Board Thread:Warhammer 40k General Discussion/@comment-72.15.97.37-20121205193921/@comment-24579946-20160705093702

Aldaron The Hunter 96 wrote: Here is something I put together inspired by this conversation. We established that of course the legions drew from everywhere on Terra, but here is a legions by primary country and culture of foundation and recruitment in my perspective.

1.Luna Wolves- Italy 2.Ultramarines- France 3.War Hounds- Hungary 4.Blood Angels- Switzerland 5.Emperors Children- Austria 6.Imperial Fists- Germany 7.Dusk Raiders- Albania 8.Night Lords- Romania 9.Raven Guard- Croatia 10.Imperial Heralds- Spain 11.Salamanders- Algeria 12.Iron Warriors- Russia 13.White Scars- Mongolian expanse 14.Alpha Legion- Ireland 15.Iron Hands- UK 16.Dark Angels- Denmark 17.Space Wolves- Sweden 18.Thousand Sons- Iran

Thoughts? This is pretty great, but a lot of these seem rather puzzling to me.

For one, I'd recommend matching the Legions to historical nations, not modern ones: yes, they are often very similar, but there are still differences.

The first one that I think is completely surprising is the Ultramarines: what on earth have they got in common with France? To me they are quite obviously inspired by the ancient Roman Empire, but I'd be very curious to see on what you base this? If you're thinking of the Napoleonic Empire, I might be able to understand, but ultimately Napoleon picked up a lot of inspiration from the Roman Empire too.

Now, in Legion order:

I-Why would the Dark Angels be descended from Denmark? France and England are better known for their chivalric traditions then Denmark, and I'm not even certain that Denmark even had a monastic order of Chivalry? Chivalric Orders, especially Monastic ones, aren't particularly close to Protestantism in my books, so I'd welcome an explanation as to why you see them as protestants? (also, Denmark is far from being the only protestant country in Europe, so the protestantism argument isn't sufficient for Dark Angels coming from Denmark)

III - I'm surprised to see Austria, though I'd never really had an idea of where they could come from so can't disagree. Could you expand on your reasons?

IV - Instinctively, I'd have said that the Iron Warriors were german with some assyrian/babylonian aesthetics, but your assessment of their mentality as russians (perhaps more specifically the meat grinders of the Soviets) is convincing

V - No argument

VI - As others have said, limiting Space Wolves to just Sweden is a bit limiting, probably Scandinavia as a whole? I have to be honnest, never really grasped where the Celtic influence was said to come in, but I think GW themselves have officially spoken about supposedly celtic influences so I can't say (no sources on that)

VII - Once again I'd probably extend fists to the whole Holy Roman Empire then just Germany, but otherwise no argument

VIII - Transylvanian Vampires? Yes please :)

IX - Why Switzerland? The Blood Angels don't seem to isolationnist to me, they've always been depicted as quite outgoing. They're also supposed to be great artists and thinkers, so instinctively I'd say Renaissance Italy, though I haven't really got any argument for it.

X - Again I'd thought of some elements of the Persian Empire ("Immortals"), but Scots Highlanders seems more logical indeed.

XII - Why Hungary? Instinctively I'd say Roman Gladiators but that's not very useful? I'd be interested in seeing your thought process?

XIII - Already mentionned

XIV - Seems okay to me, though some suggest Albia could be England rather then Albania.

XV - I'd probably replace "Iran" with "Mesopotamia" (Babylonia specifically) and Ancient Egyptians: There are certain internal differences in the Thousand Sons (not exactly divisions) that fit better with the Ancient Egyptians, and Iran has more islamic influences then the Mesopotamian part of the Thousand Sons.

XVI - Why? Romulus for the Wolf part? For me the Luna Wolves have quite a harsh side to their nature, rather then Italian flourishes.

XVII - Hum, why not.

XVIII - Huh? I'd actually think that Promethean "Holy Cities" were even closer to Mesopotamian great cities (Babylonia, Assyria, etc.) and the Promethean cult has some ressemblances to parts of Zoroastrian faith (I think, I'm not up-to-date on the Zoroastrian faith)

XIX - Why especially Croatia? I'm not contradicting, I'm curious?

XX - Huh?