Unreviewed Ulfhednar — the Wolf-Clad

[Thirdas Heavenshield]

Úlfhéðnar
The Wolf-Clad​

OUT OF CHARACTER INFORMATION

• Intent: To form a warband led by Thirdas Heavenshield.
• Image Credit: Unknown artist; edited by myself.
• Role: A secretive order in the employ of the High King, able to perform clandestine activities.
• Permissions: N/A
• Links:
  
  • Midvinter
  • Valkyri

GENERAL INFORMATION

• Unit Name: Úlfhéðnar (common spelling: "Ulfhednar")
• Affiliation: Thirdas Heavenshield; Thurion Heavenshield
• Classification: Reconnaissance / Special Operations / Irregulars
• Description: A ragtag group of farmers, cattle ranchers, and frontiersmen initially joined together to form a militia founded on the principles of keeping undefended settlements safe and organised. This ranges from patrolling the wilds, supply starving villages with food, and fending off hostile wildlife. They have since become a warband in their own right under the leadership of the Great Wolf; their role as pathfinders and intelligence gatherers filling a crucial role in times of war. They fight using hit-and-run tactics to raid unsuspecting enemies or even assassinate high-ranking officers depending on what needs doing, becoming the hidden blade of the Lion King himself.

COMBAT INFORMATION:

• Unit Size: Large
• Unit Availability: Unique
• Unit Experience: Trained
• Equipment:
  
  • Weapons: Commonplace swords, axes, spears, and bows made out of durasteel and hardwood. Each warrior are responsible for arming themselves using whatever they keep on hand at the time.
  • Armour: Typically lightly armoured, including chainmail, leather, and thick animal pelts. Some among the higher echelon might don individual pieces of platemail.
  • Accoutrements: Each member wears a totem in the form of a wolf fang with a rune carved into it as their sole identifier as a member of the Ulfhednar.
• Combat Function:
  
  • Special Operations: When not actively engaged in combat, the Wolves conduct reconnaissance and intelligence gathering utilising infiltration tactics and espionage, and may even be called upon to assassinate enemy leadership. They are essentially the High King's eyes and ears, with a vast spy network across much of Midvinter as each of the Four Marks is home to a Great Company, led by a chosen Wolf Lord. Effectively spy cells, these operate independently from one another, sending regular reports to the Great Wolf.
  • Guerrilla Warfare: When engaging the enemy in battle, the Ulfhednar utilise vicious hit-and-run tactics to raid supply lines or ambush enemy forces in any terrain. They are masters of subterfuge, prowling the wilds like their namesake would imply with unmatched skill. When deployed alongside a standing army, they operate as skirmishers or snipers, conduct flanking manoeuvres, and generally support the main force.
• Force Abilities (Force User Units Only): N/A

Strengths:

• On the Prowl: Adept at traversing any terrain on Midvinter.
• Lairs Everywhere: No set headquarters; never muster in the same place twice.
• Hit-and-run: Expert guerrilla tacticians, they strike hard and fast before disappearing.
• Unassuming: No uniformed appearance; they could be anyone, anywhere.

Weaknesses:

• Light Load: Wolves travel only with what they need, and are mostly lightly armed and armoured.
• (Ir)regulars: No special equipment or armaments, relying instead on clever tactics and surprise attacks.
• Common Folk: Though well-trained and disciplined, they do not compare to a standing army in a pitched battle.

HISTORICAL INFORMATION
After nearly three decades of constant war on a galactic scale, as well as having earned six consecutive battlefield promotions, Thirdas Heavenshield had sought to retire indefinitely when he and Nida Heavenshield got married and settled on Midvinter as humble farmers. His warring days behind him, Thirdas instead devoted himself to raising a family and making up for lost time with his wife, whom he had loved since a teen but, for one reason or another, Fate had kept apart for the vast majority of their adult lives. The former Ranger Colonel and ex-vigilante had hung up his rifle, and buried his axe for the forseeable future.

Until one night, an act of nature forced his hand. A pack of direwolves targeted their farmstead, slaughtering their livestock and threatening his family. Awoken by the commotion and frightened cries of his children, Thirdas ripped open the floorboards and retrieved his battleaxe, then rushed out into the cold, dark night. Wearing but a nightgown, the born warrior faced the entire pack and brought low each one with brutal efficiency. When pounced upon by the leader beast — a truly massive black wolf bearing its full weight down on him — Thirdas held its jaws shut with one hand whilst grabbing hold of the scruff of its neck with the other, and tore its entire head off.

Returning to his family drenched in blood and gore, he knew in his heart he could never be just a farmer; his children had witnessed the carnage, and seen the savagery of their father. The galaxy might have shaped him into a killer, but now he understood he could use those same skills to protect others like he'd just safeguarded his family. Thirdas gathered to him his fellow farmers, millers, cattle ranchers and shepherds, suggesting that they form a new militia to better combat and coordinate against threats such as hostile wildlife and banditry. As news of the direwolf attack had spread throughout the community in the lead-up to this gathering, it was decided that they name this militia after the slain beasts, and that Thirdas should lead them.

While loathed to accept another position of leadership so soon following his retirement, he relented after consulting his family, with even his young children agreeing he should accept. Thus, the Black Lion was named the first Great Wolf of the West.

Traditionally, all Valkyri boys are taught how to defend themselves, as well as many girls, though not all are trained warriors. It fell to the experienced soldier and the few veterans found amongst the volunteers to turn his countrymen, none of whom were men of great lineage or scions of noble houses, into a competent fighting force capable of taking down even the largest and fiercest of predators, as well as outthink sentient attackers. These men are not professional soldiers; they tend to their farms, drive their cattle, and break in horses for a living. Each member volunteers their time as they see fit, attending Wolf Moots and joining organised Prowls whenever able.

Working in close coordination with his father, Thirdas and his Ulfhednar regularly stalk the forests and plains of Westmark, operating independently of royal patrols and off the beaten paths to even the most remote towns and villages, earning them a reputation as watchful protectors of the lowborn. It also should be stated that their independence frees them to take actions deemed too clandestine for the High King to undertake himself, such as espionage and other covert operations.

As their numbers grew across the Realm, it was decided that each of the Four Marks (North, South, East, and West) should field their own so-called Great Company. These would operate independently from their counterparts, led by their respective Wolf Lord who in turn sends regular reports to the Great Wolf, who himself leads the Great Company of the West. In times of great need, the Great Wolf may summon the other Great Companies for joint operations and combined strikes.