Mordlied
Mordlied was a Black Templars Castellan, who served in Marshal Marius Amalrich's Cruxis Crusade as the banner-bearer.[1a]
Biography
The Crusade defended Cadia during the 13th Black Crusade and Mordlied held Cruxis' twin-forked banner aloft as the Crusade fought the Chaos invaders.[1a] During the battle, the Black Templars decided to make their stand on the Martyr's Rampart, one of the outlying defensive fortresses of Kasr Kraf. During the engagement, an explosion knocked Mordlied off his feet and resulted in him dropping the banner. For this shame, Marshal Amalrich ordered another battle brother to pick up the standard and exchange his chainsword with Mordlied.[1b]
As the battle progressed, Creed ordered all forces to fall back to Kasr Kraf, but the Black Templars were resolute in remaining at the Martyr's Rampart, which at this point had been reduced to rubble. About nine battle brothers who picked up the standard had been slain in combat. Mordlied then approached Marshal Amalrich and informed him that he had had a vision from the Emperor that the crusade had committed the sin of pride and refused aid to Kasr Kraf, and this had resulted in them losing favour with the Emperor. Despite his misgivings, Marshal Amalrich gathered all the survivors of the crusade, and redeployed to Kasr Kraf in the Thunderhawk Tabernacle of St Sawan. Then Mordlied, invested in the Armour of Faith and wielding the Black Sword, leapt into the heart of hell and brought it the vengeance of the Emperor’s Champion. He was challenged by Urkanthos, and met him in single combat. But Mordlied was cut down by the Daemon and crushed underneath its hooves. With his dying breath, he informed Marshal Amalrich that he had lied about receiving a vision from the Emperor. But as he was locked in combat with the Daemon, he saw a vision of Saint Celestine, who said, "the greatest act of faith and love of humanity is self-sacrifice".[1c]
