{{Infobox Legion
|Image=StarLionAstartes.jpeg
|Numeration= III
|Primogenitor= [[Linnaeus]]
|Cognomen= Locus Notern Leonis "Black lions who stalk the night sky" (Formal), Star Lions (Low Gothic), Thunder cats (Common mistranslation) Emperors Pride (Honorary)
|Observed Strategic Tendencies= Strategic Dispersal and Crusade integration. Rapid Recon and Raids, Anti-Psyker operations, Armour Operations
|Noteworthy Domains = [[Nemea]]
|Allegiance= Fedelitas Constantus
|Colours= Black with accent based on Battalion
|Quote= “Burn the Witch" -Attributed to Commander Megran during the Vandus Belt purges
}}

The IIIrd Astartes are a sometimes controversial Legion, immensely popular amongst their support troops and allies they have also built powerful enemies amongst the Crusade support organisations for their Anti-psyker rhetoric and actions. Though no formal charges have ever been brought, no witch can rest easy before the Lions. This is also a part of their popularity, Xenos or renegade Psykers are swiftly countered and executed without pity. The legion also deploys fully to integrate all troops supporting their Compliances with Astartes officers if not troops.

{{Picture Box Big
|Image= IIILegion symbol.png
|Text= Legion Insignia, Primary authorised variant
}}

=History=

== Early Crusade ==

===Birth===

The IIIrd Legion was created alongside its fellow Space Marine Legions during the latter phases of the Unification Wars on Terra, with many of its finest warriors drawn from the courts and blood vassal populations of Europa. The nobles of Europa selected the finest of their youth and offered them up to the Emperor of Mankind as tribute and penance for their previous defiance after their systematic humiliation in battle at the hands of the Imperial Thunder Regiments. Among them were sons drawn from each noble family, of this tithe some Europan noble familes gave in grudging tribute and thought of these young men as little more than hostages, while others cooperated with the zeal of true converts to the Imperial cause. House Loculus of Komarg is said, for example, to have sent all of its sons to be transformed into Astartes at the time of their capitulation to Imperial rule, and to have given the firstborn son of each generation thereafter to the IIIrd Legion willingly. In later decades, other Terran dynasties followed the example of Europa, filling the ranks of the IIIrd Legion with the flower of Terran youth who seemed well-matched with the aristocratic blood of its Initiates, forming a martial brotherhood whose ancestry in war stretched back into the lost ages of human history.

===First Blood===

In the early crusade the IIIrd Legion was used to support some of the more notable actions of the nascent Imperial Army, and in many instances to directly lead its troops in battle. This differed notably from many of the First Founding Space Marine Legion forces at this time, who were often deployed as unified commands en masse to serve as shock troops supported by heavy war machinery only. Coordinating and leading such "lesser" troops seemed a natural fit for the former aristocrats of the IIIrd Legion. They had a profound ability to understand the strengths and manifold weaknesses of the diverse armies in service to the Emperor and drew on the long traditions of Terra's military aristocracies to command with surety and purpose. The Antarctic Clearance campaign during the Unification Wars is, for example, marked as a victory for Army Group Antilles, but in truth any detailed analysis of the ancient conflict reveals that it was the IIIrd Legion which sculpted the tactics and strategy of the campaign, and led it to successful completion. Likewise, when the Bronze Host took Nadarin it was under the eye and with the aid of the IIIrd Legion, and the Fifth Raising of Jove-Sat II was done principally by their hand, though other names than theirs throng the honour rolls of the Unification. The examples are numerous, and through them all the IIIrd Legion proved their superb ability to execute and exceed the intent and expectations of their Emperor in war.

== Rebirth ==

With the Rediscovery of [[Nemea]] and the Discovery of [[Linnaeus]] the entire III Legion was recalled and reconstituted as the 215th Expenditionary fleet as was expected of any Legion rediscovering their Primarch. With the IIIrd so dispersed amongst the Crusade this effort was unusually slow and fraught with a number of fleets reliant on their Astartes elements for command and inevitable delays and disasters accompanied this great recall, the blame, rightly or wrongly was often attributed to the IIIrd and Linnaeus with some elements of the Crusade still bearing grudges to this day.

Recruitment of Nemeans went smoothly with the III Legion Geneseed being of noted quality, especially augmented directly at source and the Star Lions quickly rocketed from one of the smallest Legions to one of the Larger. Large numbers of Demi-Astartes were also Augmented with the entire Lion and Seeker Castes of the Order brought into the Legion though as is expected in these cases many were lost due to Geneseed incompatibility. Initially there was friction in the Legion which was unused to operating as such and given the excess of command ranked Astartes and former Order Officers but upon his return from [[Terra]] Linnaeus began his own reforms, creating the Gargoyles, Manticores and Black Lion units and instituting changes to the Bellicosa Battalions which gave commanders broad authority to settle things as they preferred. Even a Primarch could not solve all the issues but by the time the 215th was given ready clearance to begin its Crusade the Star Lions were ready and eager for action.

== Star Lions ==

It was at this point the Newly founded Star Lions bum rushed Mars and took all the shiny things

= Legion Organisation =
The Legion differs little from the Principia Belicosia, Linnaeus puts a lot of Emphasis on the Battalion level of organisation with the different Shoulder flashes and adopting that colour in much of the battalions other heraldry or equipment. He encourages rivalry between them to excel and treats each like its own smaller force. Lord Commanders command these battalions and often have a great deal of latitude in how they run their units.

Some preferences have certainly begun to emerge though. The Nemeans raised on the plains have an affinity for light vehicles such as used on their homeworld and in many cases this translates well into armoured warfare too, as such the Legion can field an exceptional number of Bikes, Speeders and Predator tanks with numbers of heavier armour varying by battalion.

==Unique Formations==
{{Picture Box Big
|Image= Manticore gargoyle.png
|Text= On the Left: Sergeant Grace Yung of the Manticores and Right: Gargoyle Leoric Visinary dispatching an Eldar Witch
}}
===Gargoyles===
The Gargoyles are a Centurion rank reflecting the Seekers of Nemea, dedicated to serving the Legions political goals and hunting enemy psykers they are near universally accompanied by Nemean lions.

Their black armour absent of Battalion markings they often wear traditional Nemean Gargoyle helms (Though some have also adopted Skull helms) though once designed to confuse the Devils of Thundara the psychological impact of a grotesque was noted by the young Primarch and also serves to remove the identity of the wearer, the Gargoyles are an extension of the legion more than individuals seeking glory. Armament varies by the individuals choice though most avoid the more specialised Terminator armour variants, as an officer of Centurion rank they have full access to the Legion armoury and certain Gargoyles have been known to utilise particularly "flashy" weaponry the better to impress their allies such as Plasma or Volkite technology. Anti Psyker goads, rods and collars are also common given that Witch hunting is a significant part of their role. Whilst a Nemean Lion is by no means needed to carry out their role they are immensely useful and it is seen as a rite of passage of sorts for a would be Gargoyle to bond with one, though by the Legion Standards Gargoyles Lions are often unusually calm or sociable animals, again, given their role it would not be seemly for the beast to be seen attacking allies!

Gargoyles are almost always deployed amongst the Army or Mechanicum support forces of the expeditionary fleets alongside a small retinue of Star Lions, usually numbering a few dozen seconded from a relevant battalion. They serve to support the attached units commanders and facilitate inter-branch communication. A Platoon of Astartes is always a welcome asset in combat too. When dealing with enemy Psykers Gargoyles will adopt command of their unit and deal directly with enemy Psi-forces, bringing their specialist equipment and knowledge to the fore to eliminate the hated foe.

===Manticores===
{{Picture Box Left
|Image= Manticores.jpg
|Text= Unit crest of the Manticore Companies
}}

The Manticores are a terminator strike formation dedicated to shock assaults and decapitation strikes inspired by the enemy of Linnaeus' younger days. They are usually held in reserve and strike from teleport wherever they can sow the most destruction.

The Star Lions typical deployment is one of width grinding an enemy to pieces rather than the decapitation strikes favoured by many of the other Legions, thats not to say they dont utilise this attack style, they simply leave it to their specialists as part of a wider coordinated plan. The Manticores recruit only the most aggressive and lethal Legion Veterans gear them up in the heaviest armour the Legion can provide and drop them directly into enemy strongpoints with intent to destroy. Fear is a powerful weapon in their arsenal and their armour is often heavily ornamented to this end, calling to mind savage beasts and merciless reapers.

Equipment wise they are entirely equipped with Cataphract pattern terminator armour, its protection is unparalleled and its lack of mobility rarely a problem in their typical engagements. Weaponry is typical of Terminator units but favours Volkite and Melta weaponry, effective and short range and demoralising for the enemy. They do however field a higher than usual concentration of heavy weapons, usually One in three carrying some variety and providing solutions to almost any problem they may encounter in the field when out of contact with the wider legion.

Casualties are high are veteran Manticores often sport several bionic augments but competition is fierce to join these companies and the bond they share is profound, when dropped in a hot zone all you can rely on is your fellow Manticores and that is something that never leaves you, even if promoted out of the unit itself.

Whilst on Paper the Manticores form a separate under-strength Battalion they are distributed amongst the various Legion fleets and almost never gathered any larger than a few squads, a company at most.
 
 

===Black Lions===
{{Picture Box
|Image= 3rd bodyguards.png
|Text= Brother Gotren on watch
}}

The Black Lions are [[Linnaeus]]' bodyguard formation.

An elite formation of fighters who accompany the Primarch directly into the heart of the fiercest fighting they are chosen from the best and brightest among the legion not suited to command rank. They wear golden suits of artificed armour decorated liberally with the Black Lions from which they take their name. Each bears a mighty shield to put between the Primarch and danger but that aside their weaponry is as varied as each warrior prefers. The unit also literally includes Black Lions, every member has bonded with at least one Nemean Lion, some have bonded with several. Each marine has also been extensively schooled in Anti Psyker skills and tactics and possesses extreme force of will. All this together has formed a unstoppable point for any spear, one particularly feared by psychic enemies.

==Combat Doctrine==

The Star Lions always ensure they operate closely with allied army and Mechanicum units at all levels, often breaking down considerable strength into smaller than usual units to broaden the Legions coverage, particularly Gargoyle units and their escorts. The Legion typically operates a dispersed command structure and unit commanders are expected to use their initiative in the field, indeed [[Linnaeus]] rarely operates as Supreme commander in reserve, rather as a direct combatant and overseer whilst a Lord Commander is responsible for coordinating the campaign.

Star Lion detachments often emphasise speed and reactivity no matter how dispersed they are always ready to potentially disengage, congeal and exploit a potential breakthrough or weak spot in either force.

Star Lion forces refuse to cooperate with Psychic assets or those who rely on their use, often to the detriment of Imperial War efforts, the Council of Terra thus prefers to avoid such deployments.

=Legion Homeworld=

''Main Article [[Nemea]]'' 

Nemea was a Dark Age Agri world subject to some kind of Psychic apocalypse during the Age of Strife, formerly ruled by roving techno barbarians it is now civilised under the rule of [[Linnaeus]] and the III Legion and its archeotech and populace dedicated to the Crusade.

=Primarch=

''Main Article: [[Linnaeus]]'' 

Linnaeus is a hands on Commander, often among the first boots on the ground he is a personal inspiration to his troops and a deadly personal combatant. This is certainly more pronounced in the Nemean astartes whose world he saved and brought to peaceful compliance.

=Culture and Beliefs=

The Legion culture varies a great deal between Battalions at Linnaeus' design. Some traits are shared across the Legion though, Nemeans consider races of various kinds a core entertainment and this has transferred to the Legion with competitions common from foot races to interceptor asteroid runs and any variant between them.

Wings and Lions are common design motifs and each Battalion commonly agrees on a symbol they bear nearly as often as the Star Lion itself, for example 2nd Battalions Winged sword or the Raven of 1st Battalion. Other distinctive touches include 3rd Battalion filing their canines to resemble a lion. It is very common for Nemean Astartes of all battalions to wear ceremonial robes or tabards over their armour to remember the Gargoyle order.

The Legion is very open to cooperation with other forces, they are widely loved amongst Army regiments they have fought alongside and even find favour with the cold Mechanicum. This is reversed with those who field or revere Psykers who find their aid coldly rebuffed and cooperation difficult if at all possible past some Gargoyle support units. Rumours even circulate of psykers going missing or being left hanging by Lion reinforcements, rumours which are furiously denied by the Legion.

Recruitment is fairly standard for the Astartes, the Legion draws recruits primarily from Nemea but also Sol and most worlds brought to compliance by the Legion in limited amounts. It is traditional for all recruits to perform a "Long Walk" across the wild surface of Nemea before black carapace implantation. It is a time for contemplation and to fully embrace their enhanced physiques, with nothing but simple clothes and a survival knife. It is rare though not unknown for recruits to not return from this pilgrimage, Nemea is still not entirely civilised and has dangers aplenty for the overconfident or unlucky. Prestige can be earned by choosing particularly isolated or gruelling start locations but all end back at Thundara within the Lion wall. Whilst it is not technically a requirement it is expected that recruits will attempt to gain entry circumspectly, scaling both City walls and evading patrols throughout. While Legionnaires may turn a blind eye to these initiates with a wry chuckle, the Servant caste takes great pleasure in catching all they can.

{{Picture Box Big
|Image= Batallion comp.png
|Text= Left to Right Astartes from Battalions 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th
}}

=Geneseed=

Star Lion Geneseed is exceptionally pure and suitable for implantation in a wide range of subjects. Rumours have previously circulated regarding canine mutations but this is largely due to 3rd Battalion ritually sharpening said teeth to resemble a Lions. There is a tendency for a subjects eye colour to shift towards amber but this is well within tolerable norms.

It is noteworthy that Psykers have always been rare amongst the Legion and unknown entirely since their Genebanks were replenished with Primarch material.

=Legion Attributes=

PROVISIONAL

* '''Tactics =''' Competent
* '''Espionage =''' Competant
* '''Aggression =''' Competent
* '''Mitigation =''' Competent
* '''Diplomacy =''' Specialized
* '''Geneseed =''' Good

=Homeworld Attributes=

PROVISIONAL

*'''Population =''' Average
*'''Fabrication =''' Average
*'''Fortification =''' Average

=Exemplary Battles=
==Operation Phoenix==

{{Picture Box
|Image= Kafrene asteroid belt.png
|Text= Kafrene Station amidst the belt
}}

One of the closing actions in the Sol Campaign Operation Phoenix was the first solo operation by the III Legion against the various petty fleets of the Asteroid Belt, an exemplary campaign it takes pride of place amongst [[Lord Commander Hercule Vanzamt]]'s battle honours.

While the III Legion was typically deployed in support of army assets the nature of this campaign with its rapid void deployments was seized by Legion Master Vanzamt as an opportunity for the Legion to spread its wings a little. Whilst many of the greater kingdoms of the belt were crushed by other Imperial forces Operation Phoenix was launched to gather a number of the smaller fiefs into set piece battles where they could be destroyed conclusively rather than leading the Crusade on a merry dance around the belt. The exact plans varied from clan to clan but from typically involved baiting them out with an inviting crusade supply convoy moving udner protected to the outer systems only for would be raiders to discover the cargo was holds full of Astartes warriors in Sus-an comas to avoid scans. Sometimes they would be deeply concealed amongst other cargos and emerge when the raiders returned to base, other times it would be a direct counter boarding action or a legion Q Ship bristling with guns and boarding pods.

Intelligence from captives in all cases was used to divide and conquer survivors with the surprisingly adept political minds of the IIIrd manipulating the delicate balance of the belt to bring compliance to some clans peacefully and manipulate others into direct confrontations or traps. All in all Operation Phoenix was an exceptional success and brought praise from the Emperor himself, allowing the outer Sol system campaigns to continue unhindered and establishing that the Third could indeed operate like their peers when needed, rather than glorified babysitters.

==215/1==

{{Picture Box
|Image= Coruscant-EotE.jpg
|Text= 215/1 from Orbit
}}

The First compliance action of the newly formed 215th expedition and [[Linnaeus]]' baptism of fire was one of a number of options available to the newly reformed Legion. What eventually swung Linnaeus' decision was reports of a sinister cabal of psykers controlling this petty empire, their distinctive wedge shaped warships had engaged the Imperium at a number of systems but none of the fleets engaged with them had the power to engage with their military head on. Seconding the 32nd and 904th fleets to his own command Linnaeus drew a significant portion of their fleet aside to secondary objectives whilst the 215th bore down on the world identified as the Empire's capital themselves.

Initial skirmishes outsystem sent the enemy reeling back to the core, the system housed only one inhabited planet which gleamed from space, almost entirely sheathed in metal as it was, No doubt some marvel of the dark ages it was quickly surmised that 215/1 was likely dependant on its colonies for food and other supplies and a siege was proposed by a number of the Lord Commanders still unsure of how the legion would fare after its reconstruction but Linnaeus saw that baulking now would forever taint his leadership and committed in full force to strike across the planets surface, leading the first wave himself.

{{Right Box
|Title= Linnaeus above 215/1
|Text= No my sons we will forge ourselves on this anvil! Are we not the Emperors hammer?
}}

His strategy was not a traditional decapitation strike though, the canny rulers of this world had kept their centre of power hidden, a puppet senate merely doing as ordered was not even a target in the initial strikes. No, whilst the world's defenders clustered at military and political targets Linnaeus struck at a far more vital target, the great reservoirs that held the planets precious water supplies. Tearing through their minimal garrisons and counter attacks they laid charges which blew the reservoirs open sending their contents deep into the planets undercity and away from those who depended on it.

As citizens began to riot and defence force's discipline fractured the Star Lions started striking at their true targets, the proxy rulers and military leaders attempting to regain control of the situation for their hidden masters and in doing so gave up intelligence on their true targets, the so called "Sith lords" secretly controlling the empire. At this point Nemean Lions were still relatively rare, the Gargoyles perhaps too thinly spread and the initial Sith strikes were devastating, but if anything the Lions counter attack was a return tenfold, Linnaeus striking at the head of a mix of former Seekers and Terran veterans directly at every revealed Sith via Stormbird and tearing the heart from their order with his own hands.

At this point Imperial army forces began landing in great numbers, bringing with them water supplies harvested from the asteroid belt and quickly refilling all compliant reserves. With a stark choice between thirst and compliance resistance was quickly crushed, the Star lions remaining on station to bloodily destroy the last few diehards and ensure secondary fortified reservoirs were under construction, after all, if it was done once it could be done again, this Lion closes the door when he comes in.

=Notable Members=
'''Primarch''' 
[[Linnaeus]] III Primarch, Black Lion of Nemea 

'''High Command''' 
[[Lord Commander Hercule Vanzamt]] 1st Battalion 

[[Lord Commander Mahees "Iron arm" Huron]] 4th Battalion 

[[Commander Leonida Templatz]] Manticores 

{{Picture Box Big
|Image= Characters.png
|Text= Left to Right; Lord Commanders Vanzamt and Huron, Commander Templatz
}}

[[Category:Legion]]

Legion III: Star Lions

2018-02-16T00:42:12Z

Scott: /* 215/1 */

{{Infobox Legion
|Image=StarLionAstartes.jpeg
|Numeration= III
|Primogenitor= [[Linnaeus]]
|Cognomen= Locus Notern Leonis "Black lions who stalk the night sky" (Formal), Star Lions (Low Gothic), Thunder cats (Common mistranslation) Emperors Pride (Honorary)
|Observed Strategic Tendencies= Strategic Dispersal and Crusade integration. Rapid Recon and Raids, Anti-Psyker operations, Armour Operations
|Noteworthy Domains = [[Nemea]]
|Allegiance= Fedelitas Constantus
|Colours= Black with accent based on Battalion
|Quote= “Burn the Witch" -Attributed to Commander Megran during the Vandus Belt purges
}}

The IIIrd Astartes are a sometimes controversial Legion, immensely popular amongst their support troops and allies they have also built powerful enemies amongst the Crusade support organisations for their Anti-psyker rhetoric and actions. Though no formal charges have ever been brought, no witch can rest easy before the Lions. This is also a part of their popularity, Xenos or renegade Psykers are swiftly countered and executed without pity. The legion also deploys fully to integrate all troops supporting their Compliances with Astartes officers if not troops.

{{Picture Box Big
|Image= IIILegion symbol.png
|Text= Legion Insignia, Primary authorised variant
}}

=History=

== Early Crusade ==

===Birth===

The IIIrd Legion was created alongside its fellow Space Marine Legions during the latter phases of the Unification Wars on Terra, with many of its finest warriors drawn from the courts and blood vassal populations of Europa. The nobles of Europa selected the finest of their youth and offered them up to the Emperor of Mankind as tribute and penance for their previous defiance after their systematic humiliation in battle at the hands of the Imperial Thunder Regiments. Among them were sons drawn from each noble family, of this tithe some Europan noble familes gave in grudging tribute and thought of these young men as little more than hostages, while others cooperated with the zeal of true converts to the Imperial cause. House Loculus of Komarg is said, for example, to have sent all of its sons to be transformed into Astartes at the time of their capitulation to Imperial rule, and to have given the firstborn son of each generation thereafter to the IIIrd Legion willingly. In later decades, other Terran dynasties followed the example of Europa, filling the ranks of the IIIrd Legion with the flower of Terran youth who seemed well-matched with the aristocratic blood of its Initiates, forming a martial brotherhood whose ancestry in war stretched back into the lost ages of human history.

===First Blood===

In the early crusade the IIIrd Legion was used to support some of the more notable actions of the nascent Imperial Army, and in many instances to directly lead its troops in battle. This differed notably from many of the First Founding Space Marine Legion forces at this time, who were often deployed as unified commands en masse to serve as shock troops supported by heavy war machinery only. Coordinating and leading such "lesser" troops seemed a natural fit for the former aristocrats of the IIIrd Legion. They had a profound ability to understand the strengths and manifold weaknesses of the diverse armies in service to the Emperor and drew on the long traditions of Terra's military aristocracies to command with surety and purpose. The Antarctic Clearance campaign during the Unification Wars is, for example, marked as a victory for Army Group Antilles, but in truth any detailed analysis of the ancient conflict reveals that it was the IIIrd Legion which sculpted the tactics and strategy of the campaign, and led it to successful completion. Likewise, when the Bronze Host took Nadarin it was under the eye and with the aid of the IIIrd Legion, and the Fifth Raising of Jove-Sat II was done principally by their hand, though other names than theirs throng the honour rolls of the Unification. The examples are numerous, and through them all the IIIrd Legion proved their superb ability to execute and exceed the intent and expectations of their Emperor in war.

== Rebirth ==

With the Rediscovery of [[Nemea]] and the Discovery of [[Linnaeus]] the entire III Legion was recalled and reconstituted as the 215th Expenditionary fleet as was expected of any Legion rediscovering their Primarch. With the IIIrd so dispersed amongst the Crusade this effort was unusually slow and fraught with a number of fleets reliant on their Astartes elements for command and inevitable delays and disasters accompanied this great recall, the blame, rightly or wrongly was often attributed to the IIIrd and Linnaeus with some elements of the Crusade still bearing grudges to this day.

Recruitment of Nemeans went smoothly with the III Legion Geneseed being of noted quality, especially augmented directly at source and the Star Lions quickly rocketed from one of the smallest Legions to one of the Larger. Large numbers of Demi-Astartes were also Augmented with the entire Lion and Seeker Castes of the Order brought into the Legion though as is expected in these cases many were lost due to Geneseed incompatibility. Initially there was friction in the Legion which was unused to operating as such and given the excess of command ranked Astartes and former Order Officers but upon his return from [[Terra]] Linnaeus began his own reforms, creating the Gargoyles, Manticores and Black Lion units and instituting changes to the Bellicosa Battalions which gave commanders broad authority to settle things as they preferred. Even a Primarch could not solve all the issues but by the time the 215th was given ready clearance to begin its Crusade the Star Lions were ready and eager for action.

== Star Lions ==

It was at this point the Newly founded Star Lions bum rushed Mars and took all the shiny things

= Legion Organisation =
The Legion differs little from the Principia Belicosia, Linnaeus puts a lot of Emphasis on the Battalion level of organisation with the different Shoulder flashes and adopting that colour in much of the battalions other heraldry or equipment. He encourages rivalry between them to excel and treats each like its own smaller force. Lord Commanders command these battalions and often have a great deal of latitude in how they run their units.

Some preferences have certainly begun to emerge though. The Nemeans raised on the plains have an affinity for light vehicles such as used on their homeworld and in many cases this translates well into armoured warfare too, as such the Legion can field an exceptional number of Bikes, Speeders and Predator tanks with numbers of heavier armour varying by battalion.

==Unique Formations==
{{Picture Box Big
|Image= Manticore gargoyle.png
|Text= On the Left: Sergeant Grace Yung of the Manticores and Right: Gargoyle Leoric Visinary dispatching an Eldar Witch
}}
===Gargoyles===
The Gargoyles are a Centurion rank reflecting the Seekers of Nemea, dedicated to serving the Legions political goals and hunting enemy psykers they are near universally accompanied by Nemean lions.

Their black armour absent of Battalion markings they often wear traditional Nemean Gargoyle helms (Though some have also adopted Skull helms) though once designed to confuse the Devils of Thundara the psychological impact of a grotesque was noted by the young Primarch and also serves to remove the identity of the wearer, the Gargoyles are an extension of the legion more than individuals seeking glory. Armament varies by the individuals choice though most avoid the more specialised Terminator armour variants, as an officer of Centurion rank they have full access to the Legion armoury and certain Gargoyles have been known to utilise particularly "flashy" weaponry the better to impress their allies such as Plasma or Volkite technology. Anti Psyker goads, rods and collars are also common given that Witch hunting is a significant part of their role. Whilst a Nemean Lion is by no means needed to carry out their role they are immensely useful and it is seen as a rite of passage of sorts for a would be Gargoyle to bond with one, though by the Legion Standards Gargoyles Lions are often unusually calm or sociable animals, again, given their role it would not be seemly for the beast to be seen attacking allies!

Gargoyles are almost always deployed amongst the Army or Mechanicum support forces of the expeditionary fleets alongside a small retinue of Star Lions, usually numbering a few dozen seconded from a relevant battalion. They serve to support the attached units commanders and facilitate inter-branch communication. A Platoon of Astartes is always a welcome asset in combat too. When dealing with enemy Psykers Gargoyles will adopt command of their unit and deal directly with enemy Psi-forces, bringing their specialist equipment and knowledge to the fore to eliminate the hated foe.

===Manticores===
{{Picture Box Left
|Image= Manticores.jpg
|Text= Unit crest of the Manticore Companies
}}

The Manticores are a terminator strike formation dedicated to shock assaults and decapitation strikes inspired by the enemy of Linnaeus' younger days. They are usually held in reserve and strike from teleport wherever they can sow the most destruction.

The Star Lions typical deployment is one of width grinding an enemy to pieces rather than the decapitation strikes favoured by many of the other Legions, thats not to say they dont utilise this attack style, they simply leave it to their specialists as part of a wider coordinated plan. The Manticores recruit only the most aggressive and lethal Legion Veterans gear them up in the heaviest armour the Legion can provide and drop them directly into enemy strongpoints with intent to destroy. Fear is a powerful weapon in their arsenal and their armour is often heavily ornamented to this end, calling to mind savage beasts and merciless reapers.

Equipment wise they are entirely equipped with Cataphract pattern terminator armour, its protection is unparalleled and its lack of mobility rarely a problem in their typical engagements. Weaponry is typical of Terminator units but favours Volkite and Melta weaponry, effective and short range and demoralising for the enemy. They do however field a higher than usual concentration of heavy weapons, usually One in three carrying some variety and providing solutions to almost any problem they may encounter in the field when out of contact with the wider legion.

Casualties are high are veteran Manticores often sport several bionic augments but competition is fierce to join these companies and the bond they share is profound, when dropped in a hot zone all you can rely on is your fellow Manticores and that is something that never leaves you, even if promoted out of the unit itself.

Whilst on Paper the Manticores form a separate under-strength Battalion they are distributed amongst the various Legion fleets and almost never gathered any larger than a few squads, a company at most.
 
 

===Black Lions===
{{Picture Box
|Image= 3rd bodyguards.png
|Text= Brother Gotren on watch
}}

The Black Lions are [[Linnaeus]]' bodyguard formation.

An elite formation of fighters who accompany the Primarch directly into the heart of the fiercest fighting they are chosen from the best and brightest among the legion not suited to command rank. They wear golden suits of artificed armour decorated liberally with the Black Lions from which they take their name. Each bears a mighty shield to put between the Primarch and danger but that aside their weaponry is as varied as each warrior prefers. The unit also literally includes Black Lions, every member has bonded with at least one Nemean Lion, some have bonded with several. Each marine has also been extensively schooled in Anti Psyker skills and tactics and possesses extreme force of will. All this together has formed a unstoppable point for any spear, one particularly feared by psychic enemies.

==Combat Doctrine==

The Star Lions always ensure they operate closely with allied army and Mechanicum units at all levels, often breaking down considerable strength into smaller than usual units to broaden the Legions coverage, particularly Gargoyle units and their escorts. The Legion typically operates a dispersed command structure and unit commanders are expected to use their initiative in the field, indeed [[Linnaeus]] rarely operates as Supreme commander in reserve, rather as a direct combatant and overseer whilst a Lord Commander is responsible for coordinating the campaign.

Star Lion detachments often emphasise speed and reactivity no matter how dispersed they are always ready to potentially disengage, congeal and exploit a potential breakthrough or weak spot in either force.

Star Lion forces refuse to cooperate with Psychic assets or those who rely on their use, often to the detriment of Imperial War efforts, the Council of Terra thus prefers to avoid such deployments.

=Legion Homeworld=

''Main Article [[Nemea]]'' 

Nemea was a Dark Age Agri world subject to some kind of Psychic apocalypse during the Age of Strife, formerly ruled by roving techno barbarians it is now civilised under the rule of [[Linnaeus]] and the III Legion and its archeotech and populace dedicated to the Crusade.

=Primarch=

''Main Article: [[Linnaeus]]'' 

Linnaeus is a hands on Commander, often among the first boots on the ground he is a personal inspiration to his troops and a deadly personal combatant. This is certainly more pronounced in the Nemean astartes whose world he saved and brought to peaceful compliance.

=Culture and Beliefs=

The Legion culture varies a great deal between Battalions at Linnaeus' design. Some traits are shared across the Legion though, Nemeans consider races of various kinds a core entertainment and this has transferred to the Legion with competitions common from foot races to interceptor asteroid runs and any variant between them.

Wings and Lions are common design motifs and each Battalion commonly agrees on a symbol they bear nearly as often as the Star Lion itself, for example 2nd Battalions Winged sword or the Raven of 1st Battalion. Other distinctive touches include 3rd Battalion filing their canines to resemble a lion. It is very common for Nemean Astartes of all battalions to wear ceremonial robes or tabards over their armour to remember the Gargoyle order.

The Legion is very open to cooperation with other forces, they are widely loved amongst Army regiments they have fought alongside and even find favour with the cold Mechanicum. This is reversed with those who field or revere Psykers who find their aid coldly rebuffed and cooperation difficult if at all possible past some Gargoyle support units. Rumours even circulate of psykers going missing or being left hanging by Lion reinforcements, rumours which are furiously denied by the Legion.

Recruitment is fairly standard for the Astartes, the Legion draws recruits primarily from Nemea but also Sol and most worlds brought to compliance by the Legion in limited amounts. It is traditional for all recruits to perform a "Long Walk" across the wild surface of Nemea before black carapace implantation. It is a time for contemplation and to fully embrace their enhanced physiques, with nothing but simple clothes and a survival knife. It is rare though not unknown for recruits to not return from this pilgrimage, Nemea is still not entirely civilised and has dangers aplenty for the overconfident or unlucky. Prestige can be earned by choosing particularly isolated or gruelling start locations but all end back at Thundara within the Lion wall. Whilst it is not technically a requirement it is expected that recruits will attempt to gain entry circumspectly, scaling both City walls and evading patrols throughout. While Legionnaires may turn a blind eye to these initiates with a wry chuckle, the Servant caste takes great pleasure in catching all they can.

{{Picture Box Big
|Image= Batallion comp.png
|Text= Left to Right Astartes from Battalions 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th
}}

=Geneseed=

Star Lion Geneseed is exceptionally pure and suitable for implantation in a wide range of subjects. Rumours have previously circulated regarding canine mutations but this is largely due to 3rd Battalion ritually sharpening said teeth to resemble a Lions. There is a tendency for a subjects eye colour to shift towards amber but this is well within tolerable norms.

It is noteworthy that Psykers have always been rare amongst the Legion and unknown entirely since their Genebanks were replenished with Primarch material.

=Legion Attributes=

PROVISIONAL

* '''Tactics =''' Competent
* '''Espionage =''' Competant
* '''Aggression =''' Competent
* '''Mitigation =''' Competent
* '''Diplomacy =''' Specialized
* '''Geneseed =''' Good

=Homeworld Attributes=

PROVISIONAL

*'''Population =''' Average
*'''Fabrication =''' Average
*'''Fortification =''' Average

=Exemplary Battles=
==Operation Phoenix==

One of the closing actions in the Sol Campaign Operation Phoenix was the first solo operation by the III Legion against the various petty fleets of the Asteroid Belt, an exemplary campaign it takes pride of place amongst [[Lord Commander Hercule Vanzamt]]'s battle honours.

While the III Legion was typically deployed in support of army assets the nature of this campaign with its rapid void deployments was seized by Legion Master Vanzamt as an opportunity for the Legion to spread its wings a little. Whilst many of the greater kingdoms of the belt were crushed by other Imperial forces Operation Phoenix was launched to gather a number of the smaller fiefs into set piece battles where they could be destroyed conclusively rather than leading the Crusade on a merry dance around the belt. The exact plans varied from clan to clan but from typically involved baiting them out with an inviting crusade supply convoy moving udner protected to the outer systems only for would be raiders to discover the cargo was holds full of Astartes warriors in Sus-an comas to avoid scans. Sometimes they would be deeply concealed amongst other cargos and emerge when the raiders returned to base, other times it would be a direct counter boarding action or a legion Q Ship bristling with guns and boarding pods.

Intelligence from captives in all cases was used to divide and conquer survivors with the surprisingly adept political minds of the IIIrd manipulating the delicate balance of the belt to bring compliance to some clans peacefully and manipulate others into direct confrontations or traps. All in all Operation Phoenix was an exceptional success and brought praise from the Emperor himself, allowing the outer Sol system campaigns to continue unhindered and establishing that the Third could indeed operate like their peers when needed, rather than glorified babysitters.

==215/1==

{{Picture Box
|Image= Coruscant-EotE.jpg
|Text= 215/1 from Orbit
}}

The First compliance action of the newly formed 215th expedition and [[Linnaeus]]' baptism of fire was one of a number of options available to the newly reformed Legion. What eventually swung Linnaeus' decision was reports of a sinister cabal of psykers controlling this petty empire, their distinctive wedge shaped warships had engaged the Imperium at a number of systems but none of the fleets engaged with them had the power to engage with their military head on. Seconding the 32nd and 904th fleets to his own command Linnaeus drew a significant portion of their fleet aside to secondary objectives whilst the 215th bore down on the world identified as the Empire's capital themselves.

Initial skirmishes outsystem sent the enemy reeling back to the core, the system housed only one inhabited planet which gleamed from space, almost entirely sheathed in metal as it was, No doubt some marvel of the dark ages it was quickly surmised that 215/1 was likely dependant on its colonies for food and other supplies and a siege was proposed by a number of the Lord Commanders still unsure of how the legion would fare after its reconstruction but Linnaeus saw that baulking now would forever taint his leadership and committed in full force to strike across the planets surface, leading the first wave himself.

{{Right Box
|Title= Linnaeus above 215/1
|Text= No my sons we will forge ourselves on this anvil! Are we not the Emperors hammer?
}}

His strategy was not a traditional decapitation strike though, the canny rulers of this world had kept their centre of power hidden, a puppet senate merely doing as ordered was not even a target in the initial strikes. No, whilst the world's defenders clustered at military and political targets Linnaeus struck at a far more vital target, the great reservoirs that held the planets precious water supplies. Tearing through their minimal garrisons and counter attacks they laid charges which blew the reservoirs open sending their contents deep into the planets undercity and away from those who depended on it.

As citizens began to riot and defence force's discipline fractured the Star Lions started striking at their true targets, the proxy rulers and military leaders attempting to regain control of the situation for their hidden masters and in doing so gave up intelligence on their true targets, the so called "Sith lords" secretly controlling the empire. At this point Nemean Lions were still relatively rare, the Gargoyles perhaps too thinly spread and the initial Sith strikes were devastating, but if anything the Lions counter attack was a return tenfold, Linnaeus striking at the head of a mix of former Seekers and Terran veterans directly at every revealed Sith via Stormbird and tearing the heart from their order with his own hands.

At this point Imperial army forces began landing in great numbers, bringing with them water supplies harvested from the asteroid belt and quickly refilling all compliant reserves. With a stark choice between thirst and compliance resistance was quickly crushed, the Star lions remaining on station to bloodily destroy the last few diehards and ensure secondary fortified reservoirs were under construction, after all, if it was done once it could be done again, this Lion closes the door when he comes in.

=Notable Members=
'''Primarch''' 
[[Linnaeus]] III Primarch, Black Lion of Nemea 

'''High Command''' 
[[Lord Commander Hercule Vanzamt]] 1st Battalion 

[[Lord Commander Mahees "Iron arm" Huron]] 4th Battalion 

[[Commander Leonida Templatz]] Manticores 

{{Picture Box Big
|Image= Characters.png
|Text= Left to Right; Lord Commanders Vanzamt and Huron, Commander Templatz
}}

[[Category:Legion]]

File:Kafrene asteroid belt.png

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Scott: /* Primarch Attributes */

{{Legion Tag
|Numeration= III
|Legion Name= Star Lions
|Article= [[Legion III: Star Lions]]
}}

{{Picture Box
|Image= Linnaeus.jpeg
|Text= Linnaeus attired for war
}}

Linnaeus the Black Lion is the 3rd of the [[Emperor|Emperors]] sons, and Primarch of the [[Legion III|Star Lions]]

==Character==
The Primarch of the Star Lions is at times a controversial figure in the Imperium. His hardline against Psykers has at times pitched him head on against both his siblings and many of the great institutions of his fathers empire. He makes exception for the Emperor, at least in public and he and his Legion are solid exemplars of the Great Crusade in all other particulars.

Perhaps some of his rough edges can be attributed to his childhood spent alone amongst the devil haunted ruins of Thundara, he learned social graces when almost a man and so at times he can be unknowingly blunt or unwieldy. It did however hone a killing edge exceptional even amongst his kin, it is said when Linnaeus fights the human eye cannot follow him, merely the corpses he leaves in his wake. He possesses an uncanny gift to detect psykers, which can be unfortunate for said psykers who he is more than happy to dispatch.

==Biography==
===Arrival===
Linnaeus crashed to Nemea deep within the haunted depths of Thundara itself, his capsule's fiery descent marked as a fell omen by the watching Gargoyles, little did they realise that far from it, their salvation had arrived from the stars.

Rumours began to circulate amongst the Sentinels of a strange child seen amongst the ruins, his eyes were unafraid but he skilfully avoided their attempts to scoop him up. Sightings continued and increasing numbers of slain beasts began to crop up around the city, petty Wemics and the like to start but as the child grew so did its prey.

His trail spiralled out towards the city edge and, anticipating the strange boy leaving the forbidden city the Elders began to debate whether they should prevent him or not, he seemed opposed to the beasts they fought but his coming was marked by a fell omen and his very existence amongst the devils of Thundara marked him as unnatural. It was a conundrum they could not conclude in time and so they gathered at the ancient graveyard marking the city boundary the boy seemed headed to. The multitude of gathered Gargoyles, (of all castes, none wanted to stay away) still not decided whether they were there to greet or slay him.

===Confrontation===

He wandered from the ruins, a boy in days but a man in frame, wrapped in scavenged drifters clothes with a gunslingers pistols on his hips. He paused, looked at the multitudes and look puzzled.

It was at this moment that a terrible roar shook the city, legends spoke of particularly powerful devils within the city but these were rarely encountered and survived. Such a beast was upon them now though, shrouded in shadow a gigantic lion that walked like a man, enormous wings hung from its back, its talons were as thick around as a mans body and sharp enough to slice through steel like it was paper. To look upon it was agony and some amidst the onlookers collapsed with blood pouring from their eyes and ears. The Manticore had come and sought to leave the city for the plains beyond.

All weapons now tuned on the beast and the host of shadow beasts and dark armoured revenants that followed with it, chief among them the young enigma Linnaeus who blurred into motion, his pistols spitting death in an unending torrent that carved down Devils left and right and drove the Manticore to seek easier prey.

Many were slain that day but the beasts were repelled and the allegiance of the boy discovered. In the aftermath he spent time talking with the survivors, he claimed to not know from whence he came but knew the creatures and their witch-kin were behind the ills of Nemea and found common cause with the Gargoyle order.

===Rise to Power===

Uncomfortable with large groups and needing some tutoring in the ways of man Linnaeus first spent time apprenticed to an old Seeker named Dedun, walking the plains learning all his mentor could teach and much more, indeed his charisma shone through and from the first all who saw him knew he was something special.

Recruits began to pour in from the local area, speaking of Linnaeus and the need to perhaps purge Thundara for good and by the time Dedun and Linnaeus returned to their home mny of the local Warlords had proceeded them.

Seeing that perhaps he might be best utilised in the city itself the Elders moved him instead to the Sentinel order. Here Linnaeus excelled if anything even more, he seemed to know instinctively how any weapon could best utilised and was teaching his instructors inside of a week. He always came back to pistols though, by now he had reforged a pair to his own design, scaled for his larger frame and firing rounds of his own invention of unsurpassed lethality.

Soon after he joined the Sentinels he was their defacto head, the Elders all heeding his commands even if his actual rank was noviate. The cleansing of Thundara began in earnest. Utilising the uncanny abilities of the Nemean Lion and much gathered lore of the order that Linnaeus devoured in his time away from the front they devised ever more effective means of slaying the devils and haunts and driving back the once seemingly endless hordes. Even the temporal anomalies began to stabilise as the creatures were slain and it looked like perhaps the ancient capital could indeed be reclaimed.

Then the Manticore returned.

===The Manticore===
{{Picture Box Left
|Image= Manticores.jpg
|Text= The Legion Manticores draw inspiration from this event
}}

At the head of a host of lesser beasts once more it sliced through a number of purge companies and headed straight for the tower Linnaeus had claimed for his own on the city perimeter. The Gargoyles were not prepared for such a large scale breakout and were caught out of position, it was dawn before reinforcements were able to breakthrough to what had become the site of a massacre. The tower was ashes, its garrison slain with but one survivor, Linnaeus, who seemed to have aged a century in one night remained. All the creatures were dead or scattered, the perimeter had held.

The Primarch has never spoken of that night, save to commend the fallen but rumours persist of unholy laughter which echoed through the ruins as reinforcement were closing, laughter that came from no mortal throat.

Linnaeus continued to lead from the front whilst he recovered and before long all but the central districts were free of corruption. These was rife with time pockets and the most powerful devilkin and at this point Linnaeus called a halt and for a great wall to be built to contain the threats within, Thundara would not be truly purged until [[OBSIDIAN CLEARANCE REQUIRED]] some years later.

In the wake of this great victory Linnaeus was declared Lord Commander of the Gargoyle order, renamed in honour of the beasts who made much of their victory possible, the Black Lions. By now the order had expanded such that it effectively controlled much of the planet with most of the former Warlords now Sentinels riding for the Lions rather than their own desires.

For Linnaeus it was not enough though and he began a series of reforms, utilising lore and technology reclaimed from the dark city he formally inducted the many factories and farms of Nemea into the Servant caste dedicated to keeping all prosperous. Much of the Sentinel and Seeker castes were formed into a new Lion Caste more recognisable as a Crusading army than one of static defence. Whilst the remainder kept watch over Thundara's dark heart the Lions poured forth and extended Linnaeus' rule to all corners of Nemea.

==Rediscovery==
Days after Linnaeus returned in glory to Thundara the skies split to show a host of golden craft hanging in the heavens. Linnaeus' father had come. Accounts report the compliance of Nemea was a straightforward handover of power with Linnaeus eager to begin the great Crusade and unite the stars. What was not straightforward however, was the return of his Legion, with the IIIrd spread thinly across several Crusade fleets there was a considerable delay in bringing them to [[Nemea]] for Muster. During this time Linnaeus returned with his father to Terra to spend some time acclimating to his role in the greater Imperium.

Whilst Linnaeus secured several contacts within the Mechanicum, especially the Magi Biologis who were intrigued by the Lions of Nemea he made a number of enemies within Crusade command, chiefly [[Malcador]] himself who had several stormy rows with the new Primarch on the role of Psykers in the Imperium.

{{Picture Box Big
|Image= Linnaeus.jpeg
|Text= Linnaeus attired for war
}}

==Appearance==
Linnaeus has a face reminiscent of the Emperor, though bearing what appears to be great age as a result of his battle with the Manticore, outsiders often mistake him for an Elder brother or perhaps uncle to his kin which many of them find amusing. His sable and gold armour is richly decorated but built to allow his uncanny speed and mobility over brute mitigation and he usually wears his old Gargoyle robes over it. When out of armour he usually dresses like the Seekers of old in a black coat and wide brimmed hat, as if ready to head out to the bush at any moment.

==Wargear==

While he is no Artificer Linnaeus is well known to, as he puts it, "Tinker" with his wargear, much to the dismay of the Mechanicum. His particular fascination has always been with firearms and his collection is unparalleled. He varies which weapons he might carry by circumstance and mood and so it is hard to offer specifics but it is a safe assumption that he will be carrying at least three exceptionally lethal guns at any given time.

==Primarch Attributes==

PROVISIONAL

*'''Strategic Planning =''' Competent
*'''Martial Prowess =''' Good
*'''Statecraft =''' Competent
*'''Psychic Potential =''' None
*'''Lords of Terra Influence =''' Terrible
*'''Imperial Army Influence =''' Competent
*'''Mechanicus Influence =''' Competent

[[Category:Character]]
[[Category:Primarch]]

OBSIDIAN CLEARANCE REQUIRED

2018-02-09T02:54:16Z

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2018-02-07T16:31:20Z

Scott: