T9G's Dark Angel successor

[Tiger9gamer]

Knights of the Lion

 

-Successors to the Angels of Absolution-

 

Chapter colors: Gunmetal, black and Green 

 

Founding: 10th founding

 

Brief summery: The Knights of the Lion is a chapter descended from the line of the First Legion with their parent Chapter being the Angels of Absolution. They too consider themselves Forgiven of Luther's sins. 

 

Homeworld: Arcachon, The Knight's homeworld, located in Segmentum Pacificus, Is almost universally covered in forests and lakes, the land being left underdeveloped by the imperium. It’s moderate climate allow great trees and vegetation to grow, and the land is ripe for farming. 

Arcachon’s settlements are generally small compared to other worlds, but a few Hive cities can be found near the equator of the planet. The Knights take recruits from the population and mold them from civilians into warriors of the Imperium. It is why the Knights value the common man and vow to protect them.

 

Recruitment: The Knights of the Lion draw recruits from the families of their world’s agri-farmers, taking children who have worked since they have learned to walk. Although it may be scoffed at by other chapters, the Knights know that it is not lineage that automatically makes a hero, it’s adversity.  

 

They take the recruits to an old station on the moon of Arcachon, which the Knights have rebuilt into a labyrinth. From across the system they bring in feral creatures to act as adversaries to the recruits, ferocious beasts that have been starved so as to attack the first thing they see. 

 

The recruits are given a little food, a buckler and a short sword before sending them into the dungeon. They have to be cunning and bright to survive the dungeon and go unto the service of the emperor. Although the time is limited to a week, the initiate must not be hasty, for he might run headlong into traps, snares, or even into the vacuum of space itself. Across the way there are areas that recruits can find that provide food, but sometimes these are trapped. The recruits are told that there is an exit, but few make it to the end. Chaplains will pull out those close to dying if they see the drive and commitment to reach the end, but these are rare cases.

 

 

Beliefs: The Knights of the Lion were created from the stable geneseed of the Angels of Absolution to defend the Segmentum Pacificus From the growing threat of chaos in the area. The Dark Angels, knew that this new chapter could help in the hunt for the fallen, but the Angels of Absolution’s stance on the hunt would be passed down to them. The Dark Angels sent some of their agents to the Chapter to re-educate them on the importance of the hunt, and the need for their part. For a few Centuries, they followed the instructions of the Dark angels, but their faith was tested when the Folly of New Syracuse came to be.

 

--New Syracuse (991.M34)

 

On the trade planet of New Syracuse, the Knights fought alongside the planetary PDF and a few imperial guard regimens against an invading cult of Nurgle renegades. The war was then locked in a bloody stalemate against the foes, neither side giving an inch of ground. the Knights had plans to launch a counter attack against the enemy, a strike calculated to drive a sword through the heart of the enemy. The strike never came.

 

The Knights of the Lion pulled out of the battle without a word to the garrison, for rumors of a Fallen Angel reached their ears. The defenders were pushed back by the endless hordes of the plague ridden, and the planet eventually fell.

 

Although the Knights were successful in the hunt, the loss of Syracuse weighed heavily on the minds of their inner circle. Although they have been told it was worth it for capturing the Fallen, the loss and the guilt they felt was almost too much.

 

The Chapter Master, one of the youngest thus far, had consulted the Master of the Angels of Absolution, confessing his guilt for the amount of lives lost due to their abandonment, and still fearing more to come. He had been told that forgiveness could still be theirs... but only if the rightened the wrong they caused.

 

Within a decade, the chapter soon returned to Syracuse in full force, the might of the chapter soon  burning the planet clean of any cult, and stopping the beginnings of a new invasion that would threaten the sector’s capitol.  

The Knights of the Lion have been forgiven, and vow that the Hunt will never take president over defending the imperium again.

 

    ---The Burning Shield incident--

 

During the Finals hours of the invasion, The Knights of the Lion had pushed back the chaotic forces until only one city remained; the former Capital of the planet. The forces of Nurgle had made the Planetary Governor's Palace a "garden" of pestilence and disease. the Knights had this last, final target in their sights, but they encountered an obstacle. The Air inside the Palace and it's underground tunnels were filled with a new disease, one that not only affected Space Marines, but infected Ceramite armor with corruption. Only Terminator Armor was strong enough to deliver a bomb past the Void shields that surrounded the Masion.

 

The Knights of the Lion's Deathwing fought through Plague Marines and Plague bearers alike throughout the Palace as the paint on their armor peeled and rusted. Soon, they had reached the inner most lair of the Chaotic warlord. The Deathwing Master dueled the bloated Commander as his Knights set up the bomb. When it was ready, the Warlord slain,  did the Deathwing Master realize that they have been tainted, and the blessed Terminator armor corrupted.

 

No member of the Deathwing survived the assault. The blast cleansed both the palace, and the infection of the face of the planet. The cost, needless to say, was enormous. Almost a half of the Knight's Deathwing Terminator armor was lost. 

 

 

 

Chapter Doctrine: After the burning shield incident, The Knights of the Lion reformed their tactics. No longer would they hold a solid company of Terminators, it seemed, as almost all had been lost on Syracuse. Therefore, the Knights focused more on the speed and swiftness of mounted combat, With their 2nd company picking up more of the duties of the 1st. The masters of the chapter stepped up their knowledge of mounted warfare, learning not just from the Ravenwing Black Knights, but also from the White Scars, the Masters of mounted warfare.

    Thus they have been known to have some of the best bikers of the Unforgiven, to which they take extra pride. Unknown to most, the 2nd Company of the Knights contain a higher number than a normal battle company.... If all of the 2nd company were to gather in one place, it would not take a high intelligence to see there is more than 100... 

 

The chapter’s black knights have been known to use weapons like grav-gun and lances in place of their usual weapons when the need arises, leading the charge or being used to pick off enemy squads that have been weakened throughout the battle. 

 

The 1st company, though wounded, have mysteriously began growing their numbers again, although wether is is through manufacture or donation, they will never say.The Knights, however, have embraced the Centurion squads to employ superior fire support when needed. These squads are composed of Company Veterans that had a natural calling to heavy weapons, and are deployed when the situation calls for the application of such fire support.

 

The Chapter's remaining battle companies are set up like their Parent chapters dictate, including the Company veteran squads in each. The tactics of the 3rd, 4th and 5th largely remain flexible in tactics and are often supported by either the Reserve companies or members of the 2nd company.

 

-Other notable battles-

 

Endale's landing ( .908 M35):

 

A particularly devious Fallen angel had begun a rebellion on the Knight world of Endale's Landing, Striving to cut off the nearby Forgeworld of it's Knight defenders in the face of a massive Greenskin WAAGH.  In the Bloody conflict, Household Ipsumm's Baron lord sent out a distress call to anyone in range to help. The Stalwart Knights of the Lion had heard the call, and it's Ravenwing descended on the battlefield. 

 

With the Speed of the 2nd company the imperial forces had quickly regained control, breaking the back of the rebel's force so that the Mighty Titans could trample it underfoot. eventually they had surrounded the chaotic forces and the Knights of the Lion brought a swift end to the war. The Company's Master claimed victory in a personal duel against the angel, and made the traitor ready to be taken  back to the Rock. 

 

Thus, Household Ipsumm pledged an oath of loyalty to the Knights of the Lion, offering it support for future crusades. The Company Master had accepted the terms, and the pact was solidified when the alliance defended the Forgeworld from the Ork WAAAAGH, a siege that lasted for two standard years.

 

Since then, it is not uncommon for the two knights, one of the angels and one of the machine, to be waging war together on long crusades.

 

The Blood Lune (unknown date M.41)

 

A Chaotic Warband assaulted an imperial base stationed on the planet Sinata's moon, Emerging from a warp portal opened by a corrupted cult. They had quickly slaughtered the PDF stationed on the base, prepared to use this station as a beachhead to assault the planet. The Govenor sent out a distress call, praying to the Emperor that it was heard. The Emperor was listening.

 

The Knights of the Lion's 3rd company, with 2nd company support, had been in the system at the time, and headed the call. The 2nd company used it's land speeders and bikes to clear the outer battlements of the bastion and destroy the powerful targeting systems so the 3rd could use a drop pod assault on the inner station. The third company trapped and destroyed the forces of chaos in their Den, closing the warp portal in the depths of the bastion after a grueling battle.

 

 

 

 

Unknown battle (Unknown date)

        -The 105th Grand Company Master of the Knights 2nd company was recorded to have been bested by a Deamonic biking entity known as the DoomRider. The Daemon gave chase to the master in a ruined hive city after a campaign, the fierce duel lasting over 24 Terran hours. It is said the Company master only survived due to DoomRider getting bored of the chase and dissapeared. The Company Master was put into a rare Contemptor dreadnought sarcophagus and still serves to this day.

 

The Lion’s Pride of Pacificus ( .M41)

 

    The Night of a Thousand Rebellions, Orchestrated by chaos for years, had finally erupted across the System. The Knights were lucky in that Arcachon was spared most of the heavy Rebellion, but their brothers in the Lions Defiant were not so fortunate. The Lions Defiant’s world came under siege by it’s own citizens, the Chapter forced to retreat back into it’s Fortress Monastery when the rebellion spread to it’s PDF force. 

 

    The Knights had heard the distress calls from their brethren, and the current Grand Master, Yvainn, personally joined the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd companies sent to aid the wounded chapter.  The Knights entered the system swiftly, using knowledge of their brethren to dodge the orbital defenses and land on the planet. The 2nd company, deployed in almost it’s entirety, Stormed the Skyfire grand nexus and silenced the guns while the 1st and 3rd deployed to the Fortress Monastery to help destroy critical evidence about the fallen. The way clear, the two chapters destroyed the Lion Defiant’s Monastery as they evacuated to ensure that no prizes were to be gained. 

 

    Just as the two chapters collected all of their forces off the ground, Chaos warships entered the system and began to attack them. The Knights of the Lion’s ships covered the retreat of the Lions Defiant, fighting to the last minute before jumping out of the system.

 

As the Fires of the Rebellion rose in the surrounding Sectors, the Knights of the Lion retreated with their brethren to Acachon’s system to weather out the storm erupting all around them and to defend against the invading hordes of chaos. 

 

 

Constantinus Iconoclasm: The Knights of the Lion sent in a combined force of it's 2nd and 6th companies into the battle. The Knights of the Lion assaulted the main Artillery base of Constantinus, bringing an end to the rain of fire it brought down on the imperial lines. A paladin from housegold Ipsumm supported the main assault on it's gates, surrounded by the Bikes and Veterans of the chapter.

[Tiger9gamer]

Alright, so after trying to find a chapter that is "right" to me, decided to mae my own XuX Now, i'll post my general idea.

 

________________________________________________

Name of the Chapter: Knights of the Lion

 

Successors to the Angels of Absolution (i think that should be good)

 

Chapter colors: Gunmetal, black and Green 

 

Founding: 13th founding

 

Brief summery: The Knights of the Lion is a chapter descended from the line of the First Legion, With their parent Chapter being the Angels of Absolution. They too consider themselves partly Forgiven of Luther's sins, but it was an epiphany that had costed countless lives before it was realized. 

 

Famous battle: The Crusade of New Syracuse (Unknown Date in M36)

 

Early in their chapter history, the Knights had spearheaded a counter-assault on the Planet of New Syracuse against an invading force of a Nurgle cult, a war that had already cost the countless lives of PDF and civilians alike. After a series of stalemates and close close victories, The Knights of the lion were poised to strike at the heart of the enemy and cripple the Chaos Warband, possibly putting an end to the War.... and then they retreated. News from their Unforgiven brothers had reached them that a Fallen Angel was in the sector, and they were the closest ones to respond.

 

 

The hunt turned out prosperous, but at a great cost. Without their final push against the enemy, Chaos had achieved it's goal of conquering the planet. The young chapter was devastated at this. What was the price of one Fallen compared to another world lost to Chaos?

 

in 20 years, the chapter returned with a vengance, deploying all ten companies in a all out war against the invaders and Serving as a spearhead for a small Crusade. With the help of their Parent chapter, they took the planet back from the clutches of Chaos, and Swore an oath that the hunt should never take precedence over the lives of so many.

 

_________________________

Well, hopefully that wasn't terribad X-X

[Hrvat]

This seems promising. I'll be following the progress.

[Tiger9gamer]

thank you =) how does the premise sound so far?

[Hrvat]

To be more constructive in my reply I have a few questions and comments.

 

Since you put them as part of the 13th founding I guess they + maybe other Unforgiven are aware they belong to the 13th founding - Administratum does not.

 

If they follow the philosophy of the AoAbsolution why would they need an epifany for that to happen, since things like does are taught?

 

 

Why would the Chapter be devastated? The guys in the leadership in such a conflict would be fully aware what their retreat would mean to the conflict. The ones who could have doubts are members of the chapter not inducted into the Inner Circle, but they would be placated by the chaplains unles the uninducted chaplains would be the ones raising the question but then people like those would be quickly "silenced" by the organisation as sinister as the Inner Circle.

This has potential you just need to find a way work around things like these.

[Tiger9gamer]

Those are good points! I think a few changes would help this out a little more.

but for now.... A potential color scheme!!

____

alright, some edits.

Brief summery: The Knights of the Lion is a chapter descended from the line of the First Legion, With their parent Chapter being the Dark Angels. They, Like their brothers and mentors of the Angels of Absolution, consider themselves Forgiven of Luther's sins, but only after they received the harsh lesson of what devastation the hunt can deliver to a campaign.

is that a better idea?

Also i didnt think about that.... Any suggestions on why the chapter was devastated aside from guilty consciense?

Maybe that the chapter was young when this happened and unused to the cost, and when the Supreme master of the knights talked to the Angels of absolution, they Recieved absolution, and afterwards both chapters crusade on that planet.

[Tiger9gamer]

Okay, sorry about the double post, but had a few more ideas that may or may not make sense:

 

______________________________

Knights of the Lion's Homeworld: (Name undecided) The Knight's homeworld, located in Segmentum Pacificus, Is almost universally covered in forests and lakes. A moderate climate allows great trees and vegetation to grow, and the land is ripe for farming. it's settlements are generally small compared to other worlds, but a few comparatively small Hive cities can be found near the equator of the planet. The Knights take recruits from the population and mold them from civilians and sons of farmers to Warriors of the Imperium. With this it is to be said why the Knights value the common man and vow to protect them.

 

Warcry: "Justice above all!"

[Olis]

As promised, a review of what you have so far, brother.

Name of the Chapter: Knights of the Lion

First up, the name. I think, although the name ventures towards 'generic' territory, it's a solid starter. It has a weight to it that sits just right.

Successors to the Angels of Absolution (i think that should be good)

Next, the lineage. Nothing wrong with being a successor of a successor - there is well known precedent in the Badab War books. Was there any particular reason to choose the Angels of Absolution over their kin?

Chapter colors: Gunmetal, black and Green

but for now.... A potential color scheme!!

____

The feet could do with being green, too, I think. Having them silver overcomplicates the colour scheme on the legs. Barring that the colour scheme seems functional. Two things: What colour will the helmet lens' be and what colour will weapon casings be?

Founding: 13th founding

Ah yes, the Dark Founding. Not much is known, yadda, yadda, yadda. Question is: Does your chapter know of any details of their founding? Do they know they're a Dark Founding chapter and, if so, how secretive are they with this information?

Now, other things to consider: This sort of time period (early 36th millennium) is barely before the Age of Apostasy so figuring out why the chapter was created, narratively, is going to be a tall order, considering the important events happening so early in the chapter's history.

Brief summery: The Knights of the Lion is a chapter descended from the line of the First Legion, With their parent Chapter being the Angels of Absolution. They too consider themselves partly Forgiven of Luther's sins, but it was an epiphany that had costed countless lives before it was realized.

alright, some edits.

Brief summery: The Knights of the Lion is a chapter descended from the line of the First Legion, With their parent Chapter being the Dark Angels. They, Like their brothers and mentors of the Angels of Absolution, consider themselves Forgiven of Luther's sins, but only after they received the harsh lesson of what devastation the hunt can deliver to a campaign.

is that a better idea?

My advice would be to change the latter part (emboldened in both versions). Why? Well, one could assume that a training cadre (and/or the chapter's first generation of actual officers) would come from their parent chapter - as such the beliefs and outlook of the Angels of Absolution would probably heavily influence the beliefs and outlook of the Knights of the Lion. Ergo, a high price for an epiphany is not needed when it can simply be inherited.

Famous battle: The Crusade of New Syracuse (Unknown Date in M36)

Early in their chapter history, the Knights had spearheaded a counter-assault on the Planet of New Syracuse against an invading force of a Nurgle cult, a war that had already cost the countless lives of PDF and civilians alike. After a series of stalemates and close close victories, The Knights of the lion were poised to strike at the heart of the enemy and cripple the Chaos Warband, possibly putting an end to the War.... and then they retreated. News from their Unforgiven brothers had reached them that a Fallen Angel was in the sector, and they were the closest ones to respond.

The hunt turned out prosperous, but at a great cost. Without their final push against the enemy, Chaos had achieved it's goal of conquering the planet. The young chapter was devastated at this. What was the price of one Fallen compared to another world lost to Chaos?

in 20 years, the chapter returned with a vengance, deploying all ten companies in a all out war against the invaders and Serving as a spearhead for a small Crusade. With the help of their Parent chapter, they took the planet back from the clutches of Chaos, and Swore an oath that the hunt should never take precedence over the lives of so many.

Not bad, but not particularly gripping, either. I would advocate looking into the events of the Age of Apostasy and basing something off of that to be an early defining moment. Perhaps even just having them play a bit part on the side-lines: When Vandire struck out at space marine chapters near the end of his rule, perhaps the Knights of the Lion were one such target that was caught by a numerically superior force loyal to Vandire (presumably the Frataris Templars and perhaps some Guard units). Now, whether or not you involve a Fallen, is up to you, but not everything notable that Dark Angels and their scions do has to do with the Fallen.

Knights of the Lion's Homeworld: (Name undecided) The Knight's homeworld, located in Segmentum Pacificus, Is almost universally covered in forests and lakes. A moderate climate allows great trees and vegetation to grow, and the land is ripe for farming. it's settlements are generally small compared to other worlds, but a few comparatively small Hive cities can be found near the equator of the planet. The Knights take recruits from the population and mold them from civilians and sons of farmers to Warriors of the Imperium. With this it is to be said why the Knights value the common man and vow to protect them.

Interesting take on an astartes homeworld - an agri-world. Might I ask what exactly would make these "civilians and sons of farmers" suitable for recruits? Is there a gruelling selection process? Are there undue dangers like wolves or meat eating lizards? Does the chapter pick out the dregs from these sub-Hives at all?

Basically, what I'm getting at is that space marines start out as tough kids. Simply being the son of a farmer is not going to cut it, really.

Warcry: "Justice above all!"

Might I ask, justice for whom? As an extension of that, if we know who the justice is for, why not make the warcry more relevant to them? For example, if it is intended for Imperial citizens, then maybe a cry of "For the Imperium!" would not be out of place, and similar sentiments could be said for the Lion, if that is who it's meant for.

I hope this helps you add more depth to this IA, brother.

[Tiger9gamer]

Wow, that is a lot of questions that need answering. let's start in order!

Name: The Knights of the Lion is something that i thought of while playing halo 4 the other night. Originally i was talking to Facmanprob about a space wolf thing, and he mentioned "Order of the Lion". I derived the name from that =) Another name I had in mind was the Angels Nobel.

Lineage: I always liked the Angels of absolution because of how they view the hunt. They don't drop everything and leave for a fallen, it seems, and that was one of the aspects that always rubbed me the wrong way. I know it is a big aspect of the unforgiven but still. >-< That's why i wanted them to be successors

Founding: I would expect that at least the Dark Angels know of their own foundings and might have made them a secret to the Knights after they went through a couple of Company masters. Maybe the strife duirng the Age of Apostasy erased all these records. even so, if it was at the end of his rule, then they may have some time to grow before the huge battle

but then again, maybe it would be better to put them one founding earlier to have a base and get organized. so maybe 12th founding. and i might take a little from you about a different battle

Level of Forgiveness: I was thinking that even though they are from the AoA, they were taught by the Dark Angels that they still need to drop everything for the hunt to truely be forgiven. So i was thinking they didn't listen to their parent chapter and instead fallowed the advice of the DA to a disasterous effect. When new Syracuse happen, it didn't settle right with them and they went back to the AoA and asked forgiveness. The Penance was retaking the planet.

Battle: thanks! this was a rough idea for why they don't drop everything for the hunt, might need to change a bit. I will plan to make a second battle against the Vandire templars too

Homeworld: I was thinking that Farmer's stock would mean they are pretty tough considering the challenges of farming in 40k. I imagined that the Recruitment would involve putting the recruits in a dungeon and whoever can survive and get to the end would be turned into astartes. after all, they would have to survive mutants and wildlife that would be put in.

Battlecry: I took the line out of the three musketeers actually ^///^' It would be more for the civilians, but it could also mean justice for the lion against the fallen.

[NightrawenII]

Ahem, 13th was not in early M36. 21st was prior to Age of Apostasy, 13th was most likely in M34.

[Olis]

Ahem, 13th was not in early M36. 21st was prior to Age of Apostasy, 13th was most likely in M34.

 

Well, I'm likely wrong and it's in M35, but I'm not convinced it's in M34. As per Octavulg's timeline (which I trust slightly more than any wiki, even when it's sort of guesswork given the conflicting accounts) - states it's in M35 (or possibly M36, but we'll take that with a pinch of salt). That said, I'll be happy to consider any evidence you may provide, brother. :)

[NightrawenII]

This is discusion for another topic, but it's enought to say that the dates provided by the Badab War books are messed up. IF the 21st was prior to Age of Apostasy then it means it was prior to M36. According to another source, the Founding takes hundred years to complete, which would place 13th cca thousand years prior to 21st.

[Tiger9gamer]

Yea, this date is subject to change for the founding, and i dont want my successor thing being overtaken by it. Anyways, about what I wrote in response? i dont want those ideas to go to waste.

[Tiger9gamer]

Alright I've written out the recruitment process!

 

Recruitment: The Knights of the Lion draw recruits from the families of the huge agri-farms of the world, taking children who have worked since they have learned to walk. Although it may be scoffed at by other chapters who knew, the Knights know that it is not lineage that automatically a hero, it’s adversity. 

 

 

 

They take the recruits to an abandoned station on the moon of Arcachon, which the Knights have rebuilt into a labyrinth. From across the system they bring in feral creatures to act as adversaries to the recruits, ferocious beasts that have been starved so as to attack the first thing they see. Often times they even bring in mutants, turning them into monsters as feral as the beasts.

 

 

 

The recruits are given a little food, a buckler and a short sword before sending them into the dungeon, the Knights watching their progress. They have to be cunning and bright to survive the dungeon and go unto the service of the emperor.

 

 

Is the idea solid?

[Olis]

It's not bad. I would personally word it differently, in describing the hazards (and also make them far more varied than simply using beasts and mutants). Are there traps, emplacements or more 'natural' hazards involved too?

 

Also - is there a time limit? Is it purely an exercise in getting from A to B? Is there an actual objective that the recruits are supposed to achieve besides simply surviving? You need to think about these parameters when you come up with the old dungeon idea. 

[Tiger9gamer]

ugh those are really important thoughts i forgot about X-X here is a redress of the last paragraph to add the extra stuffs. but yea, it's mostly to see who can survive.

________________

 

The recruits are given a little food, a buckler and a short sword before sending them into the dungeon, the Knights watching their progress. They have to be cunning and bright to survive the dungeon and go unto the service of the emperor. Although the time is limited to a week, the initiate must not rush, for he might run headlong into traps, snares, or even into the vacuum of space itself. Across the way there are areas that recruits can find that provide food, but sometimes these are trapped too.

 

The recruits are told that there is an exit, but few make it to the end. Some times though, chaplains will pull out those close to dying if they see the drive and commitment to reach the end, but these are rare cases.

___________

 

Also, i written a response on post #9 that i would like to discuss, but the founding thing kinda blocked it out. =(

[Olis]

Sounds much better already, brother. :tu:

[Tiger9gamer]

Thank you =) i have to make another post with all those changes. Won't be finished product though!

[Tiger9gamer]

Okay, wrote it all out! hopefully this fills in the gaps. and helps flesh these guys out a little more.

 

_____

 

Name: Knights of the Lion

 

Founding: 13th founding, but it is known only to the Unforgiven

 

Lineage: Angels of Absolution.

 

Warcry: "The Imperium above all!"

 

Beliefs: Although they were created using the Geneseed from the Angels of Absolution, the Knights of the Lion had been created as an extra hand to help capture the Fallen, and thus received “counsel” from the Dark Angels, believing themselves to still be unforgiven. In time, though, they headed the advice their parent chapter had given them and now consider themselves forgiven.

 

Homeworld of Arcachon: The Knight's homeworld, located in Segmentum Pacificus, Is almost universally covered in forests, lakes and farmland. A moderate climate allows great trees and vegetation to grow, and the land is ripe for farming. it's settlements are generally small compared to other worlds, but a few comparatively small Hive cities can be found near the equator of the planet. The Knights take recruits from the population and mold them from civilians and sons of farmers to Warriors of the Imperium. With this it is to be said why the Knights value the common man more than most chapters.

 

Recruitment: The Knights of the Lion draw recruits from the families of the huge agri-farms of the world, taking children who have worked since they have learned to walk. Although it may be scoffed at by other chapters who knew, the Knights know that it is not lineage that automatically a hero, it’s adversity. 

 

They take the recruits to an abandoned station on the moon of Arcachon, which the Knights have rebuilt into a labyrinth. From across the system they bring in feral creatures to act as adversaries to the recruits, ferocious beasts that have been starved so as to attack the first thing they see. Often times they even bring in mutants, turning them into monsters as feral as the beasts.

 

The recruits are given a little food, a buckler and a short sword before sending them into the dungeon, the Knights watching their progress. They have to be cunning and bright to survive the dungeon and go unto the service of the emperor. Although the time is limited to a week, the initiate must not rush, for he might run headlong into traps, snares, or even into the vacuum of space itself. Across the way there are areas that recruits can find that provide food, but sometimes these are trapped too.

 

The recruits are told that there is an exit, but few make it to the end. Some times though, chaplains will pull out those close to dying if they see the drive and commitment to reach the end, but these are rare cases.

 

Famous battles:

 

New Syracuse (date unknown)

 

On the trade planet of New Syracuse, the Knights fought alongside the planetary PDF and a few imperial guard regimens against an invading cult of Nurgle renegades. The war was then locked in a bloody stalemate against the foes, neither side giving an inch of ground. the Knights had plans to launch a counter attack against the enemy, a strike calculated to drive a sword through the heart of the enemy. The stike never came.

 

The Knights of the Lion pulled out of the battle without a word to the garrison, for rumors of a Fallen Angel reached their ears. The defenders were pushed back by the endless hordes of the plague ridden, and the planet eventually fell.

 

Although the Knights were successful in the hunt, the loss of Syracuse weighed heavily on the minds of their inner circle. Although they have been told it was worth it for capturing the Fallen, the loss and the guilt they felt was almost too much.

 

The Chapter Master, one of the youngest thus far, had consulted the Master of the Angels of Absolution, confessing his guilt for the amount of lives lost due to their abandonment, and still fearing more to come. He had been told that forgiveness could still be theirs... but only if the rightened the wrong they caused.

 

Within a decade, the chapter soon returned to Syracuse in full force, the might of the chapter soon  burning the planet clean of any cult, and stopping the beginnings of a new invasion. 

 

The Knights of the Lion have been forgiven, and vow that the Hunt will never take president over defending the imperium again.

[Tiger9gamer]

So i was thinking of combat tactics the lions could do. Maybe they have taken the teachings of the Ravenwing and applied them to most of their tactics, so there can be more than one mobile element in the chapter? or maybe there is an extra battle company?

[Tiger9gamer]

Alright, slight bump to talk about Chapter tactics.

 

Combat Doctrine: The Knights of the Lion was originally created to exceed in the hunt, and as such they value the swiftness and speed of the Ravenwing. Each battle brother of the 2nd company spends months training and learning how to use the bikes they are most famous for, transforming into masters of mobile warfare. It is said the Knights of the Lion are one of the most learned chapters in the unforgiven when it comes to bikes.

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how is that? I was thinking that maybe my chapter has lost a lot of terminator armor in an unfortunate battle, and they use bikers more instead of terminators.

[Grand Master Belial]

As they were devastated fighting Nurgle, it is conceivable that some plague saw the degradation and destruction of the armor of the Knights and the Terminator armor has been the slowest to replace due to its rarity compared to power armor.

[Tiger9gamer]

that is a great idea, and I think that I can incorperate it in the battle of New Syracuse =) thank you!!

[Prefect Apollyon]

So i was thinking of combat tactics the lions could do. Maybe they have taken the teachings of the Ravenwing and applied them to most of their tactics, so there can be more than one mobile element in the chapter? or maybe there is an extra battle company?

I wouldn't bother with the highlighted. Inquisition and fellow Chapter Masters would be all over that like a rash if your Chapter has more than 1000 Marines. Black Templars and Space Wolves get away with it because they have serious political clout. Your Chapter does not (in comparison to First/Second Founded Chapters). Or am I reading that wrong and you mean you're replacing a Reserve Company?

 

The earlier is more plausible. An extra Company's worth of Ravenwing. Emphasis on their knightly nature.

[Tiger9gamer]

yea, in place of a reserve company =) and most definatly a psudo Ravenwing type deal.