Malcador

[Captain Idaho]

I think we need a thread where we discuss Malcador and consolidate everything we know on him. I'm pretty sure I'm not alone, but he doesn't quite seem right to me!

 

I get the feeling he is deceiving the Emperor from the true events of the Heresy, leaving the Emperor to his works undisturbed to pursue his own agenda. I could be wrong, but just what is the deal with him and his place at the Emperor's side? Why is he so important, even in comparison to the Primarchs themselves?

 

Is he a traitor? Is he honest in his loyalty? Has he influenced events to his own agenda, even if loyal but believing he has been doing things for the best as he sees it?

 

After all, it is pretty suspicious he is the

Master of Assassains

, as such secrecy (he thought) even against the Emperor doesn't inspire trust. He told Garro that he was not able to report to the Emperor of Horus' delay, then had a job for him... It seems funny he's always involved in these conspiracies doesn't it?

 

Was he involved with influencing Lorgar's and his Legion's beliefs at all at all? Probably not, but it is all food for thought.

[Legatus]

IIRC Malcador sacrifices himself when th eEmperor teleports to Horus' flaggship. The Golden Throne could not be left unpowered at that time, so Malcador, as the only other living being that could do it, took the Emperor's place while he was gone. When the Emperor was returned to the throne, dying, he and Malcador spoke a few last words before Malcador passed away.

[Captain Idaho]

IIRC Malcador sacrifices himself when th eEmperor teleports to Horus' flaggship. The Golden Throne could not be left unpowered at that time, so Malcador, as the only other living being that could do it, took the Emperor's place while he was gone. When the Emperor was returned to the throne, dying, he and Malcador spoke a few last words before Malcador passed away.

 

Interesting... That would imply he is immensely gifted. But I still think he is not entirely selfless.

 

What is the source?

[calgar101]

How is that not selfless? He kills himself to allow the Emperor to battle Horus. He has been the Emperors friend and closest advisors for we dont know how many years, he is the 3rd or 2nd most powerful Pysker in the Imperium; perhaps the galaxy. He is nothing but loyal to the Emperor.

[increaso]

IIRC Malcador sacrifices himself when th eEmperor teleports to Horus' flaggship. The Golden Throne could not be left unpowered at that time, so Malcador, as the only other living being that could do it, took the Emperor's place while he was gone. When the Emperor was returned to the throne, dying, he and Malcador spoke a few last words before Malcador passed away.

 

Interesting... That would imply he is immensely gifted. But I still think he is not entirely selfless.

 

What is the source?

 

I haven't got it in front of me, but it will be the collected visions book.

 

I have a feeling (no source and my opinion only) that Malcador is the oldest person next to the Emperor and that they have been companions for a very long time. I suspect he is completely loyal to the Emperor, but sometimes feels he has to make decisions for the Emperor.

[Captain Idaho]

His final acts was likely of selfless sacrifice, but I wouldn't be surprised if he likes power for himself :o

 

I have a feeling (no source and my opinion only) that Malcador is the oldest person next to the Emperor and that they have been companions for a very long time. I suspect he is completely loyal to the Emperor, but sometimes feels he has to make decisions for the Emperor.

 

Makes sense. Could he even be an avatar of the Emperor? A fragment of his consiousness given free form?

[calgar101]

Well from the part he plays in the First Heretic extract it doesn't seem he enjoys power at all and from all the mentions about him in the HH novels and other existing background he certainly does not come across as power hungry.

[Legatus]

What is the source?

Yeah, sorry, I completely forgot. It's from "Collected Visions".

 

Some quotes, with a bit of Context:

 

"The war within the webway was going badly for the Emperor. (...) As the battle within wore on the daemons began to gain the advantage. Their assaults regularly reached deep into the Imperial defences - more than once approaching dangerously close to the human built conduit that led to the warp-gate of the Golden Throne." (p. 350)

 

"Eventually, after many long days of bloody battle, these deaths took their toll and the defenders were forced to draw back to within sight of the Golden Throne. Here they were bolstered by the presence of the Emperor who appeared as a brightly burning star to those within the alien conduits. (...) The gate would remain closed to the daemons for as long as the EMperor was able to power it from his throne atop the golden portal. Only the mightiest of psykers had power enough to do this and even then most would be exhausted and fail in short time. Only the Emperor had the might to keep the gate closed permanently and for him the effort got harder as daemonic forces gathered about him. For as long as the daemon horde threatened to breach the portal, the Golden Throne would be his Prison." (p. 351)

 

"Malcador faced the Emperor. He had received the call and now prepared to perform his final duty to the man he had followed for the greater part of his life.

'Malcador, the time is upon us. Horus thinks me blinded by his psychics but I am more powerful than he can possibly imagine. (...) Horus knows that [the Space Wolves, the Ultramarines and the Dark Angels] are coming and will want to finish affairs here before they arrive. he can only do this by confronting me in person. This will force him to act rashly, against the counsel of his closest advisors. I must be ready to take advantage of his mistake. Are you ready to take the Throne?'

'Of course, my lord. I have always been ready to repay the debt I owe you. Since first we met my life has been yours.'

'Thank you old friend. You will be remembered for your sacrifice.'" (p. 359)

 

"Malcador the Sigilite ascended to the Golden Throne, replacing the Emperor who now stood before the edifice with his loyal captains Rogal Dorn and Sanguinius. The great confusing mass of machinery around the Throne throbbed with power. Arc of static energy leapt across the cables and conduits and the air was thick with the smell of ozone. Malcador could not speak such was the concentration he had to bring to bear in order to controll the tempestious forces at his call.

'Behold the greatest sacrifice of our age!' the Emperor directed the two mighty Primarchs. 'Malcador the Sigilite is no more. Henceforth he shall always and only be Malcador the Hero!' At this the three figures retired from the Palace vault and make ready to teleport onto the battle-barge of Horus." (p. 360)

 

"'What of the Emperor?' The Khan feared the answer.

'Friend Khan, the Emperor is in peril still. Alone against the arch-traitor Horus did he battle and though he triumphed o'er him, now lies close to death. We must get him to the Golden Throne - 'tis the only device that can save him.'

'Then let us tarry not here. To the Throne at once!'

At that they went straight to the Golden Throne, where Malcador sat tormented and wasted. Plumes of energy lashed about the shriveled body of the former Sigilite, arcs of power scythed across the cables and conduits of the great machine to which he was bound. Malcador was all but dead, only the slimmest vestige of life still lingered within him, only the supremest effort of will stopped him relinquishing it.

'How can such a device save the Emperor? It will more likely finish him. It is madness to bind him to it. This cannot be the thing to do!' the Khan exclaimed.

'The Emperor's word is law. His order is to bind him once more to the machine that is his Throne of Gold. We know not the full mysteries of this fabulous artefact, built as it was by the Emperor's own hand. We must trust him as we have ever trusted him and bind him to it, forthwith!' Dorn insisted.

The waiting tech-priests were directed to make the exchange. Malcador's husk was carefully disengaged from the complexities of the machine and the Emperor ascended to his Golden Throne once again, this time for eternity. As Malcador was removed the last flicker of life left him. He died and the dust of his corpse blew across the stone floor. At the instant of Malcador's death the Emperor awakened, as if somehow he had been boosted with a powerful salve of medicine.

The Emperor, still frail and weak, spoke, 'Poor, brave Malcador the Hero. he reserved a fragment of his strength for me. It gives me a little time to pass final orders to you all. If you do as I ask then I shall not wholly die, my spirit at least will survive. (...) (p. 367)

 

 

That seemed pretty selfless to me. Malcador seemed truly dedicated to the Emperor, without even a hint of a personal agenda.

[Jarl Kjaran Coldheart]

I have to ask Idaho, how much have you read about Malcador?

 

Everything i have read about about Malcador screams of ABSOLUTE loyalty to the Emperor. While the recently released Nemesis seems to fudge that, or atleast cast doubt, I see it rather as how much/far Malcador is willing to do/go for the Imperium.

 

WLK

[calgar101]

Wasn't it Malcador who said that it was his job to protect the Emperor and that it was their job(the legions) to protect the Imperium and the two should not be confused.. Im sure he said that to Dorn, or did Valdor say that to Magnus in A Thousand Sons?

[Wrath of Terra]

I have to ask Idaho, how much have you read about Malcador?

 

Everything i have read about about Malcador screams of ABSOLUTE loyalty to the Emperor. While the recently released Nemesis seems to fudge that, or atleast cast doubt, I see it rather as how much/far Malcador is willing to do/go for the Imperium.

 

WLK

 

 

I didn't really see Malcador getting fudged in Nemesis (note to self; phrase things better). To me it seemed like the act of someone utterly loyal deciding to undertake an especially dirty job himself so as to keep the Emperor from tarnishing his own purity by having to order his favoured son murdered. To me it was more like the act of less gifted sibling taking a crappy job to make money so the younger, more gifted one, doesn't have to resort to doing such an awful job in the future. I'm not saying they were actually related, just using it as an example. To me there hasn't been a single thing written or spoken that hints that Malcador is anything other than utterly loyal. But he has been with the Emperor so long and is such a position of power that he is trusted enough/given enough leeway to act on his own initiative and get things done. If the he Emperor has to hand-hold his right hand man through every decision then he'd never get anywhere as he'd have to hand-hold everyone!

[Captain Idaho]

As a Space Marine, I suspect everyone! But from my own view point, something just screams traitor about him. I'm not the first to quote this, but there is something "Emperor Palantine" about him.

 

I'm having trouble trusting him, after reading all the Dune novels and seeing power hungry fools in the pretence of religious zealots, then reading him in Nemesis and realising he has a dark, sinister side, combined with the fact we always see him running around giving people orders on behalf of the Emperor etc...

 

Just seems too damn convenient!

 

Practically speaking, it is obvious the man has secrets, which we presume from Nemesis itself that he kept from the Emperor. Why keep such secrets? Does he know better than the Emperor? He must think he does, or else he thinks he is protecting the Emperor, which means either way he has arrogance there.

 

An arrogant man with secrets in arguably the 2nd most powerful postion in the Imperium? Sounds suspect to me.

 

(Incidently, I have read everything there is on the fella, save stuff from Collected visions and listening to any information on audio books, though I don't know if they really mention him?)

[DarKHaZZ13]

nemsis answers that question itself. the Emperor must be seen as noble, honourable, brave, direct and honest.

however, as malcador and valdor say, there are somethings that must be commited, in the Emperors name, but their very nature is dark and twisted, and as such, can have association with the Emperor, as it would stain his chrecter, and thus bring everything the Emperor has worked for to its knees.

 

these secrets are kept, because if the big E! knows, and lets them continue, then it ruins his image and what the imperium stands for. purity.

however, it is clear from the Big E1's grand entrance, that there is no such thing as a secret kept against him.

For example horus's betrayl is at some level hinted as predicted by the big E!

 

 

I belive malcador is oyal beyond compare. he sacrfices his own purity in the name of master and friend. and then is willing, without question, to give his life.

if you wanted power, if you wanted the throne. you would have declined when asked to ascend the golden throne in the Emperors stead. simple.

[randian]

'Of course, my lord. I have always been ready to repay the debt I owe you. Since first we met my life has been yours.' (p. 359)

Has the nature of this debt ever been explained?

[increaso]

(Incidently, I have read everything there is on the fella, save stuff from Collected visions and listening to any information on audio books, though I don't know if they really mention him?)

 

He features in The Lightning Tower audiobook/chapbook if you haven't listened to or read that one.

[Chaplain ChonkE]

Can one man hide secrets from the Emperor, especially someone who is around him constantly? I personally dont think so. The warp can interfere with the Emperor and the combined efforts of the Chaos Gods brought him down but he is pretty boss. And as far as Big E's image goes, yeah sure he was the Chosen One and had his spin doctors hype it up, but the texts about him and featuring him have pretty much shown he can be a very very ruthless individual.

[Captain Idaho]

Well whether the Emperor knew of the secret things Malcador thought he had is immaterial to an extent. The fact Malcador thought he had those secrets is the important factor. If the Emperor used his powers to pry into the mind of Malcador, this would not go unnoticed by him since he himself is a powerful psyker. I would imagine the Emperor operates on a level of trust with Malcador, granting him the respect of privacy instead of invading it.

 

The Emperor was not concerned about hiding the Assassins Clades from his name, as he approved of the idea in the end (this wasn't a spoiler but in Codex Assassins). This means Malcador thought he knew better and was wrong in the end, as seen in the Emperor’s eyes. Is that arrogance from Malacador to believe he knew better without consulting his liege? Was he acting out of genuine concern for the clean image of the Emperor really or was he secretly happy to weild a power that was a terror to those in the Imperial court, thus cementing his position at the Emperor's side?

 

I get that he appears to be loyal with the information we have to hand, but I think people shouldn’t right him off as a character with a sinister motive/secret/action in future novels. Anything could happen as 40K Heresy novels are rarely black and white.

[increaso]

Well whether the Emperor knew of the secret things Malcador thought he had is immaterial to an extent. The fact Malcador thought he had those secrets is the important factor. If the Emperor used his powers to pry into the mind of Malcador, this would not go unnoticed by him since he himself is a powerful psyker. I would imagine the Emperor operates on a level of trust with Malcador, granting him the respect of privacy instead of invading it.

 

The Emperor was not concerned about hiding the Assassins Clades from his name, as he approved of the idea in the end (this wasn't a spoiler but in Codex Assassins). This means Malcador thought he knew better and was wrong in the end, as seen in the Emperor’s eyes. Is that arrogance from Malacador to believe he knew better without consulting his liege? Was he acting out of genuine concern for the clean image of the Emperor really or was he secretly happy to weild a power that was a terror to those in the Imperial court, thus cementing his position at the Emperor's side?

 

I get that he appears to be loyal with the information we have to hand, but I think people shouldn’t right him off as a character with a sinister motive/secret/action in future novels. Anything could happen as 40K Heresy novels are rarely black and white.

 

or the Emp not only knew, but had a hand in all Malcador did. The Emperor authorised Malcador to do things he couldn't do directly in order to maintain a 'whiter than white' image.

[Pacific81]

I think.. with all of the characters loyal to the Emperor, and I think perhaps from the entire HH series, Malcador is the least likely to be a traitor from what we have read so far, apart from perhaps Dorn. :)

 

The HH books have followed Collected Visions almost to the letter so far, I don't think that the most stalwart of the Emperor's allies (and perhaps his only friend?) is going to be turned into a traitor. The only thing Emperor-Palpatine about him is his robe and the fact he looks like he needs some vitamin D ! :)

 

It might well be that he handles things badly while the Emperor is under his palace building the webway, but a level of incompetence is a far cry from a deliberate conspiracy.

[Captain Idaho]

Of course that would make it the perfect betrayal. :)

[Rogue Trader Voril]

...after reading all the Dune novels and seeing power hungry fools in the pretence of religious zealots, then reading him in Nemesis and ...

 

... it is obvious the man has secrets, which we presume from Nemesis itself that he kept from the Emperor. ...

An arrogant man with secrets in arguably the 2nd most powerful postion in the Imperium? Sounds suspect to me.

 

Funny how previously read stuff colors characters now. Remembering the old Rogue Trader fluff (Starchild and Sensi Knights in particular) Malcador, long lived as he is and having been at the Emperors side (and right hand) for as long as he has... and being the 2nd most powerful psyker out there... has the feel of one of the Emperor's kids to me. That would cover the secret, too.

 

I think that in Nemisis the 3 key players play the 3 sides of the coin if you will.

Dorn is concerned with the martial pride of the Imperium. Valdor is concerned with the safety of the Emperor above all else, but feels the martial pride of it all. Malcador is protecting the Emperor's (and possibly the Imperium's) virute. But that plays to their roles: Dorn is the offensive, Valdor is the defensive, and Malcador, who is not a warrior, is the philosophy.

^_^ The sword, the shield, and the cuirass ;)

[The emperors chosen]

nemsis answers that question itself. the Emperor must be seen as noble, honourable, brave, direct and honest.

however, as malcador and valdor say, there are somethings that must be commited, in the Emperors name, but their very nature is dark and twisted, and as such, can have association with the Emperor, as it would stain his chrecter, and thus bring everything the Emperor has worked for to its knees.

 

these secrets are kept, because if the big E! knows, and lets them continue, then it ruins his image and what the imperium stands for. purity.

however, it is clear from the Big E1's grand entrance, that there is no such thing as a secret kept against him.

For example horus's betrayl is at some level hinted as predicted by the big E!

 

 

I belive malcador is oyal beyond compare. he sacrfices his own purity in the name of master and friend. and then is willing, without question, to give his life.

if you wanted power, if you wanted the throne. you would have declined when asked to ascend the golden throne in the Emperors stead. simple.

I agree with this. The Emperor may have approved of the actions of the assassins, but he wouldn't go out and say it, because he would be presenting the wrong image to the Imperium.

[Captain Idaho]

Yeah as opposed to the sanctioning of whole sale destruction of entire planets that worship him as a god, like in the forthcoming First Heretic?

[madscuzzy]

A note to take was the description of Malcador in thousand sons. He is liken to the remembrancer by Magnus' side, where the close proximity has embued him with certain... powers and weights. Has Malcador's longevity, and abilities come from the Emperor Himself? That the Emperor channels His will through Malcador? Or places a part of Himself in him?

[randian]

Has Malcador's longevity, and abilities come from the Emperor Himself? That the Emperor channels His will through Malcador? Or places a part of Himself in him?

I think it much more likely Malcador was given a power boost by the Emperor than him being the Emperor's puppet. The Emperor channels his will through Malcador only in the sense that he gives Malcador orders.