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The Adeptus Custodes were known originally as the '''Legio Custodes''' or '''Custodian Guard'''. The original Custodians were the first genetically and psychologically altered warriors to appear in the Emperor's armies during the [[Terran]] [[Unification Wars]], where they served as the Emperor's personal bodyguard.{{Fn|4a}} The original recruits of the Custodes were from the offspring of Terran nobility.{{Fn|19}} Some of these were later grouped into [[Squad Dynastes]], dubbed the ''Lords of Terra''.{{Fn|56}} The first known appearance of the Custodes was early in the Unification Wars during the fall of the [[Techno-Barbarian]] fortress at [[Wikipedia: Nassau (region)|Nas'sau]].{{Fn|17d17a}} However, the origins of the Custodian Guard are shrouded in myth and legend. During the Great Crusade, the Custodes always kept a contingent with the Emperor for his protection, but also traveled individually as envoys. The Emperor valued the Custodians above all his other warriors, and while he was willing to expend countless servants he was always hesitant to bleed his Praetorians.{{Fn|15}} After the Emperor's internment in the Golden Throne, the Adeptus Custodes took a limited role as protectors of the Imperial Palace, as ordered by Roboute Guilliman in the [[Edict of Restraint]].{{Fn|19}}{{Fn|22c}}

The Custodes were equipped with the best [[power armour]] of the age, and had access to the most highly advanced weaponry and vehicles of the Imperium, including designs that were not permitted to the [[Space Marine Legion]]s.{{Fn|17b17e}} After the end of the [[Horus Heresy]] and the enthronement of the [[Emperor]], the Custodes were said to have changed the colour of their cloaks from red to black to symbolise the darkness that had fallen over their order.{{Fn|2b}} To further mark their failure many, such as those in the [[Hetaeron Guard]], stopped wearing all but their black helms, capes, and loincloths.{{Fn|56}} However others such as those in the [[Ephoroi]] were observed still wearing standard power armour.{{Fn|22d}} By the end of the [[41st Millennium]] with the reappearance of [[Roboute Guilliman]], the Custodes abandoned their shrouds of shame and were seen again wearing their traditional red garments and power armour.{{Fn|19}}

The warriors of the Adeptus Custodes are a department of the [[Adeptus Terra]], the Imperial government, but its members are answerable only to the Emperor and their own leaders. The organisation's leader carries the title of [[Captain-General]], and due to the importance of the Adeptus Custodes they often hold a position in the Senate of the [[High Lords of Terra]]{{Fn|1}}. Below them are two '''Tribunes''', though during the Heresy era there were three.{{Fn|22b}} Individual squads of Custodes are overseen by [[Shield-Captains]].{{Fn|13}}. The Custodes' nerve centre and command & control headquarters is the [[Tower of Hegemon]] within the Imperial Palace{{Fn|3}}, while a small elite of three hundred Custodes, known as the [[Companions]], form the Emperor's personal bodyguard and never leave his side.

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

*'''Tribune''' — Senior Officer.{{Fn|15b}}. There were 3 Tribunes during the Horus Heresy era, though now there are two.{{Fn|22b}}*'''Proconsul'''{{Fn|17a17d}}

*'''Lictor'''{{Fn|17a17d}}

*'''[[Shield-Captain]]''' — Squad Leader.{{Fn|13}}. These are the most veteran, well-knowledged, and experienced Custodians. The rank exists concurrently with other Custodian titles such as Prefect, Lictor, Proconsul, and Tribune.*'''Custodian'''{{Fn|17a17d}}

*'''[[Hykanatoi]]'''{{fnFn|15a}}- The main strength of the Custodian Guard. These are [[Guardian Spear]]-equipped heavy infantry. Their numbers included the Custodian Guard proper as well as several specialised units**'''[[Sentinel Guard]]''' — The defensive formations of the Custodes, used to defend emissaries and special facilities. During battle, they would be charged with holding the line against enemy onslaughts and as such had a greater level of teamwork than the rest of the Custodes. Sentinels were normally equipped with [[Praesidium Shield]]s and [[Sentinel Blade]]s.{{Fn|17b17e}}**'''[[Hetaeron Guard]]''' — The elite inner circle of the Custodes. The Hetaeron Guard formed the personal guard of the Emperor himself and frequently acted as his aides and confidants. The Hetaeron Guard would only leave the Emperor's side under the most dire of circumstances.{{Fn|17b17e}}*'''[[Kataphraktoi]]'''{{fnFn|15a}} — [[Imperial Jetbike|Jetbikers]].{{fnFn|15f}}. They form fast attack and reconnaissance units known as '''[[Agamatus Jetbike Squadron]]s''' or [[Vertus Praetor]]s.{{Fn|24}}. The Kataphraktoi also operate the Custodes fighters and gunships.{{Fn|17d17a}}*'''[[Moritoi]]'''{{fnFn|15a}} — The smallest unit of the Custodes, they consisted of wounded brothers and sisters interred within [[Contemptor Pattern Dreadnought|Dreadnoughts]].{{fnFn|15e}}{{Fn|17d17a}}*'''[[Tharanatoi]]'''{{fnFn|15a}} — [[Terminator|Terminators]]s.{{fnFn|15g}}. They serve as elite shock troops, siege units, and counter-attackers.**'''[[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|17c17f}}*'''[[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|17d17a}}*'''[[Venetari]]''' - Fast [[Jump Pack]]-equipped infantry.{{Fn|67}}*'''[[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.

The [[Adeptus Custodes]] are clad in finely wrought golden armour, superior even to that worn by Astartes.{{Fn|6}} Each suit is custom made and fitted to its wearer, a work of art in its own right. The name of its owner is inscribed within the interior of the suit. Each suit is inlaid with gems mined from Terra itself and cut by skilled artisans; these will be changed whenever the Custodian switches roles to reflect their new position.{{Fn|4417c}}{{Fn|4644}}{{Fn|45}}. Their Power Armour is forged in the secret armouries of the Custodes, somewhere within the labyrinthine halls of the [[Imperial Palace|Imperial Archives]]{{Fn|47}}, and is made from [[Auramite]] as opposed to [[Ceramite]]{{Fn|15c}}. The servos and motors of the Custodes' armour are nearly completely silent. Custodes power armour also includes a built-in grav chute and internal air supply. Each suit's helmet includes an internal vox, an altimeter, ambient neutralisers and a hololithic schematic overlay map.{{Fn|4417c}}{{Fn|4644}}{{Fn|45}}

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 manoeuvrings of the Imperium's various agencies, while still remaining an awe-inspiring warrior.{{Fn|22e}}

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 counsellors in addition to being trained rigorously in the art of combat.{{Fn|22b}}

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|17d17a}} 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}}

*[[Abram Hasrubal]] — [[Contemptor-Achillus Dreadnought]]{{Fn|46a17b}}

*[[Aristothes Carvellan]] - [[Blade Champion]]{{Fn|7446}}

*15: [[Master of Mankind (Novel)]]:**{{Endn|15a}}: ''Dramatis Personae''

*17: [[The Horus Heresy Book Seven - Inferno]]:**{{Endn|17a}}: pgpgs. 252114–117**{{Endn|17b}}: pg. 260–265118**{{Endn|17c}}: pg. 277251**{{Endn|17d}}: pg. 114–117252**{{Endn|17e}}: pgs. 260–265**{{Endn|17f}}: pg. 277

*43: [[Codex: Adeptus Custodes (9th Edition)]]:

*{{Endn|46}}: [[The Horus Heresy Book Seven https://www.warhammer- Inferno]], pgcommunity. 251**{{Endn|46a}}com/2021/10/30/warhammer-day-2021-take-the-fight-to-terra-itself-with-the-next-battle-box-and-codexes-for-warhammer-40000/ Warhammer Community: pg. 118Warhammer Day 2021 – Take the Fight to Terra Itself With the Next Battle Box and Codexes for Warhammer 40,000 (Posted on 30/10/2021)] ''(last accessed 30 October 2021)''

*{{Endn|49}}: [[Dark Imperium: Godblight (Novel)]] , Chapter 10

*51: [[Codex: Adeptus Custodes (10th Edition)]]:

*{{Endn|54}}: [[Warhammer 40,000: The Ultimate Guide]], pg.125

*{{Endn|56}}: [[Era The Carrion Lord of Ruin the Imperium (AnthologyShort Story)]] - [[The Carrion Lord Era of the Imperium Ruin (Short StoryAnthology)]]

*{{Endn|58}}: [[ The Horus Heresy Book One - Betrayal]], pgs. 102–104

*{{Endn|64}}: [[ Throneworld (Novel)]] – Chapters 4-5*{{Endn|65}}: [[ Gathering Storm: Rise of the Primarch]] – Part III