Changes

The '''Rune Priests''' of the [[Space Wolves]] are the equivalent of the [[Librarian]]s of other [[Space Marine Chapter]]s. They practice the [[Tempestas]] psychic discipline.{{Fn|28}}

[[Image:Rune priest by adrian smith.jpg|thumb|right|190px|A '''Rune Priest'''{{Fn|27}}]]

Rune Priests are often referred to as '''gothi''' amongst the Vylka Fenryka, as well as sometimes being referred to as pagan shamans or ice-shamans{{Fn|10b}} or [[Casters of Runes]].{{Fn|8}} Rune Priests are combat [[psyker]]s using their psychic abilities to aid their brothers on the battlefield; off the battlefield, they are the keepers of the [[chapter]]'s [[librarium]] and store of knowledge. The major difference is that Rune Priests do not believe their psychic abilities are derived from the [[Warp]], but rather from the animistic spirits of their [[Adeptus Astartes Homeworld|homeworld]], [[Fenris]], channelled through totems and runes on their [[Runic Armour|armour]].{{Fn|2}}{{Fn|3}}{{Fn|4}} These traditions are descended from the shamanistic rituals of Fenris's native tribes, and have remained unchanged for countless centuries.{{Fn|3}}{{Fn|4}}

Rune Priests preserve their Chapter's entire history not in written form, but memorize it in great [[Saga (Space Wolves)|sagas]].{{Fn|3}}{{Fn|4}} A Rune Priest who begins his training as a [[Skald]] is usually assigned to a single [[Great Company]] where he is taught its tales. With every new Great Year he joins another Company until he has learned the [[Chapter]]'s full history and can be sent to whichever Rune Priest needs an apprentice.{{Fn|3}}

The [[Space Wolves]]' sagas are chanted at their feast days and during the Festival of the Wolf Time which celebrates the Chapter's founding.{{Fn|2}}{{Fn|3}} This festival is held every twelve Great Years and each time great contests of saga-telling and [[psychic]] duels are held to determine if a new [[High Rune Priest]] will be chosen. The High Rune Priest is the leader of the entire Chapter's Rune Priests and adviser to the [[Great Wolf]].{{Fn|3}}

The basic weapons of Rune Priests are their psychically charged [[Runic Weapon|runic weapon]]s.{{Fn|4}}{{Fn|6}}{{Fn|17}} A common power among Rune Priests is the ability to summon storms across the battlefield which can cover the armies advance. Furthermore, they can cast runes which predict the ebb and flow of future events. These runes are usually carved from the bones or teeth of totem animals.{{Fn|4}}{{Fn|6}}

Many Rune Priests are [[psyber familiar|psyber-linked]] to [[psyber-raven|raven]]s which are known as "Choosers of the Slain" to the [[Space Wolves]]. Their link enables them to see through the ravens' eyes and control them, thus allowing their use as scouts and messengers.{{Fn|3}}

[[Image:RPSkjald.jpg|thumb|right|150px|Rune Priest Skjald{{Fn|29}}]]

'''Skjalds''' are Rune Priests, who are deployed alongside [[Wolf Scout]] packs. They can summon powerful elemental storms to obscure the Wolf Scouts' advance and batter their enemies with wind, hail, and lightning.{{Fn|29}}

Due to their shamanistic nature and knowledge of the Warp, Rune Priest Skjalds are distant and mysterious figures amongst the Chapter. They are viewed with a mixture of awe and wariness. This makes them well-disposed to operate alongside the solitary Wolf Scouts.{{Fn|30}}

{{main|13th Great Company}}

[[Image:RPArt10th.jpg|thumb|right|300px|Rune Priest{{Fn|16a}}]]

*[[Aun Helwintr]]{{Fn|11}}

*[[Heimdall Wyrdstorm]] - former Rune Priest, later - [[Dreadnought]]{{Fn|14}}

*[[Hengir Stormhowl]]{{Fn|15}}

*[[Ifor Darkpelt]]{{Fn|16b}}

*[[Kva]] - Chief Rune Priest during the [[Horus Heresy]]{{Fn|10c}}

*[[Engillr Walks-the-Sky]]{{Fn|25}}

{{trivia}}

[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gothi Gothi] or goði (plural goðar, fem. gyðja; Old Norse: guþi) was a position of political and social prominence in the Icelandic Commonwealth. The term originally had a religious significance, referring to a pagan leader responsible for a religious structure and communal feasts, but the title is primarily known as a secular political title from medieval Iceland.

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Rune Priest 2.jpg|Rune Priest in [[Terminator Armour]]{{Fn|24}}

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{{Citation issues}}

*{{Endn|2}}: [[Codex: Space Wolves (3rd Edition)]], pgs. 6 & 30

*{{Endn|3}}: [[White Dwarf 246 (UK)]] - ''Wolves of Fenris''

*{{Endn|26}}: [https://web.archive.org/web/20241129051934/https://www.warhammer-community.com/en-us/articles/pzb6o0wj/heresy-thursday-summon-the-winds-of-fenris-to-scour-your-foes-with-the-caster-of-runes/ Warhammer Community: Heresy Thursday – Summon the winds of Fenris to scour your foes with the Caster of Runes (posted 28/11/2024)] ''(archived from [https://www.warhammer-community.com/en-us/articles/pzb6o0wj/heresy-thursday-summon-the-winds-of-fenris-to-scour-your-foes-with-the-caster-of-runes/ the original] 29 November 2024, last accessed 14 June 2025)''

*{{Endn|27}}: [[Collected Visions]], pg. 140

*{{Endn|29}}: [https://archive.ph/hQ3fR Warhammer Community: Wolf Scouts and Stealth Battlesuits fight as quietly as possible in Kill Team: Dead Silence] ''(Saved archive page, dated 3 October 2025, last accessed 3 October 2025, original link: https://www.warhammer-community.com/en-gb/articles/zhqmtpi6/wolf-scouts-and-stealth-battlesuits-fight-as-quietly-as-possible-in-kill-team-dead-silence/)''

*{{Endn|30}}: [[Kill Team: Dead Silence]] Dossier pg. 16

*[[Grey Hunter (Novel)]] - The Space Wolves field one Rune Priest per company, according to the novel Grey Hunter