountains and hills bear scars of orbital bombardments carved into the red and ochre granite. The ocean of Bloodfall is a toxic, acidic soup within which virtually nothing can survive. The natives of Bloodfall, whatever their previous heights of civilization, exist in a feudal state of warring tribal groups who contest each other for the limited arable land. Given the rocky soil and mostly mountainous terrain of Bloodfall's landmasses the tribes must build great expanses of terrased hillsides to create as much farmland as possible. Crops must be carefully managed and regularly rotated to prevent the soil from being drained beyond use. A few tribes subsist by sailing on great rusted longships between the continents and the few other islands, trading goods between tribes and consuming what few edible fish can be dragged from the deadly waters. Because of the scarcity of resources the tribes of Bloodfall live in a constant state of conflict, each tribe warring with its neighbors for every scrap of land. Only once a year do the tribes cease fighting and journey to the southernmost island to pay tribute to Yggdrasil, the world tree. Tribal legends tell that the tree is actually a sapling cut from its forebear on ancient Terra before the first colonists set foot on Bloodfall in the days before the Dark Age of Technology. Though but a shadow of its ancestor the world-tree is nevertheless impressive. Towering several hundred feet over the lesser trees of the forest surrounding it the tree seems to exude magnificence. A thousand feet around its base is a clearing where nothing taller than grass will grow and from which emerge hundreds of rune stones of varying shapes, sizes and styles whose builders and purpose have long been lost to time. The only landmass on which the native tribes are forbidden to tread is the northernmost and smallest of the three continents. Known as the northshard to the tribes of Bloodfall and Niflheim to the Red Wolves the norhern polar continent is home to the chapter fortress monastery and other ancillary holdings and facilities. The north-east of the continent is home to the largest mountain on the planet, named Himinbjorg, and site of a number of mysterious structures tied to the chapter Reclusium and Librarium. The southern region of the continent is home to the field of bones at the center of which is the great fortress monastery of the chapter known as Skatalundr. As the continent of northshard lies at the northern pole of Bloodfall it is one of the coldest regions on the planet and often blanketed in snow, freezing rain and chilling mists. Nine dry riverbeds criss-cross the field of bones, serving as the primary transit-roads to and from the fortress monastery across the surface of northshard. Recruitment: Ever since the Red Wolves took Bloodfall as their sovereign territory the chapter has recruited esclusively from the tribes native to the planet. Most of the surviving tribes are hardy survivors who have managed to retain a shred of their humanity despite the horrors of their existence. A handful of tribes have gone even more feral over the long centuries, degenerating into abhuman mutants and cannibals. Known as draugr, or the cursed walking dead, to the more civilized tribes the mutants are objects of hatred and scorn. Every few years the Red Wolves will issue a call to battle, urging the tribes to begin a fresh hunt for the cursed ones. The ever-watchful Chaplains of the Red Wolves watch from a distance, judging the worthy and choosing them to become aspirants to the chapter. At all other times the chapter maintains intensive scrutiny of the native populace through orbital augurs and swarms of servo-skull cameras who glide through the clouds, their ghoulish lenses trained on the ruins and toxic plains below. Internecine warfare between and within the tribes is common and the chapter is ever vigilant for signs of notable courage, skill-at-arms or ingenuity among the youngest members of the tribal warbands. Once a warrior is selected they are taken by Thunderhawk to the southern coast of Niflheim where they are let off in sight of the field of bones. Once disembarked the aspirants are told to make their way to the distant Fortress Monastery before the Thunderhawk lifts off again, leaving the youths alone, cold, tired, and often injured, on the holy soil of the Emperor's sky warriors. Some young aspirants are so shocked by the turn of events that they die of exposure where they stand, while still others soon become lost in the frozen expanses of the field of bones. Those who survive to reach the Fortress Monastery inevitably are those who formed a group and worked together to navigate the vast graveyard. This first act of cooperation and brotherhood serves to forge the first link of the chains of brotherhood that bind the chapter's warriors together. Once the aspirants reach Skatalundr they are organized into neophyte-squads. From that moment onwards the success or failure of each aspirant is tied intimately to the greater success or failure of the squad. Individual feats are less important than the success of the entire squad. While occasionally a squad will fail but one or more members will prove worthy of ascension to the ranks of the chapter such exceptional individuals are rare. More often a neophyte-squad will either be inducted together, or not at all. The shield-wall requires the combined efforts of every member to function, not as individual warriors but as a greater whole and the training of the neophyte-squads forms the foundation upon which the chapter combat doctrine is built. That is not to say that individual prowess is ignored, far from it. One of the challenges neophytes must face is the Wall of Blades. The foundations of Skatalundr are built into an enormous granite plateau standing at the heart of the field of bones. The southern face of this plateau is the sheerest and most difficult to climb and it is into this cliff-face that the Wall of Blades was created. Each aspirant is challenged to scale as far up the cliff-face as they can. When they have climbed as far as they dare the aspirant will drive their tribal war-knife into the cliff, a final symbolic departure from the aspirant's tribal past and acceptance into the new brotherhood of the chapter. The higher the aspirant is able to reach and plant their blade, the more impressive the feat. In the entire history of the chapter only twelve aspirants have managed to reach the summit of the plateau and the foundations of the Fortress Monastery. Each of these aspirants has gone on to become full members of the chapter and in time all rose to positions of great power and renown including eight who would become Chapter Masters and one who would become Chief Librarian. The only living aspirant to have reached the top of the wall is the Red Wolves current Chapter Master, Wulfgar the All-Slayer. Once neophyte-squads have proven themselves and been accepted into the chapter they begin the long and arduous process of implantation that will eventually turn them into post-human warriors of the Adeptus Astartes. During this process the aspirants will serve the chapter's 10th Company as Scouts, undergoing further training and indoctrination into the chapter battle-tactics, doctrines and cult under the tutelage of veteran squad leaders. The Red Wolves Scout Squads are often used as forward reconnaissance, interception and asset recovery forces deployed as five man squads transported by Storm pattern Land Speeders. These small, highly-mobile units serve to provide forward intelligence and flank protection for the slower-moving heavy armor and siege-mantlet armed forces of the chapter's line and reserve companies. Chapter Fleet: The Red Wolves field a large fleet of vessels for a chapter of the Adeptus Astartes, however the majority of these vessels fall into the light-cruiser, frigate and destroyer classes with only a handful of capitol ships in service with the chapter fleet. With the exception of the Naglfar the Red Wolves fleet is designed and utilized primarily for blockade-running and boarding-assault runs, with engines and shields heavily modified to better propel and protect the chapter ships during such daring and risky missions. Allies who have fought alongside the Red Wolves fleet describe the chapter's vessels as surprisingly agile and tough for their size, capable of outlasting enemies of superior firepower and displacement. When a straight-up shoot-out is required the Red Wolves deploy their largest ships, a pair of battle-barges and the chapter flagship the Apocalypse-class Battleship Naglfar. The Naglfar -The flagship of the Red Wolves fleet the Naglfar is an ancient Apocalypse-Class Battleship recovered in 392.M39 from an undisclosed ship graveyard by Red Wolves salvage teams. Like many ancient vessels the Naglfar is far superior to nearly anything currently produced in the Imperium. Everything from the machine-spirit core of the mighty battleship to the raging plasma generators powering the ship are of ancient patterns and designs whose methods of construction have long become lost to the Magi of the Adeptus Mechanicus. Since it's recovery the Naglfar has become the dreaded flagship of the Red Wolves chapter fleet, a monstrously powerful warship that dwarfs and outguns even many classes of battle-barge. Chapter Armory: Many observers have questioned the Red Wolves unusual possession of numerous ancient and super-heavy class vehicles. In particular the Spartan and Mastodon heavy assault tanks possessed by the Red Wolves are an aberration. Precious few chapters founded after the early years of the Imperium can claim even a handful of such venerable vehicles, yet the Red Wolves, a chapter only a few thousand years old, can field dozens of ancient warmachines. To possess such an extensive armory of relics is an extraordinary accomplishment for a chapter of the Red Wolves providence and further evidence for the chapter's critics that the Red Wolves must have received help from more venerable powers in the Imperium, either from the Space Wolves, or elements within the Inquisition, the Mechanicus, or perhaps even from the High Lords themselves. The reality of the situation is, perhaps unsurprisingly, not nearly so melodramatic. From the very inception of the chapter the Red Wolves have obsessively scoured the galaxy for ancient relics, weapons and wargear. From long-forgotten battlefields to the graveyards of slaughtered worlds and the drifting hulks of butchered ships. To locate such treasure troves of ancient artifacts the Red Wolves Librarians have dedicated themselves to gathering and hoarding ancient maps, star-charts, explorator logs, and accounts of ancient battles and voyages. Hundreds of locations have been scoured by kill-teams of Red Wolves veterans over the many centuries since the chapter's creation. Many of these sites have proven lacking in desireable relics while others have revealed priceless relics from the very earliest years of the Imperium. Given this predilection it is perhaps unsurprising that in recent years small groups of Red Wolves and even a handful of chapter vessels have been assigned to the fleets of Rogue Traders and Explorators of the Adeptus Mechanicus, putting chapter forces on the very front-lines of exploration and discovery. Chapter Relics: The Dragon's Scale -This suit of Tactical Dreadnought Armor is a singular masterpiece of technology, forged from a mysterious metal alloy unidentifiable by any living member of the Adeptus Mechanicus. The artifact was forged by the Fabricator-General of Mars during the Scouring. Why the armor was forged, how it was forged or even who it was intended for are unknown. The Red Wolves discovered the artifact in a stasis vault aboard a drifting derelict Mechanicus explorator vessel. Though the chapter graciously returned many artifacts recovered from the ship to the Adeptus Mechanicus the Red Wolves refused to turn over the Dragon's Scale, choosing to keep it for themselves. Ever since it's acquisition the Dragon's Scale has served as the traditional armor of the Red Wolves Chapter Master. Stronger and lighter than standard Terminator armor the Dragon's Scale provides the wearer agility comparable to normal power armor while simultaneously providing protection capable of withstanding even the tread of a Titan. Hunin and Munin -These paired power axes are forged from blood-red crystal. Possesed of power fields of incredible potency and monomolecular cutting edges that never dull these axes are incredibly potent implements of battle with thousands of kills to their name. The axes have served no less than twelve chapter masters throughout the chapter's history. It is claimed by the Red Wolves that the blades were gifts from House Cenwulf as a token of alliance between the Imperial Knight House and the chapter. The Solarite Bolter -This bolter was one of twenty weapons crafted by the master artisans of Terra for the Emperor's Great Crusade, each was awarded to mighty heroes of the Imperium amongst the Legiones Astartes. How this particular weapon found its way into the armories of the Red Wolves is unknown, likely it was recovered from an ancient and forgotten battlefield. Regardless of how the chapter acquired the weapon it is a tool of war of extraordinary craftsmanship capable of firing specialized melta-shells, bolt rounds with miniaturized melta warheads capable of punching through even the heaviest of armor plate. Currently the weapon is carried by Chapter Master Wulfgar the All-Slayer and has served him for more than a century. The Soul-Crown -Crafted by the chapter's first Chief Librarian, Ulfric Blood-Storm, the Soul-Crown is a powerful psychic hood that grants the wearer's abilities even greater strength while repelling the psychic attacks of his enemies. The Staff of Helfyre -The staff of office of the chapter's Chief Librarian the Staff of Helfyre is a dreaded weapon whose glowing head burns with witch-fire capable of immolating a struck enemy in soul-fire, burning the very life-force of a foe until nothing remains but spectral ash. No armor or defense can protect against such a weapon. Heroes of the Chapter: Chapter Master Haakon Red-Fang, Scourge of Mars, First Lord of Bloodfall -The first Chapter Master of the Red Wolves, liberator of Bloodfall, and enemy to the Forge Worlds of Mars and Jupiter. Haakon Red-Fang was the epitome of Adeptus Astartes independance, vehemently opposing any interference in the chapter's buissiness or holdings by any other power of the Imperium. How much of Haakon's resistence to interference stemmed from the chapter's secretive origins or the hidden influence of mysterious powers within the Inquisition is unknown. Whatever the reason it was Haakon who secured the Red Wolves dominance over Bloodfall and ensured the future success and stability of the chapter for centuries to come. Chapter Master Wulfgar the All-Slayer -The current Chapter Master of the Red Wolves brother Wulfgar is held as one of the most lethal warriors in the Imperium. Even outside the chapter Wulfgar is held as a fearsome slayer ranked amongst the top hundred warriors amongst all chapters of the Adeptus Astartes. Wulfgar's fearsome abilities are further enhanced by his ancient relic-wargear. The twin axes Hunin and Munin, the Solarite bolter, and the Dragon's Scale terminator armor. “Fight with me, or get out of the way!” -Common statement of Jarl Wulfgar the All-Slayer. Captain Skjor Whitemane -Commander of the Red Wolves 1st Company brother Skjor is an undisputed master of teleport and heavy armor assaults. Brother Skjor revels in the unstoppable advance of elite veterans encased in suits of tactical dreadnought armor. Only the most powerful weapons can even stagger the advance of Terminators, let alone stop them. Delivered deep into the heart of the enemy by the surging energies of a teleporter array or within the armored hull of a Mastadon, Spartan or Land Raider assault tank the Terminators of Captain Skjor are all but unstoppable. “My armor is a weapon in its own right, it just doubles as protection.” -Saying of Captain Skjor Whitemane. Captain Baldr the Fell-Cutter -The youngest of the chapter's Captains brother Baldr is seen by many as a rapidly rising star within the ranks of the chapter, a hero who has already carved a mighty legend for himself from the bodies of countless foes. Despite the esteem in which Baldr is held by his peers the young warrior is a relatively humble and unassuming individual who prefers to focus his efforts purely on the execution of his duties, not on politics, accolades or glory. Because of his combination of achievement and humility brother Baldr is seen by many in the chapter as an exemplar of everything it means to be a space marine and has gathered something of a cult following amongst the younger members of the chapter. Competition to gain entry into the second company is nearly as fierce as that to join the first company, as such the second is rarely under-strength for very long, no matter how bloody its battles or how great its sacrifices. “Sagas and legends are for the dead, I still live.” -Captain Baldr to a squad of neophytes. Captain Sigurd Twin-Blade -Hailed as the finest swordsman in the chapter Captain Sigurd Twin-Blade is a warrior of truly sublime skill who weaves a beautiful and deadly dance through the ranks of the foe, his twin swords, so crude and simple in appearance, flashing and arcing with astounding speed and skill. So great is Sigurd's prowess that he was once sought out by Lucius the Eternal, fallen champion of the Emperor's Children traitor legion. Despite his skill brother Sigurd knew that to cross blades with the chaos champion was a death sentence, whether he won or lost the contest of arms, instead Sigurd ordered an orbital bombardment on his position led his company in a fighting withdrawal under the cover of close orbital barrages. The cassualties of that battle were high and the death of Lucius was never confirmed, even so the battle was heralded as a victory even by those outside the chapter, for precious few have ever faced Lucius and lived to tell the tale. “There is always someone out there better than you.” -Teaching of Captain Sigurd Twin-Blade. Captain Kyr Silverfist -Brutish, stubborn, crass, blunt to the point of offensive, Captain Kyr Silverfist is without a doubt the least liked individual in the chapter, by outsiders and battle-brothers alike. Despite his failings of personality however Captain Kyr Silverfist is an exceptional warrior and gifted field commander. Few are the defeats that mar Kyr's chapter record and many are his victories. Kyr's most famous victory, and the battle from which he earned his deed-name, was fought against the dreaded Necron Lord Anrakyr the Traveler. The Red Wolves fourth company was alerted to the awakening of a Tomb World in time to respond before the defenders had fully roused. Opposing the Red Wolves was Anrakyr and his personal warband of immortal warrior-constructs. Though the Necron warriors put up a fierce fight Captain Kyr pursued them relentlessly, giving no quarter, no respite he brilliantly maneuvered his warriors, constantly splitting his foe with lightning attacks by bikes and land speeders, cutting the Necrontyr warriors into smaller and smaller bands before crushing them with brutal close-quarters assaults. The final assault saw Kyr fighting one-on-one against the Necron Lord. Frustrated by the turn of events Anrakyr fired his Tachyon Arrow, severing Captain Kyr's right arm at the elbow, continuing on to punch through and kill two of Kyr's Command Squad before embedding into the engine of the Captain's personal command Land Raider and causing a catastrophic overload in the fuel cells. The explosion flattened Kyr and his warriors mere moments after the assault doors had crashed down and disgorged the Red Wolves into close assault. Before the Necron Lord could strike down the fallen Red Wolves veterans Captain Kyr rose to his feet, tore the arm from one of Anrakyr's bodyguards, and proceeded to pound the Necron Lord and his personal guard into the rock with the improvised bludgeon. Fallen and with his personal form badly battered Anrakyr and his surviving warriors vanished in a blaze of green lightning, phasing out of the battle and to the traveler's ship in orbit. The Red Wolves proceeded to bombard the Tomb World into dust alongside a gathered fleet of Imperial Navy vessels called from the sector battlefleet. The chapter's techmarines fashioned a bionic arm for Kyr in the likeness of the Necron limb he had used to defeat the traveler and his guard, ever since Captain Kyr has been known as the Silverfist, the Necron arm itself hangs above his command throne aboard the fourth company strike cruiser. “When your ammunition is spent use your blade, when that is broken use a rock, and when all else fails, use your fists. Always remember, it doesn't matter how you kill the enemy, as long as they are dead, and you are not.” -Teaching of Captain Kyr Silverfist. Captain Gregor Red-Axe -Gregor known as the Red-Axe is a Captain who truly lives up to his deed name. Precious few are the battles where brother Gregor's mighty twin-bearded axe is not drenched red in the blood of his foes, or anyone who is too foolish to get in his way. Captain Gregor's methods draw some ire from his fellow Captains who see him as too quick to sanction the slaughter of unarmed civilians, too accepting of catastrophic collateral damage, too lacking in mercy or empathy, even for those of whom Gregor is ostensibly fighting to protect or save. For his part Gregor accepts the criticism as valid and reasonable, it just won't change how he fights. His methods may not be pretty, but they work, and as a result the Red Wolves fifth company has enjoyed the longest string of victories of any company in the chapter's history. Though Chapter Master Wulfgar shares many of the viewpoints expressed by Captain Gregor he has still made a point of deploying the fifth company as far away from prying eyes as possible. “I make no excuses for what I do, war is ugly, I at least try to make it short.” -Saying of Captain Gregor Red-Axe. Captain Bulfrek Longbeard -Long considered a pillar of the chapter leadership Captain Bulfrek is a veteran of centuries of service. Captain Bulfrek is a man of few words, who speaks only when he has something important to say. Brother Bulfrek chooses to lead by example, running his company like a well-oiled machine, his Sergeants following predetermined strategies laid out by Captain Bulfrek with exacting detail days, sometimes weeks before an engagement. As commander of an entire company of Red Wolves tactical marines outfitted with siege-mantlets and a versatile weapons loudout Captain Bulfrek has at his disposal one of the toughest, most intractable urban, boarding and siege warfare specialists in the Adeptus Astartes and knows how to get the most out of them. Countless foes have broken against the shield-wall of the sixth company, the venerable Longbeard standing firm at their heart. “Never use two words when one would suffice.” -Teaching of Captain Bulfrek Longbeard. Captain Thorek Ironblood -Like his fellow tactical reserve company commander, Bulfrek Longbeard, brother Thorek Ironblood is known for his intractability and stern defiance in the face of overwhelming numbers and superior firepower. Few foes can break a Red Wolves shield-wall, fewer still can break the wall of the seventh company. Deployed against the fiercest of enemies in the most intense close-quarters battles the seventh company is a battle-hardened band of unflinching, redoubtable warriors used to facing the very worst the galaxy can throw at them and hurling it right back. Most battle-brothers moving through the reserve companies and up the ranks of the chapter pass through the sixth company, learning the role of the tactical squads under the wise and learned teachings of Captain Bulfrek. Those battle-brothers assigned to the seventh company rarely move on to the battle companies, rather Captain Thorek prides the seventh as a close-knit brotherhood every bit as permanent and lasting as the roles of the battle companies. Not a transitory stop on the way to better and more glorious positions the seventh company is the chapter master's first choice when the Red Wolves require a force that can hold firm against the most impossible of odds and emerge battered but victorious. “Whatever doesn't kill me, had better run.” -Saying of Captain Thorek Ironblood. Captain Falk Skyclaw -Commander of the Red Wolves assault reserve company Captain Falk Skyclaw is unsurprisingly a master of high-altitude jump pack insertions, rapid strike tactics and brutal close assaults. Precious few warriors within the ranks of the Red Wolves can match the ferocity and unrestrained lethality of Captain Falk. Armed with a pair of master-crafted lightning claws and powered into combat by his customized jump pack brother Falk is a whirlwind of destruction, lashing out with every part of his body to crush, stab, and tear his foes to pieces. Every element of Falk's body is a weapon honed to maximum lethality and his company is no different. Following their Captain's lead the warriors of the eighth company fight like a storm of blades driven into the enemy with the force of a hurricane. Captain Falk is not known for his subtlety but his patience is legendary. A master of the decapitating blow brother Falk and his warriors will wait, sometimes for weeks at a time, before launching a perfectly timed assault that crushes the foe in a single fell stroke. Though such tactics are at complete odds with the standard doctrines of most of the rest of the Red Wolves companies the tactics of the eighth are nevertheless supremely complementary. An enemy held at bay for days, weeks or even months by the stubborn shield-walls of the Red Wolves will suddenly find itself laid bare to a sudden crushing assault by the massed jump troops of the eighth company. “Control the exact place, the exact time, and the exact manner of your strike and even the greatest of foes will fall.” -Lesson of Captain Falk Skyclaw. Captain Igmund the Bear -An expert of siege warfare almost without equal brother Igmund the Bear is a master in the use of any and every weapon capable of reducing wide swathes of enemy troops to past and ash in a matter of moments. With ten Devastator Squads under his command Captain Igmund possesses more firepower than most of the chapter's other companies combined. Supported by the chapter's arsenal of tanks and thunderfire cannons the ninth company is easily capable of reducing some of the mightiest bastions in the galaxy to rubble in a matter of hours, annihilating entire armies, and bringing down even traitor god-machines of the Adeptus Titanicus. Igmund himself is famed for his unflinching calm and control even in the thick of battle, deploying his warriors with meticulous precision even when artillery fire is raining down all around him. Brother Igmund is well versed in the arithmetic of war, every bolt, every shell, every life a resource to be expended to ensure victory, every battle a series of calculations, attrition, supply and provision. To some of his fellows Captain Igmund seems cold and calculating, a callous tactician who cares little about the men he leads, only about the calculus of war, yet this could not be further from the truth. Captain Igmund is determined to ensure that every life lost is to the greatest benefit, every drop of blood makes the greatest difference, and the price paid for each victory is kept as low as possible. “For every task there is a correct tool, so too for every enemy is there a correct weapon.” -Lesson of Captain Igmund the Bear. Captain Svaknir One-Eye -All new recruits to the chapter must meet the approval of Captain Svaknir One-Eye, Master of Recruits. Wearing a battered suit of carapace armor shrouded in a leather cloak, the red-lense of his bionic eye glaring through the chill-dark and the barrel of his custom stalker pattern bolter ever moving Captain Svaknir is one of the first, and most terrifying, things young aspirants to the chapter see upon their arrival at the doors of Skatalundr. Once accepted into the 10th Company chapter neophytes must still contend with Captain Svaknir's ever-watchful gaze, his granite voice barking out corrections and castigations of every step, shot and blade-thrust his charges make, even in the heat of battle. Few are the battle-brothers in the chapter who do not owe their lives to Svaknir's timely intervention, whether by bolt or by blade. Though stern Svaknir is also incredibly protective of his charges and chooses their deployment with the utmost of care. “Twist the blade as you strike, ork hide is tough to cut.” -Lesson of Captain Svaknir One-Eye. Commander Argis Giant-Slayer -Bearing the honorific of Master Gunner brother Argis serves as the commander of the Red Wolves armor. Everything from Rhinos and Razorbacks to the Incredible might of Mastodon and Fellblade super-heavy warmachines falls under the responsibility of brother Argis Giant-Slayer. Over his nearly six centuries of service brother Argis has lost and had replaced over ninety percent of his body. More bionic than most Techmarines brother Argis is capable of surviving even some of the most catastrophic destructions of his armored mounts and can hard-wire his nervous system directly into the control interface of most machine-spirit cores of the chapter's tanks. These traits combine to make brother Argis an exceptionally deadly tank-ace, a warrior capable of surviving the death of vehicle after vehicle, dragging himself from the twisted wreckage to climb aboard a new machine and return to the battle as quickly as his new steed's adamantium treads can take him. Thousands of vehicles from light patrol-craft and bikes to super-heavy tanks and even several Titan-class engines have fallen to brother Argis' guns. Few warriors possess the patience and experience brother Argis has gained over countless armored engagements, traits which make his advice invaluable to the officers of the chapter. “There! Driver, take me towards the big one!” -Brother Argis Giant-Slayer. Commander Hakon the Sky-Reaver -Ancient Hakon the Sky-Reaver serves the Red Wolves as Master of the Fleet. Removed from the normal chain-of-command brother Hakon is entirely focused on the deployment, maintanence, and command of the chapter's war fleet. Whether deployed halfway across the known galaxy or stationed in orbit over Bloodfall as part of the system defense fleet every vessel of the chapter is Hakon's to command. For nearly two millennia brother Hakon has served his role, first as a post-human warrior of the Adeptus Astartes, later as a living ancient entombed within the armored sarcophagus of a Dreadnought war machine. For decades at a time Hakon's armored chasis sits immobile on the command platform of the Naglfar, only rising and priming it's weaponry when an enemy dares to board the mighty ship and attack him in his own sanctum. To date no foe who has dared try something so foolish has lived to regret their decision. “The key to void-war is patience, too often an enemy will act too soon, will strike too early. I have lived for nigh on two-thousand years, I have time to wait for the right moment to strike.” -Saying of Ancient Hakon the Sky-Reaver. Master of the Forge Einarth Thrice-Born, the Iron Thane -Known as the Thrice-Born, his first being his birth as a mortal child, his second as his rebirth as a space marine of the Adeptus Astartes, and his third following his near death in the explosion of one of the chapter flagship's plasma generators. Einarth's survival following the blast was considered miraculous, despite his horrific injuries. Some amongst the chapter Apothecarion and Armory considered implanting Einarth into the sarcophagus of a Dreadnought yet the young Techmarine demanded cybernetic rebuild instead. Against their better judgement the Master of the Apothecarion and the Master of the Forge consented. The result became known as the Thrice-Born, the Iron Thane of Mount Himinbjorg. With over ninety percent of his body rebuilt by cybernetics brother Einarth more closely resembles an armored battle-tank or one of the mighty Praetorians of the Adeptus Mechanicus' Skitarii. Below the waist brother Einarth is nothing more than heavily armored treads mounted on a light-artillery chassis similar to that used by Rapier weapon mounts and Thunderfire cannons. Einarth's right arm terminates in a deadly and archaic Conversion Beamer known as the Balefire Array. Einarth's left arm is similarly augmetic and habitually carries his staff of office as a Techmarine, a cog-bladed power axe. Einarth's armored head and torso feature multiple input jacks, power cables, and data-prongs. In the centuries after his rebirth Einarth has risen to the rank of Master of the Forge. In battle his tracked lower body propells him across the battlefield as quickly as a space marine bike while his implanted weaponry is capable of annihilating even the heaviest of armor. Few foes dare stand against Einarth's bionic combat frame and those that do seldom survive the experience. “If it's loss didn't kill me, I clearly didn't need it.” -Attributed to Einarth Thrice-Born. Chief Librarian Ulfric Blood-Storm -The first and perhaps greatest Chief Librarian of the Red Wolves brother Ulfric Blood-Storm played a key role in the stabilization of Bloodfall and the formation of the chapter Librarius and the Librarian circles. Ulfric's writings on the nature of the immaterium are mandatory reading for every initiate to the Librarius and the Soul-Crown forged by brother Ulfric stands as the greatest relic of the Librarius to this day. Chief Librarian Jurgen Spirit-Walker -The oldest and most powerful Librarian in the chapter, brother Jurgen has served for nearly six centuries and is as weathered and craggy as a mountain. To many battle-brothers Jurgen represents the spirit of the chapter made manifest, a time-defying totem of endurance and solidity. This respect and aura of awe that surrounds Jurgen stands in contrast to his dark and ominous reputation as a powerful psyker and in particular for his peculiar psychic abilities. Brother Jurgen leads a small number of chapter Librarians specializing in the rare ability to conjur packs of psychic spirit-wolves, raw immaterial power manifested in physical form as ravening ghostly wolves who stalk the battlefield ahead of the Librarians, tearing apart their foes with claw and fang or blasting them to withered husks with blasts of soul-fire. “The spirits tell me it is not my day to die, they failed to mention you however.” -Jurgen Spirit-Walker to Inquisitor Marius. Master of Sanctity Olaf the Black -The master of the Red Wolves Reclusium brother Olaf the Black is one of the most revered, and feared, warriors of the chapter. Strong, fearless, relentless, merciless, brother Olaf exemplifies the creed of his black-clad order. No weakness, no hesitation, no failure may pass his sight unnoticed. Battle-brothers in his presence fight like heroes of legend, determined not to draw the venerable chaplain's ire. Brother Olaf has many incredible feats to his name, one of the greatest is his defeat of the Chaos Warhound Titan “Unending Slaughter.” The traitor Titan's mighty arsenal of dread weapons had slaughtered an entire detachment of Red Wolves as it sought to break through the loyalist lines. Only Master of Sanctity Olaf remained standing and defiant. Contemptuously the Warhound Titan lifted it's right leg and crashed it's foot down on the chaplain, crushing him into the mud and blood of the battlefield. After grinding it's foot back and forth for a moment the Titan straightened and strode into the breach confident it had eliminated all threats. A few steps later the Titan's right leg buckled and broke as a chain of krak-grenades exploded against the knee joint. With a horrible howl the Titan reeled and then fell onto it's right side, burying it's plasma-blastgun into the blood-soaked ground. Kicking and straining in a futile effort to right itself the traitor crew looked out the sickly-glowing eyes of the fallen-Titan to see the battered form of Olaf the Black, his Terminator armor cracked and broken but undefeated. Paralyzed by shock and horror the traitors could only watch as Olaf smashed an opening the casing of the Titan's plasma weapon and drove a krak grenade into the cracked shell. This done Olaf strode away from the fallen Titan and back towards the next line of defense, not even bothering to watch as the grenade ignited the fuel-resevoir of the Titan weapon and obliterated the chaos god-machine in an apocalyptic explosion of roiling plasma. “Surrender, and die.” -Ultimatum of Brother Olaf the Black. Chief Apothecary Ralof Skinweaver -Of all the Red Wolves brother Ralof is easily the most exacting, meticulous and painstaking in the conducting of his duties. Little surprise then that brother Ralof rose to the rank of Chief Apothecary for the chapter. Nearly two thirds of all living battle-brothers in the chapter received their implants during their initiation to the chapter under the knife of brother Ralof. It is believed by some agents of the Inquisition that Ralof is the keeper of the Red Wolves most closely guarded secrets regarding the origin of the chapter's gene-seed and the process by which the chapter's gene-seed is kept so suspiciously pure and free of specific primogenitor markers. “Only in death does duty end, and it is my job to make sure you continue to serve!” -Saying of Chief Apothecary Ralof Skinweaver. Deathwatch Veteran Brother Hsud -A member of the Red Wolves serving the Deathwatch in the Jericho Reach. Incredibly old even by the standards of the Adeptus Astartes brother Hsud served five vigils with the Deathwatch, most of them at the Watch Fortress of the Jericho Reach. Brother Hsud was a member of the Kill Team dispatched to the Slinnar Drift. Notable Battles: Battle of the Shadeblight -In 750.M41 the Night Lords traitor legion tried to capture the possessed cruiser Shadeblight in the Ango sub-sector. In a vicious battle the Red Wolves managed to prevent the Night Lords from claiming the cruiser and denied the traitor legion a deadly new weapon. The Fourth Quadrant Rebellion -Between 775.M41 and 780.M41 fully a quarter of the Segmentum Solar was embroiled in a series of brutal xenos invasions, chaos cult attacks, insurrections and rebellions fostered as a result of centuries of corruption and misrule by planetary governors. The Red Wolves were one of twelve chapters to deploy in response to the chaos and one of at least four chapters, the Red Wolves included, who deployed in full chapter-strength. Though many individual campaigns have been recorded in Imperial history the exact actions and battles of the Red Wolves are largely unknown though the chapter is credited as playing a crucial role in the restoration of stability and order in the region. Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/311941-red-wolves-ia-finished/ Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vash113 Posted August 5, 2015 Author Share Posted August 5, 2015 Hmm the organization table didn't copy from the word document correctly, oh well. Anyway everything else looks to be in order and the IA is, for the most part, finished. Still not sure when I'll get around to actually building my planned army but hopefully I'll be able to get started soon. Maybe based around the new plastic HH kit we've been seeing leaks of. In any case I'd appreciate any comments or feedback you guys have, this chapter is a great option for a Space Wolves successor (heresy I know!) and I've tried to put it together in the most subtle and believable way possible into a homebrew chapter background that fits in with the 40k background yet has its own unique and interesting characteristics, but not too many that it stands out like a sore thumb. So, whatcha guys think? Anyone else who runs Red Wolves or may plan to? Anybody getting some inspiration? Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/311941-red-wolves-ia-finished/#findComment-4137939 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wulfgar Ironmane Posted August 5, 2015 Share Posted August 5, 2015 Wow...I have read about 2/3 of it and i must say i am impressed =oAtleast i love it, really well thought out as far as i can tell.This also pushes me to finish the fluff of my own chapter too.. xDSo maybe not much of a help as you wished, but i have not got anything to say about it really (other then wow and awesome)Nice work brother. I will finish reading soon. Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/311941-red-wolves-ia-finished/#findComment-4138374 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vash113 Posted August 7, 2015 Author Share Posted August 7, 2015 Your own chapter? Got anything to share? Anyway glad this is getting some views though I hope to get some more feedback as well! Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/311941-red-wolves-ia-finished/#findComment-4140027 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wulfgar Ironmane Posted August 7, 2015 Share Posted August 7, 2015 Not much. Have yet to write anything down and besides. It is a vanilla chapter. So not really fitting here ;) Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/311941-red-wolves-ia-finished/#findComment-4140277 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olis Posted August 7, 2015 Share Posted August 7, 2015 If you fancy dropping by the Liber (well, either of you), then we'd be all too happy to help with your ideas or (Vash) critique your write-up. :) Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/311941-red-wolves-ia-finished/#findComment-4140281 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wulfgar Ironmane Posted August 7, 2015 Share Posted August 7, 2015 I have been thinking of doing just that for a while now. Just never really got to it.... Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/311941-red-wolves-ia-finished/#findComment-4140292 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vash113 Posted August 13, 2015 Author Share Posted August 13, 2015 Doing a homebrew chapter is not easy. As I said above it's a very fine line to walk making a chapter that is both believable and fits in with the larger 40k mythos while still being unique, interesting and detailed. Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/311941-red-wolves-ia-finished/#findComment-4145226 Share on other sites More sharing options...
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