View source for Iron Priest

{{Otheruses|USE=Space Wolves title|OTHERUSE=short story by [[Chris Wraight]]|OTHERPAGE=Iron Priest (Short Story)}}
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The '''Iron Priests''' are part of the [[Space Wolves]] [[chapter]] and their duty is that of a [[Techmarine]] but with additions.

==Overview==
[[Image:IronPriest.jpg|thumb|right|250px|Space Wolves Iron Priest accompanied by [[cyberwolves]].{{Fn|1}}{{Fn|2}}]]
An Iron Priest is required to keep the equipment of his [[Great Company]] in working order, maintain the [[machine spirit]]s of its vehicles in addition to all other duties of a Techmarine. He is also required to tend to the spirits of the [[Dreadnoughts]] in the depths of [[the Fang]], and it is his duty to rouse them from their deep slumbers if they are needed in battle.{{Fn|1}} Similar to their Techmarine cousins, Iron Priests usually pilot Space Wolves gunships and aircraft.{{Fn|5}}

===Aspirants===
Amongst the natives of [[Fenris]], each tribe’s smiths will worship the '''Gods of Iron''', legendary figures said to reside within the volcanic islands adrift in the '''Boiling Sea'''. A particularly gifted young Fenrisian smith may make the lonely pilgrimage to the [[Isles of Iron]], where they do indeed meet with living gods, for this is the guise the Iron Priests maintain when dealing with mortal men. Should a pilgrim pass the [[Test of the Iron Gauntlet]], he may become an apprentice and be initiated into the Space Wolves. Few succeed (roughly 1%), and the vast majority are made into mindless [[servitor]]s as punishment for the unforgivable crime of wasting an Iron Priest's time. These failed half-man, half-machine dregs are so low in status that they are beneath even the [[bionic]] [[Cyberwolves]] that accompany Iron Priests in battle.{{Fn|2}}

Later he will journey to [[Mars]], the Red Planet, where he will learn the ways of the machine under the [[Auxilia Technologica Astartes|tutelage]] of the arcane and insular [[Adeptus Mechanicus]]. Only once he has fully embraced the mysteries of the [[Omnissiah]] will he be allowed to return to Fenris and take his rightful place amongst the Iron Priests, bringing growling engines of war to life in the service of his Chapter.{{Fn|2}}

Following the return of the new Iron Priest to Fenris his final test is undertaken. He places his right hand into lava as a sacrifice to the spirit of the Iron Wolf. To conclude this rite his hand is replaced by a bionic replacement and his induction into the Iron Priesthood is complete.{{Fn|6}}

Beyond the standard [[Servo-Arm]], in battle Iron Priests wield mighty [[Thunder Hammer]]s and [[Helfrost Pistol]]s{{Fn|3}} and wear ancient suits of [[Runic Armour]].{{Fn|4}}

==Notable Iron Priests==
[[File:Space Wolf Techmarine Deathwatch.jpg|thumb|right|220px|Iron Priest serving in the [[Deathwatch]]{{Fn|10}}]]
*[[Aldacrel]]
*[[Anvarr Rustmane]]
*[[Bjorksten]]
*[[Bjurn Isenfyr]]{{Fn|7b}}
*[[Bodr Silverscalp]]{{Fn|7a}}
*[[Corus Redsmith]]{{Fn|8}}
*[[Hengis Blackhand]]
*[[Horgan Steelsoul]]{{Fn|9}}
*[[Hrothgar Swordfang]]
*[[Skvarl Cogfang]]
*[[Ulf Blackbrow]]

==Images==
<gallery mode="packed" heights="250">
IronPriestMini.jpg|Iron Priest miniature (2nd Edition)
Iron Priest (2016).jpg|Iron Priest (6th Edition){{Fn|3}}
</gallery>

==Sources==
*{{Endn|1}}: [[Codex: Space Wolves (5th Edition)]], pg. 38
*{{Endn|2}}: [[Codex: Space Wolves (8th Edition)]], pg. 36 — ''Iron Priests''
*{{Endn|3}}: [https://www.games-workshop.com/en-GB/Iron-Priest Games-Workshop] ''(last accessed 14 March 2016)''
*{{Endn|4}}: [[Warhammer: Visions 26]], pg. 12 {{WHVisionsEnd}}
*{{Endn|5}}: [[Death From the Skies (7th Edition)]] — ''Fangs of the Tempest''
*{{Endn|6}}: [https://www.warhammer-community.com/2018/10/19/20th-oct-500-facts-for-500-stores/ Warhammer Community: 500 Facts for 500 Stores! (posted 19/10/2018)], fact #163, ''(last accessed 23 September 2019)''
*7: [[Codex Supplement: Space Wolves (9th Edition)]]:
**{{Endn|7a}}: pg. 8
**{{Endn|7b}}: pg. 77
*{{Endn|8}}: [[Warhammer 40,000: Space Wolf]]
*{{Endn|9}}: [[White Dwarf 359 (UK)]], pg. 49 — ''Battle for the Fang'', 'Warhammer 40,000 Apocalypse: The Battle for Fenris'
*{{Endn|10}}: [[Deathwatch: Game Master's Kit]], pg. 26

{{WHVisions}}

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[[Category:Techmarines]]
[[Category:Space Wolves]]
[[Category:Titles and Ranks]]
[[Category:Troops (Space Marines)]]

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