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This article, Mordekaisers, was written by MaliusV. Please do not edit or 'acquire' this fiction without the writer's permission. |
- "Kaiser! The enemy has sealed off the deck! We're trapped!"
"No, brother, the enemy is trapped on this deck with us! Slaughter them all!"- —Kaiser Markus Diascalon
The Mordekaisers (translated to High-Gothic as 'Murder Lords') are a Successor Chapter created as a 24th Founding of the Imperial Fists. The Mordekaisers claim direct lineage to the Excoriators Chapter though there has been no direct confirmation of this beyond similarities between the two Chapters' customs and the belief that Excoriator veterans assisted with the training of the newborn Mordekaisers.
Upon their creation, the Mordekaisers were sent to the far reaches of the Galaxy into the Ghoul Stars. Their destination was the Imperial Starport Düsterlicht, located near Lunaphage before the Malefactus Warp Rift. The Mordekaisers purpose was to patrol and defend the areas surrounding the Starport and warp rift, for which they bear the title of "Stewards of the Ghoul Stars". The Mordekaisers take this duty seriously as they defend the Ghoul Stars, and the rest of the Imperium, against ever increasing dangers; crusading across the Galaxy as they move from battle to battle; fighting even when their very existence is at stake. As of M42, the Mordekaisers have been constantly fighting off Daemonic threats from Malefactus while the Galaxy is torn in two by the Great Rift. Despite the constant war, the indomitable Chapter has endured as always.
Chapter History
Earning the Scars
Mordekaisers Heraldry
Willafried, first Kaiser and founder of the Mordekaisers.
The Mordekaisers were created as part of the 24th Founding in the 39th Millennium, originally officially bearing the name of Murder Lords. The Gene-Seed was of the Imperial Fists yet it is unknown if it is directly from the Imperial Fists or from one of the many other Chapters of Dorn. Several traits of the Murder Lords' gene-seed points to the Excoriators, a link denied by the latter. Following their creation, the Murder Lords were sent off to guard the untamed Ghoul Stars in the Starport of Düsterlicht. Once they had arrived and established themselves, the Murder Lords swiftly set about engaging the pirate fleets and Ork warbands that prowled the areas around the starport.
It was only after their first decade of combat that the Murder Lords established their identity. The entire Chapter had deployed in answer to the sudden appearance of a space hulk near Düsterlicht. The Hulk was full of chaos renegades ranging from pirates to heretic astartes. The fighting was so grueling that every single one of the surviving Murder Lords left the purged hulk with significant armour damage and various wounds. However, rather than repair them, the Chapter decided to bear the damage proudly. To them, the fact that they had survived despite the wounds and damage was a sign that they could survive anything the Galaxy could throw at them. As such, the Murder Lords refuse to repair all but the most serious of damage and prefer to engage in void and boarding operations, relying on their inherent hardiness and skill in close quarters to emerge victorious.
Since then the Murder Lords have honed their craft, specializing themselves in void warfare and boarding operations, to the point of mastery. They became experts at boarding a ship and taking it out in a small window of time, clearing it of enemy occupants before scuttling it, and many of their ships became outfitted with Ursus Claws. They also became extremely good at close orbital assault, landing right on top of the enemy lines and using the shock of their arrival to overwhelm and shatter their foes. It was also at this time that the Chapter ceased using the name "Murder Lords" and instead used "Mordekaisers", a translation of their original name in Düsterlicht's language Germanik, and thus became known by that name.
Kaisers of the Stars
A Mordekaisers Centurion Devastator of the 3rd Company assaulting an enemy position.
The Mordekaisers performed their appointed duty with extreme dedication, fueled by a hope that the Imperium's inevitable victory over the Galaxy would come at any time. The Mordekaisers' determination to be present at such a victory spurred them forward as they went from battle to battle. Their legend was swelled by how they broke the Iron Warriors Warlord Garthon the Unbroken's fortress line on Xallion XII with a single drop assault while the Strideland Longbows 19th Regiment speak of how the ships of the Mordekaisers smashed the T'au ship formation apart with the might of their 4th Company Breachers. With many tales such as these it was little wonder such a young Chapter earned much glory so quickly. Yet with fame comes infamy as the Mordekaisers were criticized for their recklessness to throw themselves into lethal warzones with no regard for their lives or how their loadouts' bias to close assault often left them short handed in other circumstances. Though their methods brought results, the cost was often high and at times beyond acceptable levels. Despite this, the hot-headed Mordekaisers continued on; determined and stubborn like all sons of Dorn.
They would soon learn a hard lesson.
Disaster at Zirkyros
A Mordekaiser Astartes caught in the T'au counterattack.
When Zirkyros was invaded by a T'au force, the Mordekaisers responded with five whole Companies under the leadership of Kaiser Targotz. Confident that they would easily swat aside the T'au, the Mordekaisers tore through the xenos fleet and made planetfall. At first they easily smashed the T'au battlelines to pieces and made good progress. However, the T'au had one advantage the Mordekaisers didn't, adaptability. Suddenly, instead of static firing lines, the Mordekaisers were pressed with fast moving hovertanks and battle suits and that flew around them. Having only a few long ranged weaponry, most of them on slow moving dreadnoughts, the Mordekaisers began being picked apart by the fast and accurate firepower of the T'au who fired lethal volleys before quickly flying to a new location before the Chapter could retaliate. Knowing that defeat was inevitable, 3rd Hauptmann Crygus begged Targotz to sound the retreat. Alas the headstrong Kaiser refused and called for a charge, only to be blown to pieces by a T'au hammerhead tank. Dismayed and broken the Mordekaisers took their dead and retreated, leaving Zirkyros in T'au hands. Over 500 Mordekaisers marched to war, less than half returned.
Humiliated and humbled by the disaster, the Mordekaisers began to rethink their ways of war. While some stubbornly insisted their methods were tried and true, others saw that they limited the Chapter's ability to fight in situations that did not favour them. The arguments raged on and on until the new Kaiser, Heinrach, stepped forward and presented his reformations. In his meditations he found that their hunger for glory and adherence to a restrictive doctrine was grounds for disaster. Thus he reorganized the Chapter's doctrine to be that of hard hitting yet mobile strike forces capable of destroying multiple targets in quick succession. With this, the Mordekaisers threw themselves back into war as relentless fighters.
The Kaiser and the Wolf
Marines from the Mordekaisers and Wolves of Retribution Chapters fighting together in the Kilmos Crusade.
As their stewardship over Düsterlicht continued the Mordekaisers have made allies with other Chapters that operate in the Ghoul Stars. As of M42, their most prominent allies are the Star Wardens, a Chapter who also specialises in void warfare. They also count the Dawn Stalkers and the Blood Hounds as close allies. Furthermore those who are sons of Dorn may count on the Mordekaisers to eagerly lend their aid when asked. Yet, those who name the Mordekaisers friend may note some hesitation for them to fully extend their hands. It takes much for the Mordekaisers to name friends, even for other sons of Dorn. The reason for this is an old tale of friendship turned to hatred.
Long ago, the Mordekaisers held a friendship with the Wolves of Retribution, a chapter known for its extreme zeal and devotion to the Imperial Creed. Despite the differences in belief and culture the two Chapters fought alongside each other without issue, their skills combining into an effective force. The only point of contention was that the Wolves' hardline version of the Imperial Creed that often brought them into conflict with Priests of the Ecclesiarchy and even other Chapters. The Mordekaisers overlooked this, seeing as the Ecclesiarchy often praised the Wolves for their devotion regardless of the strict interpretation, there could be not trouble. Alas, they were wrong.
When reports of the Wolves of Retribution purging entire worlds came out, the Mordekaisers were concerned but stood by as Inquisitor Duran Heika was sent to investigate the Wolves' claims of the worlds' heresies. What he found was terrible. The worlds were no bastions of corruption, they were shrine worlds or homes to loyal regiments! The Wolves had burned these worlds not for the crimes of heresy but for the crime of not following their own strict interpretation of the Imperial Creed! At the same time, Kaiser Heinrach received a message from Raedwald Harus, Chapter Master of the Wolves of Retribution. The message consisted of insane ranting and murmured prayer that ended, to the Kaiser's horror, with a declaration that the Imperium was rife with heresy and must be purged. Already aware of the investigation into the Wolves, who were close friends with the Mordekaisers, Heinrach contacted Inquisitor Heika with this new development and immediately set off for the Wolves of Retribution homeworld of Cythron in order to confront them.
But it was far too late.
When Heika and the Mordekaisers reached Cythron they found only a burnt wasteland with all life destroyed. The Fortress-Monastery, Elboros, was abandoned and filled with scenes of the Wolves' rampage. Chapter serfs had been placed in piles and used as makeshift fuel for fire pits to burn "heretics" alive, Astartes were placed in cages and similarly set alight and holy books and iconography were burned and defiled and replaced by crude icons that could only be marks of Chaos that yet praised the Emperor's name. The only living being they found was the burned form of Captain Valden, of the Wolves' 2nd Company, tied to a stake in the center of what was once the Chapter's reclusiam. In his final moments, Valden told them that he had been sacrificed to the Emperor to light the way to their new fortress from where the Wolves of Retribution will mount their noble crusade to save the God-Emperor from the Imperium's heresy. He died before he would reveal their destination, his final words being a declaration of the Wolves' of Retribution loyalty to the God-Emperor of Mankind, ignorant of chaos markings carved into his charred flesh.
For their terrible crimes and open admission of breaking from the Imperium, Inquisitor Heika declared the Wolves of Retribution to be Excommunicate Traitoris. From that day on, the Mordekaisers and Wolves of Retribution fight viciously with one another, the Wolves fighting to purge a Chapter of what they perceive as heretics and the Mordekaisers fighting to avenge the friends they once knew.
Hardship and Struggle
1st Company Veteran Astartes Fadrik in Tartaros Terminator armour.
The Mordekaisers are an undoubtedly durable Chapter whose exemplary strength are worthy of Dorn. Yet the recent Millennia have brought them much hardship. In quick succession the Mordekaisers lost much of their 2nd Company, including its Hauptmann, to the silent berserkers of the Trial and then lost their Kaiser, Heinrach, in an ambush on Pyamax. Though these weakened the Mordekaisers, they endured still as Markus Diascalon took command of the Chapter and led them to victory at Iralan where they slaughtered a large rebel fleet alongside the enigmatic Carcharodons Astra. It is said that Diascalon met with Tyberos the Red Wake at the end of the battle and supposedly earned the title "Beast in the Halls" as a result of the blood he spilled alongside the Red Wake.
Even so, personal glories and honours meant little to the increasing danger rising to threaten the Imperium in the 41st Millennia. As they had since their creation, the Mordekaisers threw themselves into battle after battle, bearing their losses with gritted teeth as they fought desperately to hold back the relentless tide that sought the Imperium's downfall. Though the Mordekaisers fought fiercely, they still had yet to face their most trying test.
Second Defence of Düsterlicht
In the last days of the 41st Milennium, the Mordekaisers were rocked by heavy losses in wars as Chaos and xenos rose in numbers never seen before. Things got even worse when the Great Rift split through the Galaxy in the 42nd Milennium, the warp rift of Malefactus shuddered and spewed all sorts of daemonic horrors from it’s maw. Though they were still recovering from the costly Magrin War that saw their Companies weakened and the near total destruction of the 5th Company, the Mordekaisers rallied to hold back the tide from engulfing Düsterlicht and the neighbouring sectors.
The Mordekaisers met the oncoming hordes outside Düsterlicht, the Chapter Fleet as well as the port's own defenses at the ready. The tides of Chaos crashed into them like a storm and a vicious fight commenced. The Mordekaisers mastery of void warfare proved to be the death of many daemonships and renegade vessels as the Chapter's flagship, the Void Beast, waded through the tides like a hungry predator as it tore apart ships with its mighty cannons or dragged in unfortunate vessels with Ursus Claws so that they could be boarded and destroyed. The escort Hull-Breaker earned its name over and over as its strengthened front rammed through cruisers twice its size and Düsterlicht's own fleet carried out heroic feats that would be spoke of until the end of days. Alas, the tide of Chaos was vast in number and the defenders were slowly pushed back, the 3rd Company's strike cruiser Tempest was crippled and there were few of the Chapter's ships left that had not sustained some damage. Though unwilling to retreat, but not foolish enough to stay and be destroyed, Kaiser Diascalon ordered a retreat back to Düsterlicht. The 3rd evacuated the Tempest, save for a single Astartes and a group of serfs who valiantly stayed behind and detonated the strike cruiser as the tides of Chaos enveloped it, taking over a dozen of the foes' ships with it.
Though the defending fleets were not gone, they had taken heavy losses and not even the many defenses of the space port could keep out the invaders. Daemons, renegades and Heretic Astartes breached the hangars and entered the port to find the regrouped Mordekaisers, the Adeptus Arbites and even the common citizen waiting for them. Just like the Mordekaisers, those able picked up a gun joined the defense of their home.
The defenders fought viciously, using their knowledge of the port's layabouts to ambush and confound the forces of Chaos or held the passageways and docks stubbornly. However Chaos is subtle as much as it is blunt and many civilians fell to the whispers and temptations of daemons, causing great disruption in the lines. To their credit, however, there many more who spat back the lies of Chaos and cast them back into the warp. Still, mere bravery and heroics weren't enough and the Mordekaisers were forced to unleash the full might of their armoury; every dreadnought, of which the Chapter has in high numbers, were awakened from their dreamless sleep and sent into battle. They charged into the invaders, enraged that filth like these would dare invade their home. But that wasn't all, for Diascalon reluctantly ordered the awakening and unleashing of the dreaded Leviathan Dreadnought who was feared as much as revered by the Chapter. The behemoth, who was once the first Kaiser Willafried, rampaged through the halls of Düsterlicht, becoming the personification of death to the forces of Chaos as he tore through hordes of daemons and traitors or ripped daemonic constructs apart.
Despite the onslaught of dreadnoughts, the Mordekaisers' losses were mounting and every Company had taken severe casualties. The Wardens and militia fared little better though each one died valiantly. But the Forces of Chaos seemed without number and showed little sign of slowing down and, though the defenders made them pay dearly for every step, the loss of Düsterlicht seemed inevitable. Even faced with this prospect did the Mordekaisers not bow, instead they reloaded their bolters and prepared to go down fighting.
But as the Mordekaisers were preparing to face another wave, a fleet appeared led by none other than Roboute Guilliman, Primarch of the Ultramarines. From the ships came a new breed of space marine, the Primaris. With these reinforcements, the Mordekaisers drove back the forces of chaos. The victory was hard earned for a quarter of the Chapter had been slain. Guilliman recognised the valour of the Mordekaisers and honoured their centuries of service while gifting them the technology to create new Primaris marines.
The New Breed
A Mordekaisers Primaris Sergeant of the 2nd Company.
- "Bah! You old breed shall behold the might of the Primaris! Come brothers, let us show these old breeds who holds the true power!"
- —Last words of Primaris Marine Uwe, right before he was vaporized by an Ork Zappa.
Though the Primaris marines were gifted from the Primarch himself, it was not accepted gladly, however. The Mordekaisers were reluctant in accepting this new breed of Astartes. Markus Diascalon, Kaiser of the Chapter, secretly distrusted the Primaris but, recognising their tactical use and because refusing a Primarch was out of the question, accepted them. Even though the Primaris and First Born work together in combat, rifts quickly formed nonetheless. Many Mordekaisers feared that the Primaris were here to completely replace them while several Primaris believed that they were far superior to the "old breed". Tensions became so bad that Guilliman assigned a Custodes to watch over the Chapter in order to prevent a disastrous schism.
It was at the battle of Belmid-4 where something finally changed. During the battle, several kaders of First Born and Primaris found themselves surrounded onboard a Chaos vessel. They fought side by side against unending waves of daemons and chaos, in fact one First Born directly saved a Primaris’ life from a heretic’s chainsword, sacrificing his arm so that the Intercessor could plant a bolt in the traitor marine's skull. Soon the halls were stained with the blood of traitors and the marines stood together in victory. It was here that they realised the futility of their rivalry, if the Mordekaisers were to fight on then the First Born and Primaris would need to work together as brothers. As news of this understanding spread, the First Born and Primaris across the Chapter put aside their differences and accepted one another. Renewed and reunited, the Mordekaisers once more stand proud and continue to guard Düsterlicht against Malefactus. With their extreme belief in a final Imperial victory and their endurance, they hold their ground stubbornly.
Era Indomitus
War on Vigilus
The Mordekaisers answered the call to Kekalis alongside the Star Wardens, where their skills have been made useful in the battles above the planet as well as in the clusters of hive sprawls. However, when the Forces of Chaos appeared under the leadership of Abaddon the Despoiler the Mordekaisers took heavy losses in the sudden onslaught and lost half of their force before managing to fall back and regroup. Once rallied, the Mordekaisers threw themselves back into the fight and swiftly taught the forces of chaos just how dangerous it was to face them in the cold of space or in the tunnels of Vigilus's Hives.
With the war on Vigilus grinding to a halt, the Mordekaisers took their leave to regroup and answer newer conflicts elsewhere.
Through the Rubicon Primaris
3rd Company Lieutenant Yngvi, the first of the Mordekaisers to cross the Rubicon Primaris.
The Primaris Marines' arrival to the Mordekaisers was at first greeted with hostility before they finally earned their acceptance, though a number of conservative elements still remain. When word reached the Chapter that famous heroes of the Imperium, such as Marneus Calgar and Varro Tigurius of the Ultramarines and Kor'sarro Khan of the White Scars, had crossed the Rubicon Primaris, the possibility of taking such a, once thought impossible, step suddenly became a reality. Several marines decided to take such a step that actually saw several successful transformations, such as 3rd Lieutenant Yngvi who was the first to volunteer and become one of the Ascended. Even Kaiser Markus followed and ascended, becoming mightier as a result.
While those who cross the Rubicon are often celebrated, or at least respected, the conservatives of the Chapter fear the possibility of the old breed of Astartes being slowly replaced by the Primaris.
The Harbingers
Fabian Alric, Hauptmann of the 5th Company, leads his brothers to victory against the Death Guard.
With the Imperium split in two and the Ghoul Stars becoming more and more dangerous, dark times are surely ahead. But as long as the Murder Lords of the Ghoul Stars stand proud, fighting with their every breath to see the final victory of the Emperor come to pass. If anyone wishes an example of the Mordekaisers' glory then one needs only look to their 5th Company, the Harbingers, who have tasted destruction many a time through their history and almost brought to the brink of utter devastation from the Magrin War. Yet, having been brought back to full strength by the Primaris reinforcements, the 5th have won many victories under the leadership of Hauptmann Fabian Alric, a veteran of the Awakened, that have brought them and the Mordekaisers acclaim from those around them.
Notable Campaigns
- Founding of the Mordekaisers (Unknown Date.M39) - The Mordekaisers are founded as part of the 24th Founding. Led by Willafried, the Chapter's founder, the newly formed Chapter is sent to the far reaches of the Ghoul Stars to take up stewardship of Starport Düsterlicht.
- The Nudil Purge (Unknown Date.M39) - The Mordekaisers first combat action is to purge an Ork warfleet. In half a standard month, they utterly destroy all traces of the fleet.
- First Defence of Düsterlicht (457.M39) - A Space Hulk bearing the forces of chaos suddenly appears before the Starport of Düsterlicht, prompting the immediate response of the Mordekaisers. The fighting was so brutal that every single surviving Mordekaiser had received some form of armour damage. From so forth, the Mordekaisers developed a belief of being able to survive anything and began to bear their damage proudly.
- Battle of Munias (Unknown Date.M39) - The Mordekaisers fought in a campaign alongside the Catachan Jungle Fighters. Notably, it is said that Kaiser Willafried lost an arm wrestling match with a guardsman. Allegedly, this Jungle Fighter was [REDACTED]
- Willafried's Rage (500.M39) - Willafried leads an assault on a Chaos held fortress. The assault goes well until a Chaos sorceress attempts to corrupt Willafried's mind. To the heretic's horror, Willafried is enraged and goes on a rampage as he battles the sorceress' influence. He massacres his way through countless Heretic Astartes until he finds the sorceress and tears her apart.
- Battle for Isenstad (Unknown Date.M39 - The Mordekaisers defeat an Ork fleet over Isenstad but Kaiser Willafried is mortally wounded. It is only when the last ork on the Warboss's flagship is slain does the stubborn Kaiser finally allow himself to fall. Surprisingly Willafried was not yet dead and was interred into the sarcophagi of a Leviathan Dreadnought, he still serves to this very day.
- Disaster at Zirkyros (Unknown Date.M39) - The Mordekaisers lose more than a quarter of the Chapter and their Kaiser, Targotz, when they are outmaneuvered by the T'au on Zirkyros. This disaster forces the Mordekaisers to rethink their doctrines in order to never be caught out like this again.
- Heinrach's Ascension (247.M39) - Taking Targotz's place as Kaiser, Heinrach has big shoes to fill. He proves his worth as Kaiser when he tears apart a giant chaos horde piece by piece by using expertly planned strikes and ambush tactics.
- Wrath of the Undead (300.M39) - The corrupted Dreadblade known as Storm of Pain rampages across the world of Buion for three days as it pursues the Mordekaisers goading it with hit and run attacks. Eventually the Mordekaisers unleash their most terrifying weapon yet: the Leviathan Dreadnought that was once Kaiser Willafried. The enraged Storm of Pain charges only to find both its arms caught and torn off by the former Kaiser who proceeds to beat the Dreadblade into scrap metal.
- Second Battle of Zirkyros (400.M39) - The 2nd of Battle of Zirkyros was an Imperial Campaign undertaken by the Mordekaisers Chapter against the T’au-held world of Zirkyros. The world held great particular significance to the Mordekaisers as it was the site of a crushing defeat suffered at the hands of the T’au Empire over a century ago. To the Mordekaisers’ shame, the loss also stemmed from their inability when their preferred tactics proved ineffective. But the Mordekaisers had learned from their mistakes, and their tactics had evolved from what they had once been. Thus, when the Mordekaisers arrived at Zirkyros, they arrived to teach the T’au a lesson. It began with infiltrated units of Scout marines launching attacks on unsuspecting bases and plants as Imperial Guard Regiments were used to draw away T’au forces, tying them up with the bodies of expendable mortals. Then the lightning bolt struck. Dozens of Drop Pods smashed into the weakened T’au citadel, unleashing the Mordekaisers. The Mordekaisers expertise in close confined battlefields allowed them to sweep through the city, pinning down the T’au with Tactical and Assault Squads to deny their long ranged weaponry a chance to bear. The attack culminated with Kaiser Heinrach slaying the Ethereal, breaking the T’au’s will to fight and resulting in their annihilation. The Mordekaisers avenged their loss and redeemed their honour amongst the Adeptus Astartes by proving that they would always return from their failures stronger than ever.
- Kilmos Crusade (Unknown Date.M39) - The Wolves of Retribution go on a crusade in the Ghoul Stars alongside the Mordekaisers. Despite a huge cultural difference, the two Chapters become firm friends.
- Brawl of Thraci (Unknown Date.M39 - The Mordekaisers 3rd Company arrive to assist the White Snakes against an Ork incursion on Thraci. Though things initially go well the 'noble' White Snakes' contempt for the roughshod Mordekaisers means they do not cooperate at all - resulting in the Mordekaisers almost being overwhelmed. Fortunately the Mordekaisers turn back the tide but are in no good mood. After the battle the Mordekaisers confront the White Snakes - the barrage of shockingly explicit insults the Mordekaisers Hauptmann, Horda Jrel, throws at captain Malin Amande causing enough outrage for Luciun Malvus, Company Champion of the White Snakes, to step forward and throw down a challenge for his Captain's honour. The Mordekaisers champion, Till Gerlach, accepts and, to the White Snakes' surprise, walks towards Luciun and begins laying into him with a barrage of punches. After outraged demands to cease are ignored the White Snakes attempt to drive the champions apart only for the Mordekaisers to get involved. The resulting brawl lasts for a solid hour until the Hauptmann Jrel catches Amande in a chokehold. Surprisingly no casualties are incurred and the white snakes are sent limping away. When asked why he forgoed using his sword Gerlach stated: "Pompous [redacted] was not worth it." The two Chapters have never fought beside each other ever again
- The Chuda Suppression (Unknown Date.M39) - The Mordekaisers crush a rebellion in the Chuda system alongside the Wolves of Retribution. Though Heinrach is concerned at the Wolves' overzealous fury, he thinks nothing more of it.
- The Galakos Raid (540.M40) - The Mordekaisers destroy an entire Drukhari Kabal in a swift and decisive ambush that catches the xenos in overlapping storms of anti-air. The Drukhari fight fiercely but are utterly defeated by Heinrach's strategies. To add further insult to injury, the assassins sent by the Drukhari for revenge are all caught and terminated.
- The Wolves' Treachery (560.M40) - The Wolves of Retribution are discovered to have been executing entire Regiments and Ecclesiarchy convents. Upon being declared heretics the Wolves turn traitor, declaring that it is, in fact, the Imperium who are heretics and vow to crusade against their false religion. Shocked and enraged that their former friends would turn traitor, the Mordekaisers swear they will hunt down the Wolves of Retribution.
A Khorne Berserker of the Trial tears his way through the Mordekaisers.
- Murder of the Murder Lords (643.M40) - When a report of two Chaos warbands fighting each other on Sorolas, the Mordekaisers 2nd Company is deployed to put them down. When they arrive one warband, identified as the Trial, had already wiped out the other warband. Though the Mordekaisers struck hard, the Trial overwhelmed them and inflicted heavy casualties. After the 60th Slayer kills the Kompanie Hauptmann, the Mordekaisers are forced to retreat.
- Last Stand on Pyamax (708.M40) - The Mordekaisers engage their hated enemies, the Wolves of Retribution, over the swamp planet of Pyamax. When their ships were destroyed, the Wolves escaped to the planet below. The Mordekaisers followed them down despite their lack of skill fighting in such an environment. In the heat of the battle, Kaiser Heinrich is caught in an ambush and badly wounded with his honour guard slain. When a horde of Heretic Astartes descend upon him, the Kaiser is joined by five marines from different squads and companies who fight fiercely in his defense. Despite their defiance, they fall one by one until Heinrich himself falls. Even as he dies, the rest of the Mordekaisers mount a counterattack and wipe out the Wolves of Retribution. The bodies of Heinrich and the five marines who died in his defense were recovered and placed in tombs built on Pyamax, becoming a place of pilgrimage that many Mordekaisers visit. Heinrich was succeeded by Markus Diascalon.
- Kilandros Crusade (271-276.M41) - In 270.M41, the Mad Skullz Orks of the planet Kilandros and surrounding systems formed into WAAAGH! Golrag. WAAAGH! Golrag was large enough to not only devastate the Celtic Sector in the Segmentum Ultima, the home sector of the Iron Spears Chapter but seven other nearby sectors as well. That was not all, as in 271.M41 the Imperium launched a reconnaissance strike on WAAAGH! Golrag's "capital world" of Kilandros and discovered the Orks were attempting to convert their homeworld's moon into a mobile fortress they dubbed 'Da Great Rok'. The Orks planned to use 'Da Great Rok' as the flagship that would lead WAAAGH! Golrag in an assault on Terra itself.
To combat this threat, the Imperium deployed a fighting force consisting of numerous Imperial Guard Regiments, at least three Titan Legions, and several notable Chapters of the Adeptus Astartes including; Ultramarines, Blood Angels, Imperial Fists, Space Wolves, Salamanders, Black Templars, Storm Wardens, Blood Ravens, Iron Spears, Revenants, Death Templars, Sons of Odin, Angels of Salvation, Penitent Knights, Astral Paladins, Steel Crusaders, Storm Riders, Ashen Wraiths, Holy Hospitallers, Knights of Guilliman and the Mordekaisers.
The Imperium believed that such a large force would easily be able to smash through the planets held by the Mad Skullz Klan, however, this was not the case as the Ork WAAAGH! was far larger than initially believed. After five years Imperial forces finally arrived at the Kilandros System and attacked 'Da Great Rok'. Though Imperial forces failed in their initial plan to disable the thrust system using meltabombs, the Astartes of the Storm Riders and the Ashen Wraiths managed to gain control of the area around the primary power generator and rigged it with manually activated incendiary devices. The Imperial forces were ordered to withdraw so that the power generator could be detonated. By then, however, many Iron Spears had fallen victim to the Red Thirst, ignoring the order to withdraw and instead focused on personally slaughtering every Ork present, inspiring the Death Templars to do the same.
It was left to the more "level-headed" Chapters such as the Angels of Salvation to successfully reign in the frenzied Iron Spears and forcibly remove them from the battlefield. It was through this that the Angels of Salvation earned the respect of the Iron Spears, something that could not be said for many sons of the Lion. Chieftain Thoore of the Iron Spears, having had his honour stained in a previous engagement, elected to stay behind with the detonator alongside a small group of other Marines while the other Imperial forces escaped to restore dignity to his name. The destruction of the primary power generator not only successfully destroyed "Da Great Roks" machinery, but also created massive tectonic upheavals that killed all the Orks on the planetoid.
Despite their victory, the Imperium was once again unable to eliminate the Ork presence on Kilandros and the surrounding systems. The Imperium once again turned to conducting periodic raids to limit the Ork population and prevent further Ork expansion.
- Iralan Massacres (Unknown Date.M41) - The Mordekaisers engage in a void campaign against a rebel fleet. Though the battle is already one sided, it becomes a complete bloodbath when the enigmatic Carcharodons Chapter arrives unannounced and join in. In short time, the halls of the rebels' ships are painted red with blood as the hapless mortals are mercilessly wiped out. The brutality of the close quarters fighting earns Kaiser Markus Diascalon a comparison to Tyberos the Red Wake, master of the Carcharodons. Though the Carcharodons leave as soon as they arrive, they leave with the Mordekaisers' respect even if it is seemingly not returned.
- An Eventful Feast (Unknown Date.M41) - The Mordekaisers send Chapter Champion Stronar as a participant in the Feast of Blades, their first ever to attend. In the initial games, Stronar marks himself out well and he duels other champions. However the Feast is interrupted by a large force of World Eaters. Despite the ferocity of the heretics, they are soon wiped out by the gathered champions. In the aftermath, Stronar is noted to have asked if that was part of the Feast.
- The Magrin War (950.M41) - The entire Mordekaisers Chapter meet the sudden appearance of three traitor warbands: The Senseless Noise, Venom Spiders and the Desolate Sons. The war encompasses the entire sector until the traitors are broken and scattered. Victory is costly, for the 5th Company was almost destroyed in an ambush that claimed its Hauptmann and several other Companies take heavy losses.
- Second Defence of Düsterlicht (Unknown Date. M42) - Following the destruction of the vital fortress world of Cadia by the Chaos forces of Abaddon the Despoiler, this resulted in the collapse of the last remaining defences keeping the notorious tear in reality, the Eye of Terror, to finally expand beyond its normal size. This resulted in a galaxy-wide tear in reality, known as the Cicatrix Maledictum, the extended from the Segmentum Obscurus to the Eastern Fringe of the Segmentum Ultima. With the veil of reality torn asunder, this allowed the creatures of the Immaterium as well as the Traitor Legions and various Chaos Warbands to pour into realspace. Strife, insurrection and slaughter soon erupted on thousands of worlds across the width and breadth of the galaxy. The Mordekaisers were besieged by a sudden onslaught of Chaos forces when the Warp Rift of Malefactus swelled wide as a result of the Great Rift. The Chapter was almost overwhelmed when the newly resurrected Ultramarines Primarch Roboute Guilliman and the forces of his Indomitus Crusade arrived to aid the beleaguered Chapter. After defeating the Forces of Chaos, Guilliman bestowed the Mordekaisers with a profound gift from the Emperor, in the form of the newly revealed Primaris Space Marines to rebuild the numbers of the sorely depleted Chapter, a gift the Chapter did not readily accept.
Firstborn and Primaris fighting side by side
- The Battle of Belimid IV (Unknown Date.M42) - The Battle of Belimid IV was a momentous event that occurred in the annals of the history of the Mordekaisers Space Marine Chapter. Following the formation of the great galaxy-wide tear in reality, known as the Great Rift, which occurred after the destruction of Cadia by the Forces of Chaos during the 13th Black Crusade, the home system of the Mordekaisers Chapter fell under siege by the Forces of Chaos. It was only through the timely arrival of the forces of the Indomitus Crusade that the Mordekaisers were saved from inevitable destruction. Before departing, the Lord Commander of the Imperium, Roboute Guilliman, gave the Mordekaisers a profound gift in the form of the newly revealed Primaris Space Marines. Unfortunately, the Mordekaisers only begrudgingly accepted these new Astartes into their ranks. It wouldn't be until the Battle of Belimid IV, that the old generation of Astartes and their Primaris brethren would finally resolve their differences. This intense and bloody conflict gave both sides cause to come together as one unified brotherhood, and finally accept one another as brothers. Despite setting aside their differences, for the most part, there are still some lingering doubts amongst some of the older Astartes of the Chapter, who fear that eventually their generation will someday be replaced by the Primaris.
- Rubicon Primaris (Unknown Date.M42) - After hearing of heroes such as Marneus Calgar and Kor'sarro Khan ascending to Primaris, Lieutenant Yngvi of the 3rd Company volunteers to undergo the Rubicon Primaris and becomes the first Mordekaiser to cross it. This leads to several more marines following his footsteps and, while some died in the lengthy and agonizing process, many became the Ascended. Even Kaiser Markus Diascalon crossed the Rubicon Primaris and became a mightier warrior as a result. This has done much to bridge the gap between the Primaris and Firstborn as even some of the more conservative members of the Chapter have become Ascended.
- The Battle of Karacya (Unknown Date.M42) - The recently rebuilt 5th Company under the new leadership of Hauptmann Fabian Alric engages the Wolves of Retribution on Karacya. Despite being forced to fight on the planet, an unfamiliar warzone to the Mordekaisers, Fabian draws the Wolves into a killing zone and breaks the traitors' backs.
- War of Beasts/War of Nightmares (001-025.M42) - The Mordekaisers deploy to Vigilus alongside the Star Wardens. The Mordekaisers fight alongside their allies in the battles above the planet and in its hive sprawls. When the Forces of Chaos appeared, the Mordekaisers took heavy losses in the initial fight but held nonetheless. As the War raged on, the Mordekaisers proved themselves to be terrifying foes to the heretics in the void and in the hive sprawls.
Chapter Organisation
A Mordekaiser Redemptor Dreadnought
The Mordekaisers largely remain within the Codex Astartes' guidelines though with several deviations. For one, the Mordekaisers have honed their craft in multiple rapid strikes that decimate entire battlezones before the enemy can even react. All ranks are able to make tactical decisions and are encouraged to act on their own initiative. The Mordekaisers combine all arms in flexible balanced battle groups each of which can present an opponent with a diversity of threats, then press their attack so swiftly that the foe is overwhelmed before he can react. When the enemy finally recover from the shock and bring their arms to bear, they are surprised to see that the Mordekaisers weather the storm. The Mordekaisers' fortitude is legendary, even among the Sons of Dorn, described as an armoured storm of guns that is nigh impossible to bring down. This is why the Mordekaisers are often seen deploying in Zone Mortalis warzones where they fight in the most hellish of conditions, laughing off radiation or storms of bullets. The Mordekaisers also place a high emphasis on the application of void warfare, their marines skilled as admirals or boarding troops.
Order of Battle
Like all Codex Astartes-compliant Space Marines Chapters, the Mordekaisers are divided into 10 Companies comprised of 100 Space Marines each. Each Company is led by a hero of the Chapter with the rank of Hauptmann, who -- in addition to his Company command -- is in charge of a particular aspect of the Chapter's logistics.
Companies
| Companies
  | |||||||||||
| Veteran Company | Battle Companies | ||||||||||
| 1st Company | 2nd Company | 3rd Company | 4th Company | 5th Company | |||||||
| Reserve Companies | Scout Company | |||||
| 6th Company | 7th Company | 8th Company | 9th Company | 10th Company | ||
Officer Titles
In addition to leading their Companies into battle, the Hauptmanns bear a responsibility.
- 1st Hauptmann - Castellan of the Keep - Serves as the the Kaiser's 2nd in command and manages the Fortress Monastery. Additionally the Castellan of the Keep will step in as Chapter Regent should the Kaiser be incapacitated.
- 2nd Hauptmann - Master of the Fleets - Oversees the Chapter fleet and other space assets. Also bears the additional responsibility of overseeing Düsterlicht's port.
- 3rd Hauptmann - Master Tactician - Oversees the total deployment of his Chapter's fighting strength. It is his knowledge of Chapter dispositions that the Kaiser turns to when readying for war.
- 4th Hauptmann - Lord Warden - The Lord Warden sees to the defense of Düsterlicht and is regarded as a venerable role.
- 5th Hauptmann - Master of the Charge - This role has no particular responsibility but doubles as the Chapter's Champion.
- 6th Hauptmann - Keeper of Rituals - Oversees the rituals and traditions of the Chapter.
- 7th Hauptmann - Master of the Gates - Handles inter-Chapter relations and diplomatic visits.
- 8th Hauptmann - Lord Executioner - Lord Executioners are brutal and direct individuals, known to be bloody and efficient in close combat over heroic or flamboyant. As is typical of Assault Squads they are equipped with Jump Packs.
- 9th Hauptmann - Master of Ordinance - Oversees the Chapter armoury and relics.
- 10th Hauptmann - Lord Taskmaster - Sees to the training of the Chapter recruits.
Mordekaiser Librarians
Mordekaisers Primaris Librarians in Gravis armour.
Like their fellow Astartes Chapters, the Mordekaisers also maintain a Librarium of potent psykers who are highly talented and trained to master the power of the Warp at the highest levels. Most Chapters train and test their chosen psykers following the ancient ways laid out in the Codex Astartes. Librarians of the Mordekaisers are trained similarly to other Chapters and have a number of unique psychic abilities only used by the psykers of their Chapter:
- Into the Crucible - The Librarian calls upon the spirits of all those Imperial Fists who gave their lives at their Primarch's side during the battle of the Iron Cage. The blows of his enemies are turned aside or healed by the incarnate force of his ancestors.
- Noble Praetorian - Rogal Dorn is remembered by many as the right hand of the Emperor, His most faithful son who stood watch over Him and enacted His every command with unshakable loyalty. Reaching into his soul and his genetic inheritance, the Librarian channels a portion of Dorn's noble spirit, making himself a champion of the weak and a defender of the just, greatly enhancing his physical abilities and morale in combat.
- The Golden Son - The Librarian is transformed into a radiant figure suffused with the power and nobility of his Primarch. Friends witness a glorious sight not seen since Rogal Dorn himself walked amongst Men, while enemies see the fiery harbinger of their doom.
- Wave of Penance - The Librarian reaches into the aether and draws forth all of the pain suffered by his ancestors in the self-imposed atonement of the Pain Glove and a hundred other such rituals. In an instant, ten thousand standard years of penance is unleashed upon his foes, and every iota of pain ever felt by the Chapter is turned back upon its foes in an unstoppable blast wave.
- The Wall - The Librarian summons a psychic barrier that deflects blows and projectiles. Although intended to be defensive, the ability may be used offensively by the Gelehrte who sends the wall forward and knocking back all in it's path.
- Dorn's Dream - A rare ability that only the most experienced of Librarians may have. The ability allows them to glimpse a few seconds to a couple minutes into the future. This ability has turned the tide of numerous battles in the Mordekaisers' history and those who are able to use it are greatly respected.
- Void Death - Void Death is a psychic ability used exclusively by the Mordekaisers Chapter Librarians. Void Death is the act of turning a targeted area into a piece of outer space itself; no light, no air, no heat and no pressure. Those without suitable protection against the conditions of the void often experience messy deaths as their skin ruptures and they boil and freeze at the same time. Not even those who wear power armour are safe from Void Death, for the Librarians are fond of turning the very inside of power armour into a small confined piece of the void.
Breachers
The Breachers are a squad formation used by the Mordekaisers. Harkening back to the days of the Legions, Breacher squads are the first to strike, braving enemy fire to secure a beach head for their brothers. Naturally this dangerous duty appeals to the Mordekaisers and squads frequently compete with each other to be selected as a Breacher squad before battle. Adapted to the restrictions of the Codex Astartes, Mordekaisers Breachers are skilled at securing an entrance with limited numbers. Each Company has one Breacher squad at any time, counting them as a Close Support Squad according to the Codex any reserve squads attached to the Company may be placed as a second Breacher squad. Since the inclusion of Primaris, Intercessor Breachers have come into existence. Intercessor Breachers are armed with boarding shields and bolt carbines.
Manning the Walls
The Malefactus Warp Rift had always been an area of danger for the Ghoul Stars though it wasn't until the opening of the Noctis Aeterna that it became even more of a threat. The violent and turbulent warp rift now spits out daemonic hordes or renegade fleets regularly and hurls them in the direction of Düsterlicht. Thus the Mordekaisers are forced to keep a Company stationed at all times should the port come under attack. Usually it is a Reserve Company stationed to allow the Battle Companies freedom to reinforce warzones elsewhere. Other times, the Mordekaisers will make a garrison with squads derived from every Company if they cannot use a single Company.
Combat Doctrine
[[File:MK_Aggressor.png|thumb|Mordekaisers Aggressor Willerich, 5th Company, present at the Battle of Karacya.
- "I’ve been through hell and back, mortal. Your petty little rebellion will be crushed by me."
- —Unknown Mordekaiser Astartes.
The Mordekaisers specialize in naval warfare and drop assault with an emphasis on hard hitting weaponry combined with mobility; especially in areas considered Zone Mortalis. A preferred tactic is to send a wave of Deathstorm drop pods to soften up the enemy before the main force deploys. Ultimately, the Mordekaisers believe in doing as much damage in as little time as possible whilst securing the objective. This applies when a Mordekaiser force must clear a deck or hab block, quickly sweeping the area and wiping out hostiles; making use of their superior reflexes and weaponry to compensate for the often claustrophobic confines. These operations are usually spearheaded by Breachers, a specialist formation hailing from the days of the Legions, who secure a beachhead for their brothers.
As Space Marines it is certain that they will always be outnumbered by the foe, thus the Mordekaisers will do everything at their disposal to come out victorious no matter just how pragmatic it may be. Therefore the Mordekaisers are not above collateral damage if it means a dangerous target is neutralized. After all, the Imperium is a large place that teems with trillions of civilians, just a tiny number being sacrificed by a bombardment would not go amiss. In order to make up for inevitable casualties, especially in Zone Mortalis areas, the Mordekaisers rely on maximizing each marine's potential so that they can fill a gap as it opens. Thus Mordekaiser squads are trained and disciplined to the point that they operate as one. Furthermore, their inherent endurance and stubbornness means that they can take a great amount of punishment before even considering the possibility of retreat, or succumbing to death.
The Mordekaisers are very pragmatic - nothing is too low for them. A Mordekaiser will use his bolter as a club, his fists as weapons and even his teeth as sharp objects to kill an enemy. It would seem that this has become a cultural phenomena as Mordekaiser Astartes are often observed charging up to their foes and punching them square in the face. This 'unorthodox' has spilled outside of their combat doctrine as Mordekaisers will settle internal (and sometimes even external) disputes by having brawls not unlike those of common street thugs. This has made the Mordekaisers unpopular among more honourable Chapters - though few would risk a punch to the face should they wish to confront a Mordekaiser.
Battle Brother Algrun, 2nd Company 3rd Squad in forest camouflage.
The Mordekaisers have often been regarded as having a death wish due to their upfront tactics and tendency to fling themselves into the thick of fighting. The truth is different, however, for the Mordekaisers know when to pick their battles and how they fight them. Should an enemy prove too difficult to crack with an assault, the Mordekaisers will resort to stealth. To achieve this the Mordekaisers often adorn themselves in camouflage paint in order to conceal themselves. For a Chapter known for their lightning fast assaults with little subtly, the number of battles they have won through stealth attacks is surprisingly high.
The Mordekaisers also have a relatively large vehicle pool, especially in terms of dreadnoughts and fliers. The might of Dreadnoughts makes them excellent fire support platforms, especially in close quarters when tanks are not as usable. The Mordekaisers place a significant emphasis on using aircraft such as Thunderhawks to rapidly deploy and redeploy forces across the battlefield while attack craft are used to gain air superiority. Vehicles such as Rhinos and Razorbacks are less used for transport and more to secure captured locations.
Tarantula Turret belonging to the Mordekaisers.
The Mordekaisers make frequent use of Tarantula Turrets in boarding actions as defensive or offensive measures. Due to the closed nature of a ship, these turrets are incredibly effective in holding chokepoints or providing fire support. Usually, tarantula turrets that survive many battles bear a lot of scars and rents, similar to the Astartes that deploy them. Such turrets are especially honoured by the Mordekaisers.
Chapter Culture
- "The void is a cold and harsh place. It is of little wonder the Mordekaisers are also described as such."
- —Unknown.
Though Rogal Dorn was lost to the Imperium in the years following the Horus Heresy, his legacy remains amongst the strongest of all of the Primarchs'. Dorn's final moments were of courage and supreme sacrifice, and this example still drives the Imperial Fists onwards to fresh victories. Indeed, if the Imperial Fists have a fault, it is that they continue to strive when others would yield or withdraw. Such unquestioning steadfastness has rescued many a victory from the ashes of defeat, but only at a steep cost in lives. This is evident with the successors of the Imperial Fists as well.
In temperament, Mordekaisers are driven and focused. They study the tenets of the Codex Astartes with almost as much dedication as the Ultramarines, yet there are certain passages their very nature makes it hard for them to fully comprehend. Whereas the Codex teaches the wisdom of a tactical re-deployment, the Mordekaisers will fight on, all but blind to the consequences; a trait that has been their downfall many times.
While this can be considered a weakness, it is one that the Mordekaisers have managed to learn from. As such, the Mordekaisers have reformed their battle doctrine to fit more in line with the Codex Astartes and have learned when to fall back instead of fighting on. When not engaged in battle, the Mordekaisers are often driven to undertake one of several pursuits, or else be consumed by thoughts of potential imperfections or even failures. While the Imperial Fists purge their flaws through self inflicted pain, the Mordekaisers instead improve by constant practice of skill and study so that they may learn from their mistakes.
Battle Scars
Perhaps the most famous aspect of the Mordekaisers is their tendency to bear all but the most serious of battle damage, scars and markings. The reason for this is that the Mordekaisers believe that they are nigh unstoppable, their superhuman endurance, even more pronounced as sons of Dorn, and discipline making them forces to be feared. They believe that their battle damage signifies that they can survive whatever comes before them. This extends to the reverence the Mordekaisers have for dreadnoughts, even after the most grievous of wounds, still serve proudly. Though their scars and damage is often scorned and derided by other Chapters, the Mordekaisers laugh back at those who spend more time cleaning and polishing their armour than slaughtering enemies of Mankind. The most revered battle scars a Mordekaiser can get are ones gained around the eye whether it incurs a mere cut or the complete loss of an eye.
Scholars claim that this trait serves as strong evidence for the Mordekaisers being descended from the Excoriators, who bear their scars as well, yet the lineage still goes unconfirmed.
Victory Before Honour
The Mordekaisers are a blunt Chapter by all means. Especially in how they fight their battles. To them, the completion of an objective takes priority over all else, even human lives. The Mordekaisers are not concerned with the lives of a few when a promethium refinery that fueled the efforts that protected millions was in need of defending. The Chapter's pragmatic attitude extends to their views on honour; which they have little need of beyond standard courtesy.
The Long Lived
A Mordekaisers Veteran Astartes.
The Long Lived is a collective term used for Mordekaisers who live past 200 years of service. Due to their specialisation in fighting in zone mortalis battlefields and in the void, the Mordekaisers rarely live past 100 years. Hence, those who live past 200 years are regarded as legends who can survive anything the universe throws at them. The Long Lived is typically made up of veterans of the 1st Company, dreadnoughts and senior members of the Chapter.
Contemplation of the Void
While most Chapters of the Adeptus Astartes have chambers or certain places for a Battle Brother to meditate, the Mordekaisers instead use the void. Donning their power armour, a Mordekaiser will go out into the areas outside of Düsterlicht and find a place to sit or simply walk around in contemplation with only the silence of the void and the sound of their breaths for company. Some Mordekaisers take it a step further and attach themselves to a tether before demagnetizing and allowing themselves to float in the void in silent meditation. The reasoning for this is that the void-born heritage of the Mordekaisers allows them to see the black of space differently to those born on planets.
Red Aquilas
The Mordekaisers are known to venerate their Primogenitors, the Imperial Fists, and seek to prove themselves worthy sons of Rogal Dorn at every chance. As such, the Mordekaisers will rush to the call of another Chapter of Dorn's aid if they can. It is for this reason, they proudly bear a red aquila to signify who they are descended from.
Skulls and Shells
The Mordekaisers are known, if not renowned, for their disregard of danger, hence why it is unsurprising that they record particularly memorable kills they incur and their closest encounters with death.
After either gaining a certain number of kills or a particular one, a Mordekaisers Astartes scratches a bullet somewhere on his armour to record the milestone. Furthermore should a Mordekaiser emerge even barely alive from something that should've killed them, they add a red skull and a small inscription to note it. Thus the most veteran Mordekaisers have amassed lines of skull and bullet markings
Chapter Gene-Seed
From the heritage of their progenitor, the Mordekaisers' gene-seed is very stable and has never exhibited signs of mutation. However, over time they have lost the use of two of the special organs produced by the basic Astartes genetic template: the Betcher's Gland, which allows a Space Marine to produce poisonous/acidic spittle, and the Sus-an Membrane, which allows an Astartes to enter a state of suspended animation.
Being sons of Dorn the Mordekaisers are able to take a large amount of punishment, a fact they are not afraid to show in the state of their armour. Superficial things scrapes, dents and the like are ignored and several occasions where Mordekaisers have fought on with terrible wounds have been recorded. These facts point to their supposed origins from the Excoriators, a Chapter of Dorn who are known to also bear their battle damage. But with the records lost and the Excoriators continued denial, none may truly know.
Many Chapters have flaws within them, and the Mordekaisers are no different. They appear to suffer from what they call "Fearful Sleep". Every now and again, a Mordekaiser will dream that they are Rogal Dorn himself walking through the halls of the Vengeful Spirit. They can feel his fear as he traverses the halls, slaying all in his path, until he finally reaches Horus's chambers. But at the moment he walks in, the dream ends and the Mordekaiser is left with a bad feeling in his hearts. This dream is generally regarded as a bad omen. Many scholars believe that the Fearful Sleep is a lesser form of The Darkness, a genetic curse that the Excoriators bear, another piece of evidence that the Mordekaisers are in fact Excoriators descendants.
Primarch's Curse: Death before Dishonour
All Space Marines are the product of their genetic inheritance, benefiting from its blessings as well as suffering from its shortcomings, and the Mordekaisers are no different. Their Primarch was a deeply devoted warrior who fought tirelessly at the right hand of the Emperor, but even this towering exemplar had his flaws, as he himself is known to have acknowledged. Perhaps because of his dedication, Dorn was devastated when the Emperor fell, and shouldered far more than his fair share of the blame. He cast himself into a crusade of redemption that only ended in the terrible crucible of the Iron Cage, re-forging the Legion in the bloody furnace of war. Dorn's glorious legacy lives on through the Imperial Fists, but so too does his curse. This usually occurs in three levels:
- Level 1 (Suffer Not Failure) - The Battle-Brother believes himself deficient in some manner, whether real or imagined, and becomes truculent and obstructive when ordered to redeploy in the face of a stronger foe. When acting as a squad leader or Deathwatch Kill-Team leader, he makes demands of his squad that others might consider unreasonable, and views any disagreement as outright disobedience.
- Level 2 (Beware Hubris) - The Battle-Brother spends his every waking moment brooding on past battles, seeking even the slightest flaw in his own deeds, and those of others. While he stops short of outright criticism of his Battle-Brothers, he condemns his own actions as falling short of the example set by his Primarch, and seeks to redeem himself in the fires of battle.
- Level 3 (None Are Flawless) - The Battle-Brother obsessively reviews every detail of every mission he takes part in, finding fault with his own actions and those of his squad. He becomes withdrawn, maudlin and confrontational, and unwilling to accept or issue any order that does not result in imminent battle.
Inheritance of the Void
A Mordekaiser Terminator without his helmet
Because their recruitment stock consists entirely of voidborn the Mordekaisers have a pale skin tone and are typically gaunt and slightly taller than a standard Astartes.
The Mordekaisers' voidborn heritage has the drawback of being unused to planetary environments and it is common for Mordekaisers to take time to adjust to a planet when they set foot on it. It can even be said that Mordekaisers can suffer great unease from being on a planet, the completely different environment being disorienting to one who spends most of his life in the confines of a ship. It is common for a Mordekaiser to wear his helmet all the time on a planet, even when not in battle, in order to cope with the open world.
Chapter Recruitment
Mordekaisers scout marine.
The Mordekaisers recruit from the many gangs in the deeper tunnels and halls of Düsterlicht. The small spaces of the starport mean that fights over territories are common. The chapter is known to swoop in during fights and take potential candidates to their fortress monastery for implantation. Before implantation, the gang members are placed into a maze of tunnels and made to find their way out. The catch is, they must work together to find the exit. This means that the gang members must get over their rivalries and work as a team. Not only does this erase the gangers previous allegiances to their gangs but it instills the sense of brotherhood and discipline that the Mordekaisers hold so dearly.
Once they have received their implantations, the neophytes become scout marines. As scout marines, they are tutored in the Chapter’s ways by performing menial tasks; neophytes clean, cook and run errands for full battle brothers. This further instills discipline. When in battle, neophytes will act as hit and run units or objective takers, their smaller size making them suited for quicker movements. The 10th Company is called the Unscarred due to a scout typically having no scars at first. Scars are earned in battle and it is considered a cause for celebration when a scout earns his first. Based on individual performance, the neophyte will either advance to a devastator squad or the Vanguard.
Chapter Fleet
A Mordekaiser Battle Barge and two Escorts
- "They were like aged void whales, covered in scars from centuries of fights. They fight like one too."
- —Unknown.
Instead of having a home world, the Mordekaisers make their base of operations on the starport of Düsterlicht, a port in the Ghoul Stars near the Malefactus Warp Rift. Düsterlicht is where the Chapter dock their ships, the Chapter themselves specifically residing in a fortress within the port. The port is a maze of small tunnels ruled by gangs who bear oil painted markings to identify themselves. Thus they are perfect sources of recruits for the Mordekaisers.
The Mordekaisers fleet is quite large; boasting 2 Battle barges, 10 strike cruisers and numbers of escorts. This makes them incredibly devastating in fleet battles. Several of the ships are outfitted with Ursus Claws, which allows them to cripple ships and reel them in for boarding. Fittingly all but the most superficial of battle damage is repaired, giving the ships are rugged look. Unfortunately for the enemy, the Mordekaiser ships are still very effective.
Several ships in the Chapter Fleet are outfitted with Ursus Claws which allow them to catch vessels and reel them in for easy boarding. Furthermore, their hulls are often strengthened to to allow for a full frontal assault.
Notable Ships
The Void Beast
- The Void Beast (Battle Barge) - The flagship of the Mordekaiser fleet. The Void Beast has been in the Chapter's possession since their creation. It's hull has been repaired countless times and its metal skin is covered in scrapes and craters from millennia of battle. Even so, it works just as well as it did during its early years and has been the death of countless enemy ships.
- Dorn's Wrath (Battle Barge)
- Mortis (Battle Barge)
- Emperor's Might (Strike Cruiser)
- Killer (Strike Cruiser)
Hull Eater
- Hull-Eater (Escort) - Hull Eater is an escort ship of the Mordekaisers' Chapter Fleet. It has earned a reputation for ramming into enemy ships in every battle it has taken part in, resulting in it being gifted with a strengthened battering ram on its hull. Its greatest claim to fame was the Battle of Karldan, where Hull Eater rammed clean through a Chaos infested Warship, breaking it apart and ending the plans of a hundreds of thousands strong warband.
- Scarred Lord (Strike Cruiser) - The Scarred Lord is one of the oldest ships in the Mordekaisers' Chapter Fleet, having served as with the 5th Company since the Chapter's Founding. It was severely crippled in the Magrin War but restored after the Second Siege of Düsterlicht to serve the newly rebuilt 5th Company under Fabian Alric.
Deathwatch Service
Despite their considerable distance from much of the Imperium, the Mordekaisers regularly send marines for the Long Vigil when required. A Mordekaiser marine will often use close ranged weaponry and or take up roles as devastators or assault marines where their natural endurance makes them tough foes to put down. Mordekaisers will gladly work alongside other sons of Dorn due to their shared blood though, of course, they make an effort to work alongside any Chapter even though their damaged armour and blunt methods can be controversial.
Notable Mordekaisers
Kaiser Markus Diascalon.
- Kaiser Markus Diascalon - Markus Diascalon, the "Beast in the Halls", is the current Kaiser of the Mordekaisers Chapter. A hulking brute of an Astartes, even without his armour, he is a fearsome sight to behold. In battle, Markus is to a bloodthirsty beast that leaves trails of death and destruction when he is unleashed onto an enemy ship. Few can bravely stand before an advancing monster in scarred terminator armour with lightning claws dripping in blood and even fewer can survive the encounter. As of recent times, he joined countless heroes in undergoing the Rubicon Primaris and emerging as a Primaris marine. His actions in battle have earned him the comparison to Tyberos the Red Wake, Chapter Master of the enigmatic Carcharodons Chapter, who the Mordekaisers fought alongside once. Not only has he been compared to the Red Wake, Diascalon's endurance has been reputed to be second only to that of Asterion Moloc's, Chapter Master of the Minotaurs. As such, to cross paths with the Beast in the Halls and to be on the wrong side of the battle is a grisly fate; for Diascalon is merciless to any foe.
Venerable Willafried, the Murder Lord.
- Willafried - Willafried was the first Kaiser of the Mordekaisers. It is believed that he was once of the Excoriators but, at the same time, it is claimed that he was once of the Imperial Fists. Tall, even for an Astartes, he was regarded as a brutish intimidating figure who could go toe to toe with even the mightiest of champions. Willafried's reputation was such that no one, not even Diascalon, would dare claim to be mightier. He ruled the Chapter for a long period of time before finally falling at the battle for Isenstad, where the stubborn Kaiser slaughtered an entire ship of Orkz before finally allowing himself to fall. Surprisingly, Willafried would not die despite his mortal wounds. His last words were a demand to be interred into a dreadnought so he could keep fighting. As such he was interred into a Leviathan Dreadnought. Willafried still serves to this day, an icon of destruction unleashed only in the most dire of times. Surprisingly, despite the mental and physical toll a Leviathan has on its pilot, Willafried has retained much of his sanity and remains a potent foe.
- Heinrach - Heinrach succeeded Targotz as Kaiser. Heinrach differed from his predecessors in that he was a strategist first and fighter second. He was an extremely skilled tactician who usually directed the battle from a holo table, where he found his own glory in battle. However he was no slouch in battle either and went into war with his trusty storm bolter, power sword and thermo combi-fist. Alas he met his end on Pyamax where he and five other marines had a desperate last stand against the Wolves of Retribution, slaying scores of heretics before succumbing to his wounds.
- Targotz - Targotz, also known as the "Foolish Kaiser", was Willafried's successor after his fall at Isenstad. Intent on continuing the traditions of his predecessor, he was a warrior who led from the front. However this would be his downfall at the Disaster at Zirkyros where he stubbornly refused to fall back from the T'au counterattack. He was blown to pieces by a T'au hammerhead.
- Hauptmann Marz Fester - Marz Fester is Hauptmann of the 2nd Company. A veteran of the Chapter, Marz is comparable to a blunt force that smashes through anything foolish enough to be in front of his power fist. He is also a perfect example for the hardiness of the Mordekaisers for his armour is covered in tears and scars of battle and, furthermore, he was said to have not uttered even a grunt of pain when a flesh hound bit his leg off though the rumours of him beating the unfortunate daemon to death with said leg are less likely.
- Hauptmann Niklaus Kuhn - Life in the Mordekaisers is short for an Astartes, most do not make it past 250 years. Therefore those who do are well respected as they would surely be mighty warriors to have achieved such a feat. Therefore none are more respected than the 4th Company's Hauptmann, Niklaus Kuhn, whose reputation is such that even the Kaiser will go silent when he opens his mouth to speak. Niklaus is an old man, even by Mordekaiser standards, at 500 years old and is said to be the oldest Mordekaiser who isn't a dreadnought. Niklaus's scars are obvious for he is no longer the optimistic vibrant neophyte he once was. Yet in place of optimism and cheer is a mighty bastion that allows no fear or foe to break him.
5th Hauptmann Fabian Alric
- Fabian Alric - Fabian is Hauptmann of the 5th Company. Alric is one of the Awakened, the Primaris marines created on Mars, and thus was of the reinforcements gifted to the Mordekaisers in the wake of Guilliman's coming. It was his skill and valour that saw him promoted to captain during the Indomitus Crusade and, as such, saw him placed as Hauptmann of the depleted 5th Company where a bulk of Primaris reinforcements were placed. As the first Primaris to be elevated to such a command, Fabian was placed under watch from the initially distrustful Chapter, placing a great deal of pressure upon him to prove his worth. He recently led the 5th Company against the Wolves of Retribution, at the Battle of Karacya where his tactics and slaying one of the warband's greatest champions won the day and the respect of his peers as well as proving the worth of the Primaris marines.
- Crygus - Crygus was the Hauptmann of the 3rd Company and was present at the Disaster at Zirkyros. After Kaiser Targotz was killed, it was Crygus who rallied the Mordekaisers and sounded the retreat.
- Horst the Unwise - Horst the Unwise was once Hauptmann of the 6th Company until he made the unwise decision of challenging a Hive Tyrant to a duel, his ravaged form was barely recovered and interred into the sarcophagus of a dreadnought from where he has fought for five centuries. His title is an example of the Mordekaiser's laconic wit.
- Klauz - Klauz has been interred within a Dreadnought sarcophagus since the days of Kaiser Willafried. His ancient and weathered frame serves as inspiration for the Mordekaisers, for Klauz has survived many blows that should've slain him. Alas, he fell in the Second Defence of Düsterlicht after holding off the foe for several hours. Fortunately his sarcophagus and frame was recovered and largely intact, meaning a worthy hero who fell in the battle replaced Klauz and serves to continue his legacy.
- Ignatz - Ignatz, of the 3rd Company, was one of the five marines who fought alongside Kaiser Heinrich in his last stand on Pyamax. Known for being quite the marksman, he scored a tally of 50 heretic astartes kills before finally falling.
- Jakob - Jakob, of the 6th Company, was one of the five marines who fought alongside Kaiser Heinrich in his last stand on Pyamax. His plasma gun brought down dozens of traitor marines before he was laid low by bolter fire. Before he could be finished off, however, he overcharged his plasma gun to bring a further number of heretics with him.
- Kilian - Kilian, of the 2nd Company, was one of the five marines who fought alongside Kaiser Heinrich in his last stand on Pyamax. Despite already taking several wounds, he fought bravely anyway before finally succumbing.
- Raban - Raban, of the 2nd Company, was one of the five marines who fought alongside Kaiser Heinrich in his last stand on Pyamax. Even though he took many blows as he fought desperately against the Wolves of Retribution, Raban was the last to fall, firing his bolter until his last dying breath.
- Tielo - Tielo, of the 5th Company, was one of the five marines who fought alongside Kaiser Heinrich in his last stand on Pyamax. When he finally fell against a Wolves of Retribution Champion, his final act was to plunge his knife into the champion's skull.
- Gerlach - Tall, even for an Astartes and bordering on the size of the newly arrived Primaris Space Marines, Gerlach was an intimidating figure of a marine with an attitude to match. He led Kill Team Corinth for it's entire service, favouring brute force assaults that put the Team in avoidable danger. Despite this, his talent for leadership and inherent endurance brought the Kill Team victories and without loss. When the Kill Team disbanded Gerlach returned to the Mordekaisers and took his place in the 5th Company once more. He perished in the Magrin War when the Senseless Noise ambushed and wiped out the Kompanie. Legend holds that, in his last dying breath, Gerlach detonated the grenade belt he wore around his chest and took his killers with him.
- Yngvi - Yngvi is the first Astartes in the Mordekaisers Chapter to cross the Rubicon Primaris, a process that went successfully and saw him take his place as Lieutenant of the 3rd Company. His successful crossing has been regarded as opening the door for more marines of the Mordekaisers to take similar steps.
- Laronis - Laronis was Hauptmann of the 2nd Company until his death in 643.M40 where he killed by the 60th Slayer of the Trial.
Chapter Relics
- The Blade of Brand - Brand was an ancient hero of the Mordekaisers known for throwing himself into the thick of battle. He fell after 250 years of service to a tyranid horde. All that was recovered was his hand, still holding onto the sword. Unable to remove the sword from the hand the Mordekaisers have kept it as a relic. A reminder of their duty to the Imperium and that even in death they still serve.
- Lightning Fang- The Lightning Fang is an ancient chainsword with teeth that is rumoured to have come from Storm's Teeth, the chainsword that was once wielded by Rogal Dorn, Primarch of the Imperial Fists.
- The Bulwark - Legend holds that the ancient suit of Mark III Armour has been in the Chapter's possession since it's founding. Those who wear the Bulwark are said to be nigh invincible in battle, as the countless marks of scarring and dents can attest.
- Gifts of the First - Willafried was known for his use of two power fists in battle, smashing apart his foes with mighty blows. When he finally fell, his power fists became relics. Only those who have done acts of heroism may hope to wield one of the fists and emulate the might of the First Kaiser.
- Heinrich's Insights - Kaiser Heinrich was less known for his battle prowess than for his strategic genius and his foresight. Knowing that he would not live forever, Heinrich wrote a book detailing his strategies and tactics as well as the importance of adapting to the flow of battle quickly. Even though he has long since passed, Heinrich is remembered by this book of strategies that the Chapter follows to this day.
- Memory of the Five - In Kaiser Heinrich's last stand against the Wolves of Retribution, five marines of different Companies and squads came to his defense. Despite all of them falling, their sacrifice allowed the rest of Mordekaisers to mount a counter attack and drive back the Wolves of Retribution and recover the bodies of Heinrich and the Five. In memory of their bravery, the Five were buried in tombs built on the site of the last stand and their names engraved into Heinrich's terminator armour. Whoever wears the armour also bears the names of the Five; Ignatz, Jakob, Kilian, Raban and Tielo.
- Stahl Nihility - Stahl and Nihility are a pair of Lightning Claws that date back to the dark days of the Horus Heresy. With their large size and particular sharpness, they are capable of rending a foe into pieces in seconds. Chapter legend holds that Stahl Nihility represents the Mordekaisers perfectly. Stahl, which means steel in Germanik, represents the Mordekaisers' unbreaking will and Nihility represents their close ties with the void of space. Both of the Claws are wielded by Kaiser Markus Diascalon.
- XI-10 - XI-10 was Kaiser Heinrich's personal servo skull, feeding information from the battlefield directly to it's master's helmet. Having been with Heinrich since he ascended to Kaiser, XI-10 served him until the end. It recorded Heinrich and the five marines' fatal, yet glorious, last stand on Pyamax against the Wolves of Retribution. It is still in service to the Chapter today, being repaired many times, where it provides its user with extremely accurate tactical information.
Chapter Appearance
Mordekaisers Tactical Marine of the 6th Company.
Chapter Colours
The Mordekaisers primarily were grey coloured power armour. The arms, pauldrons, upper backpack are coloured a darkish green. When it comes to identification, the Mordekaisers follow the Codex. They identify company by colouring their left knee pad and place their squad number on the right kneepad while their squad specialty remains on the right pauldron. When it comes to identifying ranks, the Mordekaisers use a vertical stripe on their helmets with a different to distinguish ranks. Baseline battle brothers are green and veterans are red. Sergeants and Veteran Sergeants use a silver skull on a green or red stripe respectively. With the recent addition of the Lieutenant, the Mordekaisers use a red and white stripe with a gold skull. Captains use a golden stripe. The Kaiser usually wears a helmet coloured in gold. The reason for system is to make it difficult for Mordekaiser officers to be easily identified by enemy snipers in comparison to a different coloured helmet. The Mordekaisers may throw themselves into death’s jaw willingly but they won’t allow it to bite down so easily. Perhaps the Mordekaisers' most distinguishing trait is the battle scars that they wear on their armour as a sign of their endurance. A space marine is an intimidating foe itself but one who appears as if he has been through hell itself is downright terrifying. Thus the legends that a Mordekaiser would make even a foe who cannot know fear think twice before attacking him may not be as mythical as they sound.
Additionally, Mordekaisers Astartes tend to proudly wear campaign badges and Chapter honorifics on their armour to signify their service. The most common badges are the bullet tallies and red skulls. Bullet tallies are signifiers of a score of enemies killed and red skulls signify the amount of near deaths a Mordekaisers has encountered.
Discrepancies
A Mordekaiser Battle Brother shown in the incorrect colour scheme.
Due to the often disorganised system of the Administratum there was a brief time period when the Imperium believed the Mordekaisers had a different colour scheme. It was originally believed that the Mordekaisers had green limbs and represented their Companies via coloured trims. This belief lasted for around two centuries before an updated review of the Chapter saw it corrected... saving the descendant of the Adept who first made the mistake from a violent encounter.
Chapter Badge
The Mordekaisers' badge is a damaged skull with a crown. To them it is a perfect representation of their name which means, when translated to High Gothic, "Murder Lords", a name the Mordekaisers are keen to live up to.
Chapter Relations
When the Mordekaisers campaign with other Chapters, they have a tendency to get very competitive with Chapters who also specialise in void warfare. The Mordekaisers will try and outperform the other Chapters in boarding and destroying more ships than any other. Those who manage to best them will earn their respect, as well as a vow for a rematch. The biggest example of this would be their friendly rivalry with the Star Wardens of whom they are locked in a stalemate with for which Chapter has slain the most ships.
Allies
| Name | Iconography | Notes | ||
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| Last Wall Chapters |   |
The Mordekaisers venerate their Primogenitors and strive to follow their example. They also attempt to make good terms with other successor Chapters of the Imperial Fists. As such, the Mordekaisers gladly campaign alongside those who share their blood at every opportunity. | ||
| Imperial Fists Successors |   |
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| Dawn Stalkers |   |
The Mordekaisers are known for being close to other Chapters of Dorn, even those of a more 'displeasing' nature. Of such chapters the Dawn Stalkers remain a close ally to the Mordekaisers, the relationship between the two Chapters begining when the Dawn Stalkers requested reinforcements for a campaign against an Ork Waaagh led by 'Bos Hamerfist'. Being close and always willing to assist a Chapter of Dorn, the Mordekaisers responded. The void war specialising Mordekaisers tore into the Ork fleet with vigorous abandon and helped the Dawn Stalkers crush the greenskin threat. The two Chapters parted with a newfound respect for one another. The Dawn Stalkers idealizing the Mordekaisers’ skill at void warfare and the Mordekaisers respecting the Dawn Stalkers’ willingness to defend the defenseless. | ||
| Duran Heika |   |
Duran Heika's operations in the Ghoul Stars and surrounding regions often involves him calling upon the services of the Mordekaisers for their skill in void warfare as well as their intimidating armour. Furthermore, as a voidborn himself, he understands the Mordekaisers' discomfort when being on planet and actually lives on Düsterlicht itself where he has quarters in the higher levels. | ||
| Blood Hounds |   |
Despite the differences between the two Chapters both genetically and culturally, the combat styles of the Mordekaisers and the Blood Hounds complement each other extremely well allowing for the perfect fighting force. Whenever they fight together the Mordekaisers and Blood Hounds are known to exchange cultural markings and scars in recognition of each other's valour. | ||
| Night Guard |   |
The Night Guard's proficiency in void warfare has earned them the respect of the Mordekaisers. After a series of battle where they fought side by side on an a barren asteroid, the two Chapters swore an oath of brotherhood between each other. | ||
| Star Wardens | Most recently, the Mordekaisers have formed a friendly rivalry with the Star Wardens Chapter. Due to their specialty in void warfare, the Star Wardens were challenged by the Mordekaisers to see who could take out the most ships in a battle. The challenge ended in a tie thus the two Chapters exchanged words of friendship and have continuously fought together in an effort to break the tie. | |||
Enemies
| Name | Iconography | Notes | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wolves of Retribution |   |
The Wolves of Retribution are the most hated foes of the Mordekaisers. Once former friends the Wolves' fall from grace and into chaotic corruption dismayed and angered the Mordekaisers making them swear an oath that they would purge the Wolves of Retribution and end their vile taint, as well as perhaps avenging the memory of the noble, and pious, warriors the Wolves once were. | ||
| Grysaki | The Grysaki have been a plague on the Ghoul Stars longer than the Mordekaisers have even existed. The Mordekaisers have sworn to purge the stars of these xenos, no matter the cost. | |||
Notable Quotes
By the Mordekaisers
- "For millennia you have fought so hard for the Imperium and Emperor. So much has been lost since the Heresy, so much has been sacrificed. So many noble warriors, so many heroes, so many brothers lost to history. You have sacrificed so much to the Imperium and have received such little thanks. For ten thousand years you and your kind have defended the Imperium against all odds but now, that the Galaxy is split in two, we have come to share the burden! So rest now, brother of the old kind, for you have earned it. The Primaris have come to help."
- —From the writings of Intercessor Brother Lukas.
- "Long has it been since my feet have touched the dirt of a planet, brother. It saddens me that it is not with my own two feet that I have done so again."
- —Venerable Manfred lamenting his interment to a Dreadnought to Brother Ernst , during the Tyli Campaign
- "And that is where you are wrong, cousin. See this cut here on my pauldron? An ork chainsword did that. And this dent here. A chaos power maul glanced off it. And the scratch over my eyepiece? An Aeldari diresword did that. Took my eye with it. Why do I tell you this? I’m telling you my history. We Mordekaisers don’t just wear our scars as reminders that we can survive anything. We wear them to tell our story. These scars are not left due to negligence or barbarism. No, we leave them because they define us."
- —Brother Landers to an Ultramarine
- "Being a Son of Dorn blesses us with endurance like few others. But the amount of times I've tended to brothers who claim they are able to keep fighting despite losing all their limbs or their guts spilling out of them is going to be the death of me."
- —Apothecary Hans of the Mordekaisers
- "No, captain Lysander, I am alright. It is just... I am unused to walking on a planet. Me and my brethren are voidborn, we are used to the constant sounds of the engines and used to breathing air recycled countless times. The softness of the ground at my feet, the natural air and the.... breeze, are alien feelings to me. I much prefer the home of a ship."
- —Hauptmann Niklaus Kuhn to Captain Darnath Lysander
- "You utter fool! Imperial science is the greatest in the Galaxy!"
- —Techmarine Stroheim prior to unleashing the Leviathan Dreadnoughts on a luckless force of T'au.
- "Mock my scars all you want, it won't stop me tearing your smug face apart."
- —Brother Otto to an arrogant Chaos Marine. He made good on his promise.
About the Modekaisers
- "It's hard finding someone as crazy as us, but let me tell you...these Mordekaisers...they truly have earned my respect. I thought nobody could master the void like we do, but clearly I was mistaken."
- —Night Guard Captain talking about the Mordekaisers
- "These marines are one of the few chapters that I respect. Although they are born different from us , I see them worthy of clansmen from my tribe.They are also very impressive in battle and are great allies to have.Would love to have a one on one with the Kaiser Markus Diascalon for just to see."
- —Erak Stormbringer
- "I must say, these "Murder Lords" may wear their armour like they've been through hell but, by the Emperor, if it weren't for them smashing through the T'au fleet, we'd never have won this campaign."
- — General Alexandros of the 50th Cadian Regiment reflecting on the Mordekaisers' actions.
- "The state of Brother Gozzo's armour is an affront to all decency! I am truly surprised his machine spirit hasn't rebelled from such disrespect! Furthermore he throws himself into battle like a lunatic with a wish to die! It is for these reasons that I am writing this letter in order to ensure that his Chapter awards his service with the utmost of honours when he returns. Despite his armour's state, I have never fought alongside such an effective fighter. Many times has he saved my and the rest of the Kill Team's lives. I end this letter with a message for Gozzo himself: If we are ever reunited then I will be glad to fight alongside him once more."
- —Excerpt from a letter written Kill-Team Leader Gaius of the Ultramarines to the Mordekaisers on Brother Gozzo.
- "I know not who these Mordekaisers are. All I know is that they too are sons of the Primarch and they claim to be our successors. To this I say impossible, the Excoriators have have no successors. We have no records of our gene-seed being used to create successors. Regardless, I have read of their battle records, they perform as sons of Dorn should. So, while I do not accept them to be our successors, I will accept them to be our brothers."
- —Zachariah Kersh, Chapter Master of the Excoriators.
- "Their armor? One degree of separation from scrap. Their character? Not a scratch. Just keep 'em away from virus bombs though, hehe!"
- —Michael 'Handyman' Roweson of the Emperor's Liberators.
- "They look as pale and humourless as the raven guard, charge into combat like space wolves, and despite this. I can see the spirit of Dorn in them. They have a hero you see! An old legend of a warrior who fought until consumed by a swarm, all they found of him was a single hand. Could they be any more in the image of their genefather?"
- —Anonymous Jade Knives
- "Tenacious. Stubbornly so, like their forefathers. While not as swift as a Son of Khan or a Son of Sanguinius, the speed in which they assault a position is most impressive for a Son of Dorn."
- —Kapitulant Dragoon Kailac Iscariom of the Lightning Wraiths
- "The void is as cold and unforgiving as it is infinite. To not only conquer but also thrive in it is a testament to the strength of the Mordekaisers."
- —Chief Librarian of the Angels of Annihilations Manducto Velstädt on the Mordekaisers as he enters the story of their joint battle into the Chapter's Librarius archives.
| Twenty Fourth Founding Space Marine Chapters | |
|---|---|
| Dark Angels Successors | Knights of the Lion • |
| White Scars Successors | Crux Catharian • Storm Sons • |
| Space Wolves Successors | N/A |
| Imperial Fists Successors | Knights Adamant • Mordekaisers • |
| Blood Angels Successors | • |
| Iron Hands Successors | Star Crusaders • |
| Ultramarines Successors | Battencian Heralds • Knights of Cyon • |
| Salamanders Successors | Space Drakes • Starborn Giants |
| Raven Guard Successors | Death Bearers • Sable Daggers • Shadow Warriors • Void Hawks • |
| Unknown Lineage | Electric Wardens • |
| Renegades | • |
Gallery
Videos
Homebrew Of The Week - Episode 156 - The Mordekaisers
A holo-vid detailing the history of the Mordekaisers Chapter.
Acknowledgements
I would like to take a minute and thank you for reading this article, I sincerely hope you enjoyed reading it though, of course, if you have any feedback then feel free to give it. I would also like to thank the Wiki's discord server for welcoming me into the community and being an amazing help with setting me up and giving me a chance to bring my homebrews onto this Wiki. Special shout out goes to Algrim Whitefang and Achilles Prime for helping me with the art and page fixing. Also a big thank you to Valerius Spero and Phantom for showing me the server. Finally a big thanks to everyone who has provided feedback, suggestions and advice on how to make the Mordekaisers such an awesome Chapter!
Yours greatfully, MaliusV.