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{{AdeptusCustodesPortal}}
 
{{AdeptusCustodesPortal}}
{{otheruses|USE=Chief Custodian of the [[Adeptus Custodes]]|OTHERUSE=Super-Heavy Tank|OTHERPAGE=Valdor (Heavy Tank)}}
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{{redirect|Valdor|the pattern of super-heavy tank|Valdor Tank Hunter}}
[[Image:ValdorHH.jpg|thumb|right|300px|Constantin Valdor]]
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[[Image:ValdorHH.jpg|thumb|right|300px|Constantin Valdor{{Fn|7}}]]
[[Image:Constantin Valdor.jpg|thumb|right|220px|Chief-Custodian Constantin Valdor]]
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[[Image:Constantin Valdor.jpg|thumb|right|220px|Chief-Custodian {{PAGENAME}}{{Fn|2}}]]
 
'''Constantin Valdor''' ('Emperor's Spear'), the '''First of the Ten Thousand'''{{Fn|6c}}, was the Chief Custodian to the [[Emperor of Mankind]] as [[Captain-General]] of the [[Adeptus Custodes]] at the time of the [[Unification Wars]], [[Great Crusade]], and the [[Horus Heresy]].{{Fn|5}}
 
'''Constantin Valdor''' ('Emperor's Spear'), the '''First of the Ten Thousand'''{{Fn|6c}}, was the Chief Custodian to the [[Emperor of Mankind]] as [[Captain-General]] of the [[Adeptus Custodes]] at the time of the [[Unification Wars]], [[Great Crusade]], and the [[Horus Heresy]].{{Fn|5}}
  
 
==Biography==
 
==Biography==
'''Constantin Valdor''' was the first of the [[Emperor of Mankind]]'s Custodians, stoic and observant. He can not recall if he was truly the first Custodian, or simply the first successfully produced one.{{Fn|10}} He served during the [[Unification Wars]] at the [[Battle of Maulland Sen]]. A handful of years later, he assassinated Koja Zu, the Minister of the Anuatan Steppes{{Fn|6a}}, and claimed her son, [[Ra Endymion]]{{Fn|6d}}, for the Legio Custodes.{{Fn|6b}}
+
===Unification Wars===
 +
The origins of Constantin Valdor are mysterious. According to [[Amar Astarte]], his original parents were killed by the [[Emperor]], who moved entire armies across continents to locate and retrieve him. Valdor himself knows very little of his past before becoming the Emperor's servant.{{Fn|13c}} While commonly accepted as the first Custodes Valdor does not recall if he was truly the first Custodian, or simply the first successfully produced one.{{Fn|10}} He served during the [[Unification Wars]] at the [[Battle of Maulland Sen]]. A handful of years later, he assassinated Koja Zu, the Minister of the Anuatan Steppes{{Fn|6a}}, and claimed her son, [[Ra Endymion]]{{Fn|6d}}, for the Legio Custodes.{{Fn|6b}} During the [[Battle of Maulland Sen]] Valdor witnessed the savagery of the [[Thunder Warriors]] and became worried over their future.{{Fn|13b}}
  
A warrior of superlative skill, it was said that Valdor could match even a [[Primarch]] in single combat. Indeed, such was his might, that there were those, even in the Imperial Court, who called him a "Primarch" in all but name.{{Fn|6e}}
+
By the end of the [[Unification Wars]] Valdor had emerged as part of the ruling "triumvirate" of Terra alongside the Emperor and Malcador. He had become suspicious of [[Grand Provost Marshal]] [[Uwoma Kandawire]], dispatching [[Samonas]] to unravel her conspiracy before it could begin.{{Fn|13a}} However the conspirators still struck in the [[Palace Coup]], during which Valdor was confronted by Kandawire, as well as [[Ushotan]] and his surviving [[Thunder Warrior]]s. Valdor urged the conspirators to surrender, but when they refused he deployed the proto-[[Legiones Astartes]] in their first battle. During the battle the rebels were crushed and Valdor slew Ushotan, an act he took no gratification in as he had admired the General. Surprisingly, Valdor spared Kandawire and let her leave the Palace to retire in peace.{{Fn|13d}}{{Fn|13e}}
  
Prior to the Horus Heresy, Valdor had [[Adeptus Custodes#Outlook and training|earned]] 1932 names.{{Fn|3}}
+
Later Valdor expressed his surprise when Malcador stated that the Primarchs were still alive and that the Emperor was attempting to find them. Valdor couldn't understand why the [[Chaos|Arch-Enemy]] had decided to spare them, and believed that if they were alive then they would be corrupted. Valdor instead wished to raise armies of mortals to be led by his Custodians.{{Fn|13f}}
  
===Battle of Prospero===
+
Prior to the Horus Heresy, Valdor had [[Adeptus Custodes#Outlook and training|earned]] 1932 names.{{Fn|3}} By the [[41st Millennium]] a book which apparently had his whole name written down took up an entire volume.{{Fn|15}}
Just prior to the [[Horus Heresy]], Valdor was charged by the Emperor to accompany [[Leman Russ (primarch)|Leman Russ]] of the [[Space Wolves]] in bringing [[Magnus the Red]] to account for breaking promises made during the [[Council of Nikaea]] at which the Emperor strictly forbade the use of sorcery and psychic powers.{{Fn|2}}
+
 
 +
===Horus Heresy===
 +
====Battle of Prospero====
 +
Just prior to the open outbreak of the [[Horus Heresy]], Valdor was charged by the Emperor to accompany [[Leman Russ (primarch)|Leman Russ]] of the [[Space Wolves]] in bringing [[Magnus the Red]] to account for breaking promises made during the [[Council of Nikaea]] at which the Emperor strictly forbade the use of sorcery and psychic powers.{{Fn|2}}
  
 
Valdor, with a contingent of elite Custodian Guard, fought alongside Russ and the Space Wolves on [[Battle of Prospero|Prospero]]. He and his forces were responsible for killing at least three of the greatest psykers of the [[Thousand Sons]] and routing a force much more numerous than their own, however little else is known after this. Valdor eventually faced over thirty of the elite [[Khenetai]] "Blademasters", warriors who could predict an enemies' attacks through psychic precognition. The Captain-General slew every one of these deadly warriors, receiving only a single wound in the process. According to one account, he was also responsible for saving [[Bjorn]] when his arm was corrupted by the sorcerous powers of a Thousand Sons psyker. Valdor sliced Bjorn's arm off to prevent the corruption from overrunning his body. The other states that Bjorn's arm was cut off by a Skjald of the Space Wolves, [[Kasper Ansbach Hawser|Kasper Hawser]].{{Fn|2}}{{Fn|4}}
 
Valdor, with a contingent of elite Custodian Guard, fought alongside Russ and the Space Wolves on [[Battle of Prospero|Prospero]]. He and his forces were responsible for killing at least three of the greatest psykers of the [[Thousand Sons]] and routing a force much more numerous than their own, however little else is known after this. Valdor eventually faced over thirty of the elite [[Khenetai]] "Blademasters", warriors who could predict an enemies' attacks through psychic precognition. The Captain-General slew every one of these deadly warriors, receiving only a single wound in the process. According to one account, he was also responsible for saving [[Bjorn]] when his arm was corrupted by the sorcerous powers of a Thousand Sons psyker. Valdor sliced Bjorn's arm off to prevent the corruption from overrunning his body. The other states that Bjorn's arm was cut off by a Skjald of the Space Wolves, [[Kasper Ansbach Hawser|Kasper Hawser]].{{Fn|2}}{{Fn|4}}
  
===Horus Heresy===
+
====Later Actions====
 
[[Image:ValdorArtNovel.jpg|thumb|right|250px|Constantin Valdor]]
 
[[Image:ValdorArtNovel.jpg|thumb|right|250px|Constantin Valdor]]
 
When [[Amon Tauromachian]] returned from his extended [[Blood Game]], Valdor informed his fellow Custodian of how [[Horus|Horus Lupercal]] had declared [[Horus Heresy|rebellion]] against the Emperor. When Tauromachian asked how this could happen, Valdor, speaking as someone who knew the [[Warmaster]], rejected theories that it was pride or resentment, instead voicing his belief that [[Chaos|something]] had driven Horus and his closest advisers mad. Valdor then assigned Tauromachian with the task of investigating [[Pherom Sichar]], Lord of [[Hy Brasil]], for evidence of treason.{{Fn|3}}
 
When [[Amon Tauromachian]] returned from his extended [[Blood Game]], Valdor informed his fellow Custodian of how [[Horus|Horus Lupercal]] had declared [[Horus Heresy|rebellion]] against the Emperor. When Tauromachian asked how this could happen, Valdor, speaking as someone who knew the [[Warmaster]], rejected theories that it was pride or resentment, instead voicing his belief that [[Chaos|something]] had driven Horus and his closest advisers mad. Valdor then assigned Tauromachian with the task of investigating [[Pherom Sichar]], Lord of [[Hy Brasil]], for evidence of treason.{{Fn|3}}
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Later as the majority of the Custodian Guard was occupied by the [[War Within the Webway]], Valdor assumed a vital position on the loyalist [[War Council]] alongside Malcador, Rogal Dorn, and [[Kane]].{{Fn|6c}} He reappeared shortly before [[Leman Russ (Primarch)|Leman Russ]] left Terra to confront Horus directly, returning the [[Spear of Russ]] to him. During their conservation, Valdor expressed disdain at the [[Space Wolves]] use of [[Rune Priest]]s, considering them no different from normal [[Librarian]]s which were now banned due to the [[Council of Nikaea]].{{Fn|9}} Valdor next appeared as the [[Solar War]] began, meeting with Rogal Dorn alongside [[Sanguinius]], [[Jaghatai Khan]], Malcador, and Dorn's command staff.{{Fn|11}}
 
Later as the majority of the Custodian Guard was occupied by the [[War Within the Webway]], Valdor assumed a vital position on the loyalist [[War Council]] alongside Malcador, Rogal Dorn, and [[Kane]].{{Fn|6c}} He reappeared shortly before [[Leman Russ (Primarch)|Leman Russ]] left Terra to confront Horus directly, returning the [[Spear of Russ]] to him. During their conservation, Valdor expressed disdain at the [[Space Wolves]] use of [[Rune Priest]]s, considering them no different from normal [[Librarian]]s which were now banned due to the [[Council of Nikaea]].{{Fn|9}} Valdor next appeared as the [[Solar War]] began, meeting with Rogal Dorn alongside [[Sanguinius]], [[Jaghatai Khan]], Malcador, and Dorn's command staff.{{Fn|11}}
  
Valdor fought in defence of Mankind's homeworld during the [[Siege of Terra]]. During the Siege, he deployed [[Amon Tauromachian]] to investigate apparent [[Daemonic]] activity in the [[Imperial Palace]]. When Amon asked what should be done to [[Euphrati Keeler]] and her proto-[[Imperial Cult]]ists, Valdor ordered that the remain unharmed as part of Malcador's plan to use them in the fight against Chaos.{{Fn|12a}}
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====Siege of Terra====
 +
Valdor fought in defence of Mankind's homeworld during the [[Siege of Terra]]. During the battle loyalist marines who witnessed the Captain-General in combat, saw him reave through traitor marines as easily as they would against ordinary humans and weaker xenos. He also deployed [[Amon Tauromachian]] to investigate apparent [[Daemonic]] activity in the [[Imperial Palace]]. When Amon asked what should be done to [[Euphrati Keeler]] and her proto-[[Imperial Cult]]ists, Valdor ordered that they remain unharmed as part of Malcador's plan to use them in the fight against Chaos.{{Fn|12b}} After the fall of the [[Lion's Gate Spaceport]] he helped lead the defense of the [[Colossi Gate]] alongside Jaghatai Khan and Raldoron, fighting against swathes of [[Daemons]].{{Fn|14}} After the escape of [[Basilio Fo]] from [[Blackstone Prison]] Valdor saw the mad scientist a threat big enough to warrant his own personal attention, and he hunted the prisoner throughout the Palace.{{Fn|19a}} He eventually saved Fo from a roaming [[Night Lord]] and decided that the human's supposed anti-Astartes bio-weapon could be of service to the Emperor.{{Fn|19b}}
 +
 
 +
Valdor was summoned to the Emperor's side during the final teleportation attack aboard the ''[[Vengeful Spirit]]'', and he left Basillo Fo and his weapon in the hands of his own Custodes.{{Fn|17a}} During the battle aboard the ''Vengful Spirit'' Valdor became separated from the Emperor and he and his Custodes found themselves in a dark abyss surrounded by [[Daemon]]s. Part of a trap by Horus to drive the Captain-General to torment, it made him feel something close to fear for the first time as he realized he could not fulfill his duty. Nonetheless, this did not stop Valdor's killing duty in the slightest as he slaughtered his way through hordes of Daemons. To confirm that he had indeed been teleported to the ''Vengeful Spirit'', Valdor plunged the [[Apollonian Spear]] into its floor to reveal its identity.{{Fn|17b}} Valdor's forces continued to battle through madness and Daemons until he grew closer to the location of the [[Emperor]], at which point he began to encounter [[Sons of Horus]] and [[Word Bearers]] for the first time. During the struggle, he spotted [[First Captain]] [[Abaddon]].{{Fn|17}}
 +
[[Image:SycarValdor.jpg|thumb|right|220px|Impaled by a [[Power Sword]], Valdor battles [[Hellas Sycar]] and other [[Justaerin]] aboard the ''[[Vengeful Spirit]]''{{Fn|18a}}]]
 +
Injured and weakened from their previous battles, Valdor and his remaining Custodes fought admirably against a vicious counterattack launched by Abaddon consisting of [[Justaerin]] and veteran [[Word Bearers]], who outnumbered them by over thirty to one. However, the traitor Astartes were aided by [[Erebus]], who managed to greatly empower Abaddon through Warp-infused rituals. During the fighting, Valdor was pinned down by six Justaerin Terminators and badly wounded by [[Hellas Sycar]], but kept on fighting and managed to cut Abaddon with the [[Apollonian Spear]]. Gaining insight from Abaddon's future, Valdor was horrified to see the next 10,000 years of war and labeled Abaddon "Despoiler" before punching him.{{Fn|18a}} The experience, as well as the sudden berserk frenzy of the [[Blood Angels]] contingent of Operation Anabasis, left Valdor unsettled and angry, and afterwards he displayed more brutal and impatient traits, particularly towards Dorn and the Astartes whom he repeatedly spouted curses towards. However, he also learned of Sanguinius' death, something which caused Valdor genuine grief. Valdor and Dorn were ultimately able to escape Abaddon's attack and finally make it to [[Lupercal's Court]].{{Fn|18b}}
  
Later during the battle loyalist marines who witnessed the Captain-General in combat, saw him reave through traitor marines as easily as they would against ordinary humans and weaker xenos. After the Siege of Terra, Valdor met with the newly arrived Leman Russ. While Russ was distraught and pessimistic of what had befallen the Imperium and Emperor, Valdor expressed confidence that the Master of Mankind had foreseen all that had transpired and planned accordingly. Secretly however, Valdor is unsure if this is true.{{Fn|10}}
+
Within Lupercal's Court, Valdor and Dorn discovered [[Garviel Loken]] and [[Leetu]] as the only survivors alongside the corpse of Horus and the grievously wounded Emperor. Leetu discovered a [[Imperial Tarot|tarot card]] of "The Throne", which helped Dorn argue that the Emperor should be brought back to the Golden Throne. Valdor initially dismissed the superstition, but ultimately acquiesced.{{Fn|18c}}
 +
 
 +
After the Siege of Terra, Valdor met with the newly arrived Leman Russ. While Russ was distraught and pessimistic about what had befallen the Imperium and Emperor, Valdor expressed confidence that the Master of Mankind had foreseen all that had transpired and planned accordingly. Secretly, however, Valdor is unsure if this is true.{{Fn|10}}
  
 
===Fate===
 
===Fate===
 
Sometime after the Heresy, around the same time as the disappearance of [[Leman Russ (Primarch)|Leman Russ]], Valdor also disappeared without a trace. During the dead of night, Valdor simply slipped out of the Imperial Palace, turning back once to look upon the Palace and whisper ''"Only in Death"'' (the first part of the Imperial quote ''Only in death does duty end'') before vanishing.{{Fn|10}} His fate is unknown even by the Custodes themselves. He is one of three Captain-Generals to have gone missing without even the Adeptus Custodes being aware of the details.{{Fn|8}}
 
Sometime after the Heresy, around the same time as the disappearance of [[Leman Russ (Primarch)|Leman Russ]], Valdor also disappeared without a trace. During the dead of night, Valdor simply slipped out of the Imperial Palace, turning back once to look upon the Palace and whisper ''"Only in Death"'' (the first part of the Imperial quote ''Only in death does duty end'') before vanishing.{{Fn|10}} His fate is unknown even by the Custodes themselves. He is one of three Captain-Generals to have gone missing without even the Adeptus Custodes being aware of the details.{{Fn|8}}
 +
 +
A book recovered and translated by [[Gideon Ravenor]] and [[Alizebeth Bequin]] identified the enigmatic [[King in Yellow]] as apparently being Constantin Valdor.{{Fn|15}}
 +
 +
==Personality and Abilities==
 +
Beyond his absolute loyalty to the Emperor, Constantin Valdor was known for his stoic and observant personality.{{Fn|10}} Despite the claims by outside observers he did not experience emotions such as pride or arrogance, or really any feeling at all besides his sense of duty to the Emperor. The [[Thunder Warrior]] [[Ushotan]] expressed pity for Valdor, stating that he had all the humanity sucked from him and had become numb. Valdor did not disagree with the sentiment.{{Fn|13d}}{{Fn|13e}} Nonetheless he seems capable of taking fondness to certain individuals, such as [[Uwoma Kandawire]] and Ushotan.{{Fn|13f}}
 +
 +
Valdor's battle prowess was legendary. His reaction time was to the point where it seemed as if he could see time itself come to a halt.{{Fn|13d}}{{Fn|13e}} A warrior of superlative skill, it was said that Valdor could match even a [[Primarch]] in single combat. Indeed, such was his might, that there were those, even in the Imperial Court, who called him a "Primarch" in all but name.{{Fn|6e}}
  
 
==Wargear==
 
==Wargear==
Valdor went into battle equipped with a expertly crafted [[Guardian Spear]] known as the [[Apollonian Spear]] and an ornate suit of [[Custodian Armour]].{{Fn|7}}
+
Valdor went into battle equipped with a expertly crafted [[Guardian Spear]] known as the [[Apollonian Spear]] and an ornate suit of [[Custodian Armour]] known as the [[Corinthine Warplate]].{{Fn|7}}
 +
 
 +
==Related Videos==
 +
{{#evt:
 +
service=youtube
 +
|id=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NsUTzk5wUM4
 +
|alignment=center
 +
|container=frame
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}}
  
 
==Images==
 
==Images==
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==Sources==
 
==Sources==
 
{{Cite}}
 
{{Cite}}
*{{Endn|1}}: [[Nemesis (Novel)]] by [[James Swallow]], {{Cite This}}
+
*{{Endn|1}}: [[Nemesis (Novel)]], {{Cite This}}
 
*{{Endn|2}}: [[Horus Heresy: Collected Visions]], pgs. 236–241
 
*{{Endn|2}}: [[Horus Heresy: Collected Visions]], pgs. 236–241
*{{Endn|3}}: [[Blood Games (Short Story)]] by [[Dan Abnett]]
+
*{{Endn|3}}: [[Blood Games (Short Story)]]
*{{Endn|4}}: [[Prospero Burns (Novel)]] by '''Dan Abnett''',{{Cite this}}
+
*{{Endn|4}}: [[Prospero Burns (Novel)]],{{Cite this}}
 
*{{Endn|5}}: [[Imperial Armour Volume One - Second Edition: Imperial Guard]], pg. 148
 
*{{Endn|5}}: [[Imperial Armour Volume One - Second Edition: Imperial Guard]], pg. 148
*6: [[Master of Mankind (Novel)]] by [[Aaron Dembski-Bowden]]
+
*6: [[Master of Mankind (Novel)]]:
**{{Endn|6a}}: Dramatis Personae
+
**{{Endn|6a}}: ''Dramatis Personae''
 
**{{Endn|6b}}: Chapter One
 
**{{Endn|6b}}: Chapter One
 
**{{Endn|6c}}: Chapter Three
 
**{{Endn|6c}}: Chapter Three
 
**{{Endn|6d}}: Chapter Six
 
**{{Endn|6d}}: Chapter Six
 
**{{Endn|6e}}: Chapter Seventeen
 
**{{Endn|6e}}: Chapter Seventeen
*{{Endn|7}}: [[The Horus Heresy Book Seven]], pg. 256
+
*{{Endn|7}}: [[The Horus Heresy Book Seven - Inferno]], pgs. 256-257
 
*{{Endn|8}}: [[Codex: Adeptus Custodes (8th Edition)]] — ''Trajann Valoris''
 
*{{Endn|8}}: [[Codex: Adeptus Custodes (8th Edition)]] — ''Trajann Valoris''
 
*{{Endn|9}}: [[Wolfsbane (Novel)]], Chapter 7
 
*{{Endn|9}}: [[Wolfsbane (Novel)]], Chapter 7
 
*{{Endn|10}}: [[Two Metaphysical Blades (Short Story)]]
 
*{{Endn|10}}: [[Two Metaphysical Blades (Short Story)]]
*{{Endn|11}}: [[The Solar War (Novel)]] - Chapter 7
+
*{{Endn|11}}: [[The Solar War (Novel)]], Chapter 7
*{{Endn|12}}: [[The First Wall (Novel)]] - Chapter 14
+
*12: [[The First Wall (Novel)]]:
**{{Endn|12a}}:Chapter 28
+
**{{Endn|12a}}: Chapter 14
 +
**{{Endn|12b}}: Chapter 28
 +
*13: [[Valdor: Birth of the Imperium (Novel)]]:
 +
**{{Endn|13a}}: Chapter 2
 +
**{{Endn|13b}}: Chapter 5
 +
**{{Endn|13c}}: Chapter 13
 +
**{{Endn|13d}}: Chapter 14
 +
**{{Endn|13e}}: Chapter 15
 +
**{{Endn|13f}}: Chapter 17
 +
*{{Endn|14}}: [[Saturnine (Novel)]], Part 2, Chapter 2
 +
*{{Endn|15}}: [[Penitent (Novel)]], Chapter 31
 +
*16: [[Warhawk (Novel)]]:
 +
**{{Endn|16a}}: Chapter 19
 +
**{{Endn|16b}}: Chapter 27
 +
*17: [[The End and the Death: Volume I (Novel)]]:
 +
**{{Endn|17a}}: 1:xxiii
 +
**{{Endn|17b}}: 3:xiv
 +
*{{Endn|17}}: [[The End and the Death: Volume II (Novel)]] - 8:xx
 +
*{{Endn|18}}: [[The End and the Death: Volume III (Novel)]]
 +
**{{Endn|18a}}: 9:xi
 +
**{{Endn|18b}}: 10:ii
 +
**{{Endn|18c}}: 10:xviii
  
 
{{DEFAULTSORT:Valdor, Constantin}}
 
{{DEFAULTSORT:Valdor, Constantin}}
 +
 
[[Category:Characters (Adeptus Custodes)]]
 
[[Category:Characters (Adeptus Custodes)]]
 +
[[Category:Characters (Great Crusade)]]
 
[[Category:Characters (Horus Heresy)]]
 
[[Category:Characters (Horus Heresy)]]
 +
[[Category:Unification Wars]]
 +
 
[[de:Constantin Valdor]]
 
[[de:Constantin Valdor]]
 
[[fr:Constantin Valdor]]
 
[[fr:Constantin Valdor]]

Latest revision as of 15:59, 2 February 2024

Targetdrone.gif Valdor redirects here. For the pattern of super-heavy tank, see Valdor Tank Hunter.
Constantin Valdor[7]
Chief-Custodian Constantin Valdor[2]

Constantin Valdor ('Emperor's Spear'), the First of the Ten Thousand[6c], was the Chief Custodian to the Emperor of Mankind as Captain-General of the Adeptus Custodes at the time of the Unification Wars, Great Crusade, and the Horus Heresy.[5]

Biography

Unification Wars

The origins of Constantin Valdor are mysterious. According to Amar Astarte, his original parents were killed by the Emperor, who moved entire armies across continents to locate and retrieve him. Valdor himself knows very little of his past before becoming the Emperor's servant.[13c] While commonly accepted as the first Custodes Valdor does not recall if he was truly the first Custodian, or simply the first successfully produced one.[10] He served during the Unification Wars at the Battle of Maulland Sen. A handful of years later, he assassinated Koja Zu, the Minister of the Anuatan Steppes[6a], and claimed her son, Ra Endymion[6d], for the Legio Custodes.[6b] During the Battle of Maulland Sen Valdor witnessed the savagery of the Thunder Warriors and became worried over their future.[13b]

By the end of the Unification Wars Valdor had emerged as part of the ruling "triumvirate" of Terra alongside the Emperor and Malcador. He had become suspicious of Grand Provost Marshal Uwoma Kandawire, dispatching Samonas to unravel her conspiracy before it could begin.[13a] However the conspirators still struck in the Palace Coup, during which Valdor was confronted by Kandawire, as well as Ushotan and his surviving Thunder Warriors. Valdor urged the conspirators to surrender, but when they refused he deployed the proto-Legiones Astartes in their first battle. During the battle the rebels were crushed and Valdor slew Ushotan, an act he took no gratification in as he had admired the General. Surprisingly, Valdor spared Kandawire and let her leave the Palace to retire in peace.[13d][13e]

Later Valdor expressed his surprise when Malcador stated that the Primarchs were still alive and that the Emperor was attempting to find them. Valdor couldn't understand why the Arch-Enemy had decided to spare them, and believed that if they were alive then they would be corrupted. Valdor instead wished to raise armies of mortals to be led by his Custodians.[13f]

Prior to the Horus Heresy, Valdor had earned 1932 names.[3] By the 41st Millennium a book which apparently had his whole name written down took up an entire volume.[15]

Horus Heresy

Battle of Prospero

Just prior to the open outbreak of the Horus Heresy, Valdor was charged by the Emperor to accompany Leman Russ of the Space Wolves in bringing Magnus the Red to account for breaking promises made during the Council of Nikaea at which the Emperor strictly forbade the use of sorcery and psychic powers.[2]

Valdor, with a contingent of elite Custodian Guard, fought alongside Russ and the Space Wolves on Prospero. He and his forces were responsible for killing at least three of the greatest psykers of the Thousand Sons and routing a force much more numerous than their own, however little else is known after this. Valdor eventually faced over thirty of the elite Khenetai "Blademasters", warriors who could predict an enemies' attacks through psychic precognition. The Captain-General slew every one of these deadly warriors, receiving only a single wound in the process. According to one account, he was also responsible for saving Bjorn when his arm was corrupted by the sorcerous powers of a Thousand Sons psyker. Valdor sliced Bjorn's arm off to prevent the corruption from overrunning his body. The other states that Bjorn's arm was cut off by a Skjald of the Space Wolves, Kasper Hawser.[2][4]

Later Actions

Constantin Valdor

When Amon Tauromachian returned from his extended Blood Game, Valdor informed his fellow Custodian of how Horus Lupercal had declared rebellion against the Emperor. When Tauromachian asked how this could happen, Valdor, speaking as someone who knew the Warmaster, rejected theories that it was pride or resentment, instead voicing his belief that something had driven Horus and his closest advisers mad. Valdor then assigned Tauromachian with the task of investigating Pherom Sichar, Lord of Hy Brasil, for evidence of treason.[3]

After Horus declared his rebellion, Valdor then oversaw the mission and deployment of the first ever execution team. Invited by the Master of Assassins whose secret identity was Malcador The Sigillite who oversaw the council of Assassins. Each clade- Venenum, Eversor, Culexus, Vanus, Callidus, and led by Vindicare selected a single alpha-dan operative for the mission. The target was Horus Lupercal. Rogal Dorn learned of such events and challenged Valdor claiming that Horus being alive was a boon because he was predictable, and killing the head of the rebellion would not stop it, someone more predictable would simply take over. Valdor argued that the actions of the Officio Assassinorum were not necessarily cowardly, but expedient. Valdor says to Dorn that they all want the same thing; to preserve the Emperor. Dorn however claims that Valdor's role is to safeguard the life of the Emperor, whilst Dorn himself, and all the Astartes role is to safeguard the Imperium. The Assassin's mission uncovered valuable information, and encountered Erebus' own agent, daemonically enhanced. The mission to kill Horus is a failure as Horus is tipped off of the attempt on his life and sends a proxy who is killed in his place. Dorn and Valdor continue to argue, Dorn citing that to preserve the Imperium we must have a moral code, Valdor citing that to match Horus' evil we must not stop at underhanded tactics. The Emperor settles the argument with the final statement "No more shadows. No more veils". [1]

Later as the majority of the Custodian Guard was occupied by the War Within the Webway, Valdor assumed a vital position on the loyalist War Council alongside Malcador, Rogal Dorn, and Kane.[6c] He reappeared shortly before Leman Russ left Terra to confront Horus directly, returning the Spear of Russ to him. During their conservation, Valdor expressed disdain at the Space Wolves use of Rune Priests, considering them no different from normal Librarians which were now banned due to the Council of Nikaea.[9] Valdor next appeared as the Solar War began, meeting with Rogal Dorn alongside Sanguinius, Jaghatai Khan, Malcador, and Dorn's command staff.[11]

Siege of Terra

Valdor fought in defence of Mankind's homeworld during the Siege of Terra. During the battle loyalist marines who witnessed the Captain-General in combat, saw him reave through traitor marines as easily as they would against ordinary humans and weaker xenos. He also deployed Amon Tauromachian to investigate apparent Daemonic activity in the Imperial Palace. When Amon asked what should be done to Euphrati Keeler and her proto-Imperial Cultists, Valdor ordered that they remain unharmed as part of Malcador's plan to use them in the fight against Chaos.[12b] After the fall of the Lion's Gate Spaceport he helped lead the defense of the Colossi Gate alongside Jaghatai Khan and Raldoron, fighting against swathes of Daemons.[14] After the escape of Basilio Fo from Blackstone Prison Valdor saw the mad scientist a threat big enough to warrant his own personal attention, and he hunted the prisoner throughout the Palace.[19a] He eventually saved Fo from a roaming Night Lord and decided that the human's supposed anti-Astartes bio-weapon could be of service to the Emperor.[19b]

Valdor was summoned to the Emperor's side during the final teleportation attack aboard the Vengeful Spirit, and he left Basillo Fo and his weapon in the hands of his own Custodes.[17a] During the battle aboard the Vengful Spirit Valdor became separated from the Emperor and he and his Custodes found themselves in a dark abyss surrounded by Daemons. Part of a trap by Horus to drive the Captain-General to torment, it made him feel something close to fear for the first time as he realized he could not fulfill his duty. Nonetheless, this did not stop Valdor's killing duty in the slightest as he slaughtered his way through hordes of Daemons. To confirm that he had indeed been teleported to the Vengeful Spirit, Valdor plunged the Apollonian Spear into its floor to reveal its identity.[17b] Valdor's forces continued to battle through madness and Daemons until he grew closer to the location of the Emperor, at which point he began to encounter Sons of Horus and Word Bearers for the first time. During the struggle, he spotted First Captain Abaddon.[17]

Impaled by a Power Sword, Valdor battles Hellas Sycar and other Justaerin aboard the Vengeful Spirit[18a]

Injured and weakened from their previous battles, Valdor and his remaining Custodes fought admirably against a vicious counterattack launched by Abaddon consisting of Justaerin and veteran Word Bearers, who outnumbered them by over thirty to one. However, the traitor Astartes were aided by Erebus, who managed to greatly empower Abaddon through Warp-infused rituals. During the fighting, Valdor was pinned down by six Justaerin Terminators and badly wounded by Hellas Sycar, but kept on fighting and managed to cut Abaddon with the Apollonian Spear. Gaining insight from Abaddon's future, Valdor was horrified to see the next 10,000 years of war and labeled Abaddon "Despoiler" before punching him.[18a] The experience, as well as the sudden berserk frenzy of the Blood Angels contingent of Operation Anabasis, left Valdor unsettled and angry, and afterwards he displayed more brutal and impatient traits, particularly towards Dorn and the Astartes whom he repeatedly spouted curses towards. However, he also learned of Sanguinius' death, something which caused Valdor genuine grief. Valdor and Dorn were ultimately able to escape Abaddon's attack and finally make it to Lupercal's Court.[18b]

Within Lupercal's Court, Valdor and Dorn discovered Garviel Loken and Leetu as the only survivors alongside the corpse of Horus and the grievously wounded Emperor. Leetu discovered a tarot card of "The Throne", which helped Dorn argue that the Emperor should be brought back to the Golden Throne. Valdor initially dismissed the superstition, but ultimately acquiesced.[18c]

After the Siege of Terra, Valdor met with the newly arrived Leman Russ. While Russ was distraught and pessimistic about what had befallen the Imperium and Emperor, Valdor expressed confidence that the Master of Mankind had foreseen all that had transpired and planned accordingly. Secretly, however, Valdor is unsure if this is true.[10]

Fate

Sometime after the Heresy, around the same time as the disappearance of Leman Russ, Valdor also disappeared without a trace. During the dead of night, Valdor simply slipped out of the Imperial Palace, turning back once to look upon the Palace and whisper "Only in Death" (the first part of the Imperial quote Only in death does duty end) before vanishing.[10] His fate is unknown even by the Custodes themselves. He is one of three Captain-Generals to have gone missing without even the Adeptus Custodes being aware of the details.[8]

A book recovered and translated by Gideon Ravenor and Alizebeth Bequin identified the enigmatic King in Yellow as apparently being Constantin Valdor.[15]

Personality and Abilities

Beyond his absolute loyalty to the Emperor, Constantin Valdor was known for his stoic and observant personality.[10] Despite the claims by outside observers he did not experience emotions such as pride or arrogance, or really any feeling at all besides his sense of duty to the Emperor. The Thunder Warrior Ushotan expressed pity for Valdor, stating that he had all the humanity sucked from him and had become numb. Valdor did not disagree with the sentiment.[13d][13e] Nonetheless he seems capable of taking fondness to certain individuals, such as Uwoma Kandawire and Ushotan.[13f]

Valdor's battle prowess was legendary. His reaction time was to the point where it seemed as if he could see time itself come to a halt.[13d][13e] A warrior of superlative skill, it was said that Valdor could match even a Primarch in single combat. Indeed, such was his might, that there were those, even in the Imperial Court, who called him a "Primarch" in all but name.[6e]

Wargear

Valdor went into battle equipped with a expertly crafted Guardian Spear known as the Apollonian Spear and an ornate suit of Custodian Armour known as the Corinthine Warplate.[7]

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Constantin Valdor Miniature

Sources