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Rune Priest

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Space Wolves

The Rune Priests of the Space Wolves are the equivalent of the Librarians of other Space Marine Chapters.

1 Overview
- 1.1 The 13th Company
2 Notable Rune Priests
3 Images
4 Sources

Overview

A Rune Priest

Rune Priests do not differ from Codex Librarians in their traditional roles but in their methods. They believe that their psychic powers are not a manipulation of the Warp, but derived from the living energy of their homeworld Fenris which can be channeled through totems and runes on their armor.² ³ ⁴ This practice of psychic powers is carried out through the shamanistic rituals of the Fenrisian native tribes and has remained unchanged for countless centuries.³ ⁴

A common power among Rune Priests is the ability to summon storms across the battlefield which can cover the armies advance. Furthermore, they can cast runes which predict the ebb and flow of future events. These runes are usually carved from the bones or teeth of totem animals.⁴ ⁶ Many Rune Priests are psyber-linked to Ravens which are known as "Choosers of the Slain" to the Space Wolves. Their link enables them to see through the Ravens eyes and control them, thus allowing them to use them as scouts and messengers.³

Rune Priests preserve their Chapter's entire history not in written form, but memorize it in great sagas.³ ⁴ A Rune Priest who begins his training as a Skald is usually assigned to a single Great Company where he is taught its tales. With every new Great Year he joins another Company until he has learned the Chapter's full history and can be sent to whichever Rune Priest needs an apprentice.³

The Space Wolves' sagas are chanted at their feast days and during the Festival of the Wolf Time which celebrates the Chapter's founding.² ³ This festival is held every twelve Great Years and each time great contests of saga-telling and psychic duelings are held to determine if a new High Rune Priest will be chosen. The High Rune Priest is the leader of the entire Chapter's Rune Priests and adviser to the Great Wolf.³

The 13th Company

Main article: 13th Company

Within the lost 13th Company of the Space Wolves, the Rune Priests must guide their brothers through the perils of the Eye of Terror. They have learned how to open small, temporary Warp gates. These allow the Priests to step through them in order to divine the path ahead.⁵