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Author Topic: Need a new group name  (Read 2140 times)

Sobek

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« on: March 19, 2006, 10:28:04 PM »
Okay, this one has bothered me for years, and I haven't come up with a solution on my own, so it's time to seek help.
 
My homebrew has existed for over 20 years, since I was in junior high.  It's got a lot of good things in it, but it also has some... erm... leftovers from my more juvenile days, which I've been slowly purging.
 
In this case, I've got an elite, evil group of soldiers.  They're psions, trained from birth to do a few specific things.  Typical MO is to teleport into a place, kill some people, and teleport out (this worked better under 1E/2E psionics than 3E, but whatever).  These guys are the elitist of the tools at the disposal of a very dark empire of humans.
 
So, in 1985 or so, I decided to call them "Stormtroopers".  :sigh:  The name bothers the shit out of me, now.  Any alternative suggestions?  I can pass off the old name as being a localized translation, so no continuity issues.
 

Sojourner Judas

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« Reply #1 on: March 19, 2006, 11:45:35 PM »
The 3rd Imperial Mindstorm Dragoons

Give 'em a military feel.
 

FraserRonald

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Need a new group name
« Reply #2 on: March 20, 2006, 07:46:26 AM »
I think Sojourner Jones has a good idea. Depending on the atmosphere of the game, such a military name might not have any connection to their actual powers.

Dragoons would imply riding into battle but fighting on foot, which is an interesting allusion to what they actual do--they may not ride a horse into battle, but they do "travel" to their destination.

Also, they might not be considered a military unit. So they might be attached to another government organ, like the Foreign Service or Justice. If this is something like Rome or the Byzantines, the agents might have titles like Tribune or even Magistrate. Also, there might be something more attached. State Tribune. Magistrate for State Security. Justiciar for Capital Crimes.

Maddman

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« Reply #3 on: March 20, 2006, 09:43:23 AM »
The Shadow Knives.  So named because they emerge from the shadows, strike their foes down, then vanish back into the darkness.
I have a theory, it could be witches, some evil witches!
Which is ridiculous 'cause witches they were persecuted Wicca good and love the earth and women power and I’ll be over here.
-- Xander, Once More With Feeling
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Sobek

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« Reply #4 on: March 20, 2006, 09:54:30 AM »
Quote from: FraserRonald
I think Sojourner Jones has a good idea. Depending on the atmosphere of the game, such a military name might not have any connection to their actual powers.

Hmm... Yeah, I like this train of thought.  Technically, they are attached to the branch of military responsible for the defense of the Emperor, rather than the army or navy.  It's still a military organization, but it may be a lot like a paranoid, psionic, "idealized" Mosad.
 

Ragnarok N Roll

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« Reply #5 on: March 20, 2006, 10:30:30 AM »
The Righteous Inquisitors of the Prophecy
"God is dead" - Nietzsche

"Nietzsche is dead" - God.

Knightcrawler

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« Reply #6 on: March 20, 2006, 02:11:03 PM »
Black Hand

Red Shadow

Emperor's Hand

Talons
Knightcrawler

"I Am Become Death, Destroyer Of Worlds"

Name Lips

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« Reply #7 on: March 20, 2006, 02:24:24 PM »
Scry n' Fryers!

No?

'Port n' Mort?

Hmmm....

Other people have likely heard mostly rumors of these guys. Chances are they haven't thought of a very poetic name. "The Empire's Assassins" would probably be how they're mentioned in hushed tavern conversations.

But what do they call themselves? Probably they believe in what they're doing. They might give themselves a name that is noble and inspiring. Maybe "Enlighteners." They view themselves as bringing forth truth and illumination by eliminating ideas (and the people who spread them) which oppose the Empire.
Next phase, new wave, dance craze, anyways, it's still rock and roll to me.

You can talk all you want about theory, craft, or whatever. But in the end, it's still just new ways of looking at people playing make-believe and having a good time with their friends. Intellectualize or analyze all you want, but we've been playing the same game since we were 2 years old. We just have shinier books, spend more money, and use bigger words now.

Knightcrawler

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« Reply #8 on: March 20, 2006, 02:38:21 PM »
The Bringers, as in bringers of death.
Knightcrawler

"I Am Become Death, Destroyer Of Worlds"

tleilaxu

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« Reply #9 on: March 20, 2006, 05:24:20 PM »
The Pwnanators

or

The Red Guard!
at the moment of sacrifice let no blood be spilled!

Reefer Madness

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« Reply #10 on: March 20, 2006, 06:33:50 PM »
how about just an "Eye" and each of them can have it tattooed on their forehead
Turning all of our children into hooligans and whores its Reefer Madness.
Anti-wrinkle cream there may be, but anti-fat-bastard cream there is not.  -Dave

Sobek

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« Reply #11 on: March 21, 2006, 09:35:33 AM »
Quote from: Reefer Madness
how about just an "Eye" and each of them can have it tattooed on their forehead

That might have a negative impact on the sleeper agents.  I like the simplicity of the name, though.
 

Reefer Madness

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« Reply #12 on: March 21, 2006, 04:53:48 PM »
Quote from: Sobek
That might have a negative impact on the sleeper agents.  I like the simplicity of the name, though.



hmm maybe a magic tattoo that only the members can see, and only apears to normal people before they are about to die (you can have a witness, such as a servant, witness this and start the gossip ball rolling) and then you can have wantabe's with a false tattoo
Turning all of our children into hooligans and whores its Reefer Madness.
Anti-wrinkle cream there may be, but anti-fat-bastard cream there is not.  -Dave

Sojourner Judas

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« Reply #13 on: March 21, 2006, 09:16:08 PM »
Quote from: Reefer Madness
hmm maybe a magic tattoo that only the members can see, and only apears to normal people before they are about to die (you can have a witness, such as a servant, witness this and start the gossip ball rolling) and then you can have wantabe's with a false tattoo
Could be interesting. A sort of "By the time you see the mark, you're already dead" thing.
 

Reefer Madness

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« Reply #14 on: March 21, 2006, 09:43:18 PM »
Quote from: Sojourner Judas
Could be interesting. A sort of "By the time you see the mark, you're already dead" thing.



yeah, and then you add in gossip of people who may or may not have seen them and people dont have a clue on what exactly to fear, but they still live in some fear...
Turning all of our children into hooligans and whores its Reefer Madness.
Anti-wrinkle cream there may be, but anti-fat-bastard cream there is not.  -Dave