I ran across the concept of Space Marine Masters on lexicanum:

http://wh40k.lexicanum.com/wiki/Master_%28Space_Marine%29

I find the notion of titles for each company captain a very cool idea. Evocative titles and suggestions on what sort of personality would suit each role. A "Lord Executioner" and a "Master of the Fleet" suggest a bigger difference than captains of the 8th and 4th company respectively.

Anyone else find a use for these concepts in their games? Character backgrounds, NPCs, etc?

Edit: My 1000th post!

I believe these titles go back to 3rd Edition, where they've showed up for the first time in Codex:SM .

A difficulty for adding them to a DW game would be that they're essentially administrative roles deeply connected to a Chapter's local organisation. Deathwatch Captains, on the other hand, all seem to have the same job - although here it may become important on whether you prefer GW's material or FFG's, as one treats them as squad leaders whilst the other features them as garrison commanders.

That being said, it is possible to craft an interpretation of the setting that incorporates and merges both positions under the same rank, using a title system much like it exists within GW's Chapter description. For example, perhaps the Watch Captain is just a title for those Deathwatch Captains who are garrison commanders, whilst there would be other titles for other roles. Titles connected to a specific location should obviously have said locale in its name, too (" Watch Captain of Talasa Prime ").

For personae below the rank of Captain (probably the vast majority of player characters), there could be other positions of honour - both within the Deathwatch as well as titles from their Chapter (example: the Spear of Ultramar ), which they may be allowed to keep during their service, even if they no longer fulfill that function during their service for the Inquisition. The latter would thus be more of a background element, but could or even should be connected to something the character can do well in terms of game mechanics.

Also don't forget that characters may earn such titles as part of a campaign, based on various heroic or infamous deeds they committed. "[name], the Saviour of X", "[name], Protector of Y", "[name], the Scourge of Z", and so on. Arguably, such honours should be rewarded sparingly so as to not dilute their value, but if everyone agrees that one of them did something epic during the conclusion of a campaign, why not.

Using such titles may even yield a reputation-based effect on certain groups that may place special consideration upon the attached meaning. To borrow from another game and setting: the Dragon Age RPG had a list of titles complete with effects, such as a character who consistently built up a reputation as a devout warrior exemplifying the virtues of the Andrastrian Chantry being granted the title "Herald of Andraste", and henceforth enjoying a bonus in respect when interacting with the deeply religious peasantry. It's not hard to see how this could be ported over into 40k just by changing a few names.

For personae below the rank of Captain (probably the vast majority of player characters), there could be other positions of honour - both within the Deathwatch as well as titles from their Chapter (example: the Spear of Ultramar ), which they may be allowed to keep during their service, even if they no longer fulfill that function during their service for the Inquisition. The latter would thus be more of a background element, but could or even should be connected to something the character can do well in terms of game mechanics.

I agree. I had the idea of 'Sergeants of the Keep' and Castelleans as ranks below Captain for Marines who might brief individual Kill Teams and run the Watch Keeps/Fortresses respectively.

I agree. I had the idea of 'Sergeants of the Keep' and Castelleans as ranks below Captain for Marines who might brief individual Kill Teams and run the Watch Keeps/Fortresses respectively.

Now that makes me think of the title of a Sergeant-at-Arms, too.

I agree. I had the idea of 'Sergeants of the Keep' and Castelleans as ranks below Captain for Marines who might brief individual Kill Teams and run the Watch Keeps/Fortresses respectively.

Now that makes me think of the title of a Sergeant-at-Arms, too.

Yes! Actually I somewhat had that in mind but thought Sergeant of the Keep seemed more appropriate for the Deathwatch.

A high level Brother-Keeper would surely count as a master. They are entrusted with grave responsibilities, such as securing unique doomsday weapons.

Those titles are positions in the Chapter hierarchy and like it was already said, a Deathwatch member is not likely to hold such a position.

In background they are fitting (either a PC has held one of those titles or a Deathwatch captain has had one before he started his tour in the Deathwatch) and may be used to explain why a character knows certain things. Like a former Master of the fleet being very knowledgeable about naval battles.

Maybe the aforementioned Master of the Fleet will take over the command of a space battle due to his experience for example. (If the Master is a NPC it could mean that one of the PCs gets to command all the Deathwatch assets in his place since the Captain is busy commanding the ships?)