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The '''Callidus Temple''' is one of the temples of the [[Officio Assassinorum]]. ''Callidus'' is Latin for "cunning" - which characterizes the methods employed by the TempleThey specialise in trickery, deception, deceit, infiltration and impersonation.

The Callidus Assassins are the most cunning of all the assassins - they specialise in trickery, deception, deceit, infiltration and impersonation. 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|aliens]] like [[Ork]]s and [[Eldar]]. [[Meh'Lindi]], one of the most cunning agents, managed to successfully impersonate a [[Genestealer Hybrid]] at least two times^{twice (though she required additional surgery to complete the illusion).{{Fn|1,}}{{Fn|2}.}}

This makes them experts at getting close to their targettargets, be it they rebellious [[Planetary Governor|Imperial Governor]]s, corrupt Imperial high officials, heretic prophets, or alien leaders, etc. 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.{{Cite This}}

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.}}

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 [[C'tan Phase Sword]] and the [[Neural Shredder]]^{.{{Fn|7,}}{{Fn|8}.}}

The C'tan phase swords have a special link to the [[Necron]] gods, the [[C'tan]]. A report tells 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.^{{Fn|4}}

*^{{Endn|1}}: ''[[The Alien Beast Within (Short Story)]]'' by [[Ian Watson]] (N.B. One has to mention that Meh'Lindi had to undergo special surgery to be able to impersonate a Genestealer hybrid).*^{{Endn|2}}: [[Inquisition War (Novel Series)]] by [[Ian Watson]], {{Cite This}}*^{{Endn|3}}: [[Eternal Damnation (Graphic Novel)]], comic strip ''The lonis gambit'' by [[Christian Dunn]].*^{{Endn|4}}: [[Codex: Necrons (3rd Edition)]], ppg. 8*^{{Endn|5}}: [[Warhammer 40,000: Rogue Trader]], ppg. 170*^{{Endn|6}}: [[Index Astartes II]], {{Cite This}}*^{{Endn|7}}: [[Codex: Assassins (2nd Edition)]], {{Cite This}}*^{{Endn|8}}: [[Codex: Assassins (3rd Edition)]], {{Cite This}}===Uncited==={{Uncited}}*''[[The Raven's Claw (Short Story)]]'' by [[Jonathan Curran]]. *[[Obvious Tactics (Graphic Novel)]], by [[David Pugh]].*[[Thorion Thorian Faction Sourcebook]]