Testimony of Mordred Grail

Report Start

Report Author: Inquisitor Lance Harlock

Report Subject: The Sanguitiam | Imperial Knight House "Grail"

Report Locations: Mining World Larson, The Pale Stars, Ultima Segmentum | Feudal World Avalonia, Badab Sector, Ultima Segmentum

Report Time: A1.019.424.M41

Report Preface: While following a lead about a possible cult dedicated to the worship of the detestable god of blood, Khorne, I thought it prudent to speak with the local Ecclesiarchal representatives about the faith of the populace of Avalonia. I met with a Pontifex by the name of Constantious Damnos who informed me that among the usual crowds that gather for prayer, the Nobles of House Grail have been absent for several decades. When I left the chamber, I observed an aristocrat that bore the crest of House Grail (who I would later know to be Mordred Grail) speaking with a preacher.

Report: After having discovered that a relic of the Chaos God Khorne that I have called The Sanguitiam had been transported to the Badab Sector, I made haste to find the foul object before it corrupted the minds of whoever might be in contact with it. The relic in question is a human skull given "blessings" of the Blood God, and transfers knowledge of his rituals into the mind of whoever touches it. I have seen fragmented pict-captures that detail both its appearance, and the events of multiple individuals that have come into contact with its cursed form. Its eye-sockets are hollow, and the Symbol of Khorne is carved into the forehead, some warp-tainted crystalline object embedded into the center of the symbol. When touched, the crystal and symbol glow in deep reds, and the eye-sockets glow in bright purples and seem to trail through the air and into the eyes of the individual in contact with it. What appears to be human blood also pours from the eye-sockets upon contact, and continue flowing endlessly until contact is terminated between the skull and the subject. In many of the pict-captures I've observed, the subject appears to be suffering from severe hemorrhaging with blood pouring out their ears, nostrils, eyes, mouth, and breaks that appear on the skin. There was only one pict-capture that shows a "successful" contact with the daemonic scourge. This pict-capture shows the Khornate cult leader I had killed in combat in The Pale Stars sector. It appears that it takes an individual of great mental -or even psychic- strength. When I encountered this aforementioned cult leader, he raved about the knowledge of the Blood God, and that he'd bring sacrifices of blood to complete his rituals. Thus I believe that The Sanguitiam bestows knowledge unto those that survive its powers. I have considered that this might be an elaborate ruse of the God of Schemes himself, Tzeetch, but nonetheless I must find this relic and put an end to its threat.

The Cult Leader's personal data-slate revealed to me that The Sanguitiam had been sold to a customer with large funds they could afford throwing away. They do not know that they throw their lives away, as well. By investigating local shipping records for several months I discovered that the relic was sent to a system in the Badab Sector. It took me two years to narrow down the list of worlds it could have been sent to, and in a prolific sector like Badab, it was already looking like a decades-long endeavor.

I was never so joyous to be wrong.

I determined that a good enough start to my search would be the home of a lesser house of Imperial Knights called Avalonia. There was a sizeable aristocracy for a feudal world, and the presence of an Imperial Knight House made it a more likely target. On approach, I familiarized myself with the crest and customs of House Grail as detailed in their files, expecting that I may have to interact with them. Arrival was met with no resistance, and there was no incident upon landing on the surface. To begin my search, I had demanded audience with the local Ecclesiarchal representatives, hoping to find a sign of heresy that they may have overlooked. I met with a disgruntled Pontifex Constantious Damnos. It appeared that I was interrupting his ritual prayers to the Emperor, but I could not afford to be denied for untold hours. Constantious drolled on about the purity of the citizenry of Avalonia. Peasantry, I'd say. He rambled about those preachers he was most proud in for their service. The most interesting piece of information he gave me was that among the usual crowds that gather for prayer, the Nobles of House Grail and other members of local aristocracy have been absent for several decades. I immediately thanked the Pontifex, for I did not wish to expect ire from him in the future -irrelevant it may be- and departed with haste to meet with the High King of House Grail. On my departure from the Cathedral, I observed what appeared to be an aristocratic individual that bore the crest of House Grail speaking with a preacher. I decided it prudent to record the message from a distance, taking the guise of prayer to the Emperor. Details of their conversation are as follows:

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Preacher: Welcome, son of the God-Emperor. It has been many years since we last saw one of your house join us in prayer.

???: It has? This fact weighs my mind more than you know...

Preacher: Your mind is troubled? Well then, you should confide in me, young one. I may be able to provide you the guidance of the God-Emperor.

Audible sounds of what are assumedly the Aristocratic Man shifting uncomfortably and sighing.

???: I have been... frustrated lately. For twenty-one Terran Years I've served as a vassal in house Grail. I've trained myself and been trained in the arenas of the house in honorable tournaments in anticipation of facing my first war in service of the Emperor, but my house repeatedly deems me unfit to combat the foes of the Imperium.

Preacher: Well, it appears that the God-Emperor wishes not to send you into war. At least, not yet. It could very well be that by his will you are being protected from treacherous conflict that might see you killed. He may yet deem you important enough to live safe until the time is right to send you into battle for his sake.

???: Do you really believe that I will be able to assail the enemies of his Imperium? I just feel a hopelessness that weigh my shoulders down...

Preacher: