A Skjald's Tale of the Days of Darkness

[Jackalwolf]

A Skjald's Tale of the Days of Darkness

Let me tell you about my time with the people of Fenris. Let me tell you of when the Galaxy was burning around mankind and doubt and deceit found true grip in the hearts of even the most righteous men.

It was in these days, the days of darkness, that I discovered the true meaning of fear, of hope and, above all, of valour.

These were lessons taught to me by strange people -Vlka, as they refer to themselves- who would sell foreigners an image of barbarity and laughter but could not hide from their own hearts, try as they might, the melancholy that weighted in all of their souls. For if you must know only one thing about them, is that they love humanity. They love it so much, that they are ready to shed away their own and embrace the beast fate has them marked to be in order to save all of us. For do not fool yourself, every son of Fenris is marked to die the day he is born, and there are fates worse than death they will have to walk through before earning that final rest.

But don't stand quite so far. The fire is still warm and the mead abundant. Come, sit down besides me and let me tell you about the sons of Fenris, let me tell you about the Vlka Fenryka...

-An unknown Skjald

 

Leman Russ, Lord of Winter and War

Leman of the Russ; the Wolf King, Lord of Winter and War, Breaker of Shields, Bringer of Ruin. Little is known of his past other than the words kept by Gnauril the Elder. He was granted a place in Fenris by king Thengir after being found in a great wolf lair, his adoptive mother slain by the spears of his new tribe. Along his new and old brothers he would rise to be King of all Fenris.

Pict captures of Russ striking forth during the infamous battle for Tizca

 

 

Freki and Geri

Leman of the Russ always had two wolves by his side. Old tales of lost lands of Terra speak of Romulus and Remus, two brothers raised by a wolf mother who would birth an Empire to conquer all Europa. Had Freki and Geri been part of the tale too, most likely the whole Terra would have yielded to them. Such was their ferocity and loyalty.

The Wolf-kin of Russ were always to be found in the thickest of the fighting in Prospero and broke the concentration of many Thousand Sons sorcerers with their mighty howls

 

 

Bulveye, Jarl of the Dekk-Tra

Bulveye was the first to step forth when the Allfather declared he would take the Wolf King to his Saga beyond the Sky. Behind him the thegns followed and behind them the dregn. Following his unyielding courage, they stood together the trials of the Allfather, and a score of them remained alive when those were over.he Russ always had two wolves by his side. Old tales of lost lands of Terra speak of Romulus and Remus, two brothers raised by a wolf mother who would birth an Empire to conquer all Europa. Had Freki and Geri been part of the tale too, most likely the whole Terra would have yielded to them. Such was their ferocity and loyalty.

Pict captures of Jarl Bulveye during the compliance of Kernunnos before the 954th expeditionary fleet was recalled to assist in the sanction of Prospero.

 

 

Floki, Rune-seer of the Dekk-Tra

Floki was wild in a land of beasts, unassuming but proud, temperate yet passionate, a poet and a brute, always unambiguous yet at times sibylline. His gaze was easy to meet, his smile hard to gauge. Ever-present, behind the amused smirk of his lips and his blackened eyes one could only understand in a primal way the raw power of his soul and cower before it. Many times was that soul unleashed and with it the wrath of Fenris itself came, making the shrunken hearts of his enemies freeze within their chests.

Floki was able to channel the spirit of Fenris both to divinate the future of the Dekk-Tra and to unleash its destructive energy among the foes of the Wolf King.

 

Edited August 19, 2019 by Jackalwolf

[Jackalwolf]

 

Arjac Rockfist and Njal Stormacller

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Bjorn the Fell-Handed

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Murderfang

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Ivar the Boneless

Ivar the Boneless was one of the two sons of Jarl Lothbrok to survive the implantation process when Russ joined in the Great Crusade and took his Wolf Brothers with them.

 

He was born with shrivelled, wrecked legs, though with sheer cunning and fierceness he made a name for himself as a great warrior.

 

Thus, when becoming a Space Marine his keen mind was best used as the Forge Lord of the Dekk-Tra and, to always remember that he was born as a runt, meant to die from birth, he rejected replacing his lower limbs with cybernetic replacements but instead constructed himself with his mentor, Floki, a special suit of armour that would embrace his legs and give him the prowess required to keep with his brothers in battle whilst letting him showcase proudly that he was the one who defied all odds and rose to greatness.

 

 

Woden, Speaker of the Dead

Never summoned but ever present where he is needed most, it is said that Woden follows no man, including the lord of Fenris, but his loyalty lies with Morkai himself.

 

Ageless and unseen other than in the thick of battle amongst the bodies of the slain, when forced to Woden is a frenzy of death, as able to cut a thread with his knife as he's able to bring back from Morkai's jaws a fallen brother whom he deems worthy.

 

His appearance on a battlefield is always seen as an omen of a great victory and a profound sacrifice.

 

 

The Seer

No-one ever stared into his eyes for it was said that once his white, blinded sight set upon another man's, the soul of the later would be judged and rise to Valhalla or fall into the depths of Hel. No-one knew where he came from, for he was already old when the first memories of him were recorded.

 

How did he ascend to the heavens when the Allfather came and fought the Crusade among the Sons of Fenris is yet another mystery, one that escapes the knowledge of the Wolf King himself and yet might be only kept by the Allfather himself, or maybe one of his closest confidents. What is certain is that he was the advisor of Thengir, then of Bulveye and later of Russ, and taught the newly created Astartes the ways of the healer and the priest.

 

 

The Wolf Brothers

The wolf brothers, they called themselves. And truly they were kin, united beyond blood, their threads bound by the weight of destiny and pulled by the indomitable will of their leader, Bulveye. They followed him in life and with him they stepped beyond it, forever to fight besides the Great Wolf in this new adventure he had had no choice upon.

 

http://i1379.photobucket.com/albums/ah128/Grieux/Vlka%20Fenryka/26992FEE-A620-4B49-B20C-173F82A63F54_zps2acjvetv.jpg

 

Busts of the Wolf Brothers sculpted by an unknown rememberancer during the early years of the Great Crusade. From top left to bottom right: Kauko, Leif, Arne Bale-eye, Knut, Torstein, Erik, Lord Bulveye, Floki, Rollo, Tostig

Edited August 19, 2019 by Jackalwolf

[Jackalwolf]

 

Kingslayers

Chosen warriors of the Jarl of Jarls, the Kingslayers were recruited from fallen lords and kings, only the blood of those who had risen above their peers strong enough to become one of the Einherjar.

 

Led by Rollo, blood brother to Jarl Lothbrok, they are the tip of the spear, ever ready to thrust against the hearts of the enemies of the Rout, wether it is besides Jarl Lothbrok or fighting alongside the Lord of Winter and War himself.

 

 

Raiders of Hedeby

The tale of Hereby is the tale of Jarl Lagertha, the shieldmaiden that conquered a fiefdom.

 

Lesser is known about the tale of Kauko, he who fell in love with the unattainable Queen, he who paid with his life for his pride. Rescued from the throat of the death wolf by the Seer, he took instead an exile to the stars, followed by the bravest of his warriors, forever hiding their faces under a mask in shame for their betrayal of the shieldmaiden.

 

 

The Bloodied Claws

When the Lord Russ took to the stars after the duel with the Allfather, a grand feast was had. Spirits flew, laughter rose, as the Wolf Brothers bid their farewells to Fenris.

 

But not all joined in the celebrations. The youngest sons of Fenris, led by Ubbe, took advantage of the feast to climb into the belly of a metal beast.

 

Unaware of the dangers of nesting in the power plant unit of a Stormbird, they were promptly discovered upon their arrival to the Hrfankel, a score of them miraculously alive.

 

Whilst the gene seed took root and saved their lives, paving their path from mere children to transhuman warriors, their burns were too severe to repair with vat grown flesh, forevermore striding into battle behind their death masks.

 

 

The Lost Brotherhood

Amidst the falling ashes of Prospero, embers still hot, forces never meant to trespass the veil of the immaterium were unleashed. The foul sorcery wielded by the fallen 14th legion resonated with something buried deep in the gene alchemy that had created the Rout from the Emperor's own blood.

 

Rather than falling to the threat of everhungring gods like most of their cousins would, however, an aegis set in place by the Emperor within his chosen legion of executioners activated.

 

Ceramite cracking under the deforming limbs of those closer to the warp rifts, their faces transfigured, fangs growing and hair bursting from beneath their dark carapace.

 

The vision of the Wulfen was fearful, but it was one of a loyal servant to the Emperor, saved from the corruption of Chaos by their own curse which now proved to be a blessing. Onwards they strode, and the sorcerors of Prospero soon learnt to regret having unleashed the curse of Morkai.

 

Edited August 19, 2019 by Jackalwolf

[Jackalwolf]

 

Army Composition

Einherjar:

• Ragnar Lothbrok, Jarl of the Dekk-Tra
• Floki, Seeker of Runes
• Rollo Lothbrok, Hearthegn
• Bjorn Ironside, Huscarl
• Woden, Speaker of the Dead
• Ivar the Boneless, Priest of Iron
• The Seer
• Torstein, Standard Bearer
• Athelstan the Preacher

Ashes of Prospero:

• Arjac Rockfist, Shieldbearer
• Njal Stormcaller
• Bjorn the Fell-Handed
• Murderfang

Units:

• Kingslayers (Varagyr), led by Hearthegn Rollo and Thegn Arne 'Bale-Eye' with Haraldson, Borg, Horik, Halfdan the Black and Siegfried
• Hunters of Kattegat (Veterans / Grey Hunters, led by Huscarl Bjorn with Torstein, Kauko, Leif, Knut, Erik, Tostig and Einar
• Raiders of Hedeby (Deathsowrn / Reivers), led by pack leader Kalf 
• The Bloodied Claws (Deathsworn / Reivers), led by pack leader Ubbe and including Hvitserk, Sigurd, Guthrum and Erlendur

Vehicles:

• The Longboat (Spartan Assault Tank)
• Huggin (Storm Eagle)
• Muninn (Fire Raptor)
• Surtr (Whirlwind Scorpius)

 

Tutorials

Grey Painting Recipe:

• Prime black
• Apply a counter-zenithal basecoat of Vallejo German Grey
• 'Sketch' where the highlights will be with Administratum Grey
• Apply a basecoat of Mechanicum Standard Grey Air leaving the Vallejo German Grey in the recesses and don't obscure the sketeched highlights
• Apply a 45° layer of Dawnstone Air
• Re-Apply final highlights with Administratum Grey or do a very zenithal fine spray
• Glaze with Druchi Violet wash mixed with glaze medium the areas of shade*
• Glaze with Blue wash mixed with glaze medium the deepest shadows*
• Wash the model to give definition and tone down the highlights to blend them with all the armor with the following mixture: 4 ml Agrax Earthshade, 4 ml Nuln Oil, 12 ml Water
• Edge highlight with Administratum Grey
• * These two steps are to add richness to the palette of the armor, so I generally tend to reserve them for characters since they're quite time consuming

Bronze Painting Recipe:

• Basecoat with Castellax Bronze
• Pin wash with Brown Liner
• Clean up with Castellax Bronze
• Highlight layer of Old Copper (Scale 75)
• Extreme highlight and edge highlight with Pure Copper (Scale 75)
• Wash with Agrax Earthshade
• Extreme edge highlight with Victorian Brass (Scale 75)

Bases:

• Basecoat ruins and base with Rhinox hide
• Layer ruins with Rhino hide mixed with brown midtone 1:2
• Highlight ruins with Karak stone
• Wash ruins with Agrax Earthshade mixed with water 1:1
• Drybrush ruins with Tyrant skull
• Light drybrush ruins with Terminatus stone
• Basecoat stone with Mechanicus standard grey
• Heavy drybrush stone with Dawnstone
• Drybrush stone with Celestra grey
• Wash stone with Agrax Earthshade mixed with water 1:1
• Light drybrush with Administratum grey
• Paint ground with Agrellan earth (as many coats as needed)
• Clean base edges with Abaddon black

 

Edited February 15, 2020 by Jackalwolf

[sbarnby71]

Flippin heck!  So much to love on this page.  Great work!

[sbarnby71]

Where did the belt and loin cloth you used on Ivor come from, I can't place the hammer?

[Dantay VI]

Looks like it was carved from Arjac or Iron Priest model.

[Jackalwolf]

Thanks mates and indeed it's from the iron priest model. Torso and head from dreygur, legs from kor phaeron.

[sbarnby71]

Iron Priest (have one, but never opened the box!)

[mactire]

Love this thread, the background is as good as the conversions.

[Jackalwolf]

Love this thread, the background is as good as the conversions.

Thank you mate, the TV show Vikings made me go back to the space wolves after 15 years without hobby!

[Cessna]

This army is gorgeous.

[Jackalwolf]

Thanks mate. Finished my two Varagyr thegn with their new loadout, will post the pictures later.

 

For now here's the revised version of Hvarl. I bought the mini because he looked cool but considering how slow I am painting I thought I might be better off using his bolter and axe on my Arjac so he can be Arjac in 40k and Hvarl in 30k with a quick arm swap since they're magnetised.

 

 

And here is the diorama it sits in. It represents Arjac and Njal in Ashes of Prospero or Hvarl and Kva the divided during the Burning of Prospero.

 

[Triszin]

that axe is gorgeous

[Jackalwolf]

Thanks bud I like how it ties in with the deathsworn symbols.

 

Finally managed to complete my two Thegns for the Varagyr with the new loadout to make them usable in 40 and 30k and to represent their characters in the series Vikings.

 

Bjorn Ironside

 

Rollo Lothbrok

[Dantay VI]

Looking great as always. Why the new loadout?.

 

Is claw and chainfist illegal in 40k?

[Wulf Vengis]

Love it. This is filled with so much win it may actually be cheating.

 

EDIT: What is the Seer made from. Eey gods that is an awesomely dreadful model.

Edited September 6, 2019 by Wulf Vengis

[Jackalwolf]

Love it. This is filled with so much win it may actually be cheating.

 

EDIT: What is the Seer made from. Eey gods that is an awesomely dreadful model.

thank you my man. He's the fw event limited edition model of 2015 back when they did actually did interesting stuff with their yearly specials.

 

And Dantay I'm afraid a bit so, the cataphractii in 40k are limited to plastic loadout so has no option of power axe plus with the new setup I've used Abaddon bolters which incorporate assault launchers to appease my maniacal WYSWIG.

 

Also I ended up with two praetor swords from the Arjac conversion and thought they really looked cool lol.

Edited September 9, 2019 by Jackalwolf