Düsterlicht

**Düsterlicht** is an Imperial Space Station located within the Ghoul Stars. It's proximity to the Malefactus Warp Rift means Chaos raiders are a frequent problem thus its heavy defences. It is also under the rule of the Mordekaisers Chapter, who are its defenders and rulers.

## History

It is unknown when Düsterlicht was constructed nor why in the Ghoul Stars but its existence supposedly dates back to mid or after the Horus Heresy. It has been mostly beneath the Imperium's notice save for the occasional major assault from the nearby Malefactus Warp Rift. At some point, as the Ghoul Stars became more and more unstable, the 24th Founding saw the creation of the Mordekaisers who were sent to relieve the danger of the Stars where they took stewardship of Düsterlicht.

### First Defence of Düsterlicht

It wasn't long after the Mordekaisers established themselves on Düsterlicht when a Space Hulk unexpectedly arrived right outside the Space Station. Refusing to allow the Hulk to become any more of a threat than it already was, the Mordekaisers deployed in full and assaulted the Hulk. A few hours later the Mordekaisers emerged wounded and scarred but victorious. Not only did the First Defence of Düsterlicht see the Mordekaisers establish their identity as a Chapter but also as defenders of the space station. However, this was only the first test of the Chapter and Düsterlicht. The second would be much more dangerous.

### Second Defence of Düsterlicht

When Cadia fell, the Eye of Terror violently expanded and created a giant rift that split the Galaxy apart and caused Warp Rifts to become volatile. Malefactus was no exception and it spewed daemons and Chaotic raiders out like a foul plague in the direction of Düsterlicht. Though understrength from the Magrin War that saw the loss of an entire Company and the weakening of more Companies, the Mordekaisers were unwilling to allow the Forces of Chaos a victory and they rallied to defend their home.

Despite fierce fighting and many acts of heroism, the Mordekaisers and other defenders of Düsterlicht were slowly driven back inside of the Space Station where they prepared to fight until the bitter end. However, it was then that the Indomitus Crusade arrived to Morgen Schwach where the forces led by Roboute Guilliman, Primarch of the Ultramarines, saw the Forces of Chaos destroyed and Düsterlicht saved. The Mordekaiserspassed the second test, now they eagerly await the next challenge.

## Culture

Düsterlicht's culture has evolved over time from the mixing of its establishing population and various cultures from other planets and voidborn. This culture has gradually become what is known as Germanik, which is also the name of its language. The culture values strength, hard work and cooperation in order to achieve tasks; which has been assimilated by the Mordekaisers.

### Relationship with the Mordekaisers

The mortals of Düsterlicht know of the Astartes who lord over them but few actually have the dubious honour of interacting with them often. The Mordekaisers largely restrict their presence to their Fortress Monastery and the Upper Levels. The people of the Mid-Levels witness the Mordekaisers as they leave for war, Companies of Astartes and their war machines marching out from their Fortress Monastery to the port where their ships await them. This serves a purpose, the Mordekaisers' march is a sign to the people of Morgen Schwach that their protectors are going to fight off the threats of humanity so that the people can live another day in relative safety. Hence the levels of Morgen Schwach are covered with statues, plinths and graffiti of heroes of the Mordekaisers to enforce this mentality. Unfortunately, the Mordekaisers couldn't care less for them.

The people of the Under-Levels have a less than stellar relationship with the Mordekaisers. The lawless, gang infested, know only of the Mordekaisers as a gang named the Crowned Skulls; a gang of giants who rule the Upper-Levels and descend to the Under-Levels to cull the gangs, kidnapping young boys to turn them into more giants.

## Layout

### Command Deck

The Command Deck is where most of the administrative duties are carried out by Administratum officials in order to maintain the shipping schedules and day to day cycles of Düsterlicht. It is also where the commanding crew control the station's systems. A representative of the Mordekaisers is often present to oversee deck's operation, this role used to be filled by a Chapter Veteran but, as of recent times, it is more commonly filled by a Lieutenant.

#### Noble Habitats

The Noble Habitats are where the nobility and other important individuals reside in comfortable living quarters. Though the highborn are usually left to their own devices and games of intrigue, it is ensured that these games do not disrupt the port's operation. Legend holds that back in the early days of the Mordekaisers' history, the nobility's games threatened to tip entire levels into anarchy but were stopped by the intervention of Kaiser Willafried. What the Murder Lord did exactly unknown but it still terrifies the nobility to this day. One notable example of an important resident is Inquisitor Duran Heika.

### Mid-Levels

The Mid-Levels are where the majority of Düsterlicht's population live. Conditions in Mid-Levels are from ideal, being comparable to a Hive City built within the confines of a Space Station. Entire decks have been overtaken by cramped housing built upon one another and networks of tunnels and shafts are makeshift streets for an ever moving crowd on their way to and from work. Almost every man, woman and child is a worker on the port, working backbreaking hours and only getting perhaps four hours of sleep at best before deck wide alarms blare out to awaken them.

#### The Docks

The Docks are the heart of Düsterlicht, constantly teeming with activity as ships come and go and hordes of dock workers drag gigantic crates of cargo across the deck. Masses of pilgrims and immigrants pour out of carrier ships on stop overs or intending to make a living on the docks while congregations of Mechanicus Tech Adepts scurry around to tend to the machine spirits of the port's machine spirits and patrols of Armsmen ensure law and order is kept. Being a hub of trade, the Docks are the prime target of prospecting renegade pirates or heretic invaders thus the mouth of the Docks is lined with powerful defense turrets and armies of armsmen stand by to repel any invader foolish enough to set foot on the deck. Due to the recent opening of the Malefactus Warp Rift, these defenses are always on alert for attacks that become more frequent by the year.

### Port of Heroes

The Port of Heroes is a section of the Port reserved specifically for the Mordekaisers' Chapter Fleet. It is here the Battle Barges and Strike Cruisers are docked, tended to by tech adepts and trusted serfs of the Chapter who prepare the mighty ships for war. The Port of Heroes is visible to the masses from the other side of the Docks blocked by a large gate manned by armed Chapter Serfs who forbid any nonauthorized individual from entering. These gates only open when the Mordekaisers set off for war, allowing the common folk a glimpse of their protectors marching to their ships.

### The Wet Deck

The Wet Deck is a sequestered area within the Docks that is covered by less than reputable establishments such as taverns or brothels where exhausted workers or crewmen may come to relieve their exhaustion through drink or other means. Shady dealers and unlicensed bars deal in usually illegal acquirements of rerouted cargo and goods and the streets are full of drunk and disorderly individuals making fools of themselves. As such, enforcer crackdowns commonly sweep the area, dragging drunkards to drunk tanks or black market dealers to cells and shutting down taverns and casinos, licensed or not. Much to the chagrin of the Enforcers, the Wet Deck always rebuilds, the people of Morgen Schwach stubbornly holding on to what little enjoyment they can get in their short lives.

### Underlevels

#### Mordekaisers Fortress Monastery

While all of Düsterlicht is usually counted as the Fortress Monastery of the Mordekaisers. The Chapter actually operates a few levels beneath the Docks. The Level holds the Chapter's gene stocks, Reclusium, Librarius, Main Hall, training halls and dormitories. Few people, barring Chapter Serfs, are allowed entry to the Fortress Monastery. Only Duran Heika and a few other officials have had such an honour.

#### Under-Tunnels

The Under-Tunnels of Düsterlicht hold an abundance of degenerates, mutants, ferals and gangers who have been driven down to the forgotten and dark depths of the space station where they eke out a pitiful existence fighting amongst each other for scraps of food and resources. Gangers are ruthless and resourceful people who claim entire swathes of tunnels as their territory. However they are also prized recruitment stock for the Mordekaisers who frequently conduct raids to capture potential aspirants. This has given rise to Under-Tunnel legends of scarred giants coming from above to take unlucky fools for an unknown purpose. It is also not uncommon for the Mordekaisers to use the Under-Tunnels as practice grounds in order to keep the population of mutants and other undesirables down.

#### The Warrens

The Warrens are a maze of derelict tunnels and chambers situated below even the Under-Levels of Düsterlicht. These levels are infested with mutants, xenos pests and rejects from civilisation, eking out a life amidst sharp drops and gas leaks. This harsh area makes it a perfect testing ground for the Mordekaisers' aspirants, who are abducted from the gangs of the Under-Levels. Groups of aspirants are thrown in with instruction to survive for seven days and seven nights, expected to overcome their gang loyalties and work together if they wish to have even a hope of surviving. Only those who are able to work in a group survive while the weak perish. Even so, the brutality of the Warrens is such that usually less than ten aspirants survive the full week. Those who do have proven their ability to work together and gained a taste of the hell the Mordekaisers plunge themselves into.

Despite a great amount of effort, the Warrens have gone largely unmapped; giving great opportunity for myths of vermin the size of Astartes prowling the deepest and darkest tunnels. What is truly hidden down in the dark is unknown to all but the Mordekaisers who will not share their secrets to the common mortals. Most entrances into the Warrens have been sealed off, save for a few used by the Chapter or particularly unhinged members of the Under-Levels who come back with tales of impossible beasts that are ignored by wiser people. In the case of the Warrens, ignorance truly is bliss.

## Military

The Space Station of Düsterlicht is safeguarded by networks of turrets that can easily hold off a small fleet while it's small defence fleet is formidable in its own right. However what truly bolsters its might is the strength of an entire Chapter with a particularly large fleet in its hold, what's more the Mordekaisers are masters of void warfare and are more than capable of tearing entire fleets apart. It is for this reason that attacking Düsterlicht is no small matter.

## Notable Residents

* **The Mordekaisers** - As rulers of the Space Station, the Mordekaisers have established their fortress monastery within Morgen Schwach.

* **Duran Heika** - Being a voidborn himself, Inquisitor Duran Heika does not like living on planets and prefers the comfort of living in space. As such he resides in Düsterlicht when not seeking out xenos conspiracies. His residence has granted him a close relation with the Mordekaisers who he can reliably call upon for any aid he may require. In return his presence is enough to usually discourage any xenos smugglers daring to bring in illegal artifacts and Throne help those he finds, especially those stupid enough to bring in Aeldari artifacts.