Fenris
General Info
| Location Name | Fenris |
|---|
Overview
Named after the Fenris Wolf of ancient Terran mythology, the harsh climate and ferocious native beasts played an important role in shaping the character of its loyal defenders. The planet's unstable geology, caused by the gravitational pull of its oversized moon and the gravity of the curvature anomaly of the nearby Eye of Terror, causes giant sea storms that constantly reshape its land masses.
The Space Wolves' stronghold, Fang, towers majestically above the geography, providing primordial and stark evidence of the harshness of its inhabitants. The distant prospects of a peaceful life are alien to the Fenrisians, who defy the environment and aggressive predators, turning battles and stories into fables sung in the halls of their Mead.
Unique to Fenris are the Fenrisian Wolf - large, monstrous creatures that live in the treacherous wilderness. From common wolves to leading packs of Wolf Lords, every Space Wolf has a spiritual connection to these magnificent beasts. The essence of these unparalleled conditions continues to produce some of the strongest and bravest warriors in the Warhammer 40,000 universe. The Space Wolves are those legends who fight ceaselessly to protect the empire, thriving on the brink of destruction.
History
Fenris is a harsh and hostile world of Death, characterized by extremes. He is caught in a never-ending struggle between the freezing cold and the volcanic heat. Most of its surface is covered by turbulent oceans, broken up by temporary islands formed by volcanic activity. It was on these islands that the first Fenris, called "the free", settled. Their daily struggle for survival against the planet's harsh elements and monstrous predatory fauna made them formidable warriors. When Primarch Leman Russ came to Fenris, he found in these people the resilience and indomitable spirit needed to create his Space Wolves.
The story of Fenris changed a lot with the arrival of the Emperor. It is believed that the birth of Leman Russ, which led to his arrival in Fenris, was arranged by the Emperor himself. When the Emperor came to Fenris to claim his son, Russ challenged him to several meetings rather than acknowledge his authority. Russ swore his allegiance only after the Emperor won the final test of consuming a drinking horn filled with the mortal spirit known as Mjød.
Since then, Fenris has been a bastion of the Space Wolves, guarding their secrets and history. The brothers in arms of this powerful chapter regularly return to their home world for the initiation rituals of the Great Company. The chosen aspirants must face the monstrous beasts of Fenris and brave the harsh terrains of the world to prove their worth and join the glorious ranks of the Space Wolves. This battle-tested world offers the Astartes some of the fiercest warriors in the galaxy, who proudly carry their Fenris heritage into every warzone they enter.
From time to time Fenris is beset by a calamity known as the "Time of Trial". A time when glaciers collide violently with molten lava, creating steam clouds that block out the sun. But even in the face of certain destruction, the Fenrisians stand firm, their spirit intact, as they have for millennia. Their determination and resilience truly make Fenris a world unlike any other in the Warhammer 40,000 universe.
Background
Living among the planet's glaciers and seas teeming with Leviathan sea monsters, the Fenrisian tribes were conditioned from birth to endure the harshest of living conditions. This harsh environment shapes the minds of soldiers and turns them into fierce warriors ready to face any adversity. The planet's deadly fauna set Fenris apart. Treacherous ecosystems are home to sea dragons, ice trolls, and horse-sized Fenris wolves. As the Space Wolves often recruit from the more powerful Fenrisian tribes, a close bond develops between the transhuman sons of Primarch Leman Russ and these beings.
The unruly climate changes, freezing winters turn into summers bathed in boiling rain, making permanent settlement impossible. Only The Fang, the fortress-monastery of the Space Wolves, stands permanently, jutting out of the ice like a solemn sentinel. Finally, The Curse of Wulfen is a fragment of the horror stories of the citizens of Fenris. This disturbing phenomenon turns the noble warriors of Fenris into ferocious and terrifying berserkers. While many believe this to be folklore, the Space Wolves recognize it as an ominous sign of impending horror.
Fenris's terrain is as complex as the battles of its soldiers. It shapes the most loyal spirits, raises legendary warriors and guards ancient secrets. In truth, Fenris is unforgivably cruel, yet incredibly sweet.