Prince of Ecstasy Posted June 9, 2011 Share Posted June 9, 2011 Hey all! I was just pondering themes for Chapters lately, as I've always liked the Viking/Norse theme of the Space Wolves. Thing is, I've got this mentality of playing Chapters with cultural and/or ethnic themes that I can relate to, particularly when it comes to SM - I don't know of any Scandinavian blood in my family, thought that would be very exciting. All I really know for sure is I'm mostly Chinese, but I've got a smattering of German, English, Welsh and Dutch in me. I could always relate to the Black Templars and my German/English descent, though I don't know if I lean too heavily towards the style of the Chapter. As for my Welsh ties, even though I'm predominately Asian, I consider myself more European in mind. I do admire Celtic lore, and Wales is regarded as one of today's Celtic nations. That being said, how do you think I could blend Celtic or Welsh mythology and style with Space Marines? Another route would be my obvious Chinese heritage; White Scars are based on the Mongols, but perhaps some kind of successor Chapter might lend itself to an Imperial China theme. What do you guys think? I know my habit of playing themes that relate to my ethnicity/culture may be a bit silly or otherwise quirky, but it is what it is. Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/231628-celtic-based-chapter-and-other-themes/ Share on other sites More sharing options...
lothbrok Posted June 9, 2011 Share Posted June 9, 2011 well with the celtic theme you could always do the whole kilt and blue paint thing. however i would not advise this it would feel a little cliche in all honesty. other than that i would recommend you read up on your celtic mythology and hero stories since these are usually a really good source for chapter ideas such as names and such. also try and incorrpurate certain words into the chapter such as ri (king) in place of captain etc. personally i dont think i've ever seen a chinese themed chapter before it could be really cool but i'm not sure how well imperial china would carry over to a space marine chapter. p.s. if your german, welsh, english, or dutch chances are that somewhere back there theres a viking. Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/231628-celtic-based-chapter-and-other-themes/#findComment-2786717 Share on other sites More sharing options...
PorridgeMeister Posted June 9, 2011 Share Posted June 9, 2011 I know my habit of playing themes that relate to my ethnicity/culture may be a bit silly or otherwise quirky, but it is what it is. Not at all - I'm Irish/British/Dutch, so I'm completely cool with playing a British/Celtic Chapter. ^_^ It's funny that this should pop up because I am (as the above comment implies) designing a Romano-British and Celtic themed Chapter, my Knights Valiant. I tend to use ancient Welsh/British names for the Characters and late Roman themes for the Chapter's beliefs - with references to Arthurian myth. It really contributes to the idea of tamed, fierce and noble barbarians who adopt the Imperial teachings similar to the Space Wolves. If you're having gene-seed problems, I would tend towards Raven Guard, Ultramarines or even slaughter canon with the Space Wolves. Another option is the Storm Wardens, but you would have to be careful with their gene-heritage due to the =][= spoiling things. @Lothbrok: the kilt does NOT look good on Astartes at all, in my opinion. Honestly, what do they have under there...? :lol: Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/231628-celtic-based-chapter-and-other-themes/#findComment-2787043 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Prince of Ecstasy Posted June 9, 2011 Author Share Posted June 9, 2011 Another option is the Storm Wardens, but you would have to be careful with their gene-heritage due to the =][= spoiling things. I looked them up a while ago and I was very intrigued by their fluff; particularly their homeworld. Highlands, Scottish-like claymores, woad paint, warrior-tribes, etc. Seems very Celtic/Scottish. Not to mention their previous Chapter Master (now in stasis) is named after Owain Glyndŵr, the last native Welshman to hold the title of Prince of Wales; he also ran a campaign to defy English rule. Course, it might be more fun to design my own and incorporate more Celtic themes. On second thought, playing SW might not be too far-fetched, as the Vikings did invade the British Isles and moved around an awful lot. Going back to what lothbrok said, I could very well have a bit of Norse heritage. I'll have to see what DNA testing says whenever I get around to it. Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/231628-celtic-based-chapter-and-other-themes/#findComment-2787498 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pulse Posted June 9, 2011 Share Posted June 9, 2011 I'll have to see what DNA testing says whenever I get around to it. Viking and Anglo-Saxon DNA are almost impossible to distinguish from each other so you might get an answer like "Germanic". :tu: I like the idea of the chapter so far though, looking forward to more ideas. Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/231628-celtic-based-chapter-and-other-themes/#findComment-2787643 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kassill Posted June 10, 2011 Share Posted June 10, 2011 http://i228.photobucket.com/albums/ee165/sonofwaranddeath/celtspacemarine.jpg Saw this earlier today and when I saw this I laughed and had to find it again. :rolleyes: Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/231628-celtic-based-chapter-and-other-themes/#findComment-2787730 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Warsmith IV Posted June 10, 2011 Share Posted June 10, 2011 Never come accross the Imperial China idea before, and I think it's a really good one. Are these going to be loyal or traitor marines? I imagine in terms of warfare style they'd be similar to the Iron Warriors - heavy artillery, fortifications and excellent weaponry. The Chinese were very advanced after all, and I seem to recall they once built a rather large wall... lots of Techmarines, but less partial to terminators, big tanks and dreadnoughts. Very fond of Librarians, what with all the mystical aspects of ancient China. The culture, of course, would be completely different to the Iron Warriors, and they probably wouldn't be digging in for sieges int he same way, so it would differentiate well. They'd be more civilised and reasonable about their fighting, and like swords more than hammers and such. Maybe an unusually high number of power weapons, assault squad usually don't take jump packs - the devastators keep the enemy occupied while they close in on foot or by APC. Chinese script obviously gives you some nice squad markings, and a dragon (or maybe another Chinese zodiac animal) would make a nice symbol. Red is lucky in China but... if you go with red and a dragon, try not to make them look like Dragon Warriors! Personally I'd actually go for black armour with red markings. If they're traitors, I'd suggest an Iron Warriors warband. If they're loyalists, probably either Iron Hands or Imperial Fists gene-seed, or unknown. Maybe even a mix of the two, it's within possiblity. Anyway, they're just my thoughts on the subject of Imperial Chinese marines, the real decisions are of course up to you :rolleyes: Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/231628-celtic-based-chapter-and-other-themes/#findComment-2787756 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kassill Posted June 10, 2011 Share Posted June 10, 2011 Never come accross the Imperial China idea before, and I think it's a really good one. Are these going to be loyal or traitor marines? I imagine in terms of warfare style they'd be similar to the Iron Warriors - heavy artillery, fortifications and excellent weaponry. The Chinese were very advanced after all, and I seem to recall they once built a rather large wall... lots of Techmarines, but less partial to terminators, big tanks and dreadnoughts. Very fond of Librarians, what with all the mystical aspects of ancient China. The culture, of course, would be completely different to the Iron Warriors, and they probably wouldn't be digging in for sieges int he same way, so it would differentiate well. They'd be more civilised and reasonable about their fighting, and like swords more than hammers and such. Maybe an unusually high number of power weapons, assault squad usually don't take jump packs - the devastators keep the enemy occupied while they close in on foot or by APC. Chinese script obviously gives you some nice squad markings, and a dragon (or maybe another Chinese zodiac animal) would make a nice symbol. Red is lucky in China but... if you go with red and a dragon, try not to make them look like Dragon Warriors! Personally I'd actually go for black armour with red markings. If they're traitors, I'd suggest an Iron Warriors warband. If they're loyalists, probably either Iron Hands or Imperial Fists gene-seed, or unknown. Maybe even a mix of the two, it's within possiblity. Anyway, they're just my thoughts on the subject of Imperial Chinese marines, the real decisions are of course up to you :P Reading this, the BA codex would be excellent to use. Red Thirst being a "gift" rather than a curse. Lots of (fast!) tanks and assault units. And lots of Libbys. Just what I thought though :huh: Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/231628-celtic-based-chapter-and-other-themes/#findComment-2787783 Share on other sites More sharing options...
eyeslikethunder Posted June 10, 2011 Share Posted June 10, 2011 I think the space wolf codex would suit the chinese theme army(or celtc for that matter as it steals a lot appearance wise from the celts ). The spells suit the chinese theme more than the Blood angels. I think the cold considered fighting style fits better than raving uncontrolled looney's blood angel style. Blood angels are about speed. The chinese were not. Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/231628-celtic-based-chapter-and-other-themes/#findComment-2787871 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crusader of Dorn Posted June 10, 2011 Share Posted June 10, 2011 Cant say i've seen any chinese themed armies before, though the Mantis Warriors give of a Japanese/Samurai vibe in my oppinion. The celtic nations of Ireland, Scotland and Wales give some great inspirations for a marine force, i've sought to do the same but its hard to avoid the Braveheart cheese. I agree that kilts on marines are not good, however the idea occurred to me that rather than giving full kilts you could use a templar model say and paint the tabard in a clan tartan and/or the parchment on purity seals to look like a piece of tartan cloth to represent a company designation. My own idea was to have companies named - Lion company, Stag company, Wolf company, Eagle company etc. Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/231628-celtic-based-chapter-and-other-themes/#findComment-2788023 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jimmy Carmine Posted June 10, 2011 Share Posted June 10, 2011 If you are looking to avoid the Braveheart cheese you could always use the Irish legends of Fionn mac Cumhaill instead. If you have your chapter recruiting from a feudal world you could work those into the beliefs of the the mythology of the tribespeople, maybe have Fionn be a mythologised version of the first Chapter Master, the first Sky Giant to walk amongst the mortal folk. Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/231628-celtic-based-chapter-and-other-themes/#findComment-2788027 Share on other sites More sharing options...
fivepointedstar Posted June 10, 2011 Share Posted June 10, 2011 Or a chapter master named Balor the evil eye, with a bionic eye "lazer" (aka his baleful stare). And his personal honor guard " the formorians" after all Balor is the celtic god of death. Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/231628-celtic-based-chapter-and-other-themes/#findComment-2788035 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Warsmith IV Posted June 10, 2011 Share Posted June 10, 2011 Or a chapter master named Balor the evil eye, with a bionic eye "lazer" (aka his baleful stare) Commissar Yarrick much? Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/231628-celtic-based-chapter-and-other-themes/#findComment-2788045 Share on other sites More sharing options...
MagicMan Posted June 10, 2011 Share Posted June 10, 2011 Im loosely basing my own chapter on British Celts. There are alot of good stories in the heroes/mythology that can give you some ideas for your chapter, alot of good names too for characters and such. Ive named my chapter The Sons of Taranis, Taranis being a war god. Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/231628-celtic-based-chapter-and-other-themes/#findComment-2788133 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ferrata Posted June 10, 2011 Share Posted June 10, 2011 Chapters based on different cultures can be very interesting, as long as you don't break the Suspension of Disbelief - it is better to take the core themes of a culture and move them across rather than names/ranks. If you look at certain Celtic ideas: It is suggested that the reason they wore little/no armour because if it was your day to die then no amount of armour was going to stop it (however, it could simply be they couldn't make the complex armour to still allow movement, or maybe their naked form shamed the Romans :)) Tribal clans (Iron Hand-esque) The painting of woad could be linked to painting on their armour (I copied this onto my Black Guard who cover their body in tattoos) Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/231628-celtic-based-chapter-and-other-themes/#findComment-2788331 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ecritter Posted June 10, 2011 Share Posted June 10, 2011 Instead of saying you're making a chapter based on a theme, make the chapter with small bits of the culture you want and let us put the pieces together. Then no one will complain about be pounded to death over this or that theme. Like what are you most interested in about the Celtic culture or Chinese culture ... use those bits. Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/231628-celtic-based-chapter-and-other-themes/#findComment-2788355 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Prince of Ecstasy Posted June 11, 2011 Author Share Posted June 11, 2011 Well, if I was to base my Chapter on Welsh mythology, I'd probably use a lot of references to the Four Branches of the Mabinogi and the deities named within. That might be a bit difficult, as very little is known about Welsh pre-Christian religion in general and no official list of British deities is known. I'd probably have to use names in the Mabinogi and fill in the gaps with general Celtic lore. Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/231628-celtic-based-chapter-and-other-themes/#findComment-2788635 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Philip S Posted June 13, 2011 Share Posted June 13, 2011 I put the tartan on the bolter for my O'men rather than kilts. The Orks make a good standing for Fomorians. Philip Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/231628-celtic-based-chapter-and-other-themes/#findComment-2790537 Share on other sites More sharing options...
soddinnutter Posted June 13, 2011 Share Posted June 13, 2011 I once tried to do a Saxon themed 'chapter' It was a limited success. http://www.bolterandchainsword.com/index.p...howtopic=177504 hope you do better. Try not to over theme it. And i would recommend Iron Hands or descendants as the founders as they are already clannish. Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/231628-celtic-based-chapter-and-other-themes/#findComment-2790610 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brother Cambrius Posted June 13, 2011 Share Posted June 13, 2011 a poentially Welsh themed chapter...<_< Pôb lwc i chdi Prince of Ecstasy. ;) I figure this may help with finding extra Welsh mythology (even if it is Wiki...). The 13 Treasures of the Island of Britain may be something to look into to give your individual characters some bits and pieces amd maybe set up some of the relics of the chapter. Cambrius Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/231628-celtic-based-chapter-and-other-themes/#findComment-2791309 Share on other sites More sharing options...
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