Knights of Orion

Golden Sword facing downwards

Grey armour (tone varies across armour); blue robes, with yellow rims

"*Numbers are not everything! I always say quality over quantity!*"
— Inquisitor to another Inquisitor
The **Knights of Orion** are a Space Marine Legion created in the wake of the Horus Heresy, created out of some of the most skilful Ultramarines. They are a elite force, which came at the cost of low numbers. Being more far more skilful than a normal marine, they aren't deployed in large scaled battles, but used for special missions and tasks.

## Legion History

After the Siege of Terra it was clear a new Legion was needed. But any Legion, but one comprised out of elite combatants. These combatants were found within the Ultramarines, under the command of Captain Flavianus Maximus. And so these elites were renamed the Knights of Orion.

### Second Great Crusade

At first the Knights of Orion were stationed on their new homeworld to recruit and train their future marines. This took a while, since elite combatants were hard to find and took long to be trained properly. After having rallied enough new marines, they were sent to aid other Legions in their need.

During the Crusade hey newer fought alone against an enemy, but rather assisted their allies, by taking down dangerous monsters or fearsome enemy fighters. The Knights were constantly on the move, traveling from here to there to help their brothers in need. But such a strategy could easily be used to lead them into a trap.

Around an unspecified time, the Knights of Orion were sent to a mysterious location, to aid their brothers. Dispatching a large number of the Legion for this mission, they underwent a huge risk. And it would soon clear that this had been an almost fatal mistake. When the marines made landfall on the planet, they soon realised that there was no battle being fought. Before they could react to this mysterious event, Stormbirds flew over them and bombarded them. After being shocked by such an attack, Alpa Legion Traitor Marines started shooting them. Incapable to react, the Knights tried to retreat. Of the 3,000 Marines sent, only 200 survived.

After that the Knights of Orion went back to their homeworld, trying to regain numbers. But because being an elite force, this took too long. So around 1,000 were sent back to battle, which again was a huge risk. If these Marines would have died, the Legion would have been unable to recover.

After recovering, the Knights rushed to help struggling Legions and through their return, more battles were won. After helping their brothers in so many occasions, they set out for their only solo Campaign. Trying to hunt down Alpharius. They failed in that regard, but they won many and important victories along the way.

### Nova Terra Interregnum

But over time the Knights of Orio grew weary of the Imperiums Rule. They didn't understand why they attacked peaceful xenos races, even though they didn't do anything wrong. In difference to some Legions, that were just bloodthirsty and didn't question anything, the Knights were of the kind, that questioned things and had their on mind. Sure, they were protecting mankind, but they were destroying races, that didn't threaten it at all.

So it came to no surprise, that they were some of the first to join the Nova Terra Regency. This of course was good news for the Regency, as it now had a elite force on their side. Some forces were sent, to stop the Knights reaching the Segmentum Pacific. But the Imperium made a tactical error. They didn't send all their attackers at once. Because of that the Knights of Orion managed to repel any attackers and reach their destination, with just three casualties.

## Legion Home World

Nova Orion became the home world of the Knight of Orion after they joined the Nova Terra Regency. Its Landscape filled with beautiful forest, raging rivers and majestic mountains. When the Knights of Orion arrived to this planet, they promised to the inhabitants not to destroy the nature of the planet. And they didn't disappoint. They build one small and beautiful city on the entire planet. And so Nova Orion is still a thriving planet, whose alpine nature has prevailed.

### White Citadel

The White Citadel is the official Fortress Monastery of the Legion. It is a white castle, made out of a rare white mineral only found Nova Orion. The castle is surrounded by a small city, made out of the same white mineral. Even the streets are white. The entire city is also a garden, with beautiful plants every wear and a white peacock like bird. The result is one of the most beautiful cities in the galaxy.

### Black Tower

The Black Tower is the actual castle monastery and is kept a secret from every one. Build on one of the biggest and most dangerous mountains, the path to the tower is already dangerous. Built out of a pitch black mineral, it is the opposite of the White Citadel. Crow like birds fly around it and only Knight of Orion my enter the Tower.

## Legion Organisation & Structure

### Officer Ranks

* ***Legion Master***
* ***Grail Knight -*** Two of the best fighters of the Legion and the Legion Masters right Hand.
* ***Captain***
* ***Lieutenant***

### Specialist Ranks

* ***Apothecary***
* ***Librarian***
* ***Master of the Forge -*** Techmarine

### Line Ranks

* ***Knight Commander -*** Sergeant
* ***Knight -*** Battle-Brother

### Specialist Formations

* ***Master of the Blade -*** ( to be added )

## Legion Combat Doctrine

The Tactics of this Legion is all based around being an elite force. Being more skilled than most Marines, comes at the cost of low numbers. And because of that they aren't deployed normally, but for special extermination missions or supporting other Legions.

But they are also used as assassins in rear occasions. Not only being trained in the way of fighting, the Knights are also trained for stealth missions. Plus their ability to defeat almost anyone in single combat, makes them formidable assassins.

## Legion Beliefs

The Legion believes that it is their duty to fight for those that cannot. They don't fight for fun or pleasure, like the World Eaters, but for honour and glory.

## Notable Legion Members

* ***Flavianus Maximus -*** The Legion Master himself is to no surprise the most formidable fighter and tactician of the Legion. A former Ultramarine Captain, he is proud, strict, but can also be sympathetic and understanding. Also having some political skills, he can even avoid battle, if it isn't needed.

## Legion Weapons & Gear

* ***Power Sword***
* ***Power Lances***
* ***Bolters***
* ***Pistols***
* ***Shields***

## Legion Appearance

### Legion Colours

The Armour of the Knights is grey, though the tone varies across the armour. The wear blue robes with yellow robes. It resembles the Knights of old.

### Legion Badge

The Badge is a golden sword is facing downwards.