Dieter Ludolf

Dieter Ludolf was a Primaris Space Marine and a member of Marshal Aristeo's Sword Brethren before being interred into an Atoner Dreadnought chassis. He would then go on to be known as Bastion Ludolf, the High Castle.

## History

Amid some of the oldest of the Primaris Space Marines, Dieter Ludolf counted himself one of the Unnumbered Sons of the Primarch. Tracing his lineage to that of Rogal Dorn, Ludolf was destined to assume his place with one of his gene-fathers chapters. With his preference towards fighting in close combat and a deep seated hatred of the Xenos, it was clear that he would join the Black Templar as reinforcements when they eventually reached the *Eternal Crusader*.

After High Marshal Helbrecht approved Aristeo to Castellan after Brunner's death, Aristeo and his new household returned to the *Eternal Crusader* and was among the assembled Space Marines that were present when the Lord Guilliman visited the Black Templars and brought the gift of the Primaris with him. Ludolf was amongst those Primaris that joined the Black Templar on the *Eternal Crusader* and was subsequently assigned to Aristeo and his household. Aristeo wanted to aid in the acceptance of the Primaris and requested that Ludolf join his Sword Brethren. Ludolf accepted and they made ready to launch a new crusade.

### Apophasis Crusade

Ludolf was critically injured during the opening stages of the Apophasis Crusade. One of the first battles was against a Drukhari Raiding Party on an Imperial Agri-world, Ludolf and his fellow Sword Brethren were fighting against the Archon and it's Incubi bodyguard when Ludolf was hit by Disintegrator Cannon and cut in half, left for dead. After Aristeo and the rest of the Sword Brethren won the battle, they discovered that Ludolf still clung to life.

Dieter Ludolf was rapidly transported back to the *Emperor's Grace* and the Apothecaries there tried their best to save his life. Despite their best efforts, the Apothecarion realized it wouldn't be able to save him and prepared to administer the Emperor's Peace. At Ludolf's request, Aristeo came to visit his Sword Brother and it was during their meeting that Ludolf refused the Emperor's Peace and declared that he still wished to fight. Moved by the burning anger that smoldered behind Ludolf's gaze Aristeo agreed and told the Apothecarion to save him no matter the cost. It was then that the Apothecaries revealed that no matter their efforts Ludolf would die a slow lingering death, even with the super human physiology of the Primaris Space Marine. Left with a nearly impossible problem, Aristeo went to see if his brother had something that could save Ludolf after studying everything he could about the Primaris and the rest of the gifts created by Belisarius Cawl.

### Rebirth

Utilizing technology used in both the Leviathan and Redemptor, Gottfried believed that he could save Ludolf's life by implanting him in a specially modified dreadnought sarcophagus that involved a very controversial innovation of his; a new pattern Assault Dreadnought. Through trial and error and the input of Ludolf, Gottfried was able to combine both patterns though causing a great deal of pain to him during the ordeal. In the end, Gottfried was able to complete his Marshal's request and save Ludolf's life. When asked about the process Gottfried responded with his usual stoicism but expressed great regret in the pain caused to Ludolf. Ludolf simply replied that his duty only ended in death and that the pain was just his penance in the lapse of that duty. He would need to atone for his work not yet complete and defend his brothers for as long as he could from then on, a bastion of defense to protect those that needed it.

The new pattern of Assault Dreadnought had been inadvertently christened by Ludolf himself; the Atoner Pattern Assault Dreadnought.

Sword Brother Dieter Ludolf was no more, in his place was Bastion Ludolf, the High Castle.

## Wargear

The following wargear was used by Dieter Ludolf before he was implanted within the shell of the Atoner Dreadnought.

* **Mark X Tacticus Power Armour**
* **Heavy Bolt Pistol**
* **Master-crafted Power Sword**
* **Storm Shield**
* **Frag Grenades**
* **Krak Grenades**