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|}}
 
|}}
 
{{Battle
 
{{Battle
−
|Name        = Plague Wars
+
|Name        = {{PAGENAME}}
 
|Image        = PlagueWars.jpg
 
|Image        = PlagueWars.jpg
 
|Image caption=Battlefield Ultramar
 
|Image caption=Battlefield Ultramar
 
|Conflict    = [[Black Crusade]]s
 
|Conflict    = [[Black Crusade]]s
−
|Date        = ~111.[[M42]]
+
|Date        = ~012.[[M42]]{{Fn|9}}
 
|Location    = [[Ultramar]]
 
|Location    = [[Ultramar]]
−
|Outcome      = Imperial Victory<br>-Nurgle thwarted<br>-[[Death Guard]] retreat
+
|Outcome      = Overall Imperial Victory<br>-Nurgle thwarted<br>-[[Death Guard]] retreat<br>[[War in the Rift|War for the Scourge Stars]] begins
 
|Combatant1  = [[Imperium]]
 
|Combatant1  = [[Imperium]]
 
|Combatant2  = [[Chaos]]
 
|Combatant2  = [[Chaos]]
−
|Commanders1  = [[Roboute Guilliman]]<br>[[Marneus Calgar]]<br>[[Eorloid]]<br>[[Bardan Dovaro]] (KIA)
+
|Commanders1  = [[Primarch]] [[Roboute Guilliman]]<br>[[Chapter Master]] [[Marneus Calgar]]<br>[[Tetrarch]] [[Decimus Felix]]<br>[[Custodian Tribune|Tribune]] [[Actuarius Maldovar Colquan]]<br>[[Fleetmaster]] [[Isaish Khestrin]]<br>[[Chapter Master]] [[Eorloid]]<br>[[Chapter Master]] [[Bardan Dovaro]] (KIA)<br>[[Space Marine Lieutenant|Lieutenant]] [[Edermo]]<br>[[Brother-Captain]] [[Ionan Grud]]<br>[[Militant-Apostolic]] [[Mathieu]] (KIA)<br>[[Colonel]] [[Odrameyer]] (KIA)
−
|Commanders2  = [[Mortarion]]<br>[[Typhus]]<br>[[Ku'Gath]]<br>[[Epidemius]]<br>[[Septicus]] (KIA)<br>[[Qaramar]] (KIA)
+
|Commanders2  = [[Primarch]] [[Mortarion]] (banished)<br>[[Typhus]] (AWOL)<br>[[Ku'Gath]] (banished)<br>[[Epidemius]]<br>[[Septicus]] (KIA)<br>[[Qaramar]] (KIA)
 
|Strength1    =  [[Ultramarines]] [[Chapter]]<br>Ultramarine [[Successor Chapters]]<br>[[Imperial Guard]]<br>[[Grey Knights]]<br>[[Ultramar Auxilia]]<br>[[Ultramar Defense Fleet]]<br>[[Legio Fortis]]<br>[[Legio Atarus]]<br>[[Legio Oberon]]<br>[[Legio Praetor]]
 
|Strength1    =  [[Ultramarines]] [[Chapter]]<br>Ultramarine [[Successor Chapters]]<br>[[Imperial Guard]]<br>[[Grey Knights]]<br>[[Ultramar Auxilia]]<br>[[Ultramar Defense Fleet]]<br>[[Legio Fortis]]<br>[[Legio Atarus]]<br>[[Legio Oberon]]<br>[[Legio Praetor]]
−
|Strength2    = [[Death Guard]] [[Legion]]<br>[[Plague Fleet]]<br>[[Nurgle]] [[Warband]]s<br>[[Daemon]]ic Legions<br>[[Plague Zombies]]<br>[[Chaos Cults]]<br>[[Legio Mortis]]<br>[[Legio Pestis]]<br>
+
|Strength2    = [[Death Guard]] [[Traitor Legion]]<br>[[Plague Fleet]]<br>[[Nurgle]] [[Warband]]s<br>[[Daemon]]ic Legions<br>[[Plague Zombies]]<br>[[Chaos Cults]]<br>[[Legio Mortis]]<br>[[Legio Pestis]]<br>
 
|Casualties1  = Heavy
 
|Casualties1  = Heavy
 
|Casualties2  = Heavy
 
|Casualties2  = Heavy
 
}}
 
}}
−
The '''Plague Wars''' were a series of battles that occurred within the [[Realm of Ultramar]] between the forces of the [[Chaos God]] [[Nurgle]] and the [[Imperium]] at the end of the [[Indomitus Crusade]].{{Fn|2}}
+
The '''{{PAGENAME}}''' were a series of battles that occurred within the [[Realm of Ultramar]] between the forces of the [[Chaos God]] [[Nurgle]] and the [[Imperium]] at the end of the first phase of the [[Indomitus Crusade]].{{Fn|2}}
  
 
==Overview==
 
==Overview==
 
===Beginnings===
 
===Beginnings===
−
[[File:Mortarionnew.png|thumbnail|left|Mortarion leads the Death Guard invasion]]
+
[[File:Mortarionnew.png|thumbnail|right|Mortarion leads the Death Guard invasion]]
 
The seeds of the conflict were planted by Nurgle sometime before the latest Black Crusade began, when he decided he wanted to annex the prosperous worlds of Ultramar into his [[Garden of Nurgle|Garden]]. In order to do this he commanded his forces to create [[Chaos Cults|Cults of Corruption]] and began spreading various diseases throughout three nearby Imperial [[system]]s, located to the galactic north of Ultramar. These systems are now known as the [[Scourge Stars]]. Controlled by the forces of Nurgle, they were used to launch fresh attacks against the Realm of Ultramar, in order to add its worlds to the Plague Father's Garden.{{Fn|1}}These diseases devastated many worlds, but it was only with the creation of the [[Great Rift]], during the Thirteenth Black Crusade, that Nurgle decided to fully act on his plans.{{Fn|1}}
 
The seeds of the conflict were planted by Nurgle sometime before the latest Black Crusade began, when he decided he wanted to annex the prosperous worlds of Ultramar into his [[Garden of Nurgle|Garden]]. In order to do this he commanded his forces to create [[Chaos Cults|Cults of Corruption]] and began spreading various diseases throughout three nearby Imperial [[system]]s, located to the galactic north of Ultramar. These systems are now known as the [[Scourge Stars]]. Controlled by the forces of Nurgle, they were used to launch fresh attacks against the Realm of Ultramar, in order to add its worlds to the Plague Father's Garden.{{Fn|1}}These diseases devastated many worlds, but it was only with the creation of the [[Great Rift]], during the Thirteenth Black Crusade, that Nurgle decided to fully act on his plans.{{Fn|1}}
−
 
+
[[File:RobvsMort.jpg|thumbnail|right|Guilliman faces Mortarion on Iax]]
 
Most prominent of these servants of Nurgle were the [[Death Guard]], which launched a massive invasion of Ultramar led personally by [[Mortarion]] who gathered an enormous invasion fleet around him. In attacking Ultramar, Mortarion was not alone, however; two other commanders led massive armies out from the Scourge Stars, each seeking to win the contaminated glory of Nurgle's favour. [[Typhus]], First Captain of the Death Guard, commanded the [[Plague Fleet]], a dilapidated rot-armada packed with Renegades, cultists and his own loyal Death Guard. A third major force, this time a host of Daemons, was led by the [[Great Unclean One]] [[Ku'gath]].{{Fn|2a}}. The Plaguefather and his demonic legions ravaged the [[Tartella System]], which lay between the Scourge Stars and Ultramar, before manifesting on the garden world of Iax, an ideal place to nurture new diseases{{Fn|3a}}.
 
Most prominent of these servants of Nurgle were the [[Death Guard]], which launched a massive invasion of Ultramar led personally by [[Mortarion]] who gathered an enormous invasion fleet around him. In attacking Ultramar, Mortarion was not alone, however; two other commanders led massive armies out from the Scourge Stars, each seeking to win the contaminated glory of Nurgle's favour. [[Typhus]], First Captain of the Death Guard, commanded the [[Plague Fleet]], a dilapidated rot-armada packed with Renegades, cultists and his own loyal Death Guard. A third major force, this time a host of Daemons, was led by the [[Great Unclean One]] [[Ku'gath]].{{Fn|2a}}. The Plaguefather and his demonic legions ravaged the [[Tartella System]], which lay between the Scourge Stars and Ultramar, before manifesting on the garden world of Iax, an ideal place to nurture new diseases{{Fn|3a}}.
  
−
The invasion force was too large for the defenders to engage directly but still too small to attack [[Macragge]] itself. Nonetheless, Mortarion launched many probing attacks on Macragge, often with [[Plague Drone]]s and [[Cultist]]s, in order to drain Ultramar's resources and morale.{{Fn|3a}} Meanwhile, Mortarion moved on smaller more poorly defended worlds, slaughtering the populace in an attempt to goad Guilliman to battle. As [Espandor]], and [[Ardium]] fell under siege, Mortarion had a secondary fleet under [[Typhus]] terrorize the outer regions of Ultramar, destroying three of the six major [[Star Fort]]s overseeing Ultramar's shipping lanes{{Fn|3a}}. On [[Iax]], a group of refugee [[Imperial Guard]] carried Nurgle's taint with them, transforming into [[Plaguebearers]] and allowing a cohort of [[Great Unclean Ones]] to manifest.{{Fn|7}}
+
The invasion force was too large for the defenders to engage directly but still too small to attack [[Macragge]] itself. Nonetheless, Mortarion launched many probing attacks on Macragge, often with [[Plague Drone]]s and [[Cultist]]s, in order to drain Ultramar's resources and morale.{{Fn|3a}} Meanwhile, Mortarion moved on smaller more poorly defended worlds, slaughtering the populace in an attempt to goad Guilliman to battle. As [[Espandor]], and [[Ardium]] fell under siege, Mortarion had a secondary fleet under [[Typhus]] terrorize the outer regions of Ultramar, destroying three of the six major [[Star Fort]]s overseeing Ultramar's shipping lanes{{Fn|3a}}. On [[Iax]], a group of refugee [[Imperial Guard]] carried Nurgle's taint with them, transforming into [[Plaguebearers]] and allowing a cohort of [[Great Unclean Ones]] to manifest.{{Fn|7}}
  
 
The Imperium would go to the Realm of Ultramar's aid and the fierce battles that followed were called the '''Plague Wars''', by the Empire of Mankind.
 
The Imperium would go to the Realm of Ultramar's aid and the fierce battles that followed were called the '''Plague Wars''', by the Empire of Mankind.
Line 42: Line 42:
  
 
===Imperial Counterattack===
 
===Imperial Counterattack===
−
[[File:RobvsMort.jpg|thumbnail|right|Guilliman faces Mortarion on Iax]]
 
−
 
 
Even with Guilliman's arrival, the attacks across Ultramar were still too many to contain. However, timely arrival of Ultramarines [[Successor Chapter]]s and reinforcements from [[Forge World]]s allowed Guilliman to take the initiative. On [[Espandor]], Guilliman launched the Spear of Espandor counterattack that halted the Chaos advance and resulted in stalemate.{{Fn|3a}} The focus of this campaign was also to cut off the Death Guard from the Scourge Stars that were supplying Mortarion with an endless stream of reinforcements.{{Fn|2d}} The Ultramarines and their allies not only retook each of the lost worlds in the Espandor system but also destroyed the Plague Engines that were raising the endless tide of [[Plague Zombies]] on each of its worlds. After a ferocious battle in which the Ultramarines Chapter found itself fighting side-by-side with their Primaris Astartes brethren for the first time, the forces of Nurgle were routed from Espandor. Guilliman decisively ended the battle by slaying the Great Unclean One [[Qaramar]] with the [[Emperor's Sword (Weapon)|Emperor's Sword]] and destroying the last [[Daemon Engine|Plague Engine]] in the system. The Espandor System had been cleansed of the taint of the Plague God and the forces of Nurgle were now cut off from their base in the Scourge Stars. {{Fn|2e}} With Espandor contained, Guilliman launched a series of system-wide counterattacks.{{Fn|3a}}
 
Even with Guilliman's arrival, the attacks across Ultramar were still too many to contain. However, timely arrival of Ultramarines [[Successor Chapter]]s and reinforcements from [[Forge World]]s allowed Guilliman to take the initiative. On [[Espandor]], Guilliman launched the Spear of Espandor counterattack that halted the Chaos advance and resulted in stalemate.{{Fn|3a}} The focus of this campaign was also to cut off the Death Guard from the Scourge Stars that were supplying Mortarion with an endless stream of reinforcements.{{Fn|2d}} The Ultramarines and their allies not only retook each of the lost worlds in the Espandor system but also destroyed the Plague Engines that were raising the endless tide of [[Plague Zombies]] on each of its worlds. After a ferocious battle in which the Ultramarines Chapter found itself fighting side-by-side with their Primaris Astartes brethren for the first time, the forces of Nurgle were routed from Espandor. Guilliman decisively ended the battle by slaying the Great Unclean One [[Qaramar]] with the [[Emperor's Sword (Weapon)|Emperor's Sword]] and destroying the last [[Daemon Engine|Plague Engine]] in the system. The Espandor System had been cleansed of the taint of the Plague God and the forces of Nurgle were now cut off from their base in the Scourge Stars. {{Fn|2e}} With Espandor contained, Guilliman launched a series of system-wide counterattacks.{{Fn|3a}}
  
 
With Mortarion's main attack on Espandor halted, the Daemon Primarch shifted his focus and joined with Ku'gath. Their supply lines to the Scourge Stars cut, their Plague Engines disappearing (which was slowly eliminating the constant tide of undead reinforcements), and more Imperial reinforcements incoming, the leaders of the invasion force would decide to throw the bulk of their forces against the world of [[Parmenio]]{{Fn|2c}}. On Parmenio, the largest armored and [[Titan]] battle of the war took place over the Plains of Hecatone. At the battle's height, Guilliman struck Ku'gath's vanguard and slew his Lieutenant, [[Septicus]]. In space, the Star Fort ''[[Galatan (Star Fort)|Galatan]]'' attempted to provide support, but was boarded by the [[Plague Fleet]] and massive casualties ensued, including the loss of the [[Novamarines]] [[Chapter Master]] [[Bardan Dovaro]]. Nonetheless, the Ultramarines and their allies made gains on Parmenio and Guilliman led a relief force to Iax.{{Fn|3a}}
 
With Mortarion's main attack on Espandor halted, the Daemon Primarch shifted his focus and joined with Ku'gath. Their supply lines to the Scourge Stars cut, their Plague Engines disappearing (which was slowly eliminating the constant tide of undead reinforcements), and more Imperial reinforcements incoming, the leaders of the invasion force would decide to throw the bulk of their forces against the world of [[Parmenio]]{{Fn|2c}}. On Parmenio, the largest armored and [[Titan]] battle of the war took place over the Plains of Hecatone. At the battle's height, Guilliman struck Ku'gath's vanguard and slew his Lieutenant, [[Septicus]]. In space, the Star Fort ''[[Galatan (Star Fort)|Galatan]]'' attempted to provide support, but was boarded by the [[Plague Fleet]] and massive casualties ensued, including the loss of the [[Novamarines]] [[Chapter Master]] [[Bardan Dovaro]]. Nonetheless, the Ultramarines and their allies made gains on Parmenio and Guilliman led a relief force to Iax.{{Fn|3a}}
  
−
On Iax, Guilliman confronted Mortarion himself and the two battled to a standstill before the Death Guard under cover of a [[Virus Bomb]]{{Fn|3b}}. Later the Primarch was drawn to [[Parmenio]], where a trap was sprung by Mortarion, [[Typhus]], and [[Ku'Gath]]. Faced with the combined might of Mortarion and [[Ku'Gath]], Guilliman was nearly slain but was saved by what appeared to be a [[Living Saint]] in the form of a young girl. The girl burned with the power of the [[Emperor]] and drove the forces of Nurgle back.{{Fn|7a}} The Plague Wars ended shortly afterwards{{Fn|3a}}, when the forces of the other Chaos Gods [[War in the Rift|invaded the Scourge Stars]] and Nurgle was forced to withdraw his own forces from Ultramar in order to defend his new domain.{{Fn|3b}}
+
Seeking to foil Guilliman, the Primarch was drawn to [[Parmenio]] where a trap was sprung by Mortarion, [[Typhus]], and [[Ku'Gath]]. Faced with the combined might of Mortarion and [[Ku'Gath]], Guilliman was nearly slain but was saved by what appeared to be a [[Living Saint]] in the form of a young girl. The girl burned with the power of the [[Emperor]] and drove the forces of Nurgle back.{{Fn|7a}}
 +
 
 +
===Iax===
 +
The final battle of the Plague Wars would come on [[Iax]], where Mortarion and Ku'gath conspired to lure Guilliman into a deadly trap to kill him with a disease known as the [[Godblight (Disease)|Godblight]]. However their forces experienced a significant setback due to the outbreak of the [[War in the Rift]], and Nurgle recalled many of his Daemons while Typhus moved to defend the [[Scourge Stars]] with a large compliment of the Death Guard. Despite this, Mortarion and Ku'gath violated Nurgle's orders and insisted on going through the plans to kill Guilliman and turn Ultramar into an expansion of the [[Garden of Nurgle]].{{Fn|11d}}
 +
 
 +
Guilliman knew he was walking into a possible trap, but knew that Mortarion must be confronted in order to save Iax. To that end [[Indomitus Crusade Fleet Primus]] launched an invasion of the world, battling first Nurgle daemons and then the Death Guard remaining with Mortarion.{{Fn|11a}} As Guilliman and Mortarion met each other in a fateful duel, Space Marine and [[Cadian]] forces sought to destroy Ku'Gaths fragment of the Cauldron of Nurgle powering the forces of Chaos in the Sector. In a desperate struggle, 7 Space Marines led by [[Edermo]], [[Justinian Parris]], and [[Colonel]] [[Odrameyer]] were able to bring down Ku'Gath thanks to the support of [[Militant-Apostolic]] [[Mathieu]], who became a [[Living Saint]] channeling the power of the [[Emperor]]. Odrameyer gave his life to kill Ku'Gath while Mathieu was able to destroy the Cauldron. Meanwhile, Mortarion was able to best Guilliman in their struggle thanks to his Warp-enhanced strength and resilience. After pinning Guilliman to the ground, he administered the Godblight to the Primarch and the last loyalist Primarch seemed to die.{{Fn|11b}}{{Fn|11c}}
 +
 
 +
Between life and death, Guilliman experienced a surreal vision of his meeting with the Emperor shortly after the [[Terran Crusade]]. Suddenly infused with holy energies, he resurrected and was able to channel the Emperor directly in order to strike a grievous blow to the Garden of Nurgle itself. Defeated, Mortarion fled with the remainder of his forces. [[Adeptus Custodes]] [[Custodian Tribune|Tribune]] [[Colquan]] was able to evacuate Guilliman, Mathieu, and many other Imperial warriors from Iax before Fleet Primus enacted [[Exterminatus]] until the blighted world.{{Fn|11c}} With the Chaos plot on Iax foiled, the Plague Wars effectively ended.{{Fn|3a}}
  
 
===Aftermath===
 
===Aftermath===
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The Ultramarines would then launch the [[Vengeance Campaigns]] where they led a coalition of their [[Successor Chapters]] and [[Knight House]]s across neighboring star systems of Ultramar, that had been overrun by the forces of Nurgle early on during the Plague Wars. This included the attempts by [[Marneus Calgar]] to liberate the worlds of the [[Tartella System]].{{Fn|4}}
 
The Ultramarines would then launch the [[Vengeance Campaigns]] where they led a coalition of their [[Successor Chapters]] and [[Knight House]]s across neighboring star systems of Ultramar, that had been overrun by the forces of Nurgle early on during the Plague Wars. This included the attempts by [[Marneus Calgar]] to liberate the worlds of the [[Tartella System]].{{Fn|4}}
 +
 +
For the Forces of Nurgle, the war represented a significant setback. The [[War in the Rift]] saw Nurgle's domain assailed by rival Gods, while the Plaguefather's Garden was struck a grievous blow that revorborate throughout the warp. Moreover, Mortarion and Ku'Gath lost Nurgle's favor due to their insubordation in refusing to withdraw to the [[Scourge Stars]] when ordered.{{Fn|11d}}
  
 
==Order of Battle==
 
==Order of Battle==
−
{{NurglePortal}}{{DeathGuardPortal}}{{ImperiumPortal}}{{UltramarinesPortal}}
+
[[Image:GuillimanvsMortarion.jpg|thumb|right|250px|Mortarion and Roboute Guilliman battle{{Fn|10}}]]
 
====Imperial{{Fn|3a}}====
 
====Imperial{{Fn|3a}}====
 
On [[Espandor]]
 
On [[Espandor]]
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**[[Legio Praetor]] - Demi-Legion
 
**[[Legio Praetor]] - Demi-Legion
 
**[[Skitarii]] - 5 Legions
 
**[[Skitarii]] - 5 Legions
 +
 +
Other:
 +
*[[Silver Templars]] - 3 Companies{{Fn|8}}
  
 
====Chaos{{Fn|3a}}====
 
====Chaos{{Fn|3a}}====
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Final Battle on [[Iax]], commanded by [[Mortarion]] and [[Epidemius]]
 
Final Battle on [[Iax]], commanded by [[Mortarion]] and [[Epidemius]]
−
*[[Death Guard]] - Bulk of [[Legion]]
+
*[[Death Guard]] - Bulk of [[Space Marine Legion|Legion]]
 
*[[The Scabbed]] - [[Chapter]]
 
*[[The Scabbed]] - [[Chapter]]
 
*[[Heltrenchers]] - 5 Companies
 
*[[Heltrenchers]] - 5 Companies
Line 171: Line 181:
 
*[[Slimehorn Legions]] - 7 [[Pestigor]] Legions
 
*[[Slimehorn Legions]] - 7 [[Pestigor]] Legions
  
−
==See Also==
+
==Trivia==
 +
{{Trivia}}
 +
===Notes on Chronology===
 +
Originally as outlined in the [[Dark Imperium (Novel Series)|Dark Imperium]] novel series, the Indomitus Crusade lasted roughly 100 years and ended with the [[Plague Wars]]. However in 2021 Black Library retconned the events of the novels to take place only 12 years after the Crusade had begun with no end-date set. This pushes back the start of the Plague Wars to around 012.[[M42]].{{Fn|9}}
 +
 
 +
==See also==
 
*[[Invasion of Konor]]
 
*[[Invasion of Konor]]
 +
*[[Siege of Talasa Secundus]]
 
*[[Ultramar Campaign]]
 
*[[Ultramar Campaign]]
 
*[[Vengeance Campaigns]]
 
*[[Vengeance Campaigns]]
Line 185: Line 201:
 
**{{Endn|2e}}: Chapter 22
 
**{{Endn|2e}}: Chapter 22
 
*3: [[Warhammer 40,000 8th Edition Rulebook]]
 
*3: [[Warhammer 40,000 8th Edition Rulebook]]
−
**{{Endn|3a}}: pgs. 154-159 - ''War Zone: Ultramar''
+
**{{Endn|3a}}: pgs. 154-159 — ''War Zone: Ultramar''
−
**{{Endn|3b}}: pg. 167 - ''War in the Rift''
+
**{{Endn|3b}}: pg. 167 — ''War in the Rift''
 
*{{Endn|4}}: [[Codex: Space Marines (8th Edition)]], pg. 29
 
*{{Endn|4}}: [[Codex: Space Marines (8th Edition)]], pg. 29
 
*{{Endn|5}}: [[Codex: Grey Knights (8th Edition)]], pg. 25
 
*{{Endn|5}}: [[Codex: Grey Knights (8th Edition)]], pg. 25
 
*{{Endn|6}}: [https://warhammer40000.com/fate-konor-galaxy-flames/ Galaxy in Flames: Fate of Konor] (site accessed 2017.11.09)
 
*{{Endn|6}}: [https://warhammer40000.com/fate-konor-galaxy-flames/ Galaxy in Flames: Fate of Konor] (site accessed 2017.11.09)
−
*{{Endn|7}}: [[Dark Imperium: Plague War (Novel)]]
+
*{{Endn|7}}: [[Dark Imperium: Plague War (Novel)]] {{Cite this}}
 
**{{Endn|7a}}: Chapters 24-27
 
**{{Endn|7a}}: Chapters 24-27
 +
*{{Endn|8}}: [[Silver Templars (Sourcebook)]], pg. 20
 +
*{{Endn|9}}: [https://www.warhammer-community.com/2020/12/05/the-warhammer-preview-online-black-library/ The Warhammer Preview Online – Black Library (posted 12/5/2020)] – Interview with Guy Haley (last accessed 12/5/2020)
 +
*{{Endn|10}}: [https://www.warhammer-community.com/2021/05/12/dark-imperium-godblight-sees-guilliman-and-mortarion-clash-at-last-and-we-got-the-author-to-spill-the-beans/ Warhammer Community: Dark Imperium: Godblight Sees Guilliman and Mortarion Clash at Last, and We Got the Author to Spill the Beans (posted 5/12/2021)] (last accessed 5/12/2021)
 +
*11: [[Dark Imperium: Godblight (Novel)]]
 +
**{{Endn|11a}}: Chapters 33-35
 +
**{{Endn|11b}}: Chapters 36-38
 +
**{{Endn|11c}}: Chapters 38-41
 +
**{{Endn|11d}}: Chapter 4
  
 
[[Category:Battles (Adepta Sororitas)]]
 
[[Category:Battles (Adepta Sororitas)]]
Line 208: Line 232:
 
[[Category:Battles (White Scars)]]
 
[[Category:Battles (White Scars)]]
 
[[Category:Black Crusades]]
 
[[Category:Black Crusades]]
−
[[Category:Plague Wars]]
+
[[Category:Plague Wars| ]]

Latest revision as of 20:11, 2 December 2023

"‘Let them flee beneath cover of their virus bomb. By the Emperor, they shall be repaid tenfold for the evils they have wrought upon Ultramar.’"

— Roboute Guilliman, at the end of the Plague Wars.[3a]
Plague Wars
PlagueWars.jpg
Battlefield Ultramar
Conflict Black Crusades
Date ~012.M42[9]
Location Ultramar
Outcome Overall Imperial Victory
-Nurgle thwarted
-Death Guard retreat
War for the Scourge Stars begins
Combatants
Imperium Chaos
Commanders
Primarch Roboute Guilliman
Chapter Master Marneus Calgar
Tetrarch Decimus Felix
Tribune Actuarius Maldovar Colquan
Fleetmaster Isaish Khestrin
Chapter Master Eorloid
Chapter Master Bardan Dovaro (KIA)
Lieutenant Edermo
Brother-Captain Ionan Grud
Militant-Apostolic Mathieu (KIA)
Colonel Odrameyer (KIA) 		Primarch Mortarion (banished)
Typhus (AWOL)
Ku'Gath (banished)
Epidemius
Septicus (KIA)
Qaramar (KIA)
Strength
Ultramarines Chapter
Ultramarine Successor Chapters
Imperial Guard
Grey Knights
Ultramar Auxilia
Ultramar Defense Fleet
Legio Fortis
Legio Atarus
Legio Oberon
Legio Praetor 		Death Guard Traitor Legion
Plague Fleet
Nurgle Warbands
Daemonic Legions
Plague Zombies
Chaos Cults
Legio Mortis
Legio Pestis
Casualties
Heavy Heavy

The Plague Wars were a series of battles that occurred within the Realm of Ultramar between the forces of the Chaos God Nurgle and the Imperium at the end of the first phase of the Indomitus Crusade.[2]

Overview

Beginnings

Mortarion leads the Death Guard invasion

The seeds of the conflict were planted by Nurgle sometime before the latest Black Crusade began, when he decided he wanted to annex the prosperous worlds of Ultramar into his Garden. In order to do this he commanded his forces to create Cults of Corruption and began spreading various diseases throughout three nearby Imperial systems, located to the galactic north of Ultramar. These systems are now known as the Scourge Stars. Controlled by the forces of Nurgle, they were used to launch fresh attacks against the Realm of Ultramar, in order to add its worlds to the Plague Father's Garden.[1]These diseases devastated many worlds, but it was only with the creation of the Great Rift, during the Thirteenth Black Crusade, that Nurgle decided to fully act on his plans.[1]

Guilliman faces Mortarion on Iax

Most prominent of these servants of Nurgle were the Death Guard, which launched a massive invasion of Ultramar led personally by Mortarion who gathered an enormous invasion fleet around him. In attacking Ultramar, Mortarion was not alone, however; two other commanders led massive armies out from the Scourge Stars, each seeking to win the contaminated glory of Nurgle's favour. Typhus, First Captain of the Death Guard, commanded the Plague Fleet, a dilapidated rot-armada packed with Renegades, cultists and his own loyal Death Guard. A third major force, this time a host of Daemons, was led by the Great Unclean One Ku'gath.[2a]. The Plaguefather and his demonic legions ravaged the Tartella System, which lay between the Scourge Stars and Ultramar, before manifesting on the garden world of Iax, an ideal place to nurture new diseases[3a].

The invasion force was too large for the defenders to engage directly but still too small to attack Macragge itself. Nonetheless, Mortarion launched many probing attacks on Macragge, often with Plague Drones and Cultists, in order to drain Ultramar's resources and morale.[3a] Meanwhile, Mortarion moved on smaller more poorly defended worlds, slaughtering the populace in an attempt to goad Guilliman to battle. As Espandor, and Ardium fell under siege, Mortarion had a secondary fleet under Typhus terrorize the outer regions of Ultramar, destroying three of the six major Star Forts overseeing Ultramar's shipping lanes[3a]. On Iax, a group of refugee Imperial Guard carried Nurgle's taint with them, transforming into Plaguebearers and allowing a cohort of Great Unclean Ones to manifest.[7]

The Imperium would go to the Realm of Ultramar's aid and the fierce battles that followed were called the Plague Wars, by the Empire of Mankind.

Return of Guilliman

Guilliman, having just concluded the Indomitus Crusade, eventually arrived with reinforcements to save the beleaguered Ultramar. First, he cleansed the Hive World of Ardium in the Maccrage System of its Death Guard occupiers. It was here that he learned Mortarion was using the ancient artefact known as the Hand of Darkness to craft Plague Engines that were re-animating the dead and turning them into Plague Zombies. Guilliman destroyed the Plague Engine on Ardium and freed the world from the influence of Nurgle.[2b]

Invasion of Konor

Mortarion learned of Guilliman's arrival and, intent on preventing the loyalist Primarch and his reinforcements from turning the tide of his campaign, attempted to trap Guilliman and his forces on Maccrage. To this end, he launched the Invasion of Konor, hoping to use the system as a stepping stone for a full-scale assault on the Ultramarines' homeworld. Ultimately this ploy would fail as the Imperial defence and subsequent counterattack in the system prevented him from achieving his objective. Though the Death Guard and their allies managed to despoil the Konor system's Astropathic Relay station and Aeronautica Imperialis training world, all three of the core planets remained firmly in loyalist hands. Perhaps most importantly, the heavily corrupted Death World of Loebos, Mortarion's ultimate means of taking the system, was destroyed in a near-suicidal Imperial landing operation.[6]

Imperial Counterattack

Even with Guilliman's arrival, the attacks across Ultramar were still too many to contain. However, timely arrival of Ultramarines Successor Chapters and reinforcements from Forge Worlds allowed Guilliman to take the initiative. On Espandor, Guilliman launched the Spear of Espandor counterattack that halted the Chaos advance and resulted in stalemate.[3a] The focus of this campaign was also to cut off the Death Guard from the Scourge Stars that were supplying Mortarion with an endless stream of reinforcements.[2d] The Ultramarines and their allies not only retook each of the lost worlds in the Espandor system but also destroyed the Plague Engines that were raising the endless tide of Plague Zombies on each of its worlds. After a ferocious battle in which the Ultramarines Chapter found itself fighting side-by-side with their Primaris Astartes brethren for the first time, the forces of Nurgle were routed from Espandor. Guilliman decisively ended the battle by slaying the Great Unclean One Qaramar with the Emperor's Sword and destroying the last Plague Engine in the system. The Espandor System had been cleansed of the taint of the Plague God and the forces of Nurgle were now cut off from their base in the Scourge Stars. [2e] With Espandor contained, Guilliman launched a series of system-wide counterattacks.[3a]

With Mortarion's main attack on Espandor halted, the Daemon Primarch shifted his focus and joined with Ku'gath. Their supply lines to the Scourge Stars cut, their Plague Engines disappearing (which was slowly eliminating the constant tide of undead reinforcements), and more Imperial reinforcements incoming, the leaders of the invasion force would decide to throw the bulk of their forces against the world of Parmenio[2c]. On Parmenio, the largest armored and Titan battle of the war took place over the Plains of Hecatone. At the battle's height, Guilliman struck Ku'gath's vanguard and slew his Lieutenant, Septicus. In space, the Star Fort Galatan attempted to provide support, but was boarded by the Plague Fleet and massive casualties ensued, including the loss of the Novamarines Chapter Master Bardan Dovaro. Nonetheless, the Ultramarines and their allies made gains on Parmenio and Guilliman led a relief force to Iax.[3a]

Seeking to foil Guilliman, the Primarch was drawn to Parmenio where a trap was sprung by Mortarion, Typhus, and Ku'Gath. Faced with the combined might of Mortarion and Ku'Gath, Guilliman was nearly slain but was saved by what appeared to be a Living Saint in the form of a young girl. The girl burned with the power of the Emperor and drove the forces of Nurgle back.[7a]

Iax

The final battle of the Plague Wars would come on Iax, where Mortarion and Ku'gath conspired to lure Guilliman into a deadly trap to kill him with a disease known as the Godblight. However their forces experienced a significant setback due to the outbreak of the War in the Rift, and Nurgle recalled many of his Daemons while Typhus moved to defend the Scourge Stars with a large compliment of the Death Guard. Despite this, Mortarion and Ku'gath violated Nurgle's orders and insisted on going through the plans to kill Guilliman and turn Ultramar into an expansion of the Garden of Nurgle.[11d]

Guilliman knew he was walking into a possible trap, but knew that Mortarion must be confronted in order to save Iax. To that end Indomitus Crusade Fleet Primus launched an invasion of the world, battling first Nurgle daemons and then the Death Guard remaining with Mortarion.[11a] As Guilliman and Mortarion met each other in a fateful duel, Space Marine and Cadian forces sought to destroy Ku'Gaths fragment of the Cauldron of Nurgle powering the forces of Chaos in the Sector. In a desperate struggle, 7 Space Marines led by Edermo, Justinian Parris, and Colonel Odrameyer were able to bring down Ku'Gath thanks to the support of Militant-Apostolic Mathieu, who became a Living Saint channeling the power of the Emperor. Odrameyer gave his life to kill Ku'Gath while Mathieu was able to destroy the Cauldron. Meanwhile, Mortarion was able to best Guilliman in their struggle thanks to his Warp-enhanced strength and resilience. After pinning Guilliman to the ground, he administered the Godblight to the Primarch and the last loyalist Primarch seemed to die.[11b][11c]

Between life and death, Guilliman experienced a surreal vision of his meeting with the Emperor shortly after the Terran Crusade. Suddenly infused with holy energies, he resurrected and was able to channel the Emperor directly in order to strike a grievous blow to the Garden of Nurgle itself. Defeated, Mortarion fled with the remainder of his forces. Adeptus Custodes Tribune Colquan was able to evacuate Guilliman, Mathieu, and many other Imperial warriors from Iax before Fleet Primus enacted Exterminatus until the blighted world.[11c] With the Chaos plot on Iax foiled, the Plague Wars effectively ended.[3a]

Aftermath

In a brief respite, Guilliman oversaw the rebuilding and decontamination of Ultramar, as well as the establishment of new procedures for creating further Primaris Space Marines within the Ultramarines. It was not long before new crusades called the Lord Commander of the Imperium away from Ultramar and back out into the galaxy.[4]

The Ultramarines would then launch the Vengeance Campaigns where they led a coalition of their Successor Chapters and Knight Houses across neighboring star systems of Ultramar, that had been overrun by the forces of Nurgle early on during the Plague Wars. This included the attempts by Marneus Calgar to liberate the worlds of the Tartella System.[4]

For the Forces of Nurgle, the war represented a significant setback. The War in the Rift saw Nurgle's domain assailed by rival Gods, while the Plaguefather's Garden was struck a grievous blow that revorborate throughout the warp. Moreover, Mortarion and Ku'Gath lost Nurgle's favor due to their insubordation in refusing to withdraw to the Scourge Stars when ordered.[11d]

Order of Battle

Mortarion and Roboute Guilliman battle[10]

Imperial[3a]

On Espandor

On Parmenio

On the Star Fort Galatan

On Iax (occurred later in the war)

Other:

Chaos[3a]

On Iax, commanded by Ku'gath and Septicus

On Ardium

War of Flies Campaign

On Parmenio

Final Battle on Iax, commanded by Mortarion and Epidemius

Trivia

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The following information is not to be regarded as officially sanctioned and/ or is not written from an in-universe point of view. A detailed explanation of the term "Trivia" as used in the Lexicanum can be found here.

Notes on Chronology

Originally as outlined in the Dark Imperium novel series, the Indomitus Crusade lasted roughly 100 years and ended with the Plague Wars. However in 2021 Black Library retconned the events of the novels to take place only 12 years after the Crusade had begun with no end-date set. This pushes back the start of the Plague Wars to around 012.M42.[9]

See also

Sources

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