Avathis

Portrait of Navarch Avathis in full dress regalia

High Navarch **Avathis** is the Shipmistress of the Nemean Lion's Flagship *Argos* and also holds the position of their Master of the Fleet, a position of immense importance within the Chapter.

## Background

### Early Years

Born in 842.M41 to a Serf family of the Stormborn tribe on Caelus Prime, Avathis was selected at a young age to join the ranks of the Naval Serfs bound to join the crews of the Lion's warships. Her father and mother both served as bridge crew on the Strike Cruiser *Lion’s Mane* and she soon found herself aboard the same vessel. Avathis proved well suited to such a life, acting as an aide to the bridge crew and later the personal assistant of the Captain herself. The Captain recognised the potential of this bright young girl and oversaw her tutelage in the role of the bridge crew.

A few decades later, Avathis had risen steadily through the ranks, reaching the position of junior bridge officer. It was at this point that the Cruiser was ambushed by Ork pirates, with the raiders boarding the ship and breaching the bridge. While they were able to repel the invaders, most of the bridge crew were slain, including her parents and the captain. As the highest ranking survivor, Avathis took command, driving off the greenskins by ramming their flagship. and scattering the lesser ships. Though the battle was won, the *Lions's Mane* was badly damaged and her reactor destabilised, detonating a short while later. Despite this great loss, Avathis was commended for her actions during the battle, and her successful evacuation of the vessel when containment efforts were unsuccessful.

 Avathis was transferred to the *Ork's Bane* as the First Officer, serving in this role for several more years before the incumbent captain was transferred to the *Spear of Caelus*.

### Ascension to High Navarch

In 983.M41, Avathis was commanding the *Blade of Delias* when the Shipmaster of the *Argos* was slain by an escaped Leonis. Avanthis, as the most senior Navarch and a highly respected commander, was given the position. In addition to the honour of commanding the oldest and most formidable vessel the Lions possessed, this position also came with the one of Master of the Fleet, a role held by a mortal in the hierarchy of the Lions, unlike in some other Chapters.

While she has only served in this role for a few decades, Avathis has fulfilled these duties with distinction, a source of great pride to her tribe.

## Personality

Avathis is a cold and reserved commander, only speaking to bark orders in a sharp and brisk manner, earning her the nickname of "Stonewall" amongst the bridge crew. Nonetheless she is deeply respected by her crew and known more broadly as "The Old Lady" by the wider Chapter, a name of great respect due to the reverence for the elders of Caelus. Unlike the majority of the female populace of Caelus Prime, Avathis is a avid hunter, having participated in a number since joining the crew of the *Argos*.

## Appearance

Avathis disdains the formal bridge uniform of the Chapter Fleet, preferring to wear a well-worn blue field jacket over a plain set of working rig. This has lead to a number of incidents where visitors have assumed her first officer is the captain of the ship, much to the bridge crew's amusement. She carries a plain powersword on her right hip, which she can often be seen fiddling with during void combat. Unusually for a Caelusian, she has adopted the habit of smoking Lho-Sticks, due to a secondment to Battlefleet Kantharos in her youth. When pressured into wearing her formal uniform for a ceremonial occasion, She dons a sea blue overcoat over a Grey dress uniform, resplendent with the medals and awards she has reluctantly accepted.

## Wargear

* Las Pistol
* Power Sword