They are genetically engineered and augmented [[Human]]s that can have a variety of augments to better serve in their roles. Some are noted as wearing bronze masks that shows mechanical green eyes or have red-tinted ocular sensors replacing their organic eyes.{{citethis}} Like many blessed acolytes of the Machine God, they can be augmented beyond the concerns of void exposure, as well as have additional mechanical limbs. Some wear red robes or other colors colours befitting the [[forge world]] they or their ward hails from.{{Fn|3a}}

Members of the Protectors typically carry staved weapons, such as [[Transonic Weapon|transonic]] halberds, and have additional ranged weaponry or sidearms sometimes wielded in an additional mechanical limb. They serve as personal protectors of tech priests of high station, such as [[explorator]]s,{{Fn|3a}} or as the personal guards within a Tech-Priest's [[Forge Temple|forge]]. Some are noted as smelling of spoilt, decayed meat and oils.{{citethis}}

Protectors are often afforded access to [[Noosphere|noospheric]] communion with the Tech-Priest they ward, alongside their master's Cult Mechanicus allies. However, the lifeward rarely interjects in their master's [[Noosphere|noospheric ]] conversations with colleagues, containing their thoughts and emotions with sturdy firewalls as to not interrupt their dialogues. They only interject if the subject directly pertains to their duty.{{Fn|3a}}

*[[Rho-Mu 31]] - A Protector in of [[Mars|Magma City]] who served [[Adept]] [[Koriel Zeth]].{{Fn|1}}*[[Alpha-Rho-25]] - A Protector assigned to the [[War Within the Webway|Imperial defensedefence]] of the [[Emperor]]'s [[Webway Project]] and was one of the first Imperials to uncover [[Drach'nyen]]'s presence there.

*{{Endn|1}}: [[Mechanicum (Novel)]] by [[Graham McNeill]], {{Cite This}}