GW and Punny Names.

[Thornblood]

Eldargal, i didn't know you was that way inclined! (This is a joke before I get flamed).

Ultramarines. Maybe more of a reference, but the 's' makes it a pun?? Ultramarine is a standard artists colour (GW Ultramarine blue, maybe very slightly darker). GW simply named their chapter after the colour they were painted. Quite a good one as it already included the word marine.

No one would take me up on a chapter of Cerulions

[Unzuul the Lascivious]

The Necron Dynasty Thokt may reference the Egyptian God Thoth, who was considered the heart of the Egyptian pantheon of Gods (Egyptians considered the heart to be the centre of one's intelligence or the mind). One of Thoth's roles was to maintain the universe.
There are loads of Egyptian references when you look for them. I really like that this is the case for the new Necrons, although I do feel that perhaps it is pretty lazy just to keep referencing the past of humanity all the time. It seems a large chunk of stuff GW do is related either to historical past (Tau Empire is literally just the history of China) or just nicked off of Tolkein (Dwarves and Elves). In still love them though

[Wildeybeast]

It seems a large chunk of stuff GW do is related either to historical past (Tau Empire is literally just the history of China)

Really? I'm not an expert on Chinese history, but I don't recall a period of harmonious cooperation where every citizen was equally valued regardless of their role and they all worked together for the greater good of not just their own society but all the world. Though I do recall a period where such ideas were used as a cover for cultural censorship and the brutal repression of human rights...

[Psychosplodge]

Really? I'm not an expert on Chinese history, but I don't recall a period of harmonious cooperation where every citizen was equally valued regardless of their role and they all worked together for the greater good of not just their own society but all the world. Though I do recall a period where such ideas were used as a cover for cultural censorship and the brutal repression of human rights...

And the Tau's "Join us or die" is different to this how?

[MaltonNecromancer]

I'm still hoping we will see a Sappho reference in the proper SoB codex,

I can't see them being that subtle about subtext when it comes to girl-on-girl, if I'm honest.

[Wildeybeast]

And the Tau's "Join us or die" is different to this how?

It's a completely different ideology and way of implementing it. For a start, modern China has shown no real interest in compelling other nations/cultures to join it. If anything, they have been one of the most isolationist nations of the modern era, with only the likes of N Korea being more introverted.
Secondly, you say it like the Tau are annihilating anyone who doesn't agree with them, when in reality they are only fight until military resistance is overcome, they see no value in attacking civilians and genuinely want to incorporate all people into the Tau empire and regret any military action they have to take. They would much rather leave inclusion in the Empire to the diplomats and merchants of the water caste, which is always their first option. And again, China has shown little interest in taking over other nations (with a few notable exceptions and those have been ones that they regarding as traditionally 'belonging' to China).
Thirdly, China has sytematically repressed freedom of thought and cultural expression, both in its own lands and those they have occupied, whereas the Tau are generally quite happy to let people carry on with their customs and beliefs, so long as they work towards the greater good. For example, the Kroot are allowed to eat their defeated foes, despite the Tau revulsion to it, with the Tau hoping that their cultural influence will eventually 'educate' the Kroot. Human worlds are simply given Tau technology and allowed to bascially manage themselves, so long as they contribute to the Empire.

I agree that the design of the Tau has taken some influences from China, but they also have Japanese influence, along with a bunch of other stuff. I was simply trying to point out that making sweeping statements about any GW army being a straight rip off of any real life civilization fails to recognise that they are a mixture of influences and even sometimes a bit of stuff GW has thought of themselves.

[Hotsauceman]

It's a completely different ideology and way of implementing it. For a start, modern China has shown no real interest in compelling other nations/cultures to join it. If anything, they have been one of the most isolationist nations of the modern era, with only the likes of N Korea being more introverted.
Secondly, you say it like the Tau are annihilating anyone who doesn't agree with them, when in reality they are only fight until military resistance is overcome, they see no value in attacking civilians and genuinely want to incorporate all people into the Tau empire and regret any military action they have to take. They would much rather leave inclusion in the Empire to the diplomats and merchants of the water caste, which is always their first option. And again, China has shown little interest in taking over other nations (with a few notable exceptions and those have been ones that they regarding as traditionally 'belonging' to China).
Thirdly, China has sytematically repressed freedom of thought and cultural expression, both in its own lands and those they have occupied, whereas the Tau are generally quite happy to let people carry on with their customs and beliefs, so long as they work towards the greater good. For example, the Kroot are allowed to eat their defeated foes, despite the Tau revulsion to it, with the Tau hoping that their cultural influence will eventually 'educate' the Kroot. Human worlds are simply given Tau technology and allowed to bascially manage themselves, so long as they contribute to the Empire.

I read savages scars. They are very warlike. They at one point wish to send an ambassador with the message
"Join us or die"

[Lexington]

The 3rd Edition rulebook was rife with this stuff -off the top of my head, there was Techpriest Wilhelm Gaytes, who helped uncover what amounted to an early-era PC, a joking artistic representation of the [URL="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Three_wise_monkeys"]Three Wise Monkeys[/URL], and lots of hilarious, Emperor-centric inversions of joyful phrases ("Worship the Emperor today, for tomorrow we may die."). It's a joy.

Pretty sure the 'Ghazkhull = Thatcher' thing is an internet myth, tho.

[Thornblood]

Pretty sure the 'Ghazkhull = Thatcher' thing is an internet myth, tho.

Never heard of that one before. Am now going to be calling my special character Ghazaghull Mag Uruk Thatcher. He empowers and motivates the working class. (I am completely down with the fact that this was never intentional, however I am going to enjoy it).

[Night System]

Pretty sure the 'Ghazkhull = Thatcher' thing is an internet myth, tho.

Mag Uruk Thraka does sound a lot like Margaret Thatcher, the book in which he was first mentioned was Waaargh: Orks which came out in her final year of power.

Also Thatchers nickname was the Iron Lady. Guess who wears Mega Armour :P
Games Workshop have always added little references here and there throughout the 40k back-story, i don't see why this wouldn't be.