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Founding
The Blood Wolves were founded as an additional resource to help free hive worlds from mutants and black crusades by the will of the high lords of Terra when the rise of psyker numbers amongst the population led to more and more warp related incidents.
It is suspected, but not documented in chapter knowledge, that they may not have been given a world, because they have long been travelling on their rather small fleet. Genetic anomalies and an unusually strong Librarium are documented to have been added as an experimental feature for battling enemy psykers and other users of the warp.
The current lack of heavy equipment was not an initial issue, but much of it was lost over time and many battles. This increased the recruitment of psykers instead, since the resupply of especially tanks was not reliable due to the uneasy relationship with the Adeptus Mechanicus.
Their initial group of space marines was recruited from multiple tribal hunter societies that were specialists in stalking and hunting dangerous prey. Their believe in the power of blood reflects in the blood brotherhoods between different battle brothers being extremely common.
In the aftermath of Incident 600.M41, which saw an entire company vanish from the records, the chapter underwent a significant reorganization of its companies and leadership structures to address the undisclosed reasons behind the loss. Among the Blood Wolves, the incident remains a fraught and difficult subject, avoided in discussions to ensure none provoke the many Inquisitorial agents whose presence aboard the fleet has since sharply increased.
Heraldry And Color Scheme
The color scheme of the blood wolves is simply based around a dark green base, representing their forest heavy tribal origin. Shoulder pads are black, with the left carrying the company number in white, latin letters, while the right has a blood red wolf head in frontal view drawn upon it. Wolfs are representing their world of origin's most prolific pack hunters, making them a good match for the chapter. The drawing is simplified, merely containing the most important features.
All marines have a dark red right fist, representing their desire to draw blood. Veterans add a dark red border on their left shoulder pad, while Lieutenants, Chaplains and higher ranked officers have their company number in blood red instead of the usual white.
Specialists are distinguished with different colors as well. Smiths have a dark bronze fist instead of the usual dark red one, while Chaplains have a bone colored right fist guard.
Senior command is shown by having the neck armor piece in dark red, making Arch Chaplains, Captains and Master Smiths easy enought to identify.
The first company differs from the color scheme slightly by having their left shoulder pad in blood red, representing their shame because of recent losses.
Banners are usually similar to the shoulder pads, having a black base and a blood red wolf head on them. Additionally they usually have the company number in white right below the wolf head, so that it is easy to recognise them.
On the left knee pad most space marines have a single character, showing their current psi rating according to the imperial standard. All space marines lacking this are processed as quickly as possible to enable better planning.
Gene Seed
Their gene seed is considered pure, even if they seem to have an unusually high rate of psykers in their ranks. It is suspected that at least all officers have some degree of trained potential, but this is not officially confirmed to any outside the chapter.
The origin is speculated about by both the wolves as well as imperial institutions. While their own records state that they are sons of Gulliman, this is very unlikely. Some suspect a relationship with Corvus Corax for similarities in combat doctrine, others consider Jaghatai Khan a more likely candidate.
Most of the wolves see this lack of a known origin as an issue, but not a currently pressing one. Their survival and service to the imperium is considered a higher priority than hunting for this information.
This does not mean that there aren't chaplains, arc chaplains, sergeants and captains trying to research the matter, but so far they have been unable to determine their origins. Knowledge is assumed to exist in the Mechanicus and the Inquisition, but has so far not been shared.
Flaws
There are two known flaws among the Wolves. The most obvious is their lack of restraint when hunting heretics, often leading to them ripping out throats with their bare teeth.
The second one is their non conformity to the Codex Astartes, created by losing a large number of their older brothers to a conflict with a chaos uprising backed by one of the traitor warband and having to deal with a smaller number of officers.
Additionally the psychic abilities lead to warp instabilities and the threat of possession amongst even rank and file troopers.
Psychic Abilities
Internal and external suspicions exist to their gene seed potentially having a so far undetected mutation that awakens psychic abilities. Internal scrutiny has led to an alternative suspicion not shared outside the chapter though.
With the number of space marines in a potential Librarium exceeding the number of normal battle brothers, the responsibilities for training have long been integrated into the chaplains and the librarians have been reintegrated.
Many of the chapter's chaplains suspect that the ritualistic sharing of blood helps awaken the psyker's abilities while also strengthening their resolve and will. They remain vigilant of corruption though, including monitoring each other.
In any case the strength of psychic abilities grows with age, even for those originally barely considered psychic.
Recruitment
Initial recruits were collected from multiple tribal hunter societies, but the requirement was since relaxed. Most of the current recruits are from worlds that the chapter is fighting on or has fought on.
The average age for new recruits is 3 to 6 years, where physical health and psychic potential are screened. Currently constant recruiting is done by the fleet to make sure the chapter doesn't run out of new candidates to replenish the recent losses.
Additional recruits are sometimes provided by inquisitorial forces when they suspect psychic potential and the child is young enough to start his training.
Other imperial organisations also supply potential candidates, but usually don't know about the desired psychic abilities of the child and his usefulness to the chapter is often limited to none Astartes positions.
The specialised harvest frigates constantly patrol nearby systems and screen hundreds of potential candidates to keep the chapter strength similar or even increase it without having to reduce the strict quality rules as well as the psychic potential requirement. Losses during training, indoctrination and suspected corruption make this a high priority task.
Indoctrination
Boys recruited usually don't remember their previous life at all. This leads to them being brought up by battle brothers and especially the Chaplains on the fleet.
A large part of this is physical training, but training in knowledge of history and mental strengthening are also major parts.
Many boys don't survive this phase, even dying before the first implants are administered, but the survivors could be fielded as very potent scouts in the 7th company if absolutely required.
As a show of respect, all boys receive a name from reading their fate. A first name in high gothic with a last name in low gothic that represents their foretold future.
Training
Training starts the moment boys join the program. While first playful, the focus on strength of will and self control drives all lessons by the chaplains.
After a few years, within the age range of 5 to 10, physical training is added, teaching both art and duelling under the vigilant eyes of at least one chaplain. It is made clear to all that they will deal with anyone that shows signs of strong emotions or lack of self control.
The third group of training adds controlling their psychic abilities as well as shooting pistols around the age of 10. Support is given from older battle brothers, who act as guides and mentors. The strict focus is on control and preventive executions are relatively common.
The last group of training starts once they reach the age of 15. Added are psychic specialisations and company specific drills, enabling the aspirants to join any of the companies once they reach full Astartes potential.
Further expansion and specialization of psychic potential is continued across the life of the battle brother, supported by their more senior brothers.
While these training sessions sharpen the scalpel that the wolves are meant to be, stories told by the brothers help shape the outlook and goals of the young.
Inter-role training is permanent, while assignment to roles is temporary, changing on a regular basis to make sure that every brother can replace every other brother if required. This is a necessity due to the likelihood of brothers dying due to perceived corruption or instability. The only roles not switching with other roles are the smith and chaplain roles, where the recruits are selected based on psychic talent expression.
Religion
While officially not believing in any gods, the wolves honor the emperor and their shared blood. This is re-enforced in regular group sessions with chaplains, where worries of brother marines are discussed and proposed solutions recorded for later reference.
Worries are considered an integral part of serving the emperor better, so punishment in or after the sessions is almost unheard of.
A ritualistic sharing of blood in the emperor's name in a squad is considered a holy bond. It binds the brothers to their sergeant and to each other.
Prayers, learned from the chaplains, are uttered invoking the emperor and their blood, calling upon the power He placed in it.
Traditions
With their origin in tribes, a lot of the traditions are rooted there as well. Out of many initial pastimes, the following are the most common.
Story Telling
Telling stories about important events and recent battles, the wolves celebrate their hard fought successes and share wisdom across companies, ranks and even seniority.
The telling of stories is craft, that few ever perfect, but it is one of the pastimes of many space marines and the hall is usually entertained by multiple stories a night, ranging from heroic last stands to crafty ambushes.
Duels
One of the common practices are mock battles between battle brothers. These are usually fought in a circle and cheered on by their squads' members. While these duels are part of a tournament, one of the most important matters is testing new and old tactics.
Space marines are using skillfully carved, often ancient ritual swords but don't don their power armor.
Moderate and severe injuries are rare since the fights end on first drawn blood or on the watching chaplain's command. The chaplain is responsible for maintaining a mindset of learning and mutual respect between the combatants, ensuring they remain fit for duty.
Bone-Carving
A common sight on wolves in their civilian clothes are small tokens of recognition or thanks granted to them by other brothers. These tokens are all hand made, usually showing prey hunted by wolves. These are carved from bones of different beasts by utilising a combat knife with great precision. Once carving is finished, it is finalised with a few drops of blood.
Blood Brotherhood
Exchanges of blood are common across all ranks of the chapter. Binding themselves to each other is considered a strength rather than a weakness, due to it providing additional stability in the paranoid surroundings.
It is customary that the sharing of blood is offered by the older space marine. If accepted, blood of both space marines is mixed and drunk with the younger space marine starting.
The ritual may be repeated again over time, so that the bonds get strengthened and the brotherhood confirmed.
The strict ritualistic execution of the blood bond is regularly watched and officially confirmed by agents of the inquisition, considering any deviation a potential warning of growing taint.
Blood-Forged Weapons
When a Battle Brother achieves their first significant victory, they participate in a ritual where they forge their own combat blade, mixing a few drops of their blood into the cooling metal.
These personally crafted weapons are considered extensions of their will and are often used in Blood Bond rituals.
Mental Challenges
All space marines are under constant surveillance by each other, the chaplains and the inquisitorial guests on their respective vessels. This leads to a paranoia that makes it sometimes hard to work alongside each other. Ritual blood sharing is employed to create a bond that supersedes the paranoia within a squad.
Meditation within the squad is also employed on an irregular basis, helping the space marines deal with their ferocity in combat. Drugs to reduce stress may be administered by a relevant chaplain to support the process.
Surveillance
Chaplains and their wolves are always on the lookout for emotional instability.
Disliked are the inquisitorial agents that sometimes supervise interviews and tests for corruption. They are seen as a necessary evil, a price to be paid, but all are concerned about what they may understand and report to their superiors.
Surveillance and vigilance are also on the mind of battle brothers, since it is highly suggested to them that their own vigilance can save the life and soul of their blood-bonded battle brothers.
Bonding
Regular squad wide meditations and blood sharing rituals strengthen the resolve and the connection between battle brothers.
Additionally regular group exercises for psychic and combat abilities and the shared meals help camaraderie to survive even in the surveillance heavy environment. Carved bone tokens representing respect are also often shared to thank each other.
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