Change of heart/direction.

[Ekim_Trub]

I was sitting bored at work trying to think up some new fluff for my Chapter when an idea hit me that I could make work for me a lot easier, BUT it would involve a complete change of name, colour scheme and a relatively large change in theme.

 

I now ask: what would you do? Change or persevere and try to get the old idea to work?

[Messor]

Well if the change is that drastic, where you're essentially making a new Chapter, I'd save the old stuff to potentially come back to for another Chapter in the future.

[Gripharius]

I agree with Messor.  Keep the old stuff, then write the new stuff and see which you like better in the end.

[Ekim_Trub]

Oh well....turns out someone already has a Chapter of the name I intended to use....back to the drawing board.

[Conn Eremon]

Don't let that sort of thing deter you. No one's DIY has precedent over yours, no matter the potential similarities. If you like it well enough, go for it.

[Brother Tyler]

I agree with the suggestion to keep the older stuff and simply develop the new stuff as a new DIY.

 

As for the name thing, Cormac Airt is completely correct. Just because someone else has used a name you like doesn't mean that you can't use the same name for your own DIY. We have multiple Iron Hounds, Iron Dragons, Spartans, etc. floating around the B&C.

[CantonWC]

I seem to remember you working on the Shadow Falcons for a while now. That's the one, right?

 

Just to reiterate, it sounds like you're thinking up a whole new Chapter. So go ahead and do that, but don't throw stuff away.

 

And no one has a copyright on names.

[Ekim_Trub]

It wouldn't really be a new Chapter to be honest, as their Combat Doctrine, Organisation and Fleet would remain as is, but I would adding more of a theme to essentially a theme-less Chapter.

I had thought of changing the Chapter to be the White Ravens, using white in place of grey armour and threading a sort of Heralds of Death (Mortifactors-esque) theme through them.
I just don't really know about doing so though, as I know the work involved in trying to get an IA to work, so wouldn't want to spoil anyone's thunder by using the same name- plus I like the Shadow Falcons as a name, I even use it as my name on Xbox and twitter.

However, I do feel I would have more chance of making a fuller and more complete IA with this idea, as the Shadow Falcons just seem to go round in circles instead of progressing.

[Conn Eremon]

Well, you can expand both to be two distinct Chapters or you can meld the two into an amalgamation that's, hopefully, superior to its parts. And you can keep the additional theme without needing to change its name.

[Ekim_Trub]

In an ideal world, I just want to make the Shadow Falcons work as an IA, as I just see them as theme-less at the moment. Just now, they are Air Assault Tactics specialists who favour close-range firefights. They are sensible Marines.....which is a rather lacklustre theme to be honest.

[Conn Eremon]

Nah, Reasonable Marines is best Marines. Go with what you want.

[Ecritter]

Make a chapter that suits you, thats all that's required of the DIY.  The fact that they're different and special to you is enough.  That's what I'm working on for my 3rd DIY ... I think its enough.

[Conn Eremon]

Hell, I've got twenty. And their whole point is that I wanted twenty.

[Ekim_Trub]

Thanks guys, I don't feel so bad now. Think I was just "trying to keep up with the Jones's", its hard to write a decent IA at the best of times- let alone when you compare it to some of those in the Liber and Librarium. 

Now do I update my IA thread or make a new one, what would be proper Forum etiquette?

[Conn Eremon]

I'd say update, and make a note of it in the title.

[Captain Juan Juarez]

Actually, Reasonable Marines is probably entirely new; "normal" Marines aren't really that reasonable

[Ekim_Trub]

Reasonable is the wrong word- pragmatic would probably be better. 

They are not fussed for adornments on their armour and always wear helmets etc.

[Conn Eremon]

It was a /tg/ joke Chapter, as the most pragmatic force of 40k, called the Reasonable Marines.

[Emperors Immortals]

They are no joke, and after complying with the appropriate Imperial requests for filling of documents 128.CRF.o-28 and Ixc.954.MIR they can prove it to you.

[Nicili]

I would just like to say you could always keep the name Shadow Falcons, and still give them the white armor/death themes.

 

When I hear Shadow Falcons, my mind automatically goes to a black bird. However, when you pair it with white armor, and think more on the name, "Shadow" might not refer to the color, but the attitude/theme.

 

I keep getting an image of the White Horseman of the Apocalypse, Conquest. Brilliant White can be just as terrifying/dramatic as black, and even more so.

 

Names don't have to dictate colors, just ask the Red Scorpions. :)

[Jiron]

I am at very similar situation to yours. I have decided to evolve my Warband, not to start another. Mostly because I have finally painted most of my troops and I am not willing to buy new models, that would be essentially the same (such as troop choice).

[Ekim_Trub]

Decided to just roll the sleeves up and put some hard work into my IA, seems I have a solid base but expansion is taking its time as the real world is a pain in my ***.
I may keep the other idea on the back burner for a later date though.