Golden Lions

Golden Lions armorial with Chapter iconography.

Pre-Purge Battle-Brother Lauder of the 3rd Company, 4th Battleline Squad Taurus.

## Space Marine Chapter

### **Allegiance**

Imperium of Man
(*Fedelitas Totalis*)

### **Homeworld**

Terralba Majoris (DESTROYED),
Terralba System,
Terralban Core Sub-Sector,
Scottorum Sector,
Segmentum Tempestus

### **Allies**

Last Wall Chapters
Indomitus Crusade Forces
The Inquisition

### **Specialty**

Close-Quarters Actions (Space Hulk Purgation, Boarding Operations), Shock Close Support (Airborne Warfare), Planetary Blockades, Naval Supremacy.

### **Battle cry**

"*Luceo non uro!*" (I burn but am not consumed)

### Successor Chapter(s)

N/A

"*Who will be a traitor knave? Who will fill a coward's grave? Who's so base as be a slave? Let him turn, and flee.*"
—Robert Burns, ancient poet, Old Terran Records, ca. M2
**Author's Note:Major changes incoming. Updating and overhauling the entire chapter in a soft reboot. Old stuff isn't fully replaced, and new writing isn't fully plopped in.**

The **Golden Lions are** a Loyalist Space Marine Chapter of unknown Founding, created from the lineage of the stoic and uncompromising Imperial Fists. The Golden Lions became embroiled in a civil war between the members of their own Chapter after portions of their brotherhood were corrupted to Chaos. Once staunch protectors of their home Scottorum Sector in the Segmentum Tempestus.

After the Fall of Cadia and the emergence of the Cicadrix Maledictum, while the Golden Lions' homeworld of Terralba Majoris was not in the Imperium Nihilis, the Sector was overrun by the forces of Chaos and the Chapter became lost for some time. Now, the Golden Lions have returned as a fleet-based zealous brotherhood of Primaris Marines reinforcements, following the orders of their close Inquisitorial allies.

As descendants of Dorn, this Last Wall Chapter now travels down the old trade lines of the Imperium Nihilus, attempting to reclaim and fortify the Eastern Fringe. The Golden Lions have refused to stay in one place for too long, understanding the threat of a galaxy cut off from the Astronomican before the returned Ultramarines Primarch Roboute Guilliman can succeed in restoring the Imperium.

## Chapter History

### Firstborn Chapter

A Chapter of Unknown Founding, the earliest records concerning the Wardens of the Scottorum Sector were wiped clean in 897.M41 where the Golden Lions suffered the ignominy of having an entire company of Battle-Brothers fall to Chaos and split away as a renegade force of Traitor Astartes known as the Red Swords. This initial schism led to a portion of the Sector falling to corruption, and many terror attacks being launched upon the Golden Lions Fortress Monastery of Benholm's Lodging. This Close Support starting from within the Lodgings cost the Chapter their entire Librarium complex to an explosion not before the renegades could smuggle out some data-slates, and some artefacts from the Reclusiam. Some of these lost artefacts included the recovered Dark Age tech of the Three Swords, one of which caused the initial corruption of the Golden Lions' 5th Company.

Once this first War of Red Swords was concluded in 901.M41, the Golden Lions were placed under tight scrutiny from an Inquisitor of the Ordo Hereticus - Lord Witch-Hunter Karl von Bulow. When the dust settled on the regained peace of the Scottorum Sector, two entire Companies had been lost to Chaos. They fled into the Warp with a further Company being declared renegade when refusing the demands of the Chapter Master (Lord of the Isles) Causantin and pursued the Red Sword Traitors into the Warp to hunt them down. The Golden Lions fell into zealous fortification as the Chapter descended into their inherited curse from Rogal Dorn, each Battle-Brother dwelling on the flaws and misdeeds of their service to the Emperor leading to extreme self-punishment for their Chapter's dishonour. Refusing to participate in any crusades outside the Scottorum Sector, the Golden Lions became isolationist; standing sentinel against the continuous threats of piracy, xenos and heretics which assailed their region of space over the rest of the 41st Millennium.

### The Era Indomitus

#### Greyshield Crusade

Terralba Majoris, once a shining jewel of the Imperium, was found as a desolate wasteland. Hive Glaschu and the Fortress Monastery left irradiated ruins in the fallout of the Battleline nuclear deathstrike warheads which landed on them. The only signs of life the Crusade could find on the entire planet were in the deep ravines outside the Hive City, where once was the only place outside the Hive life could exist in clean air pockets, though to call insane battle-servitors leftover from the conflict a sign of life was only made in jest.

### Current Activities (~130.M42)

While the war on Vigilus rages on the western half of the Cicatrix Maledictum, the Golden Lions' fleet has moved northward from the Plague Wars and are now stationed near the Eastern Fringes, on a small-scale campaign of pacifying and fortifying worlds. The Chapter are focussing their efforts on regions of space surrounding a Warp Storm between Attila and Kar Duniash, with the latter spaceport becoming the Golden Lions' temporary base whilst conducting this reclamation campaign against Chaos and Necron forces.

This has partially been under the recommendations of Chapter-ally Inquisitor Kaihelm, who has tithed select Battle-Brothers of the 2nd Company into his retinue and is investigating remnants of Hive Fleet Jormungandr and its paired Sons of Jormungandr Cults, which have been traced to the surrounding region of space. Inquisitor Kaihelm's expedition is focused mostly on Port Dorlin.

## Notable Campaigns

* **First War of Red Swords (897-901.M41)**
* **Second War of Red Swords (981-986.M41)**
* **The Indomitus Crusade (011-110.M42)**
	+ **Hidden Cache Uncovering (Unknown Date.M42)** - Vortex Bolts, Gatebreaker Bolts, Bellicos Bolt Rifle and Mk.III "Iron" Armours. Mk.III Helmets then become standard armour of the Golden Lions.
	+ **Plague Wars (Add Dates)**
	+ **Konor Campaign (111.M42)**

## Chapter Organisation

### Hierarchy & Rank Structure

#### Command Ranks

* **Banelaird**
* **Baneregent**
* **Banechief**

#### Specialist Ranks

* **Banecarl**
* **Baneguard**

### Order of Battle

#### Headquarters

Banecarls
Chapter Ancient
 Armoury
(36 Marines)
(10 Marines)
(20 Marines)
 Dovnall, Master of the Forge
Techmarines
Servitors
Overlord Gunships
Thunderfire Cannons
Apothecaries
Epistolaries
Codiciers
Lexicaniums
Acolytum
Gallda, Reclusiarch
10 Chaplains
10 Judiciars

#### Companies

(55 Marines)
(99 Marines)
(99 Marines)
(99 Marines)
 Ongus, Baneregent2 Lieutenants
2 Bladeguard Squads
Bladeguard Ancient
5 Redemptor Dreadnoughts
10 Venerable Dreadnoughts
10 Siege Dreadnoughts
10 Ironclad Dreadnought
10 Dreadnoughts
2 Lieutenants
Company Ancient
Veteran Intercessor Squad
3 Intercessor Squads
3 Heavy Intercessor Squads
Close Support Intercessor Squad
Inceptor Squad
Aggressor Squad
Eradicator Squad
Hellblaster Squad
2 Lieutenants
Company Ancient
Veteran Intercessor Squad
3 Intercessor Squads
3 Heavy Intercessor Squads
Close Support Intercessor Squad
Inceptor Squad
Aggressor Squad
Eradicator Squad
Hellblaster Squad
2 Lieutenants
Company Ancient
Veteran Intercessor Squad
5 1/2 Intercessor Squads
1 1/2 Close Support Intercessor Squads
1 1/2 Hellblaster Squads
2 Lieutenants
Company Ancient
Veteran Intercessor Squad
12 Heavy Intercessor Squads
4 Inceptor Squads
2 Aggressor Squads
 Reserve Companies
 6th Company
(94 Marines)
(94 Marines)
(84 Marines)
(84 Marines)
 Vurall, Banechief of the Fleet
2 Lieutenants
Company Ancient
9 Intercessor Squads
2 Lieutenants
Company Ancient
18 Heavy Intercessor Squads
2 Lieutenants
Company Ancient
5 Close Support Intercessor Squads
10 Inceptor Squads
2 Lieutenants
Pennant of the Fallen
5 Hellblaster Squads
5 Aggressor Squads
5 Eradicator Squads
2 Vanguard Lieutenants
2 Reiver Squads
2 Infiltrator Squads
2 Incursor Squads
2 Suppressor Squads
2 Eliminator Squads
25 Invictor Warsuits

## Combat Doctrine

* **Siege Masters** - The Golden Lions will refrain from conquering swathes of planetary territories themselves, and instead drill tirelessly with armaments, heavy ramparts and flak turrets, perfecting the act of purging incoming enemies with hails of bolter fire.
* **Peerless Siegers** - The Golden Lions share their primogenitor Imperial Fists in having the innate ability to identify and exploit the weak spots in enemy vehicles and fortifications. The Golden Lions will most often exploit this knack in long range bombardments, or aerial attacks above enemy-held areas. The Golden Lions have further extended this skill into void warfare, firing less than enemy voidships but with more impact and efficiency to dominate the battle.
* **Close-Range Bolter Fire** - The Golden Lions rely on close-quarters from their specialising in boarding operations. In these tight quarters, Battle-Brothers care not for combat knives or chainswords, instead burst firing their deadly bolt-rounds into the enemy running right into the fire.

* Examples of Golden Lions combat tactics and chapter doctrines can be illustrated in two different battles from the same campaign.
* Campaign for Callax IV
	+ Battle for the Callaxian Ring
	+ Siege of Callax Primus

## Deathwatch Service

The Golden Lions have a long history of service with the Deathwatch, the Chamber Militant of the Ordo Xenos of the Inquisition, though this service has decreased somewhat since the purge. The Golden Lions send some of their more experienced Battle-Brothers to the Long Watch, especially those who have won great renown amongst their fellow warriors. The most common candidates now are Battle-Brothers who show excelence in other aspects of warfare outside of the Chapter's designated tactics, and so service with the Deathwatch will allow them to explore their true calling.

## Notable Members

* **Banecarl Torquil** - Retalitatory commander of the Uvist Ambush, praised for utilising unconventional tactics against a prepared foe.
	+ During the Habard Sector Campaign, Separatists had refused to restart their tithe payments in the Habard and Herrad Systems, while the Uvist and Barrak Systems agreed to rejoin the Imperium with open arms. While the rest of the fleet was engaging rebels in the Herrad System, the Battle Barge *The Lord of the Isles* remained above the planet of Uvist Alpha as the Chapter Master and other Command negotiated war-plans and troop placements with the Planetary Governor down below. During a period of solemn prayer to the Emperor, select SDF voidships nearby the Barge suddenly turned their armaments on the Golden Lions. With the Chapter Command planetside, remaining Banecarl Torquil took charge of the sudden defence required using what little troop choice was aboard at the time, namely the 1st and half the 10th Companies. Serf Furies were scrambled to combat SDF light-voidships, Dreadnoughts were brought outside the vessel, allowing their additional firepower to even the rounds being fired by either side. Banecarl Torquil then ordered the 3 Vanguard Suppressors to wait in a portside airlock until the Barge came side-on with what seemed to be the commanding traitorous SDF voidship. At this point, the airlock opened and the Suppressors were launched out into the vacuum of the void like torpedoes. Avoiding fire and debris with grav-shutes, the Suppressors landed onto the hull of the opposing vessel, magnetically attaching onto it with modified voidcombat boot-plates. Raising their armour-piercing accelerator autocannons to the bridge, the Suppressors opened fire with rounds powerful enough to crack the strongest Traitor Astartes tank let alone the protection offered by the SDF. With the command beheaded and the scale tipping in the Lions' favour, the rest of the surviving traitor-voidsmen fled to their kinsmen's side in Herrad or immediately surrendered praying for mercy. All in time would be absolved of their sins against the Emperor with purging through fire. *Luceo non uro*.

## Chapter Fleet

As a fleet-based Chapter, the Golden Lions rely on their navy. While the following are all crewed by 6th Company, the Golden Lions also have ~20 supporting escort vessels crewed solely by Chapter Serfs and any gifted personnel from Inquisitor Kaihelm.

* ***The Lord of the Isles* (Battle Barge)** - Named so after the pre-purge title for the Golden Lion's Chapter Master. Always holds the 1st and 10th Companies
* ***The Invincible Bastion* (Battle Barge)** - Named so after Malcador's ancient epitaph for Rogal Dorn. Always holds the 2nd and 10th Companies.
* ***Terralba's Evocation* (Strike Cruiser)** - Always holds the 3rd Company.
* ***Fist's Purge* (Strike Cruiser)** - Always holds the 4th Company.
* ***Flametongue* (Strike Cruiser)** - Always holds the 5th Company.
* ***Steadfast Rock* (Strike Cruiser)** - Always holds the 7th Company.
* ***The Flourishing Miracle* (Strike Cruiser)** - Always holds the 8th Company.
* ***The Emperor's Second Eye* (Strike Cruiser)** - Always holds the 9th Company.

As well as the additional ~20 escort vessels, the Golden Lions specialise in aerial warfare and their Armoury fields 3 Divisions of Overlord Gunships, with the Techmarines of the Chapter piloting 14 2-aircraft Squadrons. These Gunships are crucial in the Chapter's tactics of planetary invasions when they are not dominating skirmishes with other light voidcraft. To assist in void combat which Adeptus Astartes Fleets are not renown for, the Golden Lions serfs include specialised pilots of Fury Interceptor Squadrons that are held in each vessel for anti-starfighter support.

## Chapter Relics

* ***Wickecreel of Beira*** - Mk.X Angel Artifice Power Armour with accompanying Power Fist. The name originates from a renegade Greyshield Captain named Beira wearing this armour when they were burned from within by now-Chief Librarian Gillebride. The armour was then gifted to a Somerled who was close to their Brother Gillebride and would go on to become Chapter Master of the Golden Lions. It has been granted many modifications by the Adeptus Mechanicus in this time, including the addition of the Power Fist with Digital Weapons.
* ***The Emperor's Tear*** - (Pennant of the Fallen) Recorded the name of every surviving Firstborn Golden Lion at the point of the Purge.
* ***The Carlinstorm*** - A relic thunderhammer.

## Chapter Appearance

### Chapter Colours

#### Pre-Purge

Before the full replacement of the Chapter to Primaris Marines, the Golden Lions primarily wore a golden-sand coloured power armour with silver trim on the shoulder pauldrons, with elites donning a pure vibrant golden armour. Unlike other *Codex*-oriented Chapters, the colour of the Golden Lions' helms designated a Battle-Brother's assigned company in accordance to the dictates of the *Codex Astartes*; 1st Company (Silver), 2nd Company (Gold), 3rd Company (Red ), 4th Company (Green), ect. The white coloured squad specialty symbol stencilled on the right shoulder inset, designated a battle-brother's assigned specialty (Fire Support, Close Support, Battleline and Veteran), while a black coloured roman numeral stencilled on the squad specialty symbol, indicated assigned squad number.

#### Current

As with all things, the Golden Lions now adhere stoicly to the *Codex Astartes* like their Imperial Fist brethren.

Officially, the parade colours of the Golden Lions still resemble their pre-purge counterparts though with every Battle-Brother now shares the vibrant gold colour on the majority their power armour; namely everything except the shoulder-pad trim and chest guard *Aquila* or *Imperialis* which are silver. These metallics, though, are almost always dulled down to a bronze and iron except for elites and company command. Only the shoulder-pad inlets have kept the tan-sand colouration of the Chapter's history. The black coloured squad specialty symbol -- Battleline, Fire Support, Close Support and Veteran -- is located on the right shoulder pad. A white coloured gothic numeral is stenciled in the centre of the squad specialty symbol, indicating squad number.

The left knee pad is reserved for indicating which company the Battle-Brother belongs to, each colour corresponding with its designation in the *Codex Astartes* (i.e. 1st Company - White, 2nd Company - Yellow, 3rd Company - Red, 4th Company - Green, etc.). Personal honours, such as the Inquisitorial seal, are reserved for the right knee. The Mk.3 helmet for Battle-Brothers are dull gold, with the visor piece at the front being dull silver. However, the helmet will be painted to denote the rank of the Marine as in compliance with the *Codex* (i.e. Sergeants having a red helm, Veterans and Captains with white, Veteran-Sergeants with red and a white stripe, and Lieutenants with gold and red-white stripes.

### Chapter Badge

The Golden Lions Chapter iconography consists of a stylised black coloured lion standing rampant ("rearing up"), depicted in profile standing erect with forepaws raised. The position of the hind legs show the beast standing on both hind legs, braced wide apart. This symbol is centered upon a field of tan-sand.

## Chapter Relations

### Allies

* **Inquisition Forces**
* **Crimson Castellans**

### Enemies

* **Death Guard**
* **Sons of Jormungandr & Allied Genestealer Cults**
* **Necron Dynasties Arrynmarok and Sautekh**

## Notable Quotes

### About the Golden Lions:

[Source]

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