Merlin Torbyr

Wolfspear shoulder pauldron with Chapter iconography.

**Merlin Torbyr** is a Primaris Space Marine Wolf Priest that hails from the Wolfspear Space Marine Chapter. He is currently serving his first Long Vigil with the Deathwatch, the Chamber Militant of the Inquisiton's Ordo Xenos. His Vigil was taken up just before the Wolfspear's calling to the Nachmund Gauntlet in order to venture into the Imperius Nihilus, with him being stationed in the Watch Fortress Black Bastion. One of the eldest of his chapter, being one of the last original Greyshields that still remained that made up the original Wolfspear Chapter upon it's founding in 999.M41. He is an intimidating figure in the Deathwatch, with his wolf skull helm; but has shown on multiple occasions as a man of great honour and grim humour. Despite his chapter being known for their grim nature, Merlin is known for cracking a well placed joke on occasion that can make even a grizzled Jarl crack a smile. With events raging, Merlin has recently been elevated to the Black Bastion's Master of Sanctity where he is more then proud to serve.

## History

### Early History

Merlin's early history is blurry to even him. As is accustom with the Greyshields, he suspects that he was taken during the midst of the Horus Heresy or in its direct aftermath. He does remember (or at least what he wishes to disclose to his allies), in blurry hazed details, being placed into stasis as battle raged around him and the very place they were shuddered with what he assumed was artillery fire hitting the bunker.

In truth, Merlin does remember a startling amount of his past, with the conditioning clearly having been botched somewhere along the line during his 10,000 years of slumber. Merlin was a Fenrisian born upon the world of Fenris right at the end of the Great Crusade. Merlin would be born to the Torbyr clan, a clan known for it's swift but fearsome exploratory nature, and would grow up as any Fenrisian youth would. During this time, Merlin would have a family though not much would be known of him during this time.

Merlin's calling would come as the Horus Heresy raged. A rival clan would attack his family's home and he would take up his sword to defend them all. Unknown to him, a black clad power armoured figure was watching all of this go down. Merlin would fight like a Fenrisian Wolf, with him eventually routing the rival clan as he slew the raid's leader. And in the dark of the snow filled night, a figure taller then any man with red eyes and a wolf's skull beckoned him forwards. Looking back at his family one last time, with two amulets around his neck, he followed the figure and disappeared into the dark night.

### Awakening

One of the first Primaris Marines to be inducted into the Wolfspear, Merlin faced many bloody battles as he and his Greyshield brothers ventured towards Fenris. One such battle gave him the nickname "Chipped Fang". While fighting off a Chaos Space Marine Warband; Merlin bit into the throat of its Lord and ripped his throat out. Such an event ended up chipping his left fang but left him with a reputation of being brutal as he was cunning as he continued to lead his brothers into further engagements after the act. He took the nickname with a grim chagrin, wearing a black durasteel fang around his own chipped one and giving him a new nickname of "Blackfang".

Soon after their arrival to Fenris, Merlin quickly took to learn the history of their parent chapter. Such actions ended with him being inducted into becoming one of the first of the newly anointed chapter's Wolf Priests. He took to his new role like a fish to water; vigorously learning the many healing rituals, the grim rite of Morkai and how to be a spiritual guide to his brothers in their own dark hours.

### Wolfspear

The new Wolf Priest almost immediately took to the hunt, joining his chapter on several battlefronts that required their immediate attention. One such battle would bring him and his brothers to clash with the multiple chaos warbands which had taken to infesting the nearby Agri-World Sigmun Mundi. Merlin made it a habit, during the campaign, to make it incredibly clear who had done this by carving the symbol of Morkai upon their foreheads (or back, if the head was not possible) before disappearing. This proved surprisingly effective at shattering the cultists' morale and likely was a direct reason for the easy return of the planet into imperial control only a few weeks after. Another incident happened when he led a pack to hunt down a troubling ork warboss that led a fearsome Waagh! across the hive planet Nanthra Nine. The ork warboss would be led into an ambush amongst the planet's many valleys and under Merlin's directive was swiftly taken down thereafter. Similar scenes under Merlin would be repeated over multiple battlefronts that the Wolfspear took to.

Chipped Fang would also be responsible for looking after and ushering many of the new aspirants and neophytes into the Jarldoms, many of whom have gone to make him very proud. As a member of the 1st Jarldom, Merlin is often seen encouraging the newest members into proving themselves further to the High Jarl as he would expect nothing less from the sons of Russ. Though on multiple occasions, he can be seen joking with both the younger Bloodclaws and the veteran Longfangs. More often then not however, he holds a grim scarl as he performs the rites of Morkai upon one of his aspiring champions or an old friend upon the bloody battlefields that his chapter fights upon.

Merlin would answer the call of the Deathwatch a few mere years before the High Jarl would call the chapter to the Nachmund Gauntlet in order to take to their assault upon the Imperium Nihilus. Though he is admittedly more experienced with taking down the many traitors and heretics all over the imperium, he is more then up for the challenge for taking down the numerous Xenos across the Imperium at large. His xenos slaying saga is beginning, and he relishes the challenge it brings.

### Deathwatch Service

Merlin has served well in the Deathwatch, proving himself to not only be a capable fighter against the many xenos that the Imperium faces (from the dreaded Tyranids to the cold faced Necrons) but also an open ear to many of the woes of his Astartes cousins. His first Long Vigil in the Black Bastion has certainly been an eventful one, from saving Epistolary Ten-amen Ramses of the Vulkan's Drakes Chapter from a biological malfunction of his geneseed (nearly immolating the apothercarium in the process) to duelling Lucius Gaius Marcus of the Ultramarines Chapter over his negative attitudes of not only the Primaris but also of non-compliant codex chapters. Both of which were very successful as Ten-amen has since recovered from his near immolation and made a personalised combat shield in thanks of Merlin's efforts. His duel with Lucius he won rather handily and has somewhat wounded the pride of the...peculiar Ultramarine.

His most recent effort, following the near wipe of Company Secundus, ended with him somewhat greviously wounded. While attempting to help with the sudden influx of wounded; one of the marines Brother Nassio, a marine from the dreaded Flesh Tearers Chapter, awoke from his sus-an coma in the throes of the Black Rage while being tended by a Apothercary serf. After ripping out the throat of said serf, Nassio then turned his rage and thirst upon the rest of the Apothercarium. He threw around Head Apothercary Odysis Axanis with relative ease and pounced upon Merlin while he was attempting to evacuate the rest of the serfs. Thankfully the serfs would be able to get out of the way before the entire Apothercarium was turned into an impromptu wrestling ring as Apothercary Cezare Varseus, Blackshield Dracus Numeron and Merlin would attempt to stop the rampaging son of Sanginius. Unfortuntely, Merlin would nearly have his entire throat ripped out by the man before they were finally able to give Nassio the Emperor's Peace. Thankfully the wound wasn't permanent and has left the Astartes with a nasty neck scar but nothing worse then that.

Merlin has now been elected as the Black Bastion's new Master of Sanctity and is now the Astartes in charge of it's many chaplains. He has taken Helvak Palann of the Executioners Chapter as his High Reclusiarch. Merlin's saga is rising, though more danger is certainly a foot.

## Appearance

Merlin is a decently tall Primaris Space Marine, standing at about 8'9, standing a little taller than his Primaris brothers. He could be described as hauntingly handsome by some, with strong features though most definately rugged as is appropriate for a Son of Russ. He has tanned skin from his many years under numerous suns while serving on campaign. His black hair is tied back into a short pony tail and he surprisingly (at least for one of Russ's lineage) keeps his beard short. He is covered in many tattoos, notably on the side of his face and across his back. The one across his back is the Wolfspear's chapter symbol, emblazoned in deep blue ink across his back.

## Personality

Loyal yet grim, Merlin is the embodiment of his chapter. Merlin has an affable personality, being polite but very blunt in his words; he tells things as they are and doesn't attempt to sugarcoat a bad situation when he sees one. However, he does joke if he feels that it is appropriate and does attempt to keep the morale of his group high where he can. He is also a very honourable and understanding man, keeping to his oaths and promises to the best of his ability while making sure that the newer folk do not feel ostracized by other battle brothers. Though all the same, Merlin can be incredibly stern and sometimes ruthless when it comes to carrying out tasks. Especially when it comes to dealing with the enemies of the Imperium of Man.

## Abilities and Traits

As is expected of one of the original Greysheilds, Merlin has developed a large cadre of skills while fighting in the Indominus Crusade headed by Lord Commader Roboute Guilliman. A sort of Jack of All trades person, Merlin is just as comfortable bellowing warcries at the enemies of humanity as he is picking out a new aspirant from one of the many worlds that the Wolfspear makes their outposts.

Merlin has shown on multiple occasions to be a very cunning commander, as much as he can be utterly brutal in his actions as well. He is known for running terror campaigns, attacking lightning fast from the shadows and terrifying the enemy by leaving grim mementos to warn the enemy what fate awaits them when facing the brothers of the wolfspear. Particularly he marks the fallen enemy commanders with the symbol of Morkai upon their dying flesh to show who was responsible for the action. Though he takes no joy with the bloody ritual, seeing it as a means to an end and nothing more.

Merlin is also described as a 'true eye' by his fellow brothers, being extremely accurate with each shot he takes with both his Absolvor Bolt Pistol and the Sternguard Bolter he was gifted upon his initiation and entry into the first Jarldom. Though he fires at a much slower rate than many of his brethren, he makes each and every shot count. However, on the few occasions that the Wolf priest is caught in a full charge of the enemy; his pistol is often thundering louder than the enemies' terrified feet with the pride of Fenris.

Close quarters combat is in the very blood of the sons of Russ and Merlin is no outlier of this role. Merlin is an accomplished melee combatant that is expected of a son of Russ, often getting up and close before beating his opponent to death with his Crozius Arcanum with many a thunderous crack. Merlin is also known for the practice of champion seeking, finding the highest commander or the enemy's champion and laying them low with a few blows. His aim being to terrify the enemy and shatter their morale in a single move.

The wolf priest is also a quick learner who could learn anything he put his mind to. He is proficient in the many rites and tinctures that are used in his apothercarian duties as well as the many battle sagas and litanies of hate that are required of his chaplain role.

## Equipment

* **Crozius Arcanum** **(Fenris Variant)**
* ***Fang of Morkai***
* **Absolvor Bolt Pistol**
* **Frag Grenades**
* **Krak Grenades**
* **Sternguard Bolter** - When things get particularly messy.

### Armour

* **Artificer Power Armour** - Merlin quickly swapped out his standard set of Mark X Power Armour for an Artificer set of the same mark as soon as a suit became available. Altered ever so slightly by himself in order to be slightly more faster and quieter when moving at full sprint. Also has alterations to the surface, as it is covered in runic oaths.
* **Wolf Skull Helmet** - Similar to normal standard Fenrisian design though slightly altered. Embedded into the skull's brow is a ritualistic arrow pointing down to it's maw. As well another alteration. As in order to scare the enemy further with his own legend, he encases the top left fang of his helmet in the same black metal his own fang is.
* **Wolf Amulets** - Plenty of which he's made himself or by those he's led into battle as a token of thanks
* **Customised Combat Shield** - This highly customised combat shield was created by Ten-amen Ramses of Vulkan's Drakes Chapter after helping to save his life following a near self immolation incident. It is a medium sized circular shield, blue steel with a golden rim. The central boss is a steel grey wolf skull and it is surrounded by golden filigree. The weight is decent, not too light nor heavy. The back has a thin layer of webbing holding magnets, and the handle is plain with golden runes and a button. The button causes a magnetic field around it, drawing weapons towards Merlin rather then his allies.

### Munitions

* **Standard Bolter Rounds**
* **Kraken Penetrator Rounds**
* **Hellfire Bolt**
* **Helfrost Bolts**
* **Dragonfire Bolts**

## Relations

### Rivals/Enemies

* **Chaos Space Marines** - Merlin is particularly hateful of the traitorous fallen sons of the imperium. After all, he lost many of his Greyshield brothers to their cruelty.
* **Daemons** - Same reasons as before, many of his brothers felled to their ruthlessness only begets more ruthlessness from the wolf priest.
* **Tyranids** - The creatures that some of the Wolfspear particularly anger the chaplain, so many of his best laid low by these creatures as they are currently being fought against in the Cordon Impenetra alongside the Dark Krakens chapter.
* **Orks** - Should go without saying, but his experience of Nathra Nine makes him particularly ruthless of the Greenskins and all of their followers.

## Quotes

### By: Merlin Torbyr

"*Come on, ye sons of the deathwatch! Forwards! For the All-Father!*"
— Merlin, about five seconds before charging an ork warboss.
"*Stand your ground! Not one step from this ledge or the entire battle is lost!*"
— Merlin Torbyr yelling at a bunch of nervous Bloodclaws.
"*Point, and it shall be hunted down.*"
— Merlin Torbyr answering to the High Jarl.
"*I have watched great men being ripped apart by many a xenos creature. Do not bother sparing them.*"
— Merlin Torbyr warning a fellow Deathwatch brother who might be having second thoughts.
"*Come on ye Milkslops! You want to live forever?!*"
— Merlin Torbyr upon seeing his brothers holding back.
"*You call us a curse, not deserving of the All Father's light. Say that to all the dying Greyshields and Firstslain that I held in my arms as they passed with his name on their lips.* **You are nothing but a coward, a man unwilling to change.''***"*
— Merlin Torbyr while duelling Lucius Gaius Marcus when Lucius insulted the Primaris marines and said that they were corruption.