IA - Legion of the Iron Lions (LASC 2019)

[jbaeza94]

New changes reflected in 1st post. they are as follows:

 

• Added chapter scheme, along with revised chapter badge
• old chapter badge is personal heraldry of Razgriz
• Added helmet schemes for SGT's, LT's, Centurions, and Legion Guard

Next Step:

• expand legion and the unforgiven section
• expand on Iron/Lion Wing organization and roles

[jbaeza94]

New changes reflected in 1st post. they are as follows

• added background on Iron/Lion Wing
• reorganization of 1st post, trying to add fluidity

​Next Step:

• The Chaplaincy 
• The Legion Guard
• The Centurions
• Revise Legion and the Unforgiven

​

 

All input welcome! 

[jbaeza94]

 

Ive created a battle doctrine for the chapter. let me know what you think.

 

 

Always steadily on the advance, the Legion eradicates their foes with accurate and deadly fire.  As one squad lays down fire, the other will advance. Before their foes can realize what has happened, the astartes of the Legion are upon them. With blades drawn, the legionnaires eradicate their enemies. 

The legionnaires of the Iron Lion have developed an affinity for the spear, for the flamer, and for the plasma weapon in order to fight their most hated foe, the green tide. Close combat squads march into battle with chain spears and wrist mounted bolters and flamers. Tactical and hellblaster squads armed with plasma weaponry aim to take down ork nobs and bosses. Contemptor and redemptor dreadnoughts storm into the maelstrom of battle unleashing a hail of fire and plasma into the ramshackle vehicles of the orks.  However, on occasion when facing a large Waahg, support will be needed. They call upon their unique ally, Magos Explorator Reslpo Telfa. The Magos has been known to bring the full might of his fleet, which includes a Knight Host and a warhound pack, upon the enemies of the Iron Lions.  As such, not even the mighty stompa can against the combine might of the two armies. 

[Bjorn Firewalker]

Close combat squads march into battle with chain spears and wrist mounted bolters and flamers.

Spears are thrusting weapons, while chainblades are slashing weapons; I think you mean "power spears." Wrist-mounted weapons are a good idea, freeing both hands to wield a spear; but they're relatively rare in the Imperium as well as in-game, meaning you'll have to kitbash your own wrist-mounted weapons, or buy lots of Grey Knights and Vulkan He'stan models (and spending a lot of time removing Grey Knights and Salamanders Chapter icons from them).

[jbaeza94]

Maybe chain spear is not the right word. Below is a link to what I'll be using for my assault marines. I want a spear like item, but still be able to say, this is a chainsword for wysiwyg purposes. After seeing what the night lords called theirs, maybe chain glaive will be a more appropriate name.

 

https://www.shapeways.com/product/B82VN99J6/roto-spear-draco?optionId=65463194

 

I have quite a few sanguinary guard arms with wrist mounted bolters, count as bolt pistols, and 2 wrist mounted plasma, got a good deal on Ebay. If i need more, i think I'll just be adding bolt pistols to the forearm. The flamer will be a little harder to model, i think ill be getting combi flamer tops for that one.

[Deus-Naps Immortalis]

Maybe chain spear is not the right word. Below is a link to what I'll be using for my assault marines. I want a spear like item, but still be able to say, this is a chainsword for wysiwyg purposes. After seeing what the night lords called theirs, maybe chain glaive will be a more appropriate name.

 

https://www.shapeways.com/product/B82VN99J6/roto-spear-draco?optionId=65463194

 

Looking at the picture, it seems like it would be a power glaive and a chainsword combo. Seems a little pointless to have both on one weapon. A powered weapon sheathes the entire blade in an energy field, disrupting solid matter. Chainswords on the other hand are best used against lightly armoured targets. Why have the chainsword when the powered glaive-head does the same thing, other things, and does them all better? Just food for thought.

[Bjorn Firewalker]

Call them "chainglaives" or "chainscythes"?

[jbaeza94]

 

 

Maybe chain spear is not the right word. Below is a link to what I'll be using for my assault marines. I want a spear like item, but still be able to say, this is a chainsword for wysiwyg purposes. After seeing what the night lords called theirs, maybe chain glaive will be a more appropriate name.

 

https://www.shapeways.com/product/B82VN99J6/roto-spear-draco?optionId=65463194

 

Looking at the picture, it seems like it would be a power glaive and a chainsword combo. Seems a little pointless to have both on one weapon. A powered weapon sheathes the entire blade in an energy field, disrupting solid matter. Chainswords on the other hand are best used against lightly armoured targets. Why have the chainsword when the powered glaive-head does the same thing, other things, and does them all better? Just food for thought.

I understand the logic behind the weapon is not there. This weapon design is falling more on the rule of cool than anything.

 

I also feel the chainblade part makes it a good enough proxy for tabletop purposes, which is important to me. Additionally, they wouldn't be painted as power weapons (you know, the traditional black-blue-white transitions with some lighting most people use), just standard metal that astartes use for their knives. With added chain teeth of course. Actual power glaives, while being of a similar and toothless design, will have the traditional power blade paint scheme to make them clearly visible and distinguishable. Below is the power glaive design I'd be using.

https://www.shapeways.com/product/CVKG2NDJD/energy-spear-draco?optionId=65300809

 

 

Brother Bjorn, i think i will go with the name chainglaive moving forward. I am calling them all glaives in fact. the long blade used for slashing disqualifies it from being a spear ha.

[jbaeza94]

With C: SM out, ive decided to start thinking of ways to represent the lions with chapter tactics! 

 

no power gaming here, just fluffy rules. id like to represent the melee and flame/plasma prowess. other things that could be represented is their affinity for bionics and hatred of orks. here are a few ideas.

 

preferred enemy: orks.  simple and straightforward, reroll failed melee hits on the charge/charged/heroic intervention

 

duelist. 6s auto wound. shows how the lions are great at close combat. would use when not fighting orks

 

warded. 5+ fnp vs mw. bionics make marines harder to kill. inspired by iron hands

 

stalwart. ignore unmodified rolls of 1 and 2. again, bionics making marines harder to kill. 

 

long range marksman. +3" to weapon range. adds a little more to rapid fire range, and makes flamers a deadly 12 in range. fluffy for the sake of fire.

 

 

i think a good combo would be preferred enemy: orks and long range marksman. it fits into my battle doctrine that i had written up. 

 

another combo would be duelist and stalwart. shows the ability to fight and deadliness of a pole arm, while bionic augmentation adds a slightly to the  survivability to the individual. 

 

 

thoughts?

[Bjorn Firewalker]

Preferred Enemy (Orks) is probably acceptable, though other players may judge it overspecialized. Duelist seems fine.

 

Warded is too similar to the Iron Hands' The Flesh Is Weak. You should emphasize the Iron Lions are Lion El'Jonson's sons, not Ferrus Manus'. Stalwart is probably acceptable, though a more dramatic name is likely desirable- maybe "Iron Will, Leonine Determination"?

 

Long Range Marksman seems like cheating. Best limit its applications to certain weapons, e.g., allow certain units (Vehicles in addition to Infantry and Jump Infantry) to use "extended range boltshells" and "heavy boltshells" that increase bolt pistol, boltgun, storm bolter range by 6" (IIRC, those weapons use the same ammo, with the pistol range limited due to its lack of a shoulder stock to stabilize the shooter's firing position); Absolver bolt pistol, assault bolter, and boltstorm gauntlets' ranged attack by 6"; heavy bolter range by 12". Explain to other players doing so increases the units' point values.

[jbaeza94]

I see what you mean about PE: Orks. Duelist seems fair enough, and applicable to everyone. i would much rather take a melee speciality for the chapter vs a shooting one, since i feel it fits the chapter better.

 

Stalwart is my preferred between it and warded. i really like the fluff bit for it:

How does one defeat warriors whose willpower and determination are so ferocious that they can shrug off even the most catastrophic injuries and keep on fighting?

it kind of reminds me of the Grim Resolve wording:

The stalwart descendants of the Lion are renowned for their unshakeable resolve, enduring tenacity, and strict fire discipline.

 

Although not exactly the same, it speaks to the character of all Unforgiven. The Iron Lions are steady in their advance, their augmented bodies as enduring as their resolve.

 

I like the idea of "Iron Will, Leonine Determination". With some tweaks, i would like it to represent the chapter tactic as a whole, instead of just the stalwart half of it. similar to how the other chapters have Grim Resolve, Siege Masters, No Matter the Odds, etc represent the whole chapter tactic. Names could be:

Iron Will, Leonine Determination

Iron Resolve, Leonine Ferocity

Blessing of Iron, Fury of the Lion

The chapter motto, Honour the Legion

 

thanks alot for the help Bjorn and suggestions.

[Bjorn Firewalker]

How about a Special Rule in which, when a certain unit loses a Wound, this unit's Attack and Movement stats increase +1 until the game ends, to represent this unit's refusal to die before completing the mission? (I'm taking inspiration from Lemartes' Special Rules in a previous edition Codex: Blood Angels, but replacing his increased Strength with increased Movement.)

[jbaeza94]

late reply isnt it? but with the start of the new event, its the perfect time to get back into it!

 

as far as special rules go, i really do like your suggestion for the special rule, that seems like a rule fitting for the Legion Guard. the Legion Guard are Lord Razgriz personal retinue/body guards. It could be used to represent the will to protect the chapter master at all costs, and to eliminate those who offend the honour of the chapter. as of now, the honour guard consists of the following

Mesokshun, Spear of Liamane, Legion Champion with power spear and shield

Azziukug, Ancient of the Legion, banner bearer, underslung plasma rifle on right arm

Rendulaiz, The Revenant, Sergeant, personal title received after rubicon, phobos armor, heavy bolt pistol and power sword

Grishkis, Warden of Razgriz, Apothecary with chain glaive and pistol

Imicx Etev, The Cirilian, Techmarine, personal title due to coming from Forge World Cirilia and not Invictumos like most Iron Lions, power axe, bolt pistol, plasma cutter, flamer, servo arm. 

[jbaeza94]

The Legion Guard Pt. 1

 

To be Legion Guard is to embody the honour of the Legion. They bear the colors of both Cohort Ferrum and Cohort Leonus upon their shoulders, foregoing battlefield role designators on their right pauldron, instead having a second sigil of the Legion emblazoned upon their shoulder. On their helmets, 2 bold stripes in the colors of the cohorts run down the entirety of the helmet. The armories of Liamane are open to the Legion Guard, having access to weapons and relics that even centurions may be denied access to. The Legion Guard have two purposes, preserve the life of the Master of the Legion, and to preserve the honour of the Legion. Unmatched in combat within the Legion, very few foes ever even have the opportunity to attempt to harm their lord.

 

While other chapters draw their champions and honour guards from line troops, the legionnaires of the Legion Guard descend from all offices and roles. Chaplains, librarians, apothecaries, no office is beyond the reach of the Legion Guard.

 

 Mesokshun, the Spear of Liamane

The Champion of the Legion, Mesokshun is the premier duelist of the Legion. As a neophyte, he was unmatched by his peers, and was able to best many of his masters. Once he ascended to a full legionnaire, his martial prowess was quickly noted, and his ascension to Champion of the Century was all but inevitable. He served as Champion for the 6^th Century for only a decade, before he challenged the former Champion of the Legion for the role. His affinity with the spear was unprecedented and after hours of dueling, Mesokshun was able to best his opponent,  becoming both the youngest legionnaire of the Legion Guard, and only legionnaire to not serve in the 1^st or 2^nd century before serving in the Legion Guard. Mesokshun marches into battle with the Aegis of Caliban, a relic storm shield gifted to the Legion upon its founding, and Harbinger, a power spear gifted to the legion by the Night Stalkers space marine chapter in M36.

 

Azziukug, the Ancient of the Legion

The Standard Bearer of the Legion, Azziukug is one of the most revered legionaries. The oldest legionnaire of all the Iron Lions, Azziukug is not to be underestimated. His centuries of knowledge make him a formidable tactician, and any centurion would be wise to consider his words carefully, especially when he disagrees. Azziukug served in many prestigious leadership roles, from sergeant of the Iron Guard, to lieutenant of the Iron Wing and Centurion of the 4th Century. He gave up his leadership position to serve in the Legion Guard upon the demise of the previous Standard Bearer of the Legion, and took up the mantle himself, seeing it as a more honorable position to serve. Azziukug marches into battle with a tight grip upon the Banner of Invictumos, and Fury of the Sun, a heavily modified plasma rifle slung under his arm, the badge of his office.

[Ace Debonair]

Well, I just read through the first post (and the most recent couple too just to make sure I'd not missed any updates), and I have to say, I like the sound of the Legion so far.

 

I'd quite like to know more about Invictumos, though!

 

Are the people there specialists in anti-ork warfare?

What sort of trials do potential recruits have to go through to join the Chapter?

 

Also, just one tiny typo that jumped out at me - the first sentence in the Origins section says "The War of the Beats" rather than "The War of the Beast".

[jbaeza94]

you dont remember the war of the beats? the whole of holy terra in attendance to the greatest dj battle of all times! haha ill fix that in a bit.

 

as far as invictumos, i made a space image based on a theoretical mars with water. looks cool i think. ha. ill drop some new knowledge here. ill write everything all nice and proper and place it in the main post later. 

 

Invictumos is a planet nicely vegetated planet, with wetlands being the primary biome found. the majority of the planet is covered in water, with a single massive main continent. it has 2 moons, that have no name/purpose/lore at this time. theyre a recent addition when i was creating the planet image. Liamane is the capital, and the fortress monastery of the Legion of the Iron Lions is plopped right in the center of it. the cities are all protected by great walls and manned at all times. it is dangerous  to traverse the outside the cities, both feral beast and orks abide in the wild. 

 

Invictumos was colonized during the peak of humanity, but after the men of iron took their toll upon humanity, invictumos was ravaged by destruction and humanity regressed technologically. during my initial creation 4 years ago, i thought of calling it the day the stars fell, but im not sure if ill keep the name or not. during the age of strife, the planet faced down feral orks time and time again. they became good at repelling the the attacks that came around every century or so. some time later, a fleet hailing from Forge World Cirilia arrived at the planet. Cirilia and Invictumos became trade partners, sharing knowldege, resouces, and culture. and so for millennia, the two coesxisted peacefully, and Cirilia introduced the machine cult to Invictumos, which they embraced to an extent. 

due to being at constant war with orks, Invictumos developed a strong martial culture, and the planets military named the Lions of the Emperor, was formed. many of these soldiers took to augmenting their bodies heavily to increase their strength and reflexes in order to better fight off the orks, who with each century, were becoming stronger and stronger. 

enter the great crusade. large men in black armor descended upon Invictumos demanding they bow to the emperor of mankind, but invictumos already had an emperor. the legions of Lions fought valiantly against the opressors, but ultimately lost, and compliance was forced.

following compliance, the ork problem olnly got worse. waaaghs would begin appearing instead of just bands of feral orks. the presence of strong orks on Invictumos would draw small fleets of orks to the planet for battle. 

enter the war of the beast and the 4th founding. forces dedicated to destroying powerful waaaghs were required. Invictumos was selected to produce mighty Astartes that would specialize in bringing orks to their knees. 

Many of the Lions of the Emperor's traditions and structure was adopted by the Astartes. The chapter is seen as a fellow Legion within the Lions of the Emperor, and even call their human counterparts fellow legionnaires. 

 

i have never thought about how trials work, or how initiates are selected. ill have to think of something. 

[jbaeza94]

The Cohorts of the Legion

The Legion is divided into two self-sustaining cohorts, consisting of 6 centuries of 100 troops. Cohort Leonus bears scarlet shoulders and consists of the 6 odd numbered centuries, while Cohort Ferrum bears black shoulders and consists of the 6 even numbered centuries. The1st and 2nd centuries are the veteran centuries of the Legion, while the 11th and 12th centuries are the dedicated reconnaissance and training centuries, or the Vanguard. Cohort Ferrum consists entirely of Primaris Marines, except for the dreadnoughts who were interred prior to the reorganization of the Legion, while Cohort Leonus consists entirely of the Old Guard.

The two cohorts bring most of their strength to bear every time they engage with the enemy, creating an overwhelming amount of force applied quickly, leading to the quick destruction of the enemy. When faced with particularly large campaigns against orks however, the Legion will deploy both cohorts simultaneously to lay waste to the green tide, followed by the scorching of any land touched by the menace. Every decade, the two Cohorts will meet at Liamane to compete in the traditional Games of the Lions of the Emperor. At these games, honor duels are held for those Marines who wish to challenge the Century, Cohort, and Legion champions and usurp their position. Additionally, the banner bearers of the Iron Wing and Lion Wing’s duel is the most anticipated of all, as the two are dueling for the honor of being led by the Master of the Legion and his command staff for the next decade.

[Bjorn Firewalker]

I notice your Captains are titled "Centurions." How do the Iron Lions distinguish their Captains from Centurion warsuits- at least those of other Chapters, if the Iron Lions don't use the warsuits themselves? Refer to the warsuits as "Heavy Bolter Carriers" or "Siege Drill Carriers"?

Cohort Ferrum consists entirely of Primaris Marines, except for the dreadnoughts who were interred prior to the reorganization of the Legion, while Cohort Leonus consists entirely of the Old Guard.

As Primaris Marines weren't released for service until M42, this will be a HUGE constraint to your efforts to give your Chapter a place in Imperial history. Better to say Cohort Ferrum chose to become an all-Primaris force, with all surviving members crossing the Rubicon Primaris (meaning this Cohort DID exist before M42, and fought against Abaddon's Black Crusades); while Cohort Leonus considered such a decision reckless, and chose to continue creating non-Primaris Marines IN ADDITION TO a limited number of Primaris, to see if the latter's potential was as great as Cawl and Guilliman promised.

Every decade, the two Cohorts will meet at Liamane to compete in the traditional Games of the Lions of the Emperor.

As wars could and have dragged on longer than a decade in the world of Warhammer 40,000, it may be better to extend the time between Games of the Lions of the Emperor, to 20 years.

 

You should also answer what happens if a Cohort is fighting a war at the time the Game is scheduled. Does the Cohort detach a Century of Champions to attend the Games, risking defeat in the war it is currently fighting, as the Cohort is now down 100 Marines and the strike cruiser that is the Champions' transport? Or does the other Cohort come and aid the embattled one so the war may be finished, freeing the embattled Marines to attend Games held right on the site of their most recent victory?

[jbaeza94]

 

 

As Primaris Marines weren't released for service until M42, this will be a HUGE constraint to your efforts to give your Chapter a place in Imperial history. Better to say Cohort Ferrum chose to become an all-Primaris force, with all surviving members crossing the Rubicon Primaris (meaning this Cohort DID exist before M42, and fought against Abaddon's Black Crusades); while Cohort Leonus considered such a decision reckless, and chose to continue creating non-Primaris Marines IN ADDITION TO a limited number of Primaris, to see if the latter's potential was as great as Cawl and Guilliman promised.

Cohort Ferrum and Leonus always existed since their inception in m34, 4th founding, they were mirrors of each other.  however, some time prior to the ultima founding, a catastrophic event happened to the chapter, leaving Ferrum in a pretty bad state, and Leonus coming out hurt, but still very functional, this event is called the Devastation of the Legion at this time. im thinking an ork waagh or tyranid invasion. the primaris reinforcements were almost all placed in Ferrum, with some going to Leonus. After some time, the Legion reorganized itself and consolidated all its Old Guard into Leonus and all the Primaris into Ferrum, with Centurions and Arbiters in command positions going rubicon. This very lightly mentioned in the Wings of Judgment and Redemption section on the main post, but it will get its own dedicated post, and maybe some shifting around of information through the sections.

 

 

 

I notice your Captains are titled "Centurions." How do the Iron Lions distinguish their Captains from Centurion warsuits- at least those of other Chapters, if the Iron Lions don't use the warsuits themselves? Refer to the warsuits as "Heavy Bolter Carriers" or "Siege Drill Carriers"?

I have thought of this. while the Iron Lions dont use centurion suits (mostly because codex:DA doesnt get them), they would still call them that, centurion suits. I imagine these super soldiers would be familiar with the codex astartes and the allies they would be fighting alongside, and therefor would not be confused by what an assault or devastator centurion is. for other chapters working alongside them, i imagine they would have at least a rudimentary understanding of titles of their campaign allies. i draw from my own military service for this. we learn all our sister branches ranks, as well the rank structure for foreign militaries we will be working along side. we also learn what other militaries call their weapons and systems. i imagine space marines would take some time to research their allies, even just a little. 

 

 

As wars could and have dragged on longer than a decade in the world of Warhammer 40,000, it may be better to extend the time between Games of the Lions of the Emperor, to 20 years.

 

You should also answer what happens if a Cohort is fighting a war at the time the Game is scheduled. Does the Cohort detach a Century of Champions to attend the Games, risking defeat in the war it is currently fighting, as the Cohort is now down 100 Marines and the strike cruiser that is the Champions' transport? Or does the other Cohort come and aid the embattled one so the war may be finished, freeing the embattled Marines to attend Games held right on the site of their most recent victory?

something i did not consider but makes alot of sense. i would like something that is more often than less often, but obviously mission will always be first. an alternative to being on a campaign would be a Lion and the Wolf style meeting, where some of the champions or even just the banner bearers will meet, have their honor duel, then get on with the war. it would be a way to observe the traditions without putting mission on the back burner.  gonna need to brainstorm a bit

[Bjorn Firewalker]

Cohort Ferrum and Leonus always existed since their inception in m34, 4th founding, they were mirrors of each other. however, some time prior to the ultima founding, a catastrophic event happened to the chapter, leaving Ferrum in a pretty bad state, and Leonus coming out hurt, but still very functional, this event is called the Devastation of the Legion at this time. im thinking an ork waagh or tyranid invasion. the primaris reinforcements were almost all placed in Ferrum, with some going to Leonus. After some time, the Legion reorganized itself and consolidated all its Old Guard into Leonus and all the Primaris into Ferrum, with Centurions and Arbiters in command positions going rubicon.

Won't this SEVERELY limit Cohort Ferrum's ability to support the Hunt for the Fallen, as the vast majority of its Marines were recruited AFTER M42, and thus, not only ignorant of the Dark Angels' secret shame, these Marines CANNOT BE TRUSTED with that secret, as their time-in-service is too short for them to demonstrate they have the necessary judgment to keep such a secret?

 

And keeping the Old Guard in Cohort Leonus, may encourage a potentially disastrous division within the Chapter. Jealousy, e.g., Cohort Ferrum's Marines wondering, "Why has the Progenitor gifted [insert weapons] to Cohort Leonus, and ONLY Leonus? If we had [insert weapons] at [insert battle], we wouldn't have suffered such grievous casualties! Is the Old Guard using us as bait and cannon fodder, the way the Iron Hands use mortal auxiliaries?" which may lead to them thinking, "The Old Guard has delivered to us an unforgivable insult! We should go renegade, and take what we need to fight AND WIN battles for the Emperor's glory!"

[Brother Lunkhead]

Brother Bjorn makes a very good point. You might want to think about the dynamics of how these cohorts interact. Perhaps a squad or two Rubicon Primaris in Cohort Ferrum might help as a start. This way your Primaris could gradually be brought in on more sensitive chapter specific missions as they gain experience and prove their loyalty.

 

Your good works are really showing. The Iron Lions are looking quite splendid

[Aothaine]

Great job! I'll be working on your model in the upcoming month. Going to be doing planning in the month of Nov and painting in Dec. :D Looking forward to this!

[jbaeza94]

Omg awesome! Thanks!