The Astral Lions are generally a codex compliant Space Marine Chapter that were originally based the Lindholm subsector in the Turbidious Sector. However, their Homeworld was destroyed and the Lions are now a crusader fleet based. The loss of their Homeworld due to Chaos is seen as a great shame in the Chapter and so they have self-exiled themselves to a crusader fleet. The Chapters aim is to purge all Chaos from the Sector once and for all. Chapter History The Astral Lions is a Successor Chapter raised from the genestock of the Imperial Fists Primarch Rogal Dorn, although they were founded by a former Emperors Champion of the Black Templars Chapter. They were created during an unnamed Founding during the early part of the 38th Millennium and were formed to combat the growing Ork threat in the Turbidious Sector. The founder, Erias Toravan was a Black Templar who excelled in close combat for that Chapter, blessed by the Emperor to become an Emperors Champion Toravan covered himself in glory eventually being put forward as a potential future Chapter Master of the Templars. However, that wasn’t to be his fate. A number of Chapters were founded at the time including the the Oblivion Vipers, Invictors, Iron Bears, Oni Knights and the Silver Consuls and all required leaders to guide the new Chapters, Toravan was put forward and dutily accepted his new role in shaping a new group of the Emperors Angels. The Astral Lions fight off a charge from a chaos warband For the next four millennia, the Lions proved to be a resolute Chapter and true Sons of Dorn, fiercely defending the realms of man in the Turbidious Sector from the enemies of the Emperor. They acquitted themselves well in purging the Coinage Cluster of the Ork menace as well as eradicating several xenos empires in the fringes of the Sector. However, misfortune befell them when their Homeworld and fortress monastery was destroyed in a Chaos invasion some 700 years ago. The world is now guarded by a protectorate fleet run by the Astral Lions and none my tread the surface of the world save the Lions themselves. It is rumoured that the destruction of their world was caused by traitors from within but the Inquisition has been unable to confirm these rumours. What is now known is that the Chapter is fleet based and committed to eradicating the Chaos scourge from the Turbidious Sector for good. Chapter Fleet Being a fleet based Chapter now the Astral Lions have a large fleet with which to despatch the Emperors judgement. The fleet typically operates as a whole but is known to have been separated on several occasions before rendezvousing again. The fleet currently is thought to consist of at least two Battlebarges and six strike cruisers, with numerous squadrons of escorts. The Chapter also has several Imperial class ships in their possession which are typically in orbit around their destroyed Homeworld. The Adeptus Ministorum and Inquisition are unsure for the reasoning for the protection fleet around the world and all attempts to survey the former Homeworld has been met with aggression on the Chapters part. Time will tell if the Chapter will allow any outsiders to visit the world or whether they may be forced. Imperial records and witness reports suggest that the Chapter also has a large Venerable Battlebarge in the fleet. But no picts are available at this stage, rumours persist though. The Astral Lions defend Ourimbah Prime from a Chaos Incursion Astral Lions Dreadnought assists the Red Scorpions Chapter in purging a Necron threat. Chapter Tactics While the Chapters very founding by a Black Templar Emperors Champion would suggest that the Astral Lions would adhere closely to their brothers, through time and effort the Chapter has carved its own path. The Emperors Champion Erias Toravan was quick to ensure that some level of Liberians were within the Chapter. Toravan believed that the Emperor being a psyker himself meant that they could be used as long as they were always under surveillance. This has meant an increase in Chaplains in the Chapter. The Chaplains are not only tasked with keeping the spiritual purity of the Chapter but also to administer the Emperors judgement on Liberians thought of as tainted. This is something that they have failed to do in the past. The Chapter excels at fast surgical strikes at key enemy locations, as well as faint and lure tactics. The fast strikes at important targets are designed to cripple key aspects within the enemy’s armies, with assault troops, snipers, bike squadrons and land speeders being highly utilised within the Astral Lions. Once key points in the enemy’s strategy have been removed the faint and lure tactics are typically employed. The enemy is lured into traps whereby the more heavy hitting aspects of the Chapter can be used, the centurions, predators and dreadnoughts are used as an anvil with which to crush the tricked enemy. Toravan was key to the Chapter also obtaining several relic items and these were gifted to the Chapter on their inception. Known relics include a Sicaran tank, a contemplator dreadnought and suits of Tartaros Pattern Terminator gear. The marine Farus Halrik is thought to have moved with Toravan and is currently the marine interned with the old contemplator armour now. The most holy of the Chapters relics though is the Black Blade that Toravan was allowed to retain as a former Emperors Champion. The blade is gifted to the marine considered most capable of wielding it and is typically one of the Chapter Masters bodyguards. The current Chapter Master is Erias Daravian and has served the Chapter for around 300 years. Astral Lions Tactical Squad accompany an Inquisitor in the assault of a Tau gun line. As their Red Scorpion brothers also charge. Chapter Colours The Astral Lions wear silver power armour, with purple pauldrons. The Aquila or Imperialis on the chest guard is gold. The different insignia on the pauldrons denotes the squad specialty. A Lions Roar is for tactical marines or devastators and winged lion head for assault marine for instance. Terminators also then have separate insignias depending on their speciality. Chapter Badge The Chapters badge is a white, gold or black lions head. Chapter Motto "We are the Emperor's pride made manifest!’ Image taken from Shapeways Pop goes the Monkey - I have bought these shoulder pads, they are awesome.
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AboutThe armies and characters contesting the Sector. Battles fought will dictate the narrative going forward for the Sector Archives
August 2018
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