Stiklestad
The Stiklestad[1a], also known as the Fang of Fenris[2], is a Space Wolves Strike Cruiser[1a] and was commanded by the Wolf Lord Ottar, during the 13th Black Crusade[1b][Note].
History
It aided in Cadia's orbital defense[1c], while Ottar led the majority of his Great Company to the embattled Fortress World's surface[1b]. However, when Abaddon the Despoiler dealt a death blow to Cadia, the Imperial forces began to flee, as the Fortress World began to die. Ottar's Great Company that remained on the Stiklestad though, refused to leave without retrieving their Battle Brothers from its surface and repeatedly tried to make contact with them[1d]. It was only when Cadia was about to explode that a single Thunderhawk returned to the Stiklestad. However, it only bore the Space Wolf Skarp-Hedin and the Cadians Arminka Lesk and Rath Sturm, which he had rescued from the Fortress World[1c]. Ottar and the others, Hedin explained, had been slain in battle with the Chaos Lord Zufur's Warband[1e].
With no time to mourn, the Stiklestad made its escape from the Cadian System, but by then Cadia had exploded and its death wreaked havoc within the Warp. Because of this, the Strike Cruiser emerged into the Chaos-invaded Agripinaa System, but this allowed it to take part in the Battle of Faith's Anchorage. As the fleet of Admiral d'Armitage clashed with Chaos warships, his flagship, Grand Alliance, became heavily damaged. This caused it to list into the Chaos fleet, where it would have been destroyed, had the Stiklestad not come to its aid. The Strike Cruiser fired upon the Chaos warships, and this allowed the Grand Alliance to reach safety. The Stiklestad's appearance was the beginning of the end for the battle, as the combined Imperial forces gained the upper hand and only a few of the Chaos warships were able to escape into the void[1f]. Afterwards, the Space Wolves sent a Thunderhawk bearing the Cadians Lesk and Sturm, to the Grand Alliance and when it returned, the Stiklestad left the System.[1a]
Trivia
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The Battle of Stiklestad is one of the most famous battles in the history of Norway with Stiklestad itself being the name of a village and parish.
Note on Ottar
Ottar is not among the Space Wolves Chapter's named Wolf Lords known to be active during the 13th Black Crusade. Either the author made a mistake, or Ottar and his Space Wolves are implied to be part of the 13th Great Company.[Needs Citation]
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