Blood Games
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This article is about the Adeptus Custodes exercise; for the short story by Dan Abnett, see Blood Games (Short Story). |
Blood Games are an exercise practiced by the Adeptus Custodes, through which members of the Custodes act as enemy combatants and attempt to penetrate the security of the Imperial Palace on Terra. This enables the Custodes to anticipate an enemy's moves and constantly update and adapt their security measures, to ensure that the Golden Throne remains unharmed.[1][2]
History
The original inspiration for the Blood Game may have came from the Palace Coup, after which Constantin Valdor recommended that the Custodian Guard hold “war games” to keep them on their toes.[4] An account by Alpharius states that he helped inspire the Blood Games during the early Great Crusade.[5] At that time, Alpharius purposely infiltrated the Imperial Palace, slew & stole the identity of the Custodian Garudo, and ultimately managed to override one of the Palace's defence turrets with the theoretical ability to shoot the Emperor's shuttle out of the sky. Despite explaining his infiltration to Valdor, it took further prompting from Malcador before Valdor started the Blood Games in earnest.[Needs Citation]
Between the Horus Heresy and the Indomitus Crusade, a specialised corps was charged with recovering suitable subjects, including Chaos Space Marines, from across the Imperium to release within the Palace as part of the Blood Games to test the Adeptus Custodes' abilities in real conditions, as most never left the Palace themselves.[3]
Other
During the Bloodborn's invasion of Calth, Judd Clausel, Chaplain of the Ultramarines 4th Company, suggested to Captain Uriel Ventris that he try to "think like the enemy," citing the example of the Blood Games, in order to determine where Calth's defences might be vulnerable.[1]
Sources
- 1: The Chapter's Due (Novel), Chapter 14, pg. 180
- 2: Blood Games (Short Story)
- 3: Watchers of the Throne: The Emperor's Legion (Novel), Valerian Chapter 2
- 4: Valdor: Birth of the Imperium (Novel), Chapter 17
- 5: Alpharius: Head of the Hydra (Novel) - The Captain-General
