Grateion Artabane
Grateion Artabane is a member of the Adeptus Custodes' Aquilan Shield.[1]
History
Before joining, he served in the Hetaeron Guard that protected the Emperor. Artabane was the youngest Custodian to hold such a position and fulfilled his duties for 63 years. Eventually, though, it was decided that Artabane no longer had the strength to be in the Emperor's presence and had to leave the Guard. He was grateful for the privilege of serving within it and vowed do so again for a longer duration.[1]
Afterwards, Artabane decided that if he could no longer protect the Emperor, then he would protect those Imperials who did His work. This led him to join the Aquilan Shield and Artabane's first Imperial the Doomscryers deemed to be protected was a young Helbrecht. Long before becoming the Black Templars' High Marshal, Helbrecht was just a child growing up in the Underhives of Piety. He was bound to do the Emperor's work and aid the Imperium, however, so Artabane and several other Aquilan Shields protected Helbrecht for several years. He was never aware of their presence and the Aquilan Shield's duty finally ended, when Helbrecht became an Aspirant of the Black Templars.[1]
Since then, Artabane has protected numerous others, who would carry out the Emperor's work. This includes the Hospitaller Marcia Enra, who cured the seven plagues unleashed by the Death Guard on Cataydrah, and the High Lord Veynd, who ended the Red Razor Uprisings with less bloodshed than would have occurred otherwise. Regardless of their position in life, Artabane has protected them all and has been honoured to do so. He has sworn to never stop serving the Aquilan Shield as long as he draws breath and his spear-arm remains strong.[1]
Sources
- 1: Codex: Adeptus Custodes (9th Edition), pg. 29 — Aquilan Shield: Deeds of Legends
