The Death Guard Marines are among the most feared and reviled warriors in the Warhammer 40,000 universe, known for their resilience, their connection to decay, and their relentless advance on the battlefield. Once loyal Astartes of the Imperium, the Death Guard were transformed into something far more sinister during the Horus Heresy, when they fell under the corrupting influence of Nurgle, the Chaos God of disease, decay, and entropy.
Originally hailing from the planet Barbarus, the Death Guard were led by their Primarch, Mortarion, who instilled in them a stoic endurance and a disdain for weakness. This made the Death Guard one of the most durable Legions during the Great Crusade, known for their ability to fight in the most hazardous environments and to bear the brunt of any assault. However, their strength was also their downfall, as Mortarion’s deep-seated resentment and disillusionment with the Emperor made him susceptible to the lure of Chaos.
The pivotal moment for the Death Guard came during the Horus Heresy, when they were trapped in the warp by a powerful plague unleashed by Nurgle. As the disease ravaged the Legion, Mortarion, in his desperation, made a pact with Nurgle to save his warriors. This decision cursed the Death Guard, transforming them into the grotesque Plague Marines. Their bodies became bloated with corruption, their armor fused with their flesh, and they became living embodiments of decay, spreading Nurgle’s foul contagions wherever they went.
Now, as Plague Marines, the Death Guard embody the principles of Nurgle: endurance, decay, and the inevitability of death. They are almost impossible to kill, shrugging off wounds that would fell any other warrior, their rotting bodies sustained by the foul gifts of their patron god. In battle, they advance slowly and inexorably, immune to pain and fear, their weapons laced with deadly plagues that can reduce entire armies to diseased husks. Their mere presence on the battlefield is a blight, corrupting the land and spreading despair among their enemies.
The Death Guard’s transformation into Plague Marines has made them one of the most dreaded forces of Chaos. They serve Nurgle with a grim determination, spreading his gifts of disease and decay across the galaxy. Their appearance is horrifying, their tactics brutal, and their loyalty to Mortarion and Nurgle unwavering. The Death Guard Marines are a terrifying reminder of the horrors that lurk within the warp, and the dark fate that can befall even the most powerful warriors.