Rymeer Posted April 12, 2006 Share Posted April 12, 2006 Crusading Lions: At the behest and orders of the Lords of Terra (aproximately 314.M41), the Celestial Lions chapter of the Adeptus Astartes split their numbers to create a successor chapter. The larger portion continued on with the name and traditions of the Celestial Lions. The smaller group, numbering less than Two full companies, spent the next century slowly building up their numbers and training themselves until the reached near-full chapter size. The reason for such a slow build up was mostly due to the 'New Lions' unwillingness to unduly deplete the available recruits from the Celestial Lions Home world and thus affect the Celestial Lions procurement and replacement schedules and practices. The new chapter at first kept the chapter color scheme of their 'Parent' chapter with the exception that 'veteran' marines left shoulder pauldron trim was painted crimson, while newer members recruited into the new chapter after the split were colored white. These 'New Lions' trained extensively while the new chapter master determined their mission. Several castings of the Emperor's Tarot revealed to him that the Xenos had tainted far too much of the Emperor's territory and it would become their quest to redress the balance. Thus the new chapter became known as the 'Crusading Lions'. Having struck out upon their crusade across the galaxy, and purging Xenos taint wherever found, news reached the chapter of the Second Battle for Armageddon and the massive Orc Waaaagh assailing the Emperor's worlds. The Crusading Lions immediately staged dozens of raids-in-force upon ork-held worlds along the Eastern Rim. Almost immediately upon completion of these raids, word arrived in the form of a lone Rogue Trader, fleeing the massive incursion of Hive Fleet Behemoth. Such a large scale invasion so far 'south' of the area of Crusading Lions operations led to the re-location of the chapter's primary staging and operations base to a large globular cluster of stars along the arm of the Eastern Rim. Within this cluster there was found a world almost exactly centered and thus strategically valuable and the Crusading Lions, who almost immediately relocated to the Taiga System and the planet Savannah. A huge asteroid was selected for alteration and construction to emplace the chapter's headquarters, docking facilities for the chapter's space fleet, and repair facilities for everything from a brother's powered armor to the complete repair of the chapter's single Battle Barge 'Lion of Terra'. The asteroid selected proved to be more than large enough to emplace everything the Chapter Master, Senior Chaplain, and Tech-Marines could invision a need for, including such areas as extensive training facilities that could mimic or replicate any known terrestrial terrain. Even such extreme planets, such as Mesa, could be simulated, a world of super-dense atmosphere where the population lives upon the relatively flat tips of massive mountain ranges. Such terrain offers limited operational areas for standard infantry or vehicular operations and necessitates the use of Assault Marines, Land Speeders, and barrage weapons such as the Vindicator and Whirlwind tanks. The Asteroid is both the Chapter headquarters, training locale, storage facility, and port/repair facility for the chapter's growing fleet ( now numbering at 3 battle barges, 8 strike cruisers, and more than 15 frigates). Total armaments are unknown, but suspected to be at least as effective a Ramillies Class Star Fort. The planet Savannah, while being an inhabited and habitable world, was not ideal one, in that it had no industry to speak of other than that of hand-forged bronze items of limited technology. The creation of such items a closely guarded secret of a loose 'guild' known as 'Forgers'. An orbital station is manned at all times and keeps a watch upon the wandering tribes of bronze-age humans below, marking prospects for retrieval when and as needed to replenish the ranks of the chapter. Several larger and more industrialized colonies exist within the cluster, but none are as centrally located as is Savannah. Perhaps it is the will of the Emperor, that Savannah's populance is best suited for recruitment and most compatable with the Chapter's Gene Seed. It is thus understandable why the chapter would be loath to relocate to some other world. Although the numbers of available prospective recruits could be, and are, larger upon the various industrial colonies, only members of the various tribes on Savannah are recruited into the ranks of the Chapter. Savannah is a quite pleasant and habitable world overall, but with little to no axial tilt, giving the planet distinct bands of climate. Most of the planet is covered on rolling grasslands and plains, while the polar regions are covered in dense pine forests. The equatorial areas are all deserts, some of truly huge size. The only remaining sign of ancient tectonic activity is the so-called 'Pillar of the Moon', a mesa of sheer basalt measuring nearly 1.5 kilometers tall and no more than a single kilometer wide at the base. The world is populated by bronze-age tribes of humans, both nomadic and city-dwelling. Nomadic groups travel traditional circuits along well-established routes. The settled clans live in small villages surrounded by very thick, naturally grown, thorn hedges of up to 30 meters thick and over 15 meters tall. Such 'kraals' are a species of thorn bush known by the natives as 'Iron-Spines', and keep most of the predatory species from gaining entrance into areas protected by such a defense. The tribes have a long history of co-operation against the many predatory species that find humans easily stalked prey. A reptilian species of solitary predator measuring on average over 10 meters tall and weighing over 30 metric tones is known to the tribes as a 'Stalker'. This predator seems to 'like' killing for it's own sake and will continue to kill even when sated . The Stalker's only known rival for the title of 'top predator' upon Savannah is the Simba. The Simba is a species of very large lions that live within every climate zone upon Savannah, including the Deep Deserts. The felines usually leave humans alone, unless groups of humans shoule wander into an area claimed by a Pride. Even then the human or humans are given warning in the form of loud roaring by the entire pride. Upon occasion, rogue males will hunt humans as prey, and very rarely, large groups of rogue males will band together and hunt everything in their path, regardless of species. Even Stalkers have been seen to run from such a danger as dozens of rogue male Simbas on the prowl. Simbas on average are at least twice if not thrice the size and weight of the original Terran Lion species. Space Marines of the Crusading Lions chapter are universally known to the native tribes as 'Muwatta Simba', or the 'Tall Lions'. This description of the chapter's marines is apt in their view, since chapter marines dressed as 'natives', even though larger and more powerful than any native could ever hope to be, have been seen in the company of Simbas upon the plains. Such sightings only reinforce the native myths that the chapter's marines are humans with the souls of Simbas, or the Simbas themselves are but children of the Tall Lions. "Sometimes, you hunt the lion. Sometimes, he hunts you." A space marine that has accrued sufficient battle honors may be allowed to "Hunt the Lion". There are two rituals associated with this 'Hunt'. One: The marine strips himself of all his armor and weapons, and clothes and arms himself like unto the natives, Leather Kilt and vest, leather sandals, bronze knife and small 'axe'. He is then placed upon the surface and is allowed to track down a Rogue Male Simba and kill him in single combat. The marine is only allowed the simple weapons used by the human natives to defeat and kill his 'prey'. If successful, the marine returns to the chapter headquarters with the paws, pelt, head, mane, etc of the lion he has killed to have rendered into fetishes and adornments to his armor. Such a 'kill' is a step towards the eventual elevation to Chapter Champion status for that marine. It is certain that should the marine fail in his quest, that he would be consumed by the lion. Two: The marine strips himself of all his armor and weapons, and clothes himself like unto the natives (described above). He is then placed upon the surface and is allowed to track, and 'obtain' a pair of cubs. Several marines may, on occasion, team up to better the odds of retrieving cubs. One to distract and perhaps defeat the Prime Male of the Pride, while the others deal with the outraged females and take the youngest and most easily trainable cubs. These cubs will be reared and trained by specialists to become bodyguards for a single marine for their lifetimes. Such lions live longer then their native relatives since medical aid and bio-enhancements are readily available to their 'leader', with every resource made available to them excepting bionic replacements. Like the Fenrisian Wolves, should a Simba's 'leader' become a casualty, the felines will drag the body off and hide it from the enemy. Or, fight to the death defending it until it may be retrieved by a Chaplin, brother marine, or an Apothecary. No Space Marine that has taken leonine trophies other than that of a Rogue Male, will ever be allowed to take cubs, since the cubs will not follow a marine that has killed their kind. It can be surmised that the lions can sense the difference by scent and would see a marine adorned with the pelt of a pride member as a dangerous predator to their kind, and ignoring those that have killed dangers such as Rogue Males. A space marine that accidentially kills a pride simba, mistaking it as a 'rogue male', would upon his return immediately be shunned by the chapter's Simbas and know his mistake. The ritual of contrition and reparation to the dead is extensive, involving several periods of fasting and prayers for the slain Simba, as well as ritual purifying. The offending marine would be required to wrap the items taken in the pelt of the slain Simba and offer them to the eldest members of the chapter's Simbas. From that time forwards, the Simbas 'shun' the marine, and treat him like a tree or some other obstruction. The marine is never again allowed to 'hunt the lion', no matter what honors he may accrue during his time of service to the chapter. The Thunderhawk assigned to retrieve and deliver marines to and from the surface, as well as gather prospective recruits for induction and testing, has been seen on numerous occasions by the natives. Since the 'Great Eagle' is seen most often in association with the dis-appearance of young tribesmen, it is commonly held to be an Avatar of Death. The fact that the 'Death Eagle' serves the Muwatta Simba only confirms to the native's minds that there are Gods at work in their world, and that they are being protected, watched and judged by these powerful beings. Near every settlement and along nearly every caravan route used by the nomads, there is to be found a carved stone lion, similar to the Simba but upright in posture and wearing armor similar to a Space Marine's armor. Natives go to these locales when in dire need, to pray to the 'Great Lion' for protection, or aid in dealing with the occasional 'Great Hunt' of Rogue Simbas. A Great Hunt occurs when several individual rogue males group together in 'prides' of up to a half a dozen or more and begin hunting everything in their path. Whole tribes have been lost to Great Hunts in the past history of Savannah, according to native legends and traditions. These statues to the 'Great Lion' are created at the direction of the Chapter's Senior Chaplin from basalt and set in place on moonless nights so that no native ever sees the 'Servants of the Great Lion'. Such locations allow native leaders to plead to the 'Great Lion' to protect his tribe from the predations of Rogue Simba Great Hunts, as well as serving as a conduit for native emergencies such as an undetected alien incursions, or other matters of import. The Chapter's battle cry: 'Purity of Essence! Purity of Faith!' is reflected in the preponderance of Apothecaries within the chapter. Nearly every squad having an Apothecary as both the Squad Sergeant and it's Apothecary. Chapter Traits: Purity Above All +++ Veteran Sergeants may be upgraded to Apothecary. Death Before Dishonor +++ Enemies may prolong engagement. The Crusading Lions prefer the use of Razorback transports for their Tactical Squads instead of the standard Rhino, and both Command Squads are usually accompanied by Terminators and carried into battle aboard Land Raider Crusaders. Elite units such as the two Veteran Squads and the Chapter's Techmarine, are also carried aboard Razorback transports as well. Fast Attack units are provided by three squads of Assault Marines. Heavy Support is supplied by Predators, Land Raiders, or Whirlwind Missile Tanks. It is somewhat common to see three Whirlwinds supporting the advance of their brother marines. The Crusading Lions Chapter colors are Bubonic Brown and Bestail Brown, with both Boltgun Metal and Dwarf Bronze. The 'accordian' sections of their armor is Chaos Black. Helmet eye pieces and augmentics are Crimson. The two-tone brown colors were adopted as a method of gaining a tactical advantage when in the open savanah against any invading force. Bronze in replacement for most uses of Boltgun metal also helps 'mute' the charactoristic 'shine' of metal parts so that the Lions gain a bit more time to close with an enemy from a distance. The effectiveness of this paint scheme was proven when the Crusading Lions raided an un-named Ork infested world on the Eastern Rim. In the forests and plains the Lions proved able to time and again get close to Ork held areas without being seen. +++CHAPTER NAME: Crusading Lions +++CHAPTER FOUNDING: Unknown +++CHAPTER MASTER: Chapter Master Rymeer +++CHAPTER GENESEED: Celestial Lions +++CHAPTER HISTORY: +++File Pending+++ +++CHAPTER HOMEWORLD: Savannah. Taiga System. +++CHAPTER STANDARD: Golden Lion Rampant upon a Black star field. +++CHAPTER HERALDRY: Golden Lion's Head upon a black field. +++CHAPTER BATTLE CRY: "Purity of Essence! Purity of Faith!" Chapter Master: Rymeer. Force Captian: Hakon. Master of Sanctity: Domik. Epistolary: Reese. ************************************************* A Second Chance. Hakon followed the Simba as it led him across the plains of Savannah for many days. As they passed across the near-featureless grasslands, memories surfaced in the mind of the space marine as he followed his long time friend and battle-companion. Scenes of battle drifted in the space marine's mind as well as tender moments between conflicts. A young cub uncertain upon his large paws, hunting the lure that Hakon drew through the grass for him to follow. An adolescent lion rearing up to swipe the helmet off the head of an Ork war-boss, only to crunch it's skull with leonine jaws and slash at the green body with all four paws. An adult lion, leaping to block the path between ancient rune-encrusted pillars to deny passage to the throng of chaos spawn, protecting his leader and friend as Hakon lay wounded near unto death in the shade of those imposing spires. A late night within the Scriptorium, Saahsha laying across his legs purring contentedly as his friend poured over the ancient vellums and parchments, learning the lore of Heroes past. And now, as Hakon followed his friend for the last time, he could see again the cub that Saahsha had once been. Each twitch of the Simba's tufted tail tip alerting the marine to some perceived movement nearby as Saahsha led him back to the Pride lands of his birth. Hakon padded softly behind his friend and companion, bare feet making almost no sound as the marine strode through the grasses behind the Simba. The marine hefted the bronze axe in his hand and patted the matching knife in his hide belt, sniffing and scenting the wind nearly as well as his long time companion lion could. Each small shift in the wind bringing knowledge of what lay ahead and the scent of both predators and prey as they moved about upon their own business in the shafts of sunlight that parted the otherwise dimness of the overcast day. The sound of his hide loin cloth swishing against his thighs was nearly as loud to ears of both the marine and his lion companion as the sound of the grasses shifting against one another and against them as they made their way through the dim coolness of a winter's day upon Savannah's vast plains. The roaring of a pride of lions sounded closer today than it had yesterday, and the marine smiled as his leonine companion grunted and picked up the pace again towards that distant warning cough of a Simba declaring his territorial limits. At the present pace, the marine thought that tomorrow might bring an end to his quest, and an end for Saahsha as well. Each of them was here of their own accord and for their own reasons. Hakon was fairly certain that he could kill the pride leader and claim his cubs, and Saahsha was almost certain to die in combat with his own kind, delaying pursuit so that more cubs would know the life of The Great Hunt with the 'Tall Lions'. A final battle for the space marine's old friend and companion. A new life for members of his own leonine kind. Comments and Suggestions, NOT flames, appreciated and asked for. Rymeer Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/84963-diy-chapter-crusading-lions/ Share on other sites More sharing options...
Librarian- Melechor Posted April 13, 2006 Share Posted April 13, 2006 It's been a while since I've seen the lions Rymeer, but they seem as good as ever. I can't comment on much right now, but at first glance, it looks quite excellent. Brilliant ideas! :D Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/84963-diy-chapter-crusading-lions/#findComment-982494 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Commissar Molotov Posted April 13, 2006 Share Posted April 13, 2006 Why did the Celestial Lions split? What reasoning is there for it? It's certainly unheard of for a chapter to do so (since the end of the heresy, anyway). You end up with two chapters recruiting from the same world? That's messy. I mean, certainly, they get on fantastically well, but it just irks me. Whilst it's original, and it's not been done before, that works against it as well. You might have to check the exact dates between the 2nd War for Armageddon and Hive Fleet Behemoth, though I have a suspicion you've already done so. You distinguish between the orbital station and the asteroid. Where is the asteroid? Does it roam around the galaxy? That seems very similar to the Rock to me. Perhaps you could keep the Asteroid near Savannah? I think that some of your traits should be justified. I mean, you say that nearly every Sergeant has training as an Apothecary, but you don't say why. There's certainly nothing seriously wrong with your IA; it shows the work you've put into it. I think some sections could do with neatening up and clarifying, simply to make it better. Overall, though, great work. One of the better IAs in recent times.:D Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/84963-diy-chapter-crusading-lions/#findComment-982503 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rymeer Posted April 13, 2006 Author Share Posted April 13, 2006 Why did the Celestial Lions split? What reasoning is there for it? It's certainly unheard of for a chapter to do so (since the end of the heresy, anyway). You end up with two chapters recruiting from the same world? That's messy. I mean, certainly, they get on fantastically well, but it just irks me. Whilst it's original, and it's not been done before, that works against it as well. You might have to check the exact dates between the 2nd War for Armageddon and Hive Fleet Behemoth, though I have a suspicion you've already done so. You distinguish between the orbital station and the asteroid. Where is the asteroid? Does it roam around the galaxy? That seems very similar to the Rock to me. Perhaps you could keep the Asteroid near Savannah? I think that some of your traits should be justified. I mean, you say that nearly every Sergeant has training as an Apothecary, but you don't say why. There's certainly nothing seriously wrong with your IA; it shows the work you've put into it. I think some sections could do with neatening up and clarifying, simply to make it better. Overall, though, great work. One of the better IAs in recent times.:blink: I guess I should go back and re-write the begining. Perhaps having them specially founded for a xenos crusade out of Celestial Lions gene seed, thus the 'Crusade Lions'. That sorts out the whole dual chapters, one world thing, once and for all. I did research the time period. The Crusading Lions are founded after 1st Armageddon, yet before 2nd Armageddon. After 2nd Armageddon, the Crusading Lions continued their anti-xenos crusade out in the Eastern Rim Territories. Yes, the orbital station is just that, a small space station for observation of the planet. I will re-edit that section to include references to the large Asteroid-Chapter Base orbiting somewhere in the Taiga System. The Traits are a result of the Chapter dealing with Xenos taint. Especially that caused by Tyranids, and Chaos forces. Purity of Body and Purity of Faith becoming more important than slavish adherence to the Codex Astartes as orginally written. EDITED ADDITION: Another reason for so many Apothecarions is that the 'Crusade Lions' left on the Xenos Crusade without full numbers of brother marines. This made the prompt treatment of battle wounds and the harvesting of fallen marine's gene seed more important that it otherwise would have been for most existing chapters of the Adeptus Astartes. This preponderance of Apothecarions has become traditional, and allows the Crusading Lions to maintain their numbers in the face of the fiercest opponents, and promply replace losses between battles. Thus making the Chapter more resiliant and flexible in the long run. (Do you have a suggestion?) The dis-advantage of Death Before Dishonor being due their zealousness to never leave the Enemy in possession of the field of battle. For where the Lions fight, IS holy ground. Being Blessed Warriors of the Holy Great Lion of Terra (another title for the Emperor), the Crusading Lions believe their cause Holy and disinclined to surrender the field of battle to any foe. What did you think of the Hakon short text? I have another reguarding the First Chapter Master, who is now a Venerable Dreadnought (the BIG dreadnought in the pictures on my Yahoo picture album site). The Great Lion's Blessings upon Thee, and thank you for the comments, Rymeer Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/84963-diy-chapter-crusading-lions/#findComment-982553 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tubal Posted April 13, 2006 Share Posted April 13, 2006 One thing you could do is separate the text into sections like in the GW IA's (beliefs, homeworld, history etc). It would make it easier to read and more structured. Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/84963-diy-chapter-crusading-lions/#findComment-982781 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rymeer Posted April 13, 2006 Author Share Posted April 13, 2006 One thing you could do is separate the text into sections like in the GW IA's (beliefs, homeworld, history etc). It would make it easier to read and more structured. Good idea, I'll see what I can do in reguards your suggestion. Thanks. Rymeer Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/84963-diy-chapter-crusading-lions/#findComment-982799 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rymeer Posted April 14, 2006 Author Share Posted April 14, 2006 Well, I have edited a bit and I think I have solved most of the most glaring errors. The following text is still not in any 'GW IA' format, but I think I can live with that for now. Sorry for the long posting, but I did not desire to edit the posted text online, and instead, edited the master text file on my computer for posting here. My thanks to Commisar Molotov and Tubal for their comments, Rymeer Crusading Lions: At the behest and orders of the Lords of Terra (aproximately 314.M41), the Celestial Lions chapter of the Adeptus Astartes seconded 20 marines to 'seed' a new chapter. These marines were selected to become temporary Chapter Master, Senior Chaplain, Senior Apothecarion, and Veteran Sergeants to the new Chapter, and act as the training cadre of the newly 'minted' Chapter's marines. After a period of only 20 years, the Cadre returned to their parent Chapter and left the new 'Crusade Lions' to finish building their numbers to full Codex allotment. The new Chapter Master, Janos, consulted the Emperor's Tarot to determine the long term goals of the Chapter, once it's duty to the Xenos Crusade Fleet was fulfilled. The Chapter Master, Chief Librarian, and Master Chaplain, consulted and interpreted the results of the casting of the Emperor's Tarot, which indicated that far too much of the Emperor's Galaxy was tainted by foul Xenos species, and that it would be their destiny to cleanse the galaxy in the Holy Lion's Name. In keeping with such a young Chapter's beginings, the Chapter had a preponderance of Apothecarions to start with. Having Apothecarys available to quickly treat wounded brothers, and retrieve the prescious and initally limited number of gene seeds available to the Chapter, the rapid growth of the Chapter was assured and accomplished in a relatively short time. With the return of the Cadre supplied by the Celestial Lions to their original chapter, the Apothecarions assumed the role of Veteran Sergeants. The tradition has continued to present, with no observable change, or plans to alter the existing traditional structure from the Founding. Having struck out upon their crusade across the galaxy, and purging Xenos taint wherever found, news reached the chapter of the Second Battle for Armageddon and the massive Ork Waaaagh assailing the Emperor's worlds. The Crusade Lions immediately staged dozens of raids-in-force upon ork-held worlds, working outwards towards the Eastern Rim. Almost immediately upon completion of these raids, word arrived aboard the Chapter's Battle Barge 'Lion of Terra', in the form of a lone Rogue Trader, fleeing the massive incursion of Hive Fleet Behemoth. Such a large scale invasion so far 'south' of the area of Crusade Lions operational area led to the re-location of the Chapter's primary staging and operations base to a large globular cluster of stars along the arm of the Eastern Rim. Within this cluster of stars, there was found a world almost exactly centered, and thus strategically valuable and the newly renamed 'Crusading Lions', who almost immediately relocated to the Taiga System and the planet Savannah. A huge asteroid was selected for alteration and construction to emplace the Crusading Lions Chapter Headquarters, docking facilities for the chapter's space fleet, and repair facilities for everything from a brother's powered armor to the complete repair of the chapter's single Battle Barge 'Lion of Terra'. The asteroid selected proved to be more than large enough to emplace everything the Chapter Master, Senior Chaplain, and Tech-Marines could invision a need for, including such areas as extensive training facilities that could mimic or replicate any known terrestrial terrain. Even such extreme planets, such as Mesa, could be simulated, a world of super-dense atmosphere where the population lives upon the relatively flat tips of massive mountain ranges. Such terrain offers limited operational areas for standard infantry or vehicular operations and necessitates the use of Assault Marines, Land Speeders, and barrage weapons such as the Vindicator and Whirlwind tanks. The Asteroid is both the Chapter headquarters, training locale, storage facility, and port/repair facility for the chapter's growing fleet ( now numbering at 3 battle barges, 6 strike cruisers, and more than 11 frigates). Total armaments are unknown, but suspected to be at least as effective a Ramillies Class Star Fort. The asteroidal Chapter Headquarters maintains an orbit around a gas giant planet named 'Sheol' in the Taiga System. The Chapter only moving the asteroidal base when directly threatened by incursions into the Taiga System, and then returning to it's 'normal' orbital position. The planet Savannah, while being an inhabited and habitable world, was not an ideal one, in that it had no industry to speak of other than that of hand-forged bronze items of limited technology. The creation of such items a closely guarded secret of a loose 'guild' known as 'Forgers'. An orbital station is manned at all times by a small number of brother marines and dozens of chapter serfs and servitors. This station keeps a watch upon the wandering tribes of bronze-age humans below, and their village dwelling kindred, marking prospects for retrieval when and as needed to replenish the ranks of the chapter. Several larger and more industrialized colonies exist within the cluster, but none are as centrally located as is Savannah. Perhaps it is the will of the Emperor, that Savannah's populance is best suited for recruitment and most compatable with the Chapter's Gene Seed. It is thus understandable why the chapter would be loath to relocate to some other world. Although the numbers of available prospective recruits could be, and are, larger upon the various industrial colonies, only members of the various tribes on Savannah are recruited into the ranks of the Chapter. Savannah is a quite pleasant and habitable world overall, with little to no axial tilt, thus giving the planet distinct bands of climate. Most of the planet is covered on rolling plains and grasslands, while the polar regions are covered in dense pine forests. The equatorial areas are all deserts, some of truly huge size. The only remaining sign of ancient tectonic activity is the so-called 'Pillar of the Moon', a mesa of sheer basalt measuring nearly 1.5 kilometers tall and no more than a single kilometer wide at the base, and located almost exactly in the center of the Great Waste (A vast desert area bisecting the equator of Savannah). The world is populated by bronze-age tribes of humans, both nomadic and city-dwelling. Nomadic Clan groups travel traditional circuits along well-established routes. The settled Clans live in small villages surrounded by very thick, naturally grown, thorn hedges (known locally as Kraals) of up to 30 meters thick and over 15 meters tall. Such 'Kraals' are a species of thorn bush known by the natives as 'Iron-Spines', and keep most of the predatory species from gaining entrance into areas protected by such a defense. The tribes have a long history of co-operation against the many predatory species that find humans easily stalked prey, although inter-Clan wars are known to occur. A reptilian species of solitary predator measuring on average over 10 meters tall, and weighing over 7 metric tones, is known to the bronze age clansmen as a 'Stalker'. This predator seems to like killing for it's own sake and will continue to kill even when sated . The Stalker's only known rival for the title of 'top predator' upon Savannah is the Simba. The Simba is a species of very large lions that live within every climate zone upon Savannah, including the Deep Deserts. The felines usually leave humans alone, unless groups of humans should wander into an area claimed by a Simba Pride. Even then the human, or humans, are given warning in the form of loud roaring by the entire pride. Simbas generally measure upwards of 3 to 4 meters in length (minus tail), and males can weigh upwards of one half to three quarters of a ton (1,000 to 1,500 lbs aproximate). Certain rare individual Simbas have been known to reach 5 meters in length (nose to rump), and a metric tonne in weight. Upon occasion, rogue male Simbas will hunt humans as prey, and very rarely, large groups of rogue males will band together and hunt everything in their path, regardless of species. Even Stalkers have been seen to run from such a danger as dozens of rogue male Simbas on the prowl. Simbas on average, are thought to be, at least twice if not thrice the size and weight of the original Terran Lion species. Space Marines of the Crusading Lions chapter are universally known to the native tribes as 'Muwatta Simba', or the 'Tall Lions'. This description of the chapter's marines is apt in their view, since chapter marines dressed as 'natives', even though larger and more powerful than any native could ever hope to be, have been seen in the company of Simbas upon the plains. Such sightings only reinforce the native myths that the chapter's marines are humans with the souls of Simbas, or that the Simbas themselves are but children of the Tall Lions. "Sometimes, you hunt the lion. Sometimes, he hunts you." A space marine that has accrued sufficient battle honors may be allowed to "Hunt the Lion". There are two rituals associated with this 'Hunt'. One: The marine strips himself of all his armor and weapons, and clothes and arms himself like unto the natives, leather kilt and vest, leather sandals, bronze knife and a small 'beaked' axe. He is then placed upon the surface and is allowed to track down a Rogue Male Simba and kill him in single combat. The marine is only allowed the simple weapons used by the human natives to defeat and kill his 'prey'. If successful, the marine returns to the chapter headquarters with the paws, pelt, head, mane, and tail of the lion he has killed to have rendered into fetishes and adornments to his armor. Such a 'kill' is a step towards that marine's eventual elevation to Chapter Champion status. It is certain that should the marine fail in his quest, that he would be consumed by the lion. Two: The marine strips himself of all his armor and weapons, and clothes himself like unto the natives (described above). He is then placed upon the surface and is allowed to track, and 'obtain' a pair of cubs. Several marines may, on occasion, may team up to better the odds of retrieving cubs. One to distract and perhaps defeat the Prime Male of the Pride, while the others deal with the outraged females and take the youngest and most easily trainable cubs. These cubs will be reared and trained by specialists within the Chapter's asteroidal Headquarters to become bodyguards for a single marine for their lifetimes. Such lions live longer then their native relatives since medical treatment, various biochemical treatments, and bioenhancements are readily available to their 'leader'. Every resource of the Chapter is made available to the Simbas with the small exception of full bionic replacements. Like the Fenrisian Wolves, used by the Space Wolves Chapter, should a Simba's 'leader' become a casualty, the felines will drag the body off and hide it from the enemy. Or, fight to the death defending it until it may be retrieved by a Chaplin, brother marine, or an Apothecary. No Space Marine that has taken leonine trophies other than that of a Rogue Male, will ever be allowed to take cubs, since the cubs will not follow a marine that has killed their kind. It can be surmised that the lions can sense the difference by scent, and would see a marine adorned with the pelt of a pride member as a dangerous predator to their kind. Simbas do not shun and or ignore those brother marines that have killed dangers to the Pride such as Rogue Males. A space marine that accidentially kills a pride Simba, mistaking it as a 'rogue male', would upon his return, be immediately be shunned by the chapter's Simbas and thus know his mistake. The 'Ritual of Contrition and Reparation' to the dead Simba is extensive, involving several periods of fasting and prayers for the slain Simba, as well as ritual purifying. The offending marine would be required to wrap the items taken in the pelt of the slain lion and offer them to the eldest members of the Chapter's Simbas in residence. From that time forwards, all Simbas 'shun' the marine, and treat him like a tree or some other obstruction, and that marine is never again allowed to 'Hunt the Lion', no matter what honors he may accrue during his time of service to the chapter. It is unknown how Simbas not present learn of the Shunning of a Chapter's Marine, but they do in some way, and even though not present when the 'Rite of Contrition' was performed, they too will shun the 'Slayer of Kindred'. The Thunderhawk assigned to retrieve and deliver marines to and from the surface, as well as gather prospective recruits for induction and testing, has been seen by the natives on numerous occasions. Since the 'Great Eagle' is seen most often in association with the disappearance of young tribesmen, it is commonly held to be an Avatar of Death. The fact that the 'Death Eagle' serves the Muwatta Simba only confirms to the native's minds that there are Gods at work in their world, and that they are being protected, watched, and eventually judged by these powerful beings. Near every settlement and along nearly every caravan route used by the nomads, there is to be found a carved stone lion, similar to the Simba but upright in posture and wearing armor similar to a Space Marine's armor. Native leaders go to these locales when in dire need, to pray to the 'Great Lion' for protection, or aid in dealing with the occasional 'Great Hunt' of Rogue Simbas. A Great Hunt occurs when several individual rogue males group together in 'prides' of up to a half a dozen or more and begin hunting everything in their path. Whole tribes have been lost to Great Hunts in the past history of Savannah, according to native legends and traditions. These statues to the 'Great Lion' are created at the direction of the Chapter's Senior Chaplin from Black basalt mined for the purpose on one of the moons of Sheol, and set in place on moonless nights on Savannah, so that no native ever sees the 'Servants of the Great Lion'. The Chapter's battle cry: 'Purity of Essence! Purity of Faith!' is reflected in the preponderance of Apothecaries within the chapter. Nearly every squad having an Apothecary as both the Squad Sergeant and it's Apothecary. Chapter Traits: Purity Above All +++ Veteran Sergeants may be upgraded to Apothecary. Death Before Dishonor +++ Enemies may prolong engagement. The Crusading Lions prefer the use of Razorback transports for their Tactical Squads instead of the standard Rhino, and both Command Squads are usually accompanied by Terminators and carried into battle aboard Land Raider Crusaders. Scout Squads vary from 6 to 10-man sizes, with weaponry dependant upon Mission Profile. Elite units such as Veteran Squads, and the Chapter's Techmarine and the Techmarine's Servitors, are also carried aboard Razorback transports as well. Fast Attack units are provided by three squads of Assault Marines, or squadrons of Tornado pattern Land Speeders. Heavy Support is supplied by Predators, Vindicators, or Whirlwind Missile Tanks. It is somewhat common to see three Whirlwinds supporting the advance of their brother marines. The Crusading Lions Chapter colors are Bubonic Brown and Bestail Brown, with both Boltgun Metal and Dwarf Bronze. The 'accordian' sections of their armor is Chaos Black. Helmet eye pieces and augmentics are Crimson. The two-tone brown colors were adopted as a method of gaining a tactical advantage when in the open savanah against any invading force. Bronze in replacement for most uses of Boltgun metal also helps 'mute' the charactoristic 'shine' of metal parts so that the Lions gain a bit more time to close with an enemy from a distance. The effectiveness of this paint scheme was proven when the Crusading Lions raided an un-named Ork infested world on the Eastern Rim. In the forests and plains, the Lions proved able to time and again, to be able to get close to Ork held areas without being seen. +++CHAPTER NAME: Crusading Lions +++CHAPTER FOUNDING: Unknown +++CHAPTER MASTER: Chapter Master Rymeer +++CHAPTER GENESEED: Celestial Lions +++CHAPTER HISTORY: +++File Pending+++ +++CHAPTER HOMEWORLD: Savannah. Taiga System. +++CHAPTER STANDARD: Golden Lion Rampant upon a Black star field. +++CHAPTER HERALDRY: Golden Lion's Head upon a black field. +++CHAPTER BATTLE CRY: "Purity of Essence! Purity of Faith!" Chapter Master: Rymeer. Force Captian: Hakon. Master of Sanctity: Domik. Epistolary: Reese. ************************************************* A Second Chance. Hakon followed the Simba as it led him across the plains of Savannah for many days. As they passed across the near-featureless grasslands, memories surfaced in the mind of the space marine as he followed his long time friend and battle-companion. Scenes of battle drifted in the space marine's mind as well as tender moments between conflicts. A young cub uncertain upon his large paws, hunting the lure that Hakon drew through the grass for him to follow. An adolescent lion rearing up to swipe the helmet off the head of an Ork war-boss, only to crunch it's skull with leonine jaws and slash at the green body with all four paws. An adult lion, leaping to block the path between ancient rune-encrusted pillars to deny passage to the throng of chaos spawn, protecting his leader and friend as Hakon lay wounded near unto death in the shade of those imposing spires. A late night within the Scriptorium, Saahsha laying across his legs purring contentedly as his friend poured over the ancient vellums and parchments, learning the lore of Heroes past. And now, as Hakon followed his friend for the last time, he could see again the cub that Saahsha had once been. Each twitch of the Simba's tufted tail tip alerting the marine to some perceived movement nearby as Saahsha led him back to the Pride lands of his birth. Hakon padded softly behind his friend and companion, bare feet making almost no sound as the marine strode through the grasses behind the Simba. The marine hefted the bronze axe in his hand and patted the matching knife in his hide belt, sniffing and scenting the wind nearly as well as his long time companion lion could. Each small shift in the wind bringing knowledge of what lay ahead and the scent of both predators and prey as they moved about upon their own business in the shafts of sunlight that parted the otherwise dimness of the overcast day. The sound of his hide loin cloth swishing against his thighs was nearly as loud to ears of both the marine and his lion companion as the sound of the grasses shifting against one another and against them as they made their way through the dim coolness of a winter's day upon Savannah's vast plains. The roaring of a pride of lions sounded closer today than it had yesterday, and the marine smiled as his leonine companion grunted and picked up the pace again towards that distant warning cough of a Simba declaring his territorial limits. At the present pace, the marine thought that tomorrow might bring an end to his quest, and an end for Saahsha as well. Each of them was here of their own accord and for their own reasons. Hakon was fairly certain that he could kill the pride leader and claim his cubs, and Saahsha was almost certain to die in combat with his own kind, delaying pursuit so that more cubs would know the life of The Great Hunt with the 'Tall Lions'. A final battle for the space marine's old friend and companion. A new life for members of his own leonine kind. ************************************************** The Holy Great Lion's Blessings upon Thee, Rymeer Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/84963-diy-chapter-crusading-lions/#findComment-984246 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rymeer Posted April 17, 2006 Author Share Posted April 17, 2006 Please Frater, more CnC still required to hone this into a more readable format, and polish it to perfection... if such is even remotely possible. The Holy Great Lion of Terra's Blessings upon Thee, Rymeer Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/84963-diy-chapter-crusading-lions/#findComment-986169 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tubal Posted April 17, 2006 Share Posted April 17, 2006 "Bestail" and "Captian" are misspelled :lol: Chapter Master: Rymeer.Force Captian: Hakon. Master of Sanctity: Domik. Epistolary: Reese. The highest rank of librarian is Chief Librarian (Tigurius and Mephiston for example). The others are Lexicanium (not in the current rules), Codicier and Epistolary ;)I'm not sure of the list's purpose though, is it a general list of the chapter's notable characters, relevant to the short story or what? Other than that I didn't see any glaring errors, though a more critical eye might find more :P Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/84963-diy-chapter-crusading-lions/#findComment-986263 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rymeer Posted April 17, 2006 Author Share Posted April 17, 2006 The listing is the current heroic leaders of the Crusading Lions Chapter, and yes, the Captain Hakon listed is the same one from the short story that follows the list. Just added so that should I refer to any of them, the reader will know whom I am talking about. I could, and probably will, expand upon each leader and give a short bio on them as part of the background. I don't know... Time and inspiration will tell. Rymeer Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/84963-diy-chapter-crusading-lions/#findComment-986308 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.