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Adeptus Custodes

617 bytes added, 00:35, 16 July 2025

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Added {{CME}} and minor formatting.

===Combat History===

====Unification Era====

*[[Battle of Maulland Sen]]{{CME}}

*Battle for [[Vilifactor]]'s fortress{{Fn|25f}}

*Battle on the red fields of [[Primasalia]] with iron fiends{{Fn|25f}}

*[[Palace Coup]]{{Fn|28}}

====Great Crusade====

*Pacification of [[Ophelia VII]]{{CME}}*[[Proximan Betrayal]]{{CME}}*[[Battle of Gorro]]{{CME}}*[[Battle of Gyros-Thravian]]{{CME}}*[[Battle of 47-16]]{{CME}}

*[[Styxian Overmancers]] — Adeptus Custodes fought on its hellish fastness{{Fn|25f}}

*Fighting with the false empire of [[Pureblood Kings]]{{Fn|25f}}

*[[Coldharvest Campaign]]{{Fn|25f}}

*[[Ullanor Crusade]]{{Fn|25f}}

====Horus Heresy====

*[[Burning of Prospero]]{{CME}}

*[[Drop Site Massacre]] - A small squad of Custodes under [[Aquillon]] were slain by the [[Word Bearers]]{{Fn|15f}}

*First [[Siege of Cthonia]] - Three sodalities of the Legio Custodes took part in the battle.{{Fn|50}}

*[[Battle of Signus Prime]]{{CME}}*[[War Within the Webway]]{{CME}}*[[Axandrian Incident]]{{CME}}*[[Battle of Terra]]{{CME}}

*[[Great Scouring]]{{Fn|32}}

====Post-Heresy====

*[[War of the Beast_#Battle for Terra|Eldar raid on the Imperial Palace]]{{CME}}*[[Trynnect|Purging of Trynnect]]{{CME}}*[[Siege of the Eternity Gate]]{{CME}}*[[Dakhorth|Battle of Dakhorth]]{{CME}}*[[War for the Andromax System]]{{CME}}*[[Argentum|Waaagh! Deffbringa]]{{CME}}*[[Tyborial|Defense of Tyborial]]{{CME}}*[[Waaagh! Zagstomp]]{{CME}}*[[Years of Madness]]{{CME}}*[[Terran Crusade_#The Battle of Luna|Battle of Luna]]{{CME}}

*[[Battle of Lion's Gate]] and subsequently fighting against other [[Chaos Cult]]s on Terra{{Fn|29a}}

====Era Indomitus====

*[[Primarch's Scourge]]{{Fn|27}}

*Battling the [[Hexarchy]]'s Coup{{Fn|29a}}

*[[Battle of Othana V]]{{CME}}

*[[Battle of San Leor]]{{Fn|34}}

*[[Battle of the Ophelia System]]{{Fn|34}}

*Purging of the [[Wyrms of the Ur-Tendril]]{{CME}}*[[Vostagraad|Defense of Vostagraad]]{{CME}}*[[Victorium Crusade]]{{CME}}*[[Battle of Loqe II]]{{CME}}*[[Battle for the Aspis System]]{{CME}}*[[Indomitus Crusade]]{{CME}}**[[Battle of Vorlese]]{{CME}}**[[Battle of Gathalamor]]{{CME}}

**Battle of [[Khassedur]]{{Fn|31}}

**[[Battle of Raukos]]{{CME}}

**[[Plague Wars]]{{Fn|49}}

*Battle for [[Hydraphur]] against [[Black Legion]]{{Fn|25e}}

*The [[Fourth Tyrannic War]]{{Fn|48}}

**[[Battle of Bastior]]{{Fn|48}}

*[[Jovian Purge]]{{CME}}

==Organisation==

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.{{Fn|15i}}

*'''[[Captain-General]]''' — Chief Custodian to the Emperor{{Fn|1}}

*[[Custodian Tribunate]]{{CME}}

*'''Tribune''' — Senior Officer{{Fn|15b}}. There were 3 Tribunes during the Horus Heresy era, though now there are two.{{Fn|22b}}

*'''Proconsul'''{{Fn|17a}}

**'''[[Sagittarum Guard]]''' — A sub-unit of the Tharanatoi Caste, they were among the least common Custodes. Their primary role was the slaying of enemies from a distance and with the use of devastating heavy firepower. In addition, they were known as the sentries of the outer perimeters of the Imperial Palace.{{Fn|17c}}

*'''[[Ephoroi]]''' — A highly secretive order tasked with covert operations, counter-intelligence, assassination, and infiltration. During the Great Crusade it was said that they commanded the [[Officio Assassinorum]].{{Fn|17d}}

*'''[[Venetari]]''' - Fast [[Jump Pack]]-equipped infantry.{{CME}}

*'''[[Custodian Warden]]s''' — Elite warriors whose skill is above all others.{{Fn|23}}

*'''[[Vexilus Praetor]]s''' — [[Standard Bearer]]s{{Fn|23}}

*'''[[Warders of the Vaults of Rython]]''' — Shadowy sub-force of the Custodes deployed deep within the Imperial Palace.

*[[Eyes of the Emperor]] — Sect of retired Custodians{{CME}}*[[Dankanatoi]] - Created during the final days of the [[Horus Heresy]], intended to expunge all treachery from the Imperium.{{CME}}

*[[Blade Champion]] - Champions who seek out enemy leaders.{{Fn|37}}

[[Image:CustodesOrgArt.jpg|thumb|right|250px|Organisation of a Custodes battle deployment{{Fn|43c}}]]

====Shield-Hosts and Companies====

The modern Adeptus Custodes are deployed in contingents known as '''Sodalities''', '''Shield Companies''', and '''Shield Hosts'''.{{Fn|25a}}

[[Image:CustodesArt9th.jpg|thumb|right|250px|Warrior of the Adeptus Custodes{{Fn|34}}]]

Known such formations include the:

*The [[Aquilan Shield]] — Shield Company{{CME}}

*The [[Eagles Vigilans]] — Shield Company{{Fn|25c}}

*The [[Gilded Talons]] — Shield Company. Fights under Shield-Captain [[Archturus Paliades]].{{Fn|25a}}

*The [[Solar Furies]] — Shield Host which battled the [[Necrons]] awakening on a world perilously near Terra in late [[M36]].{{Fn|25a}}

*The [[Fury of Terra]] — Shield Host{{Fn|25c}}

*The [[Shadowkeepers]] — Shield Host{{CME}}*The [[Emissaries Imperatus]] — Shield Host{{CME}}

*The [[Guardians Stellar]] — Shield Host{{Fn|51c}}

*The [[Solar Watch]] — Shield Host{{CME}}*The [[Dread Host]] — Shield Host{{CME}}*The [[Gilded Fist]]{{CME}}

*The [[Vigilia Circumspectus]] — Shield Host{{Fn|43d}}

*The [[Technologors Noctus Cognis]] — Shield Host{{Fn|43d}}

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

For armament, the Custodes are renowned for carrying [[Guardian Spear]]s, 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.{{Fn|2}}{{Fn|4a}}{{Fn|5}} Other melee weapons carried by Custodes include the Guardian Spear's cousins, the [[Interceptor Lance]] and the [[Venatari Lance]], as well as [[Sentinel Blade]]s (and their rarer cousins, [[Vaultsword]]s), [[Misericordia]], [[Custodes Vexilla]]e{{Fn|13}}, and [[Castellan Axe]]s.{{CME}}

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-Rhino]]s, [[Caladius]], [[Pallas]], and [[Coronus]] [[Grav-Tank]]s, and '''Paragon Pattern''' [[Jetbike]]s.{{Fn|4}} For aircraft, they used the [[Orion Gunship|Orion]] and [[Ares Gunship|Ares]] gunships.{{Fn|55}}

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.){{Fn|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.{{Fn|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.{{~~Cite This~~CME}}

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.{{Fn|22b}}

==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 marine]]s 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.{{Fn|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.{{Fn|12}} Recent sources, however, seem to firmly establish that the Custodes were created from the flesh and blood of the Emperor himself. {{Fn|19}} The genetic enhancement that forms the Custodes is different from and predates that developed to create the [[Space Marines]].{{Fn|3}} Each Custodian is a unique work of art, the product of genetic lore collected over many lifetimes.{{Fn|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.{{Fn|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 Marine]]s. Rather, bio-alchemy is used to trigger the subject's own transformation, an effect that takes root in their cells and very soul.{{Fn|25d}}

*''[[Ferrum Raptoris]]'' — Star-Keep located in orbit around [[Mars]], beyond the orbit of [[Phobos]]{{Fn|25b}}

*''[[Manifest Judgement]]'' - [[Archaeotech]] vessel and flagship of [[Trajann Valoris]]' [[Solblade]] Fleet in the [[Fourth Tyrannic War]]{{Fn|48}}

*''[[Moiraides]]'' — Trio of vessels used by the [[Dread Host]].{{CME}}

*''[[Oracle Maximus]]'' — Star-Keep guarding the [[Sol System]]. Located on the star line between Sol and [[Vordrast]]{{Fn|25b}}

*''[[Prescience]]'' — Star-Keep guarding the [[Sol System]]. Located on the star line between Sol and [[Hydraphur]]{{Fn|25b}}

[[File:Custode Legionaries.jpg|300px|right|thumb|While Custodians often fought as lone operatives, it was not uncommon for them to work in groups in special circumstances{{Fn|4d}}]]

====Heresy-era====

* Chief Custodian [[Constantin Valdor]] — [[Captain-General]] of the Legio Custodes, during the Great Crusade and Horus Heresy.{{Fn|3}} He is joined by the Ares Guard, his bodyguard and command unit.{{Fn|4c}}* Tribune [[Kadai Vilaccan]] — Killed during the [[War Within the Webway]]{{Fn|15a}}* Tribune [[Jasac]] — Killed during the [[War Within the Webway]]{{Fn|15a}}* Tribune [[Ra Endymion]] — [[Hykanatoi]], last Tribune leading the [[War Within the Webway]]{{Fn|15a}}* [[Diocletian Coros]], Prefect of the [[Hykanatoi]]{{Fn|15a}}* [[Khorarinn]]{{CME}}* [[Zhanmadao Navenar]], Prefect of the [[Tharanatoi]]{{fn|15a}} part of his face ruined during the War Within the Webway{{fn|15j}}* [[Amon Tauromachian]]{{Fn|3}}

*[[Samonas]]{{Fn|28}}

* [[Brokur]]{{Fn|3}}* [[Haedo Emankon]]{{Fn|3}}*[[Garudo]]{{CME}}* [[Justinian Arcadius]] — Custodes Sentinel{{Fn|4b}}* [[Saturnalia]]{{Fn|7}}* [[Sumant Giri Phalguni Tirtha]]{{Fn|11}}* [[Uttam Luna Hesh Udar]]{{Fn|11}}* [[Zerin]]{{Fn|3}}* [[Ixion Hale]] — Tribune{{CME}}* [[Kalimak Sebran]] - [[Ephoroi]] Prefect{{CME}}* [[Tsutomu]] - [[Custodian Warden|Prefect Warden]]{{Fn|30}}* [[Abram Hasrubal]] — [[Contemptor-Achillus Dreadnought]]{{CME}}* [[Sagittarus Malacque]] — [[Contemptor Pattern Dreadnought]]{{fn|15a}}, survived War Within the Webway after suffering severe damage{{fn|15j}}*[[Hasturias Calaxor]] — Was a [[Shield-Captain]], is now a [[Contemptor Dreadnought]]{{CME}}*[[Diolos Akrodius]] - Founder of the [[Dankanatoi]]{{CME}}*[[Debeeran Kalimakon]] - [[Telemon Heavy Dreadnought]] assigned to [[Lorgar]]{{CME}}* [[Aquillon]] — ''Occuli Imperator''{{Fn|6}} — Prefect of the Hykanatoi assigned to watch Lorgar and killed during his betrayal .{{fn|15j}}*[[Uzkarel Ophite]] - Proconsul of the [[Hetaeron Guard]]{{CME}}*[[Caecaltus Dusk]] - Proconsul of the [[Hetaeron Guard]]{{CME}}*[[Andolen]] - Prefect of the [[Hetaeron Guard]]{{CME}}*[[Sola Morvae Arcas]] - [[Shield Captain]]{{CME}}* [[Kalhin]]{{Fn|6}}* [[Nirulus]]{{Fn|6}}* [[Sythran]]{{Fn|6}} Member of Squad Dynastes assigned to Aquillon and killed during Lorgar's betrayal{{fn|15j}}* [[Vendatha]]{{Fn|6}}, assigned to [[Corax]].*[[Arcatus]]{{CME}}*[[Hanumarasi]] - Member of the Hykanatoi.{{CME}}

====Post-Enthronement====

*[[Beyreuth]] — [[Captain-General]] during the [[War of the Beast]]{{CME}}*[[Adronitus]]{{CME}}

*[[Achallor]] - [[Shield-Captain]]{{Fn|35}}

*[[Maldovar Colquan]] — Tribune{{CME}}

*[[Navradaran]] — investigated the cult of the "Fallen Angel" on [[Terra]] during the 41st Millennium{{fn|20}}

*[[Aesoth Koumadra]] — [[Captain-General]]{{CME}}

*[[Excelsor]] — [[Captain-General]] during the [[Age of Apostasy]]{{fn|21b}}

*[[Tybanus Lencilius]] — Captain-General [[M40]] — [[M41]]{{CME}}*[[Galahoth]] — Captain-General [[M41]]{{CME}}*[[Andros Launceddre]] — Captain-General [[M41]]{{CME}}*[[Trajann Valoris]] — [[Captain-General]] during the [[Thirteenth Black Crusade]]{{CME}}*[[Valerian]] — [[Shield-Captain]]{{CME}}*[[Aadilus]] — [[Shield-Captain]]{{CME}}

*[[Marcus Achallor]] - [[Shield-Captain]]{{Fn|36}}

*[[Longinus]] - Companion{{Fn|34}}

*[[Heracleon]] — Tribune{{CME}}*[[Italeo]] — Tribune{{CME}}

*[[Leontios Nikel Theodoso Galba]] - Prefect{{Fn|43a}}

*[[Oldorian Mefistal]]{{Fn|43a}}

*[[Arrian Porphyrius ]] - Former Lockwarden{{Fn|43a}}

*[[Konstans Pulkyria Herakloni]]{{Fn|43a}}

*[[Ynnades]] — [[Contemptor Dreadnought]]{{CME}}*[[Borsa Thursk]] — Current [[Lockwarden]]{{CME}}*[[Jaeharl Feldorus Ghau]] — Warden{{CME}}*[[Tauramacchis Ossian]] — Warden{{CME}}*[[Pontus Varsillian]] - Warden{{CME}}*[[Astoran Kalos]] — [[Hetaeron Guard|Companion]]{{CME}}*[[Heraclast Vadrian]]{{CME}}*[[Daryth]] — Shield-Captain{{CME}}*[[Hasturias Calaxor]] — Shield-Captain — Later [[Contemptor Dreadnought]]{{CME}}*[[Anatolyn Ganorth]] — Shield-Captain{{CME}}*[[Nathadian Steale]] — Shield-Captain{{CME}}

*[[Oenas]] - Shield-Captain - Acted as [[Captain-General]] [[Trajann Valoris|Valoris]]' intermediary delegate during the [[Hexarchy]] coup{{Fn|29e}}

*[[Pertinax (Custodes)|Pertinax]]{{Fn|27}}

*[[Pydanoris Calligus]] — [[Warden]]{{CME}}*[[Archimallus Tychor]] — Warden{{CME}}*[[Eratorius]] — [[Contemptor Dreadnought]]{{CME}}*[[Darian (Dreadnought)|Darian]] — Dreadnought{{CME}}*[[Uriaxes]] — Dreadnought{{CME}}*[[Talorian]] — Dreadnought{{CME}}*[[Euramedes]] — Dreadnought{{CME}}

*[[Ujoma]] - Dreadnought during the [[Hexarchy]] coup{{Fn|29b}}

*[[Ravathain]] - [[Vexilus Praetor]] of [[Shield-Captain]] [[Valerian]]'s [[Argent Chamber]], during the Hexarchy coup{{Fn|29c}}

*[[Kalluin]] - [[Eyes of the Emperor]] during the Hexarchy coup{{Fn|29d}}

*[[Ukende]] - [[Apothecary (Adeptus Custodes)|Apothecary]] during the Hexarchy coup{{Fn|29d}}

*[[Aristothes Carvellan]] - [[Blade Champion]]{{CME}}

*[[Hayani Rimush]] - Blade Champion{{Fn|41}}

*[[Calladayce Taurovalia Kesh]] - [[Blood Games]] participant.{{CME}}*[[Bayezara Aggonades]] - [[Emissaries Imperatus]] [[Shield Captain]]{{CME}}

*[[Tyrith Shiva Kyrus]]{{Fn|53}}

*[[Stateriel]] - [[Solar Watch]] member{{CME}}

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