Background
The Storm Wolves are a Space Marine chapter based in the Star System Ragnarok. This system is a binary star system, whose main star Ragnarok Alpha Supernovaed approximately 10,000 years ago.
As such it is a system rich in the heavy metals formed in this cosmic explosion. The star system is major provider of raw materials for it's sector, feeding the Imperium war machine. The Storm Wolves role is as guardians of this vital resource, a role they see as a sacred (occasionally fanatical) trust.
However it has been found that “guard duty” is a poor substitute for experience, and after several disastrous engagements a detached unit of 3 companies now tours the galaxy seeking chances to engage the enemies of the Imperium. Called “Prower Units” they contain elements of new and experienced Space Marines.
Ragnarok
Approximately 10,000 years ago the main star Ragnarok Alpha suffered a tremendous explosion, destroying much of the original star system. However, such supernovae are the source of rare and important elements such as iron, gold, platinum – leaving a treasure trove of resources around the exhausted star.
An Imperial colony was first established 8,000 years ago, but the Imperial guardsmen failed to hold onto the star system, being driven back in one of the great Ork Waaarghs 7,000 years ago.
It was up to the Space Wolves to win it back, fighting alongside the remants of the Imperial Guard they managed to crush the Orks, and afterwards established a new chapter in the star system. But this new chapter like so many Space Wolf seeded ones was a cursed chapter, the geneseed over centuries mutating into a form eventually terminal to it's host Space Marines.
The Chapter slowly succumbed to what was called Ragnarok's Curse, and a second founding was attempted using Ultramarine geneseed which proved more stable. This second founding was known as the Storm Wolves.
Planet Helle
Closest to the star Ragnarok Beta, this is a blasted wasteland of a world, with the surface temperature hot enough to melt lead. It is also one of the more populated planets, the ruling elite using the planets natural harshness to deter invasions – for there is little on this world worth invading for. The population lives deep inside the planet in a series of luxurious colonies paid for by the natural riches of this remarkable star system.
Here the Hellion Committee runs the administration of the system, they are the closest to a government, the seats on the panel bought by privilege or money.
But despite the riches and relative security of this fortress world, for many it is still not enough. Dissent brews within the planet. Some see the Storm Wolves as an occupying force. Others on the Committee see them as an annoying drain on resources, and an upstart nuisance in the affairs of the star system. Many politicians will echo words to the effect that “Hellion should rule, Storm Wolves should guard”.
Hellions see themselves as nobility, and look down on the denizens of the other worlds as inferior in all respects. This was brutally seen in the great Ork Waaargh, where the outnumbered Imperial Guard forces fell back to Helle without even a fight, leaving the other enhabitants of other worlds within Ragnarok to their own fate.
By the Charter of Ragnarok, the constitution which outlines the relationship between the Space Marine chapter and the star systems of Ragnarock, the Hellion committee has managed to retain a small Imperial guard army for itself, independent of the Storm Wolves. By this same charter, the Storm Wolves are forbidden to have any presence of arms on Helle, and are only supposed to visit the planet by formal request by the Hellion Committee.
This is the home of the Storm Wolves. It is a planet pulled by tidal forces, with occasional volcanoes, earthquakes, geysers. Most of the planet is dominated by a harsh lichen which only the goat cattle of the Muspell nomads can eat.
However properly treated the soil is abundant, and there are many large farms which feed the rest of the star system.
Unfortunately the planet was badly contaminated during the Orks Waaargh. There are still sizable Ork colonies hidden within the jungle areas, and countless efforts have failed to remove them.
It is little wonder then with such an aggressive local pest that despite a smaller population, the Muspellian farmers and nomads have proved to be suitable Space Marine candidates. Most Storm Wolves have come from Muspellian origins, another factor which irritates many Hellions. That said most officers even within the Storm Wolves, have turned out to have Hellion lineage. Even within the mighty Space Marines there seems to be the seeds of prejudice.
It is on this planet that Storm Wolves keep their main base, the fortress of Midgard.
Planet Jotunheim
A gas giant world, the satellites of which contain Ragarok's mining, processing and industrial infrastructure. These factory worlds generally have poor conditions, containing human hives of workers who get to share very little of the systems wealth, whilst paying high prices for their shoddy food, water and air.
It is little surprise that crime here is rife, with many murders between individuals squabbling for what little they have. But not all crime is so ill-disciplined, and there is a powerful syndicate at work in these factories called The Talon, of which very little is known, even by the overworked and under-resourced Inquisition.
The satellites of Jotunheim, with their citizens who grow around technology have provided many Space Marines who would go on to become Master of Arms for the Storm Wolves.
Planet Niflheim
This ice world is a brutal and inhospitible place, but still some life clings on. No indiginous life survives above ground, but large underground seas heated by the volcanic planet core still teem with swathes of marine life. It's on this life the tribes known as “the ice folk” live – they are nomads similar to the Muspellians. They live on the surface, and track migrations of the underwater fish life – for they are skilled divers and underwater fishermen.
The Storm Wolves maintain an early warning outpost here. Here too is the Hall of Sleeping Warriors. Chapter Master Albert Donitz of the Cursed Founding placed 300 of his Space Marines into cryogenic storage here, where they wait through the millenia.
It is said that in Ragnarok's greatest hour of need, the seal will be broken and the Doomed Warriors will wake to fight one final battle.
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