Crystal Lions

Crystal Lions armorial with Chapter iconography.

Crystal Lions Primaris Intercessor of the 4th Company, 6th Battleline Squad.

### **Specialty**

Combined Arms and Multi-Spectra Warfare, Siege Warfare, Defensive Operations in Extermis.

### Successor Chapter(s)

None

"*We are not his hammer. We are the sharp end of his sword. A hammer is a blunt tool while a blade can strike fast and true.*"
— Zircon Halabin
The **Crystal Lions** are a Loyalist Successor Chapter created during the 22nd Founding from the Angels of Absolution whom themselves hail from the lineage of the ancient and secretive First Founding Dark Angels. Over several millennia the Chapter has perfected the use of combined arms and multi-spectra warfare. A favoured tactic of the Crystal Lions when beginning a planetary strike is to launch a devastating orbital bombardment upon the enemy's position. Following this initial strike, the Chapter then utilises drop pods and Thunderhawk gunships in strategic decapitation strikes against high-value enemy targets in order to disrupt their foe's command and control. This is followed by an all-out assault comprised of Dreadnoughts and various patterns of Rhino armoured personnel carriers, as well as heavy support from Land Raider Ares to safely insert their battle-brothers into enemy strongholds in order to close with the enemy in bloody melee combat.

## Chapter History

### Founding

The Crystal Lions were founded as the Silver Lions during the 22nd founding. They would be assigned to the Holdies system for their homeworld. The founding fleet arrived at the forge world Holdies in 921.M36. At the time, the system was suffering from warp storms and daemonic invasions from the daemons of Slaanesh. Zircon Halabin, the captain of the company that survived the journey through the warp, took control of the remaining defenders.

Halabin led hit-and-run raids, allowing the PDF of Geodoa and the Skitarii Legions of Holdies to regroup and hit back. The Slaaneshi daemons and their cult worshipers were not prepared to face the full fury of two companies of the Lion's sons. The servants of the god of excess regrouped on the moon of Geodoa, for the battle was about to begin.

Halabin chose the greatest mountain on the moon to make their stand. The remaining marines linked up with the PDF and local sect of the Adepta Soraritas on the mountain. Defenses were set up while Skitarii legions and the local Imperial Knight House forces began to make their way to the moon to reinforce the Space Marines. During the setup of the defenses, Halabin discovered caves of gems. After a vision that he took to be from the Emperor\*, he ordered every marine to take the gem that 'called out to them' and had them implanted in the marine's forehead. The strange crystals possessed a minor natural psychic null effect that severed a Neverborn's direct connection to the Immaterium, similar to the unnatural ability possessed by an Untouchable. Now that they had a modicum of protection, the marines possessed a natural defense against the warped-spawn abominations.

The hordes of daemons and cultists attacked for seven days before the arrival of the Knights and Skitarii forces. The horde was nigh endless. The marines killed 100 daemons for every marine that fell. Each PDF soldier fell 100 cultists for every one of their numbers to fall. It was not nearly enough. On the seventh day, only 71 marines remained. Seeking a quick resolution to end the conflict, Zircon Halabin decided to personally challenge the daemon prince that led the invasion to a duel. The Daemon Prince, Penolan the Glorious, accepted.

The duel lasted for five hours. Halabin's will, manifested through the gem, weakened the prince enough to not immediately kill him. However, even with the gem Halabin's strength was not enough. Penolan the Glorious stuck Halabin to the ground. When the daemon astarties raised his blade to make the killing strike it was blocked by a PDF lieutenant named Gabriel Tykon. With inchoate rage, the daemon prince stuck down the mortal hero. However, the distraction allowed Halabin to strike a mortal blow, thus banishing Penolan from the material realm.

## Notable Campaigns

* **Cleansing the System (922.M36)**: The legions of Skitarii along with the remaining PDF, Soraritas, and marines started clearing out the remaining Chaos forces in the system. Holdies and the moons were completely cleansed in the battles before. Holdies I was untouched by the traitors besides a small traitor scouting force. Skitarii elements with a single squad of Astartes were enough to reclaim it. Holdies III was much the same. A habitation station in orbit of Holdies V, the source of the corruption, was bombarded by the Strike Cruiser Ashamed. The un-natural energies of the warp protected the station from destruction but was pushed deep into the center of the gas planet. Chapter Master Halabin ordered the world quarantined with a member of the Ordo Malleus giving the inquisitorial seal to the decision. Holdies VI was purged by the Skitarii a squad of sisters.
* **Siege of Holdies IV (922.M36):** After the banishing of Penolan the Glorious, the remaining traitor forces on Holdies II and Geoda fled to the moons of Holdies IV. Most of the moons were held by the dregs of the heretic army and were cleansed by a recently arrived imperial guard regiment, sisters, and Skitarii. The majority, however, fled to an ancient fortress on the jungle moon of Holdies IV E called the Fortress of the Forbidden Skull. This was the last of the places to be purged and the first with the new liveries and name of the Crystal Lions. Halabin himself lead the remaining 30 marines, the remains of the sisters, and Skitarii in a charge against a breach made by a battery of guard Basilisks. Against such a charge, the demoralized traitor marines and cultists were no match. Halabin claimed the final kill of the battle. The Fortress of the Forbidden Skull was turned into a chapter outpost now used for training and induction.
* **Purge of Gucilia (952.M37):** With a request from the Mechanicus too purge a recently fallen world of chaos forces after the discovery of the location an STC fragment, the 2nd, 3rd, and 8th companies landed on the world of Gucilia along with elements of Knight House Krast, an Imperial Guard contingent, and a formation of Skitarii. The starport and former capital fell within hours to the drop pods with Songs of Doom rising throughout the night. With the landing zone secure the Knights, Skitarii, and Guard were able to re-enforce and support the Lions. The traitor leaders who were able escape fled to a mountain citadel on the south pole of the world. A lance of Knights with Skitarii, Marine, and Valhallan support were able to breach the great gate of the citadel after 3 weeks of bombardment. The STC, that of an improved water filtration devices, was recovered 1 week after the final heretic solider was purged.
* **Torching of The Plague Garden Viridi Pulmonis (104.M41):** After a navy task force failed to torch the the planetwide Plague Garden Viridi Pulmonis from orbit with Cyclonic Torpedos, the Ordo Malleus Inquisitor Junith Zaan sent out requests to nearby marine chapters. The 1st, 3rd, 6th, and 7th, companies of the Crystal Lions responded as well as the 1st, 2nd and 4th companies of the Blazing Hearts, 2nd, 3rd, and 7th Crews (companies) of the Tidebenders, and the 2nd and 4th companies of Abators Golden. The marines would guard heavy flamer servitors from plague cultists, daemons of Nurgle, and even a charge from corrupted plague marines of the Death Guard. If the armor of a marine was penetrated, they would be forced out of action while recovering from the many diseases of the Grandfather. The conflict would last only 4 months due to the 12 companies of marines present on the battlefield.
* **Battle of Parva Pulvis (892.M41):** After an Ork Freeboota crew landed, or more accurately crashed, on the minor forge world of Parva Pulvis, the Lions Ruby (9th) Company responded to the call for aid. The industry on the world had produced a very fine toxic dust left from millennia of heavy industry that produces great dust storms. The marine's auspex were rendered inoperable due to the dust and visibility was reduced to a handful of meters. The Orks did not suffer the same fate due to the Ork machines being more reliable than expected. These and the relative inexperience of the current company captain. Only a couple squads of the company were left when the Death Korps of Krieg deployed to the world. The Death Korps acted as rear guard while the last of the marines and Mechanicus evacuated. The Orks took the world and were able to continue on their WAAAAAGH unimpeded.
* **Mad Dash Through the Great Rift (999.M41):** After the destruction of Cadia, the strike cruiser Smaragdus Hastam and Emerald (4th) company became trapped in the Great Rift. Unable to use the warp currents, they had to fly through while under constant attack by chaos forces and xeno raiders. The Smaragdus Hastam was able to escape to a friendly naval port but was heavily damaged. Approximately half of the marines were lost in boarding actions and from being without a helmet on a deck that was breached by weapons fire.
* **Rivenwilde Family Xenocide (009.M42):** A coalition of Space Marines arrives to address a Tyranid infestation on the Rivenwilde family of comets near the Maelstrom. Led by a company of the senior Novamarines Chapter, two companies of Crystal Lions and elements of Indomitus Task Force Gryphon swiftly engage the xenos. However, the Crystal Lions' decapitation strikes prove ineffective against Splinter Fleet Lindwyrm's lack of synapse creatures, and Task Force Gryphon is forced to adopt shield-wall tactics against the Tyranids' fire-breathing. Meanwhile, the Novamarines' strict adherence to the Codex Astartes causes friction with the alliance, and their seeming inability to take suggestions. The Lions abandon the campaign after taking unnecessary casualties, blowing one of the comets that were assigned to them to dust and snow on the way out.

## Home System

Holdies I: Uninhabitable small rocky planet, Adeptus Mechanicus solar energy collector No moons recorded

Holdies II: Forge world, Population: UNKNOWN, 1.7 g Moon one: Geoda, Civilized world, Population 1.71 billion, Space marine homeworld, 0.6 g Moon two: Daltorn small icy rock, uninhabited, no presence

Holdies III: Uninhabitable small rocky planet, Adeptus Mechanicus mining colony. No moons recorded

Holdies IV: Gas giant, Fueling station in orbit Holdies IV A: rocky moon, armory world Holdies IV B: rocky moon, uninhabited Holdies IV C: rocky moon, mining colony, Population: 12,000 Holdies IV D: rocky moon, uninhabited Holdies IV E, used for training of recruits, Jungle world, Population: 270,000 Holdies IV F: rocky moon, penal colony

Holdies V: Small Gas Giant, under quarantine, orbital defense grid [Moons undocumented]

Holdies VI: Uninhabitable small rocky planet, Adeptus Mechanicus mining colony. No moons recorded

## Chapter Homeworld

The world of Geodoa is a civilized world bordering on a feudal world. It orbits the third world in the system. It is around 60 percent land and 40 percent water. Much of the land is like the steppe of modern Mongolia with high winds slowly shifting the landscape. The world is dotted with kilometer-tall crystal structures called Dulon crystals. that spread out for many more kilometers. These crystals range from completely opaque to as clear as a window. The world's people carve cities out of the large crystal structures or live in small villages that harvest whatever resources are nearby.

The culture is artistic focusing on items such as statues and jewelry. It is a leading exporter of jewels for the highborn of the sector. They also use an insect native to the moon called the Jeweled Bee to make high-quality wax to be exported across the sector for candles and purity seals.

### Fortress-Monastery

The Fortress of His Light is located on mount Gallea, the greatest mountain peak, inside the large crystal structure that grows around the mountain. In the heart of the mountain, a cave is located with the only Tykon gems in the galaxy. There are 11 large Crystals on the mountain with each company holding one of the crystal structures as a headquarters. The largest crystal structure holds the great hall, main forge, main armory, apothecarion, crypt, chapter archive, hanger, and the quarters of the chapter master as well as his personal guard.

## Chapter Organisation

### Order of Battle

The configuration of the companies is nonstandard. Companies 1-9 are considered equal with their captains equal in rank. The Scout Company serves the same purpose as a normal scout company in other chapters. The Hardened takes the place of the veteran squads.

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## Rituals, Culture, and Traditions

### Initiation

After proving themselves worthy, initiates from the Scout Company will enter a special cave in the heart of the mountain that houses the fortress-monastery. There, a Tykon Gem will "call out" to them. The gem will be implanted in the Marine's forehead. The gem type will determine the company the marine is in. The Tykon Gems will take the shape of a Ruby, Opal, Topaz, Sapphire, Amber piece, Emerald, Amethyst, Jade piece, or Diamond.

### Culture

#### Art

Marines, in the time not spent in battle, training, or sleep, are encouraged to keep in touch with their humanity. Crystal sculptures are popular mediums for battle brothers to express their humanity but paintings, mosaics, engravings, architecture, and small delicate models of solders used for planning strategy are also common mediums. Upon victory, the marines involved in a campaign will make a depiction of the "turning point" of the war and place it in the planetary capital of a liberated world or shipboard gallery.

#### Deathslabs

Each marine is given a 3.25 meter by 2 meter stone "Deathslab" upon their ascension to a full Astartes. The name of the will be engraved upon the top of the Deathslab. The marine will record their personal tales of valor and honor. Upon the death of the marine, they will be placed in a stone coffin with the Deathslab functioning as the lid for the coffin. If the tales of valor are great and long enough, the marine will be given a stone slab placed at the top of the coffin that the excess tales of valor will be carved into. The half circle will be raised in height ass needed for the tales. Dreadnaughts are given a copy of the marine's Deathslab to place on the front of the sarcophagus.

#### Lionfists

When a marine joins the Hardened, they will receive a pair of Dulon-crystal powerfist in the shape of a lion's head. The marine will elegantly engrave the mane of the lion with elaborate patterns. The marine will pick from a variety of weapons to place within the mouth of the lion. The variants are the Boltspitter (a plain bolter), Deathspitter (a stormbolter), Dragon's Breath (a flamer), and the rare Ragefire variant (a plasma pistol). Marines will often chose different weapons in each fist.

#### The Fallen

The Crystal Lions share the belief of their parent chapter that their sins against the Emperor of Mankind were cleansed during the Fall of Caliban at the end of the Horus Heresy. This does not mean that the Lions do not hunt the Fallen Angels but merely that they do not abandon warzones at the mear hint of one of the Fallen.

#### Songs of Doom

During the invasion of a world, the planetary intercom and siren systems will begin to play a "Song of Doom" and this music cannot be stopped without cutting power to the system in question. These songs are meticulously crafted by psychologists to induce a feeling of dread and uncertainty of those who are the target of invasion. A slightly altered version will play from the landing craft to let the foes of mankind the justice has come at last.

#### Honor Crystals

When the Lions fight alongside outsiders, they might grant a large crystal statue of a warrior of the allies who they consider to have distinguished themselves. The statue will be set at the moment of heroism and will have a maximum size of 10 meters by 10 meters by 5 meters. One notable example of these statues is of the chapter master of the The Argent Executioners, Kharahiel Teridax, standing atop the head of a great beast known as the Charybdis. Another notable statue is the (will be inserted when another collab happens).

### Relations with Non-Astartes

Opinion on normal civilian humans: Indifferent

Opinion on Guardsmen: Loved for their devotion to the Emperor and usefulness in battle

Opinion on Soraritas: Loved for devotion to the Emperor and usefulness in battle

Opinion on the Inquisition: Viewed with suspicion

Opinion on Custodies: Nearly worshiped as what a marine should strive to be

Opinion on Psykers: Viewed with suspicion

Opinion on Primaris: Liked

Opinion on Abhumans: Tolerated

Opinion on Xenos: Hated

Opinion on Daemons: Hated

Opinion on Traitor Guards: Hated

Opinion on Traitor Marines: Hated

## Gene-Seed

### Chapter Flaws

The Hardening: The skin of the marine after 500 years will begin to crystallize. It will give the marine a natural armor at the expense of agile movement becoming more relatively difficult.

## Tactics and Specialty

### Pre-Invasion Tactics

Heavy use of orbital bombardment and artillery if possible

### Landing and Insertion

The Crystal Lions surround enemy strongholds with drop pod and Thunderhawk gunships in order to raid enemy command centers.

### Small Unit Tactics

Squads are equipped for the mission they are assigned. One marine in a squad of 10 will have a heavy bolter and one will have a close-quarters weapon, during a siege, Resonance Cannon teams are used to gain access to fortresses. The marines would have 4 Scatter Bolters, 2 Plasma-Flayers or flamers/meltaguns, and 4 normal bolters.

### Strategy

Combined warfare is a favored tactic. Tombs of the Worthy (Dreadnaughts), Vindicator Rhino patterns, and Land Raider Ares patterns are used to insert marines into the enemy strongholds. Marines get up close to the enemy.

### Void Warfare

The vessels of the chapter use torpedoes and heavy cannons to knock out the defenses of the enemy before moving to the next target. They make all targets helpless before ensuring that no ship can be repaired no matter the length of a drydock stay.

### Post-Battle

The marines and tacticians see no point in wasting marines on rebuilding and garrison duty, preferring to let Guardsmen and Soraritas do the dirty work of rebuilding worlds.

## Deathwatch Service

#### Joining:

When a marine wishes to join the Deathwatch Chapter, they must prove their ability with the wargear that they are to be issued with during there service. The Lions require any marine who wishes to ascend to the rank of captain must have served in the deathwatch for a period of at least 50 years. This incentive fulfils the tithe of the watch almost totally.

## Notable Members

* **Zircon Halabin** (Ceremonial Chapter Master in a dreadnaught)
* **Opal Agricola** (Acting Chapter Master)
* **Henslow Gabbro** (Head Chaplin)
* **Wegener Tectona** (Diamond Company Captain)
* **Mercalli Hatal** (Jade Company Captain)
* **Richter Seismus** (Amethyst Company Captain)
* **Rhyoli Smaragdus** (Emerald Company Captain)
* **Janatiz Hammondus** (Amber Company Captain)
* **Auguste Carat** (Sapphire Company Captain)
* **Pullum Alas** (Topaz Company Captain)
* **Caseum Grater** (Opal Company Captain)
* **Vetus Quaestio** (Ruby Company Captain)
* **Equus Viridis** (Scout Company Captain)

## Chapter Fleet

* **Aeternitas Lapidis (Battle Barge)** *- Flagship of the fleet*
* **Adamas Malleus *(Strike Cruiser)*** *- Assigned to Diamond Company.*
* **Jade Pugnus *(Strike Cruiser)*** *- Assigned to Jade Company.*
* **Amethystus Erinnys *(Strike Cruiser)*** *- Assigned to Amethyst Company.*
* **Smaragdus Hastam *(Strike Cruiser)*** *- Assigned to Emerald Company.*
* **Electrum Rex *(Strike Cruiser)*** *- Assigned to Amber Company.*
* **Sapphirus Gladius *(Strike Cruiser)*** *- Assigned to Sapphire Company.*
* **Chrysolithus Irae *(Strike Cruiser)*** *- Assigned to Topaz Company.*
* **Opalus Scutum *(Strike Cruiser)*** *- Assigned to Opal Company.*
* **Ruby Securis *(Strike Cruiser)*** *- Assigned to Ruby Company.*

## Chapter Relics

### Relics

* ***Revenge of the Lost*:** A crozius wielded by Head Chaplin Henslow Gabbro encrusted with the Tykon gems of fallen brothers.

* ***Lord's Wartomb:*** A master-crafted Ironclad Dreadnaught that entombs Chapter Master Zircon Halabin.

* ***Securim Electrum Bellum:*** An axe with a core of amber used by Janatiz Hammondus, captain of the 5th company.

* ***Skull Helmet of Friendship:*** The skull of a Tyranid Swarmlord with an engraved symbol of brotherhood between the The Argent Executioners and the Crystal Lions turned into a helmet. A gift from chapter master Kharahiel Teridax.

### Chapter Specific Wargear

* **Scatter-Bolter:** A modified Assault Bolter with a special round that has small explosives made for siege and close-quarters action.

* **Lionfists:** A power fist built into the native Dulon crystals modified with a bolter or flamer, carved into the shape of a lion's head. Used only by The Hardened and the Chapter's Veterans.

* **Plasma-Flayer:** An adjustable plasma cannon that utilizes an unfocused plasma beam of plasma that can be adjusted for range. It behaves sort of like a flamer.

* **Resonance Cannon:** A STC-modified modified plasma cannon that vibrates a beam of energy in just the right frequency to set up a resonance and shake a wall apart. The Resonance Cannon is most effective against walls, stone, or metal, but can be used against biological enemies.

* **Chains of Crystal:** A chainsword made with the same Dulon crystal as that of the Lionfists used by The Hardened.

* **Tombs of the Worthy:** A normal Castraferrum Pattern Dreadnaught that comes equipped with a ranged weapon of choice and a power fist that has been engraved with Dulon crystal runes meant to invoke the Emperor's protection..

* **Tykon Gems:** Small, smooth gemstones of varying color implanted in every marine's forehead like the eye of a navagator. These gems give off a small null field that wraps tightly around the marine. The field is small enough that psykers can be in the same room as the marine but cannot touch or cast against the marine.

## Chapter Appearance

### Chapter Colours

Steel gray base, sapphire blue pauldrons and helmet, and gold trim.

### Chapter Badge

The face of a great lion carved out of the light blue crystal that the world of their origin is famed for.

## Quotations

"*You would make Excellent Prey." "Who knows, perhaps the old saying about hunters and hunting may come true at last, but I doubt it.*"
—Chapter Master Kharahiel of the Argent Knights and Crystal Lions 2nd company captain Mercalli Hatal complementing each other over a fine vintage amasec
"*Do not bow to us, guardsman. You have fought with honor and deserve to be honored as well.*"
—Unknown Crystal Lion Lieutenant to a guardsman who bowed to him after the relief of Chillerth
## Relations

### Allies

The **Angels of Absolution** are the parent chapter of the Crystal Lions.

**The Argent Executioners** and the Lions met during the death of the 5th Great Beast. Despite doctrinal differences, the two chapters became good allies that was officialized with the trade of a Carnifex skull for a great crystal sculpture.

### Enemies

Pink Tabards (planned homebrew warband led by Penolan the Glorious)

[Source]

 White Scars Successors
 Space Wolves Successors
 Imperial Fists Successors
 Blood Angels Successors
 Iron Hands Successors
 Ultramarines Successors
 Salamanders Successors
 Raven Guard Successors
 Unknown Lineage

[Source]

* Meta notes: Yes, the names are geologists, mineralogists, rocks, and gems. I have no shame in this fact. Thank you too for the person who did the pauldron and the armor. May the Emperor watch over you. Yes, I do plan to have legally distinct John Hammond fight Eldar Exodites, why do you ask?