IA - Imperial Shields (LASC 2019)

[Bruce Malcom]

It looks very simple. Does it reflect the Astartes' direct, "Get to the point!" attitudes, and the disdain they have towards overly complex rituals, plans and organizations that have many potential points-of-failure? Or will high-ranking and/or long-serving Astartes be allowed to embellish the shield with honor markings?

Bit of both. They don't do many rituals and they look at organizations like the Inquisition with distain...but they know the power of inspiration. Its one thing to be saved by an Astartes. Its another to be saved by a mighty warrior marked with a lion or sword on his shield. Certain symbols are recognized by the chapter's marines, and who needs a Chaplin when a heroic hero of the chapter arrives.

[Bruce Malcom]

 

An Imperial Shield, in the flesh (or ceramite armor, but whatever)

[Bjorn Firewalker]

The color scheme looks good. Is the chest Aquila copper-colored? Do the Shields (and the Hammers before them) see themselves as "coppers," i.e., enforcers of the Emperor's law?

[Bruce Malcom]

The color scheme looks good. Is the chest Aquila copper-colored? Do the Shields (and the Hammers before them) see themselves as "coppers," i.e., enforcers of the Emperor's law?

While Shields (but not Hammers) do handle stuff that usually is covered by Enforcers, they do not see themselves as true law enforcement. In actuality they're very lenient when on the job and rarely, if at all, do they perform grimdark acts while helping out enforcing law. The grimdark counterbalance with them is simply they are less than a thousand, yet the galaxy is billions of planets all being despoiled, bashed, or even cracked open.