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Adeptus Custodes

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Adeptus Custodes
Targetdrone.gif Custodian redirects here. For the class of Tau space vessel, see Or'es El'leath Class Battleship.
Adeptus Custodes
CustodesSymbolClear.png
Parent Agency Adeptus Terra
Headquarters Tower of Hegemon, Terra
Leader Captain-General Trajann Valoris
Established Unification Wars-era
A Custodian of the Adeptus Custodes
Custodian Guard c.M31 (during the Great Crusade and Horus Heresy).

The Adeptus Custodes, renowned as the Golden Legion, the Brotherhood of Demigods[19][Notes], the Golden Brotherhood[19][Notes], and a host of other titles (The Custodian Guard, The Guardians, the Emperor’s Saints,[36] the Watchers of The Throne, The Thousand Companions[9], The Ten Thousand[15a]), but most commonly known as Custodians, are the guardians of the Imperial Palace and the Golden Throne, as well as the personal bodyguard to the Emperor. Due to the vast size of the Imperial Palace, the Custodes always act as a defensive army[1].

Together with the Sisters of Silence they represented the Talons of the Emperor as the right hand of the Emperor.[25f] For much of their history the Custodes rarely left the Imperial Palace and even more rarely left Terra. It is the Adeptus Custodes that decide who may enter the throne room of the Emperor, and when. Such is their authority in this matter that Space Marines and Inquisitors must kneel before them. Custodians are the mightiest of mankind's warriors. They are to the Space Marines what those transhuman warriors are to common Guardsmen, an elevated elite whose raw strength and willpower are wholly insurmountable.[19][25]

History

The Adeptus Custodes were known originally as the Legio Custodes or Custodian Guard. The original Custodians were the first genetically and psychologically altered warriors to appear in the Emperor's armies during the Terran Unification Wars, where they served as the Emperor's personal bodyguard.[4a] The original recruits of the Custodes were from the offspring of Terran nobility.[19] The first known appearance of the Custodes was early in the Unification Wars during the fall of the Techno-Barbarian fortress at Nas'sau.[17d] However, the origins of the Custodian Guard are shrouded in myth and legend. During the Great Crusade, the Custodes always kept a contingent with the Emperor for his protection, but also traveled individually as envoys. The Emperor valued the Custodians above all his other warriors, and while he was willing to expend countless servants he was always hesitant to bleed his Praetorians.[15] After the Emperor's internment in the Golden Throne, the Adeptus Custodes took a limited role as protectors of the Imperial Palace, as ordered by Roboute Guilliman in the Edict of Restraint.[19][22c]

The Custodes were equipped with the best power armour of the age, and had access to the most highly advanced weaponry and vehicles of the Imperium, including designs that were not permitted to the Space Marine Legions.[17b] After the end of the Horus Heresy and the enthronement of the Emperor, the Custodes were said to have changed the colour of their cloaks from red to black to symbolise the darkness that had fallen over their order.[2b] By the end of the 41st Millennium with the reappearance of Roboute Guilliman, the Custodes abandoned their shrouds of shame and were seen again wearing their traditional red garments.[19]

The Custodians ring the Golden Throne.

During the Age of Apostasy, the Adeptus Custodes reemerged briefly during the siege of the Ecclesiarchal Palace of Terra in the reign of Goge Vandire. During this time, the Custodes attempted to make their way towards Vandire, halted only by the Brides of the Emperor, who Vandire had convinced to become his personal bodyguards. After a long and otherwise fruitless discussion, the Custodes convinced the leader of the Brides, Alicia Dominica, to return with them to the presence of the Emperor. What happened during that moment is unknown, but the effects resulted in the Brides of the Emperor rebelling against Vandire, ending his reign once and for all.[21b]

Centuries later during the Terran Crusade, Custodes arrived to reinforce the reborn Roboute Guilliman as he battled the Thousand Sons on Luna. Shortly after, Terra was besieged by Daemons, proving to many Custodes that they had been wanting and let the threat of the Archenemy arrive on the Emperor's doorstep.[25d] Later, the Custodes permitted Guilliman to enter the Emperor's Throneroom alone for an entire day.[18] The reappearance of a Son of the Emperor galvanised the Custodes, and behind closed doors Guilliman and Captain-General Trajann Valoris amended the Edict of Restraint and modified the role of the Custodes that would see many of them journey across the Galaxy on Crusades.[25d] Now members of the Custodes will bring war to the enemies of mankind, while the Companions oversee the safety of the Emperor's mortal form.[19]

The Adeptus Custodes are so revered that it is deemed heresy for the Administratum to record them ever losing a battle. Thus, it is officially recorded that any warzone the Custodes are deployed to is an Imperial victory, even before they arrive.[25c]

Combat History

Unification Era

Great Crusade

Horus Heresy

Post-Heresy

Era Indomitus

Organisation

The Adeptus Custodes at war

The warriors of the Adeptus Custodes are a department of the Adeptus Terra, the Imperial government, but its members are answerable only to the Emperor and their own leaders. The organisation's leader carries the title of Captain-General, and due to the importance of the Adeptus Custodes they often hold a position in the Senate of the High Lords of Terra[1]. Below them are two Tribunes, though during the Heresy era there were three.[22b] Individual squads of Custodes are overseen by Shield-Captains[13]. The Custodes' nerve centre and command & control headquarters is the Tower of Hegemon within the Imperial Palace[3], while a small elite of three hundred Custodes, known as the Companions, form the Emperor's personal bodyguard and never leave his side.

Although the Legio Custodes originally numbered ten thousand, around five years into the War Within the Webway they had been reduced to around a thousand[15d]. However, by the 41st Millennium, they had rebuilt to their original 10,000 strength.[22b]

Ranks & Titles

The ranks of the Custodian Guard are noted as somewhat informal, as much gestures of respect towards veterans and gifted individuals as a true command structure.[15i]

Castes & Subdivisions

Black-armoured Custodes Terminator of the Dankanatoi[26]

Custodians belong to a caste determined by their wargear and battlefield role.[15g]

Organisation of a Custodes battle deployment[43c]

Shield-Hosts and Companies

The modern Adeptus Custodes are deployed in contingents known as Sodalities, Shield Companies, and Shield Hosts.[25a]

A Shield Company consists of a temporary contingent led by a Shield-Captain, typically consisting of a few squads of Custodians, a Vexilus Praetor, a Vertus Praetor squad, and a Allarus Terminator Squad as well as accompanying vehicles. Conversely, a Shield-Host consists of multiple Shield-Companies to undertake a specific task and is led by a Captain-Commander[41] as well as a counsel of Vexilus Praetors.[25a]

Warrior of the Adeptus Custodes[34]

Known such formations include the:

Appearance and Equipment

Main article: Adeptus Custodes Armoury

Generally, the Custodes are larger and much more powerful than Space Marines; they are far more similar to the legendary Thunder Warriors, as they were created by a similar process.[3]

Armour

The Adeptus Custodes are clad in finely wrought golden armour, superior even to that worn by Astartes.[6] Each suit is custom made and fitted to its wearer, a work of art in its own right. The name of its owner is inscribed within the interior of the suit. Each suit is inlaid with gems mined from Terra itself and cut by skilled artisans; these will be changed whenever the Custodian switches roles to reflect their new position[44][46][45]. Their Power Armour is forged in the secret armouries of the Custodes, somewhere within the labyrinthine halls of the Imperial Archives[47], and is made from Auramite as opposed to Ceramite[15c]. The servos and motors of the Custodes' armour are nearly completely silent. Custodes power armour also includes a built-in grav chute and internal air supply. Each suit's helmet includes an internal vox, an altimeter, ambient neutralisers and a hololithic schematic overlay map.[44][46][45]

Auric Battleplate
Designed for the commanders of the Legio Custodes, these impressive armour suits are as much works of art as they are formidable bulwarks against the weapons of the enemy.[47]
Auric Demi-Plate
A lighter version of the Custodes armour, designed for maximum manoeuvrability and minimal bulk. This allows clades of the Custodes that rely more on speed for their protection to make the best use of their unique wargear.[47]
Auric Warplate
Proof against small arms and also incorporates a series of field generators that can repel even heavy ordnance. Moreover, the Warplates' custom-fitted plating and artfully worked servo harnesses allow Custodes to fully exploit their gene-forged physique on the battlefield. Overall the power armour pattern is a supreme marvel of science and technology and is far superior to the standardised power armour used by the Space Marines.[47]

Heraldry

The right shoulder guard of a Custodian's armour depicts the Imperial Aquila and all armour is adorned with precious gems harvested from the deeps of Terra and cut by skilled artisans. The colour of the left shoulder guard clearly shows to which shield company or shield host a given Custode belongs. For these purposes the former takes precedence over the latter organisational tier. This colouration will often match the Custodian’s tabard, and also with any robes they may wear.[25g] The colour of gems often depicts the shield company of the Adeptus Custodes. When they switch such organisation to another, gems are always carefully extracted from the armour of the Custodes and replaced with those of a new, appropriate colour.[25g]

Weaponry

Some Custodes further protect themselves by carrying a Praesidium Shield, Storm Shield[13], and/or Terminator Armour.[25h]

For armament, the Custodes are renowned for carrying Guardian Spears, mighty power weapons that have been carried by the Adeptus Custodes since long before the Emperor's confinement. This weapon is closely associated with the Custodes, and is depicted on their banners and badges.[2][4a][5] Other weapons carried by Custodes include Sentinel Blades, Power Knives, and Custodes Vexilla[13].

As befitting of their role as the Emperor's guards, the Custodes were given access to the finest and most advanced technologies of the Imperium. This is often reflected in their vehicle designs, which are mostly anti-grav. The Custodian Guard is known to have used Grav-Rhinos, Caladius, Pallas, and Coronus Grav-Tanks, and Paragon Pattern Jetbikes.[4] For aircraft, they used the Orion and Ares gunships.[55]

In the ten thousand years since the Heresy, the Custodes have meticulously maintained and preserved much of their equipment. However, few of their technologically advanced vehicles remain, and they rarely use post-heresy designs.[19] Yet there are rumours that they still posses powerful grav-tanks, and other, even more potent patterns of war machine that date back to the age of wonder.[54]

When heavy support is needed, the Adeptus Custodes ride to battle inside the indomitable Venerable Land Raiders[25i] and Telemon Heavy Dreadnoughts.

Fleet

The Custodes operate their own fleet of highly advanced warships which exist outside of standard Imperial classifications[36a]. These include everything from Battleship-sized vessels[25a] to Cruiser-class ships that patrol the Sol System.[27] Besides unique designs, they have also been seen using standard Imperial Navy ships such as the Falchion Class Battleship and Tyrant Class Cruiser. Custodes ships are sometimes used for special missions by the Ephoroi caste within the greater Imperium,[22a] while many of their craft are operated by the Solar Watch.[25l]

The spaceships of the Custodes have ancient translocation bays utilising Godstrike Pattern and Veilbreaker Pattern Teleportariums where blessed incense drifts in the chill air. Each station is permanently attended to by high-ranking Tech-Priests and blessed to such a degree that even Contemptor Dreadnoughts can be teleported straight into battle.[19]

Outlook and Training

Although the Custodes were among the first modified warriors to be created by the Emperor, they were never intended to be part of a conquering army; such a role was to be filled by the latter Astartes armies. This is revealed both in their mindset and training, where the Custodes do not fight as brothers and sisters and as a greater whole but rather as individual warriors. This is in stark contrast to Space Marines, who employ a high degree of teamwork and collective tactics in battle. At least some Astartes look down on the Custodes for these tactics, and it may be that this was deliberately designed so that they shared a bond with none but the Emperor himself.[6a] Whatever the truth, the Custodians are undoubtedly fanatically loyal to the Emperor and will carry out any task he demands, regardless of how brutal or suicidal it may be.[19]

While Custodians share a genetic kinship with one another within the formation, they do not foster the same spirit of brotherhood or sisterhood that is instilled within the Astartes in order to function together as a unit. Indeed, each Custodian prepares and inspects his equipment individually, rather than on military parade. The individuality of each Custodes is further promoted by the fact that the processes required to produce them is not as refined or as simple as that of the Astartes and thus are not "mass-produced" as the Astartes are, meaning that each Custodian is a unique investment for the Imperium. One ritual that the Custodes do share is the recognition of mighty deeds, manifested in the awarding of names, which are added to the Custodian's title to represent the actions they have performed in service to the Emperor (Constantin Valdor obtained 1932 names prior to the assault on Terra)[3]. Such names were inscribed onto the inside of the warrior's battle armour as marks of individual pride.[8]

The training of the Custodes also differed immensely from the Astartes, being bodyguards rather than soldiers. It is clear from their Blood Games that Custodians are trained in the arts of assassination - both improvised and advanced - in order to counter possible assassination attempts to the Emperor. It is common for several Custodians to be on detached duty for these Blood Games so that the organisation remains vigilant against developing threats. Furthermore it is clear that the Custodes are also well versed in the political etiquette of Terra, and have been known to act outside of Imperial Law, to infiltrate influential Noble Houses and to investigate any potential threats (a role that an Astartes would never be expected to fulfil.)[3] Moreover fitting of their status as the Emperor's aids the Custodes are given an intense appreciation of finer concepts. Their training involves mastery of the arts, diplomacy, geography, history, and countless other fields.[25d]

This aspect of the Custodian mindset is advantageous, given that the Captain-General often shares a seat with the High Lords of Terra, which thus allows them to navigate the political maneuverings of the Imperium's various agencies, while still remaining an awe-inspiring warrior.[Needs Citation]

The Custodes do not consider themselves soldiers. Rather, they see themselves as the guardians of the Emperor. Not just the guardians of his physical form but also his ideals and what the species was meant to become. As such they are also scholars, artisans, and counselors in addition to being trained rigorously in the art of combat.[22b]

Custodians underneath the Imperial Palace[43b]

Martial Ka'tah Fighting Styles

Custodes are taught a series of powerful stances known as Martial Ka'tahs. These fighting styles can be adopted in unison by entire Shield Hosts[39], and each has a preferred Ka'tah they use in battle[40]. By doing so, the Shield Hosts bring centuries of training to bear with violent precision.[39]

  • Calistus - It calls for the Custodes to keep up relentless fire, while they advance against their enemies.[39]
  • Dacatarai - It is an aggressive Imperial fighting style, that has been adapted for the Custodes' use. It allows Custodes to deal with hordes that vastly outnumber them, by effortlessly managing their foes' ebb and flow. This prevents the Custodes from being overwhelmed by the hordes[39]. The Dread Host specialise in its use.[40]
  • Kaptaris - It has been optimised to trap enemy units in close combat. This allows the Custodes to parry, deflect attacks or prevent their foes from falling back from combat. Kaptaris is ideal for maintaining an upper hand by controlling the battlefield.[39]
  • Rendax[40] - It is used when facing a large number of foes.[41]
  • Salvus - It is used by Custodes in battles, where they want to ensure their foes are killed[40]

Some Ka'tahs are only used specifically by Blade Champions. They spend their years perfecting these styles in the Imperial Palace's Colosseia Auris.[41]

  • Behemor - Its clinical strikes prevent even the toughest hide or armoured hull from withstanding the Champion's blows.[41]
  • Hurricanis - It lets a Champion carve his way through enemy ranks in a blur of blade and blood.[41]
  • Victus - Its execution techniques have been used by Champions to claim the lives of countless tyrants and warlords.[41]

Biology & Recruitment

The source of the gene-seed of the Custodes is a mysterious issue, if indeed they even have something similar enough to space marines for the term "gene-seed" to have meaning. Some say that the Custodian Guard are to the Emperor what the Space Marines are to the Primarchs - that the Emperor's own genetic matrix was used in their creation and through this, their loyalty to him is assured.[14a] Others argue that the Custodians are not like the Emperor in the way that a Space Marine is like his Primarch, and that some other source was used as a template for their physical and psychological form, a source that was lost during the anarchy of the Age of Strife.[12] Recent sources, however, seem to firmly establish that the Custodes were created from the flesh and blood of the Emperor himself. [19] The genetic enhancement that forms the Custodes is different from and predates that developed to create the Space Marines.[3] Each Custodian is a unique work of art, the product of genetic lore collected over many lifetimes[15b].

The process of creating a Custodes is far more grueling and time-consuming than that of a Space Marine. Unlike Astartes, whose recruits begin implantation during adolescence, the creation of a Custodes must begin during the subject's late infancy. The genetic tailoring of each Custodes is unique and far more complicated than the comparatively crude Astartes. Originally, it was said that the Emperor himself oversaw the creation of each and every Custodes.[17d] However, now, although the gene-enhancements that create new Custodes are shrouded in secrecy, the most accomplished bio-alchemists and chirurgeons of Terra are trusted with their creation, allowing new Custodes to be made even after the Emperor's death. The exact method of their creation remains unclear; they do not receive simple implants like Space Marines. Rather, bio-alchemy is used to trigger the subject's own transformation, an effect that takes root in their cells and very soul.[25d]

It is said that the first Custodes recruits were drawn from children of Terran nobility. The practice continues to this day, and all new initiates are drawn from infants among Terran nobles.[25d] New recruits are presented before the Avenue of Sacrifice outside the Ascensor's Gate of the Imperial Palace. A handful of these aspirants survive the grueling genetic enhancements and training necessary to become a member of the Emperor's personal guard.[19] How long the process takes is not known, though it is substantial and ends with the subject taking their name from the mythology and history of Terra. Such is the potency of this enhancement that there are no finer or more fearsome warriors in the Imperium than the Custodians. Biochemically fashioned from infancy to function as supreme combatants, tacticians, and bodyguards, they are death incarnate to those who defy the Emperor’s will.[25][25d]

The cellular alchemy that creates the warriors of the Adeptus Custodes leaves them forever touched by a spark of the Emperor’s own divinity. Beyond their martial might and incorruptible nobility, this energy manifests itself as an almost supernatural warding, as though the Custodians were protected by the hand of the Emperor. Bullets and bolts are turned aside at the last moment, blades fail to strike home, and even the psychic powers of the foe can suddenly and inexplicably flicker away to nothing in the face of the Ten Thousand. Some Custodians find that the holy light of the Emperor glows around them in a sublime halo, blinding enemies in their glory, forcing them to recoil in pain and terror.[25]

The Custodian Guard do not age biologically, so a veteran officer might be well over a thousand years old. As with all their kind, warriors who believe they are no longer fit for duty will bequeath their armour to the colossal Hall of Names and go abroad into the galaxy disguised under a hooded black cloak.[19]

Battle-Cry

The Adeptus Custodes don't have a battle-cry at all. They fight with silence and grim determination.[22b]

Known Elements of the Adeptus Custodes

Land Vehicles

Fleet

Known Custodes

While Custodians often fought as lone operatives, it was not uncommon for them to work in groups in special circumstances[4d]

Heresy-era

Post-Enthronement

Images

  • Custodian Jetbike trooper, three terminators of the Custodian Guard, and three of the Emperors Companions[4d][16b]

  • Mikaelor Cobernus, Shield Captain of the Legio Custodes[16b]

  • Sagittarus, Dreadnought of the Custodian Guard[16a]

  • Artulon, Custodian of the Emperor[16c]

  • Custode Terminator trio [16d]

  • Grav-Rhino Prototype developed by the Custodes durring the Great Crusade[16d]

  • Praetorian Jetbike Troopers during the Emperors unification of mankind[4d][16d]

  • Custodians pressing an attack in the Webway[16d]

  • Companions during the Great Crusade [16d]

  • Adeptus Custodes Terminators[16d]

  • Custodian jetbike squad[16d]

Miniatures

A Squad of Adeptus Custodes miniatures[38]

Related Videos

See also

Notes

Sources


Modern Imperial Organizations
Adeptus Terra Adeptus Administratum (Adeptus Astartes • Departmento Munitorum • Astra Militarum • Ordo Tempestus • Imperial Fleet • Imperial Navy • Merchant Fleet • Praeses Mercatura • Navis Nobilite • Officio Assassinorum • Estate Imperium • Templars Psykologis • Officio Sabatorum • Officio Medicae • Officio Agricultae • Officio Logisticarum • Departmento Exacta • Astra Cartographica • Logis Strategos • Departmento Colonia • Departmento Processium • Departmento of Final Consideration • Departmento Contagio • Departmento Gradio • Questio Logisticus • Rogue Traders • Imperial Commanders) • Adeptus Astra Telepathica (Sisters of Silence • League of Black Ships • Scholastica Psykana) • Adeptus Astronomica • Adeptus Arbites • Adeptus Custodes • Questor Imperialis (House Guard) • Adeptus Fidicius • Synopticon • Officio Communicatus • Officio Propagandum
Adeptus Mechanicus Cult Mechanicus • Collegia Titanica • Legiones Skitarii • Questor Mechanicus (House Guard) • Centurio Ordinatus • Ordo Reductor • Legio Cybernetica • Auxilia Myrmidon • Prefecture Magisterium • Basilikon Astra • Divisio Linguistica • Explorator • Sect Missionarius Mechanicus • Collegiate Extremis • Astynomia • Adnector Concillium
Adeptus Ministorum Holy Synod • Adepta Sororitas (Sisters of Battle) • Schola Progenium • Missionarius Galaxia • Creed Temporal • Frateris Militia
Inquisition Ordo Malleus • Ordo Hereticus • Ordo Xenos • Ordo Minoris
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