Need Help: Chapter Creation

[William The Conqueror]

I'm making my own space marine chapter, but need help picking a symbol and name for them. The idea I've had for a symbol so far is a pair of cross keys. The little M shape on the end is a kind of homage to the University I'm attending, and I really like how easily it is to throw roman numerals, little skulls, and what-not around it for what ever reason you might want to, and it still looks decent. however, the catholic church's symbol is also a pair of crossed keys, and I don't want to get into a debate everytime I try to play. Do you think that would be an issue? also, what kind of name could I give them. I was thinking if I went with the keys design, possibly something like "the gate keepers," but whenever I hear that I think of ghost busters...

I'd appreciate any ideas you have that you think could help

[Bubble Ghost]

If any of your opponents moan about misuse of Catholic imagery, they really haven't thought through the game they're playing - the whole of 40K's background is basically the Catholic church in space. I wouldn't have thought many of the believers who do play this game are likely to be ones who'd have a problem with your borrowing a fairly generic symbol. I definitely don't think it's crossing any sort of line, anyway, and if you ever did run into a problem with it, the offended party would be the one who was being unreasonable, not you. I wouldn't worry about that.

As far as names go, keys can be metaphors for all sorts of things, you can go outside the box with it a bit rather than referring literally to something to do with locks or keys. Gatekeepers is pretty meaty and pompous-sounding though, and that's what you want in a chapter name (and I wouldn't worry about the Ghostbusters thing, the word is much broader than that - it might occur to people, but no one's going to think it's too 'Ghostbustersy' to be a chapter name). It could be for some reason as literal as their homeworld guarding a particularly treacherous or important passage of space, or it could be something more symbolic - maybe they're rabidly anti-psyker or anti-Chaos or something and see themselves as the 'gatekeepers' of the soul. Or you could have them all mysterious and arcane, guarding the 'gate' to the knowledge they felt was too dangerous for others. You get the idea.

[Konovalev]

I'd be surprised if many people would recognize the keys as St. Peters keys in Catholic symbology so I wouldn't worry about that. Besides, as said above keys are fairly generic symbols in their own right.

Expanding on the "gatekeeper" name idea, what about something like "Guardians of Eternity"? Consider also being a little more abstract with the key idea, so you're not just limited to gates, doors, chests, locks etc. But the purpose of such things: guard, guardian, keeper, protector. or what might be in/beyond whatever the keys unlock: knowledge, power and so on.

Have fun painting crossed keys on anything smaller than a banner though... maybe paint locks on marine shoulders/vehicles to tie into it?

[Charistoph]

What does the "M" on the key signify, if we may ask? That may help narrow things down for a name as well.

If you don't mind getting a little "toony" you could model one of the keys like Kingdom Hearts keyblades, or reverse that and use crossed chainswords with the "M" on the handles.

Depending on your stylistic preference, you could then either go Crusader with the Black Templar tabard or Monk with the Dark Angel robes to keep up with some of the older Catholic themes as well (or heck, use both!).

[Aliarzathanil]

Rift Wardens
Iron Castellons
Oathsworn Brothers

[William The Conqueror]

Sorry for not responding, was very busy this weekend. I definitely think being more abstract with the name could help. I guess it's probably a matter of keeping the name meaty and pompous sounding, as bubblr ghost said, to keep the cool factor, but also making it distinct enough that it can convey some kind of story.

I know it would be really tought to paint on the mini's, especially with my butter fingers. I was actually planning on getting some transfer paper and making my own decals to apply.

As for the M's on the keys, they are kind of distorted Block-M's. It's an homage to the university of Michigan, where I'm going to school.

actually, considering that the M represents my university, maybe I should base my fluff around the collection or protection of knowledge?

[William The Conqueror]

What does the "M" on the key signify, if we may ask? That may help narrow things down for a name as well.

The M's are distorted block M's. Block M's are the symbol or logo for the University of Michigan, Where I'm going to school. as far as game fluff, it has no meaning. yet.

[Paul 8v]

The logo looks good but as above it'll be a real pain to paint. Maybe somewhere will be able to make transfers. The ghost buster thing never popped into my head until you mentioned it so I wouldn't worry about that.

[Charistoph]

Apparently the word Michigan means large water after going through a couple languages. The mascot for the school is the wolverine. Combining all that with a key concept could be interesting.

Any thoughts on a color scheme? Stick with the schools colors, or branch out?

As for the fluff, going with knowledge seekers is good, and keys were often associated with those who secured the forbidden. Could also make them fleet-based and/or obsessed with vehicles (Detroit tie-in).

[S_A_T_S]

Love the logo, very cool. I'd keep the references to real places really subtle - it feels less imaginative and a bit lazy, also makes it harder for the reader to get into/believe the story if they are thinking of some present day town.

Gatekeeper/protector of knowledge idea is also great, makes me think Knights Templar/Eldar Harlequins, which are both very cool and secretive. Can't wait to see a plog!

[Paul 8v]

How about having a special chapter specific vehicle called the wolverine to tie in with the Michigan thing?

[Paul 8v]

Before anyone says, I know there's a real one called the wolverine but I can't see William making much use of a mobile space marine bridge...

[Arthanor]

How about something like: the "Gate Smashers" or the "Gate Breakers", depending on whether you want violent marines (smashers) or tactical ones (breakers). Your chapter are the keys, they are the ones who open up Xeno/Heretic defenses.

[Daniel36]

You could create a very intriguing background story with such a logo and basic idea. It all feels a bit Templarish, a bit Dan Brownish.
I would go for a successor chapter to the Dark Angels, perhaps tie your story with theirs in some way. After all, they also have some pretty dark secrets right there, perhaps one of those secrets is guarded by your chapter?

[William The Conqueror]

I love all these ideas. I especially like the idea of a Dark Angels successor chapter. If I do decide to go with the whole "protection of knowledge" thing, this would probably be the best fit.

And, as weird as it sounds (especially with the Michigan M in the logo), I was thinking of painting my marines in a green and white color scheme simply because I really like the scheme I came up with, and I refuse to let my hatred of little brother sully my love of the color green. (though it does feel very heretical and blasphemous. #^$* state!).

as for army type, I plan on using large amount of infantry with cc weapons and bolt pistols (power sword bits, used as cc weps) all in rhinos with terminators to deep strike in. very "in your face," I think. so, maybe I'll use the templars codex, to fit the fight style, and incorporate some aspects of the black templars, but make the chapter a successor of the Dark angels in terms of fluff.

Possible color scheme below. Think using michigan state's colors might make too little sense?

[Charistoph]

Looks good. As a warning, a good white can be difficult to pull off, good luck!

Are you planning on something with the aguila on the chest? You may want to continue the green there, but it's your army.

[Grimdesign]

I love all these ideas. I especially like the idea of a Dark Angels successor chapter. If I do decide to go with the whole "protection of knowledge" thing, this would probably be the best fit.

And, as weird as it sounds (especially with the Michigan M in the logo), I was thinking of painting my marines in a green and white color scheme simply because I really like the scheme I came up with, and I refuse to let my hatred of little brother sully my love of the color green. (though it does feel very heretical and blasphemous. #^$* state!).

as for army type, I plan on using large amount of infantry with cc weapons and bolt pistols (power sword bits, used as cc weps) all in rhinos with terminators to deep strike in. very "in your face," I think. so, maybe I'll use the templars codex, to fit the fight style, and incorporate some aspects of the black templars, but make the chapter a successor of the Dark angels in terms of fluff.

Possible color scheme below. Think using michigan state's colors might make too little sense?

Seeing as how you like the protectors angle, you could go with the following:

Warden (they guard the guilty, or guard xyz)
vindicator (avenger/protector of xyz)
guardian (self explanatory)
sentinel (keeper, protector)
Cerberus (guardian of Hades, the underworld)
Praetorian (were the corrupted protectors of Rome)
Shepard (watches the flock)
guard (self explanatory)
Deacon (conceals truth, knowledge)

of course you have to add either a prefix or a suffix to really make it distinct. The first choice is often a color (grey knights) or you can add something flavorful like a mood or emotion or a planet etc etc.
Green (Green Guardian sounds very DC, Marvel to me)
Grim (Grim Wardens, The Vindicators Grim, The Grim Shepards, Etc)
Emerald (Emerald guard, Emerald Deacons, etc)
savage (Savage Guard, The Deacons Savage)

that's all I have at the moment.

[Paul 8v]

How about something like: the "Gate Smashers" or the "Gate Breakers", depending on whether you want violent marines (smashers) or tactical ones (breakers). Your chapter are the keys, they are the ones who open up Xeno/Heretic defenses.

Gate Smashers sounds a bit too Keith Lemon...

The colours look good, I've used the new shades or washes or whatever you want to call them and they work really well with white so it might be worth having a look into them

[terradax]

Haven't had time to read all the posts, so I might be stealing someones ideas :P
Really liked the "Gatekeepers" name, and maybe they could be a crusading force without a homeplanet, and their main base of operation is the Cadian Gate (see what I did there?).
Of course, for your Chapter Master, captains and maybe even sergeants you should get a lot of small keys. There are several in the Empire flagellant set.
You could even go as far as sculpting a key sword for your captain like this one.
Good luck to you!

[William The Conqueror]

Haven't had time to read all the posts, so I might be stealing someones ideas :P
Really liked the "Gatekeepers" name, and maybe they could be a crusading force without a homeplanet, and their main base of operation is the Cadian Gate (see what I did there?).
Of course, for your Chapter Master, captains and maybe even sergeants you should get a lot of small keys. There are several in the Empire flagellant set.
You could even go as far as sculpting a key sword for your captain like this one.

Good luck to you!

Really like the idea of adding small keys all around, that could really help to tie everything together. unfortunately I'm not so good with greenstuff yet, so a key-sword might have to wait a little while.