Board Thread:Warhammer 40k General Discussion/@comment-173.63.107.112-20131007004020/@comment-66.206.224.153-20140130141113

Let me introduce you to the Astral Mariners or Ultramariners (name subject to change)!

Their motto is Plus Ultra (further beyond). This has a lot of meanings. It alludes to the fact that the Astral Mariners specialize in deep space intelligence gathering, and often venture into the furthest reaches of the largely uncharted Eastern Fringe and beyond. It also signifies that they are constantly adapting, training and generally improving their capabilities so that they are prepared for any situation and never fail when the time comes to impose the Emperor's will and neutralize a threat.

Their symbol is very easy to type: $ (actually, there should be two bars, as on a proper ancient Terran dollar sign). The dollar sign is likely derived from the impresa of Holy Roman Emperor Charles V of M2 Terra, the king of Spain in the years following the discovery of the Americas. This impresa featured the Pillars of Hercules, a legendary portal to the Atlantic Ocean that marked the Westernmost travels of a great hero and, supposedly, the limits of human endeavor, supporting the crown and bearing (unfurled in a sort of "S" shape) the motto "Plus Ultra." The Pillars of Hercules thus came to signify humanity's unyielding desire to spread "beyond the sea" (ultramarinus)* and, much later, beyond the stars themselves. It appeared on the Spanish coat of arms, Spanish currency, and the American/Canadian dollar sign is believed to be an echo of this.


 * The primary reason the Ultramarines are so-called is because, more than any other chapter, they are from "ultramarinus" (beyond the sea), in this case a far-flung system in the Eastern Fringe.

The Mariners keep to the 1,000 troop Codex limit and are successors of the Ultramarines (not sure which founding, an early one though). Their home base is their Battle Barge, which is usually inhabited by the Chapter Master and one full company, as well as hundreds of serfs. Companies organize themselves into patrol fleets, which embark on centuries-long expeditions into the Eastern Fringe and "look for trouble."

More on them later, maybe...