House Ulfir

House Ulfir is a Knight House based on the world Skogheim in the Iolan Reaches.

History

As with most Knight Worlds it was settled in the dark age of technology during the Long March. It was subjected to xenos (unknown race, probably not Orks since there does not appear to have been the resurgent Ork attacks that would have been expected due to spore shedding) raiding; the superior forces of the xenos easily overwhelmed the limited forces of the settlers who were spread out across the dense forests and mostly focussed on carving out homesteads and creating agriculture.

Ormstunga (Imperial historians believe this was not their actual name as it literally means “serpent tongue”, it is more likely that this is a derogative pseudonym used retroactively), the original leader of the settlement mission was determined to treat with the hostiles through diplomacy. For their part the xenos would agree to terms then immediately break them, continuing to raid the settlements at their leisure and then claiming some new grievance or misunderstanding at the next negotiation.

Ashborn Ulfir, the leader of a minor settlement far from the relatively safety of the landed colony ship from whence Ormstunga ruled and suffering greatly from the xenos raids, saw these tactics for what they were; the xenos were agreeing to the talks simply to keep the settlers from forming a more effective response and never intended to come to terms. He led a revolt against Ormstunga’s rulership. Initially piloting weaponised logging walkers, once they had control of the colony’s STC they began creating Knight Suits. With a coordinated military response, and the might of the Knight Suits, the colonists of Skogheim soon defeated the xenos raiders and all other hostiles who came later.

This was the foundation of House Ulfir and the beginning of the feudal society that lasted through the Age of Strife until Skogheim was reunited with the Imperium of Mankind during the Great Crusade.

Joining the Imperium brought with it new technology and great demand for resources, leading to offworld expansion into the rest of the solar system and exploitation of its resources.

Culture

House Ulfir has formed a culture broadly in line with other knightly houses, albeit with it’s own terminology and some unique traditions. It bears the Vargr as it’s totem (either similar to, or the same as, the Terran Wolf). It espouses the virtues of unity, fighting as a pack, the value in everyone knowing their place in the pack, and that every part of the pack is equally valuable despite their differing roles.

Joining the Imperium was a natural and obvious step, and one they gladly embraced, as they viewed it as an even larger and more powerful pack. The Knights of House Ulfir proudly and gladly fight alongside other arms of the Imperium’s military. Whilst they have adopted Imperial Gothic as their common tongue, they maintain the “Old Tongue” for formal and traditional usage.

Unusually for a knightly house, Armiger class suits are not reserved for use by low-rank nobles and uplifted commoners. All the pilots of House Ulfir begin training and using Armiger class Knights. As a pilot becomes more skilled, and proves themself in battle, they will move up to larger and more powerful and complex classes of Knight suit, but Armiger pilots are still considered an equally essential part of the pack.

The house is split into multiple clans, but they have a long history of intermarriage and are essentially different branches of one large noble house. Clan Ulfir directly rule the capital, Setja, and the leader of the clan is the Konungr, the High Monarch, of House Ulfir. The rest of the clans rule over other parts of Skogheim and their leaders are the Yarls, the Barons, who are oathsworn to the Konungr, forming a feudal society.

Current Status

Much of the strength of House Ulfir was sent to Cadia to fight in the 13th Black Crusade. Many Knights were lost in battle and the evacuation the followed the destruction of Cadia. A small band of survivors, united under Jafnather Yarl Rúna Vestrfjall, evacuated alongside the Cadian 177th regiment they had been fighting with and a mixed collection of survivors. Once clear, in the wild aftermath, the ad-hoc group was formalised into Battlegroup 86, with the Knights unofficially attached on a volentary basis. Battlegroup 86 was dispatched to Samalut in the Achernar Sector to join the campaign against the Orks, and once that campaign was completed have been redirected to the wartorn Eridani Sector.

See also: The Saga of the Wolves of Eridani

Lexicon

• Vargaeld - In other Knight Houses this is often called the Ritual of Becoming.
• Ulfeathnr - A Knight Suit.
• Konungr - Leader of House Ulfir, equivalent of a High King/Princeps.
• Jafnather - High Justice
• Yarl - Clan leader, equivalent to a Baron.
• Garpr - Knight Pilot who has passed Vargaeld.
• Gar - Honorific applied to Garpr.
• Veitha - Armiger Pilot who has not yet passed Vargaeld.
• Vei - Honorific applied to Veitha.
• Pack - A Lance of Knights.
• Alpha - Current leader of a Pack. Not a permanent role, whenever a pack is formed the most experienced and/or high ranking member of the pack will be acknowledged as the Alpha.

Known Knights and key members of House Ulfir

Konungr Aki Ulfir

High King Aki of House Ulfir is a young and inexperienced monarch. His mother, the previous Konungr, died on Cadia during the black Crusade, alongside the heir apparent. Aki was still on Skogheim at the time, having passed Vargaeld whilst they were away, and took up the mantle unexpectedly and without much of the Exhalted Court andother close allies of his mother to support him. Jafnather Yarl Rúna Vestrfjall is the last surviving member of his mother’s court, but also potentially a political rival, being the most experienced Knight in the house, both politically and militarily.

Striiguth, Knight Errant, piloted by Jafnather Yarl Rúna Vestrfjall

Jafnather Yarl Rúna Vestrfjall

Yarl Rúna bears the twin responsibilities of ruling clan Vestrfjall, and the duty of Jafnather; high justice. A skilled combatant and cunning mind, when she was younger she was driven to earn the honour and prestige of high rank. However having attained high rank she finds herself missing the simpler times before and as such engaged herself in campaigns more than strictly appropriate for someone in her position. Konungr Aki seems to want to keep her at arms reach, which suits her just fine.

Breithux, Knight Paladin, piloted by Gar Touki Vestrfjall

Gar Touki Vestrfjall

Nephew of Yarl Rúna, Touki is a veteran of the 13th Black Crusade, but feels that this is likely more luck than skill. His elders have more faith in his abiolities, and upon his return to Eridani he was permitted to attempt the Vargaeld, and is now the pilot of Breithux.

Glymja, Armiger Warglaive, piloted by Vei Asta Vestrfjall

Vei Asta Vestrfjall

Newest member of the Lance, Asta joined when Touki completed his Vargaeld, taking over as new pilot of the Armiger Glymja.

Sverthsegg, Armiger Warglaive, piloted by Vei Bjartr Vestrfjall

Vei Bjartr Vestrfjall

Bjartr is a talented but headstrong Veitha. He shows little respect to his elders and betters. His family has little status, which combined with his lack of political nuance is likely to harm his future prospects.

Vapnburtha, Armiger Helverin, piloted by Vei Danr Vestrfjall

Vei Danr Vestrfjall

Danr is a cautious pilot, well suited to the long range of the Helverin Vapnburtha.