Darran Marvil
Darran Marvil is a Vampire[1], who is masquerading as the Imperial Commander of the highly religious[2] Feudal World Horthn IV.[1]
History
Before that occurred, the Vampire had disguised himself as a commander of one of Horthn IV's fortresses. While the soldiers that served him did not know of Marvil's secret, his true identity was discovered by someone and a group of Imperial Assassins were sent to kill him. In order to complete their mission, the assassins caused a popular revolt amongst the peasants living nearby, who laid siege to Marvil's fortress. As his soldiers fought to protect Marvil's domain, the Imperial Assassins then successfully infiltrated the fortress and attempted to kill the Vampire.[1]
Their attacked failed, however, and Marvil went on to become Horthn IV's next Sovran, which was the world's title for its Imperial Commander/King. While Horthn IV's population was highly faithful to the Imperial Creed, the Vampire merely pretended to be so, to seize power. He became a heretical tyrant afterwards, who perverted the words of the Emperor in order to secure his grip on Horthn IV. Marvil's vanity and idolatry would lead him to strip wealth from the world's cathedra, some of which he used to build numerous statues of himself. However evidence of the Vampire's faithlessness to the Imperial Creed, was later discovered by 7 powerful citizens of Horthn IV's population. This was Heresy in their eyes and the group, which called itself the Terran Brotherhood, began to conspire to assassinate Marvil. In doing so, the hoped to bring a new ruler who was faithful to the Emperor, but they did not know the real truth about what Marvil was. The Vampire eventually discovered their plot, though, and psychically dominated the Brotherhood member Sabinus, while in his Human guise. This turned Sabinus into Marvil's unknowing puppet and, with a psychic command, the Vampire ordered Sabinus to separately bring each member of the Brotherhood to the isolated ruins of the Isenbrach Basilica. It would be the perfect location to rid himself of the Brotherhood, as few knew of the abandoned Missionary cathedral and of those that did, fewer would risk going there. This was because local folklore claimed that a leering spectre, known as the Isenbrach Horror, would prey on anyone who spent a night in the ruins.[2]
An unwitting Sabinus did as he was told, though, Marvil ensured his puppet forgot about their meetings afterwards. The Vampire would then wait within the Isenbrach Basilica's crypts, for the Terran Brotherhood members to be brought to him. Once Sabinus lured them there, Marvil attacked the Brotherhood member while in his true monstrous form. Each time he would drain them of their blood and a terrified Sabinus would flee for his life. The Vampire would stop his puppet with a psychic command and then turn himself back into his Human guise. Marvil then simply told Sabinus which Brotherhood member to bring to the Basilica next, before walking away. This transformation would then shock Sabinus well enough, that he would briefly remember all that he had done, while under the Vampire's control. The Brotherhood member would later attempt to commit suicide, when this cycle occurred after Marvil killed his friend Zurburan. However the Vampire caused Sabinus to forget about Zurburan's death and their subsequent meeting together, before he could do so. With his recent memories easily wiped away, Sabinus then set out to lure Miana to her death. After Marvil kills her, Sabinus would then become the only member of the Terran Brotherhood who still lived.[2]
See Also
Sources
- 1: Warhammer Siege, pg. 94 - Example Scenarios: Purge the Unclean
- 2: The Isenbrach Horror (Short Story)
