Editing Scions of Europa (section)

=Organisation=
In accordance with the ancient patterns of Terran warfare, the Scions' squads were led by charismatic and heroic individuals.  At every step of their command, the Legion ensured that only the boldest rose above their peers.

The inner circle of the Scions of Europa centred on Kleisthenes himself, known within the Legion simply as "Commander Kleisthenes".  Around the Primarch were his '''Praetors''', charged with commanding his Chapters and Fleets, administering the support elements of his Legion, and defending the Legion's honour.  These ancients were escorted at all times by the elite soldiers of the Scions, dubbed the ''Optimates''.

'''Chapter organisation'''

The Praetors designated as '''Chapter Masters''' enjoyed a small command staff of their own to facilitate independent operations.  This would include the First Captains who led the Chapter's component Battalions, but also the commander of the Chapter's flagship, the Chapter standard-bearer, and representatives from attached support formations.  Each Chapter had a nominal strength of one thousand tactical marines.  Although the battles of the Great Crusade often reduced their numbers the Scions of Europa never altered their basic organisation.  However,  support companies of Marines (most often heavy troops or armour) could greatly increase the strength of a Seventh Legion Chapter even before auxilia were considered.

'''Battalion organisation'''

Each Chapter was divided into two Battalions, each headed by a '''First Captain'''.  The Battalion was the lowest level of operational command in the Legion, with First Captains responsible for planning planetary assault missions.  Their operational responsibility meant that the Battalion would have control over fleet assets, typically Strike Cruisers manned by the Scions of Europa and their attendants, as well as gunships, dreadnoughts, and reconnaissance companies to support landings.

'''Company organisation'''

The five companies of a Scions of Europa Battalion had an establishment strength of one hundred Battle Brothers each.  In a rare diversion from the ''Logos Terra Militia'', the Scions kept their companies of a uniform quality, ensuring that each had a mix of veteran, regular, and green Space Marines.  Fifth Company was still constituted as a manoeuvre element, typically cross-trained between the jump-pack and Space Marine Bike.  The Captain commanding each Company was expected to lead from the front with his command squad and delegate control over the remaining squads of the Company to his lieutenants.

Specialist companies also existed within the Legion.  Most commonly these were armoured formations or reconnaissance companies.  However, a few hundred Scions were trained in the use of the highly advanced Jetbike and the Legion command made sparing but clever use of these incredibly mobile forces.


==Tactics==
Kleisthenes understood the significance of the Space Marines as shock troops.  His teachings always emphasised the importance of a decisive direct assault, relying on strategic rather than tactical surprise to give his forces the initiative in a campaign.  However, he also counselled his men not to waste lives in an assault that was developing poorly and to seek alternatives when necessary.

In all their long history, the Scions have never made a strategic withdrawal.  While they are not so foolish as to simply stand and fight, their warlike souls refuse to surrender the field once they have entered the fight.  The acts of valour they have performed have often served to inspire the armies of the Imperium, but they have also suffered extraordinary losses.

==Legion Equipment==
[[File:Scions.jpg|200px|thumb|Their bronze-painted armor, trimmed with gold and cloaked in red, is an homage to the old Terran warriors of Europa.]]

The Scions of Europa do not make a fetish of their equipment.  They understand that between the bolter, the chainsword, frag and krak grenades, and their mighty power armour, there are few military situations they cannot resolve.

Still, when those situations do arise, the Legion arsenal is well-stocked.  Indeed, unlike some of their peers who feel that rare materials are to be used regardless of the situation, the Scions can generally count on having the right equipment when they need it.  In addition to the Legion's frugal methods, Kleisthenes' Techmarines were highly innovative and often carried out custom modifications to the Scions' weaponry.  The surprise of such special-issue equipment often produced a devastating effect, especially during the Heresy.

==Legion Fleet==
They are as bold in the void as in any other theatre of war.  Though other Legions may boast superior hand-to-hand fighters, the determination and willing self-sacrifice of Scions of Europa boarding teams makes them among the most effective available to the Imperium.  Expeditionary fleets organised around the Seventh Legion typically assigned support roles to the Imperial Army vessels with the Scions themselves captaining and crewing line-breakers and assault ships.

By the time of the Hektor Heresy, the Scions of Europa fielded 84 Battleships, almost all specialist or converted battle barges, 74 grand cruisers, 84 heavy cruisers, 142 light cruisers, 89 frigates, 312 destroyers, and 52 auxiliary military vessels.  Many of the Imperial Army vessels strongly associated with the Scions were cruisers and frigates.

===Notable Warships===
Kleisthenes' flagship was the ''Gloriana''-Class Battlebarge "Valour".

==Support Formations==
Although they cared for nothing but war, the Scions of Europa well-understood the need to support their formations in the field.  Personnel and commanders for their specialist formations were carefully selected for merit and psychological suitability.


'''Apothecarion'''

The brothers of the Apothecarion were the most hallowed and revered marines among the Legion.  Each had to balance the demands of martial honour with the greater need of Imperium for a new generation of Scions of Europa.  Knowing the temperament of their gene-line, the senior officers of the Legion would always pay tribute to Apothecaries who had harvested gene-seed and withdrawn from battle.  Such sincere gestures helped to mute the sting of retreat.


'''Armorium'''

Techmarines in the Scions were an unusually heterogeneous group.  The sons of Kleisthenes did not pursue major pacts with any grouping of Forge Worlds.  Instead, they would seek to have their most technically-able brothers trained by the nearest techpriests.  The result was that their Techmarine Covenants were a bustle of different ideas.  Those who expected the stern Seventh never to spring a technological surprise never had the chance to repeat their mistake.


'''Castra'''

The Scions' reputation for never retreating had as much to do with careful logistical planning as physical courage.  Although the Legion never claimed planetary domains, they possessed many ''Ramilies''-Class starforts and were adept at positioning these relics to anchor their supply lines.


'''Librarus'''

Kleisthenes had some curiosity about the Librariums being established in other Legions, but the gene-seed of the Scions of Europa is incompatible with psykers.  Although a few attempts were made to induct aspirants with the psyker mutation, the only one to become a full Space Marine was Brother Xenophon.  His psychic gifts were completely ruined by the process.

==Auxilia and Allies==

Although Europa was not compelled to provide recruits to Kleisthenes' Legion, she still surrendered her children to war.  The '''Europan Evzoni''' were organised on the ''Solar''-pattern and grew to a prodigious strength.  Evzoni would fight in support of the Scions during many campaigns, but the auxilia also fielded their own taskforces in the Great Crusade.