Void Lions

The Void Lions are a Loyalist Space Marine Chapter of Adeptus Astartes descended from the lineage of the stoic Imperial Fists. Extant records indicate that this obscure Chapter was created during the 23rd 'Sentinel' Founding during the latter centuries of the 37thMillennium. The Void Lions originally originated from the planet Zulup IX, located deep in the Eastern Fringe of the Imperium Nihilus.

The Void Lions patrol the outskirts of the Imperium Nihilus waging war primarily on the vile Tyranids threat wherever it is found. While the Void Lions can, and often do, engage other enemies of the Imperium, such as the other xenos races and the Forces of Chaos, their ancient nemesis are the Tyranids xenos species. Working in association with other Adeptus Astartes chapters of the Imperium is rare. The Void Lions prefer to work alone, but often send marines to the specialist, xenos-hunting Deathwatch and assist the Deathwatch Watch Stations with operations against the Great Devourer.

The Chapter is known for its vast fleet formation and preference of void warfare, however while deployed, marines of this chapter prefer close combat with the enemy over ranged firefights.

Chapter History
The Void Lions are a Chapter of Adeptus Astartes whose homeworld was the planet Zulup IX, which was located in the Eastern Fringe of the Imperium Nihilus; before it's eventual annihilation by the Tyranids of Hive Fleet Kraken.

The chapter has an extensive history, due to observations made and collected by Imperial Explorers as they delved into the Eastern Fringe during the early 35th Millennium. However, aspects of the Chapter's actual history conflict with Imperial Records due to the information and events surrounding the founding of the Void Lions Chapter-Tribe.

The Zulupian Predators
The human colony that had settled in the system of Zulup began fairly established but quickly devolved into tribal techno-barbarism. Explorers who had reached the planet as the Imperium began expanding logged that the planet was a jungle world that was virtually a paradise, if not for its hostile human inhabitants. The majority of the planet's human population were dark-skinned, due to the planets proximity to it's star and it's environmental conditions, and had regressed to tribalism; constantly at war with one another.

The human population varied in their physical features, which the explorers assumed was because of the population breeding with human-compatible xenos races, but their violence towards each other is what inspired one of the first explorer crews to name the largest of Zulup IX's tribe's the ' Zulupian Predators ' - as their warfare consisted not of one tribe honorably battling another, but of the 'Zulupian Predator' tribe hunting the other tribes, who often hid underground from danger. The 'Zulupian Predators ' were recorded to hunt these other tribes as if for sport and rite of passage; not out of necessity or for resources.

The early explorers did not understand that what they were observing was the dark-skinned human population in its attempt to exterminate the first tendrils of a Tyranid hive fleet attack, a Genestealer infestation. This is largely due to the greater Imperium not having encountered the Tyranids at the time. Many of the explorers that landed on the planet found themselves among the company of infected hosts and were killed. Few found themselves among the "Zulupian Predators" and were able to get their account of what was happening.

According to the 'Zulupian Predators' who were actually called the Vesllyna't- loosely translated to mean " The Tribe of the White Lion"- A small meteorite had hit the planet bringing with in the "Star Plague"; Tyranid Genestealers which immediately began infecting the tribes-people they encountered. As the years went by and generations passed, the Star-Plague swiftly assimilated itself into the tribal societies of Zulup creating primitive cults and increasing in number. The only tribe that did not suffer a Genestealer infestation was the Vesllyna't or the White Lion tribe, solely due to their location on the planet being the furthest from the impact crater of the meteorite. They were able to watch the changes in other tribes going on around them and had enough to prepare themselves. They watched as whole tribes would descend underground only to resurface years later, completely changed in appearance, their bulbous heads and reflective eyes and orange tinged skin giving way to change on a genetic level. They watched the fluidity with which they moved, as if having one mind and how unnaturally fast their reproduction was.

The Vesllyna't were lead by a king, who sent hunting parties to find out what the origin of this sickness they called the Star Plague was. The king of the Vesllyna't, whose name has long been lost to time, sent 30 of his most able hunter-warriors into the tunnels that the other tribes had made, at different entrances across the surface of Zulup IX nearest to their territory to seek answers. Of the 30, only two survived and one died soon after returning to camp due to blood loss. However, they had brought with them the source of the Star Plague: The head of a Genestealer, and the limb of a hybrid. Seeing this abomination for himself, the king ordered the migration of the entire tribe into the high Sel'in mountains of Zulup IX, abandoning their ancestral territorial grounds. Seeing it as an utter atrocity to the human form, the king also declared the annihilation of these foul life forms. With that, the traditions and culture of the Vesllyna't changed forever.

Hunter-Warriors were trained in new tactics based on what the surviving warrior from the tunnels passed down to them. New weapons were developed within the tribe, power spears with increased energy output, fire spheres and reinforced shields. The Rites of Passage into adulthood also changed. Youth becoming adults had to group together, successfully hunting and killing the members of a tribe infected with the Star Plague and bring back a head each. Not many initiates returned from this task. Many explorers, seeking to immerse themselves in the culture of the Vesllyna't embarked on this quest as well, most dying in the process, some surviving and making the information about what was happening on Zulup IX available to the Imperium's expanding archives. Though their knowledge of the Tyranids was minimal, the tribe knew what signs to look for with the infected. Initiates who came back alone with no star-plagued head to bare were promptly killed to minimize the risk of spreading the 'disease'. This, too, is also how some explorers met their end. The Culture of the Vesllyna't became tied the existence and threat of Tyranids on the planet.

Though “The Zulupian Predators” earned that name due to a misunderstanding in observation made commonly among over-eager and exaggerate explorers looking to write a compelling story of their journeys -it was the name by which the Imperium first acknowledged the existence of the human inhabitants of Zulup IX. In reality, the tribe's name was always the "Vesllyna't" or "Tribe of the White Lion", named after the world's apex predator the Zulupian White Lion. The 'Zulupian Predators ' were noted for being particularly war-like, and this observation would benefit them in the years that would follow

The Lion Guard and the Ordo Xenos
The greater Imperium did not know about Tyranids until the early 41st Millennium, which is when the first encounter with the vile xenos was recorded near the Eastern Fringes. However, the Ordo Xenos branch of the Inquisition saw the Tyranids coming, from multiple entry points into the Imperium Nihilus and tried to learn as much as possible about this new Xenos threat and if possible, stop it before the reality of their existence wrecked havoc on the thin stability of the state of the Imperium at the time.

The Ordo archives were full of reports, observations and reflections made by explorers and traders across the Imperium concerning the possibility of a new, ravenous xenos threat, and on the planet of Zulup IX the life cycle of the threat was perfectly illustrated, as well as some of its behaviors, how it reproduced, etc. The Inquisition had it's eyes on Zulup IX for much longer than known by the inhabitants of the planet. Not only did the Ordo find the threat, but a collective of Inquisitors known as the Fringe Conclave was able to watch a population of humans deal with the threat effectively, though through primitive means at the time.

Due to the urgency of the Tyranid threat, a petition was sent by the Fringe Conclave to the High Lords of Terra to create a new chapter of Space Marines that would be a part of the then upcoming 23rd Founding- which would be made to "secure the Imperium’s strength and resources deep in the Eastern Fringe of Imperial ruled space". It was passed, and after developing selecting geneseed that had already been developed; the Adeptus Mechanicus moved in to the Eastern Fringe towards Zulup Star system with the Emperor’s gift to the human population on the world Zulup IX. This enabled them the strength and tools necessary to eradicate the world of what they called ” The Star Plague” and expand outward. On the surface, this was done to secure resources for the Imperium, but underneath that, the newly founded Zulupian chapter was made to combat the new Xenos threat. The Ordo Xenos watched and waited, gathering information along the way.

It took over 50 years, but a chapter was formed on Zulup IX. The Lion Guard was the name of the Chapter that was created from the tribal peoples of Zulup IX, and it's first Chapter Master was Galitur Armituvi; the young son of the King of the Vesllyna't tribe at the time who was physically unable to endure the astartes surgery and thus remained human.

King Armituvi was inspired by the ideals of the Imperium of Man, readily swearing his peoples allegiance to the Emperor's Imperium of Man and imbibing the position of leadership and role of Chapter Master with ease. Interested in the history of the Imperium and eventually learning about the Primarchs, and the other war-tribes of the Emperor, King Armituvi aimed to change the tribes way of being by accepting and following the Codex Astartes in organization a much a possible, except in areas such as the chapters number of marines. The chapter was able to produce more marines than a standard codex compliant chapter and had over 2500 marines at its creation. After this first generation of Lion Guard, the young men of the tribe were consistently recruited into the Lion Guard, while women and those too old to go through the procedure were trained to be part of the Planetary Defence Force of Zulup IX by the standards of the Astra Militarum.

Armed, empowered and enabled, the first major battle of the Lion Guard was The Reclamation War for Zulup IX, from which the Lion Guard emerged from victorious, completely eradicating the Star Plague from the planet with Bolter and power blade. The Lion Guard even succeeding in slaying the source of the Plague- "The World Eater", a large but sickly Genestealer Broodlord; the first Tyranid to ever arrive on the jungle world and begin to infect its population.

Once the world of Zulup IX was cleansed of the Star Plague, the Lion Guard claimed the world as the official homeworld of the Chapter. Ever ambitious, King Armitu'vi -made aware of the other planets in the star system and having the means to travel to them through the ships provided to them- initiated a campaign. This campaign would be one of the The Lion Guard's most important endeavors, and would be the main collective of battles as part of the Reclamation Wars of Zulup. There were eight other planets in the Zulupian solar system, and King Armitu'vi was determined to reclaim all of them from the claws of their Tyranid foe. The Lion Guard took to the void, directing forces to each planet, with the assistance of the PDF of Zulup IX, eradicating the Xenos threat where it was found. This, however, was no easy task.

The Fringe Conclave of the Ordo Xenos had petitioned the creation of a chapter to protect the resources in the Eastern Fringe of Imperial space, and the chapter had to provide those resources. Trees were chopped down and burned, minerals were dug up from the earth and slowly the Jungle World of Zulup Ix was no more. As the Lion Guard warred against the Tyranid foe, they struggled to secure and maintain a steady shipment of resources from each of the world to contribute to the Imperium of Man. The Chapter encountered more Tyranid species that they were not familiar with and had to learn how to destroy them, at a greater populations than was were encountered before. The war effort was consuming and the High Lords of Terra grew suspicious of low tithes coming from the chapter.

King Armitu'vi and his captains claimed seven of the nine worlds of the Zulupian system before they realized their plans were futile. 300 years after the war for Zulup, the Lion Guard faced its biggest threat yet: A fleet of Hive Fleet Kraken Tyranids entered the Zulup System, called there by a Tyranid beast hidden on one of the planets who served as a beacon for the rest of the Hive Fleet. The Zulupian Planetary Defence Forces gathered their collective strength and joined the Lion Guard in a defiant stand against the Star Plague. Maned-King Armitu’vu coordinated the void assault against the Tyranids while the rest of the military might of Zulup was spread out between the planets in the system, the most heavily guarded being the planet of Zulup IX itself, homeworld of the Lion Guard.

The battle lasted only 27 days, and during that time 3/4ths of the Planetary Defence Forces had been annihilated and several fleet ships had been destroyed by the enemy. Planet after planet was lost to the great plague and the remaining military might was forced to make fighting retreats back to Zulup IX.

The tendril of the Hive Fleet Kraken was en route to Zulup IX, the size of which the Lion Guard- even with their allied PDF-could not hope to fight and defeat alone. The psychic manifestation of the xenos presence grew worse every day, and the Zulupian forces were being utterly devoured by Hive Fleet Kraken. Seeing-perhaps too late due to pride-that this was a battle he could not win alone, King Armitu'vi sent vox transmissions out for assistance from any Imperial forces that were near the star system that would be able to help in the fight.

The messages never reached the greater Imperium of Man. The Ordo Xenos of the Inquisition intervened any messages that had a chance at making it to their destinations. The Ordo Xenos heard the call but did not respond nor send aid, all at the order of an individual Inquisitor and her ideas for the Chapter. The Inquisitor responsible for the creation of the Lion Guard chapter, required the Chapter to lose their homeworld to the Tyranids.

It is difficult for normal mortals invested with little-to-no power to understand the grand perspective of a mortal granted with the authority of the God- Emperor of Mankind, and it is even harder to articulate the perspective in a way that seemed morally justified. The Tyranid Hive Fleets were observed to be approaching the Imperium from all angles, including from underneath. After observing the Zulupian Tribes-people in combating the Genestealer cults, and seeing the culture of the Zulupian population completely alter itself to the existence of Tyranids and to their annihilation, the Inquisitor Agent-who’s name was Esmerelda Varlan-saw that the chapter could have an even greater purpose.

She determined that the Lion Guard would never find or fulfill that purpose if they remained in the Zulup system, protecting a single planet and having that be the source of their identity. She needed the Imperium to take the place of their homeworld, and for them to fight the Tyranid threat in protection of it with the same commitment and unyielding spirit they did protecting their own planet. For that to happen, they had to lose their planet and the entire system they had fought to conquer. The Ordo Xenos Agents- Varlan and company-listened to the hails for assistance from the Lion Guard, but let them go unanswered, allowing the complete annihilation of the Zulup system to occur.

The Zulup star system was lost just three months after the initial Hive Fleet assault. The system completely consumed, all remaining forces took to their fleets and left the system. King Armitu’vi-first and only Chapter Master of the Lion Guard-was killed during battle on the surface of Zulup IX, leaving the Lion Guard chapter without a Chapter Master.

The Zulup system was removed from the map of Imperial ruled space, and the Lion Guard Adeptus Astartes were recorded to have been annihilated. Severely depleted and without a Chapter Master, the Lion Guard and the Zulupian PDF fleets that remained, roamed the Eastern Fringe.

The Void Lions

The Lion Guard chapter was bloodied, but not completely broken. From among the ranks of the chapters veterans, an astartes by the name Marsaak Issayah arose, challenging his tribesmen to combat for the position of "Maned-King". Those who were old enough to remember the term were roused into action. Those who were created during the time of the Chapter Master Armitu'vi vaguely recognized the old tradition of the Vesllyna't of challenging ones tribesmen for the position of Maned-King in ritual combat, to the death. A handful of veterans challenged Marsaak, the ritual combats taking place on the various Lion Guard ships throughout the fleet, while other marines and PDF soldiers looked on.

The fighting was intense, and no bar was held between contestants. To watch them was to watch giants with the fury of demi-gods clash.Wounded multiple times and nearly loosing his arm, Marsaak Issayah emerged victorious defeating all of his contestants; killing them as Vesllyna't tradition dictated but honoring each of them by announcing their names and service to the chapter. Upon seeing this, the seeds of pride and identity being to grow within the dispirited chapter.

As the new Maned-King of the Chapter-Tribe, Marsaak Issayah declared was that the Lion Guard chapter was no more. Instead of giving into despair, he demanded the remaining tribesmen to be strengthened by the knowledge that from the ashes of what they were before, they would rise again anew and stronger. He announced that the Lions of Zulup had lost their homeworld, but that the fury of Zulup still lived in each Zulupian that drew breath. Their planet was lost, their system consumed, but their spirit was made all the more resilient. He orated that planets are lost to the Star Plague every day across the Emperor's vast galaxy, and the fact that they should suffer the same fate only meant they were no more important than any of humanity among the stars. It was there duty to fight the Star Plague with all of their might and resources until the last marine fell. He declared that instead of being the Lion Guard of Zulup, they would become Lions of the Void.

Marsaak renamed the chapter to ” The Void Lions” and reorganized their structure. The chapter became a fleet-based chapter, and shed the restrictions of the Codex, becoming Codex non-compliant in organization and expression. Marsaak returned the chapters tactics to those similar to the ancient ways of the Vesllyna't, favoring the aggressive bravery of close combat fighting and of hunting the enemy in its own environment. The Heraldry and coloring of the chapter changed as well.

As the Lion Guard, the chapter's heraldry was a white lion rampant on a field of dark green on the right pauldron, with the tactical insignia on the left. The chapter's new heraldry was a roaring white lion profile on a field of black, the heraldry being placed on both pauldrons as opposed to one. The chapter discarded any use of tactical insignia that they had used as the Lion Guard and returned traditional tribal titles to leadership positions within the Chapter-Tribe.

Agent Varlan of the Ordo Xenos Fringe Conclave-whose hand it was that guided the formation of the Lion Guard on Zulup IX-observed the changes in the chapter as a scientist would an experiment. Choosing the most opportune time, the Inquisitor and accompanying fleet presented themselves to the Void Lions Chapter-Tribe. The Inquisitor met with Marsaak Issayah aboard The Predator battle barge of the Void Lions Fleet over the span of several days.

No one knows what was discussed between the Maned-King and the Inquisitor, but by the end of the discussion, there was formed a strong alliance between the Void Lions Chapter-Tribe and the Ordo Xenos branch of the Inquisition.

To seal the alliance, The Ordo Xenos provided the Void Lions with one Universe Class Mass Conveyor ship, and multiple armed freighters that they would be able to use as a home the remaining Zulupian population, who would be able to return to a semblance of civilian life in the void. This in turn would enable the chapter to continue to recruit from their homeworld's population.

However, the Inquisition could not provide everything. If the chapter sought to survive, the Void Lions would have to present themselves to the Imperium and the High Lords of Terra as loyalist Astartes, otherwise they ran the risk of being perceived as renegades or worse, and having any resources to assist them in their fight against the Star Plague cut off from them.

The Inquisitor was fully prepared for the Void Lions to refuse this proposition,and ready to destroy the chapters future in one swift motion should it be necessary; using the very same provisions given to the Chapter-Tribe against them in a cruel, explosive fashion. However, seeing this as the best course of action without knowing of these countermeasures but being suspicious that they may exist, Marsaak Issayah commanded the vast Void Lions Fleet to prepare for warp travel and set course for the edge of the Eastern Fringe.

The Conditions

Contact with the High Lords of Terra was made swiftly through the Fringe Conclave Inquisitors of the Ordo Xenos. The meetings between the two organizations did not happen in person but through hologram, and by representatives of both groups. In was through this interaction that the High Lords listed off the demands that the Void Lions must comply to or else be destroyed and erased completely from Imperial Records.

The first demand was that the chapter limit its capacity to no more than 1,000 marines. During the Reclamation War for Zulup, the Lion Guard was allowed to have significantly more marines due to the nature of the battle, the nature of the foe, and the location of the fight- deep in the Eastern Fringe and away from most of the Imperium. The High Lords of Terra saw the use and potential of the Void Lions protecting the boundary of the greater Imperium as it continued to expand, but the chapter would be more visible to the eyes of the rest of the Imperium, and the other branches of the Inquisition. Even though the Void Lions chapter was strongly connected to the Ordo Xenos of the Inquisition, The High Lords did not want yet another chapter to be non-compliant in size and cause strain with the other branches of Inquisition.

At the time of these negotiations, the Void Lions had well over a thousand marines. The chapter was given the choice to form another chapter under the guise of a successor, or the excess 923 marines could  join other chapters- but the number of marines in the Void Lions had to decrease and stay at 1,000 or the chapter was to be no more.

The second demand of the High Lords of Terra was on the number of ships the Void Lions fleet could possess. Being that the chapter was limited to 1,000 marines- their fleet was to be no bigger than a standard space marine fleet. It was able to keep its Planetary Defence Force ships as well, but the Imperium demanded the right to request a tithe of Zulupians to join the Astra Militarum and serve within the boundaries of the Imperium when needed. The Maned-King of the Void Lions agreed to these terms, and was more than willing to have his peoples be recruited into the Astra Militarum to serve the Imperium. The Vesllyna't were warriors and would serve well.

The Void Lions and the Primaris Space Marines

The third demand was that the Void Lions implement the newly developed Primaris Adeptus Astartes into their ranks so that the chapter may be a formidable force in the wars to come. This final condition was met with pause by the Maned-King.

It was no secret to the High Lords that the Void Lions were Homo Sapiens Novus, created using gene-seed created during the Cursed Founding. They were aware of the Void Lions affliction of gigantism but remained unaware of the full extent of the genetic curse the Void Lions faced: the fact that their geneseed was not completely compatible with their human genetic disposition. Eventually, a marines composition would fail on itself, bones and organs would grow rapidly in random areas, cells would divide and die at an unpredictable rate. This could begin suddenly, be nearly unstoppable and would kill many of the marines who suffered it. The Lions refer to it as “The Curse of Zulup”. Those who survived the Curse of Zulup grew into giants, even by Astartes standards, towering above their tribesmen.

The negotiations being made were on the basis that the Void Lions were a capable fighting force with no strong hindrances due to their manipulated geneseed. If the High Lords were to ever find out about the genetic mutation, they would order the destruction of the chapter.

There was also the matter of the Void Lions only recruiting from those who had lineage from their once homeworld, Zulup IX. The human survivors of the War for Zulup resided in their thousands aboard massive carrier-class ships that traveled with the Void Lion fleet in the semblance of civilian life. The Void Lions recruited exclusively from this population and would not consider anything else.

The Void Lions had allied with the Ordo Xenos branch of the Inquisition soon after the demise of their homeworld, and it was the agents of the Fringe Conclave who stood on behalf of the Void Lions in this matter. Representatives of the Ordo Xenos provided the Chapter Master of the Void Lions with the information that would allow them incorporate Primaris into their ranks without having to recruit non-zulupians and keep their Gene Curse from the attention of the High Lords of Terra and the other branches of the Inquisition.

Out of the three additional organs implanted in an Adeptus Astartes that would make him Primaris, one organ in particular – called the Magnificat, or the Amplifier- secreted hormones that increased the trans-human bodies growth and intensified the functions of its advanced systems in combination with the Belisarian Furnace organ-which in times of stress and violent damaging trauma aided the regrowth of the marines structure-actually fought against the mortal effects of the Gene Curse of Zulup.

While the marines still suffered from their gigantism, they no longer were made immobile from it and there unusual size went unnoticed due to the Primaris Marine towering above his predecessors in design naturally. Not only did it provide a means for Void Lions to continue the fight but also gave them access to weapons and armor that would accommodate their size and compliment their condition.

The Maned-King accepted the terms of this final demand and the Void Lions incorporated Primaris Space Marines into the chapter- but in a very specific way: Only the veterans of the chapter could opt to become Primaris Marines. If they opted to, they would undergo the lengthy and risky process that would make them Rubicon Marines, who would then join the Maned-Kings “Blood-Pride”, or bodyguard collective. If a veteran chose not to do the procedure, he would continue his service as he is until the Gene Curse claimed him or else the eternal war. The older a Void Lion becomes, the more likely he will succumb to the Gene Curse. A Void Lions ascendancy to Veteran status is marked by his 150th year of service. After this period of time the Curse is likely to claim his life unless he chooses to make the change to Rubicon and join the Blood-Pride. For some Veterans, it is only right that they die from the curse. For others, to stay alive to continue the fight is more important. There is no negative judgement among Void Lions concerning what decision a veteran makes, and absolutely no question of the Maned-King’s decision to incorporate these new kinds of marines into the Chapter-Tribe.

Selecting the 923 marines was no hard feat. There lived at the time of these negotiations 930 marines nearing veteran status within the Chapter-Tribe, and so the excess was chosen from this collective. The Inquisiton had its tithe for its military chamber, the Deathwatch. Of the 923 marines, 35 marines decided to join the Deathwatch as Black Shields and they were chosen from those of the 923 who were willing to undergo the Rubicon procedure.

The remaining 888 Void Lions were charged with a most important task: they would have to serve as a sacrifice for the future of Void Lions Chapter-Tribe. The 888, had collectively refused to undergo the surgery that would upgrade them into Primaris marines, meaning they were nearing the grasp of the Curse of Zulup. Such a large number of marines to succumb to the Curse would certainly catch the suspicion of the rest of the Imperium.

Lead by Ago Toray, a grizzled veteran of many battles and a proud Void Lion, the Void Lion Decimation fleet was formed.

The Decimation War

The Void Lion Decimation fleet would take with it the 888 Void Lions and a large portion of the Void Lions Fleet to be deployed in the Segmentum Tempestus - within the boundaries of the Imperium Nihilus for the first time- to fight a growing tendril of the Hive Fleet Leviathan that drew closer to the throne world every day. It was in this way that the Chapter introduced itself and its might to the rest of the Imperium of Man. Nearly a chapters worth of marines were provided with a portion of the Void Lion Fleet and deployed to give their lives in service and sacrifice to the Imperium of Man and to cause as much damage as possible to the Hive Fleet.

The war only lasted 120 days. The Void Lions Fleet was slowly consumed, and was observed to use “tremendously aggressive tactics against the Tyranid Hive Fleet that no one could hope to return from.” Though the Decimation Void Lion fleet was completely destroyed, the Void Lions were recognized for their intervention in the destruction of various Imperial Navy ships and contributing significantly to the war effort against the ravenous Tyranid fleets in the sector. Propaganda was spread throughout the Imperium of a new order of the Emperor's angels of death, who fought against the xenos abomination and committed itself to its annihilation, and called this order the Lions of the Void. To honor their sacrifice, the High Lords declared that the Zulupian PDF would henceforth be recognized as its own Regiment, and would be given access to the tools of war that the Imperium could provide. This was the declaration that lead to the creation of the Zulupian Astra Militarum Regiment, an aggressive regiment that would gain a reputation throughout the Imperium for excelling at tyranid hunting, boarding actions and xenocidal purgitations. The Void Lions loyalty without question, the Chapter was embraced by the Imperium, it placed within the Imperial records as being founded in the 23rd Founding.

The rest of the Imperium did not know the true meaning behind what had occurred. However, the Decimation War bought the remaining Void Lions Chapter-Tribe time. Due to the sheer amount of marines and ships lost in this engagement, the Chapters extended absence would be understood as it needing time to rebuild, while the chapter actually adjusted to the demands of the High Lords of Terra. Ago Toray and the Lions of the Decimation Fleet were honored for their sacrifice and good death; his final words and maddened laughter as his Battle Barge soared into the thick of the enemy fleet echoing as a war affirmation to the Void Lions, and the Vesllyna't alike, words thick with defiance and fury : "Bon'bur! Wuuf'tal!" which-translated from Zulupian into High Gothic- meant: "Death to the Star Plague! We are not Prey!"

Notable Campaigns
- The Reclamation War for Zulup IX: The Lion Guard reclaim Zulup IX from the clutches of the Tyranids, scourging it completely of the Star Plague and declaring the planet the Homeworld of the Lion Guard chapter. The Reclamation War for Zulup IX would be continued as The Reclamation Wars of Zulup during which the Lion Guard attempted to reclaim the entire Zulup system from the clutches of the Tyranids.

- The War for Zulup IX: An established tendril of Hive Fleet Kraken moves into the Zulup System. The Lion Guard and the Zulupian Planetary Defence Forces engage the Tyranids but were unsuccessful at defending the majority of the planets in the Zulup system, the forces making a fighting retreat to Zulup IX. The Zulupian Forces fight valiantly, but were swiftly overwhelmed. Zulup IX was lost, and the Lion Guard-along with the remaining PDF- abandoned the system, becoming fleet-based and roaming the Eastern Fringe.

- The Decimation War: 888 Void Lions, with a full fleet of ships and lead by Veteran Void Lion Ago Toray, go to war with Hive Fleet Leviathan in the Segmentum Tempestus and the deployment of the High Lords of Terra and on behalf of the rest of the Chapter-Tribe so that the Void Lions loyalty would be unquestioned, their efficiency illustrated and their identity known to the Imperium of Man. The Decimation War was waged for four months before the Decimation Void Lion Fleet was finally consumed by the Hive Fleet to the last ship. The sacrifice of the 888 Void Lions secured the Chapter-Tribe as a loyalist Chapter of the Imperium of Man by enabling it to meet the demands of the High Lords of Terra and lead to the formation of the Zulupian Predators Astra Militarum Regiment.

Chapter Organisation
The organization of the Void Lions Chapter Tribe has its origins in the tribal history of the chapter.

On Zulup IX, the tribe was lead by a figure called the "Maned-King", who served as the face and representative of the Tribe. Under him were three to four chiefs, known as the Black-Maned. Each Black-Maned was the leader of a small group of clans, forming their own micro-tribe. Each Black-Maned lead their clans in defending the territory of the greater Tribe and protecting which ever resources and sacred sites the micro-tribes found themselves near.

Due to the state of constant war, a Black-Maned never stayed in power long. As per tradition, when a Black Maned died; anyone could pick up the mantle of being the Black-Maned so long as he could beat all of his competition to the position in ritual combat. These clan-based tribes worked together to support and protect each other and the greater Tribe, and in times of need, territory expansion and particularly heavy war, the Maned-King would call on the support of one or two Clans within the neighboring micro-tribes. When the Maned-King died, the current Black-Maned gathered privately along with the elders of each micro-tribe, to engage each other in ritual combat. There could only be one victor as tradition mandated that contestants must fight to the death. The victor of the ritual combat, called the ” Rite of the White Mane” emerged the bearer of the title of Maned-King.

Marsaak Issayah, Maned- King of the Void Lions looked to this past in the reorganization of the Chapter. The Chapter-Tribe is now divided into three separate tribes under the ' Maned-King ', which is the Void Lions equivalent of a Chapter Master. Each tribe is lead by a ' Black-Maned ', which is the Void Lion equivalent of a Captain. Effectively, the Void Lions have only three Captains. Under the Black-Maned are four formations of marines. The first three formations are called 'Rampages '. A Rampage is the Codex Astartes-equivalent of a Company, with each Rampage containing around 100 marines. Each Black-Maned commands 3 Rampages and is accompanied by at least three Provokers ( Chaplains). The 1st and 2nd Rampage are collective companies of marines, with each Rampage residing primarily on their own Strike Cruiser.

The 3rd Rampage also contains around 100 marines. However,The 3rd Rampage of each tribe is composed of nine or ten squads of Space Marines, ' Clans ' who supervise the Chapter fleet's Gladius-class frigates and their chapter serf crews. These ships - referred to as 'Claws ' - serve as escorts to the Chapter fleet's larger ships and are the extension of the might and reach of their Black-Maned. Claws regularly break away from the larger fleet on patrols, and explorations of worlds, space hulks and areas of space where the fleets finds themselves in pursuit of the Star Plague.

The Clans that supervise these ships are all specialists of war that- while they may not all be veterans- possess a veterans skill in handling multiple armaments and being ultimately flexible to what a mission may require of them. They have access to different types of armor plating, war machines and wield a fraction of the fleets devastating might in the form of their ships titanic weapons systems. Casualty is inevitable and initiates of the Void Lions who survive their Trial are hand picked to join the ranks of the 3rd Rampage Clans. It is an privilege to serve in these honorable warrior clans and fulfill a role of greater purpose. Without the strength of his Claws and their Clans, a Black-Maned is without most of his might as the commander of his fleet. However, because of this intricate relationship, none of membership in the Clans of 3rd Rampage may not vie for position as a Black-Maned. A successor of the role of Black-Maned may only come from the 1st or 2nd Rampage.

The Forth formation of marines under the Black-Maned, is a portion of the Chapter-Tribe's Scout Company, called a 'Hunter Pride '. This formation of scout initiates is very small and usually contains around 30 or so Scouts. The scouts assist where needed until the time of their Trial, during which the entire Hunter Pride makes their way to the Shield of Zulup.

The Maned-King resides upon the Battle Barge flagship of the Void Lions, The Predator, with his Blood-Pride collective of veteran Void Lions. The ship moves among the three tribes freely, lending aid and joining engagements or even hunting on its own. When the Maned-King is in need, he can call upon multiple Claws from different tribes to assist him.

The Void Lion Fleets, combined with the Zulupian Predators Imperial Navy battleships and cruisers, are truly massive. However, they need to be in their fight against the ravenous Tyranids.

Void Lions organization dictates that the Chapter's transports are never occupied to their standard capacity, and this too is influenced by the Chapter's existence as a fleet-based Astartes organization. With the Chapter's numbers limited to only a 1,000 marines while facing a endless horde of an enemy, everything from the Chapter's powerful fleet ships to the smaller tank transports are merely tools of war, not nearly as important as the life of the Void Lions who operate and supervise them. Therefore, none of them are occupied to full capacity. Battle Barges that could hold 300 marines will often only be occupied by 100 or less at any given time and all of those marines are able to operate the several smaller flyers in its hanger decks. Strike Cruisers that could hold 100, usually have less than that number actually aboard the ship.

Each marine is a devastating operator of war machines so that his efforts caused exponential damage to the enemy. However, when numbers are needed, entire Rampages will deploy in open war. This is simultaneously how the Void Lion are known for their fleet, air-wing and battalion formations.

Chapter Culture
The Adeptus Astartes of the Void Lions Chapter-Tribe are stoic, grim marines. Their anger is hidden well behind their calm, rigid composure and they have a deep need for hierarchy and structure. When Marsaak Issayah; Chapter Master of the Void Lions, took the mantle of leadership and re-introduced many of the traditions of the old Vesllyna't tribe, he did so not because he saw that the chapter needed its own identity and traditions, but because the chapter already had its own identity and structure, and these things gave the Void Lions a connection to their annihilated homeworld, to their peoples, and ultimately to their humanity. Without these things, he saw that the Chapter would further descend into the Void Within.

Much of the culture of the Chapter-Tribe originated from the traditions of the Vesllyna't, and to oversee this, were the elders of the Vesllyna't tribe who still lived and carried the traditions with them. The Culture of the Void Lions- like that of all Adeptus Astartes- is one of war, however, it is one based on humanity as well and its value.

While deployed, the Void Lions are merciless in execution and brutal in application, extremely focused and coordinated Adeptus Astartes who never hesitate once they are unleashed into war. While not deployed on missions however, the Void Lions often spend their time aboard the ships that home the remaining Zulupian peoples, interacting with the youth and serving as inspirational figures to those about to endure their rites of passage into adulthood. They have immense respect for the elders of the Vesllyna't and their wisdom. Many Void Lions are still connected to their families, who often create trinkets for their transhuman relatives, sewing their capes and creating seals for their armor. Squads of Void Lions spend time bonding with each-other, and knowing each-others stories. They encourage strength and fortitude among their numbers, but are brotherly and are deeply bonded to each other through blood, history, and trials.

There is rarely unnecessary infighting among the Void Lions, as they all have a deep respect for might, rank and authority. When contestants for the rank of Black-Maned approach each-other in ritual combat, they do so without enthusiasm for they know that even if they achieve the title and win the combat, tradition dictates that the contestant who lost must be killed. When Hunter-Prides are preparing to go through their Trial of Initiation aboard the Shield of Zulup , initiated Void Lions offer words of encouragement to bolster their morale, even while knowing that most of them will not return. They trust the Maned-King and his decisions for the Chapter-Tribe without doubt, suspicion or complaint and they always honor a fallen Void Lion.

Void Lions have a particular enthusiasm towards death. Indeed it is the fate of every Marine who raises his sword and Bolter in defence of the Imperium of Man, however the Void Lions have a deep desire to "die well" or to have a death that bolsters the morale of his tribesmen; defying or denying the enemy the sense of victory and demonstrating their dominance over their foe even in the jaws of death. The Void Lions give what has been referred to by those who witness it as the "grim frown of deep approval" at such a death, and should a tribesman die a death not fitting of a Void Lion, no one speaks of it but instead speaks of the marines valor and courage in battle.

Void Lions prefer to stay among their own tribesmen, but occasionally they are required to interact with other humans and Chapters of Adeptus Astartes. When interacting with other Adeptus Astartes, they are humble and unassuming. More curious about the other cultures of the other Chapters than they are judgmental of them, they would work well with many other chapters but often choose not to. When given respect, they show respect, but they do not take to insults lightly. Instead of becoming enraged, they simply excuse themselves silently. However, the chapter does hold deep grudges and the same silence they dismiss themselves with, they reply with when those who have insulted them call for their aid-unless they are given apology.

The Totem of the Vesllyna't tribe was the Zulupian White Lion. A ferocious and unconquerable beast, this totem animal became the inspiration for the Chapter-Tribes heraldry, and eventually an important metaphor for the chapter. So much of the Vesllyna't culture revolved around aggression, the Zulupian Lion and self control, that in times of intense anger, Void Lions have been known to growl and snarl bestially as if actually Lions. This expression is a product of culture, not genetics- and aspect of tradition, not nature that all Vesllyna't share.

A gesture of respect among the Void Lions- which was taken from the Vesllyna't warrior tradition- of lifting ones chin in the presence of a marine of higher rank, actually originated from a greeting among the Zulupian predatory fauna and mimics the gesture that the Zulupian Lion would make in the presence of a bigger, deadlier Lion. Though the titles of "Maned-King" and "Black-Maned" would imply the presence of an actual mane, they are more metaphors of might. In fact, while many Void Lions grow their hair into locks or otherwise maintain a head of hair, leaders among the Void Lions and those aspiring to be leaders shave their hair off as a symbol of status.

Another aspect of Vesllyna't Culture is the Void Lions affinity for close combat. All marines, regardless of deployment role or rank, will not hesitate to close combat with the enemy, and will actually seek it-especially against Tyranids. To do so shows great courage and audacity among the Void Lions, and to die in close combat with the enemy is always considered a good death among the Tribesmen of the Chapter. However, to kill a Void Lion in close combat is no easy task. The warriors of the Vesllyna't were raised in a tribal tradition of excelling at the art of close combat against each-other as well as the against Tyranids-even as normal humans. The pursuit of the mastery of close combat is one that continues even after the tribesman is imbued with geneseed and becomes an Adeptus Astartes. The Void Lions are swift, lethal swordsman and brutal combatants; as are all the Vesllyn'at due to centuries of fighting Tyranids, one of the most swiftly fatal xenos species known to the Imperium of Man.

The Void Lions suffer from a genetic mishap, known among them as the "Curse of Zulup". As a marine ages, the risk of succumbing to the curse increases. The genetic mishap has its origins in the tampered geneseed used to create the chapter, which conflicts with the human genome of the marine over time. The fruition of this genetic conflict is the sudden, fatal imbalance of hormones and function of organs. Bones rapidly grow in some places, cells multiply rapidly or die in others, organs fail and the geneseed is unable to heal the marines body. Most Void Lions die far before experiencing the effects of this gene-curse due to war. Those who live over 150 years are often killed by this gene-curse. However, some survive the curse, becoming giants among their tribesmen. Due to the reality of this gene-curse, an acceptance of it is incorporated into the culture of the Void Lions Chapter.

If a marine survives to live up to 150 years, he is viewed with deep respect and given support and encouragement of those under him. To live past 150 gives many Void Lions a deep sense of inner darkness- known as Dorn's Flaw- that they inherited from their Progenitor. The marine will become stubborn and indifferent towards his demise and will seek out death in battle. If they can not find death on the battlefield they await it eagerly through the gene-curse.

Recent developments both in the Imperium of Man and in the Void Lion Chapter-Tribe have enabled the Void Lions to survive the Gene-Curse. The incorporation of Primaris marines, through the Rubicon procedure and the new organs invested in Primaris Marines, actually combat effects of the Gene-Curse and ease the transition into gigantism that the Void Lions experience while virtually hiding it from the eyes of the rest of the Imperium of Man. However, this procedure is only available as an option to veterans of the Chapter, who are acknowledged as such on their 150th year of service. Many Veterans refuse the procedure, seeing the curse of Zulup as a verification of their Zulupian lineage.Some choose the procedure, joining the Maned-Kings Blood Pride. In deep understanding, the Void Lions as a whole make no negative judgement on either decision a veteran makes in this matter, knowing that if they live long enough they will be forced to make the same decision.

Due to the Gene-Curse of Zulup, there is an aspect of secrecy to the Chapter-Tribe of the Void Lions which contributes to why they prefer to work alone instead of alongside other Imperial Forces. The only predictable aspect of the Curse is that it strikes after 150 years. Beyond that, it can strike near unpredictably and that is a liability to the chapter if other imperial forces or citizens witness its effects.

The Void Lions retained their Zulupian language, and know Imperial Gothic as a second Language to their own. Their warcry, ”Bon'Bur!” is an example of such a remnant. The exclamation- loosely translated in Gothic to mean " Star Plague Death" or "Death to the Star Plague" and is often a call-and-reply among marines in combat, used to bolster morale and to encourage each other to give no qualms to the enemy.

The Void Lions have their own version of the Imperial Fists pain glove: a thin suit of armor that stimulates the pain of a Tyranid attack randomly while the marine trains. The degree of pain, the frequency and type of Tyranid attack is completely randomized. Though this suit does not kill the marine, it scars him heavily, though only temporarily. Many marines wear this suit of armor when not in combat, while performing everyday tasks. Void Lions use pain as a motivator and as a means to focus their minds to the task at hand, strengthening their endurance and their self-control. This is perhaps the only tradition not originated in the Vesllyna't culture, implemented to the Lion Guard by the previous Maned-King Galitur Armituvi along with the practice of weapon- binding using heavy chains.

Tribal Initiation

On Zulup IX, the Vesllyna't began with the tradition of hunting the Zulupian White Lion as a Rite of Passage declaration of adulthood for its youth, but after a few hundred years of this practice on Zulup IX, the tribe hunted the White Lion into extinction. To adjust to this, the un-blooded youth would have to engage in ritual combat against three of their clans fiercest warriors, who would adorn themselves in the furs of the white lion. The warriors were said to embody the spirit of the White Lion and were instructed to be unmerciful toward the initiates. The Initiates carried spears and shields and were instructed to combat the warriors they faced. The ritual combat would end when all of the initiates were dead, the majority of warriors were dead or when the Black-Maned determined the combat to be over. The outcome to this ritual was accepted by the tribe, no matter how tragic. Sometimes, whole groups of initiates were slaughtered. Father’s imbibing the role of the White Lion, may have killed their own sons and daughters or vice versa.

Ritual Combat was the way of the tribe of the White Lion, and it produced aggressive warriors who would be swift, merciless killers and near flawless hunters. It is due to these traditions that the Vesllyna't became the dominant tribe on Zulup IX.

With the coming of the Star Plague to the Planet, the culture of the Tribe of the White Lion changed. Upon its discovery in the underground tunnels of Zulup IX, the tribe was forced to abandon its territory and head to the Se’lin Mountains for safety as the tribes around them became infected with the Tyranid genome. Entire tribes would go missing for months on end, only to resurface changed. Their skin color distorted to have a sickly orange tinge, have multiple arms and manipulated body structures. The hybrids moved and fought with a mindless and ferocious speed that rivaled even the skill of the Vesllyna’t tribesmen. They reproduced and matured rapidly and were quickly becoming a threat. When the Maned-King of the tribe sent out a group of 30 warriors to investigate these changes in the other tribes and find the source of this corruption, only two warriors returned and one died due to blood loss. The information he brought with him was grim indeed: underground tunnels and chambers filled with multi-limbed organisms and half-human abominations. The existence of something called a Pale Shadow that was behind this change and which controlled the others.

Upon hearing this, the Maned King ordered the entire tribe to head for the mountains, which he believed would offer relative safety from the spread of this “plague”. Many went missing along the way, women and children mostly. By the time the Tribe arrived at the base of the mountains their numbers were significantly reduced. While the mountains did offer them safety from the majority of attacks, occasionally an infected tribe would attempt a war until the White Lion tribe was the only uninfected tribe on Zulup IX.

Centuries of fighting the genestealer hybrids had changed the culture of the White Lions so that initiation rites were directed to the hunting of the infected, and matters of attaining leadership position within the clans revolved around who was best suited, not just on who was the most vicious in close combat against their fellow tribesmen. Men and women trained together and were treated equally, since the tribe could no longer afford to train an arm only one half of their population. New weapons were developed, such as the Power-Spear and Vibra-Shield, as well as primitive grav-technology with which the tribe’s warriors became agile airborne hunters.

Due to the constant war with the genestealers, Vesllyna’t culture became an absolute warrior culture. Their approach was always aggressive, and they strove to as much as possible to the aggressor of conflicts with the infected tribes, actively seeking them out and making war on them. When Imperial explorers observed this tribe’s approach to war, they described it as ‘fierce and predatory’. This is how the Vesllyna’t became known as the Zulupian Predators to the rest of the Imperium.

When the Vesllyna’t became the Lion Guard space marine chapter, these traditions were cast aside by the King and Chapter Master at the time in favor of the more progressive standard of the Imperium of Man. However with the loss of Zulup IX, and the death of the previous Chapter Master; many of these tribal traditions were brought back by the current Maned- King Marsaak Issayah to remind the bloodied chapter of it's identity, sense of individuality and purpose when they needed it the most.

All Vesllyna't children undergo a modern rendition of the Rite of Passage ceremony into adulthood that originated in the Tribes past on Zulup IX, aboard the ship they were born. Those who survive and live to become Adeptus Astartes must go through yet another Trial to become a Void Lion.

A tribe initiate or "Scout" can survive dozens of battle fighting along side the rest of his tribe, but he is not a Void Lion until he returns from his trials in the bowels of the  Shield of Zulup.

The Shield of Zulup

The Shield of Zulup  is a Sword Class Frigate floating adrift in the Void above the remains of Zulup IX in the devoured Zulup star system. The Ship is partially destroyed and is a space hulk locked in the dead planet’s now weak gravitational pull as a man-made satellite.

30 scouts, a Rampage's entire Hunter-Pride, is taken to this Space Hulk. They are allowed to take whichever weapon is available to them, and are boarded onto the frigate at different entry points.

The Shield of Zulup  is teeming with dormant Genestealers who are awoken each time the ship is boarded, remnants of the Hive Fleet Kraken that have made the ship their abode. The initiates must descend into the ship to capture certain objectives and obtain the head of a Genestealer each, before making it to a designated teleportation port on the ship that will transport them to an isolated platform nearby, where the marines are checked for any infection of the Star Plague. If the marines who survive this ordeal are screened and clear, they are embraced by the rest of the Chapter-Tribe as initiated Void Lions.

Needless to say, very few scouts actually survive this ordeal, but those that do have experienced a modern rendition of the tradition from the White Lion Tribe when they first became aware of the Tyranids on Zulup, and used hunting the Star Plagued in their own environment as a rite of passage.

Sometimes whole squads of already blooded Void Lions will journey to  The Shield of Zulup. Some Lions who became Void Lions before or after the destruction of Zulup but did not go through this ritual due to the different standards placed by Maned-King Galitur Armitu’vi before he died, voluntarily journey to the space hulk to participate in this sacred tradition, many not returning but dying with the respect of their battle-brothers.

This tradition is made possible through the agreement between the Void Lions Maned-King Maarsak Issayah and Watch Master Eosphoros Blackwolf of the Deathwatch Ghost Company. An avid Xenobiologist himself, and serving under an Inquisitor who is known for his curiosity in xenos studies, Watch Master Blackwolf has agreed to commit some of his force to maintaining the isolation of, monitoring the Xenos population in and patrolling the space around  The Shield of Zulup  along with a group of Void Lion Terminators called the Shield Bearers, whenever his forces did not need to be committed elsewhere. The Deathwatch of Ghost company were allowed to use the Ship for training purposes when it was not in use for the purpose of initiation by the Void Lions, and Watch Master Eosphoros was allowed to study the progression and behavior of the genestealers on the ship. Because the death of initiates is inevitable, the Genestealers gain access to the geneseed of the marines and adapt to them and their tactics. This keeps the stock of new Void Lions strong and prepared for whatever changes in the enemy might occur.

The ship is occasionally used as an execution chamber for traitors and insubordinates in the Zulupian Astra Militarum Fleets, who are sent there to die- but also to keep the population on the ship diverse and stable.Due to this, there is a small Genestealer Cult in the bowels of  The Shield of Zulup  whose population is monitored closely by the Shield Bearers and Deathwatch Ghost Company. The Frigates weapons systems are all down, all escape pods destroyed and all exit but through the teleportation homer and the cold void of space; non-existent. It is the perfect isolated environment for the use of all parties involved and has been so for hundreds of years.

Chapter Beliefs
The Void Lions believe that the purpose of their existence is to destroy the Tyranid xenos species, and have committed themselves to an eternal war against the Star Plague wherever it is found. They have charged themselves to patrolling the boundary of the Imperium Nihilus and engaging in open war with the Tyranids in protection of Terra,the birthplace of humanity. As the Imperium of Man continues to expand, the Void Lions will expand with it, going deeper into the Hive Fleet Tendrils until either the chapter or the enemy is completely annihilated. They hold a primal hate for the Tyranids in their hearts, coupled with a firm and unwavering belief in humanity's dominance over the stars.

They view the Emperor as semi-divine being, neither a god nor a human but something in-between, and as the Immortal Master of Mankind. Out of reverence and respect more than fear, they do not invoke him in battle, do not offer forth prayers to him; only trust that he is doing what he can to keep humanity safe on a spiritual level. The Void Lions believe that all loyalist space marines are the guardians and warriors of the Emperor's vision for humanity- and thus have a strong disgust towards Traitor Legions-but believe that they themselves are charged with the task of purging of an entire xenos species. The Chapter's ancient traditions and history are the soil from which the seeds of these beliefs sprung, beliefs only complimented by the Emperor's plan for humanity.

Combat Doctrine
Dominance of the Void, Strategy against the Alien Mind, Brutality met with Brutality. These are all phases,aspects and characteristics of the Void Lions Chapter-Tribe's style of war and combat doctrine against their enemy.

If able to, Void Lions will engage the enemies fleet with their own. Even a single escort ship as part of a claw formation will move to engage an enemies ships, even if outnumbered. Void Lions will always seek to apply what they know about their enemy and use it to their advantage, searching for- or creating- any weakness to take advantage of. The first few moments of battle are always strategic, calculative, perceptive and predatory and Void Lions Adeptus Astartes will remain calm and collected until the moment is right to unleash the third characteristic of Void Lions combat Doctrine: Brutality met with Brutality.

There comes a time in every battle where Bolters run out of ammunition, support fire ceases and the enemy rushes in to kill in vicious close combat. At this time, Void Lions swiftly mag-lock their ranged weapons to their armor and unsheathe power swords, knives and chainswords or else prepare their power fists or power claws for the brutality of close combat. The Void Lions rush into the enemy, engulfed in anger, hatred and disgust towards them; gladly giving their lives if need be even if only to wound their foe so that a tribesman behind him may deliver the killing blow.

Chapter Gene-Seed
The Geneseed used to create what would become the Void Lions Adeptus Astartes was created during the 21st Founding by the Adeptus Mechanicus. This founding would later be known as "The Cursed Founding" due to many of the Adeptus Astartes created during that time possessing severe genetic flaws or otherwise experienced unfortunate fates. The Geneseed used was Imperial Fist in origin, one of the most stable geneseed available, and it is unknown what the Adeptus Mechanicus sought in the tampering of stable geneseed.

Though the geneseed was created in the 21st founding, it was not used until the 23rd founding at the creation of the Lion Guard Space Marines chapter on Zulup IX. The effects of the geneseed of the marines-like many others created during the cursed founding-had devastating consequences to the marines imbued with it, not completely due to its specific composition but because of its compatibility with the human genetics of its recipients.

The Zulupian tribesmen-when imbued with the geneseed created by the Adeptus Mechanicus- were transformed into transhuman warriors as would any normal human being, however as time passed, the marines human physiology would clash with the geneseed and other organs implanted in the marine that made him a space marine.

It has been discovered among the Vesllyna't that after 150 years, the geneseed and physiology of a Void Lion would fatally conflict with each other in a way that would cause cells to rapidly reproduce and decay, organs to fail and bones to elongate, weaken and break in a constant and random repetition. This is known among the Zulupians as the " Curse of Zulup" and every Space Marine who originated from Zulup IX suffered it eventually. The marines superhuman physiology could not save him, most of the time. Many Adeptus Astartes did not survive to experience the effects of this gene-curse, but those that did towered over their Tribesmen, reaching heights of nine to ten feet. However, those that survived the curse became of no use to the chapter, physically disabled for all intent and purpose, malformed- some,unable to move or function. These tortured marines would be separated from his brethren and if the condition was particularly dire- granted the Emperors peace.

With the creation and implementation of the newly developed Primaris Marines, the Void Lions discovered the solution to their gene-curse: The secret was in the new organs that would make a marine Primaris, specifically in the Magnificat organ; which in combinantion with the Belisarian Furnace- which actually combated the effects of the gene-curse; cancelling it out completely while complimenting the Zulupian gigantism that the Void Lion Adeptus Astartes experienced after 150 years, without the disabling effects that would normally be fatal of him. More importantly, these new developments would enable the marine to fight longer and be able to hide any sign of the gene-curse from others outside of the Chapter-Tribe.

However, there are other physical signs of the Chapter having a manipulated geneseed. All Void Lions have iridescent gold irises that glow dully. They also have sensitive occulobes that enable them see clearly in the dark, but without the delay in adjustment to changes in light around them. They also have extremely deep voices and a hyperactive Betcher's Glands- an organ normal Imperial Fists lack- producing a powerful poisonous bite that can temporarily incapacitate a Space Marine, and kill a mortal human being.

Primarch's Flaw:
The Void Lions are stubborn in battle, especially so in the face of defeat, refusing to surrender or retreat even in the face of certain death. Void Lion Adeptus Astartes experience this stronger and stronger the older they become, and veterans who do not undergo the Primaris procedure are near immovable when the tides of war turn against them. When a Void Lion knows that he will die and is stricken with Dorn's Flaw, he will erupt in booming laughter before charging into the enemy, with war chants upon his lips. Often, the marine does not survive this but if miraculously he does he will have no recollection of the charge. Veteran sergeants are often kept under the watchful eye of another marine in his squad while deployed in battle, to assure that he does not fall under the influence of the Primarch's Flaw while commanding his squad; leading them to unnecessary deaths.

Void Lions also suffer from what is called among the Chapter tribe " The Void Within" which is an overwhelming combination of the emotions of sadness, loss, isolation and meaningless that is comparable to Dorn's incomprehensible sadness at the physical death of the Emperor of Mankind. For every failure, a marine goes deeper into the Void Within and entire Rampages facing defeat will grow heavy with disappointment and a sense of failure. Each Rampage is accompanied by a "Provoker", or Chaplain whose primary responsibility is to boost the morale of the Marines and to keep them from the Void Within, instilling them with meaning and encouragement whenever they need it. The Provoker is available to any marine in need of him, and is expected to make the initiative with any marine he senses is succumbing to the inner darkness.

Deathwatch Service
The Void Lions have a large number of marines who serve in the Brotherhood of the Deathwatch, all serving as Black-Shields and upgraded to Rubicon marines. Besides this, the Void Lions and the Deathwatch are often deployed together, as the Void Lions are allied with the Ordo Xenos branch of the Inquisition and the Deathwatch is it's chamber militant. Strongest and most frequent among these joint-deployments are between that of the first-tribe of the Void Lions and the Deathwatch Ghost Company stationed in the Eastern Fringe, the two forces often working together at the request of the Ordo Xenos agent of the Fringe Conclave, Inquisitor Hunter Vuln.

Notable Members
Marsaak Issayah: Maned-King (Chapter Master) of the Void Lions Chapter-Tribe

Tigris: "Lion of the Soul-Sea", the Chapters only Librarian

Pharoa Duri: Black-Maned (Captain) of first tribe of the Void Lions Chapter-Tribe

Chapter Colours
The Void Lions primarily wear dark gold coloured power armour with black coloured helmet and shoulder pauldron insets. Their eye-lenses are also pitch black, and their weapon coverings and bolter casing are often bone coloured. A non-Codex compliant Chapter, the Void Lion are unusual, in that they display their Chapter iconography on both shoulder pauldrons, forgoing the usual display of a squad specialty symbol that designates squad-type (Tactical, Devastator, Assault and Veteran). As every battle-brother is proficient in the use of various types of weaponry, they have no need to differentiate their designated roles.

A squad full of heavy weapons is recognized as performing a Devastator squad role. Marines with jump packs are automatically thought of as assault marines, and according to their organisation, these things are not fixed. In a tactical squad, Astartes that wield a missile launcher or plasma gun are automatically seen as Devastators. A Sergeant with a chainsword and pistol is seen as an assault marine or aiming to achieve an assault role, etc. The only way an outside observer can correctly gauge a Void Lions battle-brother's role, is by the weapons they wield on the battlefield.

The only exception to this, is the ' Black-Maned ' (Captains) and the ' Maned-King ' (Chapter Master) who can be recognized by their elaborate designs on their battle-plate, along with the Chapter's 'Provokers '(Chaplains)  Healers'' ' (Apothecaries) and Librarians. This is perhaps one of the most uniform but striking aspects of the chapter, their uniformity.

The only mark of difference is the Chapter's Veteran Marines. They are easily recognizable by their appearance. The majority of these veteran warriors have upgraded themselves to Rubicon Marines, enduring the horrific and life-threatening surgery to make them into Primaris Marines. Those that do, become part of the Maned-King's Blood-Pride. Not only are they distinguishable from their fellow Astartes due to their size (as all Blood-Pride members a Primaris) but their pauldrons are painted red, with their Chapter's white colored livery prominently displayed.

Chapter Badge
The Void Lions Chapter badge is the profile of a stylised white coloured roaring lion's head centered upon a field of sable.

Chapter Fleet
"The Predator": The only Battle Barge in the Void Lions Fleet, the closest thing to a fortress-Monastery and flagship that the Void Lions possess.

"The Black Mounds" and "The Totem Grounds": The two heavily protected Universe Class Mass Conveyor Ships that were part of the early Void Lions fleet but are currently and officially a part of the Zulupian Astra Militarum Imperial Navy Fleet which serve as homes to tens of thousands of the Vesllyna't each.

"The Whispering Willows" " the Black Mer" and "The Borderlands": Three Armed Freighters that also serve as homes to smaller numbers of the Vesllyna't, specifically those training in the Zulupian Predators Astra Militarum Regiment. These ships are a part of trhe Zulupian Astra Militarum Imperial Navy Fleet, but were originally a part of the Void Lions Fleet until after the Decimation War.

Allies
- The Ordo Xenos branch of the Holy Inquisiton

- The Zulupian Predators Astra Militarum Regiment

- The Deathwatch Ghost Company

Enemies
- The Tyranids

- All Traitor Legions

- Hurtado the Red, Warlord of the Iron Warriors and Hurtado's Warband

By the Void Lions

 * "We are not Prey."
 * — Ago Toray, Black-Maned of the Void Lion Decimation Fleet. Final words and last vox transmission before his battle barge was ordered into the thick of a splinter force of Hive Fleet Leviathan