The Storm Wolves - chapter culture

The Storm Wolves, although played as a variant of the Ultramarines from which they share their geneseed, have a unique history.

They are drawn from the Germanic peoples of the Ragnarok star system, and have a fundamental respect for the "old tales and legends".  By flesh they are Ultramarines, but in their heart they think back to the Space Wolf ways of their first chapter.  However in their minds there is something uniquely pragmatic about the Storm Wolves.  Unfortunately that pragmatism is seen are borderline heresy by some other chapters.

Here is the timeline of the regular initiation of a Storm Wolf candidate ...

Scout Initiation

The Ragnarok system has no major Imperial Guard unit, although Hellion employs a small private army.  This dates back to the Hellion Rebellion of two thousand years which the Storm Wolves brutally put down.

To combat this lack of man-power, the Storm Wolves encourages men throughout the star system to enlist.  Compared to other chapters the entry conditions are relatively lax, hence many are initiated as scouts, and receive initial geneseed.

This is seen as another form of heresy by other chapters, as they see the geneseed being wasted on the less worthy.  However the Storm Wolves see it as a necessity - they require a larger than 1000 marine chapter to function in their many duties.  It is unfortunate so many scouts die due to geneseed rejection, however the Storm Wolves aim to make good use of every candidate on the battlefield before this happens.  And even those who die often can provide extra geneseed before their premature demise.

Prowler Duty

The Storm Wolves main duty is to guard the resource worlds of Ragnarok.  However, guard duty does not make for glory.  Like the Viking longships of old, Ragnarok battleships prowl star systems looking for a fight in the name of the Emperor.

Typically three companies are kept "prowling" whilst the remainder of the chapter is kept peace keeping in Ragnarok.  This is why the chapter aims to keep their numbers above the standard thousand troops when possible.

This Prowler Duty is seen as the ideal test of combat, and duty lasts for ten years, with a mix of veterans and rookie scouts.

The Fate of the Fallen

The Storm Wolves have what is considered a ghoulish fate for fallen scouts.  Many have their geneseed carefully removed, and are then reanimated where possible as servitors, the mechanical servants of the machine spirit.  Hence even the fallen continue to serve in their own way.

It is a brutal reminder to many that service to the Emperor goes even beyond death.

Initiation

After a scout has completed a ten year Prowler tour-of-duty he can apply to become a full marine and earn his powered armour.

Due to it's infestation from a previous invasion, Muspell is unusual in that it "farms" Orks.  The Storm Wolf initiation has an unarmed scout placed in a combat zone with one of the young Ork Boyz. The prospective Storm Wolf needs to defeat and kill this Ork to find his place.

Whilst the Storm Wolves like many other chapters have no sympathy for Orks, and will kill them without a second thought, they also have a great respect for the powerful warriors Orks are.  This has been formed from several uneasy alliances with Orks against greater foes.

Hence when a Storm Wolf comes victorious from slaying an Ork, it is his duty to watch over the body overnight, and tell it tales of his deeds as a scout, and the life before being a scout in Ragnarok.  It is considered to be the last day he will talk of his childhood, sharing his secrets with a fallen foe.  When the morning comes, the Storm Wolf will cremate the body before the rising sun, and salute a fallen warrior.

This procedure is overseen by either the Chaplain or Captain of the Storm Wolves.  In addition, most Scout Sergeants feel obliged to be present, however none can intervene in the combat, however by this point most scouts are trained to the point that an Ork soldier presents little obstacle to them.

Golding of the armour

Storm Wolves use a silver piping for soldiers.  However when a marine is invited (after 50 years service) to join the Veterans, or if he makes officer, he is allowed to gold his armour.