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The Dusk Stalkers, known to their fellow Sons of Russ as the 'Vlka Jörmherjar' ('Wolves of Jörmungandr'), are a ferocious Loyalist Space Marine Chapter comprised entirely of Primaris Space Marines, created from the lineage of the savage Space Wolves and raised during the Ultima Founding circa 999.M41. In the years following their founding they have also joined an Unofficial Collective of those Chapters descended from Leman Russ, known as the Sons of Russ, they have joined together to stand sentinel over the Eye of Terror, attempting to complete their Primarch's hope of forming an impenetrable ring in order to contain the foul denizens of that blighted place.
Like some other Chapters, they spurn the tenants of the Codex, instead they make use of many of the customs and organisational designations as their ancestral Chapter, but even compared to the Space Wolves, the Dusk Stalkers have created something else, allying their parent Chapters ancient customs with their own.
Since their creation the Dusk Stalkers have earned a well-deserved reputation as bloody-handed reavers and peerless hunters, vicious and violent beyond what is expected of Arstartes, their intimidating pack-hunting tactics permeate every strategic strata of their Chapter combat doctrine. Packs of stealthy killers swiftly destroy the enemy's vanguard, squadrons of swift vehicles encircle macro-cities, and prowling rapid-strike vessels gut larger spacecraft in the void. The Dusk Stalkers precision strikes sever avenues of escape, sowing confusion. Static-laced howls fill enemy vox-nets or echo within foes' skulls as the Chapter's Iron Priests and Rune Priests unleash tempests of terror. As the foe desperately try to repulse attacks on multiple fronts, flinching at half-seen blurs, suddenly the Dusk Stalkers strike hard. At a single point from multiple directions, the Dusk Stalkers attack in overwhelming savagery, fighting as mad butchers, their packs tear the throat from an enemy already in fear. Lost in the throes of slaughter, the Dusk Stalkers often fail to recognise a battle's end, turning their weapons on their allies and even the Humans who thought them angelic saviours. They kill until nothing remains but bloodied ground, churned viscera, and the fading thrum of their double hearts. In battle, the whir of their chain weapons is lost beneath guttural snarls of hate and the pain of the unquenchable Rage that is the truth of their tattered souls.
So divorced have they become from the rest of Mankind that most Imperial Commanders accept the Chapter's help only in the direst of circumstances.
There is good reason for this caution. On more than one occasion, the enemy body count has not been enough to sate their bloodlust, and many are the Imperial Commanders who have thought themselves saved only to watch in horror as the warrior angels sent to liberate them succumb to their curse.
This is their truth, the core of their beings -- not the imagined half-divinity believed by the Imperial masses, but the red truth of angels of death lost in a dream of suffering and slaughter.
Chapter History
In the waning years of the 41st Millennium as the forces of Chaos erupted from the Eye of Terror and split the Galaxy in two, they seemed poised to finally accomplish their ultimate goal, the destruction of the Imperium and the death of the Emperor. But the heretics had made a fatal mistake, they had failed to prevent the escape of a force that would change the course of the Galaxy. This force would make their way to Macragge where they would succeed in resurrecting the Primarch of the Ultramarines, Roboute Guilliman, journeying to Terra the Avenging Son took full command over the Imperium once more and began the Indomitus Crusade. The largest armada since the Great Crusade set sail from the heart of the Imperium, aboard was not just the massed armies of the Imperium but the fleet carried a new force, a force 10,000 years in the making, the Primaris Astartes.
Created in secret scant years after the Heresy, on the orders of Guilliman himself, the Primaris represent the next stage of evolution of the Space Marines, aboard the ships of the Indomitus Crusade the Primaris were formed into a Legion size force known as the Unnumbered Sons. The Unnumbered Sons or the Greyshields as they called themselves comprised Astartes drawn from each of the Loyalist Primarch’s and assembled into squads regardless of their heritage. Included among the Greyshields were those who descended from the Primarch of the VI Legion, Leman Russ and while the Greyshield squads had no commonality regarding which Primarch their Gene-Seed came from, those who carried the Blood of Russ in their veins instinctively formed packs with each other, the blood that all shared overcoming any other considerations.
Within a decade of the Crusades formation the Unnumbered Sons had fought in hundreds of Battle while over the years their numbers dwindled, due to various factors, besides the inevitable casualties, some, Guilliman had forged into new Space Marine Chapters, whole brotherhoods comprised only of these new transhuman warriors. Others he offered to the existing Space Marine Chapters. Many Chapter Masters welcomed their Primaris brethren into their ranks, accepting the new reinforcements gladly.
Others, though, viewed these new creations with suspicion or outright hostility, claiming that the Emperor's work should never have been meddled with by mere mortals.
In the 10,000 years following the Heresy, in contrast to the other Legions, the Space Wolves had never, save the ill-fated Wolf Brothers, had successor Chapters created from their Gene-Seed. With the arrival of the Primaris this was to change and a number of new Chapters descended form the Space Wolves came into being. However like many Chapters, the Space Wolves initially regared these new Chapters with suspicion, As Great Wolf, it fell to Logan Grimnar to rule on the matter. Having sternly counselled his Wolf Lords to respect the will of Guilliman as the Imperial Regent during his visit, Grimnar afterwards voiced the Kin-pack Declaration -- a formal recognition of the Space Wolves' successors. Whether forged in The Fang or otherwise, all were scions of the Wolf King, and all should be permitted to prove their mettle in battle or earn the scorn of their battle-brothers.
However, it was also the Great Wolf's duty to safeguard the ancient fighting creed and customs of his kin, and Grimnar's declaration made clear that the new Successor Chapters -- and any Primaris Marine warriors joining the Space Wolves themselves -- should uphold the ancient customs of the Space Wolves, not an Ultramarian ideal. Thus each Primaris pack assumed the traditional roles of Blood Claws, Grey Hunters and so on, as befitted their tactical strengths and experience. The first of these Chapters was the Wolfspear, more would follow.
The Dusk Stalkers
As the Indomitus Crusade spread out from Terra, it consisted of dozens of expedition fleets, each an armada in its own right, one such fleet bore the designation of the 34th Expeditionary Fleet. One of the fleets dispatched to the Segmentum Pacificus, the 34th consisted of over two dozen ships and a significant Astartes contingent, a large portion of which were created from the Gene-Seed of the VI Legion, fully 310 of the 1,000 Astartes that made up 34th were drawn from those of Leman Russ get. Over the early years of the Indomitus Crusade this fleet would fight in uncounted wars while portions of the fleet broke off to reinforce existing Chapters such as the 50 Astartes who joined their parent Chapter of the Marines Exemplar. By the time the Unnumbered Sons were broken up the majority of the remaining Astartes were of the VI Legion, following the breakup of the Greyshields and the departure of the remaining non-VI Legion elements those Astartes that remained were all descended from Lemean Russ, as was usual they received instructions and letters patent to form a new Chapter with the ships of the 34th fleet forming the core of their Chapter Fleet, they were to be named the Void Brothers.
Although they had received these instructions the Astartes of the fleet instead debated for months over what to do, even as they fought the bloody Battle of Orthar, finally a chance meeting would occur, one that would change the destiny of the so-called Void Brothers. As the they completed their victory at Orthar, a fleet translated into the System and aboard it came the might of the Dusk Howlers For-twa Company. The meeting between the 2 was brief, each recognising the shared kinship between them, the Lord of the For-twa would ultimately invite the Void Brothers to accompany him to the Dusk Howler Homeworld of Hrímgard, where they meet with their fellow Sons of Russ. After receiving permission from their elder brethren to land, the entirety of the fleets Astartes, some 183 strong assembled outside the Útgarðar, shorn of their armour and weapons, they stood in disciplined ranks and awaited their Brothers. For an entire day they stood unmoving before their Brothers came to them, they told the assembled Astartes that while the Blood of Russ ran in their veins they were not yet true Sons of Russ, they must first prove themselves, they must first complete the Test of Morkai, not one refused and not one failed.
These Astartes would ultimately remain on Hrímgard for an entire year, learning of Leman Russ and the history of the Space Wolves and fighting alongside the Dusk Howlers and through them they came to understand what it meant to be a Son of Russ. During that time they formed unbreakable bonds of brotherhood with their elder brethren. When they departed the holds of their ships were filled with many gifts from the Dusk Howlers, weapons forged in the heart of the Útgarðar and runes of power to aid them, mighty Fenrisian Wolves, joined to their new pack-mates during their trials now prowled the halls of the fleet and hundreds of Aspirants taken from Hrímgard journeyed with them. Before they departed however one last task needed to be fulfilled, in the presence of the lords of the Dusk Howlers they elected their new Lord, as the mead flowed amidst the boisterous mirth of Sons of Russ, Rágnar Blóoðhówl was unanimously elected the first Stórr Járl. Departing Hrímgard as true Sons of Russ they were no longer the Void Brothers, they were the Dusk Stalkers.
A Dusk Stalkers Skútilsveinr (Sergeant) of the 2nd Jarldom in the midst of battle, ruthlessly killing the enemies of Mankind.
Notable Campaigns
Magdetri V Incursion (024.M42) - The first recorded action of the Dusk Stalkers, it pitted the entire Chapter, 157 strong against the Orks of Garagmek Facecrusha, it resulted in the complete destruction of the Xenos with Rágnar Blóoðhówl personally slaying Garamek at the final Battle of the Iron Crag.
Invasion of Khoron Beta (028.M42) - Fought against the Aeldari of Craftworld Kaelor, the campaign was initiated when the Xenos claimed the world of Khoron Beta to be one of their Maiden World's and demanded the Human inhabitants either abandon the world or be destroyed, when they refused the Aeldari invaded and exterminated them. The Dusk Stalkers arrived 3 solar months later and began their own invasion, after days of savage fighting, the Xenos were forced to abandon the world to the Astartes which set in motion an enmity between the two forces that would come to a head decades later on the world of Vrantas.
Purge of Orchiros (031.M42) - Rágnar Blóoðhówl leads the Twa (Two) Jarldom (The Void Krakens) of Jarl Svaldr Diremane in an assault against the heretic Astartes of the Iron Warriors who had brought the Forge World of Orchiros VII under siege. After 2 solar months of savage fighting, the Dusk Stalkers surround and annihilate a massive Iron Warrior armoured assault as it attempts one final attack on the capital city of Mons Ferreus resulting in the Iron Warriors withdrawing, only to be attacked once more in orbit, culminating in their utter destruction. During the void battle, the Gnitaheiðr crippled the Despoiler class Battleship Grim Paragon allowing Rágnar Blóoðhówl himself to lead a boarding action, resulting in the death of Warsmith Vhakis at Rágnar's hands. In thanks for saving their world the Tech Priests of Orchiros pledged themselves and more importantly, their vast orbital dockyards to the Dusk Stalkers, providing a strategically placed fleet repair and resupply port.
Kho'vruk Xenocide (038.M42 - 044.M42) - The Kho’vruk Xenocide was an Imperial Crusade carried out by the Dusk Stalkers Space Marine Chapter against the foul Kho’vruk xenos from 038.M42 through 044.M42. In response to a request for aid, the Dusk Stalkers were at the forefront of carrying out an Edict of Extermination against the Kho’vruk. The Kho’vruk had been discovered centuries before but were initially regarded as insignificant. It was only following the anarchy that erupted in the aftermath of the Great Rift opening that they became a scourge within the Imperium Sanctus. Although not considered capable of interstellar travel, they had nevertheless managed to carve out a pocket empire to the galactic south of the Eye of Terror. These hulking invertebrate aliens, the largest of which were the size of Warhound Titans, somewhat resembled arachnids, having eight legs, six of which were used for locomotion while the remaining pair ended in massive scythe like talons while their heads carried powerful pincer like mandible. Even the very smallest of the Kho’vruk were the size of Dreadnoughts.
Given their rapid expansion and the massacre of several Imperial colonies and mining outposts in the region, the decision was thereby taken by the Imperium to scour them from the stars before they could grow into a greater threat. With the alien demesnes blockaded by elements from Battlefleet Gothic, the Dusk Stalkers, supported by the Skittari of Orchiros, Titans from Legio Mortalis (Deaths Heralds) and Knights from House Valhichrit as well as several Deathwatch Kill-teams systematically attacked and destroyed the isolated Kho’vruk outposts and nest-worlds one at a time, often employing Exterminatus-class weaponry sanctioned by the edict. Since the campaign ended much of the discussion surrounding the Kho’vruk is centred on how exactly a species seemingly incapable of interstellar travel was able to expand beyond their homeworld. The Imperium was also perplexed as to how they were able to display a level of intelligence believed to be far beyond mindless animals with various theories including an unencountered intelligent species. Although they have been declared destroyed, few within the Imperium truly believe this to be so and the Dusk Stalkers in particular believe that they will emerge once more.
First War of Oaths (048 - 060.M42) - A massive crusade to cleanse the Sarundrax Sector of the foul traitors of the Thousand Sons Legion. Began as a mere pursuit operation, it would eventually draw in more than a dozen Chapters of those descended from the VI Legion and in it's aftermath the Space Wolves would issue the Kin-Pack Declaration, the official recognition of the Sons of Russ collective.
Battle of Vrantas (Unknown Date.M42) - After decades of intermittent fighting between the Dusk Stalkers and the forces of the Aeldari Craftworld Kaelor, the two would battle savagely for control of the world of Vrantas. For three solar weeks, neither side could seize the upper hand. The stalemate would eventually be broken when a Choas force drawn from the Word Bearers translated into the system, discarding their enmity, the two armies broke off hostilities in the face of a common foe. The impromptu alliance would result in the utter annihilation of the heretics and following the final destruction of the Word Bearers flagship, Ominous Ruination, the two sides parted ways, both considering the idea of turning on those they had so recently fought alongside rather distasteful. Since the battle the Dusk Stalkers and Kaelor have entered into a period of peace and no further hostilities have occurred between them.
Chapter Organisation
For all their ties of brotherhood with the Space Wolves, the Dusk Stalkers organise themselves in a highly independent fashion, modelling their practice on neither the Great Companies of Fenris nor the tenets of the Codex Astartes. The Chapter instead groups it's Astartes into six ''Jarldoms'', each a semi-autonomous battle host. This practice draws from their days as part of the Unnumbered Sons of Leman Russ' genetic lineage who were later sworn to the Dusk Stalkers.
As the number of battles they fought as Greyshields increased, it soon became apparent that those of Leman Russ' sons instinctively trusted their fellow Sons of Russ far more than those of other lineages, they formed themselves first into packs and later into de-facto companies. Never recognised officially while attached to the Indomitus Crusade, these formations grew tighter as they fought and bled together, and when addressing the matter of the Dusk Stalkers Chapter's organisation, Logan Grimnar recognised that only a fool would prise apart such battle-forged loyalties.
Now formally recognised, each of these ''Jarldoms'' is able to operate independently for extended periods of time and maintain their own fleet and armoured assets, while maintaining a reserve at the Chapter level. Each ''Jarldom'' is organised according to the wishes of their Jarl and he leads his own warriors as he sees fit, consulting with the Wolf Priests, Rune Priests and Iron Priests who accompany him. Despite this, Intercessor Packs form the majority of all Dusk Stalker Astartes, these packs are as resolute in defence as they are ferocious in attack, the more aggressive Dusk Stalkers tend to group themselves into assault packs while others serve in reconnaissance and Reiver packs.
In common with their fellow scions of Russ, for some Dusk Stalker Astartes, the close-knit and boisterous brotherhood of the pack (squad) is not well-suited to their personality. These veteran Space Marines are selected to become part of a Jarldom's Wolf Scout force, individual operatives that provide reconnaissance as well as disrupting enemy movements. Despite this, the Dusk Stalkers also operate more traditions scout packs, these packs are made up of Astartes that have yet to undergo the ''Blooding'', known as Frjálsi (Initiate), these marines are clad in light armour and they operate in much the same way as the Wolf Scouts, albeit as part of larger operation rather than as individuals.
The Dusk Stalkers are also suspected to have exceeded the Codex defined limit of 1,000 Astartes within its ranks and are stated by the Inquisition to stand at approximately 1,200 Astartes in strength, to have altered the dictates of Codex in such a way is considered a flagrant breach of that sacred tome and has put the Chapter at odds with those who adhere rigidly to its tenants.
Officer Ranks
- Stórr Járl (Low Gothic: Great Jarl (Chapter Master)
- Járl (Company Captain)
- Thegn (Lieutenant)
Specialist Ranks
- Hár Goði (Low Gothic: High Priest (Reclusiarch & Chief Apothecary)
- Skær Goði (Low Gothic: Wolf Priest (Chaplain)
- Lǣkir (Low Gothic: Healer (Apothecary) - In a break with the traditions of the Space Wolves, instead of combining the roles of Apothecary and Chaplain, the Dusk Stalkers instead maintain separate positions though both are subordinate to Fjard Ruttvrak, the current Hár Goði
- Hár Goði þeir Járn (Low Gothic: High Priest of Iron (Master of the Forge)
- Járn Goði (Low Gothic: Iron Priest (Techmarine)
- Stórr Goði (Low Gothic: Great Priest (Chief Librarian)
- Rún Goði (Low Gothic: Rune Priest (Librarian)
- Húskarl (Wolf Guard)
- Hreystimaðr (Low Gothic: Champion (Chapter Champion)
Line Ranks
- Skútilsveinr (Sergeant)
- Hirðmenn (Battle-Brother)
Non-Line Ranks
- Frjálsi (Initiate)
- Kertilsveinr (Aspirant)
Non-Astartes Ranks
- Þræll (Low Gothic: Thrall (Chapter Serf)
- Alvæpni Þræll (Low Gothic: Armed Thrall (Chapter Serf) - The Alvæpni Þræll are the armed serfs charged with the defence of the Chapter's vessels and holdings.
Specialist Units & Formations
- Blóðugr Bánámáðr Svēít (Low Gothic: Bloody Slayers (Close Support Squad)
- Grár Bánámáðr Svēít (Low Gothic: Iron Slayers Pack (Battleline Squad)
- Grár Byrðskaði Svēít (Low Gothic: Iron Breakers Pack (Fire Support Squad)
- Njósn Svēít (Low Gothic: Scout Pack (Scout Squad)
- Skær Njósn (Low Gothic: Wolf Scout)
- Ulfheðnar (Low Gothic: Wolf Warriors) - Unbeknownst outside of the Sons of Russ, those who bear the Gene-Seed of thier Primarch, Leman Russ suffer from a flaw in their gene-seed found in the Canis Helix gene sequence, the genetic catalyst which every Space Wolf Aspirant imbibes from the Cup of Wulfen to begin their transformation into full Astartes. This flaw often leads them to take on many canine traits as they age, such as enlarged canine teeth, yellow eyes and abnormal growths of hair. Unfortunately, in some of Russ's sons the mutation proceeds too far and transforms them during the heat and passion of battle into more bestial, wolf-like humanoids. These Space Marines are said to bear the "Mark of the Wulfen" by the other members of the Chapter because they grow elongated canine teeth and bestial claws. To others they appear like the lycanthropes of ancient Terran myth, those who descend to this final stage are uncontrollable, feral Astartes that must be chained up when not in battle, within the Dusk Stalkers they are known as the Ulfheðnar (Low Gothic: Wolf Warriors) and are grouped together in rabid packs, unleashed only in the most dire of circumstances.
- Skjöldr-Breiðr (Low Gothic: Shield Biters) - The Skjöldr-Breiðr are psychotic berserker assault units composed of the most savage and bloodthirsty Dusk Stalker Astartes that are considered to unstable to serve in regular line units, even within these units, those too far gone to be anything but restrained as savages between battles are informally known as the Orrostumaðr, grouped together in rabid packs, these insane Astartes are unleashed only at the Stórr Járl's word.
- Rún Goði and the Húnðr öf Mörkhái - Amongst the Dusk Stalkers and most other Ultima Founding successors of the Space Wolves, there are a select few who possess tempestuous psychic abilities. Like the Rune Priests of Fenris, these powerful Astartes battle-psykers wield their mental might to aid their brothers and call down ruinous storms upon their foes. The Dusk Stalkers also make frequent use of the psyker-hunting packs known as "Hounds of Morkai'' of the Húnðr öf Mörkhái in ancient Glaðsheimjarn. Marked beneath their Phobos armour with powerful runes of warding, these specialist killers are a formidable threat to enemy Warp-wielders, and their chilling presence has been known to reduce their psychic quarry to whimpering wretches even before their knives and pistols complete the kill.
Order of Battle CA.112.M42
Headquarters
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Combat Doctrine
Since their founding the Dusk Stalkers have become infamous across the Imperium and are feared for there berserk fury and uncompromising savagery. "Merciless" is perhaps the best description for the Dusk Stalkers in combat, but even that does not describe the depths of blood-soaked slaughter to which they descend. Those few who have witnessed their bloodthirstiness report that the Chapter displays savagery and cruelty on an unparalleled scale. A Dusk Stalker force in combat seeks nothing more than to come to grips with an enemy in close combat so they can rend them apart in a hail of blood with chain-axes and Power Fists and, if need be, their bare hands and teeth.
Those few who observe a Dusk Stalker assault and live would be forgiven for assuming that they are mindless berserkers, unconcerned with tactics or planning. In fact, the Dusk Stalkers rely on a series of tactics that at their heart are both simple and reliable.
The warriors of the Dusk Stalkers are master packhunters, every aspect of their combat doctrine focused on the coordinated tracking, pursuit and destruction of their quarry. The first scent of the foe can be picked up in many ways -- sometimes a single psychic ripple will reach a Dusk Stalker Rune Priest and give rise to a chase, while other trails may arise by following signs left amidst the rubble of broken cities or the wreckage of ambushed fleets. Whatever the initial trace, the Dusk Stalkers close upon their enemy in complete stealth, observing their behaviour and movements until their weaknesses become clear. Phobos-armoured Infiltrator packs excel in this role, prowling behind enemy lines to probe defences and quickly silence threats that would slow the main assault. Next, Eliminator packs begin a campaign of terror that relents only when the battle is won, sowing panic and confusion with long-ranged assassinations from the shadows.
With the enemy wrong-footed and bleeding, the main Dusk Stalker force hit these points with overwhelming force. Uncontrolled, unbound, unrestrained, the Dusk Stalkers crash against the enemy in rabid packs, butchering their way forward, once the assaults succeeds, the Dusk Stalkers press the attack to the hilt. Once they commit fully, they dig deep into the enemy's vitals, endeavouring to do as much damage as possible as quickly as possible. At this point, the full fury of the Dusk Stalkers is all too apparent, and little survives this stage of the assault as strongpoint after strongpoint is overrun in a storm of roaring axes and blasting pistols.
Though the Dusk Stalkers seem both competent and familiar with armoured vehicles, the core of their tactics rely on large detachments of mobile Space Marine heavy infantry. In this way, the Dusk Stalkers make use of the bloody prowess of their combat brethren to carry the day in battle. The Dusk Stalkers often endeavour to be the initiator of combat actions and prefer not to fight on the defensive. This is borne out when studying their actions during the Battle of Vrantas, where they operated almost exclusively as a rapid-strike force, disdaining any kind of protracted engagement whenever possible, preferring to approach their targets either with extreme speed or by stealth, which allowed them to strike with the element of surprise on their side whenever possible.
Chapter Beliefs
In many ways the Dusk Stalkers are the product of the Worlds they recruit from, in particular 'Glaðsheimr' from which they take many of the traits of the feral tribesmen that inhabit the world, much as the Space Wolves take from Fenris and like their parent Chapter, the Dusk Stalkers place great importance in tradition and the memory of their Primarch, attempting to honour these memories by fulfilling the Primarch's and Emperor's wish for a galaxy under complete Imperial Compliance. In many instances, the only way the Chapter had a reasonable chance to achieve victory is by taking the most extreme of actions against its opponents. With each battle won, Battle-Brothers of the Dusk Stalkers feel confident that their Primarch's legend has been preserved. This serves as the most effective method of preserving his glory as well as that of the VI Legion he once led. In many cases, the worlds targeted by the Chapter have strayed in some significant way from the Imperium. It is these conflicts that offer the greatest temptation for the Dusk Stalkers to fully engage their thirst for savagery. Those who show any taint of heresy, or who even choose to ally themselves, however briefly, with Heretics, are targeted for purging. In some instances, purges have continued well beyond a reasonable level, as Battle-Brothers of the Chapter continued their acts of savage brutality long after any justifiable conflict had been completed.
This view extends to many other facets of the Chapter, command within the Chapter is gained through a mixture of martial prowess on the battlefield and displays of leadership on the front line. No rank or role within the Chapter is exempt from the expectation that they will fight as hard as the rest be the Space Marine in question be a Wolf Priest or Rune Priest rather than a frontline Space Marine. Compared to many of the other Astartes Chapters, order and discipline does not come as naturally to the Dusk Stalkers. Tempers often seethe, slights perceived or real are met with insane anger and violence often results should a Dusk Stalkers sense of honour be questioned. Any officer of the Chapter knows they are expected to back up their authority by force if needed, and the punishment of infractors by an officer's own hand is the Chapters way. To disobey an officer's order in battle is a death sentence to be carried out without delay. Trial by combat is the Chapters preferred route for settling disagreements within its ranks, and bloodletting by warriors in open discord is an honourable thing in the Chapter's eyes.
Chapter Traditions
- Head Taking - One of the most inhuman traditions of the Dusk Stalkers is the practice of removing the head of fallen foes although for what reason imperial scholars are at a loss. Many believe that it is simply a rather macabre way of determining enemy casualties
- Gladiatorial Combat - In rare instances, a few imperial forces have had the dubious honour of being allowed to witness another of the Dusk Stalkers' traditions, that of Gladiatorial Combat which takes place in specially designed pits in the depths of the Jörmungandr, known as the Blood Pits. When the Dusk Stalkers Battle-Brothers have a disagreement many choose to settle their problems in these pits. Two combatants will enter naked, save for a loincloth, and be chained together where they fight until first blood is drawn, or in some cases, results in death.
- Honour Marks - Dusk Stalker Astartes are also known for the many honour marks that they incorporate into their weapons and armour, often taking the form of Fenrisian Runes, they also extensively tattoo themselves, covering their faces, torsos and arms with sigils, runes and other more personal touches.
- Fenrisian Wolfs - Like their progenitors, the Dusk Stalkers are often accompanied by massive Fenrisian Wolfs, many of these creatures were gifted to the Dusk Stalkers by the Space Wolves during their founding. It is during the Trial of Morkhai that Aspirants often befriend and train Fenrisian Wolves (in so much as such a feral being can truly be trained). Fenrisian Wolves will fight ferociously beside their master against his foes and certain breeds of these beasts can even be ridden as a form of cavalry into combat. Occasionally a Battle-brother will attempt to hunt these supernaturally ferocious beasts and slaying one of these legendary creatures armed with nothing but their wits, is considered a great feat. This ritual is known as a "Lone Hunt."
Chapter Home World
The records of the Dusk Stalkers indicate that the Chapter has no set homeworld. This is not uncommon for Space Marine Chapters; the renowned Black Templars Chapter, for example, operates solely from its substantial warfleet as part of a perpetual Imperial Crusade. However, the Dusk Stalkers do not appear to follow the Crusade Chapter pattern of operations, relying instead on a much rarer operational strategy known as the "Nomad-Predation" pattern. The Nomad-Predation pattern evolved in use by Space Marine Chapters and certain Rogue Trader fleets operating beyond the Imperium's boundaries for extended periods of time. It refers to an entirely self-contained force that can sustain itself without any Imperial support whatsoever. A Nomad-Predation fleet may contain as many support vessels as true warships, or it may contain voidships capable of both combat and maintenance repairs. This second possibility may be more likely in the case of the Dusk Stalkers; given the bellicose Chapter's propensity for combat, it seems unlikely they would tolerate vessels in their fleet's ranks that could not hold their own on the battle line.
A Nomad-Predation fleet voyages endlessly, pausing only to identify and engage its foes. Unlike other Nomad Chapters who must select their foes carefully in order to preserve the Chapters fighting capability the Dusk Stalkers will attack any and all foes they encounter and do not seem to care about the possibility that the Chapter may be wrecked, only that the enemy knows that it will never be able to escape the Emperors wrath. Once it selects its victims, it will descend upon them quickly and savagely, engaging and systematically destroying all threats that are encountered in a whirlwind of gore, the fleet obtains resources from the vanquished foe before vanishing back into the void, to visit its wrath upon another.
Though one cannot be certain that this is the means by which the Dusk Stalkers operate, the tactics do seem to perfectly fit their observed behaviour.
However, in keeping with the Dusk Stalkers total disregard for many of the facets common to other Chapters, they are recorded to have been granted fiefdom over a number of worlds within the Segmentum Pacificus of the Imperium Sanctus, of these Glaðsheimr has been designated their Primary Recruiting World. Glaðsheimr is a world of ice and fire, very similar to Fenris itself and it is here that the Dusk Stalkers recruit the majority of their Aspirants though it also likely that they partially replenish their ranks in the same manner as other Chapters that follow the Nomad-Predation pattern. Namely, they cull potential Initiates from amongst the young of the survivors of their assaults, provided those survivors are human and free of the corrupting influence of the Warp. These Initiates must be subjected to intensive hypno-conditioning and other harsh procedures designed to strip away any past loyalty, replacing it with the will and attitudes of the Dusk Stalkers.
The Dusk Stalkers have also been granted exclusive Tithe Rights to the Worlds of Myrkviðr, Iðavöllr, Jourakius and Sharlrax, these are also reported to be located within the Segmentum Pacificus.
Chapter Recruitment
In order to ascertain who is worthy to join the ranks of the Dusk Stalkers, the adolescents of the feral tribes that inhabit thier recruiting worlds who would be Dusk Stalker Aspirants take part in violent games and tournaments once every generation, battling against the harsh landscape and their peers, here the Kertilsveinr learn and train, engaging in gruelling challenges of skill, endurance and cunning designed to weed out the unworthy. Only the very strongest of these hopefuls will be accepted and for them their trials have only just begun for once selected they must undergo many further tests and complete years of training. They will even face the Rún Goði themselves for only they can peer into the hearts of the Kertilsveinr and see their true selves. They will scour his soul for doubt, impurity and buried temptations -- anything that may be used against a Dusk Stalker or his Battle-Brothers by the fell and alien powers they will one day face. Only one who can steel himself against such horrors is worthy to call himself a Son of Russ. For those that pass these test, the toughest trial is yet to come.
The Trial of Morkhai
As a fleet-based Chapter with no single recruitment source, the Dusk Stalkers are unable to follow the exact initiation rites akin to those practised for millennia on Fenris. While the Space Wolves test their aspirants in the wilderness beyond the Fang after gifting them with the Canis Helix in what is known as the Test of Morkai, the Dusk Stalkers must be adaptable, and conduct their own Tests of Morkai across various secret, inhospitable environments.
One such proving ground if the Death World of Fornrit, a world of sweltering jungles and massive creatures easily capable of killing even a full Astartes. Those cast into this desolate place must master the monstrous transformations triggered within them by the Canis Helix and fight their way back to the landing grounds, hewing a path through the xenos horrors that erupt from the living, besieging jungle.
If the aspirant manages to find his way back to the Dusk Stalkers despite the ravages wrought upon him and the many perils that lie between him and his goal, he is implanted with the remainder of the Leman Russ’ gene-seed, stabilising the genetic sequences of the Canis Helix and completing his apotheosis into a fully-fledged Astartes. However he is still not yet a full battle-brother of the Dusk Stalkers, he is still merely a Frjálsi. There remains one more test before he can call himself a Hirðmenn, this test is known as the Blooding.
The Blooding
For an Initiate to call himself a Hirðmenn he must complete the Blooding, this informal test can occur mere weeks after their elevation to Frjálsi or it could be many years but the trial is the same for all. The Frjálsi is taken to a secret unknown world filled with all manner of deadly creatures, it is here the Blooding takes place. The Frjálsi must travel into the wilderness and there they will hunt a creature that is said to be more deadly than even the Fenrisian Wolves that haunt the worlds depths. What manner of creature they hunt is unknown to any outside of the Chapter, all that is known is that only by slaying this animal and bringing it back can a Frjálsi have earned the right to call himself a Hirðmenn and become more than he could ever have imagined.
Chapter Gene-Seed
The Dusk Stalkers are proud genetic sons of the Primarch Leman Russ, and feel a strong sense of kinship with all who share the Wolf King's genetic legacy. Like their forefather, they exhibit the keen senses and instinctive aggression of born hunters, though compared to some, the berserk fury that is present in all Sons of Russ is especially evident in the Dusk Stalkers for they constantly teeter on the edge of insanity. All the Battle-Brothers of the Chapter know that it is only a matter of time before the madness takes them too. At first their fall is subtle, but once it has taken hold it will rapidly take over every aspect of their being until they are ultimately lost. When the Primaris Marine creation technologies were first presented to the Space Wolves, Ulrik the Slayer proposed that they might be the key to overcoming the bestial genetic flaw that resides within every son of Russ: the Curse of the Wulfen. The Wolf High Priest's hopes were not borne out, however.
In the Dusk Stalkers and all other Primaris descendants of Leman Russ, this genetic anomaly lives on, and from the moment aspirants receive the Canis Helix, a lifelong physical and mental battle begins. Like unnumbered Space Wolves before them, any Dusk Stalker warrior may become overwhelmed by his inner savagery during the heat of battle, and descend into a berserk frenzy.
For some this state subsides with the ceasing of combat; for others the transformation is too complete, and they serve the Dusk Stalkers as feral Wulfen from that point onwards.
Another quick that become evident is that the Dusk Stalkers seem to lack the bullish camaraderie of many of their Space Wolves brothers, they are brooding and sullen, possessing dark mindset and their grim brotherhood of dedicated hunters seldom laugh.
They have also at times shown a disturbing and callous disregard for the lives of the civilians of the Imperium as long as their mission objectives are achieved. The Astartes of the Dusk Stalkers take a flippant view in regards to collateral damage and the use of excessive force. If innocent civilians or other Imperial forces happen to die due to their brutal tactics, then so much the better. They believe there is no such thing as "innocence," simply varying degrees of guilt, and that people who will not fight to defend themselves have no right to live as their freedom was purchased with others' blood.
Primarch's Curse: Fury of the Wolf
When the Chapter's genetic curse manifests itself in an affected Battle-Brother, it comes on in three stages:
- Stage 1 - Extreme Frenzy: The Battle-Brother completely loses control when he frenzies and finds it almost impossible to claw his way back to reason as long as there are foes to fight and blades drawn. Even when foes are not near, the madness of Frenzy grips him and he rages endlessly for battle and blood, howling out his anger and striking the ground with his blade. The Battle-Brother must take care, lest he lose control at any moment. Any time the Battle-Brother takes damage, is confronted with a clear threat, or is put in position of great stress, he must summon all his willpower in order to contain his fury for the duration of an encounter with an enemy.
- Stage 2 - Madness: The Dusk Stalkers thirst for the blood of their foes when in the grips of the Fury of the Wolf and long to see it spilled across the ground in great arcs and gouts. They also crave the feeling of hot blood on their skin and splattering across their armour, staining the dark red battle-plate a darker shade still. The Battle-Brother must engage foes in close combat if possible, either making melee attacks against them or shooting point black with pistols so that their blood spills at his feet. When he downs a foe, he must resist the urge to hack or blast the foe's corpse apart. If the Battle-Brother is attacked by a new foe while he is in this state while hacking at another foe, he will turn his attention to his new attacker instead.
- Stage 3 - Animal Within: Near the end, a Dusk Stalker Astartes is little more than an animal filled with fury and madness striking out at all those around him. While he may still have lucid moments where he remembers the warrior he once was, these are fleeting and quickly gone to be replaced with only the thought of killing and the thirst for blood, and he will attack the nearest target (friend or foe) if there is more than one to choose from. At this point, the Battle-Brother is completely within the grip of the Fury and must be transferred to the Orrostumaðr.
Notable Members
- Stórr Járl Rágnar Blóoðhówl - Rágnar Blóoðhówl is the first and current Great Jarl of the Dusk Stalkers and a living legend within his Chapter. Once a member of the Greyshields, he was raised to the position of overlordship in the Chapter, having won the respect of his pack-mates during the many battle of the Indomitus Crusade. His elevation came upon the Chapters departure from Hrímgard and it was Rágnar who lead his brothers to Galactic west in order to hunt in the haunted void beyond. Sparing with words but always at the forefront of precision strikes and overwhelming assaults, he has shown an uncanny ability to direct those around him, executing encirclements and kill missions as though his brethren were extensions of his own will. To those outside the Chapter, Blóoðhówl is an unsettling character who seems to pulse with barely controlled rage while at the same time seeming to draw unnatural sustenance from the fear he elicits from his foes. During battle the scent of panic stokes cold fires in the Great Jarl's eyes and intensifies his battle lust, spurring him on as he rampages across the battlefield in his overwhelming urge to destroy his foes. Despite this he has an unbreakable code of honour and a noble visage. In battle he wields the relic eviscerator Blóðbítr and is clad in a suit of baroque master crafted Mk X Tacitus armour, he is nearly unstoppable. He is often accompanied by his Fenrisian Wolf packmates, Fangir & Svangir.
- Járl Lokian Eldurskar
- Stórr Goði Halni Fyrbrolt - Halni Fyrbolt is the current Great Priest of the Dusk Stalkers and a pysker of immense power.
- Hár Goði þeir Járn Vaskyrll Krakenloc - As the Master of the Forge of the Dusk Stalkers, Vaskyll's skill and understanding of the intricacy's of the machines and weapons of the Chapter is second to none and he is able to discern exactly what is wrong with a vehicle at a mere glance.
- Hár Goði Fjard Ruttvrak - Fjard Ruttvrak is the current Reclusiarch and Chief Apothecary of the Dusk Stalkers.
- Járl Skallagven the Executioner - Jarl of Tra (Three) Jarldom, Skallagven the Executioner is a warrior-born whose skill with bolter and blade is second only to the Great Jarl himself.
- Thegn Magbjorn the Barbarian - 1st Lieutenant of Tra (Three) Jarldom
- Hreystimaðr Ottvarl Eraldr Gorwulf - Chapter Champion of the Dusk Stalkers, Ottvarl is one the finest warriors within the Chapter, a master swordsman, his skill at arms is said to even rival Járl Aeskyr Ironhelm.
- Skútilsveinr Hrothvin Halfurfingr - Sergeant of a Battleline Pack of the Tra (Three) Jarldom.
- Thegn Hjortyk Wolfheart
- Skær Goði Ulflaugur the Crow
- Hirðmenn Hararl Faltvrost
- Ulrik Trollbreaker - A veteran of dozen of campaigns, Ulrik holds the singular honour of being the very first Dusk Stalker to placed within a Dreadnought. Horrifically wounded fighting against the Aeldari of Craftworld Kaelor during the Invasion of Khoron Beta, the only option to preserve Ulrik's life was to be entombed within the shell of a mighty Redemptor Dreadnought so that he could continue to bring doom to his foes.
Chapter Fleet
- Jörmungandr (Battle Barge)
- Voidclaw (Battle Barge)
- Gnitaheiðr (Battle Barge)
- Gotthammer (Strike Cruiser)
- Skraermar (Strike Cruiser)
- Runefyre (Strike Cruiser)
- Heimdl (Strike Cruiser)
- Stormwolf (Strike Cruiser)
- Mjalnyr (Strike Cruiser)
- Veyrgel (Destroyer)
Chapter Relics
- Blóðbítr (Low Gothic: Bloodbiter) - Blóðbítr is a massive master crafted frostblade that was crafted by the finest bladewrights of their time and is a fearsome broad-bladed eviscerator that is almost twice the size of the standard variant used by fellow Astartes. Never was a weapon so aptly named as Blóðbítr. Armed with this ruinous blade, Ragnar can carve even the most heavily armoured opponents into welters of gore. Blóðbítr is every bit as unsubtle and savage as its owner. Forged with teeth ripped from the skull of a Mica Dragon, Blóðbítr serves as both armament and banner, its guttural roar a rally cry to the enduring nature of the Dusk Stalkers and the violence they will inflict on those before them. To the Dusk Stalkers themselves, Blóðbítr is the single most revered artefact within the Chapter, not simply because it is millennia old, nor that it's craftsmanship and power would put even the finest of blades to shame. It is it's provenance that makes it the most honoured relic the Dusk Stalkers possess for Blóðbítr was a gift from the Space Wolves themselves. Presented to the Dusk Stalkers on the day of their founding by Logan Grimnar, it represents the acceptance of the Dusk Stalkers as true Sons of Russ.
Chapter Appearance
Chapter Colours
The Dusk Stalkers primarily wear dark grey Power Armour with red shoulder pad inserts and gold trim, a dull, golden Imperialis or wolf-variant chest decoration is worn upon their chest plate. In keeping with those of Leman Russ' get, the Dusk Stalkers adorn their armour with tokens and fetishes, including wolf claws, teeth and pelts. As a non Codex-Chapter, the Dusk Stalkers do not incorporate the standard Codex markings, rather they utilise a combination of the marks of their parent Chapter and their own markings.
Pack Markings
The Chapter icon is proudly born on the left shoulder pauldron while the right bears a unique black Chapter insignia that indicates a battle-brother's assigned battlefield tactical role; a lozenge (diamond) for battleline; a lightning bolt for close support and a triangle for fire support. Veterans, Honour Guard and Ancients all replace the battlefield tactical role iconography with bespoke pack-marking designs in a combination of white, black and red on their right shoulder plate.
Markings used by the different jarldoms of the Dusk Stalkers
Járldom Marks
In keeping with their total divergence from the tenants of the Codex Astartes, rather than using the company markings as laid down in the Codex, the Dusk Stalkers are similar to their progenitors in having a unique way of designating Company. The Chapter is comprised of only six "Járldoms" (companies), each the equivalent of a Codex Chapter's Battle Company, though larger in size.
They are led by an officer called a "Jarl" (a captain or Wolf Lord equivalent) who possesses close to full autonomy over the direction of his Brootherhood. In lieu of the usual wolf iconography utilised by their progenitors to indicate company assignment, the Dusk Stalkers instead utilise various Járldom insignia which is pace on the right knee pad. Some warriors also bear an honour mark on the left knee pad. It should be noted that the Warriors of the Dusk Stalkers universally adorn their battle-plate as they see fit and thus no two Brothers armour is the same
Chapter Badge
The Dusk Stalkers Chapter Badge is that of the ancient VI Legion formation known as the 'Deathsworn'. A skeletal wolf skull representing the wolf-spirit known as the Wolf of the Red Moon. This skull is centered above a pair of two black spears crossed behind it, pointing downwards, centered upon a field of red.
Relations
Feel free to add your own
Allies
| Dusk Howlers | Though the Dusk Stalkers maintain extremely close relation with all of their fellow Sons of Russ, it is too the Dusk Howlers that they have the closest brotherhood with, for it was the Dusk Howlers who first made contact with the nascent Chapter and inducted them into the legend of Russ. Such is the closeness that the Dusk Stalkers not only incorporated the name of their benefactors into their heraldry but also the Wolf of the Red Moon. | |
| Sons of Russ |  |
The Sons of Russ is the name given to an unofficial collective of Chapters that bear the legacy of Leman Russ. Formed during the early years of the period known as the Era Indomitus, the Chapters have pledged to come to each others aid regardless circumstance, but even within this unbreakable brotherhood some ties have greater meaning and the Dusk Stalkers have formed particular bonds with those Chapters of a certain temperament, notably the Dusk Howlers, Kraken Reavers and the Crimson Prowlers. |
Neutral Relations
| Inquisition |  |
The Inquisition has long desired to bring the Sons of Russ to heal, even laying siege to Fenris itself during the Months of Shame. Following the creation of the myriad Chapters that descend from the Wolf King, the Inquisition has stepped up their attempts and have laid charges at the feet of many off these Chapters, accusing them of heresy and the harbouring of mutants. The Dusk Stalkers have become a particular target for the Inquisition but as of yet they yet to provide irrefutable evidence, despite their many attempts. |
| Kaelor | Though the perfidious xenos will never be considered an ally, after almost a century of conflict the Dusk Stalkers and Craftworld Kaelor have entered into a peace of sorts and no further conflicts have occurred between them. |
Enemies
| Thousand Sons |  |
For the Sons of Russ, the mere existence of Chaos is an affront to the very nature of the Galaxy and of those the Traitor Legions of old are the basest foes, however for the Dusk Stalkers, one of the Ancient Legions stands alone in the utter loathing and contempt that every Dusk Stalker feels for them for the Thousand Sons are the eternal enemies of all those who bear the legacy of Russ. Many times has Magnus and his sons come to blows with the Space Wolves and their successors and twice they have brought Fenris itself under siege, for the Sons of Russ the destruction of these foul traitors would bring a smile to even the most grim of wolves. |
Notable Quotes
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By the Dusk Stalkers
- "The void we will reave, the void we will stalk. We will cleanse the stars of the Mutant, the Heretic, the Xenos, and drown them in a sea of blood."
- —Anonymous
About the Dusk Stalkers
| Sons of Russ Chapters
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|---|---|
| Member Chapters | Beasts Undaunted • Blades of Morkai • Bloodied Hunters • Cernachian Wardens • Crimson Prowlers • Dawn's Wolves • Dusk Howlers • Dusk Stalkers • Fangs of Fenrir • Grey Wolves • Hartlords • Iron Beasts • Kraken Reavers • Kraken Sons • Moonlight Stalkers • Sea Kings • Sky Wolves • Stone Bears • Tempest Wolves • Void Selkies • Waveborn • Wild Hunt • Wild Wolves • Wolves of Blood and Bone • |
 Space Wolves Successor Chapters 
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|---|---|
| Ultima Founding | Abyss Stalkers • Ascetics of Korit • Astral Bears • Beasts Undaunted • Blades of Morkai • Blood Predators • Blood Seekers • Bloodied Hunters • Cernachian Wardens • Crimson Prowlers • Dawn's Wolves • Dusk Howlers • Dusk Stalkers • Fangs of Fenrir • Fangs of Vidar • Ghost Wolves • Golden Boars • Gore Wolves • Grey Wolves • Greymanes • Hartlords • Iron Beasts • Kraken Reavers • Kraken Sons • The Mastodons • Maws of Fenris • Moonlight Stalkers • Night Wolves • Painted Hounds • Phantom Wolves • Red Wolves • Sky Wolves • Stone Bears • Tempest Fangs • Tempest Wolves • Void Selkies • Waveborn • West Khan Wolves • Wild Hunt • Wild Wolves • Wolf Knights • Wolfborn • Wolves of Blood and Bone • Wolves of Redemption • Wolves of Yggdrasil • |
| Extinct | Corpse Wolves • |
| Renegades | Bloodborn Wolves • † Skyrar's Dark Wolves • |
Gallery