The Ultimate DIY Chapter Creation Thread

[Rogue Trader]

As anyone who has ever decided to create their own DIY Chapter knows, the hardest part is finding something original, characterful and that hasn't been done a million times before. This list is intended to help DIY creators, old and new, to avoid some of the pitfalls and cliches that have grown up over the years and create characterful chapters that integrate into the 25 years of established fluff since, after all's said and done, that's what makes WH40k the game it is today.

 

The list is not intended to be hard and fast rules, rather, to paraphrase Captain Barbosa: "...it's more what you'd call 'guidelines' than actual rules." ;) In fact, there are occasions when breaking some of the 'fluff laws' of 40k can actually prove to be worthwhile, and result in the creation something truly unique...

 

I'd like to thank all the members of the B&C who made useful contributions to the original discussion that led to the formulation of this list - it can be found in the Frateris Librarium here

 

+++ List updated 22/04/05 - Aurelius Rex +++

 

 

The Do's of DIY Creation.

 

 

 

As before, these are not actual rules, rather, more what you'd call 'guidelines'. That said, the two Golden Rules are the closest you'll come to hard and fast rulings...

 

 

Golden Rule no 1: Do be as original as possible.

It?s often said that there are no original ideas, someone, somewhere will always have thought of the exact same thing you have. But, that doesn?t meant you can?t have an original DIY chapter.

 

It?s fine to be inspired by an existing official chapters, a book, a film, a period of history, a culture or whatever. Do try not to copy the idea wholesale; add something, take something away, twist it about a little, you might surprise yourself with what the end result is...

 

 

Golden Rule no 2: Do be prepared to accept criticism of your ideas, and to revise your IA accordingly.

Liber Astartes is all about the feedback. The whole point of this forum is to share your fledgling idea for a DIY with other people who are in a similar situation, and thereby to get as many different views on your work as possible. You don?t have to take all the advice you?re given, you don?t even have to like it, but there?s really no point posting in the first place if you aren?t willing to at least consider some the ideas generated by the community.

 

In general, most members are trying to help by providing feedback, so try to remember that. By the same token, I expect anyone who does provide feedback to make an effort to provide constructive criticism rather than simply labelling an idea as poor or worthless...

 

Your DIY is your baby, we all understand that ? we?ve all been in the same situation :) But it?s important to try not to get stuck on an idea long after it's potential has faded - don't be afraid to abandon an idea or rework it to fit at a later date. At worst you can always use the idea for your next DIY. A good IA will grow as you write it, taking on a life of it's own, don't be afraid to let it grow up...

 

 

Do have a definite theme for your DIY chapter, and follow it through

The hardest but most vital thing about creating a DIY Chapter is theming it, giving the Chapter a unique identity or purpose, and then weaving this theme into every aspect of their character.

 

Once the chapter theme has been identified, then you can consider how every aspect of your Chapter from name, homeworld, history, combat doctrine, organisation, relationships and battlecry can be tied into it. By doing this, the chapter becomes more realistic, and in fact easier to write, rather than being just a collection of disparate ideas thrown together.

 

Similarly, if you have an idea that you love, but it simply doesn't fit into the 'storyline' of your chapter, then put it aside for use later. Its time will come in another project.

 

 

Do read as much background material as you can get your hands on.

This is obvious, but the more you read, the more you will come to understand what is and isn?t possible within the framework laid down by GW for the 40k universe, and thus you will be able to write a chapter background that is not only plausable, but fluffy as well, and there?s no better feeling than creating a polished IA that fits seamlessly into the 40k universe.

 

Do specific research related to your chapter.

Find out all you can about the sector you?re basing your chapter in. Find out what events occurred in that sector, what planets there are, what enemies your chapter is likely to face? Find out about the geneseed of the original Legion your chapter is using, is there anything unusual about the geneseed ? a minor mutation to one of the organs (Raven Guard), or organs missing (Imperial Fists)?

 

Do a rough outline of your ideas first

Creating a good IA is a holistic process, and as one part develops, it may inspire ideas that directly affect other areas of the IA. To this end it?s better to try and develop the IA as a whole, rather than spending time perfecting, say, the Homeworld section before moving on combat doctrine, only to find that you have an idea whilst writing the tactical summary that requires changes to the homeworld?

It never hurts to get the basics down to start off with:

 

- What geneseed are they?

- What founding were they?

- What is their chapter symbol/colour scheme?

- What is their Homeworld like, and what is the culture of the homeworld? (ie is it a Hive World, a Feral World, a Death World etc)

- Where in the Imperium are they based? (It may help define the kind of enemies they face most often.)

- What is their Combat Doctrine like? (do they prefer Close Combat or ranged fighting?)

- What is their Organisation like (do they follow the Codex or are they a bit different?)

- What is their Belief System?

 

Do keep it simple

You can?t beat simple ideas. A simple idea that is well written is infinitely preferable to a less well concieved and executed concept. In addition it's actually easier to write about a simple idea which is a nice bonus. You may also find that once you have the simple basics down, the ideas start to grow of their own accord into something more complex.

 

Do let the fluff dictate the traits, not vice versa.

Write your IA, then decide which traits fit into the fluff afterwards. It?s vastly preferable to do it this way round than trying to fit the background of your chapter to your favourite traits ? you?ll end up with a skewed version of your original vision of the chapter as you try and twist the fluff to fit. The last thing you want to do is put the time and effort into writing a comprehensive IA, just to find that you?re really not that happy as it doesn?t match up with what you originally wanted?

 

Do use a stable geneseed

Established fluff dictates that 2/3rds of chapters are created using UM geneseed, with the Imperial Fist geneseed being second most common. White Scar, Salamander and Iron Hands are all used regularly, whereas Raven Guard and Blood Angel are rarely used due the genetic abnormalities inherent in their gene seed. Similarly, the Dark Angel gene seed is rarely used, and the Space Wolf gene seed has never been used since the creation of the Wolf Brothers in the 2nd Founding.

 

Do remember that ambiguity in the right place can be a good thing

Ambiguity, conjecture, conspiracy theories... when done in the right way it can lend an air of mystery to your chapters history. It is a way of inserting a juicy plot-hook into the story to tickle the reader. For instance, people still ask about the missing two legions, there is conjecture about Inquisitorial / Assassin involvement in the Celestial Lions downfall during the Third War for Armageddon and the destruction of the Crimson Fists Fortress-Monastery, and those metal hands that Ferrus Manus got - were they from fighting a C'Tan? Like a magician, don't reveal all your secrets.

 

Do obviously make them heroic, but still make them believable.

Your chapter is the focus, the 'heroes' if you will, and clearly their deeds and battles have to be portrayed in a positive light, but always make sure you keep it believable.

 

If you say that they annihilated a traitor legion force of vastly superior numbers for virtually no losses, and then beat up Abaddon, gave him a wedgie and stole his Daemon-Sword, then you have failed to maintain the suspension of disbelief, and expect 'Yeah, right!' to be the response. ;)

 

Do use a GW chapter if you want to

GW creates countless chapters and often never touches them again, providing the ideal opportunity for the novice DIY?er to take up the reins. These chapters can be broken down into two types:

 

The ?established chapters? - those where a name, colour scheme and some fluff exists ? the White Consuls for example) and the simple ?name and colour scheme? chapter (like many of those in Insignium Astartes or this online directory for example).

 

One important caveat when taking up an ?official? GW chapter is to be prepared for the fact that GW might one day 'resume transmission' for your Chapter, fleshing them out and throwing all your hard work straight out the window. If that?s something you?re prepared to risk, then developing one of these chapters can be a truly rewarding experience.

 

 

 

The Don't's of DIY Creation

 

 

 

Gene-seed

 

Don?t claim your chapter is founded from traitor gene seed.

There?s simply no reason to do this, the Imperium has plentiful stocks of loyalist gene seed, and although they have stocks of the traitor gene seed, they are kept under time locked stasis seals. Of course there?s no reason you can?t have your chapter unaware of the origin of their gene seed (through loss or destruction of chapter records, for example), and instead hint (but without ever explicitly stating) that maybe they might have been created using a traitor geneseed?

 

Don't use Space Wolf gene-seed for your chapter.

This goes along the lines of using Traitor legion gene-seed for foundings. Only one other chapter to use the SW gene-seed, the Wolf Brothers, and they are no longer in existence. After this, the use of SW gene-seed was forbidden. The only fluffy way you can get away with SW gene-seed is by creating a Cursed (21st) or Dark (13th) Founding chapter, but it is highly unlikely that they would know who their gene-seed is from. It's easier to use the SW rules and come up with some other explination for their rules. Rename equipment and come up with a new idea why they have the rules they do.

 

Don't claim your Dark Angels successor chapter hunts the Fallen.

The established fluff clearly states that only the Unforgiven chapters (the DAs and their second founding chapters) are aware of the Fallen's existence. None of the 3rd founding or later chapters are aware of the Fallen. Your chapter is no exception. If you use the DA rules, there are plenty of reasons to provide an alternative fluff explanation for the ?Hunt the Fallen? rules. Just be creative.

 

[edit]

 

Since the publication of the 4th Ed Codex: Dark Angels, all DA successor chapters now hunt the Fallen (a 180^o turn around from previous fluff, so disregard the above suggestion :huh:

 

RT

 

[/edit]

 

Don?t mix or tamper with gene seeds.

Mixed/combined geneseed is a bad idea, those few occasions where manipulation of the geneseed has occured have resulted in bad thing happening to the Chapter in question (look at the Relictors or Lamenters, for example). Gene seed is the holiest of holies, it is part of the Primarch himself which is implanted into a Marine and makes him truly superhuman. To dilute or manipulate holiest remnants of the Primarch is surely the highest heresy possible.

 

The only real occasion you can get away with combined geneseed is by creating a Cursed (21st) or Dark (13th) Founding chapter, and even then, I?d recommend against it.

 

Don't say that your Chapter has solved the Curse of Sanguinius.

The Sanguinius geneseed affects its recipients more than any other type. As well as their great longevity, they are cursed by the Black Rage and Red Thirst which has thwarted their Apothecaria for ten thousand years. While the ill-advised geneseed splicing of the Cursed Founding moderated the effects, it had its own serious side effects.

 

Blood Angels successors are most suited to Blood Angels Codex rules rather than traits unless you have a really good explaination of how they have defeated the Curse of Sanguinius.

 

 

 

 

Chapter Origin

 

Don?t claim that your chapter is one of the missing legions.

Part of the charm of the 40k Universe is that we don't know everything, we don't know what happened to the two missing legions, we don't even know why all records of the two legions were destroyed. That's good though, and GW knows better than any of us that if they told us every little detail, and didn't keep some mysteries, people would lose interest pretty quickly.

 

Don?t claim your chapter is a loyal remnant of a Legion that turned traitor in the Heresy.

It?s a safe bet that any remnants of a traitor Legion that showed up in Imperial space today would be met with all guns blazing, and wouldn?t last long enough to have the chance to convince anyone they were still loyal?

 

Don?t claim your chapter is from the 2nd founding.

GW have the 2nd Founding locked down ? the only leeway is with the UM 2nd Founding chapters ? the Apocrypha of Skaros claims 23 successor chapters were formed from the UM, but GW has only named about 15 of them.

 

Chapters are not formed from lost/forgotten companies.

Any company or detachment of a chapter lost or forgotten by the parent chapter does not get to create their own chapter just because they paint their armour a different colour and change their name. A company of Dark Angels separated from the Chapter for however long, are still Dark Angels, and would simply be reabsorbed when they made contact with the Rock..

 

Don't claim your Chapter was created whole from another Chapter.

Having a cadre of Marines from Chapter X form the command nucleus of Chapter Y is reasonable, but a Chapter building up to the point where 1000 Marines break off to form another Chapter just isn't going to happen...

 

Don?t claim your chapter was created by (fill in your favourite Primarch here) in secret before the Heresy.

It just wouldn?t have happened. Before the Heresy, marines were formed into Legions. Why would any Primarch choose to dilute his power rather than simply add more men to his Legion? More to the point, with 20 Legions in existence, there was no need for ?secret? chapters, there was more than enough manpower available.

 

Don?t claim to have your chapter created from a secret 21st Primarch.

There were 20 Primarchs. No more, no less. Don?t try and rip up 25 years of fluff by creating your own secret Primarch, it?s just stupid and pointless. When creating a DIY, you can define the chapter?s character however you want, and when it comes down to it, gene seed plays little or no role in this. Creating a new Primarch and gene seed line does nothing but ruin any credibility your chapter may have. Along much the same lines, don't claim the Emperor proivided your chapter's gene seed - only the GKs can claim this, and even then, it's only a rumour...

 

Don?t try to make your chapter fulfil one of the role of another Imperial organisation.

This usually turns out to be the Officio Assassinorum, for some reason. The role of Marines is not to assassinate enemy leaders, or hunt down heretics, or police a planet or any of the other roles fulfilled by other organs of the Imperial machine (Officio Assassinorum, Ordo Hereticus, Adeptus Arbites in case you were wondering!). Space Marines are the Emperor?s Angels of Death ? they are a surgical strike force of near unstoppable bio-engineered killing machines. Whilst they may be called in when the situation escalates beyond the abilities of other Imperial Organisations, they deal with the problem then leave. They don?t suddenly decide that having pacified a rebellious planet (for example) that they will take over the duties of the Arbitrators on that planet. There are one million planets in the Imperium and only a million marines to guard them. Marines are too valuable to be wasted on roles that can be fulfilled by lesser men.

 

Don?t claim your chapter was founded by anyone other than the High Lords of Terra.

Only the High Lords of Terra (speaking on the Emperor's behalf) can order the founding of a new chapter. End of Story. Based on the established fluff it is extremely unlikely that any Inquisitor (or AM renegade or whoever) could obfuscate the AM sufficiently for them to embark on the creation of a new chapter (which would undoubtedly be a significant undertaking even for the AM) One way past this is to have your group (=][=, AM or whoever) lobby and petition the High Lords of Terra for the Chapter to be created at the next founding, thereby keeping them official but with the option of including outside influences.

 

 

Assorted Clich鳠and Lazy Plot Devices

 

Don?t get your chapter lost in the warp.

For one simple reason ? it?s old, boring and so overused. It adds nothing to your chapter?s history or character ? there are so many other, better ways to lose your chapter for a few hundred years if that?s really what you want you do.

 

Don?t claim your marines are female.

Marine organs are keyed to male hormones. They don?t work in women. Feel free to read more on this debate here.

 

The ?Rogue Inquisitor? Deus Ex Machina

Resist the temptation to cover over the holes in your plot with the sudden and out-of context appearance of a rogue / Radical Inquisitor.

 

The plot device of a rogue inquisitor who appears from no-where, waves his wand to magically explain away inconvenient problems like why your chapter has female marines / is a loyalist traitor offshoot / are subject to gross mutation before disappearing from the story is lazy storytelling. It smacks of either of an unimaginative way of explaining a potentially interesting Chapter characteristic, or a desperate attempt to rationalise a bad idea. Either way, it is a lazy plot device that it would be best to avoid!

 

Don't mistake codex deviations and GW precidents for originality and character.

The distinctiveness of a chapter is defined by how and why it does things differently from other Chapters, but do not fall into the trap of loading your DIY Chapter up with flashy deviations from codex organisation and the latest gimmick of the week GW precidents like spliced geneseed in the belief that it is the same as originality and character.

 

Just because there are precidents for a thing to happen, does not necessarily mean that it advances your chapters storyline. Such 'deviations' require more explaination to integrate into your Chapter background than a throwaway 'But the Relictors / Space Wolves / Grey Knights can do it!' Why did this incredibly rare event strike your chapter, and more importantly how has this momentous thing affected every aspect of how the Chapters existence. While one or two such 'deviations' could be integrated into your chapter theme, or might itself become the chapter theme, if you have to integrate too many of these events then the Chapter will inevitably lose it's central identity and will be weakened as a result.

 

It is remarkable what can be achieved within the 'constraints' of normal geneseed and codex company organisation. In fact, it is much more satisfying, and takes more imagination and flair to do the same kind of things within these boundaries than it does to fall back onto the lazy plot devices of geneseed mixtures, gross variant company structures and rogue Inquisitor 'Deus ex Machina' plot-hole fillers.

 

Don't take the easy way out. You might like what you can achieve when you stretch yourself and your imagination.

 

Don?t claim your marines are ?nice?.

They aren?t. Marines are bio-engineered killing machines. Fair enough, chapters like the Salamanders may have a humanitarian streak, but they doesn?t make them cuddly and nice. They still chant Catechisms of Hate as they go into battle, and they will still kill anyone or anything that opposes the Emperor?s will. There is a big difference between helping out distressed refugees (for example) when there?s no fighting to be done and choosing to ignore the approaching tide of Greenskins in favour of picking up a little girl?s teddy bear out of the mud. The Imperium is a harsh place, and nice people don?t live long.

 

On the same note, a Chapter of 1000 Marines doesn?t become ambassadors or negotiate, they don?t form alliances with Xenos species. They kill them. End of story.

 

Don't claim your chapter was central to any of the major campaigns.

GW have many of their pivotal campaigns locked down. For example, The Battle for Macragge was the UM vs the ?nids. No other chapters were present. This means your chapter wasn't there, however much you want them to have been.

 

The more recent major campaigns - Armageddon, EoT etc are ideal for us DIY-ers ? they allow vastly more leeway for DIY chapters to play a "supporting role" - perhaps arriving as reinforcements or mopping up after one of the named engagements, or playing a role on a named planet that didn't feature heavily in the official fluff for the conflict. However, claiming your force played a pivotal role in turning the tide of the most decisive and well documented battle of a campaign is never a good idea...

 

 

 

 

 

 

RT's final thought: The most important thing to remember is that in the end, it's just a game. They're your models, you paid for them, you can do what you like, just as long as you have fun!

Edited December 5, 2007 by Barret

[Aurelius Rex]

Renegade DIY Chapters

 

There are a whole range of different Space Marine chapters possible, and with the advent of the Index Astartes article on Renegade Chapters in White Dwarf I have decided to delve a little deeper into the murky world of Marines who have slipped from the Imperial fold. This is intended as an appendix to the article above which generally covers the loyalist Chapters, as a guide to the things to consider when creating DIY renegade marine Chapters.

 

Loyal Space Marine Chapters:

 

These Chapters are true to the Emperor and the Imperium. They were all created in one of the 26 foundings decreed by the Emperor, via the High Lords of Terra, and draw their lineage back to one of the nine loyalist legions. They all have their own warrior cults, practices, quirks and distinctive ways of doing things, and are the most common type of marine chapter. As such, they are the subject of the main Chapter Creation thread which I urge you to read, as it is packed with generally relevant ideas.

 

 

Renegade Chapters:

 

Renegades are once loyal Chapters or parts of chapters that for whatever reason have fallen from grace and broken away from the Imperium of Man. There are many reasons that a chapter would turn Renegade - Megalomania, corruption by the Ruinous Powers, doctrinal heresy, a misguided admiration for the workings of the foul Xenos, or even inadvertently coming into conflict with another arm of the Imperium like the Inquisition. Whatever the root cause, the final effect is always the same: Damnation in the eyes of the Emperor and his loyal servants.

 

As a result they are hounded by the forces of the Imperium, constantly moving from place to place, or hiding from prying eyes in loosely populated areas like the Maelstrom, the Eye of Terror, or beyond the limit of the range of Astronomicon, among the cold, haunted stars of the Halo Zone. When the extent of the heresy of the Astral Claws was revealed, they attempted to fight from behind the formidable defences of their homeworld, but even they were eventually routed, fleeing into the Maelstrom and becoming Red Corsairs. Without the support of the Imperial Machine, and the Adeptus Mechanicus Machine God, all of these Chapters face the problem of obtaining and maintaining their ships, weapons and wargear, to say nothing of the difficulty in producing the implanted organs for the initiation of new marines. Because of the need for stealth, and the necessity to

[Aurelius Rex]

Invaluable Fluff Resources

 

 

One of the most important things about creating a DIY Chapter is making sure that it meshes with the rest of the 40K-verse. The best way to do that is to do your research, so here is a guide to the basic information you need to make a good DIY chapter. Some people are new to the universe of 40K and I thought it would be of benefit to highlight the basic texts, the bare minima that will put you on the right track for DIY creation.

 

 

1. The 4th edition WH40K rulebook.

- Lots of great background material on the 40k-verse. You can't play without it, right?

 

2. The appropriate Codex.

- More specific background material, and you can't hope to create a believable DIY chapter without knowing what units it can field.

 

3. The Index Astartes articles

- Either in the original White Dwarf run, or more likely in the collected Index Astartes volumes. These are invaluable as they have all about the foundings, the marine implants, the organisational structure of a codex chapter, and examples of GW chapters to give you a template for what information to think about and include in your article. They are mainly first founding chapters but you will get the idea for your subsequent founding DIY chapter. They will also allow you to get a feel for what the primarchs were like, and give you an idea what geneseed your chapter could be derived from.

 

4. An Original Idea!

- Not a text to buy, but a spark of originality. :)

 

 

It might sound basic, but without these bare minimum sources it will be very difficult for you to get the feel for what a marine chapter is.

 

Obviously the more Marine background sources you read, the better your grasp of the 40K-verse. At a more advanced level things like the 'Insignum Astartes' book is good for ideas on squad numbering and insignia, codices from other races and armies will give you an idea of the friends and enemies they will have made, and White Dwarf is an invaluable monthly guide to the Imperium.

 

This gives you a solid base on which you can build your chapter, with the aid of the Chapter Creation threads, and feedback from here in Liber Astartes.

 

 

SCC has continued the thread below with a comprehensive list of intermediate and advanced texts... Many thanks, SCC. ^_^

 

If there are any more texts that spring to mind, PM me, along with a sentence explaining why they are important and I will add them in.

 

- Aurelius.

[SCC]

Intermediate Sources

Novels will deepen your knowledge of how Chapters & Marines operate both at home and on the battlefield:

 

RAGNAR/SPACE WOLF

Space Wolf

Ragnar?s Claw

Grey Hunter

Wolfblade

 

URIEL VENTRIS/ULTRAMARINES

Nightbringer

Warriors of Ultramar

Dead Sky, Black Sun

 

SOUL DRINKERS

Soul Drinker

The Bleeding Chalice

Crimson Tears

 

 

Storm of Iron

Grey Knights

Iron Hands

Deus Encarmine

Crusade for Armageddon

Angels of Darkness

Deathwing (Short Stories - contains the original tale of the Deathwing and at least one other SM related story, the one that inspired RT's Grief Bringers no less ;) )

Storm of Iron

Into the Maelstrom

 

Older Codices may have a few inconsistencies with current fluff and there is a great deal of the same material present in many codices, that said they will broaden your knowledge base and give you ideas...

 

2nd Ed. Codices

 

Codex: Ultramarines - a must for Codex followers...

Codex: Space Wolves - lots of extra detail on the Wolves

Codex: Angels of Death - DA and BA get lots of background colour in this tome...

 

3rd Ed. Codices

 

C: Eye of Terror

C: Cityfight

C: SM

C: SW

C: BA

C: DA

+++ Don't forget the Inquisition codices for Daemon Hunters and Witch Hunters!

- Aurelius. +++

 

Graphic Novels

 

Deathwatch

Bloodquest

Lone Wolves

 

Though they're a bit light on info, the imagery can be outstanding, an excellent aid to brainstorming or for coming up with a theme for an army...

 

Inferno! Short Stories

 

You can find an index of Inferno! short stories that deal with Marines here.

 

Advanced sources

 

I placed these sources in 'Advanced' for three main reasons, first is they can be hard to get, second is they can be hard to integrate into current versions of fluff, being oft-times contradictory to more recent material. The final reason is one of cost, many of the sources I'll list below will set you back $$$...

 

First in this list is Ian Watson's Space Marine novel, no longer published sadly, I still feel this novel captures Marines better than anything more recent :)

 

Other sources here would be the original Rogue Trader rulebook for 40K and the attendant compendiums, the Slaves to Chaos books can also provide some insight for DIYers.

 

Insignium Astartes - pure Marine fluff goodness, but repetitive and fairly expensive. Excellent for markings, alternate markings and the like.

The Battle for Armageddon

The 13th Black Crusade

 

Both these are 'historical' works and have snippets here and there on Marines, excellent for filling in the little details that flesh out a good IA.

 

Imperial Armour II Vehicles of the SM & =][=

 

B) but $$$ - lots and lots of inspiration here as well as little details of various campaigns and who fought where...

 

 

Web based resources

 

Hey! Free stuff! Brilliant!

 

A few obvious places to go:

 

Specialist Games - =][=, BFG and Epic all have info on Marines and how they operate. BFG and Epic are the most applicable and are a good way to get an overview of the large scale operation of an Adeptus Astartes Chapter...

 

GW's own webpage - kinda obvious, but they do have some good articles on Marines, converting, painting and so on, including some from WD or other GW publications...

 

Armageddon 3 Website - an oldie, but a goodie, click on the links in the Legiones Astartes listing for more info on those Chapters...

Edited December 5, 2007 by Barret

[Aurelius Rex]

FAQ - How are New Chapters Founded?

 

This comes up periodically, and while GW has been unclear on the subject, this particular theory has gained acceptance on Liber as logically being a good explaination. The first three points are GW canon, and inviolate, with the rest being the favoured way to explain the known facts. The High Lords may have done things differently over the last ten thousand years, but this should give a template to work from. ;)

 

 

1. The High Lords of Terra, speaking for the Emperor degree a new Founding of Adeptus Astartes Chapters. There is great jubilation and much quaffing.

 

2. The Adeptus Mechanicus on Mars selects geneseed from the tithed stocks, say from the Ultramarines / Roboute Guilliman gene-line, although as there are only nine First Founding Chapters out of the thousand possible, it is most likely that the geneseed selected will actually be from a successor Chapter.

 

3. The Adeptus Mechanicus cultures some more geneseed from the original sample selected using mindwiped subjects floating in big glassteel tanks. They would also supply some equipment (Rhinos, ships, armour) to get them started, with the rest expected to be produced by the new Chapter's Forges, or requisitioned like every other Chapter does.

 

4. A small cadre of experienced marines from the chapter that supplied the geneseed is given the honour / responsibility of training the initiates from the fledgeling chapter. This would ensure that they follow (broadly) in the footsteps of their parent chapter from a doctrinal and philosophical point of view, although there is still the potential for deviations... children never turn out exactly like their parents. ;)

 

5. The cadre could be made up of a captain from the parent chapter to be the first Chapter Master, along with experienced marines to become the training scout sergeants, and eventually marine squad sergeants and captains. There would also be specialists like a Chaplain, Techmarines, Apothecaries and Librarians to get the chapter going and train up a new generation from among the initiates.

 

6. This would number between 20-40 marines, and there is no way that the First Founding chapters could do this for multiple (up to 20 at a time) successors. Again this supports the idea that later Founding Chapters would have to have a hand in founding the new Chapters, so while two thirds of Chapters are from the Guilliman geneline, the actual geneseed and initial cadre of Marines might have come from the Mortifactors, Black Consuls, Eagle Warriors or any other Chapter with Guilliman geneseed as well as directly from the Ultramarines themselves. For ease of explaination GW (and the Administratum) may call all of them with the Guilliman geneline 'Ultramarines successors', and there is always the chance of snobbery existing, with a chapter wanting to call itself an Ultramarines successor when technically it is the successor of a 25th Founding Guilliman Chapter that no-one has ever heard of. ;)

 

7. The Chapter will recruit and grow in numbers until after many decades it reaches the full compliment. It will participate in battles and campaigns as it's numbers allow, perhaps fighting alongside other Chapters until it has sufficient numbers to conduct independant actions. Remember that a Chapter will rarely send its whole compliment of ten companies to war other than in the most dire of circumstances, so squad and company level actions are common and will be possible quite early in the Chapter's history.

 

8. The initial cadre of marines may return to their parent chapter once they have got the new Chapter running - they may always be Crimson Fists at heart. Alternatively they may elect to stay. Going back to being a Captain after having been a Chapter Master might not appeal to many. It could depend if the secondment was temporary, or of a more permanent nature.

[Commissar Molotov]

Naming a DIY Chapter

 

What's in a name? Everything. When creating a DIY Chapter, one of the key things to consider is the name. It is perhaps the most important decision in the life of a DIY chapter, and can be a very tricky one.

 

This stickied thread gives a lot of suggestions for Space Marine Chapter names. This thread is designed to be a little more specific, offering some inspiration for you to choose a name yourself.

 

Names often help to summarise the chapter. Ferrata's Wings of Death give the impression that they're a close-combat army with a lot of jump-packs. According to Insignium Astartes, the Chapter Master chooses the name of his Chapter (I'm guessing this happens when the Chapter is considered to be "mission capable"). The Chapter Master has access to a list of extant Chapter names (likely incomplete) as well as words/names that are forbidden (presumably because they are the names of traitor Chapters/Legions). Likewise the Chapter Master of the nascent Chapter also chooses the Chapter badge and color scheme/heraldry. There is likely some assistance/guidance from the Administratum/Adeptus Mechanicus and the Chapter "staff", but the responsibility falls upon the shoulders of the Chapter Master.

 

With this thread, put yourself in the position of your chapter's first Chapter Master: Choose names that your first chapter master was likely to have picked. The pre-heresy legions seemed to number their Grand Companies (about the size of a chapter nowadays as far as I can tell) and so you might find Chaos forces described as the 29th Great Company, 4th Cohort or the 17th Legion of Fear. This is admittedly a chaos thing, but a good example is Sleepwalker's chapter, the 920's, who were unlucky enough to get devastated even before they got properly established or assigned a proper name. You occasionally hear that a chapter like the Mentor Legion was given the number 888 or such, well these guys take it to the next level.

 

The article on chapter names in UK White Dwarf 299 suggests five basic groups, although there are many more:

 

Elements

...Iron Hands, Fire Hawks, Storm Crows...

 

We use materials often in English. How often have you talked to a brick wall? Materials such as Iron or Fire summon a lot of imagery. That's one of the key things in a Space Marine Chapter name. Symbolism. Using a name with a prefix like 'Ice', for example, wouldn't really fit if your chapter originated from a volcanic death-world near-inimical to human life. Perhaps your chapter shares characteristics with the material in their name. Perhaps the Ice Dragons are slow to anger, much like a glacier that takes millenia to move. Perhaps a chapter with 'fire' or 'flame' in their name are fiery and quick to anger?

 

Colours

...Crimson Fists, Black Templars, White Consuls...

 

Space Marines are similar to the knights of old. Heraldry matters a lot; Space Marines take great pride in who and what they are, and the enemies of the Space Marines quail in fear as they see their death approaching. Colours can link into this. The colours needn't refer to the chapter's colour scheme, though - the Dark Hands are a dark green, but have a black hand as their symbol. The Red Scorpions are most definately not red, but the Red HUnters are. The colours usually have a great symbolism. The Crimson Fists are called such because of the ceremony Rogal Dorn carried out with the chapter masters of the Black Templars and the Crimson Fists. The Black Templars are black because it marks them out in the sight of the Emperor, just as Sigismund did in the battle for Terra.

 

Creatures

...Space Wolves, Black Dragons, Howling Griffons, Blood/Dark Angels...

 

Animals are very powerful, often born survivors, sleek hunters. You won't see a chapter called the Death Hippos, but the Death Hawks are a possibility. Chapters named this way are usually because the marines admire the animals and wish to follow their example. Perhaps the chapter operates in a similar way to the animal in question (The Space Wolves, for example, certainly do, operating in packs and the like). Even the 'Angels' from the Blood Angels and Dark Angels links to mythical creatures.

 

Warriors/People/Orders/Places

...Night Lords, Iron Warriors, Sons of Guilliman...

 

This splits into two categories; chapters named after people, and chapters with a title/honourific in their name. The Sons of Guilliman or the Scythes of the Emperor, for example, would perhaps idolise the person that they have immortalised in their name. Perhaps they wish to emulate him.

 

If the Imperium is a fuedal society, then the Space Marines are knights of the Emperor. Hence chapters like the Praetors of Orpheus or the Masters of Protelus. On some worlds marines are installed as an upper class, and a connection to their homeworld could give them a very decent theme. As most Space Marine chapters recruit from a single system and defend that sector to the death, they could well be proud of their system and incoprorate it into the name.

 

Stand Alone Names/Self-Explaining Names

... Destroyers, Marauders, Castigators, Raptors...

Chapters such as the Marauders, the Destroyers, the Rampagers or my own Castigators tend to have suitably destructive names. They generally suggest what the chapters wish to do. My Castigators see themselves as punishers. They wish to punish (or Castigate). This can be an idea.

 

Weapons

...Imperial Fists, Brazen Claws, Red Talons...

 

Space marines are warriors. They obviously have a connection to weapons. Different weapons have different characteristics, and different connotations. A sword and an axe, for example, give radically different impressions. Think of a sword and you might think honour duels, knights lined up in formation, and civilised warfare. An axe might give you the impression of an uncouth barbarian. These could have a link to the style of warfare the chapter practises. Are they slow, methodical and destructive, like a Broadsword? Or quick and effective like a Rapier?

 

Themed Chapters

Many people base their DIY chapters on a particular real-life culture that they are interested in. The obvious example in this are the Aegyptus Astartes, by Nephren-Ka and company. In this way it is possible to use a name associated with this chapter so that, straight off the bat, the theme is obvious. Some people prefer their theme to be a little bit more subtle (They're called Space Wolves, not Space Vikings, for example). For example, a roman chapter could be called the Imperial Praetorians. It's important to balance the real-world and the 41st Millenium. Take 30 seconds extra and modify something, even just a little - 'Sons of Teutonia' is better than the original 'Teutonic Knights'.

 

-----------------------

 

Progenitor Legions

Chapters don't have to choose names that relate to their parent Chapter. The process of creating Chapters is still uncertain. While it's possible that the parent Chapter sends battle-brothers to form the core of the new Chapter, it's just as possible that the new Chapter is created entirely from the ground up. We also have the fact that many Chapters don't know their lineage. So there is the possibility that at least some Chapters don't even know which Chapter they are descended from, nor their gene-seed heritage. Even if a Chapter does know who it's "parent" is, the new Chapter Master might not choose a name reminiscent of that Chapter. A lot of this will depend on the new Chapter's Master.

 

Additionally, certain name elements aren't the "property" of specific first founding Chapters and their descendants. It's quite possible and acceptable for Chapters of other descent to incorporate those name elements. So a Chapter might choose the name "Fiery Wolves" and not be descended from the Space Wolves, or "Angels of Purity" and not be descended from the Dark Angels or Blood Angels.

 

 

Re-naming a Chapter

On the subject of renaming a chapter, it would be a major thing to have a chapter change it's name. There are examples of chapters that have done it - the Luna Wolves changed their name twice, but then they are all have the Mark of Chaos Undecided - but chapters have histories of up to ten thousand years, and few have done it, and they value continuity and history, so consider carefully if a name change is warranted, or even adds something to the chapter history... Even a campaign where they lost 80% of the chapter would probably not warrant it, but something like them going over to the service of the Ruinous powers might be the sort of thing that they would want to celebrate with a name change to go with the new mission statement, but even then not necessarily. I doubt it would be very popular amongst many marines for their chapter to change its' name.

 

Considering the chapter master choosing the chapter's name, I would have to admit that I don't think the chapter master would just pick a name that he fancied, or liked the sound of, or got out of a hat. I imagine it would be after many days of meditation, or consulting the Emperor's Tarot. Thusly, the Emperor chooses the name, not the Chapter Master. (Or else the Chapter master could just say "The Sons of Me.")

 

As such, the name has been chosen by the Emperor, and changing the name would be going against the Emperor's will. The way around this is the chapter master/librarian getting a vision to change the name, but still I'm not sure on this.

 

The Luna Wolves changed their name twice, but for very different reasons. They became the Sons of Horus because the Emperor renamed them to honour their warmaster. They became the Black Legion because Abaddon commanded them to do so after Horus' body was stolen by the Emperor's Children. They repainted their armour black to symbolise their shame in failing. However, Abaddon favours an autocratic style of leadership, where those that disagree find themselves dead.

 

The Practicalities

Try saying your chapter's name out loud. A name that sounds fine in your mind can often sound odd out loud. Some names are easy to twist into insults (The Fiery Lions becoming the Fiery Loins, for example...) You also don't want to have a chapter name that's too long. Marine chapters tend to have a four-word name at the most, and that's counting "and", "of" and "the".

 

It's also important that you check your chapter's name is spelt correctly. You don't want the "Knites of Kharkol" when they should be the "Knights of Kharkol".

 

Also check to see if anyone else has appropriated the name you intend to use. Whilst it's not so bad if a fellow frater has taken the name (though it could cause confusion), it's a lot worse if you find they're an official Games Workshop chapter. If you find yourself in this sticky situation, consult a thesaurus for alternative words. The 'Night Lords' could become the 'Dark Lords' or the 'Lords of Darkness'.

 

Last but not least...

If you run out of inspiration there's always this. :)

Edited December 5, 2007 by Barret

[Kurgan the Lurker]

Some additional tools for helping to develop a Chapter. This is for picking your color scheme.

 

These are variations on not only coloring in various armor types but also lay out designs.

 

IA kits have been moved to the downloads area

 

Games Workshop Interactive Colour Scheme

 

The Bolter & Chainsword Space Marine Painter

Edited January 11, 2008 by Kurgan the Lurker

[Bigger-than-Jesus]

Here's a little addition for chaos IAs:GW DIY Renegade tips Edited December 5, 2007 by Barret

[Kurgan the Lurker]

With the old star map thread having disappeared, I'm putting this in here again to help people with picking a galactic location for their Chapters:

 

http://www.darkmillennia.net/galaxy_map.htm

http://www.joachim-adomeit.de/wh40k/spacemap/map.html

http://www.bolterandchainsword.com/40k_map.jpg

 

*Please note the last map is not a B&C creation but simply hosted here as the original site seems to have vanished. It's also quite a large file so give it time to load!*

[Ferrata]

With thanks to Orkdung, aclark79 and Ferrata

 

The standard language of the Imperium is Low Gothic, a bastardised form of Latin. As such, many DIY chapters include rough Latin names for ships, systems etc. So for you help:

 

Latin Dictionary

Latin Dictionary

Latin Dictionary

 

Latin Phrases are also great to be use on banners, on the side of vehicles or painted on the miniatures themselves.

Latin Phrases

Latin Phrases

 

Latin Phrases

</div>

Latin

[/th][th]<div align="center">English[/th][tr][td=10%]Dum Spiro Spera[/td][td=10%]While I breath, I hope[/td][/tr][tr][td=10%]Fides Omnia Vincit[/td][td=10%]Faith conquers all[/td][/tr][tr][td=10%]Alea Iacta Est[/td][td=10%]The die is cast[/td][/tr][tr][td=10%]Veni, Vidi, Vici[/td][td=10%]Came, Saw, Conquered[/td][/tr][tr][td=10%]Bellus Bellum Gratia[/td][td=10%]War for War's Sake[/td][/tr][tr][td=10%]Citius, Altius, Fortius[/td][td=10%] Swifter, Higher, Stronger
[/td][/tr][tr][td=10%]Semper Paratus[/td][td=10%] Always Ready[/td][/tr][tr][td=10%]Potentia per Scientia[/td][td=10%] Power through knowledge[/td][/tr][tr][td=10%]Veritas vos liberabit[/td][td=10%] The Truth will set you free[/td][/tr][tr][td=10%]Dum licet, utere[/td][td=10%] While it is permitted, use it[/td][/tr][tr][td=10%]Pro bono publico[/td][td=10%] For the public good[/td][/tr][tr][td=10%]Facta non verba[/td][td=10%] Deeds not words[/td][/tr][tr][td=10%]Sic transit gloria mundi[/td][td=10%] Thus passes the glory of the world[/td][/tr][tr][td=10%]Deus ex machina[/td][td=10%] God from machine[/td][/tr][tr][td=10%]Mox Nox[/td][td=10%] Soon night[/td][/tr][tr][td=10%]Nil sine lumine[/td][td=10%] Nothing without light[/td][/tr][tr][td=10%] [blank] Edax Omnium[/td][td=10%] [blank], the consumer of all things[/td][/tr][tr][td=10%]Memento Mori[/td][td=10%] Remember the dead (be reminded you will die)[/td][/tr][tr][td=10%]In hoc signo vinces[/td][td=10%] In this sign, you will conquer [/td][/tr][tr][td=10%]Divide et Impera[/td][td=10%] Divide and Rule[/td][/tr][tr][td=10%]Fortes Fortuna Aduvat[/td][td=10%] Fortune favors the brave[/td][/tr][tr][td=10%]Fiat Iustitia![/td][td=10%] Let there be Justice[/td][/tr][tr][td=10%]Primus inter pares[/td][td=10%] First among equals[/td][/tr][tr][td=10%]Defensor Fidei[/td][td=10%] Defender of the faith[/td][/tr][tr][td=10%]Persta Atque Obdure[/td][td=10%] Stand firm and also have strength[/td][/tr][tr][td=10%]Nemo est supra leges[/td][td=10%] No man is above the law[/td][/tr][tr][td=10%]Necessitas non habet legem[/td][td=10%] Necessity does not know any law[/td][/tr][tr][td=10%]Principatus virum ostendit[/td][td=10%] Leadership proves the man[/td][/tr][tr][td=10%]Amat victoria curam[/td][td=10%] Victory likes careful preparation[/td][/tr][tr][td=10%]Virescit vulnere virtus[/td][td=10%] Virtue grows powerful by wounds[/td][/tr][tr][td=10%]Crimine nemo caret[/td][td=10%] No man is free from accusation of wrong-doing[/td][/tr][tr][td=10%]Pauci sed boni[/td][td=10%] Few men, but good ones[/td][/tr][tr][td=10%]Post tenebras lux[/td][td=10%] After the darkness, comes light[/td][/tr][tr][td=10%]Mortui non dolent[/td][td=10%] The dead do not grieve[/td][/tr][tr][td=10%]Urbes constituit aetas, hora dissolvit[/td][td=10%]A period of time builds up cities, an hour destroys them[/td][/tr][tr][td=10%]Ignis aurum probat, miseria forte viros[/td][td=10%]Fire tests gold, misfortune tests brave men[/td][/tr][tr][td=10%]Silent leges inter arma[/td][td=10%]In time of war, the laws are silent[/td][/tr][tr][td=10%]Furor arma ministrat[/td][td=10%]Anger furnishes arms[/td][/tr][tr][td=10%]Crescit in adversis virtus[/td][td=10%]Virtue is born in hardship[/td][/tr][tr][td=10%]Estis servatus etsi estis obscenus[/td][td=10%]Be saved even though you are filthy[/td][/tr][tr][td=10%]Te Morituri Salutant[/td][td=10%]Those who are about to die salute you! [/td][/tr][tr][td=10%]Aere perennius [/td][td=10%] Truer than steel[/td][/tr][tr][td=10%]Amor patriae [/td][td=10%] For love of country[/td][/tr][tr][td=10%]Arma pacis fulcra [/td][td=10%] Armed strength for peace[/td][/tr][tr][td=10%]Arte et marte [/td][td=10%] By skill and by fighting[/td][/tr][tr][td=10%]Aucto splendore resurgo [/td][td=10%] I rise again with greater splendour[/td][/tr][tr][td=10%]Audax et cautus [/td][td=10%] Bold and wary[/td][/tr][tr][td=10%]Auspicium melioris aevi [/td][td=10%] Token of a better age[/td][/tr][tr][td=10%]Bellum omnium contra omnes[/td][td=10%]War by all against all.
[/td][/tr][tr][td=10%]Cede nullis [/td][td=10%] Yield to none[/td][/tr][tr][td=10%]Celer et audax [/td][td=10%] Swift and bold[/td][/tr][tr][td=10%]Certa cito [/td][td=10%] Swift and sure[/td][/tr][tr][td=10%]Defendimus [/td][td=10%] We shall defend[/td][/tr][tr][td=10%]Ducimus [/td][td=10%] We lead[/td][/tr][tr][td=10%]Ex coelis [/td][td=10%] From the clouds[/td][/tr][tr][td=10%]Ex dentibus ensis [/td][td=10%] From the teeth a sword[/td][/tr][tr][td=10%]Exemplo ducemus[/td][td=10%]We lead by example[/td][/tr][tr][td=10%]Fac et spera [/td][td=10%] Do and hope[/td][/tr][tr][td=10%]Facta non verba [/td][td=10%] Deeds not words[/td][/tr][tr][td=10%]Fiat justicia[/td][td=10%] Let justice prevail[/td][/tr][tr][td=10%]Fide et fiducia [/td][td=10%] In faith and trust[/td][/tr][tr][td=10%]Fidelis et paratus [/td][td=10%] Faithful and ready[/td][/tr][tr][td=10%]Fideliter [/td][td=10%] More faithful[/td][/tr][tr][td=10%]In arduis fidelis [/td][td=10%] Faithful in adversity[/td][/tr][tr][td=10%]In hoc signo stabilitas [/td][td=10%] Steadfast by this sign[/td][/tr][tr][td=10%]In pace paratus [/td][td=10%] In peace prepared[/td][/tr][tr][td=10%]Inter pericula intrepidi [/td][td=10%] Fearless amidst danger[/td][/tr][tr][td=10%]In veritate religionis confido [/td][td=10%] In the truth of religion I trust[/td][/tr][tr][td=10%]Justicia in armis [/td][td=10%] Justice in arms[/td][/tr][tr][td=10%]Manui dat cognitio vires[/td][td=10%]Knowledge gives force to the arm[/td][/tr][tr][td=10%]Mente et manu [/td][td=10%] With mind and hand[/td][/tr][tr][td=10%]Merebimur [/td][td=10%] We shall be worthy[/td][/tr][tr][td=10%]Mox surgere victor [/td][td=10%] Soon to rise as victor[/td][/tr][tr][td=10%]Ne obliviscaris [/td][td=10%] Do not forget[/td][/tr][tr][td=10%]Nec aspera terrent [/td][td=10%] Not even hardships deter us[/td][/tr][tr][td=10%]Ne kah ne tah [/td][td=10%] We lead others follow [/td][/tr][tr][td=10%]Nemo me impune lacessit [/td][td=10%] Nobody assails me with impunity [/td][/tr][tr][td=10%]Nemo nos impune lacessit [/td][td=10%] Nobody assails us with impunity[/td][/tr][tr][td=10%]Nil sine labore [/td][td=10%] Nothing without work[/td][/tr][tr][td=10%]Nisi Dominus frustra [/td][td=10%] Unless the Lord be with us all is in vain[/td][/tr][tr][td=10%]Non nobis sed patriae [/td][td=10%] Not for ourselves but for our country[/td][/tr][tr][td=10%]Nulli secundus [/td][td=10%] Second to none[/td][/tr][tr][td=10%]Nunquam cede [/td][td=10%] Yield to none[/td][/tr][tr][td=10%]Nunquam retrorsum [/td][td=10%] No one shall cause our retreat[/td][/tr][tr][td=10%]Oderint Dum Metuant [/td][td=10%] Let them hate, so long as they fear [/td][/tr][tr][td=10%]Officium primum [/td][td=10%] Duty first[/td][/tr][tr][td=10%]Omnia audax [/td][td=10%] In all things daring[/td][/tr][tr][td=10%]On ne passe pas [/td][td=10%] No one shall pass[/td][/tr][tr][td=10%]Paratus [/td][td=10%] Ready[/td][/tr][tr][td=10%]Paratus et fidelis[/td][td=10%]Ready and faithful[/td][/tr][tr][td=10%]Paratus pugnare pro patria [/td][td=10%] Always prepared to fight for our country[/td][/tr][tr][td=10%]Parva sub ingenti [/td][td=10%] The small protected by the great[/td][/tr][tr][td=10%]Per ardua [/td][td=10%] Through adversity[/td][/tr][tr][td=10%]Per Ardua ad astra. [/td][td=10%] Through endeavour (toil, struggle etc) to the stars[/td][/tr][tr][td=10%]Per aspera ad astra[/td][td=10%]Over thorns to stars.[/td][/tr][tr][td=10%]Pericula in mora[/td][td=10%]Danger in delay.[/td][/tr][tr][td=10%]Pervias rectas [/td][td=10%] Constantly alert[/td][/tr][tr][td=10%]Pristinae virtutis memor[/td][td=10%] Mindful of former virtue[/td][/tr][tr][td=10%]Pristinae virtutis memores [/td][td=10%] Mindful of former valour[/td][/tr][tr][td=10%]Pro aris et focis [/td][td=10%] For our altars and our homes[/td][/tr][tr][td=10%]Pro patria [/td][td=10%] For country[/td][/tr][tr][td=10%]Pro rege et patria [/td][td=10%] For King and country[/td][/tr][tr][td=10%]Pro rege, pro lege, pro patria conamur [/td][td=10%] For king, for law, for country we strive[/td][/tr][tr][td=10%]Quansem ilep [/td][td=10%] Always first[/td][/tr][tr][td=10%]Quem timebo [/td][td=10%] Whom shall I fear[/td][/tr][tr][td=10%]Quo fata vocant[/td][td=10%] Whither the fates lead[/td][/tr][tr][td=10%]Regi patriaque fidelis [/td][td=10%] Faithful to King and Country[/td][/tr][tr][td=10%]Sagittari[/td][td=10%] Steadfast[/td][/tr][tr][td=10%]Securitas [/td][td=10%] Security[/td][/tr][tr][td=10%]Semper alacer [/td][td=10%] Always swift[/td][/tr][tr][td=10%]Semper fidelis [/td][td=10%] Always faithful[/td][/tr][tr][td=10%]Semper paratus[/td][td=10%] Always ready[/td][/tr][tr][td=10%]Servire armatis[/td][td=10%] Serve the soldier[/td][/tr] [tr][td=10%]Servitium nulli secundus [/td][td=10%] Service second to none[/td][/tr][tr][td=10%]Si vis pacem, para bellum[/td][td=10%]If you wish to have peace you should be prepared for war. [/td][/tr][tr][td=10%]Spectamur agendo [/td][td=10%] By our deeds we are known[/td][/tr][tr][td=10%]Spem reduxit [/td][td=10%] Hope returns[/td][/tr][tr][td=10%]Sua tela tonanti [/td][td=10%] His missiles thundering[/td][/tr][tr][td=10%]Suaviter in modo, fortiter in re [/td][td=10%] Gentle in manner, resolute in deed [/td][/tr][tr][td=10%]Sub cruce candida[/td][td=10%] Under the white cross[/td][/tr][tr][td=10%]Ubique honor et equis [/td][td=10%] Everywhere honour and equality[/td][/tr][tr][td=10%]Ut irruant omnes [/td][td=10%] Aggressive in attack[/td][/tr][tr][td=10%]Utrinque paratus [/td][td=10%] Ready for anything[/td][/tr][tr][td=10%]Vel exuviae triumphant [/td][td=10%] Even in defeat triumphant[/td][/tr][tr][td=10%]Velox, versutus, vigilans [/td][td=10%] Swift, skilled, alert[/td][/tr][tr][td=10%]Vestigia nulla retrorsum [/td][td=10%] We do not retreat[/td][/tr][tr][td=10%]Veteri frondescit honore [/td][td=10%] Ever green with ancient honour[/td][/tr][tr][td=10%]Vae victis![/td][td=10%]Woe to the defeated![/td][/tr][tr][td=10%]Viret in aeternum [/td][td=10%] It flourishes forever[/td][/tr][tr][td=10%]Virtutis fortuna comes[/td][td=10%] Fortune is the companion of bravery[/td][/tr][tr][td=10%]Volens et valens [/td][td=10%] Willing and strong[/td][/tr][tr][td=10%]Vota vita mia [/td][td=10%] My life is devoted[/td][/tr]