Ragnar Blackmane
Ragnar Blackmane (also Ragnar and Ragnar Thunderfist) is the name of the principal character in a series of Warhammer 40,000 novels written by William King and Lee Lightner. The novels are third-person limited perspectives in the sci-fi adventure genre.
Introduction
The series explores the life of Ragnar Blackmane, a member of the Space Wolves Chapter of the Space marines. There are five books in the series which are listed below in order.
- Space Wolf
- Ragnar’s Claw
- Grey Hunter
- Wolfblade
- Sons of Fenris (by Lightner rather than King)
- Wolf's Honour (Released 2008)
They outline his life, from his upbringing in a feudal medieval village to his career as a Space Wolf brother.
Ragnar has since been featured in a diorama depicting his first battle with the Thousand Sons Chaos Space Marine Madox.
Personality
Ragnar has the traits normal for a main character in adventure novels. He is strong, skillful, intelligent, and continuously distinguishes himself above the rank and file. His success is largely attributable to his capacity for anger, a trait that continues threatens his future. Ragnar's anger grants him a berserker strength and, which enabled him to join the Space Wolves, and has turned the tide of many battles since. The fear causing this anger was created when Ragnar passed through the Gates of Morkai trial during his initiation. While passing all the Wolf Priests' ingenious tests, the full extent of his hatred and rage were uncovered. to discover vulnerability to Chaos, one test almost destroyed him. While damning him, Ragnar's hatred also saved him, since he was able redirect his anger and halt his actions. Afterwards, the Rune Priests had reservations about letting Ragnar live, since a Space Marine so susceptible to Chaos endangers both himself and his Chapter. Strybjorn, one of the Grimskull tribe who destroyed Ragnar's, was later made his comrade and subordinate. Strybjorn's mere presence induces hatred in Ragnar.
History
Novels
Space Wolf
This book outlines his jouney from being a member of the medieval tribe on Fenris to his full indocrination as a Space Marine. This includes in entire training in the Space Wolf system. It concludes with his first confrontation with the Chaos Space Marine Madox.
Ragnar's Claw
This book details his first off-world adventure. He travels between several planets in an inquisitorial warship, tracking down pieces of an Eldar artifact, which could cure a horrible plague infecting the world of Aerius. It also gives insights into the great power of the Chaos God Nurgle.
Grey Hunter
This book outlines a campaign involving the entire Space Wolf chapter (except for one company, which was left behind to rejuvenate the gene-seed should the entire campaigning chapter be eliminated). It describes the organisation of the chapter as it goes to war and of the other imperial units, since it joins a large Imperial Guard force including elements of the Adeptus Mechanicus' Titan Legion.
It also involves the excitement of Ragnar's Blood Claws, both because of their involvement in the operation and that they were ready to receive their elevation to Grey Hunter. However, Ragnar performs a great feat that can either be interpreted as saving the chapter or damning it. Hence, instead of being promoted to Grey Hunter, his future is uncertain.
Wolfblade
Due to his actions in Grey Hunter, Ragnar is sent to Terra to join the Wolfblade squad there. This assignment can be seen as exile, however it exposes him to the inner workings of the Imperium and thus gives him skills and contacts that may help his ascension in the ranks of the chapter when the duty is complete.
Later
Ragnar Blackmane is a Wolf Lord in the Warhammer 40,000 canon and has a further history.
Trivia
Ragnar Facts
Ragnar Blackmane's anger gives him near-supernatural reflexes. In the Space Wolves Codex this is reflected in his special character bonus of 4+ invulnerability save. Ragnar defeated the Dark Angels' champion at the last chapter tournament, and presented the prize he won to his former mentor, Ulrik the Slayer. Ragnar is the only known Wolf Lord never to have been promoted to the rank of Grey Hunter. He is the most highly decorated Wolf Lord of his generation. Ragnar is unmatched in close quarter fighting, and has reputedly never been bested in single combat.
Alternate Names
Ragnar Blackmane also has the names Ragnar and Ragnar Thunderfist for the following reasons.
Since he was a member of the Thunderfist tribe, he was born as Ragnar Thunderfist. However, new Space Wolves drop their surnames along with tribe politics after becoming Space Marines. Some Space Wolves, however, are given new surnames in honour of great deeds. Ragnar earned the surname 'Blackmane' from a feat during his training: During the events of the first novel, Ragnar fought and slew a Fenrisian Wolf, skiining the beast and taking its pelt as a cloak. Afterwards, he continued to wear the pelt over his armour, and young Space Wolves have dubbed him "Ragnar Blackmane" ever since.
Narration
After receiving a draft of the first novel, Games Workshop criticised the incongruity of the opening with the genre it belongs to. The writer subsequently added a prologue and epilogue set in Ragnar’s future, framing the rest of the story as a flashback. The other books are written in the same manner to preserve thematic unity among the series. The author has said he won't attempt the first-person style of the series again because of its inherent difficulties.1.
Ragnar's Mentor
The wolf-priest Ranek is Ragnar's mentor throughout the novels, however in the Warhammer 40,000 canon, Ulrik the Slayer is Ragnar's mentor.
When questioned about it, William King the author said "To tell the truth I don't know if I ever will resolve this one. I tend to look at these things the way I look at history books. Sometimes you get two (or more) contradictory accounts of the same thing."