I was going to suggest the Vaults of Terra videos on YouTube--goes into the history, general organization, the fallen, and the Deathwing & Ravenwing (as 4 separate videos). I'd skip "The Fallen" video; as it is Spoiler-Heavy concerning the Horus Heresy Novels. It basically echoes what Killbo skillfully summarized and what can be found in the Lexicanum (i.e. you'll gain very little new fluff), but I guess there's lots of nice imagery & iconography too. This is something that the Lexicanum and written summaries don't have--but it would take a little tour of Google Image Searching to get similar material.
Apologies for the "Wall o' Text" I was having fun and was inspired. What's to dislike? They are the probably the most fun (and certainly funniest) First Founding Legion. Do you not like funny? Not "GrimDark" enough for you? Upon first meeting the Emperor--in a contest to establish dominance--Leman Russ challenged the Allfather to three contests--Eating, Drinking, and Fighting (i.e. the three things Space Wolves love most). Russ actually out-ate and out-drank the Emperor himself (the EMPRAH for crying out loud)! However, when it came down to the fighting, the Emperor pulled a cheap trick and *sucker-punched* Russ with a power-fist. [At least that's what some Space Wolves say. That or Russ was just too damn drunk to have been able to out-drink the Allfather earlier. He probably didn't need much to knock him down. ] Concerning "The Lion and the Wolf" [Keep in mind that Killbo's quote is more official, but since when are Space Wolves official in doing anything?! (Especially when writing something down--Space Wolves don't write their histories, for your information)] A NOT-SO-OFFICIAL ACCOUNT OF THE EVENT(S) [According to NeedsMoreDakka ] I believe that the ceremonial duels are honoring the absurdity of one of the stupidest (also read as: "greatest") bouts of Sibling-Rivalry ever. I believe--being left to the sidelines--Leman Russ had little else to do but watch all the fighting he wasn't doing, get more pissed off, and to drink copiously. Thus, he probably disobeyed orders in a drunken stupor and headed straight for the man who insulted him. *Vox Log of the Events* [Not Really] Russ (*Rushing in Too Late*): BRO, YOU TOTALLY STOLE MY KILL! YOU KILL-STEALING BASTARD! *PUNCH* Lion *Fighting Back*: Brother, you're too erratic! If I left this planet to you; the Imperium would gain little more than a chewed up ball! Russ *In a Rage*: RRRRRRAAAAAAAAGH! ... *MUCH FIGHT LATER* ... Russ *Taking the briefest pause from all the punching*: OH! 'Chewed up ball'?! That's another 'Lapdog' jape, isn't it? ...heheh, that is pretty funny! hehehahahahHAHAHAHA! Lion *Seeing an opening*: TAKE THIS YOU STUBBORN IDIOT! *SUCKER-PUNCH* Russ *Before blacking out*: A sucker-punch...not...again... (;_; ) *THUD* *End of Log* I view the subsequent duels as a bonding experience between Space Marines that few other "Chapters" possess. ["Chapters" because both Sub-Factions don't strictly adhere to the Codex Astartes--which I feel is a good thing ;] I feel that the Lion and Russ actually warmed up to each other during all that fighting (in that cliched "Heroic Drama" kind of way). If the Space Wolves don't like you--they tend to stay away from you (see: the Thousand Sons Pre-Heresy). Meanwhile--whenever they meet a Dark Angel--they're all, "Hey, you wanna spar?! *Tail Wagging*" Of course winning such duels gain you (and your Primarch) honor, but I view such gatherings as akin to our modern sporting events. Just because some Astartes get too serious over team-rivalries (I blame the Dark Angels for this--so stuffy and secretive that the truth has been lost ); it doesn't mean that there isn't joy to be found in any contest. All that verbosity aside: if I see you upon the field of battle as my Space Wolf; I'll "Civilly" challenge you to a duel. Just keep in mind that I drink whilst I play games--so if you beat me I'll totally blame it on the alcohol!
The Lion is alive and hidden on the Rock. This is the only actual canon living loyalist Primarch, (excluding the fugue state Guilliman is in) whose whereabouts is known. Also apparently disobeying orders gets you promoted haha... now we have to wait for the third book.
not to offend our space wolf brothers infrasound but leman russ is rumored to be in the warp and still kicking he has just never been found.
Well, not the Warp exactly, the Eye of Terror. There's a bit of a difference, but there have been loyalist elements which have survived that long. The 13th Grand Company is one such example, and Magus the Red did hint at his fate in one novel which suggested he was still alive.
to answer the question as to why they changed there color from black to green well theres many rumors but no true awser such is the dark angels way here are the top 3 rumors when they returned to caliban to face there former brothers they changed there color to distingish friend from foe. so many players started to paint there table top models green that games work shop just went with it My personal favorite that after their home forest world of caliban was destroyed they began to repaint there armor green in remembrance of their home.
wail yes Russ might of found it as fun or even a bit of sport after the hole thing it is well know Lion el johnson dosnt weather such insults to him or his chapters honor, such as Russ striking him. even the chapters motto is "Never Forgive Never Forget". so wail space wolves may see the honor dual's as fun the dark angels see them as punishment and redemption for dishonor shown to there Primarch.
