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Difference between revisions of "Callidus Temple"

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[[image:Callidus.jpg|thumb|right|'''Callidus Assassins''']]
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{{QuoteBox
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The '''Callidus Temple''' is one of many different temples that makes up the [[Officio Assassinorum]].  
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|quote = '''''"To assume the shape of the accursed, and deliver death from the purity within you."'''''
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|source = - Dictatus Callidus{{Fn|10}}
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|align = center
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}}
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{{AssassinorumPortal}}
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[[Image:CallidusSymbol.jpg|thumb|right|120px|Symbol of the Callidus Temple]]
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The '''Callidus Temple''' is one of the temples of the [[Officio Assassinorum]]. They specialise in trickery, deception, deceit, infiltration and impersonation.
  
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The Callidus Assassins are the most cunning of all the assassins and they specialise in trickery, deception, deceit, infiltration, and impersonation. Their greatest asset is the shape-changing drug ''Polymorphine''. This drug coupled with the correct training can change their very shape and appearance allowing them to impersonate other persons, also members of the opposite sex, and even humanoid [[Xeno]]s like the [[Orks]] and the [[Eldar]]. [[Meh'Lindi]], one of the most cunning agents, managed to impersonated successfully a [[Genestealer]] hybrid for a time<sup>1,2</sup>. One can assume that the impersonation of a [[Tau]] is possible, but no reports confirming this are known to this date.  
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===Operatives===
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[[Image:40k-109-callidus-assassin.jpg|thumb|right|300px|A Callidus Assassin{{Fn|12a}}]]
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The Callidus Assassins are the most cunning of all the assassins. Their greatest asset is their ability to use the shape-changing drug [[Polymorphine]]. This drug, coupled with special training, allows Callidus agents to change their very shape and appearance allowing them to impersonate other persons, members of the opposite sex, and even humanoid [[xenos]] like [[Ork]]s and [[Eldar]]. [[Meh'Lindi]], one of the most cunning agents, managed to successfully impersonate a [[Genestealer Hybrid]] at least twice (though she required additional surgery to complete the illusion).{{Fn|1}}
  
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This makes them experts at getting close to their target, be it rebellious Imperial governors, corrupt Imperial high officials, Heretic prophets, Xeno leaders, etc. This allows them to manipulate the enemy plans and eventually assassinate the main target at the best possible moment. Polymorphine works better with women, and therefore the vast majority of the temple-members are women.  
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This makes them experts at getting close to their targets, be they rebellious [[Imperial Governor]]s, corrupt Imperial high officials, heretic prophets, or alien leaders. This allows them to manipulate the enemy's plans and eventually assassinate the main target at the best possible moment. Once the target is eliminated, the Assassin may even replace the victim by assuming his appearance.{{Fn|5}} Polymorphine works better with women, and therefore the vast majority of the temple operatives are female.{{Fn|10}}
  
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The traitor Primarch [[Konrad Curze]], aka '''Night Haunter''', was assassinated by ''M'shen'', a Callidus Assassin. However he allowed her intrusion as he wanted to die.
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The traitor [[Primarch]] [[Konrad Curze]], aka "Night Haunter", was assassinated by [[M'Shen]], a Callidus Assassin. However, he allowed her intrusion as he wanted to die, to show that his rebellion was justified.{{Fn|6}}
  
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==Wargear==
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===Equipment===
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Calidus assassins, besides being exceptionally well trained in martial arts, normally use whatever weapon they are allowed to carry in the presence of their target<sup>3</sup>. On occasion they make use of rare weapons like the [[C'tan Phase Sword]] and the [[Neural Shredder]].
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[[Image:Callidus Assassin Art.jpg|thumb|right|300px|A Callidus Assassin ]]
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Callidus assassins, besides being exceptionally well-trained in martial arts, normally use whatever weapon they are able to carry in the presence of their target.{{Fn|3}} They would not normally use weapons other than those inconspicuous and easily concealed ([[digital weapon]]s are commonly used, as well as even more unusual and exotic weapons). Even unarmed they are deadly, able to kill with a single touch. They also make use of more overt weapons such as the [[Phase Sword]], [[Poison Blade]]s, and the [[Neural Shredder]].{{Fn|7}}{{Fn|8a}} For psychological warfare, some Callidus Assassins will utilize [[Death Card]]s.{{Fn|12b}}
  
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The C'tan phase swords have a special link to the [[Necron]] gods, the [[C'tan]]. A report<sup>4</sup> shows how ''Jaramshaela'', a Callidus assassin, tried to assassinate the heretical Imperial governor Takis who later turned out to be the [[Deceiver]]. The phase blade was absorbed back into the C'tan and she was flayed alive.
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===Known Callidus Assassins===
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*[[Siress Callidus]] — Founder and Director Primus during the [[Horus Heresy]].{{Fn|11a}}
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*[[Asaid Virenus]] — Rogue assassin.{{Fn|13}}
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*''[[Furcifer]]'' (designation), [[Execution Force]] [[Dagon (Execution Force)|Dagon]].{{Fn|17}}
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*[[J'zara]] — Kidnapped by [[Talos Valcoran]].{{Fn|15}}
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*[[Anna]] - Executioner of [[Lord Solar]] [[Macharius]].{{Fn|20}}
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*[[Klara Rhasc]] — Part of Operation Deathblow [[Execution Force]].{{Fn|12}}
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*[[Koyne]] — Shade, part of first [[Execution Force]] during the [[Horus Heresy]].{{Fn|11b}}
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*[[M'Shen]] — Killed the [[Primarch]] [[Konrad Curze]].{{Fn|6}}
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*[[Meh'Lindi]] — Received experimental implants to mimic [[Genestealer Hybrid]]s.{{Fn|1}} Later part of [[Inquisitor]] [[Jaq Draco]]'s [[Inquisitorial Retinue|retinue]].{{Fn|2}}
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*[[Militzia Scarvelli]] — Infiltrated [[Big Mek]] [[Oilguzla]]'s workshop disguised as a [[Gretchin]].{{Fn|10}}
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*[[Mother Gullet]] — Swallowed the son of [[Imperial Commander]] [[Thygmus van Spracht]] whole.{{Fn|10}}
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*[[Sahlein Rastrial]]{{Fn|19}}
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*[[Sycorax (Callidus Assassin)|Sycorax]] — Member of [[Officio Assassinorum Execution Force|Execution Force]] Kingmaker.{{Fn|18}}
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*[[Syndalla]] — Part of [[Inquisitor]] [[Kalistradi]]'s [[Inquisitorial Retinue|retinue]].{{Fn|14}}
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*[[Tziz Jarek]] — Attempted to replace the [[Grand Master of Assassins]] in the [[Age of Apostasy]].{{Fn|8b}}
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*[[U'var]] — Instrumental in ending the [[Siege of Tullok]]{{Fn|9}}
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*[[Zara Nox]]{{Fn|16}}
  
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==Reference and sources==
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==Images==
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*<sup>1</sup>[[Deathwing (Novel)|Deathwing]], short-story ''The Alien Beast within'' by [[Ian Watson]]. One has to mention that Meh´lindi had to undergo special surgery to be able to impersonate a Genestealer hybrid.
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<gallery mode="packed" heights="220">
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*<sup>2</sup>[[Inquistion War Trilogy]] by [[Ian Watson]]
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CallidusArt.jpg|A Callidus Assassin{{Fn|12a}}
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*<sup>3</sup>[[Eternal Damnation (Graphic Novel)]], comic strip ''The lonis gambit'' by Christian Dunn.
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Temple Assassin.jpg|A Callidus assassin
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*<sup>4</sup>[[Codex: Necrons (3rd Edition)]], page 8
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</gallery>
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*[[Into the Maelstrom (Novel)|Into the Maelstrom]], short-story ''The Raven's Claw'' by Jonathan Curran.
 
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*[[Obvious Tactics (Graphic Novel)]], by David Pugh.
 
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*Codex Assassins (2nd Edition)
 
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*[[Codex: Assassins (3rd Edition)]]
 
  
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==Miniatures==
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<gallery mode="packed" heights="200">
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Callidus1997.jpg|Callidus Assassin miniature
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Callidus.jpg|Callidus Assassin miniature
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CallidusEF.jpg|Callidus Assassin miniature ([[Assassinorum: Execution Force]])
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</gallery>
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==Trivia==
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{{Trivia}}
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*"Callidus" is Latin for "cunning."
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==Sources==
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*{{Endn|1}}: [[The Alien Beast Within (Short Story)]]
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*{{Endn|2}}: [[Inquisitor (Novel)]], Chapter One
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*{{Endn|3}}: [[Eternal Damnation (Graphic Novel)]], ''The Ionis Gambit''
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*{{Endn|4}}: [[Codex: Necrons (3rd Edition)]], pg. 8
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*{{Endn|5}}: [[Warhammer 40,000: Rogue Trader]], pg. 170
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*{{Endn|6}}: [[Index Astartes II]] - ''Bringers of Darkness: The Night Lords Space Marine Legion''
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*{{Endn|7}}: [[Codex: Assassins (2nd Edition)]], pg. 14
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*8: [[Codex: Assassins (3rd Edition)]]:
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**{{Endn|8a}}: pg. 6
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**{{Endn|8a}}: pg. 10
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*{{Endn|9}}: [[Blood Angels Painting Guide – Sons of Sanguinius]], pg. 6
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*{{Endn|10}}: [[Dataslate: Officio Assassinorum (Background Book)]], ''Callidus Temple''
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*11: [[Nemesis (Novel)]]
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**{{Endn|11a}}: Chapter Two
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**{{Endn|11b}}: Dramatis Personae
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*12: [[Assassinorum: Execution Force (Game)]], Rulebook:
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**{{Endn|12a}}: pg. 26
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**{{Endn|12b}}: pg. 27
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*{{Endn|13}}: [[Inquisitor: The Thorians]], pgs. 15–16
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*{{Endn|14}}: [[Deathwatch: Final Sanction]], pg. 27
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*{{Endn|15}}: [[Throne of Lies (Audio Drama)]]
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*{{Endn|16}}: [https://www.warhammer-community.com/2020/04/27/psychic-awakening-retaliation/ Warhammer Community: Psychic Awakening: Retaliation (Posted on 27/04/2020)] ''(last accessed 28 April 2020)''
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*{{Endn|17}}: [[White Dwarf 124 (2016)]], pg. 34 - ''White Dwarf's Regiments of Renown''
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*{{Endn|18}}: [[Assassinorum: Kingmaker (Novel)]], Chapter Eight
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*{{Endn|19}}: [[Codex: Imperial Agents (10th Edition)]], pg. 21
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*{{Endn|20}}: [[Fall of Macharius (Novel)]], Chapter 31
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===Uncited===
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{{Uncited}}
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*[[The Raven's Claw (Short Story)]]
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*[[Obvious Tactics (Graphic Novel)]]
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===External Links===
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*[http://www.specialist-games.com/assets/FO54InqAssassin.pdf Inquisitor Facets of Death]
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{{AssassinorumTemples}}
  
 
[[Category:Officio Assassinorum]]
 
[[Category:Officio Assassinorum]]
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[[Category:Troops (Officio Assassinorum)]]
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[[de:Callidus]]
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[[fr:Temple Callidus]]

Latest revision as of 22:51, 7 December 2025

"To assume the shape of the accursed, and deliver death from the purity within you."

- Dictatus Callidus[10]


Symbol of the Callidus Temple

The Callidus Temple is one of the temples of the Officio Assassinorum. They specialise in trickery, deception, deceit, infiltration and impersonation.

Operatives

A Callidus Assassin[12a]

The Callidus Assassins are the most cunning of all the assassins. Their greatest asset is their ability to use the shape-changing drug Polymorphine. This drug, coupled with special training, allows Callidus agents to change their very shape and appearance allowing them to impersonate other persons, members of the opposite sex, and even humanoid xenos like Orks and Eldar. Meh'Lindi, one of the most cunning agents, managed to successfully impersonate a Genestealer Hybrid at least twice (though she required additional surgery to complete the illusion).[1]

This makes them experts at getting close to their targets, be they rebellious Imperial Governors, corrupt Imperial high officials, heretic prophets, or alien leaders. This allows them to manipulate the enemy's plans and eventually assassinate the main target at the best possible moment. Once the target is eliminated, the Assassin may even replace the victim by assuming his appearance.[5] Polymorphine works better with women, and therefore the vast majority of the temple operatives are female.[10]

The traitor Primarch Konrad Curze, aka "Night Haunter", was assassinated by M'Shen, a Callidus Assassin. However, he allowed her intrusion as he wanted to die, to show that his rebellion was justified.[6]

Equipment

A Callidus Assassin

Callidus assassins, besides being exceptionally well-trained in martial arts, normally use whatever weapon they are able to carry in the presence of their target.[3] They would not normally use weapons other than those inconspicuous and easily concealed (digital weapons are commonly used, as well as even more unusual and exotic weapons). Even unarmed they are deadly, able to kill with a single touch. They also make use of more overt weapons such as the Phase Sword, Poison Blades, and the Neural Shredder.[7][8a] For psychological warfare, some Callidus Assassins will utilize Death Cards.[12b]

Known Callidus Assassins

Images

  • A Callidus Assassin[12a]

  • A Callidus assassin

Miniatures

Trivia

 

The following information is not to be regarded as officially sanctioned and/ or is not written from an in-universe point of view. A detailed explanation of the term "Trivia" as used in the Lexicanum can be found here.

  • "Callidus" is Latin for "cunning."

Sources

Uncited

 

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External Links


Temples of the Officio Assassinorum
Main Temples Callidus • Culexus • Eversor • Vindicare
Other Temples Adamus • Maerorus • Vanus • Venenum
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