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Castagar Murella

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Castagar Murella was a puppet Sector Lord, who High Lord Goge Vandire installed to rule the Jericho Sector, during the Age of Apostasy. She shared this duty with her fellow puppet ruler, Arch-Cardinal Udo Asterus and they held the titles Over-Governors Temporal and Spiritual, respectively.[1a]

History

By installing his lackeys, Vandire ensured the Jericho Sector joined other vital Imperial Sectors, that were firmly under his control. To ensure this remained so, the Over-Governors were backed by squadrons of the Imperial Navy and tens of thousands of Frateris Templar shock troops. Any resistance was quickly defeated and the Jericho Sector enters a previously unknown bloody period of tyranny and oppression. During this time, the Over-Governors became infamous for the speed and callousness they employed to swiftly expand their personal wealth and power.[1a]

During 257-262.M36, this led them to exponentially increase the Jericho Sector's quota-tallies. This results in revolts and resistance movements breaking out across the Sector, in response to their demands.. Though most are quickly crushed, the Over-Governors began a paranoiac series of purges to remove anyone that they perceived as a potential threat. They also increased their revenue by plundering the coffers of the Sector's magnates and nobility. The Free Captain Mordecai Haarlock, was among those who have his estates and vessels seized by the Over-Governors[1b]. The Over-Governors' then tried to have him arrested, but a vengeful Mordecai escaped and began a rebellion against their rule. Unlike the ones they had faced before, Haarlock's rebellion was well organized and supplied. During 263-270.M36, he was able to gather many to his cause and became a serious threat to the Over-Governors' rule[1c]. Their downfall began, however, in 275.M36 when Murella unexpectedly learned of the Death Watch's Watch Stations scattered across the Jericho Sector.[1d]

She was told of their existence by her contacts within the Navis Nobilite and Murrella was left unable to determine who commands them. After fearing they could become a threat to her rule, Murella orders her forces to seize control of the Watch Stations. The Death Watch immediately protect them and none of Murella's forces survive or are able to warn the Sector Lord of what occurred. When she does not hear back from her forces, the Lord Sector sent larger armies, who met the same end. Murella eventually discovered who she has been warring with, but by then the Death Watch had slain the best of her warriors and warships. This left the Over-Governors' rule critically weakened[1d] and allowed Mordecai Haarlock's rebellion to strike a devastating blow at their seat of power, Verronus. It was invaded by Haarlock's forces, after they drew the remaining Frateris Templar warships in the Sector away, through a diversionary attack on Eleusis. The Free Captain then led an elite force, of unrecorded nature, which defeated Murella's defenses. The corrupt Sector Lord was then personally executed by Haarlock, for betraying the ideals and soul of the Imperium. Her fellow Over-Governor, Arch-Cardinal Udo Asterus, attempted to escape, but was hunted down and torn apart by a lynch mob[1e]. Their deaths extremely weakened High Lord Goge Vandire hold on the Jericho Sector. It was finally broken, however, when the Age of Apostasy ended after Vandire's death.[1f]

Sources