40K Lore: If You Need To Beat The Heat Fenris Is Pretty Cool
With an accursed heat wave laying low even the most doughty of Loremasters, today we discuss one of the coldest places in the Imperium: the Paradise World of Fenris.
That’s right Loremasters, as we enter into another day of scorching weather, and the Loremasters begin to break out their summer robes, sipping slushed ice straight from servitors, we turn our attention to the one place where you can beat the heat, though you might want to watch out for the local fauna. So gather under the shade, and try for a moment to picture what life is like on Fenris this instant.
Fenris
Geography
A planet of fire and ice, Fenris orbits its sun once every two Terran years. During the summer months volcanoes erupt, burning great areas with lava flows and churning the seas, spreading great floods and tidal waves. As the planet enters its long winter, the temperature drops so far that most of it actually ices over, giving the planet the appearance of a snowball from orbit.
Apart from a single area of the planet that is permanently land-locked, Fenris is a world of shifting geography and mostly oceans. Numerous asteroid strikes, mutable coastlines and even swiftly risen or sunk island masses have resulted in the population becoming one of largely nomadic barbarian tribes. The tribes constantly seek secure territory, and as a result skirmishes and feuds over land between rival tribes are common. The people are hardened to the changes in temperature and extremes, and so is the fauna. The only continent that remains constant is Asaheim, standing on top of the crest of the world. During the summer, it is covered in lava and magma flows, but is habitable during the winter.
It is located relatively close to the Eye of Terror, yet indigenous life remains pure and untainted. The central sea of Fenris is the Savage Sea, home to most of the planet’s wildlife, most of which are vicious sea creatures. Nonetheless the sea provides most of the planet’s inhabitants with their food.
Flora and Fauna
Because of its harsh conditions, there is little native plant life on Fenris. Many studies have concluded that Fenrisian animals are the most dangerous on any planet, even more so than those on Catachan.
- Drakes: mighty, dragon-like creatures that circle above geothermal vents for warmth;
- Fenrisian Elk: these mammals have razor-sharp antlers;
- Fenrisian Mammoth: one can crush a man in moments;
- Fenrisian Wolf: Among the most cunning and deadly predators in the galaxy, these wolves are capable of growing from the size of a small horse to that of an APC;
- Great White Bears: capable of destroying buildings;
- Kraken – gigantic sea creatures, possibly the remnants of a failed Tyranid invasion;
- Ripperfish: capable of reducing a man to bone in seconds.
- Sea Dragon: massive creatures that live in the Worldsea, their hides are used by nomads for ships and dwellings;
- Fenrisian Ice Fiend: giant creatures twice the height of a Space Marine that bleed acidic blood.
Population
The population of Fenris is small, yet hardy and tough. Fenrisians are born warriors from cradle to grave, battling not only the planetary conditions but also each other. Land is the most precious commodity of the planet, and as a result tribes frequently clash with one another for its control. Tribal fighting escalates during the Time of Ice and Fire when new landmasses can rise from the ocean.
But despite these hardships, the Fenrisians consider themselves blessed, for they have a chance to join the “Dwellers Above the Clouds”, the Space Wolves. The Space Wolves carefully watch their tribal brethren, but never appear openly among them. To Fenrisians the Space Wolves are known as the Sky Warriors and have a mythical status.
From a Fenrisian perspective, prospective candidates are mainly chosen from young warriors who fall in battle with grievous wounds, or perform prodigious feats of arms. These youths are taken from their tribes, and their wounds are treated if necessary, and taken to The Fang to train as Aspirants in camps scattered around Asaheim.
Apart from the aspirants, the only normal human inhabitants of Asaheim are the Kaerls, the Space Wolves’ Chapter Serfs, who also serve as the planet’s Planetary Defense Force.
Notable Events
- Battle of the Fang (M32) – attacked by the Thousand Sons as revenge for the Burning of Prospero;
- Plague of Unbelief – Fenris was the last planet attacked by Cardinal Bucharis in his conquest of a minor empire;
- Months of Shame – The dispute between the Inquisition and Space Wolves after the First War for Armageddon culminated in a short battle in orbit over the planet.
- Fenris Incident – The Ecclesiarchy arrives at Fenris to try and confirm if the Space Wolves worship false gods. The attempt provokes a war that lasts three weeks.
So, if you had to pick one to vacation on?
