Lions Exemplar

Heirs of Lion El'Jonson, this Chapter can trace its origins back to the ancient times of the 4th Founding. Ever since then, they have been unusually distant from their progenitors as well as the other Unforgiven. This, in turn, has made the Lions somewhat wary of other Chapters in general, suspecting themselves to flawed in a way unknown to them.

History
Following the devastating War of the Beast, the fight against an Ork-WAAAGH! so huge that it threatened the whole Imperium, Lord Commander Maximus Thane decreed the founding of as many Chapters as possible. Emptying the great vaults of Terra and drawing a number of veterans from all Astartes Chapters, the 4th Founding was the greatest since the 1st one. Dated in the late 500's or early 600's of M32, gene-tithes were doubled for the next standard century in order to refill Terra's vaults.

A Hostile Welcome (ca. 000.650-900M32)
The Lions Exemplar were among the vast number of Chapters sent out to secure the galaxy anew. Granted fiefdom over the planet Regenbrand located in the CInnabar Sector on the border of the Segmenti Obscurus and Solar, their claim would be tied to the planets liberation. Like so many other worlds, Regenbrand had been infested by Orks. Before the Astartes could tend to this problem, however, the Chapter were struck with losses during the fleets travel through the warp. The 1st and 2nd Company were lost entirely to a demon incursion, while the rest of the Lions suffered severe losses in the defense of their ships. Eventually victorious, the survivors arrived on Regenbrand with less than 800 Marines and a good part of their armory lost.

Though the planets orbit had been secured by a small force of Battlefleet Cinnabar, Ork warbands still roamed the surface in large numbers. Regenbrands small population had proven advantageous to its defense, as the Orks were often not patient enough to cover the vast distances necessary to engage the human forces. Instead, the majority of their forces were caught up in vicious infighting. Many Bosses and Nobs claimed leadership over the Orks, but none of them had enough power to enforce their claim.

After assessing the situation with the help of local reconnaissance forces, the Lions Exemplar descended on the planet and immediately began their operation. One after another, they eliminated the Orks' commanding forces, waited for the eventual successor to emerge and then eliminate those as well. Over the course of decades, the Ork threat was gradually reduced, with weaker and weaker leaders allowed to survive. During this period, the Chapter established itself on the planet's moon, Weihmarie and adapted Regenbrand's culture to its presence.The Lions replenished their forces and armory, launching campaigns from their fortress monastery 'Leuwenwall' almost a century before the Ork forces were reduced to insignificant presence. To this day, the Lions' initiates face the remaining, scattered groups of feral Orks as part of their training.

(...)

Sons Of The Lion
Due to the schism between the Lions Exemplar and their parent Chapter, the Dark Angels, they regard themselves as sons of Lion El'Jonson rather than successors of the 1st Legion. Venerated as the Emperor most capable warrior, his teachings are thoroughly instilled in every recruit and form the central beliefs held by the Chapter.

Like their Primarch, most Lions appear as stoic, quiet warriors, focused on completing the task at hand in the most efficient way. While their skill in war is unquestionable, their pragmatic, utilitarian approach to it has gained them a reputation as cold and calculating, leading campaigns where the end often justifies the means.

They regard themselves as soldiers first and foremost. To them, neither savagery nor nobility have any use in war. In consequence, they regard Chapters like the Space Wolves or the Blood Angels as lost from their original path as warriors.

Outcast Unforgiven
Shunned by the Dark Angels and the other Unforgiven, the Lions Exemplar initially believed themselves flawed in a way they could not perceive. After millennia of research and finding their gene-seed pure and stable, however, they have begun to suspect a different, yet unknown reason behind their treatment. Recently, they have begun to take efforts into uncovering this secret.

Discipline and Loyalty
Living by the virtues of their Primarch Lion El'Jonson, the Chapter holds discipline and loyalty as the core values of its teachings. To reflect this, the number of Chaplains employed the Lions Exemplar greatly exceeds the standards of other Chapters. This goes so far as to include the Grand Chaplain into the leadership of the Chapter.

Chaplains are an integral part of the Lions' organization, overseeing part of the recruitment process and and constantly monitoring the Battle Brothers' performance. They hold a lot of influence over the question of promotion as well, ensuring that only those most solid in mind ascend to positions of leadership

To achieve this, the Lions Exemplar feature the rank of Disciplinator Chaplain, tasked with keeping their Brothers' morale high even outside of combat. With the Chapter's disposition leaning towards brooding and excessive self-contemplating, Disciplinator Chaplains ensure that a Marine is fully focused on the task at hand. To achieve this, they make use of special meditation chambers and even the practice of mind-wipe to clear a Brothers' mind in face of a taxing campaign.

Sky Burials
Fallen Brothers, after their implants have been retrieved, are relieved from their head and armor and, if possible, brought back to the Chapter's home planet. There, their body is left in the open on Regenbrand's surface for the wildlife to feed on, while their heads are preserved in the quarters of their respective Wing.

Organization
The Lions Exemplar deviate from the Codex Astartes in a number of ways, partially due to events the Chapter's history, which shaped it in a certain way. Other traits have been developed due to the teachings of the Chapter's Primarch or the Lions' own beliefs.

The 8 Wings
Though initially raised with a strength of 1000 Battle Brothers, the losses suffered in the Warp reduced the Chapter to less than 800 combat-ready Marines. Organized in 8 companies, these were dubbed 'Wings' in reminiscence of the Dark Angels Hexagrammaton, specialist formations within the legion colloquially referred to as the 'Six Wings'. These Wings persist to the present day and rather than building up an additional 2 companies, each of them holds up to 25 scouts on top of the core 100 Marines. These initiates accompany the Brothers into battle as part of their training and to compensate for losses in the field.

Each Wing is housed in a tower of the Lions' fortress monastery Leuwenwall, where it preserves its relics, banners, war records and the skulls of fallen Battle Brothers.

Hierarchy
Like many Dark Angels successors, the Lions Exemplar feature an Inner Circle, overseen by the dual leadership of the Chapter, consisting of the Grand Master and the Grand Chaplain. The other members consist of the leaders of the Armory, the Fleet, the Reclusiasm, the Apothecarium and the Librarium.

Titles
Similar to their parent Chapter, the Lions Exemplar use a titles that deviate from those found in the Codex Astartes.
 * Grand Master = Chapter Master
 * Master of a Wing = Company Captain
 * Grand Chaplain = Master of Sanctity
 * Grand Librarian = Chief Librarian
 * Grand Apothecary = Master of the Apothecarion
 * Grand Forger = Master of the Forge