The Wulfen seed grows fast within the warrior, splitting bone and distorting flesh, turning man into a howling savage, that is half human and half wolf. The warrior hungers for flesh and his mind is possessed with bestial instincts which override his natural sanity. Only one thought remains, and that is to return to the Fang, where his humanity can be restored by the insertion of other geneseeds. Many die under the curse of the Wulfen. Others lose their way, and are left to wander the barren wastes of Asaheim. Yet some succeed, despite the multitude of wild beasts and natural perils that lie between them and their goal. Even years afterwards, a Space Marine always retains a small part of the Wulfen spirit within him, a dark memory of the savage and bestial self that he has overcome.....
The Space Wolves are a unique breed of the Emporer's forces. They operate in packs, seeming to hunt, more than fight. They are brutal, and efficient. Amongst there ranks are found a variety of troop types:
Blood Claws
The young, hot-bloodied Space Wolves fight in Blood Claw packs. They are fierce, often fool-hardy warriors, eager to prove themselves and earn the respect of their elders. They will take almost any risk to win the fleeting glory that only youth and courage can bring. Blood Claws are renowned for the savagery of their charge. Caring little for their own saftey they throw themselves upon the enemy, hacking and slaying with all their strength. Blood Claw packs are armed for close quarter fighting. They rely upon their extraordinary valour to destroy their enemy in hand-to-hand fighting.
Grey Hunters
The Grey Hunters packs form the greater mass of Space Wolves warriors. Grey Hunters are strong and resolute fighters, tempered by battle but as hungrey for for honour as any proud warrior of Fenris. Their name is well chosen, for they are masters of the hunt, stalking their enemy as they might one of the giant Wolves of Fenris. When battle joins the Grey Hunters close around the foe like a pack of wolves. Perhaps they will draw the enemy forward by feigning weakness whilst in reality awaiting the moment to spring their deadly trap. The battle ploys and cunning of the Grey Hunters are legendary. It is this uncanny calm and patience which distingushes the mature warrior from the fiery Blood Claw. When the moment comes the Grey Hunters leap at their foe with the elation of a savage beast that has long stalked its prey and scents blood at last.
Long Fangs
The Long Fangs are the third kind of of Space Wolf warrior. They form a cadre of veteran warriors, hoary with age, proud and wise. They are quite literally endowed with long fangs, for as a Space Wolf ages his canines lengthen and his hair grows thick and grey. In their youth they hungered for honour as every Space Wolf does, eager to earn a place in the sagas. Now, after countless long wars, their esteem stands as a montain, commanding awe and respect from those of lesser years. Their saga is almost complete. The hot steel of youth has been tempered by honour, the reward of glory, leaving a keen yet finely balanced warrior, as wise in battle as he is strong in arm.
The self control and confidence of the Long Fangs is proverbial. Their role is to provide the Chapter with a solid, dependable core of troops. There are relatively few Long Fangs-many warriors die in battle so only a minority survive to reach a venerable age. Also, Space Marines enjoy long lives only showing signs of age after many times the span of an ordinary man, so it is hardly surprising that the Grey Hunters outnumber the Long Fangs many times over. Having fought and survived so many wars the Long Fangs are rarely unsettled by the most serious set-back. In many Space Wolves battles the Long Fangs have held the field against overwhelming odds, even after all others have fled the field or been slain.
Wolf Guard
The Wolf Guards are the bravest warriors of each Great Company - the chosen battle-brothers of the Great Company's Wolf Lord. Each has earned his place by some exceptional feat of arms. It is his herioc deeds which mark the Wolf Guard rather than his age, so there are young warriors as well as sturdy veterans amongst their ranks. Every Wolf Lord favours his chosen battle-brothers with gifts such as antique weapons, ornate armour of ancient origin and most precious of all, immense suits of Terminator armour.
In battle some Wolf Guard join and lead other Space Wolves warrior packs . Any Space Wolves pack would be honoured to be joined by a great hero of the Wolf Guard. Other Wolf Guard fight as powerful units of warriors. When a Wolf Lord enters battle his Wolf Guard may fight by his side, forming both a bodyguard and the most powerful squad on the battlefield.
