Board Thread:Warhammer 40k General Discussion/@comment-4948356-20130516175846/@comment-6134883-20130517172453

Oh I am going to make you so sorry you asked that. Allow me to present my IInd Legion aka The Knights Ovate:

Originally called the 'Steel Knights' they encountered their Primarch Talyesan shortly after the discovery of Leman Russ on Fenris. Talyesan was both a mystic of an Order called 'The Wise' and a war leader. In fact he was engaged in battle with Eldar raiders when discovered. He sought to blend the established traditions of the Steel Knights with those of the Gwythno warrior class and the wise when he took over his Legion.

Aspirants were subjected to a gamut of demanding tests; physical and more importantly spiritual before being accepted. Knights Ovate were trained in the disciplines of the Wise passing through the two ordinary levels of initiation; Novice and Initiate. The more talented went on to Adept. Comparitively few were encouraged or permitted to face the ultimate test of the Second Birth. Those who did so became Magisters and were steeled against wounds and hazards, bound to life until they chose to reliquish it.

Talyesan kept the basic legion structure but altered the titles; Chapter Masters became 'Counts'; Battalions were called 'Battles' and commanded by Dukes; Company leaders were known as Knight-Captains. Talyesan was advised by a council known as the Magisterium. His bodyguard was known as the 'Second Born' since every one had achieved the rank of Magister.

The Knights Ovate were thoughtful warriors, noted for their careful intelligence work and brilliant stratagems as well as mystical powers which their Primarch and even the Emperor regarded as quite different from the sorcery of the Thousand Sons. Talyesan's first heresy was the creation of female Astartes - he came from a sexually egalitarian culture and was uncomfortable with an all male legion. But this too the Emperor accepted - for a while at least.

The armor of the Knights Ovate was bright silver adorned with intricate knotwork designs and their personal and legion heraldry. Animal blazons distinguished Chapters and companies. Apothecaries bore the Green Hand on White; Tech-Marines the Black Hammer on Red; Bards (the Librarian equivalent) a Golden harp on Blue. The Legion emblem was a crossed circle of Gold on a quartered field; Red, Yellow, Blue and Green.

The Knights Ovate also wore robes and cloaks whose colors indicated their rank among the Wise; White for novices, Blue for Initiates, Red for Adepts and Black for Magisters.

I know I am going to catch it hard for those Female Astartes!!!!