House Léokonis

Léokonis coat-of-arms.

House Léokonis Knight Paladin displaying the livery of its Household.

The **House Léokonis** is a Questor Mechanicus Knight House originated from the world of Kullaris in the Megana Sub-Sector of the Lacuma Sector located in the Segmentum Obscurus. This House swore loyalty to the Adeptus Mechanicus through the Forge World of Isorag. The Forge World of Isorag never goes on expedition without a lance of the House Léokonis aboard their ships. Within the Lacuma Sector, the knights of Léokonis are famed as well for their political skill and their ballistic ability.

## History

### Origines

The House Léokonis was found during the Dark Age of Technology a few times after the colonisation of Kullaris, alongside other houses created to fight the wild creatures of the planet's lands, the most dangerous being the Canyon’s Termites. After a countless centuries the numerous houses of Kullaris were merged to only three houses : House Léokonis, House Tergaris and House Voctus. Togethers, these three houses maintained a complexe relationship of alliances and wars for domination, stopping the hostility only when the wildlife of the planet became too hostile or when an exterior threat.

### The Long Night

With the arrival of the Age of Strife, great cataclysms falls oppon the Kullaris System : Mutagenes is Disease, Sorcery, Daemon, Xenos and even thinking machines. Calamities fellowed each other upon the Knight World during five thousand years and one house, House Voctus, was lost forever. The two surviving houses forged a strong link in adversity and joined themselves to push back the night.

### The Quiescence

When the Age of Strike’s Millennia comes to an end, the Great Crusade of the Emperor begins. Inhabitants of Kullaris were unaware of the events who affected the Galaxy in large, but they noted a frank decrease of xenos incursio. But aliens still assige periodically the planet and later chaos warband tries to break the world. All of them were repulsed due to the power and tenacity of the knight houses and the White Arrow, only relic spaceships of the système to have survived the Long Night. But battle after battle, the strengths of the knights houses decreased due to the losses and the maintenance fault.

It can be noted that the Knight of Kullaris met the Dolphan Republique, but they rapidly ceased all exchanges for unknown reasons.

### The Tear

The House Léokonis met the Imperium during the 39th Millennium, during the beginning of the Megana Crusade, while the house was falling due to chaos and treatery.

The first to land on Kullaris in the 39th Millenium were the dams Tech-priest of the Dark Mechanicum. Coming from a dark region of the Lacuma Sector, this renegade Tech-priests offered both houses repair and new technology for their poorly maintained frame, if they exchange the secret of their technology. The newcomers were particularly interested in the White Arrow.

At first the both houses refuse the agreement after long hesitation, the machine spirit of their frame becoming strange and hostile at the approach of the strangers. But the House Tergenis ended up accepting the offer. This knight house was far more wounded by the injuries of the time than this ally and some Barons wanted to restore the house ancien glory. During the restoration of the frames, obediences protocols were secretly implanted in the machine spirit of the knights, contaminating both frame and pilots. Completely subjugated the first order of their new master was to destroy the House Léokonis who refused the gifts of the Dark Mechanicum.

Followed a fierce war between the anciens allies. The Léokonis fought many years there provinces but the logistic support provided by the Terganis’s allies overcame the bravery of the defenders, forcing them to hold the seat to their capital Haut-Lion. Finally the Tergaris Knight succeed to aboard and reclaim the White Arrow before flee cause of the arrival of a new force in the system. An expeditionary fleet of the mechanicus (the one who will become the Forge World of Isorag) enter the orbit of Kullaris and rescue the Knight House in Last Stand.

### The Mechanic Alliance

After the battle who conclude the bloody conflict who tear the knights of Kullaris appart, the House Léoonis thanks with gratitude thoses who save them from destruction and some of them were ready to pay homage to the Adeptus Mechanicus. But this caused fue problems. First, just as the minor houses of Kullaris had done with House Léokonis millennia earlier, many knights refused to give up their independence and their lands and to an outside organisation.

This also caused a problem for the Tech-Priest of the expeditionary fleet, because they were very disunited. In reality even during the battle different Mechanicus factions tried to get favors from the Houses, raser then for the Mechanicus as a all. Furthermore, without a valid Forge World, the house must de facto pledge allegiance directly to Mars and be attached to the nearest vassal Forge World, fore the Lacuma Sector, this will be Attaya. Things that Techno-Priest was not ready to accept.

Debats were stormy between the different Magos for the protocols to apply. Finely under the impulse of Magos Magana and Omberus a protocolary contract was written and approved with the Barons of the House, forming an uncommun relationship between the Knight House and the future Forge World.

### Knights of the Stars

Over the millenia who came, Kullaris cities were rebuilt. The House

Durant les millénaires qui suivirent Kullaris fut rebâtis. The house serves now the Forge World as a defender and escort for their explorationnary fleets throughout the Galaxy. The House Léokonis has since kept a bitter hatred towards their former brothers of House Terganis and does not hesitate to intervene as soon as rumors of their presence even in an unknown region of space circulate. The ultimate quest of the Léokonis being to find the White Arrow which was shamefully stolen from them during the Tear War.

### Notable Campaigns

* **The Climax of Megana (470.M39)** - Barely recovered from their last war, the Knights of House Léokonis took part in the battle considered to be the culmination of the Megana Crusade. With their new allies of the Adeptus Mechanicus and under the leadership of Magos Magana herself, the Lances have crushed the remaining Dolphan resistance in the sub-sector.
* **Destruction of the Entropie (465.40)** - The tainted world of Londianidas has opened a door to the immaterium. The portal poured into reality hordes of demons of Nurgle and above all several chaos titans imbued with the powers of entropy. Coming to support the Legio Morgana, House Léokonis allowed them to push back the demonic machines and destroy the portal by protecting the blanks of their giant cousins.
* **Disaster of Suleca** (746.M40) - Deploying their Exalted Course, House Léokonis set off in pursuit of the White Arrow spotted on the outskirts of the world of Suleca IV near the Storm of Tendrils. Supported by the Adeptus Mechanicus and an unlisted company of Astartes, the loyalists initially achieved a series of easy victories against chaotic and disorganized traitors. But it quickly became clear that this was a well-orchestrated trap. The Traitor Knights of House Terganis opened fire on the Loyalists with a twisted and unhealthy version of what was once the White Arrow. Only after an intense bombardment that the traitors denied facing the survivors in close combat. The battle was a real massacre, close to half of the Blades engaged were lost forever, and Most of the members of the Exalted Court ended up beheaded, repelling the traitors for their allies and subjects could retreat.
* Mischief of The Fratricide (877.M41) - During an exploration in the Ultima Segmentum, the Lance attached to Isorag's 7th Expeditionary Fleet was sent to the wild world of Beta Ura.4 III to ensure the protection of the Explorators. The four knights were separate by a storm, with among them Sir Veyor and his squire Refyen. The renegade knight named "The Fratricide" appeared and challenged to a duel one by one the knights present before execute them. Refyen and his Mentor had barely been found when the Fratricide assaulted Refyen. Sir Veyor stepped in but was no match for the magic and twisted blows of the wizarding knight. The Fratricide destroyed both blades, killing Vayor and leaving Refyen has dead. Young Refyen, full of sadness and resentment, decided as soon as he could to leave Home and become a Free-Blade with his rebuilt Blade. He vowed not to return until he had slaughtered The Fratricide and avenged his Lance as well as his Mentor.
* **Snatched from the Green Hands (909.M41)** - A lance from House Léokonis assigned to the 7th Expeditionary Fleet of Forge World Isorag permit the recovery of the Fission Mask. after a fierce battle against the Orks in the Ulka 45/65 system in the Ultima Segmentum

## Organisation

The House Léokonis is like all the other knight houses of the Galaxy, organised in a feudal society with a High King (or Princeps according to the Mechanicus documents) at the top of the hierarchy. Below the High King there are these direct vassals, the Barons. Each of them reigns over a large estate which may be divided into smaller fiefdom which they share with their own lower rank vassals. Many knights have no lands to rule, their role will therefore be to support their overlord in time of war and to take care of all the quests he will submit to the noble warrior. Lords who rule territories must pay tribute to their overlord and respond to the call of war by taking up arms personally or by sending one or more of their vassal Knights.

Even if the noble house is the ruling government of Kullaris, many other families of lower nobility had important positions one the planet. They can maintain good relations with the House Léokonis and even join them by alliance.

### Titles of Nobility

The Knights of Kullaris holds multiple titles according to their place in the feudal hierarchy whether Duc, Baron or County. But there are several special titles held by the characters the most importants of the House.

#### Champion

The title of Champion of House Léokonis is the only title it is possible to take by force. Be a Champion is to be unanimously recognized as the greatest warrior of the House. The only manner to become a Champion is to defeat the title holder in a duel or win it during the Champion Tournament. Organized every five years it consists of a series of duels and jousting here the winner is sacred Champion by the High King himself. The frame of the Champion is often covered with great banners and medals relating the exploits of the Champion.

The role of the Champion is to second and protect the Princeps in combat. Often the Princeps order the Champion to carry a special tack during the combat to the Champion. This could be to protect en objectif or defeat a powerful enemy. The protocoles, tradition and honor codes force the Champion to complete the task until with one death.

Princeps and Champion forge close bonds in the tumultes of the fight and at the Champion as sometimes more influence than the most wealthy Barron of the planète. This is why the title is bitterly fought and the Master of the Protocol has the task to ensure that the pretenders do not come too often to claim the title so that the Champion does not spend too much time in duels.

#### Master of the Fort

The Master of the Fort is a Baron in charge of the intendancy of the Hight King Fortress and serves as prime minister for the personal domain of the Princeps. The Master of the Forge is perhaps one of the most powerful Baron of the court because he was in charge of the fortune of the Princeps. This task of great importance is entrusted to the most trusted Knight of the Hight King. But this task is mostly delegated and distributed to lesser knights affiliated to Master of the Fort or Mandatum from the capital families.

#### Master of the Protocol

Also called Master of Knowledge, the Master of the Protocol is the guardian of the knowledge, the codes and the traditions of the House. Any archive is forbidden to the Master of the Protocol and his encyclopedic knowledge is often very useful to the Princeps’s court.

As guardian of the tradition, the Master of the Protocol has the task to make sure all the Knights respect the codes of the House. This is why the Master of the Protocol commands an army of Mandatums called Prescribers, agents in charge of monitor the Knights to make sure they respect the letter of the traditions taught in the grimoires and the data bases of the archives of Haut Lion.

As guardian of knowledge, the Master of the Protocol protects et studies the History of the House and keep for him the most terrible secrets of Knights of Léokonis. The knowledge and the wisdom accumulated by a Master of the Protocole is very enjoyed at the court, making him a very influential Baron. Finally wen it is time to designate a new Princeps, the Master of the Protocol as always the final word, cause he incarne the opinion of the ancestor.

#### Master of the Forge

The Master of the Forge is a Baron having for task the coordination of the maintenance and construction of the House’s frames. He also takes care of ordering new parts and new chassis from the Adeptus Mechanicus. For the sake of independence it was decided that this task should be taken by a Baron of the House rather than a Sacristan trained by the Adeptus Mechanicus. The Master of the Forge works closely with the Sacristans and Techno-priests of the Adeptus Mechanicus.

#### Master of Tactics

The Master of Tactics is the title carried by the best strategist of the House Léokonis. This title is given by the Princeps himself and it is a prestigious mark testifying the exceptionnels capacities of the Baron in strategies and tactics. The presence of the Master of Tactics is essential to the battlefield because the title holder is the second officer of the Exalted Court. The advices of the Master of Tactics are always listened with attention because they divides very often the issue of the battle.

#### Master of the Canticles

The Master of the Canticles, also called “The Vox Master” is a singular title within the court of Léokonis. The title is always given to an exceptionally pious Baron, devout to the Machine Cult and extremely gifted on the art of appeasement and harmonizing the Machine Spirits. The role of a Vox Master is to coordinate the various knight units in the uproar of the battlefield, inspire the allies who fight alongside the house and in some times accomplish miracles on allied machines. The Master of Cantiques is often seen whis mistrust by others knights, cause they maintain close relation to the priesthood of Mars and they seem to place their faith before the traditions of the house. However the competence of a Vox Master had proven to be decisive on many occasions.

The tradition wants that at least two armingers fight alongside the Master of Canticles in combat. And their frames are always covered by religious symbols and engravings dedicated to the holy trinity of the Cult Mechanicus.

#### Léokonis Mandatum

A Mendatum is a title given to a non-fighter mandated by a noble of the house Léokonis for carryout a specific and important task like collect tasks or even be an ambassador for the most trusted. Being a Mendatum is like being adopted by the House, they can carry the symbol of the house and assault a Mandatum is like assaulting a noble knight of the house. But a Mandatum is not an hereditary title, and the Mendatum must prove worthy of his title or it will be withdrawn, his all the privileges that go with it. Most of the time, Mandatum are from lesser noble families of Kullaris, but sometimes peasants and serfs can be promoted to such a role.

### Sacristans and Tech-Priest

Sacristans are the engineers and machinists in charge of the maintain of the Knight House’s frames.Although officially independent from the Mechanicus, the Sacristans of Kullaris are trained on Isorag where they are taught the mystical practices necessary for their mission. Sacristans have long since been fully converted to the Cult Mechanicus but remain loyals above all to the House Léokonis. They are headed by a Chief Sacristan who has his place in the Cours du Fort Haut Lion.

The Techno-priests of the Isorag are very present in the Kullaris surface because they maintain the forges which made the wealth of this world since its rediscovery in the 39th millennium. Le Monde Forge and the House have always maintained a cordial relationship thanks to the presence of the Legate of the Mechanicus, a Magos in charge of relations between the two entities and who has its place both in the court of Fort High Lion and the Council of Isorag.

The Sacristans and the Legate are often protected by Skitariis whose dress has been embroidered in the colors of the House Léokonis who serves as bodyguards since their training on Isorag.

### Guard of Kullaris

Even before the arrival of the Adeptus Mechanicus, the House of Léokonis maintained a garrison of soldiers trained to support the Knights when the combat taking place within cramped place or to defend towns and forts of the planet when the Knights are hunting or if they are performing their duties towards their lords. This guard was, a long time ago as well equipped as their lords. But with time, the secrets of their personnel equipment has been lost. In the 39th millennium during the Tear, the archeo-tech weapons carried by these guards were more ornamental than functional and the very secret of their use has been forgotten, leaving the Kullaris Guard of Léokonis fighting with rudimentary equipment.

After their contact with the Imperium and the ratification of the agreement bonding Léokonis to Isorag, the custody of the house was deeply restructured. It was renamed simply the Guard of Kullaris, House Léokonis having become de facto since the Tear the sole authority of Kullaris. The unusable technologies of the guard were offered to the Techno-priests of Isorag in exchange for providing the guard with new and functional equipment. The Guard of Kullaris is now much better equipped, with advanced equipment. Its fighters benefit from augmentics and even for some of them Serberys provided by the Adeptus Mechanicus.

Its role remains essentially the same as a classic planetary defense force, serving as a garrison for the planet but also for the most illustrious of them, as a bodyguard of the nobles knight and the Mandatums of the House. The Chief of the Guard of Kullaris is called the Seneschal of Kullaris and is part of the court of the High Lion Hold.

## Traditions

### Laws of inheritance

If the Princeps die, the heir is chosen from among his direct lineage, but not necessarily his brother or his son. According to complex protocols established millennia ago the potentials heir has to pass several challenges created to test there: Honor, martial prowess, strategic sense, diplomacy, technical knowledge, mastery of arms, military tactics, mental resistance etc. The best candidate is necessarily chosen by the Master of the Protocols who judge which of the potential heirs has the best profile to lead the House. The other Barons can advise the Master of Protocol, but it is always him who gives the last word.

### Pilots formation

The training of a Léokoris pilot begins in childhood. At first, the young nobleman will have to learn all the etiquette, codes of conduct and honor of his house. Subsequently depending on his birth rank he will have to learn geopolitics, economics, engineering and theoretical combat arts as well as strategy. Subsequently, he will learn the art of sword fighting, because whatever his rank, a Léokonis must be able to defend himself with honor and bravery. Then comes the age of dubbing at 17. The Nobles who developed the most interesting martial talents during their training, will drive older and more powerful fram when the others must be content with recent or smaller frames like Armingers class.

Once bound to his armor, the young pilot will learn to control it and perfect his techniques with the help of an older pilot who becomes his official mentor. Eventually he will follow his mentor in combat in order to become an experienced pilot and complete an Initiation Quest. Traditionally, the Initiation quest is a long journey within en Isorag's exploration fleets. On his return, he will go to the surface of Isorag to complete a Transfiguration Ritual where hel receive his first bionic implants and where his frame will be modified and equipped with the modules that best correspond to the pilot. He will finally return to his home world, freed from his mentor, and become a full-fledged household fighter.

### Neo-Sidon Protocol

As a Questor Mechanicus, the House Léokonis is bound to the adeptus mechanicus and possesses the right and duty toward his lord. The modalities of the relationship linking the House to the forge world of Isorag were drawn up in the 39th millennium and named Protocol Neo-Sidon. The Protocol was ratified by the then Princeps Decimus Léokonis and the Explorer General Omberus Isorag. This protocol provides, among other things the following :

* Members of Maison Léokonis have the right to display the Opus Machina with all the rights and responsibilities towards the Omnimessie it implies.
* Members of House Léokonis must defend the possessions of the Forge World of Isorag and its council as if they were their own. In times of war they had to respond to the demands of the Council of Isorag.
* The Princeps of House Léokonis obtains a seat on the Council of Isorag. In times of war, the Princeps can however give that privilege to a third of the House who will obtain the title of "Legate of Léokonis". (In fact, Isorag being constantly at war, the seat is permanently occupied by a Legate of the House.)
* Tech-priests of Isorag are always welcome to the court of Léokonis.
* House Léokonis is entitled to an array of weapons and technological marvels that a Questor Imperialis counterpart could not obtain.
* The Sacristans who take care of the maintenance and repair of the sacred machines that are the Knights must be trained in the rites of the Machine Gods, the Omnimessia and of the Motive Force on Isorag.
* The Techno Priests of Isorag will have to provide all the weapons and equipment necessary for the survival of the house, which also includes new frame and new throne machanicus.
* A Knight of Léokonis is always welcome to Isorag.
* House Léokonis must always be able to give a lance available for Isorag's expeditionary fleets.
* The Isorag must ensure the Rite of Transfiguration of the new Pilots.
* Maison Léokonis remains master of its land but must contribute to the production of the forged world of Isorag by authorizing the establishment of manufactorum on the planet and providing workers.
* The Forge World of Isorag provides and maintains the equipement of the Guard of Kullaris.

### Honor Code

The Code of Honor of House Léokonis is engraved on the fractured Marble Stele of Fort Haut Lion :

* The Knights of House Léokonis are faithful to their words, their allegiance and their oaths.
* The Knights of House Léokonis are proud of their House, they will defend its name and all affronts towards it.
* The Knights of House Léokonis defend the scorned honor of their brothers as they had been scorned.
* The Knights of House Léokonis come to the aid of their brothers in arms in bad posture as well as the weak and defenseless citizens.
* The Knights of House Léokonis do not attack unarmed enemies.
* The Knights of House Léokonis avenge the misdeeds committed by tyrants and those without honors.
* The Knights of House Léokonis consider the quest for knowledge to be sacred and must emerge victorious from such quests.
* The Knights of House Léokonis fight injustice and evil in all circumstances.

### House Combat Doctrine

The House has acquired after millennia of combat the habitude to fight different types of threats with the presence of allies and auxiliaries. The Léokonis Knights therefore always try to integrate their strategy into the overall scheme of their allies and promote the versatility, speed and precision of its pilots. Indeed in combat the Knights of House Léokonis are known to radically change tactics depending on their opponent but still adopt a basic tactic consisting of pounding enemy lines by firing from distance before charging to their position covered by the guns of other knights or their allies before finishing off their opponents in a bloody melee.

## Belief of the house

After thousands of years of cordial relations with the Adeptus Mechanicus, the House and the population have gradually been influenced by the beliefs of the Cult Mechanicus, however without being transformed into a fully adopted faith. The nobles of House Léokonis therefore consider knowledge to be sacred and would be willing to give their lives to expand and protect the knowledge of the House, their Mechanicus overlords and all of humanity.

## Kullaris

### Kullaris System

The Kullaris system is a solar system composed of a yellow star with two major planets, the world of Kullaris and a gas-giant with several moons. The system is located in Segmentum Obscurus, Sector Lacuma, Sub-Sector Megana. Several Mechanicus research stations are present in the system. Two stable warp road connect the système with the système of Ondora (système of Ondorapolis) and Isorag.

### Geography

Kullaris is a continental world with varied landscapes but with an arid tendency. Magnificent savannas, canyons, meadows and tropical forests at the equator are present. Numerous forts and towns of varying sizes roam the domains of the planet, after the arrival of the Mechanicus many of these towns saw the development of flourishing manufactorum.

### Population

Before the arrival of the Mechanicus the inhabitants of Kullaris lived in an almost pre-industrial environment with very little technology except for the mystical Knights who led them. Since the arrival of the Mechanicus things have changed the growing demand for laborers and the increase of production has caused many peoples to migrate to the cities but many people however remain in the countryside continuing to live simply by growing the exotic food for the nobles of the planet.

### Notable Location

* **The Haut Lion Fortress**: The main fortress of the House, large walls of brilliant white decorated with red banners surround the enclosure of the fortress throne in the center of the capital of the planet.
* **The Termite Canyons**: These regions were known to harbor the giant termites native to the planet before those were eradicated.
* **The Terganis Valley**: The Valley which hosted the fortress of the house of treachery was completely destroyed by the Dark Mechanicum in their escape.
* **Monument Voctus**: Large monument located in the heart of the old fortress of House Voctus which commemorates their disappearance.

## Relations of the House

Since its contact with the Imperium, House Léokonis has realized it could no longer survive alone in this hostile Galaxy, this is why the House trains diplomats and representatives who forge links with all the imperial institutions of the Sector.

House Léokonis is of course very close to the forge world Isorag. The relationship the House maintains with Legio Morgana is very paradoxical, between respect for these machine pilots who master real Machine God avator and mistrust because of the fact that the princeps of this Legio never expressed themselves directly. They also have great enmities towards House Artifica and their overlords of the Forge World of Icarus because they represent all what the House fears when it comes to the loss of their autonomy. They are of course the sworn enemies of the traitors of House Terganis and the corrupted machine-builders wizards who ravaged their planet. During their expeditions the Léokonis have encountered many other houses, but none other than House Shield can claim to be House Léokonis greatest rival. The two houses that all oppose, from beliefs and practices to their galactic position, meat them regularly by stroke of fate and if they are not fighting together against a fow, they fight against themself by provoking duals of honor.

Outside the sphere of influence of the Knights and the Adeptus Mechanicus, House Léokonis maintains privileged relations with certain dynasties of Rogue Traders and regiments of the Imperial Guard alongside which the House fought.

## Notable Characters

* **Princeps Léona X Léokonis**: The High Queen of Léokonis and Lord of High Lion, she succeeded her father who died at nearly 500 in the middle of Noctis Aeterna. At only 46, she stood out from other inheritances thanks to her unpaired tactical sense.

* **Lord Rodyor**: Lord Rodyor is the most experienced Knight currently lending a Lance attached to Isorag's First Expeditionary Fleet that is currently traversing the Galaxy to return to their homeworld.

## House Appearance

### House Colors

The colors of the House are red and white arranged in a checkerboard pattern all over the blade.

### House Heraldry

The Maison Léokonis has a red lion's head with a silver back as a symbol.

## Gallery

House Léokonis livery shield with houshold coat-of-arms.House Léokonis honour banner of the Knight Paladin.House Léokonis Armiger Helverin.