Index Custodes

8/7/2019 Index Custodes

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The Adeptus Custodes are the guardians

of the Imperial Palace and the Golden

Throne, as well as being the personal

bodyguard to the Emperor. A small elite

of three hundred Custodes, known as

the Companions, form the Emperor's

personal bodyguard and never leave hisside.

Origins

The Adeptus Custodes have their origins duringthe Terran Unification wars. Known at that time asthe Legio Custodes, they formed the Emperorselite bodyguard and were formed from thegreatest warriors amongst the techno-barbarians

who fought in the Emperors armies. TheCustodians were then, and are still today, createdthrough a long, arduous and complex process ofgenetic engineering and psychologicalconditioning that created the greatest individualsthe Emperor was ever to create, second onlyperhaps to the Primarchs.

Despite their superhuman strength, resilience andreflexes, the Custodians are not Space Marines.Unlike the Adeptus Astartes, they are not created

through geneseed, or the implantations of thevarious associated organs. They are completelyengineered beings, never being truly human, butalways terrible and splendid giants among men.The training of the Custodes also differedimmensely from the Astartes before the Heresy,being Bodyguards rather than Soldiers. It is clearfrom their Blood Games that Custodians weretrained in the arts of assassination, bothimprovised and advanced, in order to counterpossible assassination attempts to the Emperor. It

was common for several Custodians to be ondetached duty for these Blood Games so that theorganisation remained vigilant against developingthreats. Following the Heresy their trainingregimen has altered significantly to a constantregime of drills, duels and strategic simulations,with Blood Games taking a minimal, but notabsent, role.

Once the Emperor began his Great Crusade toforge the Imperium of Man, the role of theCustodes was expanded. Not only did they have acontingent constantly at the Emperors side, butalso travelled individually as His envoys.

Following Horus Betrayal and the subsequent

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Custodian Guard Colour Scheme

Custodian Terminator. Note Pre-

Heresy components.

Imperial Aquila, used as the official insignia of theAdeptus Custodes

Guardian Spear

employed by

Custodian

Command

Squads. Bears

similarities to

Grey Knight

Nemesis Force

Weapons

ascendance of the Emperor to the GoldenThrone, the Adeptus Custodes have not leftTerra, and rarely leave the Imperial Palace.They are now His guardians, standing watchover His mortal form.

Originally, they were equipped with the bestPower Armour of the age, and had access to the

same type of equipment and weapons as hadthe Space Marine Legions. Equipment whichwas characteristic of the Custodes wouldinfluence the equipment of the later GreyKnights. After the confinement of the Emperorwithin the Golden Throne the Custodes

abandoned, among other things, the use of theirarmour, and their traditional colour of red waschanged to black.

During the Age of Apostasy, the AdeptusCustodes reemerged briefly during the siege ofthe Ecclesiarchal Palace of Terra in the reign ofGoge Vandire. During this time, the Custodes

attempted to make their way towards Vandire,halted only by Brides of the Emperor whomVandire had convinced into becoming hispersonal bodyguards. After a long and fruitlessdiscussion, the Custodes convinced the leaderof the Brides Alicia Dominica to return with



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INDEX CUSTODES

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.

older cultures completely different from the

surface ones.

The Imperial Palace is a vast edifice

sprawling across a large part of a continent

on Terra, divided into the Inner and Outer

Palaces. The Palace is built to trulymonumental proportions; seen from orbit, it

consists of connected kilometres-high

monolithic and pyramidal structures,

marked with landing pads and studded

with defense weaponry.1

The Imperial Palace is as heavily

urbanized and populated as any hive city.

Adepts numbering in the billions work and

reside within the Palace. The Outer Palaceis also heavily urbanized by a population of

destitute non-adepts.

The Adeptus Custodes maintain a constant

vigil over the Imperial Palace, and are

among the few permitted to pass beyond

the Eternity Gate into the Emperor's

presence.

The Inner Palace, the Sanctum Imperialis,is the massive throne room at the heart of

the Palace, where the arcane machinery

comprising the Golden Throne keep the

Home world

Terra is a hive world, the earth has long ago

been stripped of all forms of resources; its soil

is utterly barren and its atmosphere is a fog of

pollution. Massive, labyrinthine edifices of

state sprawl across the vast majority of the

surface. Its oceans have long ago boiled

away. Many mountain ranges have been

leveled - perhaps all but the Himalayas, which

seemingly remain all but untouched due to the

laboratories said to be underneath and the

chambers of the Astronomican that course

throughout the whole mountain range. Despite

being devastated during the Horus Heresy and

earlier than that during the long Age of Strife,

Terra is probably the most vastly-populated

and built-up hive world in the Imperium.

Beneath countless layers and millennia of

urban accretion, catacombs hold



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Emperor's few living cells alive, providing an

anchor point in the warp for his mighty spirit.

Tech-priests of the Adeptus Mechanicus

constantly maintain the vast Golden Throne. In

an arena before the Emperor himself, psykers

are soul-bound for Imperial service as

Astropaths. Standing before the Inner Palace is

the massive Eternity Gate, forged of thestrongest materials. Two Titans stand guard

over the Gate in its damasked beauty and

immeasurable strength.

CONSTANTIN VALDOR, CHIEF

CUSTODIAN TO THE EMPEROR

Constantine Valdor, was the Chief Custodian during the

Heresy. He was the most honoured of all the Emperor of

Mankind's creations. No other being had served the

Emperor for as long as he, save Malcador the Sigillite.

Valdor was a proud and respectful warrior unmatched inhis devotion and loyalty to the Emperor. Valdor was ever-

present at the Emperor's side, always protecting him from

unseen enemies and saving the Emperor's life innumerable

times. Along with Malcador, Valdor was his most trusted

friend and advisor.

Just prior to 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.

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. 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 toprevent the corruption from overrunning his body.

master. As bodyguards, the Custodes not only

protect the Emperor's person but also maintain

scrupulous surveillance on Imperial factions,

infiltrate the households of suspicious

individuals, and enter deep cover to test the

tightness of their own security net, an exercise

known as a blood game.

Each Custodian's name consists of numerous

components typically awarded for feats of arms.

Valdor's full name, for instance, is over nine

hundred components long.

Before the Emperor's enthronement they had

access to the same equipment as the Legions of

the Space Marines. However, since then they

have taken a far more limited role, and never

leave Terra and only very rarely leave the

Imperial Palace. Accordingly (although the

Imperial Palace covers a vast area) they have

no need for a wide array of weaponry and

Combat Doctrine

The Adeptus Custodes are warriors unmatched

in the galaxy, genetically engineered by the

Emperor himself. The Emperor engineered few

of these warriors as the swifter method usinggene-seed became more viable.

The martial capabilities of the Adeptus Custodes

remain largely unknown. What is known is that

they possess skill beyond even a 'normal'

member of the Adeptus Astartes. It has been

said that the Adeptus Custodes are to a Space

Marine what a Space Marine is to a member of

the Imperial Guard. They are similar to the Grey

Knights, the militant arm of the Ordo Malleus

branch of the Inquisition, in that both are elite,

secret organisations with close ties to the

Emperor. Custodes are unique as, unlike the

Grey Knights, they have neither a Primarch nor

geneseed, they are also far stronger, quicker

and more impressive than any Space Marine or

Grey Knight. They stand a full head taller than a

Space Marine and it's said that they were almost

the same size as a Primarch. In fact it was saidthat Constantine Valdor, Chief Custodian to the

Emperor during the Horus Hersey, was the

same size as the traitor Primarch Alpharius of

the Alpha Legion.

Custodians are slightly larger, on average, than

Space Marines, their fighting skills are more or

less equal. While Space Marines don their armor

ritually and in the presence of their squadmates

in order to focus themselves entirely on theirmartial calling, Custodians arm themselves

alone and in silence, reflecting on the varied

duties they must perform in the service of their



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INDEX CUSTODES

The lowest rank amongst the Custodes is

that of Custodian Guard. These squads

provide fire support in defensive

operations, form rapid response teams

during a siege, and man the limited supply

of Custodes vehicles. Above them are the

Custodian Terminators. These warriors are

the cliffs upon which the waves of the

enemy break helplessly. They are able to

weather the storm of blows attackers rain

down on them, and allow time for strategic

redeployment of other squads in the force.

Finally, the Custodian Command Squads

form the highest echelons of the Custodes.

These veterans wield the Guardian Spears

and have trained for 10,000 years so thatwith every swing of their blades, a lethal

blow is inevitably struck.

Organisation

vehicles.

The Custodes abandoned wearing armour

following the enthronement of the Emperor.

Their traditional colour of red also changed to

black. Their armour also influenced the later

Grey Knights. The uniforms of the Custodians

are traditional but effective: boots, leather

breeches and long black cloaks. Their torsos

are naked and corded with tattooed muscle.

Their tall, brazen helmets, ominous and all-

enclosing, give them a threatening and

impersonal appearance; ancient and ornate,

the helmets incorporate advanced protective

equipment and communicators.

The weapons carried by the Custodes

resemble spears, but in fact they are laser

weapons built in the shape of spears. The

spears are built to resemble the original

Guardian Spears, carried by the Adeptus

Custodes before the Emperor's confinement.

The guardian spear is closely associated with

the Custodes, and is depicted on their banners

and badges. A gladius is normally seen at theirside.

THE COMPANIONS

Only three hundred of the Adeptus Custodes serve as the

actual personal guard of the Emperor. These are those that

are privileged enough to be in the Emperor's physical

presence. Each unit of Companions is led by a Centurion.

It was one such Centurion that led a small group ofCompanions to meet Alicia Dominica, head of the Brides

of the Emperor (later Sisters of Battle) during Vandire's

Reign of Blood.

The Adeptus Custodes is a department of the

Adeptus Terra, the Imperial government, but

its members are answerable only to the

Emperor and their own leaders.

The organization's leader carries the title of

Captain-General, and due to the importance of

the Adeptus Custodes he often holds a

position in the Senate of the High Lords of

Terra.

Beliefs

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:

While Custodians share a genetic kinship

with one another within the formation, do

not foster the same spirit of brotherhood

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 investmentfor the Imperium.

One ritual that the Custodes do share is

the recognition of mighty deeds,



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manifested in the awarding of names, which are

added to the Custodian's title to represent the

actions he has performed in service to the

Emperor. (Constantin Valdor obtained 932

names prior to the assault on Terra) Such

names were inscribed onto the inside of the

warrior's battle armour as marks of individual

pride.

Furthermore it is clear that the Custodes are

also well versed in the political etiquette of Terra,

and have been known act outside of Imperial

Law to infiltrate influential Noble Houses to

investigate any potential threats. (A role that an

Astartes would never be expected to fulfil.)

This aspect of the Custodian mindset is

advantageous, given that the Captain-Generaloften shares a seat with the High Lords of Terra

and thus allows him to navigate the political

manoeuvrings of the Imperium's various

agencies, while still remaining an awe inspiring

warrior.

Pro imperator quod Imperium!

Geneseed

As the creation of a Custodes do not use the

same genetic techniques as the Astartes, theyhave no formal Geneseed. However it has been

theorised that they do utilise some of the

Emperors own DNA. The truth of such rumours

would indeed explain their incredible power.

Battlecry



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As the Imperium hurtles towards the

Time of Ending, the servants of the

Emperor have made one final, reckless

gamble in their quest to save the

Imperium, and the Galaxy.

The Salvation Force

In the final years of the forty-first millennium, thetech-priests of Mars made a terrible discovery.The Golden Throne, seat of power and life-supportsystem to the Emperor, was failing. Due tominuscule faults in certain components of thegreat machine, function of the Throne had beensteadily declining for a long period of time, andrecently the decay had greatly accelerated. Itwould not be long, they surmised, until the Throne

would completely cease to keep His mortal framealive, and the Emperors soul would slip away intothe Warp forever. This could only mean the uttercollapse of the Imperium. With the Astronomicansnuffed out, warp travel would be far too perilousto be viable. As knowledge of His passing wouldspread, whole sub-sectors would secede from theImperium, and with the Imperial Guard and SpaceMarines not able to travel to these sites to restoreorder, the Imperium would eat itself alive. Therewas only one thing to be done. The High Lords ofTerra convened in secret, and formed a plan.Somewhere on one of the million worlds thatformed the Imperium there must be identicalcomponent parts of the Throne, even if theirowners were oblivious to that fact. If they could bereturned to Terra, the tech-priests may be able toinstall them and extend the Emperors life.

However there existed a problem. Even, if thepieces could be found, the pieces of archaeotech

would be highly coveted and not lightly given up. Apowerful military force must be sent to find andretrieve them. But the High Lords were at oddsover who to send. They remembered all too wellthe Horus Heresy and the Age of Apostacy.Neither the Imperial Guard, the Mechanicus, theEcclesiarchy nor even the mighty Space Marinescould be trusted with such a task. They had eachshown themselves to be too susceptible tocorruption and betrayal. The debate wasinterrupted by Constantin Valdor, chief Custodian

to the Emperor. Clad in his gleaming goldenarmour, he declared that for the first time in10,000 years, the Custodes would leave Terra andfind these pieces of tech. And with this, theSalvation Force was formed.



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Constant in Valdor

Chief Custodian to the E mperor

Space Marine Captain, armed with Relic Blade and Stormbolter

WS BS S T W I A Ld Save

6 5 4(6) 4 3 5 3 10 3+/4+

would seek out the means of the Imperiums

salvation. They would find where their quarry

was hidden and they would kill any who stood in

their path. For the Imperium, for the Emperorand for glory they would fight!

Constantin Valdor on the field of battle is a

terrible sight to behold. Ten thousand years has

done nothing to blunt his fighting prowess, and

his skills of command are equally as striking. His

role in the Salvation Force is simple. He leads

from the front, accompanying squad Vespason,

slaughtering the Emperors foes with bolt and

with blade.With the Imperiums greatest livinghero at its head, few can doubt the Salvation

Force will succeed.

When an emergency meeting of the Lords of

Terra was called to discuss an expedition to

recover the archaeotech required to repair the

Emperors Golden Throne, the Chief Custodianto the Emperor was inspired. He recalled the

days of old, when he and his noble warriors

would stride the stars, bringing the Emperors

light to billions of men, and His fury to as many

xenos. As he heard the High Lords argue and

quarrel over whos right or responsibility it was to

embark of this most vital of missions, he knew

what must be done. He and his Custodians

would open their vaults, don their ancient golden

armour, take up their Guardian Spears and go to

battle. They would draw on their ageless skills

and aeons of training. They would leave the holy

Palace for the first time in ten millennia, and they



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Custodian Guard Squad HerculanusLed by P refect Quintus

00

Space Marine Tactical Squad, armed with Flamer and Missile Launcher. Sergeant armed with Bolt Pistol and Chainsword

WS BS S T W I A Ld Save

Space Marine 4 4 4 4 1 4 1 8 3+Sergeant 4 4 4 4 1 4 2(3) 9 3+

INDEX CUSTODES

duelled with twenty-seven of the World

Eaters Legions champions and emergerd

the victor in each case.

Squad Herculanus act in both a fire

support role and as forward strikers

assaulting key positions where

appropriate.

Squad Herculanus can trace its origins to the

Horus Heresy. This Custodian Guard squad

travelled for a time with the Ultramarines

Legion on the Great Crusade, though fortune

would have them recalled to Terra before the

outbreak of the Heresy.

Prefect Quintus fought in the Siege of Terra

defending the interior of the Palace. He

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