The Grunts of Grimnir

[Rasclomalum]

Várangoi (WIP, and the name seems to have changed...)

 

 

"FOR FIMBULTYR! FOR HIM ON THE GOLDEN THRONE!" 

 

695154; padding: 12px 8px 12px 8px; border: 1px solid #DDD; margin-left: 0 auto; text-align: left; color: #fff; text-indent:10px; font-size:130%; ">Founding

 

 

[Returning to an earlier idea I never finished]

 

One of the Chapters created during the Ultima Founding, the Várangoi were tasked with assisting to quell the uprisings in the Segmentum Pacificus. Concerned that the unrest following the Night of a Thousand Rebellions would reach the Shrine World of Hagia and the sacred relics of Saint Sabbat there interred, the Várangoi were meant to be the guardians of that world, ordered to restore Imperial law on its surrounding planets and indeed act proactively by taking the fight to the enemies of the Emperor. 

 

The Death World of Botnia Occidentalis, its people harsh and warlike, able to survive long winters and extended darkness, was chosen as this Chapter’s recruiting grounds.

 

 

695154; padding: 12px 8px 12px 8px; border: 1px solid #DDD; margin-left: 0 auto; text-align: left; color: #fff; text-indent:10px; font-size:130%; ">Gene-seed

 

Still undecided. Space Wolves or Imperial Fists. Given the current nature of the Chapter, this could go both ways. Both would work, given the nature of the Varangians.

 

 

695154; padding: 12px 8px 12px 8px; border: 1px solid #DDD; margin-left: 0 auto; text-align: left; color: #fff; text-indent:10px; font-size:130%; ">History

 

The Segmentum Pacificus is plagued by rebellions beyond counting, and the servants of the Emperor face a daunting task suppressing these revolts. 

Being Astartes, the Várangoi are sent in during critical moments, or where the battle is most fierce. So it was at Chrysopolis, where the Astra Militarum regiment under Basilus Secundus was nearly defeated by the forces of renegade PDF Commander Bardas Phokas, and the Várangoi earned their first glory; Akolouthos Padraig Jorsalafar himself killing the traitor by tearing off his right arm. 

 

 

695154; padding: 12px 8px 12px 8px; border: 1px solid #DDD; margin-left: 0 auto; text-align: left; color: #fff; text-indent:10px; font-size:130%; ">Culture

 

The Várangoi have many names for the Emperor. Fimbultyr, Ganglere and Bölverk among them. The Space Wolf practice of calling Him Allfather has gained widespread approval, as it resonates with the kennings already used by the Chapter; Throne-Lord, Foe of Chaos, and so on. 

 

Despite their warlike nature, the Várangoi enjoy poetry, and particularly favour alliterative meters. This is reflected by their tendency to give each battle-brother who has proven himself in battle an epithet,which is always an alliteration of his name. This naming is a ritual in itself, the name chosen by the battle-brother’s squad and revealed during the feast following a victory.   

 

695154; padding: 12px 8px 12px 8px; border: 1px solid #DDD; margin-left: 0 auto; text-align: left; color: #fff; text-indent:10px; font-size:130%; ">Organization

 

The Várangoi follow the standard organizational doctrine laid out by the Codex Astartes. They use names for their ranks not in the language of Botnia Occidentalis, but a dialect of High Gothic, reflecting perhaps their allegiance to the Emperor. 

 

Akolouthos - Chapter Master. The current Chapter Master is Padraig Jorsalafar, also known as Padraig the Proud. 

 

Protospatharios - Captain 

 

 Dishypatos - Lieutenant

 

Spatharokandidatos - Veteran Sergeant 

 

Spatharioi - Veteran

 

Prōtomanglabitēs - Battleline Sergeant

 

Manglabites - Battleline

 

 

[Need to finish this. There ought to be titles for specialists, and I suppose I should have different names for different types of Intercessors and so on, I’m just not well-up enough on Byzantine military and civil offices]

 

 

 

 

Hallbjörn the Hungry, Manglabites of the 2nd Company. 

 

 

Radbod the Reckless, Prōtomanglabitēs of the 4th Company. 

Edited November 7, 2021 by Rasclomalum

[Gamiel]

Is the dragon head their symbol, or a placeholder?

 

What kind of culture was you thinking for them?

[Rasclomalum]

Well, I seem to have switched towards Varangians here. It gave me more of a template to work with, and it just fits with what Astartes are I think.

 

The Dragon is definitely a placeholder. Thinking I'll just use the standard shoulder plates, paint them white and make a black (perhaps red) rune on them as the Chapter symbol. Since they are called Várangoi, I might just as well use a runic "V" and call it a day. 

 

Edited November 7, 2021 by Rasclomalum

[Bjorn Firewalker]

Grimnir is one of the name's of Odin, and translated to 40k that is of course the name this Chapter uses to refer to the Emperor.

It's also similar to the Space Wolves Great Wolf's (Chapter Master's) name. A statement like this can be interpreted to mean the Great Wolf sees himself as the Emperor's equal, i.e., a declaration he intends to overthrow Imperial rule over the Fenris, the way Lufgt Huron (Huron Blackheart) intended to overthrow Imperial rule over Badab. I know Logan Grimnar is too loyal to do so, but his enemies in the Inquisition will surely make such claims to justify actions against the Space Wolves, up to and including declaring the Wolves and their Successor Chapters "Excommunicate Traitoris", and subjecting Fenris to Exterminatus.

[Rasclomalum]

You're right about that. Fixed it. Thanks.

[Gamiel]

I have a list of some viking-ish concepts that could be used for inspiration if you are interested.

[Bjorn Firewalker]

The dragon can represent a dragon or dragon-like creature from Norse mythology, e.g., the Midgard Serpent and Fafnir. I personally like it.