Thursday, November 19, 2009

Wolf Lord Johann Ghostclaw - The Night stalker, The Wayward White Wolf, The Storyteller






























It has been sometime since Johann Ghostclaw and his wolves of the night have set foot in the hallowed halls of the fang. Some say the great wolf grew tired of his eccentric ways and constant breaking of tradition so sent him on the most distant of missions. Others say Ghostclaws pursuit of an undefeated foe has pulled his great company further into the unknown systems. The truth, as with most tales about Ghostclaw, is hard to find. As a bloodclaw, he would tell boastful stories of his heroics to the wolfpriests. Causing brawling amongst his pack as honor was constantly questioned. But Johann could handle a blade and was always impetuous to get to the front lines, hungering for glory that he could tell of to anyone who would listen. Even as a grey hunter he would push his pack forward on the heels of the bloodclaws. Some say he never lost the headstrong nature of a young wolf, and was either destined for greatness or a swift demise. Having reached the status of wolf guard battle leader, Ghostclaw made one leap too far on the world of Eros. The Night wolves were on a joint campaign with astartes from the Raven Guard 8th company. Fighting a foul alliance in the Night Lords and Emperors Children, both chapters were suffering heavy casulaties in the claustrophobic hives of Eros. Johann watched the Raven Guard assault squads beat his men to the fray in several frustrating encounters. Not be outdone the Wolfguard battle leader strapped on a jump pack himself and lead the skyclaws of the great company on raids in the ruined heights of the hives. With much success he pushed higher and higher, until one ill-fated ambush caught him and his men out. A poisend blade to the back ended his campaign, or so the wolf priests thought. Ghostclaw tells the story a different way each time, depending on the amount of ale he has consumed. One version says that in the red dream he bargained with Russ to let him return and claim victory for his company. Others tell of a white wolf that guided him back to the land of the living, and protects him to this day. What ever the cause, Johann did wake and let out a low eerie howl in the dead of night. The Eros campaign didn't end well for either the Raven Guard or The Night Wolves, as many great heroes were lost. But the Wolf Guard was changed by his brush with death, more patient and calculated than he had been before. Taking command of the great company, at the loss of their wolf lord, he vowed to chase down the traitors and avenge his fallen brothers. Seemingly taking a random path across the stars, but saving hundreds of Imperial worlds on their voyages. Ghostclaw wears the totem of the white wolf howling at the red moon of vengeance. He stalks the shadows before unleashing swift and decisive attacks at his enemies throats, striking at the weak points in their lines and wreaking havoc. The unseen claw in the blackness - the ghost claw of the white wolf. Tell tale signs of the Night Wolves come in the still of night. The whine of jump packs and the rumble of rhinos, heralded by the low eerie howl of the white wolf. The great company holds many traditions, one being that the last into combat is the last to receive his victory tankard of Fenrsian ale. Many of its packs will not stay on foot and mount rhinos, bikes, speeders and jump packs to close the gap quickly and keep pace with their sky-bound Wolf Lord.

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