"I awoke to find Mousillon a pale shadow of its glorious past, overrun with vermin, its lands annexed by its neighbours, its very name a by-word for despair and failure. But now, I have returned. Now, Mousillon will rise again. And you, my brothers, will rise with it."
Merovech sitting within his desolate tomb.[2]
Merovech of Mousillon, also known as "Merovech the Mad," "Merovech the Butcher," the "Dark Lord of Mousillon" and formerly as the "Saviour of Bretonnia," was the bloody-handed Vampire who ruled as the Duke of Mousillon. A fearsome warrior and strong leader, his desperation to restore the glory of his dukedom would lead him to become an extremely powerful Blood Knight, feared throughout Bretonnia for his bloodlust.
Quick Answers
What led to Merovech of Mousillon being known as 'Merovech the Mad'?
How did Merovech of Mousillon become the 'Dark Lord of Mousillon'?
What actions led to Merovech of Mousillon being referred to as the 'Saviour of Bretonnia'?
How did Merovech of Mousillon manage to rule despite his bloody-handed reputation?
What was the state of Mousillon before and after Merovech's rule?
History[]
The Saviour of Bretonnia[]
Around 1813 IC, the Red Pox swept through the fair lands of Bretonnia, killing many of its inhabitants. In that time, Merovech was Duke of Mousillon and a proud warrior looking with envy upon the glory days of the realm, during the reign of the mighty Landuin, first Duke of Mousillon, and greatest of the Grail Companions. He was desperate to restore the prestige that his city had in those distant times. With honourable intentions but led astray by corrupt advisers, Merovech set upon the path of dark powers. Thus it came that when the plague struck, the Duke and his knights remained unaffected.[2][5]
Seeing his chance for glory, Merovech mustered his men and rode out against the vile ratmen who beset the lands of Bretonnia. He rode south and broke the siege of Brionne. Believing he was Landuin reborn, he followed the same route as Gilles le Breton and his Grail Companions had taken, and headed east to Athel Loren. He relieved Quenelles from a siege. At the edge of the enchanted forest, he met with the armies of Parravon and the fey folk and battled the Skaven. A great victory was won, and the rat creatures scattered before the martial might of Merovech and his most trusted knights. In the middle of the battle, Merovech was soaked in blood, revelling in the killing. Even after his foe lay unmoving, still he continued to hack at them with his gore-soaked blade. The virtuous and honourable knights of Parravon looked on in horror.[2][5]
All were invited to celebrate the victory upon the Skaven with a great banquet in the Halls of Mousillon Castle. However, the guests were most horrified by what they saw. Dinner was served by shambling, corpse-like servants and spitted and impaled criminals were set around the hall. Merovech, drunk and feeling ill-appreciated, claimed to be dishonoured. The king expressed his revulsion at what he saw, upon which Merovech accused the king of jealousy and conspiring against the saviour of Bretonnia. The people of Mousillon tell of how the king then challenged Merovech, refusing to let one of his dukes battle in his stead. The duel started, it was fierce and Merovech fought like a daemon. The two combatants clashed throughout the great hall until finally, with rage in his heart, Merovech tore out the king's throat. The Duke then filled a goblet with the king's blood, and drank from it...[2][5][6]
Many have since claimed there was no duel, that the king was simply murdered by his insane and unchivalrous subject. Regardless, upon witnessing Merovech's act of bloodthirst, the other dukes hastily retreated from Mousillon, pursued by a horde of twisted creatures and malformed peasants.[2][5][6]
The citizens of Mousillon were led to believe that, despite his reputation, Merovech had been chosen to succeed the murdered king. In truth, the Fay Enchantress had already denounced him as a traitor alongside the newly-crowned Royarch. Lyonesse mustered its troops and led a massive invasion of Mousillon, and many of Mousillon's knights gladly took up arms against their insane ruler, having no wish to be associated with their liege-lord and swearing fealty to Lyonesse. Faced with the might of all Bretonnia, Merovech was defeated and slain, though many brave warriors fell beneath his blade. After Merovech's demise, Lyonesse absorbed a large portion of Mousillon into their own dukedom, leaving only its most tainted lands behind.[2][5]
Though widely vilified and despised, many notable knights and families owed Merovech for saving them from the Skaven armies. After his death, they banded together and in spite of the new King's wishes, built a mighty tomb for the dead Duke. The huge stone mausoleum, the size of a small keep, was constructed near the centre of Mousillon. After many centuries his tomb sunk into the marshes of Mousillon and was thought lost forever. Many a Questing Knight set out to find the tomb, but none ever succeeded.[2]
Revenge[]
"Tonight is the dawning of a new era in Mousillon's history. Once, our realm was the most powerful in all Bretonnia. Now we have a chance to reclaim that glory, you and I."
- —Merovech, Dark Lord of Mousillon.[1]
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The corrupted heraldry of Mousillon
Centuries passed before Merovech rose from his tomb, revealing himself to have been a powerful vampire. Restored to full potency, he towered over mortal men and moved with unnatural precision, as if his armour was a second skin. The armour he donned was of an archaic, old fashioned style, fluted and with serrated barbs at its edges. It was of such dark steel that it was almost black, and was completed by a helmet that had been forged to resemble a snarling Dragon. The Vampire never carried a shield, but bore a pair of unholy blades strapped at his side, encrusted with dark runes. He bore no Heraldry other than a simple black fleur-de-lys, the ancient symbol of Mousillon.[1][4]
Merovech's first action upon his return was to overthrow the Varghulf leader of Mousillon, known as the "Old One". Imprisoning the beast and taking control of its Undead followers, a sizeable army began to take shape, but the Duke still needed to search for a champion. Infiltrating tournaments under the guise of a noble Knight of the Realm, Merovech discovered two young brothers, Calard and Bertelis of Garamont. He would go on to fight Bertelis, and whilst he defeated his opponent with ease, he was greatly impressed with the young knight's potential.[1][4]
Merovech bided his time, visiting Bertelis after a series of tragic events had resulted in his brother denouncing him. The morose and bitter young knight accepted the vampire’s offer to train him, eventually accepting the Blood Kiss. With his champion chosen, Merovech decided to seal their bond with damnation. The two Blood Knights travelled to Castle Garamont, where the pair slaughtered an entire garrison of Knights and Men-at-Arms, drinking the blood of the slain and burning Garamont to the ground, erasing Bertelis's ties to that realm.[1][4]
Returning to Mousillon, Merovech then summoned corrupt nobles from across Bretonnia to aid his cause, and resurrected his long-dead bodyguard of elite Blood Knights, adding to what was becoming a fearsome army. He was now close to enacting his revenge, and conquering all of Bretonnia...[1]
The Questing Knight[]
"Your master's going to die,' said Calard as Bertelis closed the distance between them."
"I think not,' said his brother. 'No devolved Varghulf is a match for him."
- —Calard and Bertelis witness Merovech's duel.[1]
Several years into the Vampire's plan, Calard of Garamont, now a Questing Knight, arrived within the cursed city of Mousillon. He was disguised as one of the many disgraced knights who had answered the Duke's call to war, and planned to exact revenge upon the one responsible for sacking his home.[1]
Calard's attempt to kill Merovech would not go as planned, however, for he discovered Bertelis slaughtering knights within a duelling ring, under the gaze of his new master. As the two brothers fought, Ghouls burst into the Castle, led by none other than the Old One. Calard's arrival had allowed the Varghulf's few remaining followers to release it and launch an attack.[1]
While his undead servants fought against a tide of Ghouls, Merovech entered into a mighty duel with the Vampiric beast. Taking his fight to the balcony above, he danced and weaved like a dervish, ducking under blows that would have torn him in half, twin blades flashing. He moved with preternatural speed, but the monster he fought was almost as quick, despite its bulk. Soon enough, the creature was bleeding from a dozen wounds, but it did not slow. The Old One caught Merovech in a glancing blow that sent the Duke skittering across the ground, causing the Varghulf to roar in victory and leap after him. Merovech recovered quickly, however, and rolled under the blade-like talons that hammered down towards him. As he came to his feet, both blades carved bloody furrows across the monster's chest, and it hissed in pain. Using the immense beast's arm like a ladder, Merovech turned and leapt lightly up his enemy's body, spinning both swords around in his hands so that they were pointed downwards, like daggers. Kicking off the beast's chest, he turned in mid-air and plunged both swords into its neck.[1]
The Old One bellowed. Both swords were embedded to the hilt, their tips protruding from the back of its neck as it thrashed around in pain. It reached up and ripped both weapons free, hurling them away from it, and blood gushed from the wounds. Such a blow ought to have been fatal, but the beast merely shook its head and dropped to all fours, and began stalking towards the now unarmed Duke Merovech. In the chaotic battle below, Calard, having witnessed Merovech being disarmed, briefly hoped that the Old One would be the Vampire's doom.[1]
Alas, the ancient monster was ultimately brought down, blood pooling beneath it. Its flesh was slashed and torn, hanging from it in bloody tatters. Duke Merovech stood before it then, a recovered sword in hand as the Varghulf's powerful legs bunched for one final spring, but it was never given the chance. The Blood Knight hurled his sword aside and leapt towards his enemy with a blood-curdling battle cry, hands extended like claws. He grabbed the immense creature by the head, grappling with it, and with a roar of effort, he wrenched it upwards, exposing its neck. Merovech's fangs flashed, and he tore into the Varghulf's neck. The creature fought against him, but its strength was gone. For long moments Merovech drank, glutting himself before pulling away. Then, he dragged the immense weight of the Varghulf across the floor, until he reached a distant altar. He forced the Varghulf's neck back, and lowered his mouth to its neck once more. This time he did not feed, but rather tore. He ripped open its throat, and the last of its blood gushed forth.[1]
As Merovech threw his foe’s broken corpse onto the duelling ring below, he witnessed Bertelis's destruction. The sudden arrival of the Ghouls and their master had distracted his dark champion, allowing Calard to pierce his brother’s heart with the Sword of Garamont, before retreating from the castle.[1]
Merovech dropped to one knee alongside Bertelis's ashen corpse, and something approaching sorrow ghosted across the Duke's features as he placed a hand upon the fallen knight's chest. Nevertheless, he would not be set back by the death of his favoured pupil. He would continue to amass his dark army and march upon the realm of Bretonnia, bringing vengeance with him.[1]
Gates of Couronne[]
"He could see the towering walls of Bretonnia's capital, pennants fluttering in a wind Calard could not feel. Stormy skies roiled above the white towers and battlements, and lightning flashed. Tens of thousands of warriors were embroiled in desperate battle, and Calard's eyes widened. Scores of trebuchets were firing from atop Couronne's walls, hurling great chunks of masonry into the endless horde, and the sky was dark with arrows. Thousand-strong formations of knights sallied forth in glorious charges, only to be surrounded and dragged down by the endless ranks of the dead. Calard's breath caught his throat. He was witnessing the death of his nation..."
- —Deep within Athel Loren, Calard receives a vision of Merovech's attack on Couronne.[3]
The Duke of Mousillon was last seen at the head of his vast army, having fought his way to the very gates of Couronne itself. He and his elite cadre of vampire knights, his Seneschals, carved a swathe through the Bretonnian lines, butchering all who stood against them. Mounted on black warhorses with eyes that glowed like coals, they thundered forwards, smashing knights from their saddles, cutting down Bretonnia’s finest with contemptuous ease. More knights pressed in to halt their rampage, but all fell before their murderous wrath.[3]
Faster and stronger than any mortal man, these vampire knights fought with callous ferocity. Their eyes were red-rimmed and savage, their slitted pupils dilating as their bloodlust surged. They struck with such force that shields shattered beneath their axes and blades. Their lances punched straight through armoured breastplates, lifting warriors from the saddle and tossing them aside like children. Merovech fought like a daemon, lips pulled back to expose his elongated canines. Blood splattered across his snow-white face as he hacked a Questing Knight’s head from his shoulders and thundered on, driving his heavily armoured Nightmare steed towards the immense gates of Couronne. He slashed left and right, killing with every stroke. The centre of the Bretonnian battle-line buckled inwards, threatening to break at any moment.[3]
A shadow descended from above as King Louen Leoncoeur joined the fray, mounted atop a ferocious Hippogryph. For a while the king defeated all who stood before him but, eventually, a lucky blow sent his mount crashing down, pinning him beneath its bulk. Dozens of loyal knights pushed forward, interposing themselves before their liege and the murderous vampire knights, selling their lives dearly. Merovech began to laugh as he killed, the hideous sound booming out across the battlefield. The outcome of the battle balanced on a knife’s edge as the fell Duke hacked down the knights standing between him and the king. He slammed his sword into the standard bearer’s neck, the blade biting through armour, bone and flesh, and the royal banner fell. Merovech loomed over his stricken foe and readied his blade. The killing blow would never land, however, for Calard of Garamont had succeeded in his quest for the Grail...[3]
Death[]
Riding atop a mighty warhorse and wielding a blazing lance, the Grail Knight rushed into the battle at the head of a Wood Elf Wild Hunt. Unholy Seneschals, their eyes filled with hatred, moved to interpose themselves between Calard and their dark lord. Each was a mighty warrior and champion in their own right, but even so, they could not hope to slow the Grail Knight's furious charge. Before long, the last of the dreaded Seneschals had fallen to Calard's holy wrath. It was then that the fell Duke of Mousillon swung towards him, turning away from the fallen Bretonnian king, still trapped under the weight of his massive steed. His face was the white of untouched snow, his expression arrogant and dismissive. His hair too was like alabaster, hanging down his black-armoured back. He held his jagged sword loosely. The blade would have taken a strong man to lift it two-handed, yet the undead warrior drew a second blade as Calard bore down on him, twirling the twin-blades. Calard had seen the Vampire Lord fight; he knew of his ungodly speed, and the brutal power that was contained within him.[3]
Time seemed to slow. Galloping at full speed, Calard saw every detail of his foe in the moment before they clashed. He saw the aristocratic disdain in Merovech’s eyes, eyes that gleamed like a wolf’s, reflecting back at Calard the holy light that surrounded him. He saw the dimly glowing runes along the length of the Vampire's mighty swords, and he saw each individual raindrop coming down, splashing off his enemy’s fluted black armour.[3]
Calard rose in the saddle to deliver the strike. His lance, Elith-Anar, speared towards the Vampire's chest, but with preternatural speed, one of Merovech's blades swung up to deflect it with an elegant circular parry. With the smallest twist of the wrist, Calard caused the tip of his elven lance to roll around the Vampire's blade, avoiding the deflection. Merovech's other blade came up, but in a display of skill and speed that surpassed even the Vampire Lord's abilities, Calard again rolled his wrist, and the flaming tip of Elith-Anar flicked around his second blade.[3]
The lancetip took Merovech in the throat, punching out the back of his neck in an explosion of dark blood. Calard released his grip on the lance and continued on past the vampire as it fell to its knees. Hauling on the reins, Calard brought his steed back around sharply. Dark blood pooled beneath the vampire, and his eyes registered the creature's shock. He tried to speak, but nothing emerged from his mouth but a splatter of blood.[3]
Calard swung from the saddle of his warhorse, and stormed towards the Duke of Mousillon, the Sword of Garamont blazing in his hand. The vampire tore the lance from its throat and rose to meet him. Merovech had lost one of his swords; the other one he gripped in both hands. He hissed, and hurled himself at Calard. The Sword of Garamont came up, smashing Merovech's sword aside. Calard allowed his momentum to carry him around, so that he had his back turned to his enemy. With a movement so fast it was little more than a blur, he spun his sword around so that he was holding it in a downward, dagger-like grip, left hand resting upon the pommel. He surged backwards, driving his sword into Merovech's chest. The blade slid deep, only halting when the hilt was pressed against the vampire's breastplate. It was over.[3]
The vampire's mouth opened wide in a final, soundless scream. His flesh began to wither and blacken, like parchment beneath a candle-flame. Calard wrenched his sword free, and the creature that had been Merovech fell to the ground, collapsing to grave-dust. The entire army of the dead dropped, the dark magic binding and animating them dissipating. The rain ceased, and a howling wind began to clear the sky. Knights leapt forward to aid the king, while others, bloodied and battle-weary, gazed around them blankly, not yet comprehending that the battle was over. Merovech, vampire Duke of Mousillon, was no more...[3]
Total War: Warhammer II[]
Merovech is briefly mentioned in Total War: Warhammer II, with his keep being one of the key buildings within the Bretonnian city of Mousillon. The once beatific fortress is now a decrepit ruin, but still a formidable stronghold for the living to attack.