Callidus Temple
From Lexicanum
The Callidus Temple is one of the temples of the Officio Assassinorum. Callidus is Latin for "cunning" - which characterizes the methods employed by the Temple.
Contents |
Operatives
The Callidus Assassins are the most cunning of all the assassins - they specialise in trickery, deception, deceit, infiltration and impersonation. Their greatest asset is their ability to use the shape-changing drug Polymorphine. This drug, coupled with special training, allows Callidus agents to change their very shape and appearance allowing them to impersonate other persons, members of the opposite sex, and even humanoid aliens like Orks and Eldar. Meh'Lindi, one of the most cunning agents, managed to successfully impersonate a Genestealer Hybrid at least two times1,2.
This makes them experts at getting close to their target, be it rebellious Imperial Governors, corrupt Imperial high officials, heretic prophets, alien leaders, etc. This allows them to manipulate the enemy's plans and eventually assassinate the main target at the best possible moment. Once the target is eliminated, the Assassin may even replace the victim by assuming his appearance5. Polymorphine works better with women, and therefore the vast majority of the temple operatives are female.
The traitor Primarch Konrad Curze, aka "Night Haunter", was assassinated by M'Shen, a Callidus Assassin. However he allowed her intrusion as he wanted to die - to show that his rebellion was justified6.
Equipment
Callidus assassins, besides being exceptionally well trained in martial arts, normally use whatever weapon they are able to carry in the presence of their target3. They would not normally use weapons other than those inconspicuous and easily concealed (digital weapons are commonly used, as well as even more unusual and exotic weapons). Even unarmed they are deadly, able to kill with a single touch. They also make use of more overt weapons such as the C'tan Phase Sword and the Neural Shredder7,8.
The C'tan phase swords have a special link to the Necron gods, the C'tan. A report tells how Jaramshaela, a Callidus assassin, tried to assassinate the heretical Imperial governor Takis who later turned out to be the Deceiver. The phase blade was absorbed back into the C'tan and she was flayed alive.4
Notable Callidus Assassins
- Meh'Lindi
- M'Shen
- Asaid Virenus, the rogue assassin
Miniatures
Sources
- 1Deathwing, short-story The Alien Beast Within by Ian Watson. One has to mention that Meh'Lindi had to undergo special surgery to be able to impersonate a Genestealer hybrid.
- 2Inquisition War (Novel Series) by Ian Watson
- 3Eternal Damnation (Graphic Novel), comic strip The lonis gambit by Christian Dunn.
- 4Codex: Necrons (3rd Edition), p. 8
- 5Warhammer 40,000: Rogue Trader, p. 170
- 6Index Astartes II
- 7Codex Assassins (2nd Edition)
- 8Codex: Assassins (3rd Edition)
- Into the Maelstrom, short-story The Raven's Claw by Jonathan Curran.
- Obvious Tactics (Graphic Novel), by David Pugh.
- Thorion Faction Sourcebook
External Link
Related Articles
| HQ | Canoness • Palatine • Inquisitor Lord • Priest | |
|---|---|---|
| Elites | Arco-flagellants • Callidus Assassin • Celestian Squad • Culexus Assassin • Death Cult Assassin • Eversor Assassin • Inquisitor • Vindicare Assassin • Repentia | |
| Troops | Battle Sister Squad • Inquisitorial Storm Troopers • Zealots | |
| Seconded Units: | IG Armoured Fist Squad • IG Infantry Platoon • SM Tactical Squad • SM Scout Squad | |
| Fast Attack | Dominion Squad • Seraphim Squad | |
| Seconded Units: | IG Rough Rider • IG Sentinel Squadron • SM Assault Squad • SM Bike Squadron • SM Land Speeder Squadron | |
| Heavy Support | Exorcist • Immolator • Penitent Engine • Orbital Strike • Retributor Squad | |
| Seconded Units: | IG Leman Russ • SM Devastators • SM Dreadnought • SM Predator | |
| Transport | Rhino • Chimera • Immolator | |
| HQ | Grey Knights Grand Master • Brother-Captain • Inquisitor Lord |
|---|---|
| Elites | Callidus Assassin • Culexus Assassin • Death Cult Assassin • Eversor Assassin • Daemonhost • Inquisitor • Grey Knights Terminator Squad • Vindicare Assassin |
| Troops | Grey Knights • Inquisitorial Storm Troopers Seconded Units: IG Armoured Fist Squad • IG Infantry Platoon • SM Tactical Squad • SM Scout Squad |
| Fast Attack | Grey Knight Teleport Squad Seconded Units: IG Rough Rider • IG Sentinel Squadron • SM Assault Squad • SM Bike Squad • SM Land Speeder Squadron |
| Heavy Support | Grey Knights Dreadnought • Grey Knights Land Raider • Grey Knights Land Raider Crusader • Grey Knights Purgation Squad • Orbital Strike Seconded Units: IG Leman Russ • SM Devastators • SM Dreadnought • SM Predator |
| Transport | Rhino • Chimera • Land Raider |
