CITADEL LEONTHAS
The primary facility used by the Crimson Crusaders on Karanda is their Fortress-Monastery, the Mountainhome, but the Chapter operates a number of other watchtowers and fortifications all over their homeworld, garrisoned with members of Karanda's PDF and overseen by Serfs and whichever Crimson Crusaders are currently stationed on the world. One of these fortifications, first and greatest of them save for the Mountainhome itself, is Citadel Leonthas, located by the planet's capital, Hive Mahalangur. It is a mighty fortress built into the mountain, tall walls of adamantium layered against armaplas and rockcrete to produce an impenetrable barrier, a firebase to muster forces from and to outlast any besieging enemy. It currently serves as the planetary headquarters for the Karandan Planetary Defense Force, and serves as a base of operations for three regiments of the KPDF, including the 1st Mountain Guard 'Granite Heart' Regiment.
Citadel Leonthas began construction in 105.M42, when Governor Gaurav Helekar, with the assistance of 1st Captain Quarto Astorum of the Crimson Crusaders, began a reform of the KPDF to better safeguard the world. The Citadel finished construction in 155.M42, after the Siege of Sortiarius and the death of Captain Janus Leonthas of the 5th Company in that conflict. Captain Janus Leonthas was a founding member of the Crimson Crusaders and one of the chief architects of the KPDF's Armored Regiments, having pioneered many of the treatises on the use of armored fighting vehicles still used today as part of the Grand Academy's curriculum. Captain Leonthas died as a result of his wounds incurred in the final battle at Barad'Dur, after his Land Raider was destroyed and he was set ablaze whilst saving his brothers. He is the first, and currently only, Captain of the Crimson Crusaders to have yet fallen in battle.
Citadel Leonthas was thus named in his honor, his great strength of arms and strength of heart serving as an inspiration for generations of Karandans to come. His successor as Captain of the 5th Company, Lantor Kallis, has continued his legacy and assists the KPDF from time to time, updating teachings on the use of armored fighting vehicles and the methods for mechanised warfare, extrapolated from an Astartes context. Ironically, neither Leonthas nor Kallis visit Citadel Leonthas often, more often appearing at Citadel Orthos at the Xizang Plateau, named for the eccentric yet capable Forgemaster of the Crimson Crusaders, who helped rekindle the armored industry of Karanda amongst his other achievements.
Citadel Leonthas, like all other fortifications of its type on Karanda, are all under the jurisdiction of the Crimson Crusaders Chapter of the Adeptus Astartes, and the KPDF operate from them at their pleasure. However, as part of 1st Captain Quarto Astorum's reforms in 191.M42 after the War for Baal, persuent of the Decree Gabriel, the Crimson Crusaders Chapter no longer handle the day-to-day governance of Karanda, instead having empowered the Governor of Hive Mahalangur - currently Governor Kaleun Helekar - to rule the world in their stead, only interceding for matters of great import.
The bitter irony of Citadel Leonthas, a mountainous fortress largely operating aerial and infantry formations, bearing the name of Janus Leonthas, Captain of the Company with the most armored fighting vehicles, has not been lost on the Crimson Crusaders, who have since learned to appreciate the
schadenfreude.
----
156.M42
"...So Citadel Leonthas
isn't the one at the Xizang Plateau?"
"That is correct, Cato."
"Then which one is it?"
"The one by the Capital, at Mt. Mahalangur."
"...
Why."
The 1st Captain of the Chapter, still a pale shivering ghost of a man after his recent awakening, looks flatly at his brother and rival in succession. "Because the Governor suggested so and I decided it was a good suggestion."
"But Janus was a commander of tanks! He loved Predators more than any of us, save perhaps Forgemaster Osiron himself!"
Quarto continues looking flatly at Cato. He stifles a yawn, still lethargic from his treatments. "And?"
"And the citadel by Mahalangur doesn't operate armored vehicles at all. It's inside a mountain. It deploys mountain infantry and aerial brigades."
"It is also the planetary headquarters for the KPDF, Cato."
"Then name it Citadel Astorum or Citadel Asterion! It would make more sense that way!"
Quarto raises a hand over his primary heart. "I am hurt you think I am such a glory hound, brother."
Cato rolls his eyes. "We are Crimson Crusaders, Quarto. We literally fight for
glory or death."
"...I don't understand the analogy. It is a metaphor, Cato."
"No it's not stop thinking so hard about it."
Quarto continues looking at Cato, his gaze growing more and more tired by the passing moment. Cato throws his hands up and calls out to another passing Captain. "Damien! Lord Sacrifice Cyberon!"
"Hm? Yes? What about?"
"Tell our erstwhile,
very ill brother that Citadel Leonthas is an awful name for the citadel by Mt. Mahalangur."
"It's a fantastic name what are you on about."
Cato screams and covers his face. Damien shrugs and continues on his way. Quarto continues looking at Cato, struggling to stay awake.
"Brother. Brother, listen."
Cato looks at his brother, wild-eyed. He is still screaming, but in hushed tones lest the Chaplaincy hear him.
"The real reason I approved the name is because it didn't fit."
"...
WHY."
"Because," Quarto says with the shadow of a smile, "I knew you would react like this."
"...Why."
"Because only you would think so much about something so little. Glory or death, brother."
"...Death."
"
Glory or death."
"No, no, I know what I said."
