Ludmilla Tarch
Ludmilla Tarch was the Planetary Governor of Korvon II, when it was invaded by the Death Guard sometime after the Great Rift's creation.[1]
Before the invasion began, however, she was among the many that were infected by a plague, that had swept across Korvon II. In desperation, Tarch sought salvation through the worship of Nurgle and this allowed her to survived her infection. The Governor then lured other victims of the plague into the Chaos God's grasp, including her trusted military adviser, General Emeric Redgar. Despite now being a thrall of Nurgle, though, Tarch kept up a visage of loyalty and later called out for aid, when Korvon II was invaded by the Death Guard.[3a]
The Ultramarines would come to the world's aid, but during the invasion Tarch's palace was attacked by the Death Guard and she was presumed to have been killed. Sometime later though, the Ultramarines received a distress signal from the Governor, which was sent out from the city of Sanctus. Tarch requested assistance as she was surrounded in a temple, with her remaining bodyguards, and was being attacked by some of Sanctus' citizens who had become Cultists. An Ultramarines strike force was sent to aid her, but it had to fight its way through the Death Guard and Chaos Cults infesting the city. As they neared the temple Tarch was located in, a group of Scouts were sent ahead to locate the Governor, while the rest of the strike force held back the forces of Chaos. When the Scouts located Tarch, however, they discovered she had fallen to the worship of Nurgle and was about to sacrifice a bound PDF officer to the Chaos God. When she spotted them, Tarch ordered her Cult followers to attack the Scouts, in order to give their souls to Nurgle as well. As the Cultists began attacking the Scouts, Tarch did not kill the PDF officer, though, and instead fled from the battle.[1]
Tarch then revealed herself to be the leader of the Withering Stem Chaos Cult and has become a priority target for the Ultramarines. She now broadcasts messages to Korvon II's population, urging them to join the Cult and fight back against the corrupt Imperium[2]. As the war progressed and the number of dead increased, Tarch began a Chaos ritual to become a Daemon Princess; with the aid of General Redgar and the Withering Stem. She had become obsessed with obtaining immortality, since surviving the plague that caused her fall to heresy, and being reborn in the image of Nurgle, would fulfill her long held goal. However the Ultramarines became aware of her plot and attacked Tarch and her followers as the ritual was underway. This caused Tarch to lose her concentration and caused the ritual's Warp energy to corrupt her and General Redgar into mindless Chaos Spawn[3a]. Though her plan was ultimately foiled, Tarch and Redgar's new forms could still serve as valuable symbols to the Withering Stem. The Ultramarines knew this as well and are now attempting to destroy the two traitors before they can escape the ritual site.[3b]
Related Articles
Sources
- 1: Conquest 50 - Rise of the Cults: Distress Signal Received
- 2: Conquest 59 - Tracking a Traitor
- 3: Conquest 72
