Wolves of Yggdrasil

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"In times of black, the gates will crack and so shall the wolves be released."

— Founding mantra of The Wolves of Yggdrasil

The Wolves of Yggdrasil are a non-Codex-compliant Space Marine Chapter in the 42nd Millennium, created as a part of theUltima Founding. Imagined as a means of guarding the passageway that the Indomitus Crusade used to traverse the Great Rift, the Wolves of Yggdrasil are among the ranks of many other highly distinguished chapters, with their names listed on scrolls of an ancient Astartes group founded by the High Lords of Terra, known as the Astartes Praeses, intended to protect the sectors surrounding the Eye of Terror.

The Wolves of Yggdrasil are masters of many forms of combat, with each company having its own specialized role in the never-ending war against the forces of chaos. The chapter pulls heavily from their homeworld of Malgard, a planet similar to the late Iron Age of early Terra, where the inhabitants must survive among ferocious beasts, deadly plants, and sea beasts of immense size. They are considered one of the most levelheaded successor chapters of Space Wolf progeny, with it being noted in their history that they declined to aid another force until they felt their Marines could be used most effectively, even if this meant allowing their allies to be overrun.

Chapter History[]

Indomitus Crusade (000.M42)[]

When The Great Rift ripped across the galaxy and tore it asunder, 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)[]

With the galaxy in flames and Cadia a rubble field, the Unnumbered Sons abord the Fleet Secondus set to testing 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. These campaigns would lay the foundation for many chapters that would soon be made, the Wolves of Yggdrasil being one of them, as many of the Unnumbered Sons experienced brotherhood amongst like-minded warriors whom they had never met before, but would certainly die for. As Fleet Secondus reached Cadia and 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 Guilliman's Fleet Primus.

The Reign of Blood (000.M42)[]

As the Indomitus Crusade began completion of their task and focused upon dispersing itself along the Great Rift, Guilliman met with the Chapter Master of the legendary Blood Angels, Lord Commander Dante. It was during this meeting that Guilliman entrusted Dante with the recapturing and protection of what was now named the Imperium Nihilus, it with this great responsibility that Dante was also given the remaining legions of 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 dying Imperium Nihilus.

The Great Saga Begins (001.M42)[]

As he started the near-impossible task that he had been given, Dante set to breaking down the unnumbered sons into their own chapters with home worlds and supply chains around them to make them fully sufficient. While undergoing this immense task, he realised the need to have a force to guard the passageway that Guilliman had used to make his way into the Imperium Nihilus to ensure the safe voyage of any imperial forces that managed to replicate the feat or to harry the Forces of Chaos that spewed forth from the rift. From these thoughts, the Wolves of Yggdrasil were born. Dante formed a chapter with the gene-seed of the savage Space Wolves, but allowed only the most level-headed entry.

The newly formed Wolves of Yggdrasil were sent away with Amutius Gabrro, former Lieutenant of the 5th Company and their new Chapter Master, several blood angel Sergeants, numbering only 550 battle-brothers of 5 companies and 50 beginner rune-brothers. Their destination was the planet of Malgard on the Gauntlet's border to investigate rumors of chaos forces. They were sent to complete this task aboard the chapter's new flagship, the Battle-Barge "Wolf's Mane", and several striker class ships, "Yimir's Resolve", "Raven's Flight", "Bragi's Gift", and "Hammer Strike". During their journey to Malgard, Amutius began to instruct his new subordinates on the ways of naval combat and routine drills to bind them into what he jokingly called "pup packs," unknowingly enraging his new charges and sparking their determination to complete any challenge before them as quickly and efficiently as possible.

The Fall of Yimir (001.M42)[]

After leaving warp space a half-day's flight away from Malgard, Amutius Gabrro ordered the strike cruiser "Yimir's Resolve" to detach from the small fleet and to move ahead of the group to act as a forward scout. With the rest of the fleet travelling using their sub-light engines, "Yimir's Resolve" and her crew exited warp space in orbit of the planet's 2nd moon. However, on arrival, they were met with four chaos ships of the same class waiting for them in the planet's orbit, one with a Chaos Sorcerer on board blocking astropathic signals. The crew of "Yimir's Resolve" having been met with such a hopeless situation, no chance of contacting their fleet, and massively out-gunned, chose their only option: die with the foes' necks between their teeth.

With no word from "Yimir's Resolve", the rest of the fleet passed into outer orbit, already on edge. With a wide rubble field blocking their income vector and a crew consisting of fairly new marines, the fleet was caught off-guard just like their sister ship. Taking control of the situation, Amutius Gabrro maneuvered the "Wolf's Mane" to be a blocking wall to soak shots while the three remaining strike cruisers, "Raven's Flight", "Bragi's Gift", and "Hammer Strike", flanked the remaining ships and obliterated them, bringing an end to this battle that would be remembered as both their first victory but also the first time they lost brothers.

Chapter Homeworld[]

Coming from a world at a cultural and technological level similar to Terra in the 800s, Malgard is a Death World comprising three continental landmasses with many smaller island chains and archipelagos making up the vast majority of the world's landmass. This terrain has led to the lives of the Malgardians being very different based on where they live.

The people of the Far Sea Islands call themselves the Flotnar. Their ancestors were the most adventurous of the sailors and settlers, which has led to the Flotnar people living a harsh life, having to rely on any fish they can catch while trying to avoid the many dangers in the waters or to grow plants, with few in the world being edible. Those on the mainlands were primarily hunter gather types and split into three main classifications: those living in harsh jungles full of many kinds of both flora and fauna easily capable of killing a man, calling themselves the Tretelgia; those living in the deserts bare of any life on the surface but with thousands of insects and burrowing animals waiting to be disturbed, calling themselves the Visamaðr; and the people of the coastal towns who use a mix of fishing and farming of the few domesticable animals on the planet, calling themselves the Bondi. While their lifestyle is slightly easier than the others, they are also opening themselves up to contend with the archipelago raiders. The archipelagos of the planet are vast and well dotted off the coasts of each of the three continents. Because of this vast distance, many different groups and cultures have sprung up over them. However, each group has a tradition of sailing to the nearby mainland for resources, be it by trade, getting them themselves, or simply raiding coastal settlements. The longest-lasting cultural group across the archipelagos is a relatively widespread clan system calling themselves the Hilliskati, who owe their allegiance to their Skair (High Gothic: Raiding King). The chapter's Skalds see and view these different ways of life, with each being taken into account in aspects of the companies.

The planet's people are a hardy group of warriors, battling for almost every minute of their lives. They spend day after day combating the extremes of their world's weather in order to provide for themselves, their families, and their communal group. Ultimately, these aspects are the few things that the people all around Malgard can agree on: the need to look out for others to ensure your own survival. Such is the way on many feudal worlds, the natives of Malgard do not truly understand their place in the galaxy nor their eternal good fortune to not only be a blessed world of the imperium under the rule of the mighty God Emperor but also to be one birthplace of his mighty Angels of Death, however, while they may not fully comprehend the magnitude of their place in the galaxy there are many stories through the different Malgardian cultures of giants that take away young warriors to a land far to the north where they live, of battles in the stars against horrific daemons, the vast amount of nature spirits that both aid or hinder them but most important to the Malgardians is the story of the All-father and the Wolf-Born, two gods eternally guarding the souls of the warriors taken by giants.

Vítteyna[]

Geography[]

The Flotnar peoples of Malgard make their homes in what they call the Vittenya (High Gothic: Far Islands), a long series of island chains in the deep sea between the continents of Joroattaluni and fff. Similar to the Polynesian islands of pre-levelled Terra, the islands of Vittenya are mostly a range of tropical island climates. However, unlike the Polynesian islands, there are some parts of the islands where it gets cold enough to snow. These colder regions on Vittenya are often referred to as the Snjórskuat (High Gothic: Snow Border), a stark contrast to the sunny beaches and lush jungles found elsewhere. Despite the occasional snowfall and frigid temperatures, the Flotnar people have adapted to these changing climates, employing various survival techniques to endure the harsh winters. They have developed a unique lifestyle, blending the vibrant island customs with the challenges of living in a climate that experiences both tropical paradise and wintry landscapes. The vast majority of the islands' topography is very flat, leading to wide open sections of inner land in some places that are great for building small farms and settlements but also allow some of the larger islands to have miniature forests. Along with these diverse climates, the island chain runs along the tropical equator of the planet, meaning there are, in fact, a few dotted mountainous islands with volcanic activity that has been reported intermittently. These volcanic islands, though small in size, attract adventure seekers and scientists alike due to their unique geological formations and the opportunity to study live volcanic activity. The locals have learned to coexist with the ever-present danger of eruptions, incorporating volcanic ash into their agriculture and adapting their daily lives to the erratic nature of these volcanic islands. Despite the challenges posed by the diverse climate and occasional volcanic activity, the islanders have managed to create a beneficial blend of traditional island customs and resilience in the face of nature's forces.

Fauna[]

The islands themselves are their own miniature ecosystem cut off from the mainlands around them, leading to many animals that are not seen anywhere else on Malgard, such as the swarming schools of Nallyoni in the coral reefs around the islands with their razor-sharp head prong and their lithe, agile bodies being able to shoot themselves threw any man unlucky enough to fall into the water, the stealthy Korri, an arthropod-esque species that crawls along the floor of the forested areas of the larger islands, or the Balnyta (High Gothic: Fire Eater), an avian species with a 4 to 5 foot wingspan that makes its nests in the side of the few volcanic islands. In addition to these unique creatures, there are also the mesmerising glowfish that inhabit the depths of Malgard's dark waters. These bioluminescent fish emit a soft, ethereal glow, illuminating the underwater world like floating lanterns. Another extraordinary species found on the island are the elusive Crysalia, known for their exquisite crystalline exoskeletons that glisten under the island's vibrant sunlight. Furthermore, the enchanting song of the Melodis birds fills the air as they soar above the lush jungle canopies with their vibrant plumage and melodious tunes, creating a harmonious symphony.

Flora[]

The plants of the region are hardy and resilient to salt water, with the larger islands having a wide variety of species and the smaller ones being predominantly made up of a few kinds of specifically evolved plants; however, the one plant that is seen the most on Vittenya is the Nahafa, a species of local hardwood trees that have evolved to spread themselves out as much as possible into ammonia-rich soil and which the local Flotnar people use to make their ships. One of the less pleasant plants that make themselves at home in the Vittenya is known as a Vereorbolm (High Gothic: Bad Luck Flower). It is a seemingly brightly coloured flower that grows in the Nahafa forests with a long green steam, and that is all the Vereorbolm is until some form of unknowing prey tries to pick or eat the flower, which is when the large, camouflaged jaws of the true plant spring up from the ground and ensnare their prey.

People[]

The people who first sailed out to the Vittenya and would become the ancestors of the Flotnar settled the land in a time of the distant past, when they journeyed not on the ocean currents that their descendants would rely on but across the stars in massive ships of metal. Since these times, the Flotnar people have integrated themselves into the local eco-system, understanding that if they were to abuse the land, they would be stuck on floating rocks far from any help. They learned to cultivate the limited resources available on their floating islands, creating sustainable systems of agriculture and fishing. Through generations, they have become expert navigators, honing their skills in navigating and adapting to the ever-changing currents and winds, ensuring their survival and prosperity in the Vittenya. The Flotnar people have developed a deep respect for nature, realising the delicate balance needed to survive in their unique environment. Their shamans pass down stories and traditions that emphasize the importance of living in harmony with the land and sea. This cultural connection to their environment has shaped the Flotnar people into resilient and resourceful individuals who understand the interconnectedness of all living things in their world, through generations of experience, the Flotnar's shamans have honed their knowledge of the tides and weather patterns, allowing them to lightly control or direct the harsh and unpredictable environment.

This heightened need for communal survival that all Malgardians feel and the need to preserve the surrounding land have led the Flotnar to be the most welcoming and kind of the planet's people. For example, the Flotnar people have established floating gardens, utilising rudimentary hydroponic techniques to cultivate a variety of crops on their islands. They carefully manage their resources, employing sustainable fishing practices to maintain the delicate marine ecosystem that provides them with abundant seafood. This commitment to preserving their environment not only ensures their own survival but also allows them to extend hospitality to visitors and share their knowledge with other Malgardians, fostering a sense of community and cooperation.

Culture[]

The modern inhabitants of the island tell the story of their forefathers coming to Vittenya to this day, while also making their own stories to explain the world around them. Like many early civilizations, the Flotnar predominantly convey their beliefs to others through a series of verbal stories and legends. However, they also have a proud tradition of scrimshaw on the bones of the local Nallyoni. Using crudely fashioned blades of iron, they ritually crave and inscribe the names and accomplishments of their family members onto polished slabs of bone, with every family having at least one Kynsrista hanging in their house; however, some families of great renown can have entire rooms in their house devoted to showing them. While many of their beliefs come from the Flotnar people themselves, they also take in some of the other vast spread of stories of giants told to them by any long-voyage trade vessel that lands ashore and survives the islands long enough to actually talk to the locals. For example, the Nygard family, known for their legendary seafaring exploits, has a whole gallery dedicated to their Kynsristas in their grand ancestral home. Each meticulously adorned bone slab tells the tale of a different family member's heroic conquests, from battling sea monsters to discovering new lands. Visitors are left in awe as they witness the proud legacy of the Nygards engraved on the polished bone, reflecting both the Flotnar traditions and the tales of giants passed down through generations, with their most predominantly placed Kynsrista bearing only two names, one extremely old and one very recently carved, which the Nygards claim are the names of their family taken by the Giants.

Around 900 years before the current year, the Flotnar had to defend themselves against a massive fleet formed by the first Skatir of the Hilliskati. As they saw the Hilliskati ships on the Horizon, those people of the islands closest to the fleet's origin point sent away messages to the other islands begging them to come to their aid, and so the Flotnar formed together in what they call The Great Compact, a still agreed-upon pact that if any force was to threaten the islands as a whole, they would come together to protect their way of life. The Flotnar people have a deep connection with the ocean, believing that the spirits of the sea guide and protect them. They have developed intricate rituals and ceremonies to honour these spirits and seek their blessings for safe voyages and bountiful catches. The reliance on the ocean for their livelihood has also fostered a strong sense of self-reliance and community among the Flotnar, as they must work together to navigate the treacherous waters and overcome any obstacles that may arise. This unique culture has shaped the Flotnar into a resilient and tightly-knit society, determined to preserve their way of life for generations to come, one based on self-reliability, community, and the importance of the ocean spirits.

Malken Taivald[]

The Flotnar believe that the power of the ocean comes from a Giant who obtained spirithood called Malken Taivald; he accomplished this immense feat by finding and besting the previous spirt of the ocean, Saevar Wuruhi, which was a massive pooling of the planet's energy into the form of a colossal wolf made of water so black that to any other man it would have seemed as if the great abyss had opened in front of them just to swallow their soul. Legend has it that Malken Taivald, with his unwavering determination and exceptional strength, engaged in a fierce battle with Saevar Wuruhi. The clash between these two titans of the ocean was said to have shaken the very foundations of the world, as waves surged and crashed with a force never before witnessed. It was a battle of wills and elemental might, a struggle that would determine the fate of the Flotnar and their connection to the vast expanse of the sea.

The battle between these two forces of immense power would go on for nearly a month until the mighty Saevar Wuruhi was finally slain and the Wolf-born would gift Malken Taivald his control over the planet's natural forces. It is known that before his great ascendance to the rank of Ocean Spirt, Malken Taivald was one of the giants of the northern lands, with this being evidenced because no mere human could stand against an ocean spirt for a month, let alone even be able to defeat it. However, it is said that many, many years ago, at the time of the first appearance of the giants, Malken was merely a man, a member of the Flotnar, taken away to join the defence of the gods. As a member of the Flotnar, Malken Taivald was chosen to join the defence of the gods, marking the beginning of his extraordinary journey. Legends spoke of his unwavering bravery and his ability to harness the planet's natural forces, which ultimately led to his transformation into the formidable Ocean Spirit. It was during this time that Malken's true power was unleashed, solidifying his status as one of the Giant-Lords of the northern lands. The tales of his epic battles against otherworldly creatures and his mastery over the elements spread far and wide, captivating the imaginations of all.

Foudor Paka[]

Foudor Paka is the spirit of drowned sailors at sea coming back for vengeance on those who wronged them in life by bringing misfortune and death to their families. The tale of Foudor Paka tells of an example of one of the brave warriors taken away by the giants and starts during the Great Compact. During these times, Foudor Paka was one of the sons of the chieftain of the island that the Hilliskati first landed on and the one that saw the most open fighting, which included the death of Foudor's father. So enraged he was by the death of his father that Foudor, who had until this point been trying to act in a defensive manner, hoping to save as many lives as possible, charged the closet group of enemies he could and began to hack and slash with extreme reckless abandon, no longer caring for anything but the death of those taking his loved ones away from him.

After taking many more hits from the blade than any one man should be able to survive, and after he had slain all the Hilliskati still trying to raid their family's longhouse, Foudor collapsed onto the ground for what he thought would be the final time. However, it was that a Viskaldmor of the Wolves of Yggdrasil would come down from the sky to apply life-saving medical care and to take him away to the chapter's monastery. This part of the story is told by the Flotnar as a giant of 9 feet clad in brilliant, shining black with markings of white and red-topped pauldrons would appear before the still-fighting masses that had now all stilled in awe at the sight of this being of legend. This myth clad in physical form would then walk through the throngs of men around him, what should have been a clog of people in his way quickly moving aside, not daring to interrupt his journey. On reaching Foudor, the giant would kneel beside him (inadvertently blocking what to everyone else already seemed like a corpse) before he would lay a hand down on the man, and in the still silence that had fallen over the crowd, they heard a sharp, raspy intake of breaths before the giant would stand up with the man in his arms and then disappear in front of the shocked locals.

Hnoss[]

Among many stories told by the locals, there are whispered stories of Hnoss, a being of legend that has been around since the beginning of Malgardian founding, an almost woman-like hag that yells for help off the coasts of rocky islands to maroon anyone sailing by. It is said that half her face is rotting and decaying, while the other half is that of a beautiful young woman. This twisted visage is curtained by long, flowing, brown hair that shrouds her face until an unsuspecting ship gets close enough to not be able to avoid the rocks, which is when she reveals her drastically different face in what would be a pleasant smile if not for the lack of any warmth behind her eyes. Legend has it that the hag, known as the Siren of the Rocks, possesses a hauntingly enchanting voice that lures sailors towards their doom. The eerie melodies that escape her cracked lips carry across the tumultuous waves, beckoning even the most seasoned seafarers to their demise. Those who have managed to survive the treacherous encounter with the Siren speak of the chilling emptiness they felt in her gaze, as if staring into the abyss itself. It is said that her eyes hold no trace of humanity but rather a sinister glimmer of satisfaction as ship after ship breaks themselves on the shore to reach her.