Legion VI · loyalists
Space Wolves
Primarch: Leman Russ
Homeworld: Fenris · Segmentum Solar
The VI Legion, the Vlka Fenryka and “the Rout”, ferocious warriors from icy Fenris, divided into Great Companies led by jarls. Their primarch Leman Russ, “the Wolf King”, was the enforcer of the Emperor’s will among the Legions, the one used to bring the others to heel. Deceived by Horus, he burned Prospero and broke the Thousand Sons, and then barely survived the Alpha Legion’s ambush in the Alaxxes Nebula, from which the Dark Angels’ fleet rescued him. He did not arrive in time for the decisive battles of the Siege, having led the Legion off to hunt Horus himself.
Side in the Heresy: loyalists Remained loyal. The “Emperor’s Executioners”: on his order (distorted by Horus) they burned Prospero. During the Heresy, Horus set the Alpha Legion on them in the Alaxxes Nebula, but the Legion survived.
- Number
- VI (6)
- Side
- Loyalists
- Events in the chronicle
- 15 events
- Strength
- Roughly 95,000–100,000 legionaries by the time of the Burning of Prospero. An estimate, disputed; there is no firm Forge World figure.
Fate
Survived the Heresy (they were never at Isstvan). Russ survived but did not arrive in time for the key battles of the Siege of Terra — he led the Legion off to hunt Horus far away. After the Heresy he went into the Eye of Terror and vanished, vowing to return in the “Wolftime”.
Speciality
Ferocious close-combat fighters (on a par with the World Eaters), shock assault infantry; the “Emperor’s Executioners”, used to bring the other Legions to heel.
Tactics
A swift shock assault, the pack and the frontal blow (the Blood Claws); Great Companies led by jarls; the elite — the Wolf Guard and the Varagyr Terminators. Reliance on valour and fury rather than on regulations.
What the Legion is known for
The Burning of Prospero and the breaking of the Thousand Sons; the ambush in the Alaxxes Nebula; the curse of the Wulfen (canis helix); an eternal enmity with the Thousand Sons.
Wargear
Frost weapons (blades and axes), bolters of Fenrisian make, Fenrisian wolves; Varagyr Terminators and the Wolf Guard of the Great Companies.
Notable warriors
- Bjorn the Fell-HandedWolf Guard of Russ
A warrior of Russ’s Wolf Guard who earned the name “the Fell-Handed” for his deeds in the Burning of Prospero; after the primarch’s disappearance he became the first Great Wolf and the oldest Dreadnought of the Imperium.
- Ogvai Ogvai Helmschrotjarl of Tra (3rd Great Company)
A jarl who led the spearhead of the ground assault on Tizca in the Burning of Prospero.
- Hvarl Red-Bladejarl of Sepp (7th Great Company)
A jarl known for reckless cunning; led his Great Company on independent campaigns and took part in the Burning of Prospero.
- Gunnar Gunnhiltjarl of Onn (1st Great Company)
The foremost of Russ’s jarls, commander of the 1st Great Company at the start of the Heresy.
Events involving the Legion
Eve of the Storm
The Fall
Shadow of War
The Road to Terra
The Siege of Terra
Epilogue — The Great Scouring
Characters of the Legion
Sources
- FW Black Book VII: Inferno
- Lexicanum: Space Wolves
- WH40k Fandom: Leman Russ
- Lexicanum: Battle of the Alaxxes Nebula
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