A unique Geneseed Abnormality

[Rayanne979]

I'm working on diverse projects. One of them is a Adeptus Astartes Codex for my Homebrew Shadow Lynx Chapter (Based on the Imperial Fists).

 

I've started of with painting my first (2nd Company) models mustard yellow with purple touches and a yellow pauldron trimming.

One day i decided i'd like a grey armour better, but what to do with my first models?

 

Well... I came up with the "Homesickness" quirk, but is it believable in the 40K universe?

And what could i change or adapt to make it even better?

 

 

 

Geneseed

 

 

Organs:

The gene-seed, originating from the Imperial Fists lineage and their Primarch, has lost two of its specialized organs:

• Betcher's Gland, which allows the Marine to produce acidic spittle.

• Most Shadow Lynx are used to fight with their helmets on, as it is, in their perception, more accurate to the vision the Emperor had of the Space Marines.

• Sus-an Membrane, which allows the Marine to enter a state of suspended animation.

• The loss of the Sus-an Membrane, has posed problems on several occasions throughout the millennia. Where Space Marines from other chapter have been able to survive due to their Sus-an Membrane, Shadow Lynx have always perished in those situations.

Homesickness:

A unique quirkiness, not observed in any other chapter, is a debilitating homesickness of a small percentage of Space Marines originating from Primo Lyncis, when away from Primo Lyncis soil. This has lead to the decision to fabricate the, well known, yellow/brown paint from the actual sands of Primo Lyncis used by the 2nd Company. This solution has lead to 100% reducement in home-sickness.

Every Space Marine from Primo Lyncis who displays homesickness is placed in the 2nd Company after ascending Scout status.

Note:

Every attempt to give the Primo Lyncis sands paint any other color than yellow/brown, has resulted in failure of the mixing batch.

 

Obsessions:

Like all Space Marines of the Imperial Fists lineage, the Shadow Lynx have an obsession with conquering pain by will-power and discipline.

By praying, self-penance, meditation and training, the Shadow Lynx learn to never give up.

 

Stubbornness:

The Shadow Lynx literally refuse to die from even the gravest of wounds. Due to their sheer refusal to give up, the Shadow Lynx are able to survive wounds that would kill other Space Marines who would accept to die.

The Shadow Lynx are willing to give any and every of their lives to save others, but the one trying to kill a Shadow Lynx will pay a very very steep price.

 

Structuring and Advanced Planning:

Shadow Lynx try to plan and structure everything in advance.

But, in the heat of battle, situations cannot be planned. Shadow Lynx solve those unpredictable situations with, pre-planned battle-tactics and fearsome aggression.

 

Social:

Even more than Space Marines from other chapters, Shadow Lynx are socially awkward towards ‘normal’ people and keep even to themselves while in the company of Space Marines from other chapters, even when assigned to the Deathwatch.

One noticeable exception is the Sons of Medusa chapter. Due to both chapters ‘logical’-approaches and extensive use of bionics, both chapters have grow a mutual respect for eachother.

 

Bionics:

Shadow Lynx in general are willing to give up one or more body parts to stay alive and keep fighting, many of the most experienced battle brothers have lost multiple limbs and organs during their gruesome battles. Their extensive use of bionics have earned them the respect of the Sons of Medusa.

 

 

Inquisition:

The Inquisition keeps a close eye on the Shadow Lynx, because their overall “bordering-on-extreme" obsessive behavior could be the result of mutation.

But as long as part of the obsession is the absolute devotion to the Emperor of Man in prayers and even more in their fiercely fighting skills, the possibility of further investigation is overlooked.

 

[Bjorn Firewalker]

What do you mean by "homesickness"? A desire to return to the planet they were born on or recruited from?

 

How will this trait effect them on a campaign? Will it grant them exceptional navigational skills, allowing their ships to reach a planet sooner, because they can sense the planet that is "home", and thus, orient themselves better? Or will their "homesickness" pose a potentially fatal distraction on a campaign, because they want to "go home" instead of staying on the field to fight it out?

 

WHY do they have this trait? Did the AdMech modify the gene-seed so the Marines could serve as Navigators in a pinch? Or did a warp entity from the Marines' home planet somehow influence the people the Chapter recruits from? (You KNOW the Inquisition will ask that question. If the Inquisitors don't get an acceptable answer, your Chapter will be declared "Excommunicate Traitoris", and promptly purged.)

[Tyriks]

I think it could work but you might want to rephrase it. Homesickness is something a regular human can overcome easily so it seems out of place. Maybe the sus an membrane (or a different organ) is there but didn't work well away from their native home so the afflicted coat their armor in soil and fill the suit with their atmo to compensate. This could be caused by something on their home that acts as a catalyst for the organ.

 

Or just pull a DA and say some companies/units use different heraldry.

[Rayanne979]

What do you mean by "homesickness"? A desire to return to the planet they were born on or recruited from?

 

 

No, it's not really just a desire to go home. It has to be more debilitating than that. Something that really affects their combat efficienty. like panic, depression, pain in their joints, headache, dizzyness... I haven't figured it out yet.

 

Only a small percentage of recruits from Primo Lyncis has that problem. (I haven't mentioned that in the OP. sorry)

 

Maybe a 'defect' in the Lymans Ear ?? That causes them extreme dizzyness when away from Primo Lyncis? or is that to obvious / simple ?

 

Like the Space Wolves, the recruits from Primo Lyncis (the chapter homeworld) have a few very minor mutations like elongated K9's (I haven't mentioned that in the OP. sorry)

I hoped to be able to 'sneak' a unique quirk in there to explain the mustard yellow color.

 

I think it could work but you might want to rephrase it. Homesickness is something a regular human can overcome easily so it seems out of place. Maybe the sus an membrane (or a different organ) is there but didn't work well away from their native home so the afflicted coat their armor in soil and fill the suit with their atmo to compensate. This could be caused by something on their home that acts as a catalyst for the organ.

 

That is a really good, more in depth explanation of their affliction.

 

With the previous mentioned 'defect' in the Lymans Ear. It could cause things like dizzyness, when the recruits from Primo Lyncis have an extreme attunement to their homeplanet, in the form of atmosphere, planetary magnetic field, crystals on the planet etc.

 

Would something like that work?

 

How will this trait effect them on a campaign? Will it grant them exceptional navigational skills, allowing their ships to reach a planet sooner, because they can sense the planet that is "home", and thus, orient themselves better? Or will their "homesickness" pose a potentially fatal distraction on a campaign, because they want to "go home" instead of staying on the field to fight it out?

 

The exceptional navigational skill, is something i hadn't thought of. If it isn't too much quirkyness i'd like to use that.

 

The "master of the fleet" is the Captain of the 4th company, but the 2nd Company (with the mutation) is the "Rapid Response" Company. So it could work. Thank you.

 

WHY do they have this trait? Did the AdMech modify the gene-seed so the Marines could serve as Navigators in a pinch? Or did a warp entity from the Marines' home planet somehow influence the people the Chapter recruits from? (You KNOW the Inquisition will ask that question. If the Inquisitors don't get an acceptable answer, your Chapter will be declared "Excommunicate Traitoris", and promptly purged.) 

 

I thought it up as a minor mutation in the genes of a few percent of the recruits from Primo Lyncis. along with elongated K9's.

Just like the Space Wolves that have elongated K9's, excessive hairgrow, better sense of smell, etc.

I know the First Founding Chapters have a lot more leisure towards mutations than a 20th founding chapter.

But the later Chapters have more mutations, so it's like a vicious circle.

 

In essence what i'm trying to find is an acceptable genetic 'excuse' for the deviation in the 2nd company without getting them killed by the Inquisition.

Altought the Inquisition would keep a close eye on them, which in response makes the Chapter fight fiercer and try to prove themselves even more loyal to the Emperor.

 

Or just pull a DA and say some companies/units use different heraldry. 

 

Only when all else fails ;-) lol

[Zhiv]

Hate to be spoilsport but most of issues with body reacting to 'other worlds' would be best solved within the armor, be it atmosphere, radiation, even visual (enter yellow tinted HUD) without having a need to paint the armor differently. 

 

Alternative explanation could be that the colors are worn as badge of merit. Maybe 2nd company did something courageous in the past, earning the right to wear different colors in honor of [enter nice explanation].

 

I feel like, IF there was a notable genetic difference in a group of marines that caused them to behave differently, they would be organized much like Death Company, a structure outside regular companies with the idea that all companies can be assumed to perform in an identical manner.

[Conn Eremon]

I rather agree with Zhiv, that introducing different colors for the 2nd Company as a badge of particular merit seems more reasonable than the suggested gene-seed quirk.

 

I think there are ways that you can incorporate homesickness into the Chapter, but I feel like it'd be best left to a cultural quirk rather than a genetic one. Or even make it a mechanical or procedural quirk, such as an error within their hypno-indoctrination routines. New recruits go through the routine, and part of it perhaps instills a sense of loyalty reverence for the Chapter's home world, especially if not all recruits originate from that world. 40k is well known for its degenerative technologies and scientific understanding, so it'd stand to reason that such a procedure might not always work perfectly. Perhaps it is not uncommon for your Chapter's recruits to leave hypno-indoctrination with a compulsive longing for their world, that might even lead to paranoia over its security and safety.

 

Perhaps your Chapter finds some among their number who are under the influence of this quirk so strongly that their performances beyond the orbit of their world suffers because of it. And it is therefore forced to separate these individuals, and assign them to a specialized formation that would logically remain behind. This formation, perhaps Castellans might be a good name considering their Dornian legacy, might grow as large as a demi-company, a few squads' worth, but I wouldn't make it any larger.

 

Just an idea, do with it as you please. You could still have an inquisitive Inquisition, who might still wonder if their cultural quirk were not in truth a mutation. But I wouldn't think it would make sense to actually be a mutation. A manipulative corruption, possibly.

[Rayanne979]

Hate to be spoilsport but most of issues with body reacting to 'other worlds' would be best solved within the armor, be it atmosphere, radiation, even visual (enter yellow tinted HUD) without having a need to paint the armor differently. 

 

Alternative explanation could be that the colors are worn as badge of merit. Maybe 2nd company did something courageous in the past, earning the right to wear different colors in honor of [enter nice explanation].

 

I feel like, IF there was a notable genetic difference in a group of marines that caused them to behave differently, they would be organized much like Death Company, a structure outside regular companies with the idea that all companies can be assumed to perform in an identical manner.

omg, i've never thought of that kind of technology within the armour. I blame the Iron Man movies, lol.

You are right. Every reason for every quirk i can think of, could be solved within the armour without the need for paining it.

I'll look into the Death Company. This is the first time i've heard of it, so i'll have to read up on it :-)

Another explanation would indeed be a badge of honor.

 

 

I rather agree with Zhiv, that introducing different colors for the 2nd Company as a badge of particular merit seems more reasonable than the suggested gene-seed quirk.

 

I think there are ways that you can incorporate homesickness into the Chapter, but I feel like it'd be best left to a cultural quirk rather than a genetic one. Or even make it a mechanical or procedural quirk, such as an error within their hypno-indoctrination routines. New recruits go through the routine, and part of it perhaps instills a sense of loyalty reverence for the Chapter's home world, especially if not all recruits originate from that world. 40k is well known for its degenerative technologies and scientific understanding, so it'd stand to reason that such a procedure might not always work perfectly. Perhaps it is not uncommon for your Chapter's recruits to leave hypno-indoctrination with a compulsive longing for their world, that might even lead to paranoia over its security and safety.

 

Perhaps your Chapter finds some among their number who are under the influence of this quirk so strongly that their performances beyond the orbit of their world suffers because of it. And it is therefore forced to separate these individuals, and assign them to a specialized formation that would logically remain behind. This formation, perhaps Castellans might be a good name considering their Dornian legacy, might grow as large as a demi-company, a few squads' worth, but I wouldn't make it any larger.

 

Just an idea, do with it as you please. You could still have an inquisitive Inquisition, who might still wonder if their cultural quirk were not in truth a mutation. But I wouldn't think it would make sense to actually be a mutation. A manipulative corruption, possibly.

Your suggested fault in the hypno-conditioning would indeed create a 'dark shadowy edge' in the chapter. I like that.

I'd have to meditate on it to incorperate it in the right way into the chapter. i see potential and i see the story behind the Shadow Lynx grow. Awesome!

 

 

 

I've also been thinking.....

 

It's not a genetic quirk like in the title, but...

A while ago I've written up a nice piece of history of the chapter. Globally it looks like this:

 

* The chapter is formed and called the "Imperial Lions" (the mustard-yellow would fit with that name)

* They are space based on a Ramiles fortress

* They go out on a great crusade to find a missing Fortress Monastery on a lost world (which they could claim as their chapter homeworld)

* over the centuries they lose a lot of space marines.

* the remaining ones are split into 2 groups, with both groups thinking the other group is destroyed. (perhaps with a warp storm prohibiting communications)

* Group #1 survives on a planet and rebuilds there.

* Group #2 (including the chapter master) manages to evacuate the planet and continues the search for the fortress monastery.

* Group #2 finds the lost planet with the fortress monastery, adopts the planet (Primo Lyncis) (Lyncis=Lynx) as their homeworld

* They change their name to Shadow Lynx and their colors to grey.

* Group #1 has rebuild their strength, manage to get in space and get reabsorbed into the chapter, which now has a new name and colors.

 

 

Would this story work for the colors of the armour?

And would this work or would it be reaching?

Would the chapter master be permitted to change the name and the colors of the chapter?

Would he be permitted to take the planet as their homeworld?

(i could have an Inquisitor there if that's necessary)

 

I can imagine that if Group #1 would be chapter strength, Group #1 and Group #2, would be split up into 2 chapters.

To avoid that, how small would Group #1 need to be?

[Olis]

I've also been thinking.....

It's not a genetic quirk like in the title, but...

A while ago I've written up a nice piece of history of the chapter. Globally it looks like this:

* The chapter is formed and called the "Imperial Lions" (the mustard-yellow would fit with that name)

* They are space based on a Ramiles fortress

* They go out on a great crusade to find a missing Fortress Monastery on a lost world (which they could claim as their chapter homeworld)

* over the centuries they lose a lot of space marines.

* the remaining ones are split into 2 groups, with both groups thinking the other group is destroyed. (perhaps with a warp storm prohibiting communications)

* Group #1 survives on a planet and rebuilds there.

* Group #2 (including the chapter master) manages to evacuate the planet and continues the search for the fortress monastery.

* Group #2 finds the lost planet with the fortress monastery, adopts the planet (Primo Lyncis) (Lyncis=Lynx) as their homeworld

* They change their name to Shadow Lynx and their colors to grey.

* Group #1 has rebuild their strength, manage to get in space and get reabsorbed into the chapter, which now has a new name and colors.

Would this story work for the colors of the armour?

And would this work or would it be reaching?

Would the chapter master be permitted to change the name and the colors of the chapter?

Would he be permitted to take the planet as their homeworld?

(i could have an Inquisitor there if that's necessary)

I can imagine that if Group #1 would be chapter strength, Group #1 and Group #2, would be split up into 2 chapters.

To avoid that, how small would Group #1 need to be?

Let me first preface this with a statement - I like the idea of the Imperial Lions, the core idea of them. However, if they already use a Ramilles class star-fort as their base of operations, what need would they have of a ground based Fortress Monastery? That is, of course, if the primary motivation is to acquire the Fortress Monastery for themselves.

I think the idea needs to be refined somewhat. We need to explore why they seek out a lost fortress on a lost world. Why was the world lost? By what measure is it considered lost? Who would want it found again? Who did the Fortress Monastery belong to? How would the Imperial Lions go about finding it again?

None of those questions needs to harbour mystery or convoluted answers - put together the answers for each and the start of the story assembles itself, I think.

Saying all that, if this is to be a 'treasure hunt', a couple of centuries is a mighty long time to be looking for one thing that may or may not be found. Especially so if this is a task that the Imperial Lions are dedicating themselves to as their primary mission at the time. This can be mitigated by the details provided in answering those earlier questions but do consider that a vast time span is not needed to make such a search an epic tale.

Before I get into the separate groups and the consequences of two groups of survivors, I'd like to ask what prompts the group that became the Shadow Lynxes to abandon their original heraldry? There's a certain amount of pride to overcome (har de har) and that would only be strengthened by believing that they are the last survivors. If anything, given the events proposed, you'd end up having two 'Chapters' of Imperial Lions. The motivation for such a change will have to be strong, psychologically. This aspect, if you are willing to follow through with it, will need to be explained or at least shown to the reader.

On to the next point: Granted there can be two entities of the same Chapter that believe they are the sole survivors. That much can be easily spun. However, if both groups believe as such then it stands to reason that they would consolidate what they have and rebuild, which leads on to the size of each force - To reabsorb one group into the other, then I'd say one would have to be significantly smaller than the other. Say, one was at Chapter-strength and one only company-sized. In my mind, it would be more believable if both groups were of comparative strength (given that they had both consolidated their losses and a certain amount of time had passed) and, upon rediscovering the 'original Chapter', no amalgamation happens. This is where my previous point could be addressed logically, if you think that it would fit - now that there is two Chapters of the same name, one must change. The process may very well be long and arduous (as would any dealing with the bureaucratic forces of the Imperial Administratum) but donning new colours and adopting a new name would save both Chapters from a very damaging 'investigation' (read: purge). The alternative is a penitent crusade for over stepping the bounds set forth by the codex astartes, to whittle down the now double-strength Chapter (although the penitent crusade option would lead to your Chapter being the Imperial Lions again rather than the Shadow Lynxes*).

Oh yeah, I'd also advise separating the two groups of survivors be a reasonable distance. The galaxy is vast and the Imperium is slow to respond to unusual events. No need to make them incommunicado, imo.

So, the story, if you were to adopt my proposed revisions would go like this:

• The Imperial Lions are formed, based upon a Ramilles-class Star-fort.

• Sometime after their founding, and at the behest of [insert Imperial authority here], the chapter launches an investigation and a recovery mission of [insert Chapter here]'s abandoned Fortress Monastery and homeworld.

• The investigation takes it's toll. The warp proves decidedly difficult to navigate, smashing the Lions fleet and scattering the remaining elements. The Star-fort is destroyed.

• Two groups of survivors, believing they alone still carry the legacy of the Lions, continue the search (the group that does not change to the Lynxes finds the planet).

• Upon the rediscovery of one group of survivors by the other, one group of the Lions chooses to change their heraldry, colours and title. Imperial bureaucracy, slow to respond, ratifies the 'new' Chapter seven hundred years later.

• The new Chapter, known as the Shadow Lynxes, still retains close ties to their sister-Chapter, the Imperial Lions. The Lynxes, are gifted the 'lost' world they were originally tasked to locate, taking over the abandoned Fortress Monastery and making it their own.

Or something like that.

Now, I know I've only addressed your last questions in a very roundabout manner (hell, I might not have even answered them at all) so if you'd prefer more direct answers to them, I'd be happy to oblige.

* While I'm here - and I do realise that English is probably your second language what with coming from the Netherlands - I would humbly suggest that the Chapter be named the Shadow Lynxes, rather than the Shadow Lynx. If not for anything but to be correct grammatically.

[Rayanne979]

Let me first preface this with a statement - I like the idea of the Imperial Lions, the core idea of them. However, if they already use a Ramilles class star-fort as their base of operations, what need would they have of a ground based Fortress Monastery? That is, of course, if the primary motivation is to acquire the Fortress Monastery for themselves.

I chose of a ramilles star forge as mobile fortress monastery, because chapters like "Space Wolves" seem to have 7, if i remember correctly.

I thought, 'there might be enough of them to go around, so why not?' But... I could switch to an oversized Battle Barge if that makes more sense to the story.

I think the idea needs to be refined somewhat. We need to explore why they seek out a lost fortress on a lost world. Why was the world lost? By what measure is it considered lost? Who would want it found again? Who did the Fortress Monastery belong to? How would the Imperial Lions go about finding it again?

None of those questions needs to harbour mystery or convoluted answers - put together the answers for each and the start of the story assembles itself, I think.

I've written and thought of (most of it is still in my head, tbh) more than i've written down in that small summary :-)

The Fortress monastery was build by the Imperial Fists just before (or during) the Horus Heresy. It was lost during the Horus Heresy.

Why Dorn wanted a Resuply post there? no one knows. Those records have been lost.

Even the System name, location, planets and name of the monastery where lost.

There where scraps of information, but not much.

The Founding/First Chapter Master found out about the lost Supply Post/Fortress Monastery and committed himself and the chapter to find it.

(btw, My chapter is a later Imperial Fists/Dark Templars founding. the 20th, somewhere in the 36th millenium.

Saying all that, if this is to be a 'treasure hunt', a couple of centuries is a mighty long time to be looking for one thing that may or may not be found. Especially so if this is a task that the Imperial Lions are dedicating themselves to as their primary mission at the time. This can be mitigated by the details provided in answering those earlier questions but do consider that a vast time span is not needed to make such a search an epic tale.

What i have thought up was that they've used all that time to crusade across systems, (re)discovering planets, conquering them and search them for clues while the inhabitants where converted to the Imperial Creed (or destroyed)

Before I get into the separate groups and the consequences of two groups of survivors, I'd like to ask what prompts the group that became the Shadow Lynxes to abandon their original heraldry? There's a certain amount of pride to overcome (har de har) and that would only be strengthened by believing that they are the last survivors. If anything, given the events proposed, you'd end up having two 'Chapters' of Imperial Lions. The motivation for such a change will have to be strong, psychologically. This aspect, if you are willing to follow through with it, will need to be explained or at least shown to the reader.

On to the next point: Granted there can be two entities of the same Chapter that believe they are the sole survivors. That much can be easily spun. However, if both groups believe as such then it stands to reason that they would consolidate what they have and rebuild, which leads on to the size of each force - To reabsorb one group into the other, then I'd say one would have to be significantly smaller than the other. Say, one was at Chapter-strength and one only company-sized. In my mind, it would be more believable if both groups were of comparative strength (given that they had both consolidated their losses and a certain amount of time had passed) and, upon rediscovering the 'original Chapter', no amalgamation happens. This is where my previous point could be addressed logically, if you think that it would fit - now that there is two Chapters of the same name, one must change. The process may very well be long and arduous (as would any dealing with the bureaucratic forces of the Imperial Administratum) but donning new colours and adopting a new name would save both Chapters from a very damaging 'investigation' (read: purge). The alternative is a penitent crusade for over stepping the bounds set forth by the codex astartes, to whittle down the now double-strength Chapter (although the penitent crusade option would lead to your Chapter being the Imperial Lions again rather than the Shadow Lynxes*).

Oh yeah, I'd also advise separating the two groups of survivors be a reasonable distance. The galaxy is vast and the Imperium is slow to respond to unusual events. No need to make them incommunicado, imo.

So, the story, if you were to adopt my proposed revisions would go like this:

• The Imperial Lions are formed, based upon a Ramilles-class Star-fort.

• Sometime after their founding, and at the behest of [insert Imperial authority here], the chapter launches an investigation and a recovery mission of [insert Chapter here]'s abandoned Fortress Monastery and homeworld.

• The investigation takes it's toll. The warp proves decidedly difficult to navigate, smashing the Lions fleet and scattering the remaining elements. The Star-fort is destroyed.

• Two groups of survivors, believing they alone still carry the legacy of the Lions, continue the search (the group that does not change to the Lynxes finds the planet).

• Upon the rediscovery of one group of survivors by the other, one group of the Lions chooses to change their heraldry, colours and title. Imperial bureaucracy, slow to respond, ratifies the 'new' Chapter seven hundred years later.

• The new Chapter, known as the Shadow Lynxes, still retains close ties to their sister-Chapter, the Imperial Lions. The Lynxes, are gifted the 'lost' world they were originally tasked to locate, taking over the abandoned Fortress Monastery and making it their own.

Or something like that.

Your idea makes more sense than mine. I like your ideas.

Keeping the name Imperial Lions untill the 2 groups (chapters) meet again and then let them split up into 2 chapters thus creating 2 chapters. Imperial Lions & Shadow Lynx.

Now, I know I've only addressed your last questions in a very roundabout manner (hell, I might not have even answered them at all) so if you'd prefer more direct answers to them, I'd be happy to oblige.

* While I'm here - and I do realise that English is probably your second language what with coming from the Netherlands - I would humbly suggest that the Chapter be named the Shadow Lynxes, rather than the Shadow Lynx. If not for anything but to be correct grammatically.

Are you sure? I've only checked on the Lynx page of Wikipedia and it told me that Lynx and Lynxes are both correct.

I'm in no way questioning your knowledge of grammar.

I'll accept defeat if i'm wrong and even apologize for questioning your knowledge, but i'm very curious.... Is it a typo/fault in Wikipedia?

A lynx (/ˈlɪŋks/; plural lynx or lynxes) is any of the four species within the Lynx genus of medium-sized wild cats, which includes the bobcat. The name "lynx" originated in Middle English via Latin from the Greek word λύγξ,^%5B2%5D derived from the Indo-European root leuk- ("light, brightness")^%5B4%5D in reference to the luminescence of its reflective eyes.^%5B4%5D

Neither the caracal, sometimes called the desert lynx, nor the jungle cat, called the jungle lynx, is a member of the Lynx genus.

[Olis]

Let me first preface this with a statement - I like the idea of the Imperial Lions, the core idea of them. However, if they already use a Ramilles class star-fort as their base of operations, what need would they have of a ground based Fortress Monastery? That is, of course, if the primary motivation is to acquire the Fortress Monastery for themselves.

I chose of a ramilles star forge as mobile fortress monastery, because chapters like "Space Wolves" seem to have 7, if i remember correctly.

I thought, 'there might be enough of them to go around, so why not?' But... I could switch to an oversized Battle Barge if that makes more sense to the story.

A Ramilles-class Star-fort is fine, you don't need to get rid of it. I just wanted to know what the need of the whole quest for the fortress monastery was besides setting things up so that the Shadow Lynxes had a place to call home. It felt like it needed a definite reason, a realistic cause for the mission rather than something added that was convenient.

Saying all that, if this is to be a 'treasure hunt', a couple of centuries is a mighty long time to be looking for one thing that may or may not be found. Especially so if this is a task that the Imperial Lions are dedicating themselves to as their primary mission at the time. This can be mitigated by the details provided in answering those earlier questions but do consider that a vast time span is not needed to make such a search an epic tale.

What i have thought up was that they've used all that time to crusade across systems, (re)discovering planets, conquering them and search them for clues while the inhabitants where converted to the Imperial Creed (or destroyed)

A brief point of order here - Space marines aren't really predisposed to conquering planets after the Heresy. While they can do it, they're supposed to be used for surgical strikes, limited resource missions, purges and the like. I think it might sound better if the Imperial Guard were involved. They are the ones that do the tedious stuff like conquering places and garrisoning worlds brought back into the fold. Of course, by doing that, we're expanding the scope of the 'investigation' into a proper crusade, so you might be inclined just to omit the conquering part altogether and save the hassle.

* While I'm here - and I do realise that English is probably your second language what with coming from the Netherlands - I would humbly suggest that the Chapter be named the Shadow Lynxes, rather than the Shadow Lynx. If not for anything but to be correct grammatically.

Are you sure? I've only checked on the Lynx page of Wikipedia and it told me that Lynx and Lynxes are both correct.

I'm in no way questioning your knowledge of grammar.

I'll accept defeat if i'm wrong and even apologize for questioning your knowledge, but i'm very curious.... Is it a typo/fault in Wikipedia?

A lynx (/ˈlɪŋks/; plural lynx or lynxes) is any of the four species within the Lynx genus of medium-sized wild cats, which includes the bobcat. The name "lynx" originated in Middle English via Latin from the Greek word λύγξ,^%5B2%5D derived from the Indo-European root leuk- ("light, brightness")^%5B4%5D in reference to the luminescence of its reflective eyes.^%5B4%5D

Neither the caracal, sometimes called the desert lynx, nor the jungle cat, called the jungle lynx, is a member of the Lynx genus.

Indeed 'Lynx' can be the plural as well as the singular. However, and this is personal opinion, given that we have examples such as Wolf --> Wolves in canon I think using 'Lynxes' would fit in better seeing as 'Lynx' is regularly used as the singular term. Like I said, it's just my opinion - I happen to like 'Lynxes' over 'Lynx' in this case. As with all DIY Chapters, it's your creation so my suggestion is to be ignored or used as you see fit.

Incidentally, I'd be wary of trusting a publicly edited source of knowledge, which covers pretty much any wiki site, including Lexicanum. But that's more general advice than is really needed here.

[Conn Eremon]

For the name, I agree with Olis that Lynxes is better. In writing, it'd help distinguish when you're referring to them in the singular, a Shadow Lynx Company, and in the plural, the Shadow Lynxes Chapter.

 

I personally prefer "Lynx" for both singular and plural, because saying "Lynxes" puts me in mind of Gollum and his Hobbitses. So I'd understand if you kept just "Lynx."

 

As for the Ramilies Star Fort + Fortress-Monastery, I think it'd be better to just not call it a Fortress-Monastery because of the baggage the term comes with. It's a resupply post, an ancient citadel, a waystation, so on and so forth, but not a Fortress-Monastery. When one of the splinterings is ratified as its own, unique Chapter, then the term Fortress-Monastery would feel more appropriate for the structure. 

 

Adding onto Olis' comment about Space Marines and the conquest of worlds, it really is helpful to the article to include other Imperial institutions. While this is the Shadow Lynxes' history, it helps put them into context when you tie them to the wider Imperium and its many aspects. Rather than hear how the Chapter conquered a world, it'd be more interesting to hear about the Chapter's role in assisting with the conquest of a world.

[Rayanne979]

What i've come up with....

 

I'm not sure if it's any good, tbh

(yes, i'm inseccure about my writing :-))

 

(The layout looks better in the Codex Historica Eventuum)

 

027.M36 - 212.M36

It was decided that the 20th founding would spawn a successor of the <Redacted>.

Several sources have named the Black Templars as the founding chapter instead of the Imperial Fists.

The Chapter is given the name “Imperial Lions”.

Captain Victor Arcturus received the honor of becoming the first chapter master.

Note: Captain Victor Arcturus’ records have the status “Expunged from Library” at the Imperial Fists Library and nobody seems to personally know who he is.

There is a Captain Vincent Arcturon mentioned in the Black Templars library, although his records have been sealed.

Preparations for the founding would commence.

 

 

028.M36 - 053.M36

The infrastructure for the founding of the new chapter was build and completed.

An arrangement was made with the Imperial Fists that the new chapter could use Terra as a recruiting world until a suitable world was found.

Until that time, the chapter would remain space based.

A Ramilles Star Fort was requisitioned and granted. The name of the Star Fort would be “Arkinon”.

 

 

053.M36 - 168.M36

Cultivating of geneseeds.

 

 

168.M36 - 174.M36

Starting of training the first scouts under the tutelage of the Imperial Fists.

 

 

212.M36

First “Solo” crusade planned and executed by the Imperial Lions.

 

 

302.M36 - 327.M36

The ruling chapter master, Victor Arcturus Prime, becomes aware of a small shred of information speaking of a long abandoned and thus forgotten ancient "Imperial Fists Legion" resupply post.

He starts looking for clues about the location. 

The scrolls doesn’t name a planet, nor a location. Not even a name is given.

All it basically says, that it was build and abandoned just before the Horus Heresy.

Chapter Master Victor Arcturus Prime makes a commitment to find the lost planet and it’s Resupply Post.

After a lengthy audience with the Chapter Masters of the Imperial Fists, Executioners and Black Templars, and lengthy inquiries with the Librarians of all three chapters, Victor Arcturus Prime believes to have solved the riddle.

 

 

327.M36 - 698.M37

 

 

327.M36

Victor Arcturus Prime organises and starts a Crusade with the entire chapter, a detachment from the Adepta sororitas “Argent Shroud” and a large force of Imperial Forces, to find the missing Resupply Post.

 

 

327.M36 - 698.M37 “Lost Assets Crusade”

Hundreds of worlds are rediscovered by the Imperial Forces with the help of the Imperial Lions.

Are combed for clues by the librarians and their serfs and brought back in the fold by the Argent Shroud.

 

New welps are recruited from every encountered world, but the Crusade is putting a tremendous strain on the chapter.

 

635.M36

Victor Arcturus Prime  dies, before Summerset and the Resupply Post are found.

His successor is Gabriel Raynor who takes on the full name Gabriel Raynor Prime.

 

268.M37

Gabriel Raynor Prime  dies.

His successor is Artimus Prime. Artimus Prime’s name before he became chapter master is unknown.

 

589.M37-596.M37

The “Imperial Lions” decide to build a keep on a small planet called “Talin” to strengthen their numbers.

The keep is quickly build and facilities are prepared to train new recruits.

 

596.M37

Talin and the keep are attacked by a huge Dark Eldar force. The Imperial Forces that are in orbit are destroyed quickly. After which the Dark Eldar resort to Orbital Bombardment of the planet.

The Imperial Lions have no other choice than to evacuate.

 

At one time the chapter is split in 2 forces.

The Chapter Master, about 250 space marines and 3 captains who try to escape in their ships.

The 3rd Company Captain, a few apothecaries and about 80 space marines in the keep on the planet which is bombarded.

 

The Chapter Master comes to the conclusion that the Space Marines in the Keep have perished and orders the remainder of the fleet to escape.

 

 

609.M37

The Space Marine numbers under command of the Chapter Master, have dwindled rapidly.

In time, Chapter size is reduced to 235 Space Marines with 3 Captains.

Fortunately the chapter has gathered over 400 Scouts.

 

The Chapter Strategies are revised, perfected and bundled in the “Tome of Crusades”.  

 

After the reorganisation and with the “Tome of Crusades” as guide, the chapter manages to survive and even thrive.

 

 

698.M37

The planet Primo Lyncis is (re-)discovered.

On that planet the last pieces of the mystery are discovered and the location of Keep Maximus, the lost Imperial Fists, Resupply Post, is uncovered.

The knowledge of any found relics, artefacts or archeotech at the fortress is a closely guarded secret of the chapter.

The chapter takes Primo Lyncis as homeworld, alltough the Chapter still uses the “Arkinon” as their Fortress Monastery.

Note: The humans on Primo Lyncis have two few minor mutations, which are deemed non-dangerous by the Inquisition.

The mutations are:

Elongated K-9 teeth.

Slightly enhanced natural night vision.

 

 

 

821.M37

An unknown “Imperial Lions” fleet arrives in the Evelynn System and takes orbit around Primo Lyncis.

It turns out that the Imperial Lions who were presumed to have perished in the keep on Talin, have survived.

After a long seclusion to rebuild the chapter, the Imperial Lions took to space to continue the search and found another Imperial Lions Chapter.

The decision is made by both Chapter Masters that reuniting the chapter is not possible. They will have to split into two chapters.

With the combined forces of both Imperial Lions chapters Keep Maximus is expanded, rebuild and refit into Fortress Maximus.

Chapter Master <redacted> of the”Primo Lyncis” Imperial Lions, who were already stationed on Primo Lyncis, will change their name to Shadow Lynx, with a new color scheme.

They will also take up residence in Fortress Maximus.

Chapter Master Davin of the “Talin” Imperial Lions will keep their original name and colors.

They will take up residence in their new Mobile Fortress Monastery, the Ramilles Star Fortress “Arkinon”.

 

It will take a loooong time before all the changes have been processed in the Imperial Archives.

[Rayanne979]

For the name, I agree with Olis that Lynxes is better. In writing, it'd help distinguish when you're referring to them in the singular, a Shadow Lynx Company, and in the plural, the Shadow Lynxes Chapter.

 

I personally prefer "Lynx" for both singular and plural, because saying "Lynxes" puts me in mind of Gollum and his Hobbitses. So I'd understand if you kept just "Lynx."

 

As for the Ramilies Star Fort + Fortress-Monastery, I think it'd be better to just not call it a Fortress-Monastery because of the baggage the term comes with. It's a resupply post, an ancient citadel, a waystation, so on and so forth, but not a Fortress-Monastery. When one of the splinterings is ratified as its own, unique Chapter, then the term Fortress-Monastery would feel more appropriate for the structure. 

 

Adding onto Olis' comment about Space Marines and the conquest of worlds, it really is helpful to the article to include other Imperial institutions. While this is the Shadow Lynxes' history, it helps put them into context when you tie them to the wider Imperium and its many aspects. Rather than hear how the Chapter conquered a world, it'd be more interesting to hear about the Chapter's role in assisting with the conquest of a world.

 

omg the Hobbits! i haven't even thought of the Hobbits! lol

 

Shadow Lynx sounds better than Shadow Lynxes in my opinion.

"Shadow Lynx" also sounds like "Shadow Links" which sounds a bit sinister / darkly.

 

I've included a large army of Imperial Forces and even the Adepta Sororitas.

 

Have i emphasised / weaved them enought into the story thus far?