Chapter Image and Name change?

[Kristoff]

I'm planning on starting a "Black Templar" Crusade soon in a DIY manner, and due to efforts in another, less pure, field, I have a back story that I would like to continue.

Brief Back Story goes as follows:

A 21st Founding Imperial Fists Successor, The Stone Wardens, was entrusted with a Sector to guard that had experienced numerous waves of Ork Waaaghs!!!, Eldar and Dark Eldar Raids, and Chaos incursions that had increased in steady frequency. After being able to create a small calm in the storm, a few companies on the homeworld (as well as all life) were turned to Chaos through the efforts of a cadre of apothecaries (though unbeknownst to the rest of the Chapter).

The First Company and its attending Reserve Company was the first to arrive after this incident and immediately engaged the forces in the Chapter's Keep. The Second Company arrived to witness the final command of the Chapter Master, an Exterminatus on their own Homeworld, with the Keep being the focus of the fire.

In the aftermath, without a homeworld, the remaining Captains chose to reorganize and Crusade until they had redeemed their loss. This new reorganization greatly resembled their old brother chapter, the Black Templars. And thus, their own Endless Crusade began.

The Stone Warden Colors

So, now the question I have comes to you, I am considering having the Chapter renamed to the Ghost Wardens, as the Stone Wardens were for a defensive chapter guarding the Stone at the center their sector, but now they seek to guard the honor of the dead sacrificed in war and from the dishonor of a fallen Imperium. Should I, or would a Chapter even consider doing so, even after such an event?

Now, should they keep the colors above, or choose one of the following?

Option 1: Adding Black in memory of the Dead and for the shame.

Option 2: Adding grey stone to represent the Ghostly dead.

Option 3: Mostly grey stone for the ghosts and Black for the Remembered

Option 4: Similar to 3, but trading the turquoise for Brown

[Lysimachus]

I like the original Chapter scheme, very nice! I don't think a Chapter would completely get rid of their colours though, or even cover up as much as you have in option 1 or 2. how about just changing a single shoulder pad inset from white to black, signifying both shame and loss.

 

That said, as a general scheme I really like the white/black/blue accents scheme, although if you're going that way I'd do it properly and go full half and half, looks odd with the belt, crotch, head, etc not split.

[Erasmus of Baal]

I agree with Lysimachus, don't change things that completely. The armor's machine-spirit would get pissed off all to hell. However, I would go a little farther than he has: Perhaps the left shoulderpad and arm? For that, I suggest the black.

 

Alternatively, you could have them just wear some new badge or design on their armor, perhaps on one of the kneepads, in memorial.

[Messor]

I echo what Erasmus and Lysimachus have said, only a token of remembrance is necessary. As for the name, I personally think such a substantial portion lost, and to Chaos, would elicit a change. Love the scheme, by the way.

[Kristoff]

So which would work best for a starter, you think:

or

Which would lead to:

One arm and shoulder in remembrance and one foot in the grave

or

[Erasmus of Baal]

That one is your call personally. I'd pick brown just because it's easier to paint than white. :)

[Kristoff]

That one is your call personally. I'd pick brown just because it's easier to paint than white. :)

It's actually Dheneb Stone, hence the Stone Grey statement, but thanks to the shadowing of the painter, it can be hardnto tell.

[Phoros]

I quite like the Dheneb Stone variant. Maybe paint a couple of test models, see which looks better?