Bjorn the Fell-Handed: From Great Crusade to Living Legend
Early Life and the Great Crusade
Bjorn the Fell-Handed was one of the original warriors of the Space Wolves, serving under the legendary Leman Russ during the Great Crusade. Born on Fenris, he was molded by the harsh environment of his homeworld, making him a fierce and relentless warrior. His rise through the ranks was swift, as his skills in battle and his unshakable loyalty to his Primarch set him apart from his fellow Astartes. He was present during some of the greatest conquests of the Imperium, carving out humanity’s domain among the stars with his axe and bolter. Among the Space Wolves, Bjorn was already a name spoken with respect long before the dark days of the Horus Heresy.
The Horus Heresy and the Fall of the Emperor’s Dream
When the Warmaster Horus betrayed the Emperor and plunged the galaxy into civil war, Bjorn fought at the forefront of the loyalist resistance. He took part in brutal campaigns against the traitor Legions, cutting down the foes of the Imperium with the fury of a Fenrisian storm. His greatest trials came during the Siege of Terra, where he fought to defend the Imperial Palace against the forces of Chaos. Though the war ended with Horus’s defeat, the Imperium was forever scarred, and the Primarchs of the Space Marines began to disappear one by one. Bjorn, who had fought beside the greatest warriors of his age, emerged from the Heresy as one of the last living links to that legendary time.
The Right Hand of Leman Russ
After the Heresy, Bjorn remained one of Leman Russ’s most trusted warriors, often standing at his Primarch’s side in battle and council. He was not only a formidable fighter but also a leader among the Space Wolves, guiding them through the turbulent years that followed the war. When Leman Russ departed on his final quest, he entrusted Bjorn with the duty of guiding the Chapter in his absence. Though Bjorn did not take on the title of Chapter Master, he was the de facto leader of the Space Wolves for many years, ensuring their survival and continuing the hunt for their missing Primarch. To this day, he is one of the few beings who remembers Leman Russ not as a myth but as a warrior and a brother.
The Birth of the Fell-Handed
Bjorn’s legend grew with every battle, but one conflict in particular would define him forever. In a brutal engagement, he lost his hand in combat but continued fighting, eventually emerging victorious. In recognition of his tenacity, he was given a cybernetic replacement, a masterwork of technology that made him even deadlier. This earned him the name “Fell-Handed,” a title that became synonymous with his indomitable spirit. However, even the mightiest warriors cannot fight forever. Eventually, Bjorn sustained wounds so grievous that even his enhanced physiology could not recover. Rather than let him die, the Space Wolves placed him within the sarcophagus of a Dreadnought, allowing him to fight on for centuries to come.
A Living Legend Among the Space Wolves
As a Dreadnought, Bjorn became more than a warrior—he became a living relic, a link to the days of the Primarchs and the Great Crusade. Unlike most Dreadnoughts, who are kept in deep slumber for most of their existence, Bjorn is one of the few who is still called upon for counsel and guidance. He is awakened only in times of great need, when the Chapter faces dire threats that require his wisdom and firepower. When he strides onto the battlefield, his presence inspires his brothers, reminding them that the legacy of Russ still walks among them. To their enemies, he is a walking nightmare, an ancient war machine fueled by centuries of hatred for the foes of mankind.
Keeper of History and Guardian of the Wolves
Beyond his martial prowess, Bjorn serves as the Space Wolves’ keeper of history, recounting firsthand accounts of events that have become legend. He remembers the laughter of Leman Russ, the honor of the Great Crusade, and the sorrow of the Heresy. When young warriors seek to understand the past, they turn to Bjorn, who ensures that the truth of the Space Wolves is never forgotten. Even after millennia of war, his spirit remains unbroken, and his loyalty to Russ and the Emperor is as fierce as ever. As long as Bjorn stands, the Space Wolves will always have a connection to their roots, a reminder of the glory they once knew and the battles still to come.
