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As the title suggests, isn't it a little odd that a traitor legion's name still mentions the emperor? Is it supposed to be ironic, or insulting, or something?

I mean, the luna wolves changed their once to the sons of horus, and again after the heresy to the black legion. So, there's a precedent for traitor legions to change their name.

IDK, it always just struck me as odd that the legion named 'emperor's children' are anything but, these days. I think they still prominently display their pre-heresy imperial eagle insignia.

Not really, it is basically the ultimate insult to the imperium that you can have. That the loyalist troops of the imperium are now the most traitorous. I'm fairly certain they still shout for the emperor too.

LOOK AT ME NOW DAD!!!

It's a reminder to everyone who sees them or is in conflict with them that the emperor created them and trusted them. It shows his fallibility, in fact it's a continuous, in your face, universal reference to the terrible mistake you made.

I imagine it could even be a psychological catalyst when attempting to convert a loyalist marine or really any imperial citizen. "We were his most loyal followers, then we realized he's horse gak and now we're fething up all of you" is probably a pretty powerful frame of thought to inject into a loyal citizen when their buddies are slaughtered around you or you have them chained up after destroying their home world.

It could easily fool people into thinking that the emperor created them to seek perfection and they ended up as chaos marines. Therefore, chaos must be perfection, right? Or the emperor failed miserably.

Either one of those thoughts could easily start one down the road to heresy.

AncientSkarbrand wrote:
It's a reminder to everyone who sees them or is in conflict with them that the emperor created them and trusted them. It shows his fallibility, in fact it's a continuous, in your face, universal reference to the terrible mistake you made.

I imagine it could even be a psychological catalyst when attempting to convert a loyalist marine or really any imperial citizen. "We were his most loyal followers, then we realized he's horse gak and now we're fething up all of you" is probably a pretty powerful frame of thought to inject into a loyal citizen when their buddies are slaughtered around you or you have them chained up after destroying their home world.

It could easily fool people into thinking that the emperor created them to seek perfection and they ended up as chaos marines. Therefore, chaos must be perfection, right? Or the emperor failed miserably.

Either one of those thoughts could easily start one down the road to heresy.

^This. Also, it's meant to be taken sarcastically. Like the term "Social Justice Warrior." In fact, the Emperor's Children didn't just keep their name, they kept their war cry too. It's a different level of horrifying when the supersoldiers who are horribly torturing, violating, and slaughtering you and your family are shouting, "Children of the Emperor! Death to his foes!"

http://wh40k.lexicanum.com/wiki/Emperor%27s_Children

"Only in one matter has Marine tradition been completely maintained. The Chapter name has been retained unchanged throughout the Legion's exile. Successive Legion Commanders have taken pleasure (unsurprisingly) in reaffirming the Legion's title. It has become a direct and grievous insult to the grandeur of the 'false' Emperor and his staid Imperium" ~ Realms of Chaos: Slaves to Darkness, page 263

It's ironic that's why they keep it in

Spite

because

What do you suggest instead, OP?

The Emperor's Very Naughty Boys?

 welshhoppo wrote:
Not really, it is basically the ultimate insult to the imperium that you can have. That the loyalist troops of the imperium are now the most traitorous. I'm fairly certain they still shout for the emperor too.

That would be the Alpha Legion.

EC's battle cry is "Children of the Emperor! Death to his foes!"