Something Different...

[Coconuts]

Hello everyone,

I am new to the world of 40k and I have decided to play the Blood Angels Codex. I enjoy the fluff thoroughly but I want to create a chapter that is unique and I don't think anyone has made anything like this before...

I have decided to go with an African themed DIY BA chapter - namely inspired by the Maasai tribe who subsequently also wear Red.

My decision for this was due to the lack of any African based chapters not even African American - the closest thing are the Salamanders and they look like they have just dipped themselves into black paint and back - I think there is some speculation of whether they were originally from a black culture but I think that their fluff behind their skin colour is just strange.

Anyway here is my idea for a general chapter colour scheme: and different colours will suggest different parts of the their culture and in this case it will represent the different squads:

This will be indicated by their wrist colours and just general markings on their shoulder pads and sometimes their head crests - resembling the jewelery they wear in Maasai culture

Red symbolizes Danger, Bravery, Strength, and Unity, representing the challenges the Maasai people face in every day life.

Blue symbolizes Sustenance and Energy, representing the sky, which provides water for the people and their cattle.

Green symbolizes Nourishment and Production, representing the land that provides food for the people and livestock while also symbolizing the putting down of roots and the protection of one’s territory.

Orange symbolizes Warmth, Friendship, Generosity and Hospitality, representing the color of the gourd used for sharing milk amongst guests and welcoming visitors into one’s home.

Yellow symbolizes Fertility and Growth, representing the color of the Sun which helps grow the grass, that feeds the cattle and sustains life.

White symbolizes Purity and Health, representing cow’s milk, which provides sustained nourishment.

Black symbolizes Unity, Harmony and Solidarity, representing the color of the people and
the daily struggles they endure.

A battle-brother of a Tactical Squad

Also I have some crazy ideas of them riding lions and camels into battle instead of bikes and maybe I could try finding shields that look like maasai shields. Their armour will also be adorned with Maasai art.

Questiosn to you guys:

What do you guys think of the idea?

How is the colour scheme?

What name would you suggest?

Thanks,

Coconuts :)

[ShadowSong7007]

I know next to nothing about the Maasai culture, something I plan to rectify here shortly, but this idea seems like it has merit. Good luck to you. Just remember while some chapters beat you over the head with their source/theme (looking at you Space Wolves) other are a bit more subtle. Like the Italian influence on the Blood Angels and the Prussian theme with the Imperial Fists.

 

P.S. Riding lions into battle seems cool, camels, not so much. Maybe if you had Rough Rider allies, I could see that working.

[Lysimachus]

Idea is interesting, not completely unused as I'm pretty sure I recall someone doing an African themed Chapter previously, think they were counts-as SW with lions replacing wolves. It's still not a common choice though so I'd say go for it.

 

Colour scheme is ok, not sure if you're trying to bring too many of the colours you listed into one scheme though? Maybe limit them to different units/ranks/etc? Eg, white representing purity and health fits with Apothecaries, maybe blue picturing energy and sustenance could work for Techmarines?

 

Name? Maybe Blood Hunters, or something that focusses on their tribal nature?

[Firepower]

Please, I beg of you, no space lions and especially no space camels.

 

The color scheme is kinda rough. The motivation behind it does speak of a shamanic-level religious (animus and all that noise) which is appropriate. But how that will look is..well, ick. If you intend to paint them and put them on the table, I would stick to one, two at most. It'll be brutal on the eye and hard to make them look like a unified force with too much variation, even if they all share a base red color scheme.

 

I'd recommend yellow or orange if you have the guts to take them on. They aren't easy colors to work with, but a vivid warm color palette is a rare thing of beauty, if done well. I would avoid green like the plague. Black..well, everyone does red and black. Everyone. Boring.

 

Salamanders used to be black, in the colloquial sense. They were later made black in the literal sense...for some reason. I don't think anyone particularly liked that decision.

 

What factors from Maasai culture are you thinking of incorporating?

[Ecritter]

Maasai is an interesting culture, and I think the idea has merit.  Color scheme may get a bit confusing as you start adding different colors all over it, but still it may work.

 

SWs ride Wolves, so Lions is no big deal.

[XKhalilX]

i know a little of the maasai.

i say call them red hunters, crimson hunters, etc.

drape them with lion pelts.

and since the maasai are so big on the jumping ceremonies in their culture, i say make the chapter big on jump pack assault troops

[Aqui]

Maasai is an interesting culture, and I think the idea has merit.  Color scheme may get a bit confusing as you start adding different colors all over it, but still it may work.

 

SWs ride Wolves, so Lions is no big deal.

 

I'm going to be using Cold ones for counts as bikes for one of my DIY's, so I can't see why not ^_^

[Coconuts]

Wow those replies were quick... Thanks guys

Idea is interesting, not completely unused as I'm pretty sure I recall someone doing an African themed Chapter previously, think they were counts-as SW with lions replacing wolves. It's still not a common choice though so I'd say go for it.

Colour scheme is ok, not sure if you're trying to bring too many of the colours you listed into one scheme though? Maybe limit them to different units/ranks/etc? Eg, white representing purity and health fits with Apothecaries, maybe blue picturing energy and sustenance could work for Techmarines?

Name? Maybe Blood Hunters, or something that focusses on their tribal nature?

What I meant by the colours was that they are there to distinguish between the command structure much like the helmets in vanilla blood angels but without it being too flashy. Though I do like the suggestion for white - i though blue with be more for devastators or assault squads since it seems like an aerial attack sort of thing (ie. sky)

Please, I beg of you, no space lions and especially no space camels.

The color scheme is kinda rough. The motivation behind it does speak of a shamanic-level religious (animus and all that noise) which is appropriate. But how that will look is..well, ick. If you intend to paint them and put them on the table, I would stick to one, two at most. It'll be brutal on the eye and hard to make them look like a unified force with too much variation, even if they all share a base red color scheme.

I'd recommend yellow or orange if you have the guts to take them on. They aren't easy colors to work with, but a vivid warm color palette is a rare thing of beauty, if done well. I would avoid green like the plague. Black..well, everyone does red and black. Everyone. Boring.

Salamanders used to be black, in the colloquial sense. They were later made black in the literal sense...for some reason. I don't think anyone particularly liked that decision.

What factors from Maasai culture are you thinking of incorporating?

Who would you suggest I paint the red then? I want to try and make it as unique as possible

I want to really try and add the idea of the Maasai attitude to death in which the dead are left for scavengers and this can fit perfectly for the death company. However i still want to keep the red since that is the primary colour of the Maasai.

'For Maasai living a traditional life, the end of life is virtually without ceremony, and the dead are left out for scavengers'

The men in the Maasai tribe are born and raised to be warriors

Head shaving is common at many rites of passage

Warriors are the only members of the Maasai community to wear long hair, which they weave in thinly braided strands.

However, red is a favored color. Blue, black, striped, and checkered cloth are also worn, as are multicolored African designs

The Maasai began to replace animal-skin, calf hides and sheep skin, with commercial cotton cloth in the 1960s - I will ignore this bit :P

Both men and women wear wooden bracelets

bead work plays an essential part in the ornamentation of their body. Although there are variations in the meaning of the color of the beads, some general meanings for a few colors are: white, peace; blue, water; red, warrior/blood/bravery.

Just some things I would like to incorportate

Also in Maasai culture the late teens are supposed to kill a lion before they are *cough cough* turned into a man.

This is similar to the space wolves

i know a little of the maasai.

i say call them red hunters, crimson hunters, etc.

drape them with lion pelts.

and since the maasai are so big on the jumping ceremonies in their culture, i say make the chapter big on jump pack assault troops

I love the idea of the lion pelts - so instead of loincloths and robes - animal skins - nice!

[Malthe]

I completly agree that there are too few african-flavored chapters! In fact my own Emperor's Immortals were originally an attempt at creating a black chapter (actually they still are... Though the theme have matured a bit since the beginning).

Go for it :)

[Leonaides]

I would second the suggestion to reign in the colours, again just to help make the army look cohesieve on the tabletop...

 

Sounds like u should have plenty of scouts in this sort of army, tho I wouldn't have the death means little aspect as for marines, the treatment of the dead means a heck of a lot, wit@ the recovery of geneseed etc. I do like the idea tho...

 

Best of luck and I look forward to reading yr work.

[Agitated Owl]

I also have to agree that you will benefit from a more limited color palette.  Individual models can be very colorful and, when done well, these can be stunning.  However, entire armies of brightly colored models can be garish and confusing.  The example in your first post suggests a good compromise, though.

 

For your regular marines, you might stick with a simple red and gold color scheme, but use the wrist armor as a way to differentiate combat roles.  The Raven Guard does this using the trim on the right shoulder pad.  I think using the wrists in a similar way would be unique and very much in keeping with your inspiration.  So, for example, blue wrists might indicate an assault marine, green wrists a tactical marine, orange wrists a devastator marine, and red wrists a member of the headquarters.

 

I also like the idea of adorning certain marines with tribal patterns.  If you use this too much, I think it will be distracting.  It could be a way to differentiate your sergeants from other marines, though.

[Coconuts]

What do you suggest for other models such as the sanguinary guard and death company. Different colours perhaps. Maybe have the sanguinary guard as statues coming to life - but I dont know how that will tie in with the fluff.

 

Also what should i do with character models?

[Messor]

Salamanders used to be black, in the colloquial sense. They were later made black in the literal sense...for some reason. I don't think anyone particularly liked that decision.

Yeah, that always struck me as being pretty ridiculous. Though if not for that, I probably would have done Salamanders and never bothered with DIYs.

i know a little of the maasai.

i say call them red hunters, crimson hunters, etc.

drape them with lion pelts.

and since the maasai are so big on the jumping ceremonies in their culture, i say make the chapter big on jump pack assault troops

These are all great ideas, and Assault Marines are always at home in BA army.

For your regular marines, you might stick with a simple red and gold color scheme, but use the wrist armor as a way to differentiate combat roles. The Raven Guard does this using the trim on the right shoulder pad. I think using the wrists in a similar way would be unique and very much in keeping with your inspiration. So, for example, blue wrists might indicate an assault marine, green wrists a tactical marine, orange wrists a devastator marine, and red wrists a member of the headquarters.

A simpler variation of this, that could allow you more leeway with color for your characters: Use the colors as company markings. Your average battle/strike force is usually composed of troops from a two or three(sometimes more) companies. It could be pretty much the same, since your average Chapter has a company or two each solely of assault and devastator marines, but there's also often a squad or two of each integrated into each battle company, so if you use the colors as company markings, you can economize colors by having troops come from the same company, and saving the distinguishing markings for unique troops like apothecaries(or your unique version of sanguinary priests), chaplains, sanguinary guard and death company. Your characters can still use the company color as needed, and you can pick them out by applying some tribal markings/patterns.

I'll definitely be following this with interest. The Alpha Hounds were initially meant to have that Afro influence, but they eventually turned more Native American, and then never took off their helmets, making it pretty moot.

[Coconuts]

What would you guys say about incorporating voodoo magic into this army - since I really want to do it but have it like a secret that the Imperium does not know about since these guys are very religious to their own ideas and gods and have just joined the Imperium in order to acquire equipment so that they can fend themselves from the evils of the world. Worst comes to worst I think they may do well as a traitor chapter because who wants to be the goody goody smurfs all the time :P

[Aqui]

What would you guys say about incorporating voodoo magic into this army - since I really want to do it but have it like a secret that the Imperium does not know about since these guys are very religious to their own ideas and gods and have just joined the Imperium in order to acquire equipment so that they can fend themselves from the evils of the world. Worst comes to worst I think they may do well as a traitor chapter because who wants to be the goody goody smurfs all the time

Whilst there are many aspects to Voodoo, most associate it with Necromancy and Zombies. I'm no expert on it by any means, but you could use it in one of two ways:

The Chapter is Loyal, but uses Voodoo to divine courses of action similar to Space Wolf Rune Priests or Prognosticators in the Silver Skulls.

The Chapter is Traitor and uses Voodoo to raise the dead to work for them. This would be quite suitable for a Nurgle Warband using Cultists suitably painted ^_^

[Coconuts]

I was thinking more like them turning statues of sanguinary guard and their heroes into living marines - but i probably wont go down rhe nurgle theme with a maasai army

[Coconuts]

Anyone - also i am think of giving the guard unit greenstuffed voodoo masks

[Gripharius]

Traditional West African "voodoo" or Vodun is a religion that doesn't have all that much in common with the contemporary understanding of "voodoo magic" in pop culture.  The "magic" involved with Vodun isn't, at least in my limited understanding, much like what most people think of when you talk about "voodoo" magic.  Its more ceremonial and conceptual, I believe. 

 

But the concept of using the tribal African masks could be very interesting.  Usually, those masks were used by African cultures in ceremonies where the mask wearer was understood to "become" the subject of the mask.  So wearing a lion mask would make you become a lion, or fill you with a lion's spirit. Wearing a mask of dead ancestors was much the same: it allowed the wearer to become the dead person or channel the spirits of the ancestors.

 

Again, this is only my rough understanding of a cultural thing that I'm not very familiar with.

 

Nevertheless, it could be a very unique element in a Chapter.  It could parallel a Death Company where Marines paint their armor black and then are segregated into a different unit.

 

Only, your guys could paint their armor a different color and then modify their helmets to incorporate elements of a tribal mask.  Maybe your assault marines would wear a certain mask believed to imbue them with the spirit of the lion to attack their enemies like a beast.  Your bike Marines could wear a different animal totem to give them speed and grace.
 

Your chaplains could wear masks of the dead, and they could be said to speak with the voices of their ancestors.  Your librarians could wear masks fashioned after the Emperor, and they could see themselves as being filled with his spirit and power so they could wield the warp without being corrupted. 

 

Donning the helmets before battle could be a long and formal ceremony -- amid bonfires, war drums, chanting, etc -- that would symbolize the Marines "transforming" into the spirits of the masks they wear, etc. 

 

That would seem a lot more appropriate to 40k then using voodoo magic to animate stone statues or whatever.

 

[Coconuts]

Hmmm very interesting gripharius - i really like the idea of wearing the masks to channel the spirits of the dead but at the same time i am also keen on reanimating stautes.

 

My idea could be that prior to battle the librarians or equivalent members of the chapter summon the spirits of pervious fallen heroes into the masks which they put on statues of those fallen heroes. This power of the warp enables the statues to come to life with the help of the spirits. However, it can only be done prior to desperate battles where the sanguinary guard or equivalent are seen as the final stand and the cries of the few remaining marines is enough to summon the powerful spirits of the dead heroes

[RolandTHTG]

I'd actually say then Use the Sanguinary Guard Death Masks for to mark your death company. Those that have donned the Masks of Sanguinius/The Emperor (Depending on how close you want to tie them to Blood Angels beyond the rules) 
For Sanguinary guard, I'd reccomend Scribor's Lion Heads, as a variation on the Lion Mask theme : http://sciborminiatures.com/en_,shop.php?art=870#i/conversion_parts/big/sf_lion_heads.jpg
I'd personally be inclined to not try and mix Voodoo (a West African/Carribean tradition) with your Massai (an East African Tribe). I would dilute the theme I feel.