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*'''[[Moritoi]]'''{{fn|15a}} - The smallest unit of the Custodes, they consisted of wounded brothers interred within [[Contemptor Pattern Dreadnought|Dreadnoughts]]{{fn|15e}}{{Fn|17}}
 
*'''[[Moritoi]]'''{{fn|15a}} - The smallest unit of the Custodes, they consisted of wounded brothers interred within [[Contemptor Pattern Dreadnought|Dreadnoughts]]{{fn|15e}}{{Fn|17}}
 
*'''[[Tharanatoi]]'''{{fn|15a}} - [[Terminator|Terminators]]{{fn|15g}}. They serve as elite shock troops, siege units, and counter-attackers.  
 
*'''[[Tharanatoi]]'''{{fn|15a}} - [[Terminator|Terminators]]{{fn|15g}}. They serve as elite shock troops, siege units, and counter-attackers.  
−
**'''[[Sagittarum Guard]]''' - A shadowy sub-unit of the Tharanatoi Caste, they were among the least common Custodes. Their primary role was the slaying of enemies from a distance and with the use of devastating heavy firepower. In addition, they were known as the sentries of the outer perimeters of the Imperial Palace.{{Fn|17c}}
+
**'''[[Sagittarum Guard]]''' - A sub-unit of the Tharanatoi Caste, they were among the least common Custodes. Their primary role was the slaying of enemies from a distance and with the use of devastating heavy firepower. In addition, they were known as the sentries of the outer perimeters of the Imperial Palace.{{Fn|17c}}
 
*'''[[Ephoroi]]''' - A  highly secretive order tasked with covert operations, counter-intelligence, assassination, and infiltration. During the Great Crusade it was said that they commanded the [[Officio Assassinorum]].{{Fn|17}}
 
*'''[[Ephoroi]]''' - A  highly secretive order tasked with covert operations, counter-intelligence, assassination, and infiltration. During the Great Crusade it was said that they commanded the [[Officio Assassinorum]].{{Fn|17}}
 +
*'''[[Warders of the Vaults of Rython]]''' - Shadowy sub-force of the Custodes deployed deep within the Imperial Palace.
  
 
==Appearance and Equipment==
 
==Appearance and Equipment==

Revision as of 00:44, 26 March 2017

Aquila1.jpg Imperium Portal
Targetdrone.gif This article is about the Imperial bodyguard unit; for the Tau space vessel, see Or'es El'leath Class Battleship.
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The Custodes' symbol[9]
A Custodian of the Adeptus Custodes
Custodian Guard c.M31 (during the Great Crusade and Horus Heresy).

The Adeptus Custodes (The Guardians, Watchers of The Throne, The Thousand Companions[9], The Ten Thousand[15a]) more commonly known as Custodians, are the guardians of the Imperial Palace and the Golden Throne, as well as being the personal bodyguard to the Emperor. Due to the vast size of the Imperial Palace, the Custodes always act as a defensive army[1]. As of M41 the Custodes themselves never leave Terra, and only rarely leave the Palace. It is the Adeptus Custodes that decide who may enter the throne room of the Emperor, and when.[Needs Citation]

History

The Adeptus Custodes were known originally as the Legio Custodes or Custodian Guard. The original Custodians were the first genetically and psychologically altered warriors to appear in the Emperor's armies during the Terran Unification Wars, where they served as the Emperor's personal bodyguard.[4a] The first known appearance of the Custodes was early in the Unification Wars during the fall of Techno-Barbarian fortress at Nas'sau.[17] However the origins of the Custodian Guard are shrouded in myth and legend. Some say that the Custodian Guard are to the Emperor what the Space Marines are to the primarchs; that the Emperor's own genetic matrix was used in their Gene-seed creation[14a] and through this, their loyalty to him is assured. Others argue that the Custodians are not like the Emperor in the way that a Space Marine is like his primarch, and that some other source was used as a template for their physical and psychological form, a source that was lost during the anarchy of the Age of Strife. The truth will likely never be known.[12]

The genetic enhancement that forms the Custodes is different from and predates that developed to create the Space Marines.[3] Each Custodian is a unique work of art, the product of genetic lore collected over many lifetimes[15b]. During the Great Crusade, the Custodes always kept a contingent with the Emperor for his protection, but also traveled individually as envoys. The Emperor valued the Custodians above all his other warriors, and while he was willingly to expend countless of his servants he was always hesitant to bleed his Praetorian's.[15] Since the Emperor's internment in the Golden Throne, the Adeptus Custodes have taken a more limited role as protectors of the Imperial Palace.[Needs Citation]

Originally, they were equipped with the best power armour of the age, and had access to the same type of equipment and weapons as had the Space Marine Legions. Equipment which was characteristic of the Custodes would influence the equipment of the later Grey Knights. After the confinement of the Emperor within the Golden Throne, the Custodes abandoned, among other things, the use of their armour, and their traditional colour of red was changed to black.[4a]

The Custodians ring the Golden Throne.

During the Age of Apostasy, the Adeptus Custodes reemerged briefly during the siege of the Ecclesiarchal Palace of Terra in the reign of Goge Vandire. During this time, the Custodes attempted to make their way towards Vandire, halted only by the Brides of the Emperor whom Vandire had convinced into becoming his personal bodyguards. After a long and fruitless discussion, the Custodes convinced the leader of the Brides, Alicia Dominica, to return with them to the presence of the Emperor. What happened during that moment is unknown, but the effects resulted in the Brides of the Emperor rebelling against Vandire, ending his reign once and for all.[Needs Citation]

Centuries later during the Terran Crusade Custodes arrived to reinforce the reborn Roboute Guilliman as he battled the Thousand Sons on Luna. Later, the Custodes permitted Guilliman to enter the Emperor's Throneroom alone for an entire day.[18]

Combat History

Organization

The warriors of the Adeptus Custodes are a department of the Adeptus Terra, the Imperial government, but its members are answerable only to the Emperor and their own leaders. The organization's leader carries the title of Captain-General, and due to the importance of the Adeptus Custodes he often holds a position in the Senate of the High Lords of Terra[1]. Individual squads of Custodes are overseen by Shield-Captains[13]. The Custodes' nerve center and command & control headquarters is the Tower of Hegemon within the Imperial Palace[3] while a small elite of three hundred Custodes, known as the Companions, form the Emperor's personal bodyguard and never leave his side.

Although the Legio Custodes originally numbered ten thousand, around five years into the War Within the Webway they had been reduced to around a thousand[15d] - because of this some sources state 1,000[12] while others say 10,000.[10]

Ranks & Titles

The ranks of the Custodian Guard are noted as somewhat informal, as much gestures of respect towards veterans and gifted individuals as a true command structure.[15i]

  • Captain-General - Chief Custodian to the Emperor[1]
  • Tribune - Senior Officer[15b]
  • Proconsul[17a]
  • Prefect[15a]
  • Lictor[17a]
  • Shield-Captain - Squad Leader[13]. These are the most veteran, well-knowledged, and experienced Custodians. The rank exists concurrently with other Custodian titles such as Prefect, Lictor, Proconsul, and Tribune.
  • Custodian[17a]

Castes

Custodians belong to a caste determined by their wargear and battlefield role.[15g]

  • Hykanatoi[15a]- The main strength of the Custodian Guard. These are Guardian Spear-equipped heavy infantry. Their numbers included the Custodian Guard proper as well as several specialized units
    • Sentinel Guard - The defensive formations of the Custodes, used to defend emissaries and special facilities. During battle, they would be charged with holding the line against enemy onslaughts and as such had a greater level of teamwork than the rest of the Custodes. Sentinels were normally equipped with Praesidium Shields and Sentinel Blades.[17b]
    • Hetaeron Guard - The elite inner circle of the Custodes. The Hetaeron Guard formed the personal guard of the Emperor himself and frequently acted as his aides and confidants. The Hetaeron Guard would only leave the Emperor's side under the most dire of circumstances.[17b]
  • Kataphraktoi[15a] - Jetbikers[15f]. They form fast attack and reconnaissance units known as Agamatus Jetbike Squadrons. The Kataphraktoi also operate the Custodes fighters and gunships.[17]
  • Moritoi[15a] - The smallest unit of the Custodes, they consisted of wounded brothers interred within Dreadnoughts[15e][17]
  • Tharanatoi[15a] - Terminators[15g]. They serve as elite shock troops, siege units, and counter-attackers.
    • Sagittarum Guard - A sub-unit of the Tharanatoi Caste, they were among the least common Custodes. Their primary role was the slaying of enemies from a distance and with the use of devastating heavy firepower. In addition, they were known as the sentries of the outer perimeters of the Imperial Palace.[17c]
  • Ephoroi - A highly secretive order tasked with covert operations, counter-intelligence, assassination, and infiltration. During the Great Crusade it was said that they commanded the Officio Assassinorum.[17]
  • Warders of the Vaults of Rython - Shadowy sub-force of the Custodes deployed deep within the Imperial Palace.

Appearance and Equipment

Generally, the Custodes are larger and much more powerful than Space Marines, however they are far more alike the legendary Thunder Warriors, as they were created by a similar process. [3] The armour of the Custodes is a finely wrought form of Power Armour, greater than that of even Astartes models[6], made with auramite rather than ceramite.[15c] Some Custodes further protect themselves by carrying a Praesidium Shield, Storm Shield[13] or equipping themselves with Terminator Armour.

For armament, the Custodes are renowned for carrying Guardian Spears, mighty power weapons that have been carried by the Adeptus Custodes since long before the Emperor's confinement. This weapon is closely associated with the Custodes, and is depicted on their banners and badges.[2][4a][5] Other weapons carried by Custodes include Sentinel Blades, Power Knives, and Custodes Vexilla[13]. For vehicles, the Custodian Guard is known to have used Grav-Rhinos, Caladius, Pallas, and Coronus Grav-Tanks, and Paragon Pattern Jetbikes.[4]

Outlook and training

Although the Custodes were among the first modified warriors to be created by the Emperor, they were never intended to be part of a conquering army; such a role was to be filled by the latter Astartes armies. This is revealed both in their mindset and training, where the Custodes do not fight as brothers and as a greater whole but rather as individual warriors. This is in stark contrast to Space Marines, who employ a high degree of teamwork and collective tactics in battle. At least some Astartes look down on the Custodes for these tactics, and it may be that this was deliberately designed so that they shared a bond with none but the Emperor himself.[6a]

While Custodians share a genetic kinship with one another within the formation, they do not foster the same spirit of brotherhood that is instilled within the Astartes in order to function together as a unit. Indeed, each Custodian prepares and inspects his equipment individually, rather than on military parade The individuality of each Custodes is further promoted by the fact that the processes required to produce them is not as refined or as simple as that of the Astartes and thus are not "mass-produced" as the Astartes are; meaning that each Custodian is a unique investment for the Imperium. One ritual that the Custodes do share is the recognition of mighty deeds, manifested in the awarding of names, which are added to the Custodian's title to represent the actions he has performed in service to the Emperor (Constantin Valdor obtained 1932 names prior to the assault on Terra)[3]. Such names were inscribed onto the inside of the warrior's battle armour as marks of individual pride.[8]

The training of the Custodes also differed immensely from the Astartes, being bodyguards rather than soldiers. It is clear from their Blood Games that Custodians are trained in the arts of assassination - both improvised and advanced - in order to counter possible assassination attempts to the Emperor. It is common for several Custodians to be on detached duty for these Blood Games so that the organisation remains vigilant against developing threats. Furthermore it is clear that the Custodes are also well versed in the political etiquette of Terra, and have been known to act outside of Imperial Law, to infiltrate influential Noble Houses and to investigate any potential threats (a role that an Astartes would never be expected to fulfil.)[3]

This aspect of the Custodian mindset is advantageous, given that the Captain-General often shares a seat with the High Lords of Terra, which thus allows him to navigate the political maneuverings of the Imperium's various agencies, while still remaining an awe-inspiring warrior.[Needs Citation]

Recruitment

The process of creating a Custodes is far more grueling and time consuming than that of a Space Marine. Unlike Astartes, whose recruits begin implantation during adolescence, the creation of a Custodes must begin during the subjects late infancy. The genetic tailoring of each Custodes is unique and far more complicated than the comparatively crude Astartes. It is said that the Emperor himself oversaw the creation of each and every Custodes.[17]

Known Custodes

While Custodians often fought as lone operatives it was not uncommon for them to work in groups in special circumstances.

Battle of Prospero

Assigned to Lorgar

Assigned to Corax

Post Enthronement

Images

  • Custodian Jetbike trooper, three terminators of the Custodian Guard, and three of the Emperors Companions

  • Mikaelor Cobernus, Shield Captain of the Legio Custodes

  • Sagittarus, Dreadnought of the Custodian Guard

  • Artulon, Custodian of the Emperor

  • Custode Terminator trio

  • Grav-Rhino Prototype developed by the Custodes durring the Great Crusade

  • Praetorian Jetbike Troopers during the Emperors unification of mankind

  • Custodians pressing an attack in the Webway

  • Companions during the Great Crusade

  • Adeptus Custodes Terminators

  • Custodian jetbike squad

Miniatures

A Squad of Adeptus Custodes miniatures

See also

Sources


Modern Imperial Organizations
Adeptus Terra Adeptus Administratum (Adeptus Astartes • Departmento Munitorum • Astra Militarum • Ordo Tempestus • Imperial Fleet • Imperial Navy • Merchant Fleet • Praeses Mercatura • Navis Nobilite • Officio Assassinorum • Estate Imperium • Templars Psykologis • Officio Sabatorum • Officio Medicae • Officio Agricultae • Officio Logisticarum • Departmento Exacta • Astra Cartographica • Logis Strategos • Departmento Colonia • Departmento Processium • Departmento of Final Consideration • Departmento Contagio • Departmento Gradio • Questio Logisticus • Rogue Traders • Imperial Commanders) • Adeptus Astra Telepathica (Sisters of Silence • League of Black Ships • Scholastica Psykana) • Adeptus Astronomica • Adeptus Arbites • Adeptus Custodes • Questor Imperialis (House Guard) • Adeptus Fidicius • Synopticon
Adeptus Mechanicus Cult Mechanicus • Collegia Titanica • Legiones Skitarii • Questor Mechanicus (House Guard) • Centurio Ordinatus • Ordo Reductor • Legio Cybernetica • Auxilia Myrmidon • Prefecture Magisterium • Basilikon Astra • Divisio Linguistica • Explorator • Sect Missionarius Mechanicus • Collegiate Extremis • Astynomia
Adeptus Ministorum Holy Synod • Adepta Sororitas (Sisters of Battle) • Schola Progenium • Missionarius Galaxia • Creed Temporal • Frateris Militia
Inquisition Ordo Malleus • Ordo Hereticus • Ordo Xenos • Ordo Minoris

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