Rasclomalum Posted December 11, 2015 Share Posted December 11, 2015 This is something of a foreword and there will be more to come. Background and theme: I have something of a viking fetish going on and as such I like the Space Wolves. However, lorewise I feel constrained by the fact that they have no successor chapters sans the Wolf Brothers, and we know how that worked out. A lost 13th Company chapter is right out for me. Neither would I want to shoehorn in an unknown Space Wolves successor chapter, because I know how unstable the Canis Helix is. Furthermore, I'd feel more confident painting regular Tacticals rather than the heavily decorated Space Wolves with their pelts and charms, and since SW has the feral side of the vikings covered, my chapter can focus on the more orderly, lawful and civilised sides of a culture that brought the very word "law" into the English language. I will therefore base this chapter on Codex Space Marines, more specifically the Imperial Fists. They will be the sons of the Emperor's Praetorian, and whether they use IF Chapter Tactics or BT Chapter Tactics depends on what direction my writing will take me in. Defenders or militant attackers? I lean towards the former, because I attempt to create a Norse-themed custom chapter based on the Varangian guard. Being that the historical Varangian Guard were the Scandinavian bodyguards of the Byzantine Emperor in Constantinople, known to the Norse as Miklagard, it makes poetic sense to reinvent them as the protectors of the 40k Emperor. This is what I have time for right now, so this is more of a placeholder than anything else. Homeworld: Mikla. The planet, at this point, is nothing but a name. Notable characters: Harald Jorsalafar. Reference to Harald Hardrada, and Sigurd Jorsalafar. Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/317029-the-miklaguard/ Share on other sites More sharing options...
BrotherCaptainArkhan Posted December 11, 2015 Share Posted December 11, 2015 I studied Anglo-Saxon, Norse and Celtic language/mythology/history at undergraduate so I always love it when people bring up the slightly lesser-known parts of Scandinavian history in fantastical works. Looks good to me, the only thing that really sticks out to me - and it does so horribly I'm afraid - is the Anglicisation of 'Miklagaarðr'. 'Miklaguard' looks weird to me. Especially because 'gaarðr' doesn't actually mean 'guard', although it is a cognate. Maybe it's because I'm biased because I know the original Norse version, but if I were you I'd keep 'Miklagaarðr' and add a prefix (Sons/Wardens/Order etc, your choice). I feel if you keep some direct linguistic links to the cultural heritage you're inspired by, you will add a layer of authenticity that's rare to see in DIY Chapters. Of course that's a totally subjective opinion, and they're your guys so you go with what makes you happy Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/317029-the-miklaguard/#findComment-4249496 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rasclomalum Posted December 11, 2015 Author Share Posted December 11, 2015 Oh, I knew that the gardr doesn't mean "guard" as such, I just thought it could work as a portmanteau. Their homeworld is Mikla, and they are the Miklaguard... alright, there might be better ways about it. Also, occasional/ritual/heavy drinking is a must, because they must be rumored to be the Emperor's wine bags! I want to reflect a duality of languages too. So while they could well refer to themselves as jarls and thanes whatnot, in more official tone ranks such as spatharokandidatos, akolouthos and manglavites will be used. Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/317029-the-miklaguard/#findComment-4249509 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dizzyeye01 Posted December 11, 2015 Share Posted December 11, 2015 How about the Wardens of Mikla? Another thing you could do with the Chapter is have honorific titles that are given to the Captains so like the Captain of the 3rd Company could be known as the Manglavites who has a specific task within the chapter and so on? Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/317029-the-miklaguard/#findComment-4249584 Share on other sites More sharing options...
BrotherCaptainArkhan Posted December 11, 2015 Share Posted December 11, 2015 Oh, I knew that the gardr doesn't mean "guard" as such, I just thought it could work as a portmanteau. Their homeworld is Mikla, and they are the Miklaguard... alright, there might be better ways about it. Also, occasional/ritual/heavy drinking is a must, because they must be rumored to be the Emperor's wine bags! I want to reflect a duality of languages too. So while they could well refer to themselves as jarls and thanes whatnot, in more official tone ranks such as spatharokandidatos, akolouthos and manglavites will be used. Reading your original post I missed out that you're from Sweden. I didn't intend to lecture you on your own linguistic roots, sorry if it came over that way, dude. I think go with what you like most, in the end. You could steal a title from a certain well-known metal band that has a similar source of inspiration: ;) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aabLcAB026w Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/317029-the-miklaguard/#findComment-4249665 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rasclomalum Posted December 11, 2015 Author Share Posted December 11, 2015 Hey man, no sweat! Constructive criticism is always welcome as far as I am concerned! Varyags eh? Might nick that name and use that instead. Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/317029-the-miklaguard/#findComment-4249729 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bjorn Firewalker Posted December 11, 2015 Share Posted December 11, 2015 I searched online for images of the Varangian Guard, to understand the significance of the colors you chose. Is it orange? Copper or brass plating? Gold plating? (The Wikipedia article failed to mention what colors the Varangian Guard's uniforms were, but as they were the Byzantine Emperor's personal bodyguards, it made sense to gold plate their equipment.) Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/317029-the-miklaguard/#findComment-4249842 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rasclomalum Posted December 12, 2015 Author Share Posted December 12, 2015 The only significance is that orange stands out. Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/317029-the-miklaguard/#findComment-4249998 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doctor Perils Posted December 12, 2015 Share Posted December 12, 2015 I'll be following this (not least because I was toying with a similar idea for my Shadow Wolves for a time) Have you considered having the planet Mikla/Miklagaardhr be their homeworld, a civilised but with rich and not very numerous inhabitants, and have a separate, medieval recruiting world ? You could also have an elite company of Cataphracts (that use either Cataphractii Terminator and/or Astartes Bikes), that make liberal use of purple instead of the more classic white for veterans ? These could be either the veterans or come from Miklagardhr. Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/317029-the-miklaguard/#findComment-4250230 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bjorn Firewalker Posted December 13, 2015 Share Posted December 13, 2015 As Miklagard meant "Great City" in Old Norse, and was the Viking name for Constantinople, I can see your Space Marine Chapter as the personal guard of the High Lords of Terra, with "Miklagard" referring to Terra itself. (What about the Minotaurs? They are the Sword; your Space Marine Chapter is the Shield.) Alternately, I can see them as the personal guard of a specific High Lord of Terra, i.e., the Fabricator-General, and "Miklagard" referring to Mars. I'll be following this (not least because I was toying with a similar idea for my Shadow Wolves for a time) Have you considered having the planet Mikla/Miklagaardhr be their homeworld, a civilised but with rich and not very numerous inhabitants, and have a separate, medieval recruiting world ? You could also have an elite company of Cataphracts (that use either Cataphractii Terminator and/or Astartes Bikes), that make liberal use of purple instead of the more classic white for veterans ? These could be either the veterans or come from Miklagardhr. Purple is considered a "royal" color, so its use should be reserved for Captains, the Chapter Master, and their Honor Guard. Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/317029-the-miklaguard/#findComment-4251248 Share on other sites More sharing options...
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