Mortarion, the grim and tragic Primarch of the Death Guard, stands as one of the most complex figures in the Warhammer 40,000 universe. Born on the toxic death world of Barbarus, Mortarion was raised in a land perpetually shrouded in poisonous mists, where the air was so foul that even the strongest humans could barely survive. He was found by one of the tyrannical warlords who ruled over the planet, beings who were not entirely human and could withstand the toxic atmosphere with ease. Mortarion was adopted by this cruel figure and grew up in the shadow of unimaginable suffering and death.
Mortarion’s early life was a constant struggle against the toxic environment and the brutal warlords who oppressed the human population. With a deep hatred for the tyrants who had subjugated his people, Mortarion led a rebellion against them, becoming a grim reaper figure, mowing down his enemies with relentless efficiency. However, he could never reach the highest peaks of Barbarus, where the air was so thick with poison that even he could not survive. It was here that the Emperor of Mankind found him, offering his aid to defeat the final tyrant. Though Mortarion resented the Emperor for stepping in when victory was within his grasp, he nonetheless accepted his place as one of the Primarchs of the Great Crusade.
As the leader of the Death Guard, Mortarion shaped his Legion into a force that mirrored his own unyielding resilience. The Death Guard became known for their ability to endure the most hazardous environments, fighting in conditions that would destroy lesser warriors. Their signature tactic was to advance steadily, weathering any storm of firepower until they could bring their enemies down with overwhelming close-quarters force.
However, Mortarion’s distrust of the Emperor and his simmering resentment made him vulnerable to the whispers of Chaos. During the Horus Heresy, Mortarion and his Death Guard were ultimately lured into the service of Nurgle, the Chaos God of decay and disease. This transformation was not one of eager acceptance but of grim inevitability. Mortarion and his warriors were afflicted with a horrific plague that ravaged their bodies and minds. In a moment of desperation, Mortarion made a fateful pact with Nurgle, saving his Legion but damning them to an eternity of corruption.
Now, as a Daemon Primarch of Nurgle, Mortarion embodies the pestilence and decay of his new master. His once noble intentions are now twisted into a perverse mockery of his original ideals. Where once he sought to free humanity from oppression, he now spreads disease and death across the galaxy, reveling in the rot and despair he brings. Clad in his ancient, corroded armor, wielding the scythe Silence, and surrounded by the diseased fumes of his homeworld, Mortarion leads the Death Guard in their endless war against the Imperium, an avatar of inevitable entropy and decay.