If Classic Movie Monsters were Chapters

Warhammer & Warhammer 40k are rife with puns, homages, and word play. The game universe is awash with references to literature, pop culture, historical figures, world cultures, & myths. In this section, I draw inspiration from various sources to imagine them as new armies of the Imperium.

Both Fantasy and 40k have their share of monsters, and I thought this month would be a good time to imagine some of the Classic Universal monsters. Several of these archetypes have already been claimed in 40k: the Blood Angels are vampiric, the Space Wolves have some werewolf aspects to their back story, etc. although this still leaves several classic characters up for grabs.

(Just FYI, I opted not to represent Frankenstein's Monster here since I already used that as inspiration for the Prometheans)

Brine Reavers
Classic Monster: Gillman from Creature from the Black Lagoon
Colors: Forest Green with Sage green forearms, lower legs, torso, and eagle
Concept: Following a disastrous battle on Hadal II it became apparent than the Imperium lacked elite amphibious combat specialists. In order to fill this need, the Adeptus Mechanicus sought to create a chapter from a stable line of semi-aquatic abhumans.

Pious Shadows
Classic Monster: Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde
Colors: White and black halved
Concept: In an effort to satiate the Black Rage of their Blood Angel geneseed this chapter's apothecaries created an elixer capable of evoking their inbred rage in a controlled manner, as well an elixer to suppress it. It was thought that this would alleviate the psychic turmoil, but as time has gone on, the potion's original recipe has been lost, and it has become harder and harder to pull marines from a never-ending rage.

Rictus Chords
Classic Monster: The Phantom of the Opera
Colors: Purple with a white helmet, and black torso, chest, & backpack
Concept: A chapter obsessed with music and sound, it is thought that a mutation in the chapter's gene-seed has affected the marines' Lyman's Ear, creating a compulsive interest in aural arts. For this reason Ordo Hereticus Inquisitor Christine has embedded herself within the chapter to monitor them for signs of slipping to Slaanesh.

Pharaoh Lords
Classic Monster: The Mummy
Colors: Gold with Royal blue backpack, shoulders, & helmet stripes
Concept: When not in combat, this chapter sequesters itself within its massive fortress hidden within the desert sands. When they return, battle brothers are interred within life support sarcophagus similar to that found in Dreadnought armor, where they slumber until their next battle. Any who disturb their rest without cause are eliminated quickly and brutally.

The Unseen
Classic Monster: The Invisible Man
Colors: Silver with black shoulder trim & eagle
Concept: A chapter obsessed with stealth tactics, their Librarians sought every method of obscuring their warriors from the enemy. They were so single-minded in their efforts that they turned to the highest order of sorcery to meet this end. The chapter would almost certainly be considered excomunicate traitorous, but they have not been seen ever since.

If Literature were Chapters: Game of Thrones (continued)

Warhammer & Warhammer 40k are rife with puns, homages, and word play. The game universe is awash with references to literature, pop culture, historical figures, world cultures, & myths. In this section, I draw inspiration from various sources to imagine them as new armies of the Imperium.

Today I'm breaking from my usual format to create 10 chapters from a single source: George R.R. Martin's A Song of Ice and Fire series.

Continued from here

Dragonfathers
House: Targaryen
Colors: Red with Black torso and helmet.
Concept: Upon their arrival in the Western Aeros sector it was discovered the chapter's librarians were capable of forming a telepathic bond with an indigenous species of firedrake found on the Southern steppes of their new home. Their psykers ride the beasts ahead of the troops and lay waste to enemy lines before they arrive.

Reciprocators
House: Lannister
Colors: Maroon and Yellow halved
Concept: No slight is too small to warrant retaliation for this chapter. They are ruthless in their pursuits, and have terminated entire planetary governments due to a Governor's slanderous words. No one knows how the Reciprocators are able to exact such precise and exact revenge, but it is rumored that the Chapter Master consults a wizened Watcher in the Dark on all of their battle strategies.

Reaper Lords
House: Greyjoy
Colors: Black with Gold accents and grills
Concept: This chapter made its home amongst an asteroid field in the Northeastern region of the sector. Each of the 10 companies is led by a "king" and are housed in their own cruisers that navigate the sea of rock. Once every six years they gather at the Kraken, their fortress at the heart of the storm.

Celestial Falcons
House: Arryn
Colors: Light blue with White shoulders & legs
Concept: Of late, the Falcons have not engaged in any of the power grabs of the other houses. They remain in their mountaintop monastery, seemingly unmotivated to vie for position amongst their peers. Some have noted that Chapter Master Johan has not been seen for many years, leading to the speculation that there is unrest in their leadership.

Shield Wardens
House: Tyrell
Colors: Green with Orange chest & shoulder trim
Concept: Established on the most fertile Argi-World in the sector, the Shield Wardens wield enormous influence, and are not afraid to use it. More devious than they are given credit for, they are nevertheless one of the most stabilizing forces in the region.


Bonus Chapter

River Runners
House: Tully
Colors:  Light blue & Red halved
Concept: The shrewd River Runners make their home on the aquatic world of Trident. They excel in all aspects of diplomacy, although their record was marred recently when second company Captain Piscis Perniger left the chapter after coming to blows with the Chapter Master. He continues his dutiful service to the Emperor as he wanders throughout the system.

If Literature were Chapters: Game of Thrones

Warhammer & Warhammer 40k are rife with puns, homages, and word play. The game universe is awash with references to literature, pop culture, historical figures, world cultures, & myths. In this section, I draw inspiration from various sources to imagine them as new armies of the Imperium.

Today I'm breaking from my usual format to create 10 chapters from a single source: George R.R. Martin's A Song of Ice and Fire series.

Background: 
Raimo Ricohard, the Master of the Adeptus Astra Telepathica, sequestered himself to his chambers for a lunar cycle before suddenly charging into the offices of the Scholastia Psykana screaming "They are coming!" and falling into a deep coma.

Upon investigation of his chambers officials found detailed maps, dataslates, and feverishly written notes detailing an imminent Tyranid invasion the likes of which have never been seen. Ricohard's predictions detailed the "Omegaswarm" that would pierce deep into the heart of the Imperium, leaving nothing but "cold husks of worlds" in its wake. Unless the invasion was stopped upon its arrival, he concluded the galaxy would fall into an eternal lifeless Winter.  

This revelation was so sudden and shocking that the High-Lords of Terra wasted no time in stationing 14 full chapters of Space Marines to the Western edge of the Aeros sector of Segmentum Pacificus: The location of the first wave indicated in Ricohard's notes. The chapters arrived and quickly built fortifications and prepared to fight.

Then they waited.

Unfortunately, despite all of their details, the note failed to mention *when* the incursion would begin. Centuries have passed since the prophetic vision was first revealed, and the chapters themselves have stood watch ever since. Three of the original chapters have been snuffed out over the years, but the others have kept themselves honed and ready through voluntary crusades, competitions, the occasional Ork invasion, and constant infighting amongst one another.

Dire Wolves
House: Stark
Colors: White with Dark Grey shoulders and helmet.
Concept: The Dire Wolves are one of the few chapters that still firmly believes in the existence of the Omegaswarm. Their black-clad scout company makes regular expeditions to the edge of the sector, and lately, fewer and fewer have been returning. (note: when I pick up the 7th ed starter set, this is how I'll be painting the Space Wolves) 

Furious Kings
House: Baratheon
Colors: Black and Yellow quartered
Concept: Once the leaders of the allied chapters in the West Aeros region, their status has become shakier after their Chapter Master Hrodebert was slain in a battle with the White Boars. His successor, Gottfrid, has proven himself inexperienced and utterly grating to the other leaders, who are now competing to wrest control for themselves.

Flaying Blades
House: Bolton
Colors: Light Crimson with Red shoulders and accents
Concept: The walls of the Flaying Blades' dread fortress citadel are covered in beautiful banners made from the tanned flesh of their enemies. At the end of each campaign a handful of foes are left alive, and unharmed so their master flayers can perfect their art.

Titans of Braavos
House: Baelish
Colors: Sage green with Grey helmets
Concept: Thought to be of Raven Guard descent, these marines excel in deceptive tactics, and the use of cat's paws. They rarely take to the battlefield in force, rather, they will send waves of conscripts to fight while they maneuver to assassinate their foes when they're preoccupied.

Sunspears
House: Martell
Colors: Orange with Red helmet, shoulder insets, & greaves
Concept: A hot-blooded chapter, the Sunspears excel in battle and employ fast, brutal tactics that include ambushes and the use of poison. Lately they have found themselves in pitched battle with members of the Reciprocators chapter.

If Bible verses were Orders

It's Ash Wednesday today, so I thought I'd do something a little different today, namely some Sisters of Battle.

Warhammer & Warhammer 40k are rife with puns, homages, and word play, so I thought I'd create some of my own.  I can't think of many direct puns or bible references in 40k, but I thought it'd be a fun theme to play off of. The Emperor is basically space Jesus anyways, so I consider it fair game.

Here's what I came up with.

Order of the Eternal Word
Bible Verse: Psalm 119:89 "Your word, O Lord, is eternal; it stands firm in the heavens."
Colors: Black, Pink, and Gold
Concept: An offshoot of the Order of the Martyred Lady, these Sororitas rely more heavily on fast-moving Seraphim than other orders. Their cooly efficient battle style has garnered them many new recruits, and they have sent a good many novices to their Mother-Order to recoup their losses at Armageddon.

Order of the Pure Faith
Bible Verse: James 1:2-3 "Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance."
Colors: Sage Green, Dark Green, and White
Concept: Fully embracing the ideal that purity is gained through hardship, these Battle Sisters throw themselves into every righteous conflict within their ability. Their mortality rates are some of the highest among the Orders, but their Celestians are among the finest, most pious warriors in the Imperium.

Order of the Patient Sword
Bible Verse: Judges 3:21 "Ehud reached with his left hand, drew the sword from his right thigh and plunged it into the king’s belly."
Colors: Silver and Sky Blue with Black trim
Concept: These Sisters have close ties to members of the Orders Famulous, and are usually the first called in when an advisor finds evidence of heresy within the nobility. For this reason they are sometimes known as the "Kingkillers."

Order of the Silent Bones
Bible Verse: Psalms 32:3 "When I kept silent, my bones wasted away through my groaning all day long."
Colors: Bone and Burgundy
Concept: Emphasizing the purifying qualities of fire, these sisters eschew most all other special weapons in favor of the flamer. Three worlds dedicate their entire production of promethium to feed this Order's needs.

Order of the Righteous Song
Bible Verse: Psalms 33:1 "Shout for joy in the Lord, O you righteous! Praise befits the upright"
Colors: Red and White
Concept: These sisters take their moniker to heart. : They are organized into units called "choirs," and loudly sing songs and hymns to the Emperor as they fall into battle. Their melodious chants bolster their allies to acts of great courage, and are frequently invited to fight alongside the Imperial Guard.

If Literature were Chapters

Warhammer & Warhammer 40k are rife with puns, homages, and word play. There are plenty of overt references to literature in the universe, such as the Primarch of the Night Lords, Konrad Curze, (which refers to Joseph Conrad's novella Heart of Darkness) and Inquisitor Karamazov (Dostoyevsky's the Brother's Karamazov). Another subtler one is the invocation of the Flesh Tearer's Chapter: "For he today that sheds his blood with me shall be my battle-brother eternal."  Which is a slightly tweaked line from Shakespeare's Henry V.  

With such a huge field of source material to pull from I thought I'd try my hand at creating a few. Mind you, I haven't necessarily read these, or agree with them (see Atlas Shrugged), but when has being ill-informed ever stopped me?

There's just so much source material for this I might have to do another literature chapters group, but for this post I'm going with some bad-boy Chapters. Now with Chaos! 

White Boars:
Literature reference: Major, the pig from George Orwell's "Animal Farm"
Colors: White with Pink trim
Concept: Once an upstanding chapter, the army was thrown into discord by the passing of their Chapter Master. An unworthy heir, Captain Napoleon took command, and over the course many years, his subtle tyranny led his battle brothers into the embrace of Slaanesh.

Atlas Marines:
Literature: Ayn Rand's "Atlas Shrugged"
Colors: Gold with Red & Black accents
Concept: Originally sent to guard against Ork incursion in the galactic north, these marines have all but pulled away from the auspices of the Imperium. Chapter Master Rearden Steele felt the bureaucratic nonsense of the Imperium limited their operations, and now pursue their duty while the missives from Terra go unanswered.   

Oracles of Wrath:
Literature: Alexandre Dumas' "Count of Monte Cristo"
Colors: Dark blue & Copper
Concept: Once allies of the Bel-Shammon Craftworld, their second company was betrayed during a desperate fight against the Dark Eldar. The Oracles of Wrath have since taken it upon themselves to destroy the Bel-Shammon, and have extended their rage to all Eldar, using the prescient abilities of their Chief Librarian Dantes to suss out locations of Eldar activity.

Bargainers:
Literature:  Johann Wolfgang von Goethe's "Faust"
Colors: Blue & White
Concept: Created to combat the influence of Khorne cults around the Eye of Terror. They turned to the master of hidden knowledge, Tzeentch, for the power to find and destroy all the followers of Khorne. It is notable however, that for every demolished cult of the blood god, Tzeentch followers seems to take it's place.

Prometheans:
Literature: Mary Shelley's "Frankenstein"
Colors: Purple with White lightning
Concept: Created during the 13th founding, for an unknown purpose, little is known about this chapter.  They are rarely seen, but they appear to have a particular distaste for the Adeptus Mechanicus, and are known for raids against outposts tasked with creation, testing, and development of gene-seeds. They are almost never seen without their armor, but those who have speak of horrifying visages of skin that appears to be wrought of many bodies.

If Myths were Chapters

Black Dragons, Blood Gorgons, Howling Griffons, Minotaurs, Sons of Medusa, Chimera, Manticore, Valkyrie

Even without delving past the Imperial forces 40k is rife with references to mythology and mythical creatures, much of it from Western culture. I figured It could be fun to explore the potential of myths from other world cultures. Here are five new legend-inspired Chapters.

Nightmarchers
Origin: Ghostly ancestors, Nightmarchers (Maori)
Colors: Burnt orange with light blue "tattoos"
Concept: Established on a mostly aquatic world, the locals consider the chapter to be mighty ancestral spirits, who steal away people from their homes in the dead of night. They are perhaps most well known for the elaborate tattoos that cover both their bodies and armor.

Heirs of Orthus
Origin: Two-Headed dog, Orthus (Greek)
Colors: Orange and black halved
Concept: This chapter's fortress monastery is based on the dark side of a planet whose where one half if eternal night. They use this intensely inhospitable terrain to mold their exceptional night-fighting abilities.

Water Lynx
Origin: Mishupishu, the Underwater Panther (Native American)
Colors: Teal with black chest & white accents
Concept: Few know of these marines, because they leave so few survivors, or witnesses. For this reason only the rare inquisitor, or desperate general will call upon these ferociously efficient warriors.

Tengu Blades
Origin: Birdlike spirits, the Tengu (Japanese)
Colors: White & Red quartered
Concept: Swordsmen of the utmost caliber, these marines often eschew long range tactics for close quarters fighting. A small number of these marines exhibit a rare mutation that causes them to lose their senses in the heat of battle, fighting with reckless abandon until victorious, or put down by great force.

Qilin Claws
Origin: the omen bringing Qilin (Chinese)
Colors: Yellow with Green helmet, arms, and legs
Concept: Far more contemplative than some other chapters, The Qilin Claws use their Catalepsean Nodes and Sus-an Membranes to meditate upon the art of war for days or weeks at a time. This makes them highly desired as battlefield leaders, as well as trainers of great military minds.

If Sci-Fi shows were Chapters

The worlds of Warhammer & Warhammer 40k are rife with puns, homages, and word play.  Some of these are pop culture references like Sly Marbo (anagram of Rambo) or Kruellagh the Vile (Cruella De Vil).

Warhammer 40k also seems to draw from a handful of science fiction sources for inspiration (Tyranids & Alien, Kroot & Predator), and I decided to do the same. I, like many other 40k players, am a big fan of the sci-fi genre, so I thought I'd turn to popular television shows for inspiration for a new crop of Space Marine Chapters.

Blue Palms
Sci-fi show: "Firefly's" shadowy villains, the Hands of Blue
Colors: Black, white, and light blue
Concept: The Chapter's home world of Muir orbits a blue star with abnormal properties. Some attribute the sun's peculiar radiation as the cause the abnormally high levels of psychic manifestation in the populace. The Blue Palms regularly cull the weaker psykers (or donate them to the Black Ships when available) and recruit the strongest, leading a much higher than average number of librarians.

Time Lords
Sci-fi show: The Doctor's race from "Doctor Who"
Colors:  Dark red & gold
Concept: at one time this chapter was one of the strongest forces within the Segmentum Pacificus. They were known for an ardent adherence to Imperial code and ceremony, occasionally to the point of infighting over particular minutiae of laws. Today they are all but forgotten with only a single  apothecary known to be in operation.

Sacred Scrolls
Sci-fi show: a set of religious texts from "Battlestar Gallactica"
Colors: White & black
Concept: These marines hold a curious set of beliefs in regards to their forebears. They consider the Primarchs and Emperor as a pantheon of Gods, including those fallen to Chaos. This worship would be considered heretical to the Imperial Cult, so they will go to unreasonable lengths to avoid working alongside those who would take issue with their faith.

Obsidian Order
Sci-fi show: The Cardassian intelligence agency from "Star Trek DS9"
Colors: Royal purple & sage green
Concept: a number of outside observers have noted that this chapter appears to have filled the niche left by the Night Lords. They are brutally efficient in their intelligence gathering efforts, as well as their wartime endeavors.

Peacekeepers
Sci-fi show: a ruthless military organization from "Farscape"
Colors: Black & red
Concept: The Peacekeepers were established in the Ultima Segmentum a century prior to the dispersal of te warp storm that revealed the modern Tau to the galaxy. Since the appearance, they have taken it upon themselves to "deter" imperial worlds from joining the burgeoning xenos empire, and making examples of any who do.

If Poems were Chapters

There are a number of homages to the literary word in the Warhammer universe. The two most obvious are the Raven Guard, who were derived from Edgar Allan Poe's "The Raven", and the Dark Angels who are based from Lionel Johnson's preeminent poem "Dark Angel."

There are probably a few more references around the 40k galaxy, but I'm not immediately familiar with them.

I thought it could be fun to pick through some other poems & turn them into their own Space Marine Chapters. Mind you, several of these chapters have *nothing* to do with with the poem, but then again neither does "Dark Angel."

Ashen Wraiths
Poem: "Ashes of Soldiers" by Walt Whitman
Colors: Light Grey with Dark Grey stripes 
Concept: Known for the eerie silence they bring to the battlefield, these Raven Guard successors inherited their founder's tactical acumen and albino skin.
Motto: "Draw close, but speak not"

Zephyr Knights
Poem: "Fast rode the Knight" by Stephen Crane
Colors: Silver with Green
Concept: A chapter from a medieval world, they are dedicated to sudden & devastating assaults, these marines specialize in bike and speeder tactics.
Warcry:"To save my lady!"

Dead Souls
Poem: "My Native Land" by Sir Walter Scott
Colors: Black with Gold accents
Concept: A fleet chapter well known for their nihilistic tendencies, they navigate the edges of the Eye of Terror as a constant guard. Fellow chapter the Dawn Hawks have rebuked them for their lack of piety, despite their excellent deeds.

Lunar Flames
Poem: "Carnal Apple, Woman Filled, Burning Moon" by Pablo Neruda
Colors: White & Crimson halved
Concept: Created to smoke out and punish heresy within imperial communities, this chapter is known for the numerous burnt cities they have left in their wake.

Dawn Hawks
Poem: "Hurt Hawks" by Robinson Jeffers
Colors: Yellow with Navy Blue
Concept: Shielded as much by faith as by armor the Dawn Hawks extoll the Emperor with every action. Stationed near the Eye of Terror they are frequently at odds with their allies the Dead Souls whose dour demeanor is a sharp contrast to their own exultation.