Apollonides

Apollonides in his Deathwatch armour

**Apollonides** is a Space Marine of the Nemean Lions Chapter of the Adeptus Astartes, and currently serves as a member of the Deathwatch, the Chamber Militant of the Inquisition's Ordo Xenos. Apollonides was previously serving in his Chapter's 2nd Speria as a Kontophoros.

## History

Apollonides was inducted into the Nemean Lions in 745.M41 at the age of ten. He, along with the other Aspirants chosen during that Artellian Choosing, began the long training process and passed the many trials before him. He became a Neophyte alongside 30 other Aspirants out of almost 300 initially picked. Apollonides was almost killed by an Apex Nemean Leonis during one of his trials, being saved by the Regulus Alkaios who wrestled the mighty beast into submission and claimed its pelt. Apollonides was gifted a small scrap of this pelt by the Regulus for surviving such a deadly encounter, which marked him out for a promising future in the Chapter.

After spending time in the 10th, 8th, and 6th Speria, he was elevated to a position as a Kontophoros of the 7th Lochoi in the 2nd Speria after the losses of the 13th Black Crusade. He saw action in several campaigns over the course of service, including the re-taking of a Feudal World in the Thalatta sub sector from an Ork invasion and the devastating Trojan war which saw many veteran brothers slain and himself injured, blinded permanently in his left eye. Shortly after the Noctis Aeterna Apollonides was chosen for Deathwatch service and departed to join their ranks. As is custom, he replaced his name/rank of Kontophoros with that of Misthophoros, the rank given to those that take the black.

## Personality

Apollonides is a calm and collected Astartes, displaying the deep patience and quiet manner typical to Nemeans. Like his fellow Astartes, Apollonides has deep respect for his Chapter beliefs and still adheres to their tenents even while apart from his home.
As is typical of the Nemeans, he will seek to ensure that the innocent are protected from harm during a battle, as long as it does not put the mission or the lives of his brothers at risk.
He displays an extreme amount of disdain and hatred for the followers of Chaos and any other traitors to the Imperium, seeking to purge them as quickly and efficiently as possible, this trait is shared by many others in his Chapter and likely stems from his involvement in the Trojan War.

## Appearance

As is common for members of the Nemean Lions, Apollonides is slightly taller than the average Astartes, being around 2.38 meters tall. He also possesses the dark skin, black hair, and brown eyes that are typical to the people of Caelus Prime. Apollonides is blind in his left eye, carrying a deep scar across his brow. As is typical for a Nemean, he has refused to mar his flesh with the addition of an bionic eye. He has adorned the left side of his armour's helm with the visage of a leonis, painting over the now defunct eye lens with that of the creature.

## Wargear

* **Doru** - A large two-handed spear that Apollonides carries on his person. This is a traditional Nemean weapon that has been adapted for Astartes use by the Techmarines, forged from tougher metals and with a reinforced shaft.
* **Gastraphetes**  - Mark IX Ultra Pattern sniper rifle provided to Apollonides by the Deathwatch. He has hung from the weapon a talisman made from the tooth of a Nemean Leonis.
* **Kopis** - A recurve bladed power sword gifted from his Chapter at his departure. Such blades follow an ancient design that predates the Imperium and are high prized as secondary weapons.
* **Astartes Frag Grenades** - Fragmentation grenades sized to simplify operation and usage for Astartes.
* **Astartes Krak Grenades** - Krak grenades sized to simplify operation and usage for Astartes.
* **Power Armour** - A mix of MkIII and MkVIII pieces, Apollonides’ armour is adorned with the pelts of his greatest hunts, as well as his sacred piece of Apex Leonis pelt from Alkaios.