Naming my Adepta Sororitas Order

[Quasarcq]

My SoB army was my first for 40k. When I started it I was new to the hobby and knew little about the background of the 40k universe. In those early days my working title for my minor order of sisters was the order of the Celestial Lion. It was rather disappointing to learn that this was the name of a defunct chapter of space marines. For the longest time I had put the background on my order on hold and just got down to learning how to play a difficult army.

 

So here I am again trying to think of a good name for my minor order.

 

What I already know about them:

They were founded under the direction of the high lords of Terra. the orders of Our Martyred Lady and the Ebon Chalice were instructed to supply three missions each to begin the order. These season veterans were given the equivalent of a commadery of novices to train. This fledgling order was given the name and iconagraphy of a disbanded order who's colors had not been raised since before the age of Apostacy (not a disgraced order, actually one that died to the last sister).

 

This fledgling order's first act for the emperor was to reclaim lost worlds that had long not been heard from, assisting there fellow sisters Diagolous and Sabine to reclaim the feral and and stranded worlds. This would prove disastrous for the first major conflict found the order against an onslaught of Tyranids. The fledgling order was ill prepared to fight the xenos and suffered heavy casualties, too many were martyred. As soon as the dead were burried and new novices could be annoyted and taken their final vows a new threat revealed itself. Again, xenos, eldar conspiring and aiding fallen human worlds. However the order would probably find its greatest foe from the forces of chaos. with their war of faith on worlds turned to chaos. the tendrils of chaos would even make the most pious Sororitas a servant of chaos.

 

So back to the idea of naming my order. They primarily use the colors of Our Martyred Lady so there name could involve a color. I like the idea of still using a lion theme I just need a good addition to go with Lion in the name. I have also thought about other large cats for names (anything other than tigers) and there is also the possibility of using a flower as part of the name the name of the order would be the name of the old, disbanded order as described above...

 

Here is the running list: Order of the....

Scarlet (Crimson) Lion

" Puma (or panther)

" Lynx

" Orchid

other names: Order of the...

...Exalted Arc

Celestial Orchids

Celestial Lynx (or cat other than lion)

 

its a short list. but these are some ideas I really like. Okay so there it is, let me know what you all think. Vote or add your own ideas if you like.

[Melissia]

Usually Sisters' orders are named after objects rather than animals...

 

To support that statement, here's the known official Sisters orders:

 

Major Orders: The Ebon Chalice, The Argent Shroud, The Valorous Heart, Our Martyred Lady, The Bloody Rose, The Sacred Rose

Minor Orders: The Eternal Gate, The White Rose

Hospitaler: The Eternal Candle, The Cleansing Water, Serenity, the Torch

Famulous: The Key, The Holy Seal, The Gate, The Sacred Coin

Dialogous: The Holy Word, The Sacred Oath, The Quill, The Lexicon

 

So it the name is usually about an object or concept rather than an animal, like the Space Marine names. Hope that helps give you idea.s

[Toogeloo]

You can also go as far as to skip the whole "The Order of..." bit. I simply call my Sisters "Caudatas Sororitas" as I have also made a Salamander Army that has split from the main force which I called the "Caudatas Fraternes" and my Sisters draw inspiration from their Battle Brothers as both armies love to bathe their enemies in flame.

[Quasarcq]

dropping ...."the order of"... would free up some pesky wording issues. My thinking gears are churning...

[Grand Master Tyrak]

Is there anything special about the founder that could influence and/or be used in the name?

[WAR]

My sisters were the Order of the Partheon led by Canoness Athena.. But now they are the Bloody Rose

[Coppella]

Its not always an item, sometimes it is a person. My Sisters are go under the title of "Order of the Valorous Lady, Saint Coppella" I'll actually post the fluff for it if anyone would be interested. Its in the form of a Imperial transmission report from the Canoness. Canoness Okura.

One thing you might want to consider is taking something from the background you make up for them, and use it. Which is basically what I've done. Coppella is a Living Saint, and through her acts of faith and prayers drew a lot of followers to her. I'll just post the short story, if I can find it, instead of trying to explain it all. Here is a link to my Sisters plog, might help a little: Order of the Valorous Lady

 

Anyways here are a couple ideas I cooked up from the bit of back story you provided.

Order of the Bleeding Heart (being almost wiped out twice would a reason for this one)

Sororitas of Sacrifice (goes without saying)

Order of the Burning Shield (due to their attempt to act as a barrier for the planets they are on)

Order of the Lioness, "name of founder" (if you want to keep the predatory cat theme)

Just a little creative lighter fluid to get those fires going. :)

[Chengar Qordath]

Order of the Bleeding Heart (being almost wiped out twice would a reason for this one)

Or the name could come from the fact that they're too liberal for the Imperium. [/snark]

 

Other people have already given pretty good advice, not much i can add there. I'm pretty sure I've seen random name generators for SoB orders either here or somewhere else too; might turn up something useful with one of those.

[Maharajah]

Depending on the people you play with, you might not want to use "Orchid" in the name of your order. Anyone with any medical or anatomical knowledge, or who speaks Greek, will laugh at the name because the word "orchid" comes from the Greek word for "testicle".

[Quasarcq]

Nice tip Maharajah, I think I've decided to skip flowers for the name. My canoness, Kahmissia, already has the title Death Lilly named after an isolated incident that was associated with a variety of death camas. But her exploits are fairly recent to the order.

 

Not that any order wouldn't stand to the last sister, but I think a name that fits that theme of stubborn righteous zeal would fit nicely.

New Ideas:

 

Daughters of the Intrepid Heart

Daughters of the Scarlet Altar

 

Why the daughters title? I feel it is a must since part of there background is that the original sect was sent to smite out one of the last remnants of Vandire's troubl some reign. This "remnant" proved to be 4000 hardened traitorous troops, a difficult under taking for the 202 daughters of the small order. What started as an offensive soon turned into last stand with traitors on all fronts. The daughters dug in, and let wave after wave of infantry and tanks attack them. The enemy commander won the battle wiping out the unwavering sisters but at the cost of having a field strength of 350 some troops. The Imperial Guard who attacked four months later were able to defeat the remaining traitors in a three week battle. The Daughter's colors were never found, they were never captured or surrendered making them not dishonored.

 

When the order was re-dedicated and founded the banner of the order militant is said to the original one from that battle. though I'm still working on that part of the story.

 

Personally I'm liking the Intrepid Heart name right now and might roll with that.

 

Thanks to all for getting the ideas rolling.

[LoneSniperSG]

You could do as suggested and name the Order from the founding Canoness.. like my own sisters are from the Order of the Icy Rose. The order's founding Canoness comes (through a long story) from Fenris.

 

Personally I like the Intrepid Heart.