Mortarion: The Death Lord of the Death Guard and His Grim Legacy
Mortarion, the Death Lord of the Death Guard, stands as one of the most formidable and tragic figures in the Warhammer 40,000 universe. His tale is one of hardship, betrayal, and ultimately, damnation. This article delves into the origins, rise, and current status of Mortarion, exploring his influence on the Death Guard and the wider Imperium of Man.
Early Life on Barbarus
Mortarion’s early life was steeped in hardship. Born on the toxic, mountainous world of Barbarus, he was abandoned as an infant and left to die in the poisonous fogs that perpetually blanketed the lower reaches of the planet. Barbarus was ruled by cruel warlords who resided in the relatively clear air at the mountain peaks, preying on the human populations below. Mortarion, however, possessed an unnatural resilience. He survived the toxins and grew at an accelerated rate, eventually being found and raised by one of the warlords, a being of immense power and cruelty.
Under this warlord’s tutelage, Mortarion learned the arts of war and strategy. He quickly surpassed his master in these skills, but also grew to despise the warlord’s tyranny and the suffering he inflicted on the human populace. Mortarion eventually rebelled, leading a revolt against the warlords. He gathered followers from among the oppressed humans, teaching them tactics and resilience, and led them in a guerilla war against their oppressors. His resistance became a symbol of hope for the people of Barbarus.
Mortarion’s rebellion gained momentum, but he was unable to reach the warlords’ fortresses atop the mountains due to the extreme toxicity of the air at those altitudes. He needed a way to overcome this obstacle to truly liberate his people.
The Arrival of the Emperor
It was during this stalemate that the Emperor of Mankind arrived on Barbarus as part of the Great Crusade. The Emperor, sensing Mortarion’s strength and potential, offered him command of the Death Guard Legion, one of the twenty Space Marine Legions created from the Emperor’s own gene-seed. Mortarion, initially wary, eventually accepted the Emperor’s offer, seeing it as a means to finally defeat the warlords and liberate his people. He was reunited with his gene-sons, warriors as resilient and stoic as himself, and together they joined the Great Crusade.
Mortarion led the Death Guard with grim determination, earning a reputation for their tenacity and ability to endure even the most hostile environments. They were often deployed to planets with toxic atmospheres or during prolonged sieges, where their resilience was a distinct advantage. Mortarion’s hatred of psykers and sorcery also became a defining characteristic of the Death Guard, stemming from his experiences on Barbarus, where the warlords often employed dark arts.
Despite his successes, Mortarion harbored resentment towards the Emperor. He felt that the Emperor had robbed him of his victory over the warlords of Barbarus, as the Emperor himself easily defeated Mortarion’s former master in a single stroke. This resentment, coupled with his distrust of psykers, made him vulnerable to the whispers of Chaos.
The Horus Heresy and Corruption by Nurgle
During the Horus Heresy, Mortarion sided with Horus against the Emperor. His reasons were complex, stemming from his aforementioned resentment and a growing disillusionment with the Emperor’s vision for humanity. He believed the Emperor was a tyrant who sought to control humanity’s destiny, and Horus offered an alternative, a vision of freedom and self-determination. Of course, this was a lie, a manipulation by the Chaos Gods.
The Death Guard’s journey to join Horus was a pivotal moment in Mortarion’s fall. Trapped in the Warp during a Warp jump, the Death Guard were beset by a deadly plague. Nurgle, the Chaos God of disease and decay, offered Mortarion a way out: embrace the plague and become his champion. Mortarion, desperate to save his sons, reluctantly accepted Nurgle’s offer. This act of desperation damned him and his Legion, transforming them into the Plague Marines of Nurgle.
Mortarion himself ascended to daemonhood, becoming a towering figure of rot and decay. He gained immense power, but at the cost of his soul and the souls of his sons. The Death Guard, once symbols of resilience, became embodiments of disease and pestilence, spreading Nurgle’s blessings across the galaxy. The transformation was brutal and complete.
Mortarion’s Current Status and Influence
In the current era of the Warhammer 40,000 setting, Mortarion remains a powerful and active force. He leads the Death Guard in their relentless campaigns to spread Nurgle’s plagues throughout the Imperium. He is a master strategist and a formidable warrior, capable of single-handedly turning the tide of battle. Mortarion’s presence is a constant threat to the Imperium, and his actions have profound consequences for the galaxy.
Mortarion’s homeworld of Barbarus has become a plague-ridden daemon world, a testament to his corruption and Nurgle’s influence. From this festering realm, he launches his attacks, spreading disease and despair wherever he goes. He is a constant source of new plagues and infections, always seeking new ways to test the resilience of the Imperium.
The Death Guard, under Mortarion’s command, are a relentless and terrifying force. They are immune to pain and fatigue, and their bodies are riddled with disease, making them incredibly difficult to kill. They are masters of siege warfare and attrition, slowly grinding down their enemies with relentless assaults and debilitating plagues. They are a constant threat to the Imperium, and their presence is a sign of Nurgle’s growing power.
Mortarion’s influence extends beyond the battlefield. He is a master manipulator, capable of corrupting entire populations and turning them against the Imperium. He preys on the weak and vulnerable, offering them salvation through Nurgle’s embrace. His promises are empty, but his influence is undeniable.
Mortarion in the Psychic Awakening and Beyond
During the Psychic Awakening, Mortarion played a significant role, leading the Death Guard in a series of devastating campaigns across the galaxy. He sought to establish new footholds for Nurgle’s influence and spread his plagues to new worlds. His actions during this time further solidified his position as one of the Imperium’s greatest enemies.
In recent events, Mortarion has continued to be a major player in the ongoing conflicts of the 41st millennium. He remains a constant threat to the Imperium, and his actions will undoubtedly have profound consequences for the future of the galaxy. The tale of Mortarion serves as a cautionary example of the dangers of resentment, betrayal, and the seductive power of Chaos. He is a tragic figure, a victim of circumstance and his own choices, but also a formidable foe who will continue to plague the Imperium for millennia to come.
The legacy of Mortarion is one of decay and disease, a grim reminder of the horrors that lurk in the galaxy. His story serves as a warning against the dangers of unchecked ambition and the corrupting influence of Chaos. Mortarion, once a hero, is now a symbol of despair, a testament to the destructive power of Nurgle. Understanding Mortarion and his Death Guard is crucial for comprehending the threats facing the Imperium of Man. The specter of Mortarion hangs heavy over the galaxy, a constant reminder of the fragility of hope and the ever-present threat of decay. Mortarion’s actions continue to shape the grim darkness of the far future. As the Death Lord, Mortarion embodies the despair and disease that plague the galaxy. He is a figure of immense power and influence, and his story is a crucial part of the Warhammer 40,000 lore. The tale of Mortarion is a dark and compelling one, a testament to the enduring power of Chaos. He is a complex character, driven by resentment and a desire for power, but ultimately consumed by the forces he sought to control. Mortarion is a name that inspires fear and dread throughout the Imperium. Mortarion’s followers are as resilient and deadly as their leader. The presence of Mortarion is a harbinger of plague and destruction. Mortarion’s story is a tragedy of ambition and corruption. The name Mortarion echoes through the annals of the Imperium’s history. Mortarion’s legacy is one of unending suffering. The power of Mortarion is undeniable, and the threat he poses to the Imperium is immense. Mortarion is a testament to the corrupting influence of Chaos. His tale is a cautionary one, reminding us of the dangers of unchecked ambition and the ever-present threat of despair.
[See also: The Horus Heresy Series]
[See also: The Death Guard Codex]
[See also: Nurgle: The Plague God]
