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Misericordia

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Targetdrone.gif This article is about the dagger; for the vehicle restraint mechanism, see Caestus Assault Ram.
Misericordia[4]

The Misericordia ("blade of mercy") is a weapon usually in the form of a long dagger or short sword carried by the Legio Custodes, and later Adeptus Custodes[2], as a symbol of the Magisterium Lex Ultima which places them above all law except the direct authority of the Emperor of Mankind. Designed to deliver a single killing thrust, they may be used to carry out a death sentence or to euthanise a grievously wounded warrior.[1]

History

The Misericordia became symbols of the authority of executioner-judges and the complete power of life and death held by the warlords of Terra over their subjects during the Age of Strife. After the Unification Wars, only the agents and judges of the Emperor of Mankind were permitted to carry the Misericordia.[1]

Misericordia presented to Adeptus Custodes aspirant when he become full Custodian member. It is said that originally - before the Unification Wars misericordias were the weapon of Tyrants of old Terra, but after their fall transfered to symbol of arbiters of humanity, the Emperor's judgement itself.[3]

After the Horus Heresy Misericordias gain a new meaning - becoming the vengeance for Emperor's demise. It is said that, that every time Misericordia pierced the traitor's heart, a minuscule measure of revenge is exacted on behalf of the Emperor himself. Though Custodians mostly immune to such superstition, there are those amongst their ranks who harbour the hope that if enough traitor blood is spilt with these blades, it may in some way restore the Emperor himself. Other group of Custodians, named the Miserians, believe that through the wounds inflicted with Misericordia the Black Legion and their masters will slowly bleed themselves, so often managed to inflict a death by a thousand cuts upon the miserable Traitors. That's why it's rare indeed that Custodian will go to battle against the Heretic Astartes without Misericordias at their hips.[3]

Appearance

The Misericordias resembles a knives that are filigreed with gold and theldrite, their hilts moulded to the owner's unique grip and their blades imbued with micromolecular dissonator spirits that allow them to slice through the thickest armour as though it is just sheet of paper.[3]

Notable Misericordia's

See Also

Related Articles

Sources