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"The sky will bleed and the heavens shall rip apart, releasing the beasts from within."
— Line from Wulfentime Prophecy
The Abyss Stalkers (Ginnungveiðr in Niflanian) are a Non-Codex compliant Space Marine Chapter in the 42nd Millennium, created as a part of the Ultima Founding. Founded as a reaction to the newly abandoned Friorhol Sector, the Abyss Stalkers are part of an ancient Astartes group created by the High Lords known as the Astartes Praeses to protect the sectors surrounding the Eye of Terror.
Like their genetic forebears, the Abyss Stalkers are masters of the hunt and close-quarters combat, making them a perfect counter against the chaos warbands that try to immerge from the Eye of Terror. The Abyss Stalkers are also masters of terror combat, attacking bit by bit, destroying enemy morale before striking for a final blow. The Abyss Stalkers are known to be a extremely aggressive chapter slaughtering whole imperial worlds if that is what it takes to purge the heretic, the xenos, or the mutant. Though even with this intense aggression, one thing is certain, the chapter's loyalty to the Emperor and to Russ, whom they still believe will return to lead the wolves once again to greatness.
When the Great Rift ripped across the galaxy and tore it two, thousands of worlds suddenly became under siege by the horrors of Chaos. When all hope was lost, the thirteenth son of the Emperor - Roboute Guilliman - rose from his deathly slumber to bring back hope by declaring himself as the Imperium's new Lord Commander and upon his rebirth, his greatest invention would be brought to light. A new breed of the Adeptus Astartes, the Primaris Space Marines, numbering in the thousands were set forth onto the Dark Millennium by their creator, Archmagos Belisarius Cawl. From the very brink of extinction, these new and improved warriors would be Guilliman's mighty fist as he brings salvation to the lost worlds. With the declaration of the Indomitus Crusade, Roboute Guilliman set out to the stars with the Unnumbered Sons to save humanity from its darkest days.
Crusade Fleet Secondus 000.M42[]
As Fleet Secondus of the Indomitus Crusade focused on driving back the Chaos hordes spilling out from the Eye of Terror after Cadia's Fall, Guilliman's Unnumbered Sons tested themselves upon the treacherous and incalculable numbers of the arch-enemy. Battlefields spanning Imperial world after Imperial world became the perfect breeding grounds for the next-generation of Astartes. It was also through these many campaigns that the capabilities of the Primaris Space Marines were revealed to humanity and its enemies. These wars would pave the foundation of what soon would become the Abyss Stalkers as many of the Unnumbered Sons experienced brotherhood amongst like-minded warriors with whom they had never met before, but would certainly die for.
As Fleet Secondus reached Cadia and it pushed chaos back, the remaining unnumbered sons that had not been placed into a newly created Ultima Chapter or used to reinforce existing chapters were instead reused in Guillimans Fleet Primus.
The New Commander Early M42[]
As Fleet Primus reached the end of its track and the Indomitus Crusade focused upon dispersing itself along the Great Rift, Guilliman met with the Chapter Master of the legendary blood angels, Dante. It was here that Guilliman entrusted Dante with the recapturing and protection of what was no Imperium Nihilus, and with this great responsibility Guilliman also gave Dante legions of his unnumbered sons to continue the Indomitus Crusade in the now lost Imperium. It was here that many of the unnumbered sons would last see the Imperium whole, as once they crossed the Nachmund Gauntlet they would have to suffer the torment that was the slowly dieing Imperium Nihilus.
A Chapter is Born 049.M42[]
Abyss Stalkers Intercessor
Early into the forty ninth year of the this new dark age a single escort-class vessel broke from the warp to deliver a message most drear; the Friorhol Sector, a sector that had sat on the edge of the Eye of Terror had recently been abandoned by its sworn Astartes Praeses chapter. If such a sector was left unguarded, countless daemons and Heretic Astartes warbands could slip through this gap in realspace and cause chaos in the new Imperium Nihilus. As it was the duty of Dante to protect and rebuild the foundation of Imperium Nihilus, he instructed that a new chapter would be formed to replace the treacherous Iron Horn chapter, now known as the Iron Gore. Shutting this door into Imperium Nihilus would become an urgent mission, and the chapter created for the task would be known as the Abyss Stalkers. To this duty, the veteranated warrior Vidar Farseer was entrusted with the duty of leading this new chapter.
Friorholian Crusade 050.M42- Ongoing[]
Abyss Stalkers Hellblaster
The Friorholian Crusade was a event in Imperial history that started on 050.M42 and is still an ongoing event, during which the newly created Space Marine chapter known as the Abyss Stalkers would attempt to reclaim the lost sector in Imperium Nihilus.
With the sector unguarded for more then two solar decades, alongside with the near impossible astropathic communications the sector fell into an archaic state that had not been seen since before the Great Crusade. Because of this age of darkness, most of the planets had lost hope in the imperium, their skies now ripped in twine as the bright purple of the Eye of Terror raged even more then in the past.
It was this dissolent and strange sector that the Abyss Stalkers had to reclaim in the name of the Emperor, and it was here that they would spend the next fifty years crusading world after world. To hasten the crusade Vidar organized his chapter after that of his gene-fathers, the Space Wolves, splitting the chapter into twelve independent armies, each tasked with bringing systems back into imperial compliance.
First Phase (050.M42 - Ongoing[]
Notable Campaigns[]
Abyss Stalkers cleaning up after a ambush by the Black Legion
Evilox Conquest (223.050.M42 - 105.052.M42)- The Conquest for Evliox was one of the many first strikes inside the Friorhol Crusade led by the Abyss Stalker Space Marine Chapter. The focus of the campaign was to bring imperial peace back to the Evliox in the wake of the Great Rift and the Era Indomitus. The campaign ultimately lasted less than a year as the Abyss Stalkers 3rd Great Company, alongside various Imperial supplements went world to world examining and recapturing lost Imperial Planets. Initially the campaign went smooth, as most imperial worlds didn't have the forces or machines needed to combat the raw power of the Adeptus Astartes, this was until the 3rd Great Company came up the planet of Clearport-B04. Once the systems capital planet, it was reduced to nothing more than a failing atmosphere, and the remains of humanity that attempted to survive on the slowly dying planet. Upon the 3rd Great Companies attempt to reclaim the planet they fell into a ambush by the Black Legion Warband known as Abaddons Dragoons. The savage and dying nature of the planet brought with it the perfect opportunities to hire and recruit new members into the warbands cult, and with a precise attack they attempted to take down the 3rd Great Company before they could call in reinforcements. Though calculated the Warband was unable to predict the might of the new Primaris marines, and what they thought was a perfect ambush only turned into their own slaughter. Though only losing two squads of their own, the Black Dragoons were able to wipe out four of the Abyss Stalkers, creating a gash in the already hard to replace marines of the chapter.
Abyss Stalker 10th Company Intercessor Squad disembarking from a Impulsor to lay a storm of fire upon the enemy encampment
Seige of Mubadus (231.050.M42 - 296.051.M42)- The planet of Mubadus was once a purpose and plentiful mining world, but after generations of mining it's atmosphere was stripped of all breathable oxygen. Because of this its inhabitants were forced to move deep below the planets surface. When the great rift formed, and all communication was lost to the planet though, they turned inwards for protection and rebuilt the planet's defenses ten-fold, using the very resources they once swore to the God Emperor to now protect themselves. Bringing this planet back under Imperial control would prove an ever more tedious task, its thousands of dead end tunnels and caverns would become the burial ground for all that dare attempt attack. For this planet it was up to the 12th Company, Ragnarok, masters of breach warfare. Equipped with dozens of powerful melta weapons, the Company marched through the caverns, assisted by hundreds of servo-skulls that within hours perfected maps of the entire cave system. For almost a year, Ragnarok bashed at the walls of the planets hive cities, and for a almost a year the people of Mubadus held the gates shut. Though as the Emperor had designed, Ragnarok eventually cracked the doors of its hive cities and forced the planetary governor to readmit the planet to the Imperium.
Chapter Homeworld[]
Niflheim IX[]
Planetary Pic-file of Niflheim
"This land is fertile and will provide many great sons of Russ. It is here, my brothers, where we plant our blades. This is now our home. Today, we save this planet from Chaos. Tomorrow, we claim it in the name of the Wolf King!"
— Quote from Wolf Lord Heimdal of the 3rd Great Company the Hræsvelgr
A world lost in time as there are no official reports of the Imperium ever successfully colonizing Niflheim. A fact further proven true by the dangers that the planet still hold. The surface of Niflheim is covered with giant beasts and monsters that have an insatiable appetite for the flesh of any humanoid being that walks upon on its surface. The only thing worse than the wildlife is the unbearably cold winters of the planet. Through constant struggle against a world seemingly against human life, the natives of Niflheim survive and this indomitable will to survive make them perfect candidates for recruitment into a chapter of the Emperor's venerated Adeptus Astartes.
The hardened and splintered human tribes upon Niflheim are suspected to be the descendants of survivors from the planet's first and only attempt of colonization prior to the arrival of the Abyss Stalkers. The ship carrying the original colonists had experienced an electrical system failure that resulted in its crash into the planet's surface. The ship was so thoroughly decimated during its crash that there was no hope for any components to be salvaged for the creation of a single Imperial Knight. The colonists were equipped with nothing, but destroyed hunks of junk and the few surviving Imperial Knights that were stored in the cargo hold. These Imperial knights barely lasted for more than a decade before their machine spirits or pilots perished due to the treacherous world.
Locations of Interest[]
Departmento Cartographicae Map of Niflheim with important locations according to the natives of the land
Niflheim is a vast and large world, being classified as a Super-Terrestrial world by the Departmento Cartographicae. The surface area of Niflheim is almost twice that of Holy Terra, though Niflheim's landmass is compacted into a singular supercontinent along with a few isles spread around it.
On this super-continent, there are a number of notable locations marked out by the natives of the planet. Each one of these locations has some importance to the natives, from the hunting grounds of different tribes to important holy grounds. These locations are as follows:
Two tribesmen cross the frozen wasteland that is the Land of the Sleeping Wyvern
Land of the Sleeping Wyvern: This stretch of land is cast in a permanent winter, unlike the rest of the world. This climatic phenomenon makes it impossible for nothing less than the most potent tribes and predators. A highly dangerous creature that can only be described as a Wyvern from myths and tales of before the Imperium dwells within the land's frozen peaks. These powerful winged beasts can stand up to 30 feet tall and breath bursts of pure ice. It is often a great omen when one of these mighty beasts are slain and the proud warrior who is able to kill one is usually welcomed back into their tribe as a Chieftain, a warrior above all before him. The area gets its name from an old myth, that beneath all of its frozen mountains rests a Wyvern like never before and that the mountains themselves are just the boney spine of the great beast.
The skies around Ravenspire are always lit by a constant thunderstorm
The Ravenspire: Acting as the primary border between the Land of The Sleeping Wyvern and the rest of Niflheim, this set of mountain ranges is covered by a set of dark clouds that spew an almost constant array of thunderstorms. This range of mountains has also been noted as the "cursed lands" because of the strange storms. The tribes that live in this region are known to live within the many cave systems and are pale of skin. Furthermore, the constant storms rendered any verbal communication to be almost impossible, so the inhabitants are very well versed in sign language. The mountains in the Ravenspire are the home of many different kinds of animals, with the most common beasts being huge bearlike monsters, and giant Rok's. The area obtained its name because of its highest peak, which is home to a giant black rok, which the natives originally thought was a godlike raven. Hence the area's designation by the locals as the Ravenspire.
Pic-file taken by one of Inquisitor Metallius Harlan's acolytes during there investigation of the origin of the natives of the planet.
The Land of the Giants: This barren land is filled with rolling hills and vast plains as far as the eye can see with sections covered in thick boreal forests. The tribes of the area are more technologically advanced than many of the other planets' tribes. Whereas a typical Feral World tribe might have access to crudely made techno-spears, these tribes are known to be equipped with things such as techno-blades and simple augmentations (such as bionic eyes and ears) though they are of the crudest design. Warriors of this region are also known to be equipped with crude sets of Flak armor. Ever since its reintegration to the Imperium, the history of Niflheim's colonization has been a mystery as there are no Imperial records that made any mention of the planet or the system it is in. This mystery prompted Inquisitor Metallius Harlan of the Ordo Hereticus to investigate the planet and his mission was two-fold. He would have to find the truth of the colonization of the planet, and investigate the locals for signs of heresy as their mysterious colonization could be the work of chaos. After about a year of constant searching and scanning of the planet, the Inquisitor was led to a place the natives referred to as "The Land of the Giants" and upon searching the area the Inquisitor found the truth of Niflheim. Within a secluded valley, the Inquisitor found the remains of a pre-Imperial cargo ship and upon searching the ship, he discovered that it had been launched during the Long March, a time when humanity's first colonies made voyages to the great edges of the galaxy. However, through some technical difficulties - which Metallius suspected were most likely caused by rogue warp storms within the system - the ship was forced to make a crash landing. The emergency landing proved to be fatal for many of the ship's crew and most of its cargo was destroyed. The greatest loss that the colony sustained after the crash was the destruction of the Imperial Knights crafted for the journey. The few Knights that weren't completely destroyed by the crash soon failed due to heavy damage sustained from the lethal world's natural dangers and the STC to create more were badly destroyed during the crash.
The rolling hills of Hermit pass
Hermit Pass: This valley is tightly squished between two of the planet's largest lakes and the tribes of the area are known for being skilled fishermen. When tribes of the area set out to raid rivals and neighbours, they are well known for using sea-bound vessels and are the undisputed masters of naval based warfare. Their mighty ships assaulting the beaches of the tribe's camps before hordes of warriors jump out for the raid. This affinity for naval combat was created because many ferocious beasts live within the valley, some small and some hundreds of feet tall. The presence of these monstrous creatures make living within the valley itself impossible. Though, it has been noted that a few small tribes of less than 15 people have been able to survive the valley. This is because of the tribe's small size, which keeps any settlements small and lets the people remain mobile.
Thick boreal forests scattered across many hills within the region make a beautiful sight for viewers
The Highlands: This region is blanketed in beautiful thick boreal forests and rolling hills. There have been many attempts to re-colonize this portion of Niflheim by Imperial Explorators. However, numerous native attacks, strange weather anomalies, and the ferocious beasts of the land have made this almost impossible with only the smallest outposts being able to hide away from these threats. Prior to becoming the Abyss Stalkers' homeworld, Niflheim used to send tithes of bodies to the Astra Militarum and the primary recruitment camp was located in this area. Ever since the Abyss Stalkers have conquered and claimed the planet, the camp was repurposed to train new chapter serfs for the chapter. This has led to the camp gaining superior weapon systems such as towers equipped with auto-locking heavy bolters. These lands are also known to carry lots of simple prey such as deer and elk as well as fearsome creatures such as massive dire wolves that lurk on the outskirts of each human outpost.
A lone warrior makes the long march to see the land of there ancestors, and see's a long-abandoned fortress of old
Land of the Old Ones: After their crash landing, the immediate area became too dangerous to survive so the remaining survivors made a trek to find a safe location to settle down. This eventually brought them to these ancient lands, which they settled down in for many generations, though due to multiple civil wars the area was turned into nothing more then ruins. The remains of what was once a proto-hive city still remain here, alongside multiple outposts that were once used as garrison points for PDF forces, but due to the scrambled technology many systems were too scrambled to work. Leading to machines often failing, which led to civil unrest, alongside a weak governmental system led to many civil wars for the city. After what is recorded as a 50-year war the city was no more and its remaining civilians fled to the greater world, forming barbaric tribes to survive the harsh wilderness. This land is now marked as holy, and very few tribesmen have ever even stepped on its beaches.
This vicious island is covered with dense swamps
Kraken Isles: This island is covered in a dense swamp that has seemed to grow sentients of its own. Marked as the single most dangerous area on the planet almost everything has evolved to rapidly adapt to anything that may threaten them. Even the simplest venom from one of these creatures has the ability to melt right through the flesh on contact. These extreme conditions make this area perfect for tests of possible aspirants for the chapter, as this island acts as the second stage for the testing process. Originally thought impossible, there has been noted a few extremely rare tribes that live in the area, though the tribesmen from this island are savage and barely human, even to the point the Abyss Stalkers don't recruit anyone from the islands.
Pic-file of the plains of the area
Wispy Plains: The large and flat plains of this area are great for hunting, and the tribes that live here are known to be extremely nomadic, moving with herds of food. These tribesmen are known to be protective of these animals, treating them as high-value resources and the main focus when they invade neighboring tribes. Living alongside these wild beasts often get these tribes into battles with the regions various beasts, whether be small and live in hordes using their mass numbers to strip a whole herd of prey to nothing but bones; Or be large and solitary creatures that could gut a human in a single swipe. Though through the many centuries these tribes have lived here they have grown an intense relationship to canines and often use them while hunting.
Natives traveling through these ancient forests
Forest of Wisdom: The thick forests of this area have been the home to the most numerous tribes on the whole planet, though these tribes have been noted to be a fraction of the size of many of the planets other tribes. Usually only including up to 15 members, upon reaching this limit these tribes create splinter tribes that are made from the extra bodies of the tribe. This is because large scale tribes could never live in the forests, their large size would make them to easy of a target from foreign invaders, and the mass size would make hunting for food to hard as most of the creatures of the forest have adopted many abilities to blend into the brush. These tribes are known to be the greatest marksmen of all the planets though, for if a tribesman is born with eyesight problems or body deformities they will be quickly eaten by the forest, within a tribe everyone is a hunter and being able to use a bow is so known to them that its almost a third arm.
This land is covered in mass battlefields, weapons and bodies alike littered as if junk
Flesheater Mounds: The tribes of this area have been known to be the most active in the art of war. Thousands of years of war have stripped the once-wealthy land the tribes originally fought for into nothing more then a barren wasteland covered in mass battlefields. These lands were once covered in lush green plains, and the land provided few natural predators, making it the most ideal location for a tribe to settle, and could have been the location for a possible new Proto-Hive City. However because of how perfect the land was it was quickly contested by more than a hundred clans, causing wars of mass size that would last years at a time. Children born into these wars would quickly be taught how to wield a blade and how to fight for if even a simple child can't fight for his tribe then they and their whole tribe will be devoured by other clans, caught in an endless war that not even the wisest shamans remember the start of, only that if they don't win and conquer it will cause great dishonor on the tribe as a whole. Because of how stripped the land has become, the act of cannibalism has become common within the region, as the flesh of the enemy is thought to strengthen one's body and mind, it is also the only source of food in the area.
A possible aspirant of the chapter arrives at the Gate of the Emperor a sacred location, and the only land entrance to the chapter's fortress monastry
Isles of Gods: Home to the chapter's fortress-monastery, this land isn't organic and was artificially created by the Abyss Stalkers upon their arrival. The land is covered with many great challenges for any possible aspirants to cross before even coming into contact with the Astartes chapter. From treacherous seas around the island, to ravenous mountains that populated the region, causing the planet to have almost no flat surfaces. The only safeguard for travelers is a lone fortress within the great mountain ranges, this fortress is known as The Gate of the Emperor and is the only way to gain entrance to the chapter's fortress-monastery through its many underground tunnels. Once out of the cave systems it is the job of the aspirants to make the final journey to the Fortress Monastery.
People of Niflheim[]
Niflan warrior standing alongside a beast he has tamed for hunting
The people of Niflheim are known as the Niflan and though barbaric in nature the imperium has on multiple occasions had the opportunity to study these tribesmen. Because of the world's extremely harsh nature, many of its inhabitants have grown up to live a nomadic life, only building temporary villages.
Because of how hard it can be to hunt many of the beasts on the planet it is also very common for these tribesmen to participate in raids and wars for food, women, and land. It is for this reason that almost every child is a trained warrior, for the tribe can never truly know when they're going to be attacked, and in the face of war age is only the number of years you have protected your tribe.
The physiology of Niflans is close to that of the basic Terran, except for a few evolutionary traits the natives have developed to survive. This includes more slender muscular forms to keep themselves as small and light as possible for hunting, and more finely tuned senses.
People of War[]
A group of Niflan raiders charging head first into a battle
Due to the nomadic nature of the planet's inhabitants, the people of Niflheim are naturally born warriors, who are trained in the arts of war from birth. Unlike the civilians of the millions of Hive Cities across the imperium, war is a constant thought of a Niflan and everyone must be ready for battle at a moment notice. This is one of the main reasons the Niflans are often equipped extremely lightly, while heavier and more complex armor could take minutes to fully equip, which is something most warriors do not have on the brink of a battle.
The most common equipment of these tribesmen is the pelts of beasts they have slain, these pelts provide some protection from attacks and prevent serious wounds, but are mainly worn to protect the fragile human body from the elements. They are also most commonly equipped with a spear for ranged melee warfare, bows or great bows for ranged warfare, or heavy clubs for close melee warfare. These weapons are usually crafted from either the bones or teeth of the creatures they hunt or are made from crude metals. Though uncommon, weapons such as axes and swords are seen, though the craftsmen needed to craft such tools are usually saved for chieftains of high ranking members of society. There are a few numbers of tribes that are completely equipped in these rarer weapons, though these tribes have usually grown to such size that building a permanent village is possible to defend.
Even rarer among the tribes are pieces of technology, usually saved for the Chieftan, these weapons have been badly crafted by mixing the advanced technology of the 40th millennium with the primitive technology of the tribe. Resembling crude power weapons, these weapons have the same basic goal, to kill enemies with a high degree of success. The most common of these weapons are power spears, which can be anything from having a badly damaged power sword attached to a stick to having a haywire set of technology causing streaks of energy to burst from the weapon. The rarest of these weapons are actually functional las-weaponry which is usually looted from destroyed imperial camps, because of the need of energy packs these ranged weapons only last a short amount of time before they run out of energy and are useless.
Society[]
Pic-File of a temporary Niflan village
The tribes of the Niflan have only survived all these years because of there deep investment in the Tribalism style of society. At the top of Niflan society is the Chieftain, these proud warriors have obtained the respect of their fellow tribesmen. Upon the battlefield, there is no one more dangerous than the Chieftan and his personal squad of Karls.
Though technically not part of the tribe hierarchy, the village shamans are highly respected individuals who only bow down to the tribes Chieftan. Highly sought out by tribes, shamans have a strange and mysterious ability to look into the spirit realm and gain knowledge far beyond that of a normal tribesman. Unknown to the shamans though is that fact that there mysterious come from the warp and that they themselves are psychers, it is actually from young Shamans that the Abyss Stalkers recruit their Rune Priests.
Niflan Shaman performing an ancient war ritual
Under the Chieftan is the Karls, the honored warriors of the tribe. Equipped with the best equipment the tribe can offer, a Karl is a warrior above all else. The trained elite the Karl are tasked with leading the armies of the tribe and the personal bodyguard of the Chieftan. Upon a battlefield a squad of Karls and its Chieftain is highly feared, for together this elite squad can wipe out hordes of warriors all by themselves.
The most common sight in a tribe is its warriors, both men and woman gender does not dictate where one is among the society, instead everyone is seen as a finely sharpened blade, perfect for war. Most tribes train their young from the moment they can understand orders to become warriors, with those who cannot keep up with the harsh and rigorous training being abandoned to be devoured by the lands great beasts or to be sold to another tribe as a slave for resources.
The bottom of the hierarchy is its slaves, these humans are treated as less than simple tools. Usually tasked with the most tedious tasks of the tribe, these once proud warriors are stripped from everything that they once knew and "trained" to be loyal servants to there new masters. Upon the battlefield, it is common to see hordes of slaves pushed into the front lines only equipped with the most basic weapons, and barely any armor, it is the dream of these slaves to prove their worth to the tribe through war so that they can once again be a warrior.
Religion[]
Niflan tribesman gives himself to the gods
Because of the tribalistic nature of the people of Niflheim a religion has been formed. This religion resembles many of the greater Imperium feral tribes religions, with a heavy focus on spirit animals and greater beings of ultimate power.
Upon conquering the planet, the Abyss Stalkers planted seeds of the ancient Fenrisian religion, with the goal of combining the two into a Pseudo-Religion consisting of elements from both. Though it took many years the Abyss Stalkers were successful with this mission and were even able to make the Black Armoured Wolf Priests of the chapter seem as Demi-God beings, sent by the gods to choose warriors that would fight alongside them in the heavens.
A Thousand Tribes[]
The people of Niflheim live in a nomadic tribalistic way, and because of that, thousands of tribes have risen and fallen from power. In the greater scheme of things, a singular tribe is nothing but a single grain of sand. Though rare, there have been times when dozens of tribes have banded together under the leadership of a great chieftain as a great tribe. Though these great tribes may stand as an impossibly strong tribe, once this great chieftain dies it is common for the tribes to have a civil war to become the new leader. Such is the life of these tribes, to rise and fall just like a fire.
Baldr & Váli[]
Baldr and Váli are Niflheim IX's two largest moons, both having an atmosphere capable of providing life. Both of these planets provide tithes to the Astra Militarum, as well as providing defenses to Niflheim, whether it is as ground troops, or as sanctioned troops tasked with using planetary defenses.
Baldr[]
Pic-File of Baldr's many Hive Cities
Once covered in many deserts because of the planet's thin atmosphere, the imperium has used the surface of this moon to erect many hive-cities, going as far as classifying the moon as a Hive Planet. Untold billions live and are born on this planet every year, and dozens of Astra Militarum regiments are tithed from these planets great hive cities. Like many other hive planets, Baldr's main resource to the imperium is its many Astra Militarum regiments, whom are trained off-world because of Baldr's outdated military camps that are only good at training the most basic planetary defense forces.
Váli[]
Váli is covered in many crop fields
A relatively peaceful planet, the inhabitants of Váli are born into a peaceful life of farming. Though it could never supply the raw amount of food delivered from a full-scale Agri-World, Váli's many produces are used to feed Baldr and the serfs of Niflheim. Compared to Baldr, Váli's population is not but a fraction, and so Váli could never supply the same amount of Astra Militarum Regiments as Baldr on a regular basis. Instead, Váli mostly fills its Astra Militarum tithe with the raw resource of food, which is then turned into simple meals for thousands of guardsmen across the galaxy.
Planetary Defenses[]
As with every planet in the imperium, Niflheim is protected by not just its loyal Astra Militarum regiments, but various other elements controlled by the imperial navy. Being located so close to the Eye of Terror, planets within the Friorhol sector are well equipped to deal with invading forces. These defenses are scattered across its planet and moons, those defenses are as follows:
Niflheim[]
Planetary Defense Force: Being controlled by the Abyss Stalkers, Niflheim doesn't owe a tithe to the Astra Militarum, unlike many other imperial controlled planets. Instead, these units are heavily trained so that they may one day become chapter serfs, these serfs are split into three different divisions.
The first being the most well-trained individuals, who are chosen to be the personal serfs of the chapter and are assigned to the chapter's many ships. These individuals are known to be as well trained as the Tempest Scions and are equipped as such. Though most of these individuals will never be on the same battlefield as their Astartes Masters.
The second of these is known as Kinsmen and is usually pulled straight from an Abyss Stalkers clan before they left. While these kinsmen aren't trained to any of the degrees as any of the other serfs, they act as the personal servants of there assigned Astartes, and every Astartes in the chapter has one under there service.
The final of these divisions act in the same way as a normal planetary defense force, defending the planet from any foul scum that attempts to attack the planet. Being as well trained as a guardsman, these unnumbered serfs are the loyal protectors of Niflheim, and every one of them would put their life down to protect there home.
Planetary Defenses: Not to be confused with the Planetary Defense Forces of the planet, these are buildings dedicated to the defense of the planet against naval threats. Scattered across the planet, Niflheim has 6 of these stations. These stations include:
Blackhowl Bastion: This massive base holds an impressive Lance Battery, located within the Forest of Wisdom deep within the ground, very few know the true location of this base. Because of the high power usage of the lance battery, the serfs assigned to this bastion known well that they only have one volley of shots before the system can be down for minutes. Firing this battery also notifies the enemy of its location, making it a prime target for their fire. Though a well placed shot from this battery is enough to take down escort level threats, and are even enough to cripple cruiser level ships, who are usually hit unsuspectingly from it.
Frostmines Redoubt & Thundersword Haven: Fully automated, the serfs of these missile silos are only located here to protect it from being launched against its own allies. Once launched, one of these silos missiles automatically hunts its target before exploding.
Brightsword, Bleakfall, and Darkfang Airfields: Scattered across the planet's surface, these airfields provide hundreds of fighters and bombers piloted by chapter serfs trained in the aeriel arts. These pilots usually provide as the planet's primary aeriel defense in the atmosphere, though these ships are capable of leaving the atmosphere to act as reinforcements to the orbital defenses if the situation calls for it.
Orbital Defenses: Alongside its ground defenses, Niflheim has many orbital defenses that act as support for larger vessels, or as the first line of defense against vanguard invaders. Niflheim's orbital defenses are as follows:
Defence System Titan, and Blackclaw: These orbital defenses are equipped with torpedo launchers are effective are pinging off enemies at a range as well as up close.
Space Station Ice Rune, and Wyrven: Though not as powerful as a Ramilies-class Starfort, these two space stations provide very well needed support fire. Though these stations are able to hold their own against small threats, each of these space stations is equipped with multiple Weapon Batteries, Lance Batteries and Launch Bays, making them formidable opponents.
Baldr[]
Planetary Defense Force: Being covered in vast hive cities, Baldr is able to keep a respectably sized Planetary Defense Force, though these forces are little more than street thugs, except for those who act as personal guards to the high ranking people on the moon. The amount of regiments Baldr's Planetary Force has is numbered around 61 as of recent reports, with each regiment having anywhere between 1,000 to 5,000 potential guardsmen.
Planetary Defenses: Within its many Hive Cities, Baldr holds a couple of Planetary Defenses to guard them against external threats, these defenses are as follows:
Black Scar Barracks: Despite what it entails, this base is little more than just a barracks, far hidden within it is a singular missile silo. This singular missile is capable of crippling even battleships with its automatic targeting system. Though because of its high cost, it is rarely shot, being saved as a last measure.
Fientstar Airfield: The primary air focused defense of the planet, this massive airfield has the potential of launching hundreds of attack craft into a battle.
Orbital Defenses: Being caught within the orbit of Niflheim, the Abyss Stalkers chapter have requisitioned that the moon is equipped with orbital defenses, so that it may participate in an attack if required, these orbital defenses are as follows.
Heretics Crossing: An ironic name, this defense is a massive minefield located around the planet, that on command can be launched away from the planets orbit to create a choke point against invading targets.
Emperor's Holy Guidance: This massive Orbital Weapons Platform provides great cover fire for ally naval ships when engaged in naval combat. It's also tasked with taking down the few ships that survive the moon's minefield.
Váli[]
Planetary Defense Force: Having a population a fraction the size of Baldr, Váli has very little manned forces protecting it. On record Váli has little more than 10,000 active Planetary Defense Guardsmen. Because of this, it is not uncommon for multiple Astra Militarum Regiments to be assigned to defend the planet, though these regiments are usually little more than conscripts.
Planetary Defenses: Along the surface of Váli, rests 2 Missile Silos, these missile silos are launched as needed, usually only packing enough punch to cripple the void shields of escort-class vessels. Though what they lack in power they make up in quantity, with each missile silo packing up to 2 dozen missiles, which are launched together in a mass horde. Because of their small size, it only takes mere minutes to reload the missiles.
Helgafjell[]
""What separates us from those Khornate savages is that we do not mangle the bodies of heretics for our enjoyment, but as a sign to them that their days are numbered. That with every body that we destroy and hang that they will wish that we are the last ones to find them.""
— Radulfr Frosthauss of the Abyss Stalkers 9th Great Company
Instead of building a singular massive structure that would act as the Chapter's Fortress-Monastry the Abyss Stalkers have instead created an entire city for their chapter found on their man-made island, known as the Heglafjell. Split into many districts, the majority of the cities buildings have been hand crafted by the very Astartes that dwell there, with the only building of true imperial might being the Helgistaðr.
The Isles of Gods was designed to be a treacherous domain, with beasts gathered from around the Friorhol Sector running rampant. These beasts combined with the sharp cliffs and splitting mountains of the area make it impossible for travelers to make a direct route to the Monastery, instead the only clear path to the Monastery is through a heavily guarded Fort, this fort is known as the Gate of the Emperor and its location is deeply hidden within the island. The forts positioning within the deep valleys of the island makes it a perfect defensive strongpoint for the chapter's serfs, who arm the building on constant guard. Once an aspirant has appeared though, it is tradition for a squad of the most honored chapter serfs to lead them through the many cave systems of the mountains, to the open ice plains from were they must depart and make the final leg of the pilgrimage.
Helgistaðr[]
The home of the High King and the Abyss Stalkers command centre, the Helgistaðr
This building was a personal gift from the Adeptus Mechanicus after their assistance in the cleansing of the local forge world. The Helgistaðr is essentially a miniature Fortress-Monastery, including many of the defense systems and specialist halls such as the Forge, while only being truly large enough to house the High Kings Great Company.
Astropath Choir[]
Chapter Serfs gather the Astropaths and readies them for their next message
Deep within the crust of Nilfhiem rests the chapter's Astropathic Choir, hidden away from the world as a protection. The walkway to this part of the Fortress Monastery is not like the other walkways, instead one must walk down naturally made cave systems deep into the planet's crust. As for the Astropath Choir itself it is found in a large cave opening, with dozens of paths leading in and out of the room. Along the middle of the room is a tear in the very ground, revealing one of the only lights, that of the planet's molten core. It is here, in the deep dark and silent caves that the Astropaths seek the Emperor's Tarot and send messages to the greater imperium.
As for the living condition of the Astropaths, they are but the simplest that can be. Out of the dozens of tunnels connected to the Astropath Choir are even more splits and dead ends, each ending in a modest cave home. Most of these homes have not a light, and have nothing more than a stone bed to give the Astropaths comfort.
Forges[]
The mighty doors that lead to the Helgafjells Forges.
Found even deeper within the crust of Niflhiem then the Astropath Choirs is that of the chapter forges. These massive forges are powered by the planets geothermal energy, and is maintained by hundreds of mono-tasked servitors. Between the beatings of the Iron Priests hammers and the screeches of metal being forged into holy weapons their is not a time of quiet.
The ash and pollution of these forges, combined with the intense heat is so great that even the chapter's serfs must regularly swap those who are assigned to the the forges. To the chapter serfs, being assigned to the Forges is a great risk, as many of those who enter suffer permanent scars or even death.
Inner Forge[]
The Inner Forge.
The Inner Forge is the private forge of the chapter's Greymane, only him and the few dozen servitors he has personally crafted are allowed to walk in this most holy place. This forge unlike the chapter's others is not powered by the planets geothermal energy, but instead the very core of the planet. Its heat so great that even a mere minute extra within the forge is enough to melt a marines power armor. It is from this forge that some of the chapter's greatest weapons and relics have been produced, its heat rumored to summon the very demons of hell into its metal. It is also within this burning hell that the chapter's most venerable dreadnoughts are kept, being personally over watched by the Greymane.
Librarius[]
The Helgafjell's Librarius.
The Helgafjell's Librarius is a salvation for those who prefer to stay away from the drunken warriors who call themselves the emperor's finest. As some would say, this is the only place in the entire fortress monastry where one can find peace and quiet, and for those who would dare bring noise and banter to the Librarius are met with a quick and painful punishment from the chapter's Rune Priests. This mighty hall is covered in head to toe with hundreds if not thousands of tomes and encyclopedia's ranging from the history of Nilhiem, to the greatest saga's of the chapter, to even the biological breakdown of the Friorhol's most terrifying creatures.
Scriptorium[]
The Helgafjell's Scriptorium.
The Helgafjell's Scriptorium is where dozens of the Chapter Serfs, clad in their formal red robes painstakingly hand write everything that will be eventually placed within the chapter's Librarius. Unlike other Imperial Organizations or even Chapters of the Adeptus Astartes who prefer to place the info that will be locked into the Librarius onto data-slates or into a super-comuters massive data banks, the Abyss Stalkers keep true to the ways of old and keep all this ancient knowledge within beautifully bound tomes. It is because of this reason that the Helgafjell's Librarius is constantly expanding.
Heimaruss[]
Exterior of the Heimaruss's primary entrance.
The Heimaruss is the grandest and largest of the chapters Temples of the Allfather. Built directly into the side of a mountain, the only connection between the Heimaruss and Helgistaðr is a interect and complex series of underground tunnels. Unlike the Temples of the Allfather found within each of the Great Companies Districts, the Heimaruss does not store the Saga's of the chapter but instead the Saga of Leman Russ himself, from his arrivial on Fenris to his departure. These records of Russ's saga are some of the most complete within the entire Imperium only seconded to those kept deep within the Space Wolves Fang, holding records from battles to the most mundane tasks and orders Russ made. Each day at the crack of dawn, the Bloodhowlers chants the entirety of Russ's Saga, hoping that doing so will please him whereever he may be at this time, being a beacon to return him home. In addition to being a place of worship for Russ, the Heimaruss also includes a massive and complex catacomb that holds the personal shield of every fallen marines of the chapter that could be retrieved, keeping them in prestine condition to honour the chapters fallen.
Throne Room[]
The Throne of the High King.
By far the largest room found within the Helgistaðr's many halls, the Throne Room is where the High King can be found and from where he unleashes all the chapter's commands. Hundreds sometimes even thousands of Serfs walk in and out of this room daily, collecting and reciting the words and orders of the chapter's most wisest warrior. This is also the room where the High King unleashes his punishments upon those in the chapter who have disgraced them, which can range anywhere from a timed banishment from the chapter into the Deathwatch to bloody fights to the death where the High King gives the traitor one last glimpse of the light of the Emperor before meeting his judgement.
Great Company Districts[]
Divided around Helgistaðr are twelve districts, each controlled by a Jarl of each of the twelve Great Companies. Just as the lands of the Helgafjell are truly massive each of the districts hold a large mass of ground, much of which is covered in vast wilderness. It is here within these districts' wilderness that many of the Great Companies hunts or training exercises are practiced. Within these districts the Jarls word is law and so the look of each of these districts can vary, but usually found within each of the Districts are as following.
Clan Holdings[]
A bustling centre of activity, a Clan's Holding is the one place a Kinsmen can call home
Further dividing the district, each of the Chieftains that lead one of the Great Companies clans are given plots of the districts lands of which they are offered to build their homes, and so each of the Great Companies clans will usually spend much of their time away from each other, only reunited as one whole force when a Campaign is declared. The amount of land given to a chieftain is tied to his rank, as a chieftain of the savage bloods will have less land under their control then that of a thane. It is the responsibility of the chieftain to control these small hamlets and keep its wilds filled to the brim with beasts that can be hunted for food.
The largest of these clan holdings belong to the Company Jarl, who beside having to accommodate himself, must also make room for the Speakers of the Dead temples and the many homes of his personal thanes. It is the decision of the Great Companies Huscarls if they too will share a plot with the Jarl, some preferring to stay close to their Jarl while others prefer their solitarily.
Longhouse[]
Though the exact shape and size of a Longhouse differs, they are always centres of hustle and bustle
As tradition within the Abyss Stalker Chapter, when a aspirant is brought back to the chapter and he has fulfilled the trails of Russ he will be tasked with the building of his own longhouse. Built from the strong boreal trees found within the wilderness of the Helgafjell, these longhouses can take up two Terran years for a clan to erect. During this time the marine will have to rely on his clansmen to shelter him from the cruelties of Friorhols' long nights.
Once erected and the clansmen has passed the Trial of Man the longhouse will become a bustling center of activity. With the clansmens own family from his past life taking up residence and acting as the clansmen's personal chapter serfs, and those domesticated animals that follow them (Unlike the family that the clansmen must personally bring to the Helgafjell, animals are brought by dropship). Because of this, the older a marine becomes he may see and have multiple generations of serfs serving under him, and so his longhouse will increase in size and complexity.
Though as it known among all brothers of the chapter, a clansmen will not live forever, and when the day comes that he falls, the clansmen's longhouse alongside all that belonged to them be burnt to the ground, a tradition that has served in the chapter since they adopted Friorhol and its culture into themselves. It is believed among the natives of the planet that once these things are burned, that they will be passed onto the next world with them. After these ceremonies are finished the chapter's Speakers of the Dead will then return the clansmen's family back to their original tribes so that they may tell the Saga of their families greatest warriors. It is because of this reason that the idea of becoming a great warrior of the gods is so highly sought after.
Mead Hall[]
Example Interior of a Clan Meadhall
A bustling point of activity the Mead Hall is a massive building standing within each of the clans regions. These buildings are both used as the eating place for the clan but also a place to discuss personal manners; and so the bringing of any weapons besides combat knives have been made strictly forbidden. Though the structure and design of each of the clans Mead Halls change one thing is always the same, the endless supplies of Fenrisian Ale (A secret given to them from their gene-fathers) and the strong aroma of endless hordes of food being cooked. In addition to those Mead Halls given to each clan there is a single one located near the Jarls personal residence that is used to serve himself and to gather the entirety of the Great Company.
Temples of the Allfather[]
Example Temple of the Allfather
Named after the chapters Primarch Leman Russ, Temples of the Allfather are places of worship and prayers, being the homes of the chapters Speakers of the Dead. Unlike the longhouses of the chapters kinsmen the Temples of the Allfather are permenament structures that are passed down to new Speakers once one had died, with the tradition being that the new owner elevate the temple to new heights. Usually found by themselves deep in the wilderness of their respected Jarls lands, it not unusually for members of the Great Company to travel to the Temple for many of things, from disputes between Kinsmen to recieving ritual cleasenings after one has had a brisk meeting with unfavourable powers. The interiors of these buildings include the same simular objects, with large stained glass windows depecting the many deeds of both the Emperor of Mankind and of Leman Russ, with the largest imagery being of those campaigns that Russ was able to fight alongside his father during the early days of the Great Crusade. The interior walls of the temple are carved with Niflhiemian runes that detail the most majestic and mythical of the chapters Saga's and Deeds, for words in stone are more powerful and will outlive any word written in a book.
Jarls Longhouse[]
The home of a Great Companies Jarl, his Longhouse stands as a testiment to his name
Though some of the oldest longhouses of a Great Company may be fantastic symbols of mans greatest work, they are nothing compared to the Great Companies Jarls' Personal Greathouse. These behemoths of structures stand as true wonders of the Imperium, reminding the Great Imperium of greatness of man and its accomplishments without the help of advance machines. Something that is always the same about a Jarls Longhouse is the massive throne hall that sits directly in its middle, here the Great Companies Chieftains and even Kinsmens on rare occasions can discuss various things with the Jarl, though mostly these things are land disputes and updates on the strength of each of the Clans. Normally this hall is also decrorated with shields baring the symbols of the Clans that have sworn fealty to the Great Company, showing that they are all equal in the eyes of the Jarl, each a extentsion of his will. Though rare, sometimes these longhouses can become exceptionally busy as a rivalry between two different Great Companies explodes into a war, each side fighting for the land the other owns.
Chapter Recruitment[]
The Great Pilgrimage[]
It is the sacred duty of the Speakers of the Dead to comb though the lands of Niflhiem, to find those who could potientially become a Angel of Death. Whenever rumors of a clash of clans or of major wars, the Speakers of the Dead send hordes of Servo Skulls to observe and watch over the battle. If one was to stand out then the Speaker leaves the Fortress Monastery and approaches the warrior usually late at night, and tells them of their true purpose. To leave their home, and to travel far away to the lands of myth.
It is then the Speaker of the Dead leaves the young man, who must then make the many months long trip to the Helgafjell. This is known as the Great Pilgrimage, and it is the duty of the young man to leave with haste, usually not even having enough time to say goodbye. Though rare, sometimes these travelers will meet up and form groups to increase their chances of survival.
The Gate of Morkai[]
The Helgafjell's replica Gates of Morkai
Based off the sacred trial that the space wolves hold, the Abyss Stalkers make new aspirants go through a similar event which they too call the Gate of Morkai. While making a perfect replica of the Gates that are found within the fang are impossible, the Abyss Stalkers have made their best attempts. Once arriving at the Helgafjell the young men are brought deep within it's many metal hallways, to its core. It is here where the gates sits, and just like their gene-fathers the Abyss Stalkers Rune Priests use it to rip and tear at the initiates minds, attempting to drive them insane. Those who pass are then sent to the chapter's Speakers of the Dead to attempt the Test of Morkai, and those who fail are transformed into Servitors.
The Test of Morkai[]
The Test of Morkai is another of tradition past down by the Abyss Stalkers gene-fathers the Space Wolves. During this test the aspirants are brought into the chapter's Reclusiam to consume the Canis Helix. This gene-seed unlike the others is kept here as a ancient relic from their gene-fathers, as this gene-seed is the most important one for the chapter, for without the Canis Helix none of the chapter's other gene-seed would activate.
Unlike the Cup that the space wolves have, the Abyss Stalkers consume the Canis Helix from a Great Horn. Unlike many of the Relics the Abyss Stalkers have obtained the origin of this Great Horn is relatively unknown. Rumors are that it was the horn of the planet's greatest Wyvern, torn from its skull forcibly by the chapter's High King and used to gut the beast. Though this rumor is greatly accepted by the chapter, the High King is to yet accept the story.
After drinking from the sacred horn the aspirants are dropped within the most dangerous region on Niflhiem, the Kraken Isles. This area of land, a place viscous to the already hardy people of Niflhiem, makes a perfect training grounds for the recruits. It is also here that the recruits get their first experience with the Canis Helix and the curse that comes with it. If the aspirants were to lose themselves in the blood filled rage that comes with the Canis helix then the aspirant will become a beast that is known as a Wulfen. If a aspirant survives in the Kraken Isles for a month then they are brought back to the Fortress Monastery to begin the trials that grant them their remaining gene-seed.
Trials of the Gods[]
After an aspriants body has accepted the Canis Helix, they are ready tohave the rest of the chapter's holy gene-seed implanted into their body. Though unlike normal chapters who's aspirants spend years inside training rooms and learning the chapter's doctrines the Abyss Stalkers send their aspirants on a number of "trials".
Before aspirants can begin these trials they must first be shipped off world to a specially assigned member of the Speakers of the Dead. This member is a master of watching over the chapter's recruits, having spent almost a Terran century completing this task. To meet up with this Speaker of the Dead the aspirants are sent to the nearest Imperial Navy ship via drop ship. It is from here the Aspirants will work as nothing more then a Ratting as payment for the Imperial Navy vessel giving them passage to the Speaker of the Deads personal escort-class vessel, this process usually takes no more then a Terran month, and only happens once every 3 Terran years.
Once they meet up with the Speaker of the Dead the trials truly begin. These trials include the aspirants being dropped on one of the many hostile environments found on Friorhols many imperial worlds, these can range from a Death World's deserts to a Hive City's underhives. These trials last for around 2 Terran years and before being deployed in these unfamiliar and hostile territories the aspirants are implanted with a simple monitoring chip, this is to keep a eye on the aspirants vitals and to keep the location of the aspirants known to the Speaker of the Dead at all times. During the trials the aspirant will be occasionally kidnapped to have one of the gene-seeds implanted inside of them.
This system of implantation and testing is to not only to teach the Aspirant how to battle in various battlegrounds but to also give the Aspirants the time and experience needed to fully learn how to utilize their newly implanted gene-seed.
After surviving 5 trials the surviving aspirants are sent back to Niflhiem where a great feast is prepared for the newly inducted members of the chapter. Before the aspirant may attend the feast though they are taken deep into the Helgafjell were the final gene-seed is implanted, the Black Carapace. After this final gene-seed the Aspirant may finally call themselves a kinsman of the chapter and are placed within one of the Great Companies Assault Intercessor clans.
Trials of Russ[]
After returning to the Helgafell the aspirants are taken for the final implantation of the black carapace. Afterwards they taken to their Great Company, and it is here that they are met with their next trial, for the newly inducted members of the chapter is known as the Trials of Russ. While these trials aren't designed in anyway to mentally or psychically strain the new kinsmen, it is meant to build a bond between these new brothers and the elder brothers. These trials are based off those the chapter's Primarch Leman Russ gave to the Emperor when he came to Fenris.
The first of the trials involves the new Kinsmen to feast with their new clansmen. It is here that they will now only hear the sagas of their brothers but also tell the tales of their trials.
The second trial is one that almost every member of the chapter looks forwards to. This trial entails that the new Kinsmen drink alongside their new brothers. This results in many of the chapter becoming completely hammered and pass out drunk.
The final of these trials is perhaps the most important as it puts the new Kinsmen into their place. This trial includes each new Kinsmen to go into a one on one fist fight with their Jarl. It is said that this fight creates a unbreakable bond between Kinsmen and Jarl, just as it did between Leman Russ and The Emperor.
Trial of Man[]
After a kinsmen has been fully accepted by his Great Company and he has erected his personal longhouse it is time for the kinsmen to accomplish the final trial of the chapter. Equipped with his newly aquired chainaxe, power armor, and bolt pistol the kinsmen is sent back to his original clan so that he can escort his family back to the Helgafell. This trial is to teach a marine the feebleness of man as he'll have to defend the family again and again, building a ever more godly imagine in the minds of those who once called him brother or son.
Chapter Training[]
Daily Rituals[]
The life of the Adeptus Astartes is one of constant war, and so when not engaged with the greatest threats of the imperium space marines must stay in top shape and health.
Combat Rituals[]
Noncombative Rituals[]
When not in active combat, on campaign, or simply are on Niflhiem resting the Abyss Stalkers follow the following routine and rituals:
Time
Ritual
Notes
0400
Morning Prayer
Led by a Great Companies Speaker of the Dead, the morning prayer includes the kinsmen renewing their vows to the emperor as well as the reciting of an abridged version of Leman Russ's saga. During this prayer the Great Companies relics, carried on massive finely ornate stone slabs draped in the finest pelts from Great Companies hunts as a spectacle for all and to realite the flames in the Astartes hearts.
0500
Morning Hunt
Starting with the sound of the Jarl's mighty horn, the morning hunt involves all the kinsmen of the Great Company hunting and murdering the various beasts that live around the Fortress Monastery. When the hunt is finished rewards are handed out to the clan that captured the most, and also too the kinsmen who did the same; as well are the punishments to those who were caught lacking. Like every other morning exercise the morning hunt is made without the help of the Astartes power armor or power weapons, instead having to really on more primitive weaponry and their own devices. It is not uncommon for the Great Companies Speakers of the Dead to release particularly dangerous beasts moments after the hunts start to add some additional challenges. The exact rules of these hunt are few and far between, usually being vague but not disallowing the use of violence against rival clans.
0700
Close Quarters Combat Training
After the excitement of the Morning Hunt the still adrenaline filled Astartes are led to the Great Companies fighting pits. Here each clan, under the leadership of a Chieftain precipitates in a series of close quarter drills and contests. It is not uncommon for these contests to end bloody as particularly angry Kinsmen get revenge for any misdoing in that mornings hunt. The exact weapons used in that days training is determined by the Jarl and is usually kept a secret from the Great Company, for it best to bring out the sharpest and deadliest weapons after a exceptionally rowdy hunt. If a Kinsmen finds himself injured during these morning exercises he is not allowed to leave or allow himself to relax unless said injury prevents him from training all together.
1200
Midday Meditation
After the Great Companies Kinsmen have tired themselves out from several hours of close quarters fighting they are ordered to take immediate rest and meditate. The purpose of this meditation to allow the Kinsmen to calm his inner wulfen and better learn how to resist its temptation. It is also during this time that any injured Astartes from the training before will finally be examined and treated, alongside being given equally important lectures on how they could have prevent said injuries, a process many within the chapter find mind numbing.
1300
Midday Meal
The only time of the day that is seen with disgruntled sighs, the Midday Meal is a sloppy wet nutrition mixture that is designed to stimulate and help the healing properties of the Astartes gene-seed. Because of this meals bland and almost putrid look the Great Companies Speakers of the Deal add artificial flavoring to those Astartes that most impressed them in that mornings exercises, while sometimes giving those that disgraced them additional servings of this hated meal. Refusal to eat or simply not eating fast enough is punished swiftly and harshly by the Speakers of the Dead, even to those in higher rankings such as a Jarl or the High King.
1315
Grand Summoning
After the Great Companies Kinsmen have had a chance to eat and recover from their wounds they are gathered together by their Jarl. Here they will be detailed on any new Xeno species or spotted Chaos Marine Warbands in the Sectors proximity. After this they are quickly debriefed on that afternoons exercises and are loaded into one of the Great Companies transports to one of the chapters proving grounds, fully equipped in their power armor and weaponry.
1500
Battle Practice
With their muscles warmed up from the morning exercises and their bellies full of the midday gruel the Kinsmen are split into their Clans and partake in intense and fiery mock battles. Unlike the morning exercises these ones are made in full power armor and allow the Kinsmen to equip themselves with their designed weapons. The moment the Astartes enter to the moment they leave a proving ground the only thought that is allowed through their mind is war, as commands from their Jarls and Chieftains blast through their helmets vox's and the devastating fires of war consume all around them.
2000
Medical Checkup
Because of how highly volatile the Canis Helix is each Kinsmen is required to have a daily gene-seed and body examination.
2100
Evening Feast
Following the Great Companies medical checkup and their travel back home they are met with a glorious feast featuring all that they had slaughtered earlier that day and the most succulent alcohols around. It is during this time that the remaining grudges from earlier in the day are ironed out over a cold mug and the chanting of saga's.
2130
Firing Practice
To end an Kinsmen day of training is a calming session of firing practice. The glow of the boltguns barrel or the hum of a plasma gun a soothing sound/sight to uptight Kinsmen, and the blaring of bolts a lullaby to their ears.
2315
Maintenance Rituals
Before handing his power armor back to the Greymanes each Kinsmen must do a through cleaning, and oiling of his armor in addition to making any tiny repairs needed. Failure to do so results in punishment decided by the highest ranking or eldest nearby Greymane.
2345
Free Time
The Kinsmen is dropped off at his home and allowed to spend this remaining time relaxing or engaging in light activity.
0000
Rest
The Kinsmen is allowed a four hour sleep period, a severe punishment to those who over drink themselves the night before.
Ceremonial Routine & Rituals[]
Proving Grounds[]
Scattered across Niflhiem and its neighboring satellites the Abyss Stalkers have designed and developed multiple mock battle grounds designed for training. These proving grounds are square patches of land with edge lengths of about 100km, with each being designed as a unique battleground for a variety of training regimes. These proving grounds are kept in order by hordes of servitors and loyal chapter serfs, and are filled to the brim with even more hordes of machines designed to kill and the various beasts the chapter has brought from across the entire sector. The following are known Abyss Stalker proving grounds and their purposes/functions:
Chapter Organisation[]
Great Companies[]
Symbol of the Engilltaka
Engilltaka (Angels of Death): A weird manta, the High Kings personal Great Company is simply known as the Engilltaka, which is low gothic for Angels of Death. It is within this Great Company that the chapter's most prodigal aspirants are chosen to be part of the most legendary company that chapter has to hold. To face the Engilltaka is to face the very wraith of Leman Russ himself, to face the burning fist of the Emperor's judgement, to face the Emperor's Executioners. It is this Great Company that bears the Chapter's symbol, the symbol depicts the Wulfentime when Morkai will break from his imprisonment cursed upon him by Reman Russ and devour all known light in the galaxy, bringing the end of all.
Symbol of the Sølvräv
Sølvräv (Silver Foxes): The Silver Foxes are the Abyss Stalkers second Great Company and make the greatest use of the Vanguard Primaris Marines out of all the great companies. Unlike the other Great Companies Kinsmen who start their careers as Assault Intercessors those in the Sølvräv begin as the mythical Náttatönn, proceeding into a Leynask once they have learned to control the Canis Helix. The icon and name sake of the Sølvräv is that of the Silver Fox, a mythical beast of Niflhiem that has elude its many hunters for generations, only ever being seen never hit. It is from this myth the Great Company swears by, to never be seen, to be only a shadow, and if found, to never be hit or let anyone leave alive.
Symbol of the Hræsvelgr
Hræsvelgr (Corpse Swallowers): The Corpse Swallowers are the Abyss Stalkers 3rd Great Company, specializing in the art of Planetary Bombardments. For this Great Company there is nothing more glorious then seeing a battlefield's skies covered in mighty drop pods and blacked from the smoke of Jump Packs. Kinsmen from this Great Company are known to hold very little in regards of their own safety, throwing caution to the wind if it means they can drop upon the enemy and tear it apart in close quarter combat. For them the skies are not a limit, but another tool they must utilize to purge the galaxy from those that may attempt to harm the Imperium of Mankind.
Symbol of the Mjölnir
Mjölnir (The Hammers): The Mjölnir are the answer to the problem of siege warfare. While astartes and their chapters are not designed to fight in long winded sieges they are effective at ending them quickly. It is this idea of warfare that the Mjölnir excel in. Equipped with the heavy weapons of the chapter and tanks to match, this Great Company has yet to find a wall that the unholy volley of a half dozen vindicators could not answer. To those within this great company, power comes from what you hold and those who are chosen to wield the heavy weapons of the company are its most veteran warriors, even some of the thanes of this great company have only lived a fraction of the life that a single one of these veteran warriors have. Because of their constant use of heavy weaponry this great company has built a sort of bond with the local Adeptus Mechanicus, trading their protection as body guards in favour for rare or even experimental upgrades to add to their weapons and armor, the most favorite of these upgrades is the attachment of shoulder mounted weapons onto gravis armor, which has become a staple of the great company.
Gungnir (Holy Spears):
Aesir (Gods Among Man):
Jörmungandr (World Serpeants):
Hildisvini (Great Boars):
Ulfheðnar (The Wolf Born):
Surtur (Fire Giants):
Ragnarok (End of Days):
Einherjar (Army of One):
Draugr (The Undead):
Great Company Banners[]
Found deep within the Helgafjell is the High King's Throne Room, this immense room is filled with the Chapter's most impressive trophies, to be within this room is to be stepping into the realm of gods themselves. Hanging above the room is the many banners of the Jarls both past and present.
Whenever a Jarl dies and a Great Companie's Thanes elect a new one, it his duty to take up the mantle of the Great Company, but to also have a mighty banner based around his Saga. It is this banner that the Great Company Ancient holds proudly upon the battlefield, a testimony to the enemies of the Imperium of the Jarls might. Though no Jarl can live forever and upon his death at his traditional funeral his body is burnt within the Greatest Forge found within the Helgafjell, so that his spirit may fuel and empower the weapons that are sent forth from it. Afterwards his mighty Banner is hung high above the ceiling of the Throne Room, as a reminder of the Jarl's great saga.
Abyss Stalker Chapter Banner
Engilltaka Great Company Banner
Sølvräv Great Company Banner
Hræsvelgr Great Company Banner
Chapter of a Thousand Names[]
Unlike many of the chapters within the Adeptus Astartes who have long ditched the language of their homeworld in replacement of that of High Gothic, saved for curses or inner speaking; The Abyss Stalkers have instead dropped the language of High Gothic, speaking it only when needed in favor of the Tongue of their homeworld. Because of this much of the Abyss Stalkers organization seems like a jumbled mess to outsiders and the chapter even more so.
Specialist Ranks[]
Jarl (Ierl): The Abyss Stalkers variant of the Standard Space Marine Captain
High King (Hárgramr): The title of High King is the same as the Standard Space Marine Chapter Master or the Space Wolves Great Wolf
Huscarl (Húskarl): Though Huscarls serve a similar purpose to that of the Space Marine Lieutenant they are actually based of the Space Wolves' Battle Leader and are chosen from the elite rank of the Thane, hand chosen by the Jarl for their bravery and skill on the battlefield.
Chieftain (Formaðr): A Chieftain is a hand picked warrior that is assigned to lead one of the Great Companies clans.
Icon of the Speakers of the Dead
Speakers of the Dead (Høyttaler Av De Død): The Speakers of the Dead are the ancient title granted to the Space Wolves Legion for their Wolf Priests and is now adopted by the Abyss Stalkers who use the same name. Combining the roles of a Chaplain and Apothecary, these mythical warriors not only keep the chapter's own culture alive, but also the culture of the ancient Space Wolf Legion. It is also their sworn duty to retrieve the gene-seed out of fallen their Kinsmen.
Bloodhowler (Dreyriýla): The highest ranking officer of the Speakers of the Dead is known simply as the Bloodhowler. As the name implies the Bloodhowler is treated as a extremely high ranking officer in the chapter, being the right hand of the High King himself.
Judicar (Herlið): The Niflan word for force, and the chapter's name for the Primaris Judicar while also combining the role of the ancient Consul-Opsequiari, executing young marines that start to succumb to the pure madness and blood lust that the Canis Helix brings with it.
The sacred symbol of the Sverdhjera
Techmarine (Sverdhjera): Sverdhjera is the Niflan word for Blademaster, which of whom act as the chapter's Techmarines.
Greymane (Grármön): The Grármön is the chapter's most experienced Techmarine, being the same rank as a Master of the Forge in other chapters. Uniquely among ranks, once a Blademaster has risen to the rank of Greymane he will change his honor name to match, adopting the mantle of the Greymane.
Techmarine Novitiate (Ungrmálmr): To become a Sverdhjera a marine must make the Pilgrimage to Mars and learn the sacred chants and traditions of the Adeptus Mechanicus. But such a Pilgrimage is something a chapter cannot constantly supply, shipping off these Ungrmálmr once every three solar decades in bulk to learn the ways of the Machine God. Ungrmálmr are chosen from the ranks of the Villmann Blod early in their days of the chapter. These Ungrmálmr then learn the most basic rituals of the Adeptus Mechanicus from the Grármön, and pilot the chapter's many battle tanks and aircraft until they too can make the journey to Mars. Ungrmálmr are identified by the right arm of their power armor being painted red, a sign of them being touched by the Omnissiah. Traditionally each clan would have at least one Ungrmálmr, it is this brother's sacred duty to pilot the clans vehicle into battle.
Rune Priest (Rún Papi): Like all astartes chapters, the Abyss Stalkers keep a Librarium in tack to supply the chapter with potent psykers. Unusual The Abyss Stalkers have gifted their psychic able warriors with the title of Rune Priest like their gene-fathers the Space Wolves. Though unlike their gene-fathers the Abyss Stalkers Rune Priests follow a more structure ranking system, with newly adapted members of the Librarius being named Rune Skald, and more experienced psykers Rune Priests.
Rune Skald (Rún Skáld): The lowest rank of Rune Priest, a Rune Skald is equivalent to a Codex Chapter's Lexicanium. Not assigned to a Great Company, these priests spend all their time within the Helgafjell's Librarium learning how to channel their psyker powers into powerful runic magics. It is also the task of Rune Skalds to study the battles of the chapter's past so they one day can become master tacticians and create perfectly crafted battleplans for their assigned Jarls. Unlike most other Abyss Stalker Marines the Rune Skalds do not wear power armor or carry weapons inside the Helgafjell, only donning them when they are attached to strike teams.
Rune Priest Symbol
Rune Priest (Rún Papi): Within the Abyss Stalkers chapter the rank of Codicier does not exist, instead each Great Company is assigned a singular Rune Master who will then choose from the flock of Rune Skald a singular apprentice. The manner of how a Rune Master chooses their apprentice differs from Rune Master to Rune Master, some wanting a display of psychic ability, while others prefer to see their effectiveness while in combat. Whatever the way, once a Rune Master has chosen a Rune Skald as his apprentice they perform a ritual of bonding, during which the Rune Skald swears his loyalties to his Rune Master and to the Jarl, as tradition this ritual always ends in a sparring match between the Master and the Skald. It is common during this spar for the Rune Master to scar his apprentice in some way. Seen as barbaric by other chapters due to its savage nature, this battle does nothing but build the bond between master and apprentice. After their spar the Rune Skald is gifted a newly made suit of ice blue power armor, it's color a sign of respect to their magic's origin of Fenris. This suit of power armor then becomes the canvas for the Rune Skald to write his Saga and the Sagas of the heroes around him, and the final Gene-seed is implanted. It is then the Rune Master announces the Rune Skald as a Rune Priest. Among his Great Company, a Rune Priests duties include writing the sagas of the great company and during combat to act as a front line psyker.
Rune Lord Symbol
Rune Master (Rún Herre): Powerful psykers, the Rune Masters of the Chapter are equivalent to Epistolaries. Over a Rune Masters service, he may have had over a dozen different Rune Priest apprentices, who usually die on the battlefield casting potent psychic powers alongside their battle-brothers. Unlike the Rune Priests, Rune Masters care not for the taste of close-quarters combat anymore and instead prefer to take time and cast powerful runic magics. Sitting alongside their assigned Jarls, the Rune Masters are their most trusted advisors, for the Rune Masters are masters of war, having every battle the great company has ever been apart of engulfed in their minds. Unlike the psykers of other Chapters, Rune Masters don't spend their time studying the ancient lore of the chapter, such duties are the tasks of the Skalds, instead, Rune Masters spend all their time studying battles the chapter has taken part in and spend many hours in combat simulators, for within the chapter none can come up with a plan that outperforms even the simplest of the Rune Masters.
Abyss Stalker Rune Priest
Advancing to the rank of Rune Master is not as simple as that of Rune Priest, for the Rune Master cannot be chosen from a flock such as the Rune Skalds. Instead once a Great Companies Rune Master dies in combat his apprentice arises and takes his place as the new Rune Master, and such choose his own apprentice. Rune Masters are not given new suits of power armor. Instead, the armor of the pervious Rune Master is passed down to the new successor, it is rumored among the chapter that the many layers of runes written on the armor from all its past inhabitants grant it's wearer psychic might. Most Rune Masters are accompanied into battle by a cybernetic animal familiar and a small host of specially made servitors, these servitors who are crafted from dead Rune Skalds are programmed and equipped to draw the complex rune scriptures beneath the Rune Masters feet so that he can cast the most powerful of the runic magics
Rune Lord Symbol
Rune Lord (Rún þengill): The highest-ranking of the Rune Priests, the Rune Lord is equivalent to a Chief Librarian found within a Codex Chapter. Since the chapter's founding, it has had only a singular Rune Lord, known as Ingolf Dragonmane. Many months of Ingolf's life has been reading the ancient tablets and saga's of the Space Wolves, the chapter's gene-fathers, and through his intense studies the Abyss Stalkers have resurfaced the ancient art of Rune Circles; a art that requires drawing complex symbols into the ground with chalk that allows the priest to influence the warp in ways not seen since the Great Crusade, it is for this reason the chapter has created a specaility type of servitor to create these circles for the priests. Unlike his other Rune Priest brothers, Ingolf barely ever leaves the Helgafjell's Librarius, instead, he spends much of his time teaching the chapter's Rune Skalds ancient lost and forgotten fenrisian runic magic.
Clan Types[]
Within the Abyss Stalker Chapter there are 5 common types of Clans, each holding its own rank and battlefield purpose. While clans may be separated into these 5 fields, it is common practice for each of these to have further subtypes. The traditional naming scheme of these sub-clans is using the clan types name first followed by its subtype, for example what a regular chapter would call a Outsider Biker would be called a Øx-Riddari.
Villmann Blod[]
The Niflanian word for Savage Blood, this is the title given to the chapters many Assault Intercessor Clans. Unlike other chapters of Adeptus Astartes who use Assault Intercessors purely as a Close Support role, the role of the Villmann Blod is much more unique. The Canis Helix is a curse that effects all members of the chapter and those who are young and have not learned how to control the inner beast it brings forth are not able to be placed within a more tactical role. As a easy answer to this inner Savagery the chapter has thought to better use this inner rage and sends its Villmann Blod forth upon the enemy, breaking the chapter's Vanguard and rushing headstrong into battle, those who survive such battles have been tempered by the flames of war and have mastered the control of their inner Wulfen.
Náttatönn: Named after the Niflanian word for Night Tooth. These warriors are usually a Great Companies Villmann Blod when they must don on Phobos Armour
Hjǫrr[]
The Hjǫrr are the most common and numerous of all clans. Hjǫrr is Niflhian for Sword and its purpose is like of the blade, the Hjǫrr are flexible and tactical warriors, filling a similar role as battleline squads of a codex chapter. Clan subtypes:
Seggr: Niflheimian for warrior, it is the most common subtype and the name of the Intercessors
Stórr: Niflheimian for huge, this name was given to the Heavy Intercessors for their hulking size compared to the other Hjǫrr.
Leynask: Niflheimian for conceal, the Leynask is the name given to the Infiltrators
Øx[]
Even though the years within the Villmann Blod and Hjǫrr clans is enough to wean out the pure savage rage of the Canis Helix their are those who still prefer the feel of close quarter combat. It is these warriors who will find themselves placed within the clans of the Øx, or axe in Niflhiemian.
Flaugunmóðr: Equipped with the mighty Mk.X Gravis Armor and a powerful jump pack these marines are the first ones to touch ground during a planetary assault, laughing as their assault bolters tear through the feeble flesh of the heretic and xenos alike.
Illt: There are those within the chapter who seek nothing but to bring terror and fear upon the enemy. These marines are quickly picked out of their fellow clansmen by their solitary nature and unnecessary use of force and fear when infiltrating the enemy.
Skjót-fœri: Those who are assigned to the Skjót-fœri clans seek only one thing, speed. For these marines the rush of the bike and its speed is the only thing they care about, and they'll do anything to get behind the handles of their bikes again.
Darraðr[]
The Darraðr, simply known as the Spear in High Gothic is the clan type that focuses on using raw firepower to overwhelm an enemy, from the monsters cannons of a Hveðrungr to the perfect aim of a Víttskot, the Darraðr are the lynchpin to many of the chapter's missions.
Hveðrungr: Niflhiemian for Monster, this name is given to those who equip themselves in the hulk MK.X Gravis Armor and boltstorm gauntlets, formerly known as Aggressor in more civilized chapters.
Víttskot: Known simply as far shot to the people of Nifhliem, it is these brothers who are chosen for this role that are tasked with long distance assassination missions.
Hellæ- For those who's heart synch with that of a plasma coil, the hellæ are perfect for them. Equipped with the newest plasma weapondry from the mind of Cawl, these warriors serve the same role as a Hellblaster of a regular codex chapter.
Seinnbifask - The Seinnbifask perform the same roll as Suppressors.
Heilagrbresta- The Heilagrbresta wield mighty melta guns and are equipped in gravis armor, they serve the same role as Eradicators
Thane[]
Thanes are the Abyss Stalkers variant of the standard Space Wolves Wolf Guard, and so are the most elite soldiers of each Great Company. They are hand chosen by their Jarl's Huscarls for great deeds performed upon the battlefield and it is in the hands of the Thanes that they trusts their lives, marching upon the battlefield as their bodyguards. Each Thane clan is specially tailored to the Huscarl to be their elite warriors. The leader of a Thane Clan is known as a Mikla Formaðr, or great Chieftain.
Flík-Gætir: One of the most prestigious roles within the chapter, it is the sworn duty of the Jarls chosen to bear the great companies standard upon the battlefield, its design and presence a constant reminder to their clansmen of who they are and what they fight for. This duty is so sacred that loosing the standard or allowing it to fall in combat is enough to have the marine executed by the chapter's Speakers of the Dead.
Einheri: The chapter's name for its great champions, each great company's Jarl assign the most skilled swordsman for this role. Upon the battlefield it is the champion who charges headfirst into battle and attempts to make a spearhead directly for high ranking officers. Due to their aggressive nature it is not uncommon to see hordes of Villmann Blod following close behind the Einheri.
Terminators: Given to them from the ancient armoury of the Space Wolves, and looted from their fallen foes the Abyss Stalkers have a small but humble amount of these warsuits. Broken down and resized, these suits of terminator armor are able to be worn by the ranks of the Primaris Marines.
Varagyr: The highest battleline rank within the chapter, the Varagyr are each Great Companies Jarls personal thanes. These mighty warriors of the great company are chosen in a similar way by the Jarl, and unlike the thanes of the Huscarls who are equipped by the lieges choosing, the Varagyr are equipped similarly to the Bladeguard Veterans, carrying massive storm shields
The Foresaken[]
The Foresaken are those within the chapter who have fallen prey to the Canis Helix, and so are doomed to be kept locked up deep within the Fortress Monastry in a location only known to the Speakers of the Dead.
Deathsworn: Once it was believed that with the arrival of Cawl's newest space marines and there newly improved Gene-Seed that the curse that had plagued the blood of the Sons of Russ would too be removed. But only decades after the release of the awoken its truth was revealed, Cawl had done nothing to suppress the Curse of the Wulfen and so the Abyss Stalkers like all Sons of Russ would one day fall into the clutches of Morkai. Normally when the Curse overtakes a marine it transforms them into the grotesque creature known as a Wulfen, but within the chapter their are those who have the raw willpower or even stubbornness to halt/slow down the spread of the Curse. While saving their mortal bodies for a unknown time these warriors lose all humanity that once existed, becoming brutal monsters capable of only war, it is these brutal warriors from which the Deathsworn are recruited from, and it these warriors that make the most elite fighters of the chapter. When not in combat the Deathsworn are kept in status inside humanoid containment tubes that administer both the needed nutrients to keep the marine alive but also suppressors to keep them in status. It is a dark day for the chapter when these warriors are awoken and released upon the chapter's enemies.
Battle Wulfen (Guðrvaldr)- The curse of the wulfen is something that flows through all the Astartes of the Abyss Stalkers chapter, so is their fate. For those who accept the gene-seed of Leman Russ also accept this foul beast, though once feared by its parent chapter the Space Wolves the newly improved Primaris Gene-seed has effected the Canis Helix in a strange way. With a strong enough mental fortitude some Astartes of the chapter have been able to enjoy the full power of the Wulfen while retaining some level of intelligence, these are known as Battle Wulfen to the chapter. While still savage beasts, those who have been assigned to the 13th Cursed Company as a Battle Wulfen still have a chance to bring glory in the holy Emperor and Russ's names, unlike their fully turned brothers who are dissected at the hopes that one day the chapter will have full control on the Canis Helix. Equipped with specially crafted power armor, the battle wulfen are equipped with mighty axes and thunder hammers that only a being of their size could wield with such ferocity.
Non-Astartes Personal[]
Dreadnoughts[]
Order of Battle[]
Great Company of the High King[]
Engilltaka (Angels of Death): A weird manta, the High Kings personal Great Company is simply known as the Engilltaka, which is low gothic for Angels of Death. It is within this Great Company that the chapters most prodigal aspirants are chosen to be part of the most legendary company that chapter has to hold. To face the Engilltaka is to face the very wraith of Leman Russ himself, to face the burning fist of the Emperor's judgement, to face the Emperor's Executioners. It is this Great Company that bears the Chapters symbol, the symbol depicts the Wulfentime when Morkai will break from his imprisonment cursed upon him by Reman Russ and devour all known light in the galaxy, bringing the end of all.
Company of the High King - Engilltaka (Angels of Death)
Abyss Stalker Chapter Banner
High Kings Great Company Banner
*Icon of the Abyss Stalker Chapter
High King (Chapter Master)
Advisors
Troops
Dreadnoughts
Symbol of the Wolftime
Vidar Farseer, High King of the Abyss Stalkers
Speakers of the Dead
Bloodhowler Sigurd the Black
Reclusiarch Olaf Bjarghjálmr
Blademasters
Adalsteinn Greymane
2 Blademasters
Rune Priests
Rune Master Ingolf Dragonmane
Rune Priest
Rune Skald
2 Villmann Blod Clans
4 Hjǫrr Clans
2 Øx Clans
2 Darraðr Clans
Thanes
Flík-Gætir Hjordis Bluefist
Einheri Urki Daemonbane
2 Thane Clans
Varagyr Clan
Great Company Dreadnoughts
Great Company Order of Battle[]
Power of the Clans[]
The Abyss Stalkers do not organize themselves into squads or into packs, instead they organize themselves into a number of clans. Members of a clan will eat, sleep, and train with each other. This creates a tight kinship between the battle-brothers, and even though one day they may be shifted to another clan once they have proved themselves they will never loose that kinship that was once forged.
Within the Throne Room of the Helgafjell, not only are the ancient Banners of both Jarls new and old hung, but also the ancient Great Shields. These shields, the size of a imperial rhino are not only decorated with the heraldry of it's Great Company, but also the markings of all the Great Companies clans.
Great Company Lodges[]
A term similar to that of the Codex's Demi-Company. Each Great Company is split into two Lodges, each being under the direct control by one of the Jarl's Huscarls. Unlike a Codex's Demi-Company that comes into effect when needed the Great Company Lodges never dissipate and are instead a part of the chapter's formal organization. The purpose of each lodge is to further increase the power of a great company, by splitting its own core way of fighting into two more tactical options. An example of this is within the 6th Great Company the Aesir, who are well known for their tactical middle ground. One of the lodges acts and serves as a Vanguard force, commanding the Great Companies Assault Intercessors and 2 Clans of Intercessors equipped with Assault Rifles to act as rapid attack force while the second lodge acts a back bone, laying new groundwork and constantly moving the line while the Vanguard takes action. This also relaxes the mental strain upon the Great Companies Jarl and Rune Master, as with 2 more purposed lodges he can more effectively give command to the Huscarls, entrusting them and their units to be masters of their art.
Chapter Culture[]
Animals A Plenty[]
According to the myths of Niflhiem every creature and beast has a spirit upon which is useful to man if tamed and mastered. This same ideology carries through onto the Abyss Stalkers who have plenty of beasts that not only reside with the Helgafjell but also make bonds and kinships with the marines of the chapter.
Kisa- The Kisa is a massive feline that is most commonly found within the Helgafjell, its task is that to keep the dangerous and plague-ridden rodents of Niflhiem out of the Helgafjell in case they might try to infect the chapter serfs. Though they usually reside alone, some within the chapter find themselves making tight bonds with these stealthy creatures, most notably the 2nd Great Company. When young, these massive creatures are called Kis-Kis.
Elghund- Unlike some of there other gene brothers the Abyss Stalkers did not adopt the Fenrisian Wolves of their gene home, shunning them for their bestial and savage nature. Instead the chapter has adopted the Elghund, a massive hound creature native to Niflhiem that has been genetical bred for war. These hulking dogs are perfect for the tasks their Astartes masters may ask, being amazing trackers and herders.
Bjorn- Thought to be a odd choice of companion, the Bjorn is a massive bear like creature that most closely resembles the Kodiak bear. Proud and powerful the Bjorn is a beast that only the most brave and mighty warriors ever gain the respect of, or this could just be because of the clansmen stubbornness. To see one of these beasts on the battlefield is a honour and a horror as these massive creatures completely desolate the enemy lines.
The Chant[]
The Abyss Stalkers feral and barbaric homeworld of Nilfhiem has led to some of its culture to seep into its ranks. One of the most notable of this additions are the fearsome warchants clans of the chapter sing when battle is upon them. Instead of standing as silent warriors, intimidating the enemy with their presence the Abyss Stalkers prefer to slowly march toward the enemy chanting terrifying warchants. These warchants have become so imbued in the chapter that Great Company Ancients are usually equipped with various different archaic instruments such as horns and drums, so that they too can contribute to the chant.
The Blood Eagle[]
The Abyss Stalkers are well known for their gruesome methods of deteriorating an enemies morale. The chapters favorite method is simply known as the Blood Eagle.
The ritual begins with the victim being placed into a prone position. The Astartes then uses his combat knife to carve the symbol of a eagle onto the victims back, a grim warning of events to come. Next the Astartes makes a slit down the victims back, snapping their ribs as he goes down, which are then pulled and stretched outwards to create a set of 'wings'. Finally the victims lungs are torn from their back and wrapped around the wings.
These mangled bodies litter the encampments that the Abyss Stalkers have been sent to. Some left to lie on the ground, and some draped around as sick reminders to the enemies of the Imperium of the fate of all heretics.
Chapter Belief[]
Chapter Gene-Seed[]
Primarch's Curse:[]
Gene Seed Flaws[]
Mutations[]
Chaos's Gaze- A unusual mutation, the Chaos's Gaze is a side effect of the Canis Helix's natural ability to alter the eyes of a Astartes to be canine-like with a Yellow Iris. Appearing after a Astartes has enter the warp wholly this mutation adds a unique purple pearlescent to the Astartes eyes. Such a sight is as beautiful as it is terrifying, for this Astarte has seen the warp and everything it is.
The Emperor's Clutches- A unusual mutation, the Emperor's Clutches is a mutation of the newly developed Sinew Coils, or specifically how it affects the users grip strength. Their is no known cause for how or why this mutation develops but its always identified in the same way, a uncontrollable grip onto ones weapon. Once gripped the users hand will lock into place and will make it near to impossible to disarm or remove the weapon from the Astartes hand as his grip gets ever tighter. Surgical removement of the weapon seems to be the only safe way of releasing the Astartes grip, though in recent times, through the ever evolving knowledge of the Chapter's Blademasters, a new cybernetic has been born. Implanted into the Astartes glove, the cybernetic pulls back the Astartes hand forcibly, usually created a loud snap sound as the Astartes finger bones are snapped out of place, causing temporary injury before the Astartes body heals the wound.
Deathwatch Service[]
Chapter Psychic Powers[]
Notable Members[]
Rune Master Authun Ljósbrandr obliterating a Heretic Astartes
Authun Ljósbrandr- Authun was one of the first psykers to be pulled from the Abyss Stalkers homeworld of Niflhiem X, being taught the ancient and powerful arts of Rune Wards, a borderline heretical use of psychic powers that was kept a secret from the Imperium of Man. Though upon his recruitment into the chapter Authun showed his kinsmen that these ancient powers should not be shunned, for every bit that they are unorthodox they are twice as powerful, this would only be proven ever more true when the arts of the Space Wolves were brought to Niflhiem and it was through countless restless nights that Authun was able to combine both arts. The mind of Authun would stretch ever further as with the help of the Blademasters Authun was able to commission an entirely new pattern of servitor to be crafted, a servitor whose sole purpose was the craft of Rune Wards. After his mastery of both the new and old arts of the psyker, Authun requested to the High King that he stay always within the Helgistaðr to train the always arriving new generations of Rune Skalds to the chapter. It is this task that Authun has spent the better half of century performing, granting him the unique rank of Rune Smith, a rank that rests outside the normal constraints of the chapter's Libarius. There are even whispers within the ranks of the chapter and Libarius that Authun might actually be more powerful than the chapter's current Rune Master, though both of them dismiss this as little more than the squabbling of whelps. In truth Authun is actaully a pretty weak psyker in his own right, being beaten by some of the chapter's Rune Priests, though his ability in the arts of Rune Wards is unmatchable and if given the time for himself or for one of his servitors to carefully craft these circles then even the mighty Lords of Change would cower at its awe inspiring might
Brannak Körtrfang veteran chieftain from the Surtur Great Company
Brannak Körtrfang- Some say that Brannak is the oldest marine within the chapter, even holding a couple decades over the chapter master, having served alongside him during the indomitus crusade. After over two hundred years of constant crusade, Brannak has stayed a humble cheiftain of a Hjǫrr clan, refusing multiple promotions to higher ranking positions. Because of this, Brannak's pack is the oldest within the chapter, having had multiple generations of marines come and go from its ranks. Serving so long as its leader Brannak has trained the pack to be nothing more then a extension of his will, some even saying that his kinsmin would listen to his rule over their own Jarl.
Speaker of the Dead Dreadnought Byrnjolf
Byrnjolf Daggerfist - High Wolf Priest, Honorary Wolf Priest Dreadnought. Among the huge ship metal walls of Morkai's Retribution there lies an ancient warrior, waiting for the days when his wisdom may be used. Or the day when he can once again fight as he did in the days of old - the Honoured Ancient known as Byrnjolf Daggerfist. Within the annals of the Abyss Stalkers Space Marine Chapter, this venerable warrior has forged a formidable legend within the Chapter's sagas, whose stories are told on feast days and to aspiring Neophytes.
Jarl Haegr Illrlæ
Haegr Illrlæ- The Jarl of the Abyss Stalkers 9th Great Company, the Ulfheðnar. Among his brothers of Jarls, Haegr is seen as a savage barbarian, clutching the old ways of the Space Wolves even despite Vidar's intentions. Going as far as to teach his kinsmen that the curse of the wulfen is not something to be ashamed off, but instead a power that they are obligded to use. Haegr was one of many that were part of Guillimans batch of Primaris marines, being one of the only to feel and succumb to the beast inside him, known as the wulfen. It was this initial draw of power that drew him to eventually teach those under his command how to draw out its intense power. Because of how he clenches to the ways of old it is not uncommon for Haegr to get into verbal, even sometimes physical fights with his fellow Jarls, whom he calls traitors of the old ways. For his knowledge of the old ways of Fenris and his utter stubbornness to change, Haegr has been named the chapter's Master of Rites.
Rune Master Harold Stormsight
Harold Stormsight- Assigned to the Ulfheðnar, Harold Stormsight is known to be nothing less then a beast upon the battlefield. Wielding the raw powers of nature, Harold is always seeking out a fight, fighting alongside the muck of the company. Harolds raw taste for combat is so great that it is said that upon the battlefield sparks launch off his power armor, making him look even more like a daemon seeking out his next prey. Out of all the viscous powers of nature, Harolds favourite is that of lightning, its ability to seek and quickly take out an enemy in the blink of a eye matches Harold's personality to a tee. Because of his savage nature none except the Jarl himself and the Companies Assault Intercessor dare stand upon the battlefield alongside him, in fear that his raw power might rebuke in his enteral bloodthirst.
Redemptor Dreadnought, Jurgen Murgenburin
Jurgen Murgenburin- Jurgen had always been an odd marine, though he was a warrior fit to be an astartes with the intellect to match he was cursed with a speech impediment which he would become famed for. Jurgen would speak in nonsensical patterns, usually ending every word he spoke with some kind of in or gen sound, so evidently found in his own name of Jurgen Murgenburin. A comedical fellow, it is to the joy of his battle-brothers that his light hearted and comedical speech did not fade from him when he became a dreadnought, though as the years stretch he makes less and less sense whenever he does speak.
Speaker of the Dead, Kjarl marching through the fires of war
Kjarl Frostkráka- Being part of the 10th Great Company, their is nothing more that Kjarl loves then the monstrous sound of a multi-melta, and the heat that resonates off its little cousins barrel. He is often seen marching behind one of the companies many Eradicators squads, reciting ancient chants in hopes that the very spirits of hell may bless these destructive weapons. Due to his unending love for these types of weapons, Kjarl has placed it upon himself to bless every one of the great companies melta's, and has memorized the saga that each carries, punishing any who dare disrespect them. To this end, some within the chapter have named the melta's of the 10th Great Company, Kjarl-pattern for the almost unmatched effectiveness. Some have even claimed that when left untouched in the companies Armory they can hear the weapons whining, hoping for the day they may once again destroy the enemies of the Imperium.
Darraðr Chieftain Krom Draugrwulf equipped in his favored Hveðrungr loadout.
Krom Draugrwulf- Having his career started in the Indomitus Crusade Krom went from blackshield legion to blackshield legion, being assigned battle-brothers of all different gene-linages. During the course of the crusade Krom would befriend a fellow Blackshield, a Son of Dorn and treat him with the respect he would his own linage. The two would often be seen equipped in Gravis Armor as Aggressors, combing aspects of both of their gene-linages into one unorthodox squad. Their time would end early though, as during the recapturing of Ordon-16 Prime Krom's beloved friend was murdered in cold blood by a heretic, since then Krom has become a black and shallow imation of the man he once was. To this day Krom lives only to his personal creed of "Kill, Slaughter, Revenge", leading from the front lines with his squad to capture guarded positions.
Jarl Rurik Valdrburin
Rurik Valdrburin- Know also by his nickname the iron golem, Rurik is the Jarl of the Abyss Stalkers 8th Great Company. Rurik is known to be a cold and calculated man, believing that the backbone of any assualt is in its defenses and so his great company is formed around the defensive "turtle" tactics, relying on thick plated Gravis Armor and defenses to march upon the enemy unhindered. It is this ideology that has gained Rurik title of Master of the Watch, defender of the Helgafjell. The most recognizable feature of Rurik is his ancient and once thought lost suit of Sanguine Power Armor, a relic from the earliest days of the Great Crusade. Once recovered the suit would go almost six decades without use as the Adeptus Mechanicus blessed it with ancient rites and rituals to not only refresh and refuel the suits machine spirit, but also to prepare it for the modifications necessary to have the suit retrofitted to fit a Primaris.
Speaker of the Dead Rurik Grármön
Rurik Grármön- Rurik is the youngest battle-brother to ever rise to the rank of Speaker of the Dead within the chapter, and such a decision was one that the elders of the chapter resent. From a far it would have seemed impossible for Rurik to ever achieve, his personality being one of hopeful youngster rather then the rigid death aura that the Speakers of the Dead had become famed for. Whenever pressed for this decision, Vidar only points them to read the engravings upon Rurik's mastercrafted power axe, Hjálmrlemja, which reads, "Bróðir ævi". Which is Niflheimian for "Brothers Forever". Rurik received this axe as a gift from his long friend Halfdor, a Iron Priest. The two alongside Ruriks squad had become stranded on a savage death world during the Friorhol Crusade due to their drop pod getting shot off course and into the planet's thick jungles. From reports of his fellow clansmen, it was the morale and hopefulness of Rurik that allowed them to keep fighting and not lose hope for the almost five years they became stranded. After being rescued Halfdor spent nearly a year perfecting the weapon as thanks for saving his life, and it was this act that allowed the immature warrior to have the chance to rise to the rank of Speaker of the Dead. While his peers use intimidation and fear to command the will to fight, Rurik uses his unmatched charisma and urge to fight to rile up his brothers into a berserk rage.
Huscarl Sigmund Dragonarm
Sigmund Drekiarmr - When the Abyss Stalkers chapter was first founded, Sigmund was part of a standard Intercessor Squad of the Aesir Great Company. Being born as one of Guilliman and Cawl's countless awoken Primaris Marines, Sigmund served within the Indomitus Crusade for over seven decades, during which time he learned how to operate and rely upon himself, and the power of his squad. Instead of using the raw power of melta or plasma weaponry like the Hellblasters and Eradicators, Sigmund preferred the role of fire suppression, using the hail of bullets released from his bolt rifle to lock down his foes and protect his allies. This was only truly realized when Sigmund eventually became the chieftain of his own clan, adding in the bolt rifles of his clansmen to transform his power from a hail of bolts to a hurricane. During the event known as the Friorhol Crusade, the Aesirs were tasked with the recapturing of the Imperial Planet Flan-520B. Though the initial battle was easy, Sigmund's Jarl found himself surrounded by the grotesque insect-like xenos’s that had called the planet home and diminished its human population. Without a thought Sigmund and his Squad rushed in, blasting a unrelenting fury of bolt shells until their very guns, glowing with the heat of almost an hour of constant shooting, finally spent its last bolt taking down the last of the foul xenos horde. It was this deed of selflessness that caught the eye of the Jarl, and he was quickly elected to become one his personal Thanes. Following only a few years as a Thane, Sigmund's eye for suppression and the locking down of battlefields allowed him to become one of the Huscarls of the Great Company, acting as a personal advisor to the Jarl.
Terminator Chieftain Sten Stalkers
Sten Knúignesta - Sten is the chieftain the first great companie's Terminator clan. He has held this position since the chapter first obtained these suits of armour. A master of battle, Sten was originally one of the awoken primaris, assigned to a Aggressor squad. When the chapter was given their original batch of Terminator armor from the Space Wolves, Sten found quick home within its shell. Using the might of a storm shield and a thunder hammer Sten acts a unstoppable bulwack against anyone that may attempt to cause harm to himself or those he has sworn his life too. Because of Sten's veterancy Vidar Farseer has given him the honor of deciding if a marine is worthy of the Crux Terminatus, and is responsible for the training of newly inducted Terminators. Because of this position Sten only goes to war with the chapter's most elite, save those of the Varagyr. Sten and his clan of fellow terminators act as the ultimate hammer within the chapter, turning those who are unfortunate enough to face them into a mess of bits and guts.
Champion of the Abyss Stalker Chapter, Urki Daemonbane
Urki Daemonbane- Though Urki is still young, his years counting less then a century he has shown the enemies of the Imperium his prowess countless times during the Friorhol Crusade. Urki was the first of the chapter to be born from the soil of Niflhiem and raised to the status of a Astartes, gaining the attention of the chapter after a long and bloody war on the planets surface that would last over a week. Urki would see his elevation to the High Kings personal great company after he defeated and beheaded a Ork Warboss after it killed his original Jarl, Ulfrich Fellhammer. The beast, towering over his nobz fought the Jarl, who in his own cockiness and ego driven sense of might underestimated the monster and was quickly met with its powerclaw positioned around his head, and within moments the splatter of blood and brains covered the monster. Seeing this Urki would rush in with little regard of his own life and would make swift work of the beast with his superior swordsmanship. With the beast dead and the campaign finally reaching its end, Urki alongside the great company would be ordered to return to the fortress monastry until a new Jarl could be chosen among his Thanes. Seeing Urki's skill being wasted sitting around waiting, Vidar granted him the honour of being welcomed into his own Great Company.
High King Vidar Farseer, High King of the Abyss Stalkers Chapter
Vidar Farseer- The chapter master of the Abyss Stalkers chapter, he has ruled the chapter since their founding at the end of the Ultima Founding. Vidar has been described as an old and wise wolf, who has successfully trained himself to surpess the inner daemon, the wulfen inside of himself, and it this suppression that he tries to teach the younglings of the chapter. Because of his wise and calculated nature, Dante the chapter master of the blood angels assigned him to be the chapter master of the chapter and was given the responsibility of bringing the Friorhol Sector back into Imperial compliance. Though old in age, Vidars spirit is as strong and powerful as that of a newly inducted clansmen, and it is this spirit that allows him to raise and fortify the morale and loyalty of his chapter. Equipped in mighty Gravis armor Vidar hulks over his fellow clansmen and the jarls of the chapter, and has often been caught even engaging in small scraps with such people, claiming that he was just putting them into their place. When not preparing the chapter for war or training the chapter's recruits Vidar can be commonly found resting upon his throne, Ale in one hand and song in his heart, singing proudfully drunken songs of the chapter's deeds.
Chapter Appearance[]
Chapter Colours[]
Shoulder Trim Colors of the Great Companies
Abyss Stalker Helmet Markings according to rank
Chapter Badge[]
Great Company Badges[]
Icons of the Abyss Stalker Great Companies
Crusade Badges[]
Unique Equipment[]
Skeggøx-Pattern Chainaxe
Skeggøx-Pattern Chainaxe- Soon after its founding the Abyss Stalkers became fond of the Chainaxe, quickly amassing it within the chapter. The Skeggøx-Pattern Chainaxe includes an additional grip near the head of the axe for easier use in close quarter combat where full swings of the axe aren't possible, or for when it gets lodged inside of a enemy of the imperium. In addition to the secondary grip, the Skeggøx-Pattern Chainaxe features a larger head to accompany the additional grip, which increases the axes effective range. Finally and most oddly is the throttle switch found near the secondary handle of the axe, the purpose of this switch is simple, to kick the chainaxe's motor into overdrive in such situations that the axe may not be easily removed, or for when the axe needs extra kick to cleave through enemies.
Great Company Honour Markings[]
Chapter Fleet[]
Being part of the legendary Astartes Praeses, the Abyss Stalkers face the horrors of the Eye of Terror directly, resulting in them being caught in a constant battle against chaos. To help them in their constant battle, the Abyss Stalkers have not only been granted permission to have ships that would usually fall under the control of the imperial navy but also keep a maintained fleet that is larger than most non-fleet based chapters.
Because of the Chapter's use of their gene-fathers Great Company structure, which allows each Great company to operate as separate forces from the chapter, the chapter has assigned each company its own personal mini fleet, so that it can complete any task it is given.
Battle Barges
One can never know when the terrors of chaos may come forth from the eye, and assigning such a powerful vessel to a single great company. Instead, the chapter keeps these insanely powerful ships in reserve around the chapter's homeworld, being released to wreak havoc when the situation needs it. The chapter keeps an outstanding 5 battle barges in reserve.
Cruisers
The Abyss Stalkers have a total of 16 cruiser class ships, ranging from the standard space marine cruiser to the dauntless-class light cruiser. Each one of the Abyss Stalkers Great Companies is equipped with a cruiser-class ship to act as the great companies flagship. The chapter also has 4 cruisers in reserve, just like its battle barges.
Escorts
To act as support to the chapter's larger vessels, the Abyss Stalkers keep a large inventory of escort-class ships. Keeping 12 Gladius Frigates, 12 Hunter Destroyers, and 5 Nova Frigates. Each Great Company is assigned 2 escort-class vessels to their personal fleets, having one Gladius and one Hunter Destroyer, with 5 Nova Frigates sitting in reserve at the chapter's fortress-monastery. Though each Great Company has modified its assigned escorts to better suit the needs that the Great Company asks of them.
The Great Ships[]
Because oftheir includence in the Astartes Praeses, the Abyss Stalkers are almost always under the attack of chaos, this has led to the chapter being needed in multiple systems at the same time. This rapid deployment system works well with the 12 great companies, meaning that the chapter could be split up into many more strike forces than a Codex chapter. It is common for one of these Great Companies to be gathered in a system in preparation for an incoming attack, sent to directly deal with a threat (such as a space hulk), or even to just be roaming on the edges of the Eye of Terror looking for a chance to test their blades again. The chapter has assigned a ship of Cruiser ranking to each of the great companies, these ships are known to the chapter as Great Ships and are usually better-equipped versions of already available imperial navy ships, and act as a great companies personal Fortress-Chapel and are equipped with all the basic systems a fortress-monastery is with (such as a miniature Librarius for Rune Priests, Reclusiam for Speekers of the Dead, and Forge for Blademasters to make repairs to vehicles while on campaign). Because of this, no two Great Ships are the same, as each Wolf Lord may have his own preference on not just naval warfare, but for strategic such as for the 2nd Great Companies Great Ship which has had most of its weaponry removed to increase its stealth capabilities. The only company that does not have a Great Ship is the cursed 13th Great Companies, who's wulfen units are attached to other companies as Auxillary units as needed. The current Great Ships are as follows:
Flagship of the Abyss Stalkers and Personal Vessel of the High King, Morkai's Retribution
Morkai's Retribution: This Overlord Class Battlecruiser is the personal Cruiser of the chapter master of the Abyss Stalker Vidar Farseer and the current flagship of the whole chapter. This is ship has been used by the chapter for far longer than any other ships, having been gifted to them by Guilliman after their inception. Over the years of owning this vessel, Vidar has made the effort to replace the ships prow Torpedo systems with a set of prow-facing weapon batteries. To complement this new set of weapons, Vidar has also greatly increased the generator systems of the ship. The current captain of Morkai's Retribution is a Chapter Serf known as Gerhard Fehr, being granted this great honor for the great degree of piloting skill he showed during the Friorholian Crusade, where his leadership alone was able to keep his escort squadron alive when they fell under heavy attack from ork freebooters. His quick thinking of fleeing through an active minefield led to his squadron gaining a massive advantage, their small and quick vessels being able to dodge the mines, while the freebooters large and clunky vehicles smashed into almost any mine in its way. Though this plan led to the destruction of half of his squadron, it also led to the destruction of the freebooters.
Sky Runner: This Dauntless Light Cruiser is the Flagship of the 2nd Great Company, the Sølvräv (Also known as the Silver Foxes in High Gothic). This ship was chosen for its quick speed and responsive maneuverability at high speeds. The ship's small profile already allowed the ship to be hard to detect before its enhancements by the Great Company, this enhancement was the removal of its prow weapons, instead of using the extra space as a location to implement multiple stealth devices. These devices include radar masking technology along with many others. These enhancements work perfectly for the great companies' battle doctrine, which has aheavy implementation of stealth tactics. This allows the great company to arrive at the scene of a mission unnoticed, allowing the enemy to only find out about there arrival when it's too late.
The Roc: Named after the mythical beast, this Strike Cruiser is the Flagship of the 3rd Company, the Hræsvelgr (Also known as Corpse Swallower in High Gothic). Being one of the only Great Companies to use the standard space marine strike cruiser, this great company cares not for a naval battle, instead waiting eagerly for when they can once again breach orbit and invade the ground of an unsuspecting planet with the mighty roar of dozens of drop pods. Because of the great companies' heavy use of drop pods, this strike cruiser has been equipped to hold nearly double the amount of a regular strike cruiser.
The Emperors Fist: This Corinus-Class Grand Cruiser was a spoil of war when the chapter defeated the White Scar Khorne Warband known as the Sons of Khorne. After may months of purifying, the ship was passed as free of chaos taint. The Emperors Fist is the flagship of the 4th Great Company, the Mjölnir (Known as The Hammer in High Gothic). Taken by the great company for the raw amount of damage the ship can output, this ship is a great addition to the companies love for sieges and tank warfare. The great company hasn't made many additions to the ship, with its firepower being able to compare to even the mightiest capital ships.
Speartip: An unusual name for a ship, this Avenger Grand Cruiser does just that as it says. It acts as a spearhead for the rest of the chapter, using its close-range broadside to engage in heavy naval combat. This is the flagship of the 5th Great Company, the Gungnir (Also known as the Holy Spear in High Gothic), this great company is famed for its efficiency in boarding operations. The great company is known to use the ships mighty firepower to demolish a ship before launching its many Caestus Assault Rams, equipped with the chapter's many terminator suits, ready to destroy whoever cross there path. This ship is not equipped with any Thunderhawk transports like many other Astartes naval vessels instead, this ship has many Caestus Assault Rams and Drop pods, which they use to launch their boarding operations.
Spirit of The All-Father: The flagship of the 6th Company, the Aesir (Gods Among Man in High Gothic), this Space Marine Strike Cruiser was personally selected by the great companies Wolf Lord, Asgeir Icehowl to be his companies flagship. While mostly unremarkable when compared to some of the other great ships, Asger choose this ship for one reason, how it designed to be an all-purpose naval vessel. This flexibility with his ship allowed him to be on the front lines or in the vanguard when engaging in naval battles. This ship has served Asger for over a century and in that time it has blasted down countless heretics naval crafts.
The Swornblade: This Long Serpent-Class Battlecruiser is the flagship of the 7th Great Company, the Jörmungandr (Meaning World Serpent in High Gothic). It was chosen by the great company for its fast speed, which complemented the companies natural aptitude for speed. While on the surface of a planet this great company is famed for its heavy use of biker units, but in naval combat, they are famed for using this battlecruiser. The great company favors using the ship's intense engine to blast at extreme speeds at the enemy, before releasing a barrage of fire from its many weapon systems. Though the great company has made a slight adjustment to the vessel, removing its lance battery in favor of a number of torpedoes for a more intense flank.
Shield of Humanity: The Shield of Humanity is an Overlord-Class Battlecruiser and the flagship of the 8th Great Company, the Hildisvini (Known as the Great Boar in High Gothic). Though the Overlord-Class Battlecruiser already has powerful weapons, and a decent defense, the chapter has had the vessel modified to have even more defenses, efficiently turning the vessel into an indestructible weapon of death. Taking the blunt of enemy fire before unveiling its firepower at the enemy. Though these extra defenses led to the ship having to remove some weapon systems. However as time has proven again and again the extra defense is a great trade-off for the loss of some weapon systems.
Wrath of Russ: This Strike Cruiser is the pride and joy of the 9th Great Company, the Ulfheðnar (Meaning Wolf Born in High Gothic), and so is the Flagship of the Great Company. Being one of the only great companies with the standard strike cruiser, this great company cares not for naval warfare, using the ship to hunt down heretics from systems away. For with this great company, the hunt is life.
Star of Humanity: One of the smallest great ships, the Star of Humanity is an Endeavour Light Cruiser, used as the flagship of the 10th Great Company, the Surtur (Meaning Fire Giants in High Gothic). Unimpressed with naval combat, the wolf lord of this great company prefers missions where he can bring the enemies of the imperium to the holy flame of the emperor, and so sees little entertainment in the theatre of space. Seeing the need for naval combat though, the great companies wolf lord has decreed this ship to be his flagship so that he may take the support role, using its speed to get behind enemies so that larger and more powerful ships can take them out.
Doombringer: While seen as unusual for the chapter, the flagship of the 11the Great Company, Ragnarok (Meaning the End of Days in High Gothic) is an Exorcist Grand Cruiser. It is no secret among the chapter that this company prefers to use melta weapons, and many see that using this outdated vessel is just a sign of the greats incompetence in naval warfare. In reality, the great company chose this cruiser for its large capacity of attack craft vessels, which are composed entirely of Shark Assault Boats, usually launching hundreds of these with skeleton crews just so the vessels melta-charges can cause heavy damage to the targeted ships hull.
Valkerie: The Valkerie is a Dominion-Class Battlecruiser used by the chapter's final great company, the 12th great company, the Einherjar (Known as Army of One in High Gothic). This class of cruiser was chosen for its ability to be used in a wide array of scenarios, though the great company favors using large amounts of various attack craft so that they may sneak/blanket there heavier ships (such as thunderhawks), so that an enemy can never know where the majority of the power of the attack comes from. Perhaps the most skilled pilots in the chapter, this great company focuses heavily on naval combat, boasting many Stormwolfs and Stormfang Gunships. Its wolf lord being annointed as the Master of the Fleets, the Valkerie is usually the main base of operations and the command vehicle of any naval battle it appears in.
Chapter Relics[]
Eye Of Morkai- This black eye with a yellow iris is the very eye Great Wolf Vidar ripped out during his Test of Morkai. It's kept in a preservation container and is kept in the Great Wolfs chamber, only brought out during times of war as it seems to enhance the psychic powers of any marine carrying it. Looking into the eye's reflects destruction and fire burning all around.
Skull of Morblak - This large orc skull was obtained after a battle against a chaos tainted orc boss on a warp planet. After the battle, it was taken as a trophy of victory but once brought to Helgafjell, the Rune Priests found it still emitted warp energy that causes those around it to fight even after death. After days of purifying, it was placed on top of the chapter's banner to give those around it even more power.
Relations[]
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Allies[]
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Enemies[]
Notable Quotes[]
By:[]
"He attack. He protect. But most importantly. He kill heretic." -Chieftan Alfton talking about his favorite Kisa, Snuffles
About:[]
"I always admire a Son of Russ who can put the fear of God into mankind's tyrannical foes. I'm confident that you all will prove yourselves in the years to come." -Executive Davidius Clarkeson of the Emperor's Liberators to an Abyss Stalker.
"I have heard others complain about the Abyss Stalkers mannerism or there almost heretical views of the Imperial Cult, but this is nothing new to me I've seen it a dozen times among the ranks of feral and feudal world regiments. No the thing that scratches at my soul is the constant singing of saga's. You'd think in the emptiness of space they'd spend their time mediating like others of the adeptus astartes... But actually it seems as these times only provide the battle brothers with even more reason to party. I swear if I hear about Ranulf and how he single handedly saved a world's women from the clutches of Slannesh, whatever that means one more time I'm gonna have to start popping some of my men's heads for relief" -Commissar Gregora
