Adelmo Lehmann

Adelmo Lehmann is Mortarch of the Apophasis Crusade, Guardian of the *Currus Imperatoria Mors* and the honoured fallen interred within. A somber individual even in comparison to his Brother-Chaplains, notoriously strict in his adherence to his duty and his devotion to this macabre aspect; he endeavours to ensure that his departed brethren join their ancestors in perpetuity.

Mortarchs are a specialist position in the Chaplaincy and serve a specific role in it. Just as Chaplains are the warrior-priests that minister to the spiritual and psychological well-being of their fellow Battle-Brothers, Mortarchs attend to the last honours and passage to the after life for those same Battle-Brothers should and when they fall in battle.

The duties of a Mortarch involve the preparation and funeral rites of fallen Battle-Brothers and Martyrs of the Black Templar. Once an Apothecary has removed a fallen brother's gene-seed, it is the responsibility of a Mortarch and his retinue of Death Knights to collect the body and prepare it for entombment aboard the Tomb Ship. Sometimes this is as simple as combing a battlefield in its aftermath, or in other cases, charging an enemy position to retrieve the fallen body of a high ranked member of the crusade. Mortarchs are also responsible for the retrieval of the Relics and Artifacts that can be lost during the midst of battle. A holy Relic held by a crusade's Castellan is just as important as their fallen body to a Mortarch and are charged with the retrieval of both. Accompanying him in their duty is his retinue of Death Knights, a hand selected group of Battle-Brothers and it is their sword duty to protect him while he preforms his duties. Mortarchs are capable of administering the duties of a chaplain, but this is usually not their primary responsibility.

On the battlefield, in command of his squad of Death Knights, he is a silent figure stalking across the landscape striving to stave off the deaths of his fellow Battle-Brothers so they can continue to fight in the Emperor's name.

## History

Adelmo Lehmann hails from Necromunda, coming from its lawless Underhive. Like most who wished to live a better life; he journeyed across the wastes, through the layers of the hive, and making his way to the Spear of Dorn atop Hive Primus. For a youth to make his way alone is a near impossibility so Adelmo joined one of the ganger houses to survive. Not only did he survive but he thrived amongst them.

This gang was obsessed with the aspects of the dead, honouring them and praying for their guidance and help whenever necessary. It was during this time that Adelmo became very acquainted with death and all its aspects. He learned from an early age to accept that death was inevitable and it came for everyone at one time or another. It was this attitude that allowed Adelmo to achieve things normally not possible, his fear of death gone.

### Expectanten

Arriving at the Imperial Fists fortress was no small feat even for one destined to become a Primaris Space Marine like Adelmo. Severely undernourished and suffering from any number of illnesses that should have killed him, Adelmo was initially ignored by the marines that garrisoned the fortress. It was through sheer strength of will and his acceptance of death that allowed him to survive at the base of the fortress walls long after the denizens of Necromunda should have perished. Refusing to die, Adelmo stayed within eyeshot of the walls and continued in the hope that he would eventually gain entry. He prayed to his honoured dead for guidance, even praying to the Emperor for help. Soon his wishes would come true and he would find himself an Expectanten of the Imperial Fists.

#### Singled Out

Little did Adelmo know but the marines manning the fortress knew exactly who he was, watching him from his arrival to his unexpected survival below the walls. It was the Chaplain stationed here that paid particular attention to the boy that refused to die, watching in fascination as Adelmo did whatever was necessary to stay alive. The prayers to the Emperor were of particular interest to the Chaplain, the spark of something growing. Adelmo was subjected to a battery of tests overcoming many and varied trials before being accepted into the ranks of the fortress' neophytes.

The tests and trials ran congruently to the bio-genetic treatments that he would undergo. As the physical transformation occurred, his spiritual changes were watched closely. Both the physical and spiritual aspects were tempered by the ongoing experiences on the field of battle and the rituals that he participated in. One trial that paid a large role in his development was the Blood Duel Trial.

#### Blood Duel Trial

One of the most common Aspirant Trials takes the form of a duel between aspirants, often to the death. This type of duel varies enormously from each Astartes chapter, each one having its own well-established practices. The Imperial Fists are no different and Adelmo's trials were just beginning. It was during the numerous Blood Duels that Adelmo encountered another Aspirant from his old gang, their lack of fear from dying ensuring that this fight would be fatal.

The fight between the two was understandably bloody, entirely more brutal than any that had come before. In the end, Adelmo stood victorious but it wasn't the win that the marines paid attention to; it was what happened after that caught their eyes once again. Kneeling in the blood and sand Adelmo prayed like he always did, commending his fellow Aspirant to their ancestors, honouring his spirit and tenacity.

#### Hunting the Hunter Trial

Another trial meant to be conquered, Necromunda has no lack of dangerous predators lurking in the Underhive and Ash Wastes. The hunt is a test of cunning and determination as much as raw martial prowess, often requiring the Aspirant to track his prey in its own territory. The hunt may last solar days, weeks or even longer according to the conditions of the Trial and the weapons the aspirant can either find or fashion for himself.

Adelmo's trial was to track and kill a Gargantuan Duneskuttler.

#### Chosen

Adelmo would be chosen by Belisarius Cawl and made into a Primaris Space Marine.

### Stasis

Adelmo would become a Primaris Space Marine then placed in stasis and stored aboard the Zar-Quaesitor.

#### Indoctrination

Adelmo would be psycho-indoctrinated into the mysteries of the Chaplaincy as he slept.

## Wargear

* ***Absolution*** - With a blade carved from Noctilith, *Absolution* separates the victims soul from the warp briefly as the deathblow is delivered. What is only a moment in reality feels like an eternity of damnation to the departing spirit, punishment for their sins against the immortal God-Emperor.
* **Mark X Gravis Power Armour**
* **Skull Helm**
* **Absolvor Bolt Pistol** - A variant pattern of the standard Bolt Pistol used by Primaris Space Marine Chaplains and Apothecaries. It is larger, has a longer barrel to enhance its range and is capable of producing more damage than its standard counterpart, but is somewhat less accurate as a result.
* **Frag Grenades**
* **Krak Grenades**
* **Rosarius**