Shield-Captain
Shield-Captain is a rank of the Adeptus Custodes. The rank in truth is more of a general classification to refer to a series of command ranks within the Custodes, ranging from Prefect, Lictor, Proconsul, and Tribune.[1b]
Regardless of what formal title is used, all Shield-Captains are the greatest among the Custodian Guard. They are not only the most powerful and tactical gifted among their peers, but also the most culturally learned. It is said that their promotion requires the direct approval of the Emperor himself. As such, the Shield-Captains were afforded the rarest and finest of the Imperium's arms.[1b]
In battle, Shield-Captains typically lead a detachment[1a] or squad of Custodes.[3]
Contents
Ranks
Tribune
The Tribunate are the highest ranking Custodians after the Captain-General himself. During the Great Crusade they were a senior cadre of around ten individuals who formed the Legio's council on war and policy.[1a] After the Horus Heresy, the Adeptus Custodes maintain two Tribunes, one of whom serves as master of the Hetaeron Guard.[7]
Prefect
The Prefectorate were senior Shield-Captains during the Great Crusade. The rank of Prefect was conferred on a Shield-Captain as a mark of veterancy and the Emperor's favour.[1a]
Other Titles
Titles known to be held by Shield-Captains include:
- Aquila Commander[8]
- Lictor[1b]
- Lockwarden - Master of the Shadowkeepers[9]
- Proconsul[1b]
- Supreme Castellan[8]
Known Shield-Captains
Heresy-Era
- Ra Endymion - Tribune[4a]
- Kadai Vilaccan - Tribune[4b]
- Jasaric - Tribune[4b]
- Helios - Tribune[4b]
- Diocletian Coros - Prefect of the Hykanatoi[4a]
- Aquillon - Prefect of the Hykanatoi[4c]
- Zhanmadao Navenar - Prefect of the Tharanatoi[4a]
- Mikaelor Cobernus[2]
- Honoris[3]
Post-Heresy
- Maldovar Colquan - Tribune[6]
- Heracleon - Tribune, Master of the Hetaeron Guard[7]
- Italeo - Tribune[7]
- Adronitus[5]
- Valerian[7]
Sources
- 1: The Horus Heresy Book Seven
- 2: Horus Heresy: Collected Visions, pg. 379
- 3: The Horus Heresy: Burning of Prospero, Rulebook
- 4: The Master of Mankind (Novel)
- 5: Gathering Storm: Rise of the Primarch, Part 3
- 6: Dark Imperium (Novel), Chapter Six
- 7: Watchers of the Throne: The Emperor's Legion (Novel), Valerian 1
- 8: Codex: Adeptus Custodes (7th Edition), pg. 6
- 9: Codex: Adeptus Custodes (8th Edition), pg. 23
Adeptus Custodes Forces | |
---|---|
Commanders | Captain-General • Custodian Tribunate • Captain-Commander • Shield-Captain |
Elites | Blade Champion • Hetaeron Guard • Aquilon Terminator • Ephoroi • Allarus Custodian • Custodian Warden • Vexilus Praetor • Apothecary |
Troops | Custodian Guard • Sentinel Guard • Sagittarum Guard |
Fast Attack | Agamatus Jetbike Squadron • Vertus Praetor • Venetari |
Dreadnoughts | Contemptor • Contemptor-Galatus • Contemptor-Achillus • Telemon |
Vehicles | Coronus • Caladius • Pallas • Venerable Land Raider • Rhino • Grav-Rhino • Grav-Raider • Grav-Spartan |
Aircraft | Stormbird • Storm Eagle • Orion • Ares • Aquila Lander • Talion • Equinox Interceptor • Zenith |