Brainstorming Ideas - Napoleonic Chapter?

[The Normish]

It's been a while since I thought of creating a chapter, since I usually stick with my beloved Doom Guard. But I grow tired of always going over the same names and information and thought I'd give the boys in black and red a rest for a while and brainstorm some ideas for a new Chapter, a more themed one as opposed to the mostly generic Doom Guard.

 

So as the title says, I've been thinking about making one themed around the Grand Army of Napoleon, or more generally around the Napoleonic Legend, incorporating all three Emperors and their successors. I had thought of this with my Imperial Guard regiment, but that's proving irritating, and was wondering if the concept could be transferred over to Space Marines.

 

Since I usually like my Astartes as Grimdark as the setting allows, but also suited to me, I think I'd try something slightly less depressing and make them more Salamanderish in personality if not in appearance or function.

 

Stop me if I'm not being clear, this is mostly stream of consciousness...

 

So, here are some ideas to start off with:

 

Name: Anything having to do with Empire, Glory, Eagles, that sort of thing. I'm avoiding direct references to Napoleon, because that would make it too obvious and cheesy.

 

Colors: Instead of basing it off the uniforms of the original Grand Army, I think I'd much prefer the Second Empire uniforms, see here, an appropriate miniature of Napoleon III in uniform:

http://www.planetfigure.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=10099&thumb=1&d=1305759196

 

Homeworld: As opposed to basing it off of France, the obvious idea, I'm thinking a sort of idealized but also Imperium-appropriate version of what Napoleonic France represents.

 

That's all I have right now, I'll add more ideas tomorrow, as I have a lot of work to do. I'd rather not lose track of this idea in my sleep though.

 

So, discuss. Do you think such an abstractly themed Chapter could work? How can one adapt the Napoleonic Legend for a Space Marine Chapter? Is there any way in the world I can avoid calling them the Golden Eagles?

[Bismarxist]

Hi there Normosh,

The idea seems plausible enough and certainly unique, and while I don't really know anything about Napoleonic history to help with the nitty gritty of your chapter I do have an idea for their name, "Eagles of Glory/Aquilae Gloria"

[Brother-Sergeant Bohemond]

So, post-revolution France?

 

Ideas you could use:

 

Sons of Glory

fils de l'empereur (Sons of the Emperor)

filii imperatoris (Sons of the Emperor)

Sons of Bastille (reference the storming of the Bastille, could also be the Homeworld as well)

 

Imperial Eagles/Imperial aquilae

Wrath of the Emperor

Red Justicars

Guards of Bastille

 

I would also see them as an Ultramarine successor, personally, the structure of Macragge (politically) would work on your HW (I love bastille). Hope some of this helps atm

[The Normish]

I was aiming more for post-post Revolution, but you're right, Bastille sounds like a brilliant homeworld name.

I was also thinking Ultramarine successor, since they seem underrepresented in the Liber if I remember that report we had some time ago.

[Lysimachus]

The uniform is nice and interesting, might be a bit tricky to turn into a Marine scheme. How about something like:

I think the purple-y blue of the coat would be the main colour, the red on the whole of the legs didn't look right to me but it might work in the middle, plus on the helm too. Finally got the breastplate+neck matching the purple-y grey inner coat, plus the inner face plate so the top of the helm is more clearly 'hat' like. Shining Gold on the chest eagle obviously. Just an idea, anyway!

Edit: Added red to shoulder trims to match the lining of the outer coat.

[Dosjetka]

Since I usually like my Astartes as Grimdark as the setting allows, but also suited to me, I think I'd try something slightly less depressing and make them more Salamanderish in personality if not in appearance or function.

Not too sure what you mean here... But otherwise, I do like the idea and welcome back! :lol:

 

SCL: I really like that scheme, even though it's a bit whacky :P

 

Ludovic

[Lysimachus]

Thanks BBL, now it's on the black background it looks a bit bright, doesn't it? Here's maybe a bit more toned down version for the Normish to consider:

[Ace Debonair]

I don't know much about Napoleonic History, to be honest.

I'll have a quick skim-read on the subject later, time permitting.

But the concept definitely sounds interesting, and I'd totally go with Ultramarine geneseed.

As for abstract themes; yes, this will totally work.

I've done a chapter based very loosely on Cromwell-era-England, and another one on typical fantasy Dwarves, so this should work just fine. :P

As for colours:

Lysimachus, if I'd posted that scheme I'd get run out of here with much mocking and jeering. How the heck are you getting away with it? :lol:

Might I suggest a slightly abstracted variant on the colours?

EDIT:

Could also use more red on the legs, if preferred.

I was aiming more for post-post Revolution, but you're right, Bastille sounds like a brilliant homeworld name.

Hmm.

How about Swords of Bastille?

[Lysimachus]

As for colours:

Lysimachus, if I'd posted that scheme I'd get run out of here with much mocking and jeering. How the heck are you getting away with it?

 

It's the hat, you see? No one notices you without a fancy hat! :P :lol:

[Ace Debonair]

As for colours:

Lysimachus, if I'd posted that scheme I'd get run out of here with much mocking and jeering. How the heck are you getting away with it?

 

It's the hat, you see? No one notices you without a fancy hat! :( :P

 

So you're saying I have to get everyone else to wear hats like mine, eh?

Hmm. This calls for a devious plot...

 

On a different note, what colour are you using for the nearly-purple blue on the chestplate?

I can't seem to figure it out. :wacko:

[Dosjetka]

So you're saying I have to get everyone else to wear hats like mine, eh?

Hmm. This calls for a devious plot...

Oh no! It's Ace the Legionnaire again! ;)

 

Let's go purge some heretic ;) *runs at Ace with a roaring chainaxe*

 

Ludovic

[The Normish]

How about something like this?

as far as colors go?

Obviously my colors are off, but you get the idea.

[Brother-Sergeant Bohemond]

i think i'd change the helmet colour to Blue and reserve Red for sergeants, other than that, I like it!

[Reyner]

Sounds like a good idea. Now explain in simple terms what a Napoleonic marine would be like to someone who knows very little about the French...

[Brother-Sergeant Bohemond]

really, a Napoleaonic themed army would work better for Guard...

 

However, we have it for marines.

 

I think a Napoleaonic style Marines would have to based on the cavalry regiments rather than the infantry, such as dragoons and the like. Could see lots of Bikes for the army due to the fact that only nobillity in the 19th century could afford horses and they were the ones obsessed with Honour, Glory, heroics and that kind of stuff. The infantry is the more gritty kind, like the Guard, huges numbers of slow moving formations that crush whatever is in front of them

 

Just my thoughts on how it would work as a Chapter

[Grimdarkness]

I know you said all 3 era's but my thinking would be.

 

Scouts = voltieries.

Tacs= Line regiments.

Assault= Calvary.

Termi's= The guard regiments.

Tanks and such= artillary.