Marcion

Actor: Carl Lumbly

Name: Marcion*Title:* Brother Marcion, Grand Confessor*Affiliation:* Brotherhood of Nod, then dissident Black Hand*Roles:* Religious leader, preacher and military commander*Rival:* Anton Slavik*Enemy then superior:* Kane*Main force:* Black Hand*Area of operation:* Australia*Key period:* After the Second Tiberium War, reunification of Nod in 2034*Appearance:* Command & Conquer 3: Kane’s Wrath
Status: Forcibly brought into Kane’s fold.Marcion is a prominent religious leader of Nod who became the head of a dissident Black Hand faction following the Second Tiberium War. Once charged with preserving and spreading Kane’s teachings, he eventually rejected his former prophet and built his own theocratic army. His influence grew to such an extent that it threatened the very existence of the Brotherhood before Kane secretly returned to reunify it.

Grand Confessor of Nod

During the Second Tiberium War, Marcion belonged to the religious wing of Nod. A charismatic preacher and a fighter in his own right, he gained a formidable reputation amongst the faithful.

He became particularly famous after using a make-shift flamethrower against entrenched GDI Soldiers. This episode later inspired the design of the Purifier, a Black Hand heavy walker intended to embody his warrior spirit.

As the war drew to a close, however, Marcion became increasingly disillusioned with Nod and Kane. A year after breaking away from the Brotherhood of Nod, he already commanded a disciplined theocratic army that constituted a new incarnation of the Black Hand.

The split with Anton Slavik

Following Kane’s apparent disappearance, Anton Slavik takes charge of Nod and publicly reveals his affiliation with the Black Hand.

This development causes deep divisions. Some members believe that Slavik has betrayed the true religious mission of their order. Marcion quickly becomes the main spokesperson for this opposition.

What begins as a doctrinal dispute turns into a full-blown schism.Slavik is eventually assassinated by one of Marcion’s supporters, whilst Marcion and his followers retreat to the Australian Outback. Nod then fragments into numerous rival factions.

Subsequent intelligence, however, suggests that the GDI may have helped to provoke this betrayal by exploiting Marcion’s vanity to turn him against the Brotherhood. This involvement is still presented as a possibility rather than an absolute certainty.

The ‘true prophet’

Having settled in Australia, Marcion transformed the Black Hand into an independent theocratic organisation.

He now openly rejects Kane, whom he brands a false prophet and a heretic, whilst presenting himself as the true guardian of the Nod faith. His disciples are utterly loyal to him, unlike certain factions that Kane can only control through fear.

This popularity makes Marcion both an obstacle and an opportunity when Kane secretly resumes his activities in 2034.

LEGION’s Hunt

After his awakening, Kane discovers a completely fragmented Brotherhood. With the help of LEGION, he begins to rebuild his organisation behind the scenes as a Shade.

However, Kane cannot yet reveal publicly that he is alive. He therefore needs a figure capable of uniting the various factions. Despite his betrayal, Marcion is the ideal candidate: he already commands a sizeable army and enjoys immense religious authority.

LEGION is then given a very specific order: to capture Marcion alive.

The loyalist forces attack his Australian stronghold. After his defences have been destroyed, Marcion attempts to escape via a Tunnel Network, but his escort is wiped out and his transport is surrounded.

Facing Kane

Marcion is brought before the man he believed to be dead.

The discovery that Kane is alive immediately shatters much of his confidence. Kane makes it clear that he is aware of Marcion’s betrayal but chooses not to execute him. Marcion still serves a considerable purpose: his authority could help bring the Black Hand back into the Brotherhood.

A statement of repentance from Marcion is then broadcast to his followers. In it, he acknowledges his betrayal, accuses the GDI of having manipulated him, and reaffirms his allegiance to Kane. The Black Hand thus rejoins the army of Nod.

Marcion henceforth becomes a public figure controlled by Kane, allowing the true prophet to continue the reunification of Nod without yet revealing his return to the wider world.

Personality

Marcion is, above all, a charismatic, proud and ambitious religious fanatic. Unlike a mere warlord, his power rests largely on the faith his Disciples place in him. He thus succeeds in transforming a religious branch of Nod into a fully-fledged independent army.

His ambition is also his greatest weakness. By proclaiming himself the true prophet, he underestimates Kane and builds much of his legitimacy on Kane’s supposed disappearance. When Kane physically reappears before him, his entire doctrine collapses.