Adeptus Custodes Codex (Fanmade)

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Adeptus Custodes Codex

"These men are my bodyguards, their lives forfeit to the guarantee of my physical safety.
Of their loyalty to me there shall be no question nor doubt. I, and I alone, shall have the
authority to stand in judgement over them. No other commander shall they have in battle
nor in service. None shall bar them from me and none shall hamper or stall their mission.
So it is decreed!"
Ancient declaration made by the Emperor of Mankind during the Age of Strife
Introduction
The Adeptus Custodes (The Guardians, Watchers of The Throne, The Thousand
Companions) are the guardians of the Imperial Palace and the Golden Throne, as well as being
the personal bodyguard to the Emperor. Due to the vast size of the Imperial Palace, the Custodes
always act as a defensive army. It is the Adeptus Custodes that decide who may enter the throne
room of the Emperor, and when.
As of M41 the Custodes themselves usually never leave Terra, and only rarely leave the
Palace. However, with Abaddons most recent Black Crusade and several other dire threats to the
Imperium, small squads of Custodes can be seen fighting on the battlefield, often with a specific
goal in mind. Much of their involvements go undocumented because the Cutstodes make sure
that word of their presence on a battlefield is covered up, keeping their enemies in the dark about
their true objective.
Organization
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
organization's leader carries the title of Captain-General, and due to the importance of the
Adeptus Custodes he often holds a position in the Senate of the High Lords of Terra. The
Custodes' nerve center and command & control headquarters is the Tower of Hegemon within
the Imperial Palace. A small elite of three hundred Custodes, known as the Companions, form the
Emperor's personal bodyguard and never leave his side.
The exact size of the Custodes is unclear. Some sources stated 1,000 while others say
10,000

Appearance and Equipment


Generally, the Custodes are larger and much more powerful than Space Marines, however
they are far more alike to the legendary Thunder Warriors, as they were created by a similar
process.

The uniforms of the Custodians are traditional but effective: boots, leather breeches and
long black cloaks. Their torsos are naked and corded with tattooed muscle. Their tall, brazen
helmets, ominous and all-enclosing, give them a threatening and impersonal appearance; ancient
and ornate, the helmets incorporate advanced protective equipment and communicators.
Originally the traditional color of the Custodes was red; following the confinement of the
Emperor after the defeat of Horus, it was changed to black. The armor of the Custodes is a finely
wrought form of Power Armor greater than that of even Astartes models. The Custodes are
renowned for carrying Guardian Spears, 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.
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. However the origins of the Custodian Guard are shrouded in myth and
legend. 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. 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. The truth will likely never be known.
The genetic enhancement that forms the Custodes is different from and predates that
developed to create the Space Marines. During the Great Crusade, the Custodes always kept a
contingent with the Emperor for his protection, but also traveled individually as envoys. Since
the Emperor's internment in the Golden Throne, the Adeptus Custodes have taken a more limited
role as protectors of the Imperial Palace.
Originally, they were equipped with the best power armor of the age, and had access to
the same type of equipment and weapons as had the Space Marine Legions. Equipment which
was characteristic of the Custodes would influence the equipment of the later Grey Knights.
After the confinement of the Emperor within the Golden Throne, the Custodes abandoned,
among other things, the use of their armor, and their traditional color of red was changed to
black.

The Custodians ring the Golden Throne.

During the Age of Apostasy, the Adeptus Custodes reemerged briefly during the siege of
the Ecclesiarchal Palace of Terra in the reign of Goge Vandire. During this time, the Custodes
attempted to make their way towards Vandire, halted only by the Brides of the Emperor whom
Vandire had convinced into becoming his personal bodyguards. After a long and fruitless
discussion, the Custodes convinced the leader of the Brides, Alicia Dominica, to return with
them to the presence of the Emperor. What happened during that moment is unknown, but the
effects resulted in the Brides of the Emperor rebelling against Vandire, ending his reign once and
for all.

Outlook and training


Although the Custodes were among the first modified warriors to be created by the
Emperor, they were never intended to be part of a conquering army; such a role was to be filled
by the latter Astartes armies. This is revealed both in their mindset and training, where the
Custodes do not fight as brothers and as a greater whole but rather as individual warriors. This is
in stark contrast to Space Marines, who employ a high degree of teamwork and collective tactics
in battle. At least some Astartes look down on the Custodes for these tactics, and it may be that
this was deliberately designed so that they shared a bond with none but the Emperor himself.
While Custodians share a genetic kinship with one another within the formation, they do
not foster the same spirit of brotherhood that is instilled within the Astartes in order to function
together as a unit. Indeed, each Custodian prepares and inspects his equipment individually,
rather than on military parade. The individuality of each Custodes is further promoted by the fact
that the processes required to produce them is not as refined or as simple as that of the Astartes
and thus are not "mass-produced" as the Astartes are; meaning that each Custodian is a unique
investment for the Imperium. One ritual that the Custodes do share is the recognition of mighty
deeds, manifested in the awarding of names, which are added to the Custodian's title to represent
the actions he has performed in service to the Emperor (Constantin Valdor obtained 1932 names
prior to the assault on Terra). Such names were inscribed onto the inside of the warrior's battle
armor as marks of individual pride.
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 organization 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.)

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 him to navigate the political
maneuverings of the Imperium's various agencies, while still remaining an awe-inspiring warrior.

Blood Games:
The Blood Games are an exercise practiced by the Adeptus Custodes, through which
members of the Custodes act as enemy combatants and attempt to penetrate the security of the
Imperial Palace on Terra. This enables the Custodes to anticipate an enemy's moves and
constantly update and adapt their security measures, to ensure that the Golden Throne remains
unharmed.
Role and Capabilities:
The similarities in form between the Adeptus Astartes and the Adeptus Custodes indicate
the two groups may be related, although it is unknown whether the members of the Adeptus
Custodes undergo the rigorous genetic change in the same way as the members of the Adeptus
Astartes. Several fragmentary Imperial records indicate that creation of a Custodian is a long and
arduous process, utterly different from the creation process for a standard Astartes and much
costlier, thus their relatively smaller numbers in the galaxy compared to the Space Marines. The
Custodes have the final word on security in the Imperial Palace, and even the High Lords of
Terra are subservient to them within its walls.
The Custodes are warriors unmatched in the galaxy, genetically-engineered by the
Emperor himself. The Emperor engineered few of these warriors once the swifter method for
creating superhuman warriors using Space Marine gene-seed became more viable. The martial
capabilities of the Adeptus Custodes remain largely unknown at the present time. What is known
is that they possess skill beyond even a "normal" member of the Adeptus Astartes. It has been
said that the Adeptus Custodes 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. 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. The truth
will likely never be known. The Adeptus Custodes are similar to the Grey Knights, the elite
Chamber Militant of the Ordo Malleus branch of the Inquisition, in that both are elite, secret
organizations with close ties to the Emperor. Custodes are unique as they have neither a known
Primarch nor do they use gene-seed to produce their genetic modifications. They stand a full
head taller than a Space Marine and it is said that they were almost the same size as a Primarch.
In fact it was said that Constantin Valdor, Captain-General of the Legio Custodes and Chief
Custodian to the Emperor during the Horus Hersey, was the same size as the Traitor Primarch
Alpharius of the Alpha Legion.

Only 300 Custodes serve as the actual personal guard of the Emperor, called the
Emperor's Companions, who guard the Emperor's chambers at all times. These are those
Custodes that are privileged enough to be in the Emperor's physical presence. Each unit of
Companions is led by a Centurion. It was one such Centurion that led a small group of
Companions to meet Alicia Dominica, head of the Brides of the Emperor (later Sisters of Battle)
during Goge Vandire's Reign of Blood in the Age of Apostasy during the 36th Millennium.
One of the Companions, Constantin Valdor, was the Captain-General and Chief
Custodian during the Horus Heresy. He was the most honored of all of the Emperor of Mankind's
creations. No other being had served the Emperor for as long as he, save for the Imperial Regent
of Terra, the potent psyker Malcador the Sigillite. Valdor was a proud and respectful warrior
unmatched in his devotion and loyalty to the Emperor. Valdor was ever-present at the Emperor's
side, always protecting him from unseen enemies and he saved the Emperor's life innumerable
times. Along with Malcador, Valdor was the Emperor's most trusted friend and advisor.
Constantin Valdor was one of the first High Lords of Terra chosen after the end of the
Horus Heresy to guide the Imperium forward following the Emperor's internment within the
Golden Throne. He also had a close relationship with the Primarchs Rogal Dorn and Leman
Russ, although initially Russ and Valdor did not see eye to eye. Dorn was ever-present at the
Imperial Palace during the Great Crusade and so Valdor and the Primarch spent much time
together. On the other hand, Valdor only earned Russ' respect when the former defeated Horus in
a sparring match. The two then served together in combat during the Fall of Prospero when the
Custodes and the Space Wolves joined to punish the Thousand Sons Legion of Magnus the Red
for his continued use of sorcery despite the edicts of the Council of Nikaea. There is no record of
when or how Valdor was killed or if he was even killed at all. He eventually stepped down from
the Senatorum Imperialis as a High Lord so that he could continue to devote all of his attention
to protecting his beloved Emperor, now encased within the Golden Throne.
While Space Marines don their armor ritually and in the presence of their squadmates in
order to focus themselves entirely on their martial calling, Custodians arm themselves alone and
in silence, reflecting on the varied duties they must perform in the service of their master. As
bodyguards, the Custodes not only protect the Emperor's person but also maintain scrupulous
surveillance on all the other factions of the Imperium to police their loyalty, infiltrate the
households of suspicious individuals among the Imperial nobility, and enter deep cover to test
the tightness of their own security within the Imperial Palace, exercises which are called Blood
Games. Additionally, these records also confirm that each Custodian's name consists of
numerous components typically awarded for feats of arms; Valdor's full name, for instance, is
over nine hundred components long.
Wargear
Pre-Heresy:

A Custodian in full regalia

During the days of the Great Crusade the warriors of the Legio Custodes wore a goldcolored variant pattern of Power Armor similar to that once worn by the Emperor Himself. These
superior warriors can be seen adorned with all manner of lightning bolts, the symbol of the
Emperor during the Unification Wars on Terra prior to the use of the Imperial Aquila, as well as
aquiline and knightly crosses. Little is known of the wargear and capabilities available to such a
secretive organization, but the visual sources give the impression of immensely ornate armor.
Custodians are typically seen with a Guardian Spear which, in the days before the Horus Heresy,
was actually a combination of a Force Halberd with a Bolter. This made the weapon powerful at
range as well as deadly effective in close-combat. A Gladius is normally seen at their side. The
Custodian Gaius Commodus carried a modified version of the ancient Guardian Spear. It is
rumored that the spear itself was a relic given to him by Constantin Valdor, the Captain-General
of the Custodians during the Horus Heresy.
At Present:
Before the Emperor's internment within the Golden Throne, the Custodes had access to
the same wargear as the Legions of the Space Marines. However, since then they have taken a far
more limited role in Imperial affairs, and almost never leave Terra and only very rarely leave the
Imperial Palace. Accordingly, although the Imperial Palace covers a vast geographic area on
Terra, their wargear choices would now be limited to what is necessary to defend the Palace and
would be drawn from modified or slightly superior versions of standard Astartes wargear. The
traditional color worn with the golden armor of Adeptus Custodes was red, but following the
internment of the Emperor into the Golden Throne after the defeat of Horus upon his flagship
during the Battle of Terra, this color was changed to black. This bleak color change reflects that
the Custodians are now in permanent mourning for failing to protect the Emperor in His hour of
need.

Ancient depiction by an Imperial artisan of the Legio Custodes

Rogue Trader:
In Rogue Trader (1st Edition) the Custodes were the Guardians of the Emperor and the Imperial
Palace. They wore simple but effective clothing: boots, leather breeches and a black cloak, their
torsos were naked and corded with tattooed muscle, and they carried laser-tipped halberds said to
have been built to resemble the traditional Guardian Spears. Their helms were tall and ornate
works of art, giving the Custodes a threateningly impassive appearance. They were considered
superior to the Astartes of the time, although not as loyal to the Emperor. Clearly, this version of
the Custodes has long since been superseded.

The Secret War on Terra:


Occasionally you see questions raised on forums regarding their effectiveness after apparently
spending 10,000 years on guard duty, suggesting that despite their biological augmentations;
without any actual combat experience they might have simply become a symbolic organization
since Terra is so well defended by other means.
In fact, the Custodians sat through most of the Age of Apostasy, not participating until the last
moment to bring order when the fighting made it to the Imperial Palace. They also were
mysteriously absent during The Beheading when the Officio Assassinorum started leveling city
blocks. Added to the fact that the admittedly very old pictures of Custodians show them not even
bothering to wear their armor any more indicates that they don't actually have very much to do
these days.
However, one very important fact remains: The Golden Throne is a portal to the Webway which
was broken, and it takes the Emperor every ounce of his concentration to stop that energy
spilling out into a new Eye of Terror. Underneath the Imperial Palace Malcador the Sigillite
showed one of the human founders of the Inquisition a series of adamantium doors the size of
Imperator Titans, and even when standing at the first door it sounds like the greatest battle of all
time was going on behind them.

The Custodians are fighting a warp incursion on Terran soil 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365
days a year for 10 000 years. A battle which cannot be won unless someone figures out how to
fix the Throne and seal the breach, and since only the Emperor knew how it operated in the first
place it's likely that the incursion can only be held at bay. The Custodians visible throughout the
palace are simply being rotated out for rest and recuperation and nobody knows about the major
warzone underneath their feet.

Notable Custodes

Constantin Valdor, the Captain-General and Chief Custodian of the Legio Custodes during the Horus Heresy

Constantin Valdor - Constantin Valdor was the Chief Custodian and Captain-General of
the Legio Custodes during the Great Crusade and the Horus Heresy. Just prior to the
outbreak of the Horus Heresy, Valdor was charged by the Emperor to accompany the
Primarch Leman Russ of the Space Wolves in bringing the Primarch Magnus the Red of

the Thousand Sons to account for breaking promises he had made during the Council of
Nikaea which had strictly forbidden the use of sorcery and psychic powers within the
Imperium. Valdor, with a contingent of the elite Custodian Guard, fought alongside Russ
and the Space Wolves during the Fall of Prospero. He and his forces were responsible for
killing at least three of the greatest psykers of the Thousand Sons Legion and routing a
force much more numerous than their own. He was also responsible for saving Bjorn the
Fell-Handed when his arm was corrupted by the sorcerous powers of a Thousand Sons
psyker. Valdor sliced Bjorn's arm off to prevent the corruption from overrunning his body.
After Horus' betrayal became known to the Imperium, Valdor was present during the
meetings of the Officio Assassinorum's Clade Sires and Siresses. It was Valdor who
suggested that an Assassin from each Clade operate as a team to assassinate Horus, rather
than act alone as was the standard mode of operation. It is currently known that after the
Horus Heresy Valdor would become a High Lord of Terra, but would eventually step
down voluntarily to protect his beloved Emperor.

Aquillion - Aquillion served as the Occuli Imperator, the "Eyes of the Emperor," the
Custodian who was assigned to watch over the Primarch Lorgar and his Word Bearers
Legion after they were found to have violated the Emperor's trust during the Great
Crusade by spreading their belief that the Emperor was a God to newly conquered human
worlds. Aquillion and a team of four other Custodians (Vendatha, Sythran, Nirllus and
Kalhin) were assigned to the Word Bearers Legion after that Legion's humiliation on the
world of Khur and the destruction of that planet's capital city of Monarchia by the
Ultramarines Legion on the order of the Emperor. Aquillion used a two-handed Power
Sword in combat rather than the standard Guardian Spear. Aquillion and his four-manteam were all eventually slain by the Word Bearers so that they could not inform the
Emperor of Lorgar's betrayal. The leader of the daemon-possessed Gal Vorbak, Argel Tal,
decapitated Aquillion by biting his head off.

Arcatus Vindix Centurio - When on Terra the Emperor Himself imprinted the genetic
knowledge of the Primarch-program onto Corvus Corax, he also ordered a squad of his
very own bodyguards to accompany the Primarch of the XIXth Legion back to
Deliverance to protect the sensitive knowledge. Although the knowledge imprinted into
Corax's mind would slowly fade, the Custodes would continue their Emperor-given task
to protect and watch over the Primarch of the Raven Guard. As leader of this new
bodyguard and the man whose task it had been to watch over the Raven Guard during
their stay in the Imperial Palace, Arcatus Vindix soon became a figure of influence within
Coraxs war council, as the Ravenlord enjoyed debating with the leader of the Custodians
when not on the front lines or even in the heat of battle. Whereas Corax always marveled
on Horus temerity to declare war on the Imperium, Arcatus had a quite different point of
view -- Horus would never have turned traitor if he hadn't been sure from the beginning
that he would win. Alongside the ever-active Raven Guard, Arcatus and his brothers saw
much combat, participating in such venture as the Raid on Kapel-5642A or the Day of
Vengeance on Carandiru.

Brokur - Brokur took part in a "Blood Game" alongside Amon, Haedo and Zerin. Brokur
emerged as the runner-up in the contest as he made it to The Hegemon before he was

caught. Valdor had not expected anyone to get closer to the Imperial Palace than Brokur,
but Amon succeeded in infiltrating the Palace itself.

Saturnalia Princeps Carthagina - Saturnalia was a member of the Legio Custodes


during the Horus Heresy era. He was assigned to the Psi-Hunter Team charged with the
task of capturing the Outcast Dead -- the surviving members of a small Astartes honour
guard known as the Crusader Host that was stationed on Terra. The fugitive Astartes were
members of the Traitor Legions that had sided with Horus in his rebellion against the
Emperor during the Horus Heresy. They had been imprisoned in the maximum security
prison known as The Vault since they could no longer be trusted, but they managed to
stage a break-out and escape. Saturnalia became part of the hunt team led by the Seer
Hunter Yasu Nagasena to track down the Outcast Dead in an attempt to regain his honour
after letting the Outcast Dead take his prisoner, the Astropath Kai Zulane. During the
final battle with the Outcast Dead in the Temple of Woe, Saturnalia managed to kill
Subbha, a World Eaters Berserker. Subbha's twin, Asubha, attacked him and drove a
Custodian Guardian Spear through Saturnalia's head, just as Saturnalia managed to stab
Asubha in the heart with his own Guardian Spear.

Mikaelor Cobernus - Cobernus was a Shield Captain of the Legio Custodians during the
31st Millennium.

Haedo Emankon - Haedo Emankon took part in one of the many "Blood Games"
alongside Amon, Zerin and Brokur. Of the four participants in the contest, Haedo was the
third most successful, as he made it to Cebu City before he was caught. Haedo Emankon
was later charged by Constantin Valdor to gather incriminating evidence on a member of
the government of unified Terra who was suspected of treason against the Emperor
alongside Amon Tauromachian.

Iacus - Iacus was one of the 15 Custodes sent to watch over the Word Bearers Legion
who was not assigned to watch over Lorgar with Aquillion. Iacus and his fellow Custodes
watched over First Captain Kor Phaeron and First Chaplain Erebus instead. Before the
Word Bearers' treachery came to light, Iacus and all his Custodes had fallen in battle
alongside the Word Bearers, never knowing of their betrayal.

Kalhin - Kalhin was one of the four other Custodians assigned to serve under the
command of Aquillion to watch over Lorgar and the Word Bearers. While attempting to
kill the traitor Cyrene Valantion, Kalhin was shot down by Incaradine, the mechanical
Conqueror Primus of the 9th Maniple of the Carthage Cohort of the Legio Cybernetica.

Amon Tauromachian Leng - Amon Tauromachian was a Custodian who was charged
with protecting the Emperor in the early 31st Millennium when Terra began the process
of fortification to withstand the coming assault by the Warmaster Horus and his Traitor
Legions. Many years before the start of the Heresy, Amon was present at the Council of
Nikaea to watch over the trial of Magnus the Red for his use of sorcery. Whilst protecting
Kasper Hawser, a skjald of the Space Wolves, Amon was attacked by a minion of Chaos
in the disguise of a Thousand Sons Space Marine, but managed to survive the encounter

thanks to the efforts of the Astartes of the Space Wolves. After Horus's betrayal reached
Terra, Amon was tasked with taking part in the "Blood Games," a rite all Custodians
endured and one which set them against the formidable defenses of the Imperial Palace in
the hope of improving the Custodians' defense of the Emperor through the exposure of
flaws in his protection. Following his success in the "Blood Games", Amon
Tauromachian and a fellow Custodian Haedo Emankon were sent on a dangerous mission
by Constantin Valdor, the Chief Custodian, to gather incriminating evidence on a member
of the government of unified Terra who was suspected of treason against the Emperor.

Nirallus - Nirallus was one of the four other Custodians assigned to serve under the
command of Aquillion to watch over Lorgar and the Word Bearers. Amongst his fellow
Custodes and the warriors of the Word Bearers, Nirallus was considered the
"swordmaster" for his skill with his Custodian Spear. He used this skill to slay Malnor,
one of the strongest of the daemon-possessed Gal Vorbak, but was torn apart seconds
later by two other members of this warrior elite of the Word Bearers Legion.

Sagittarus - Sagittarus was a Contemptor Dreadnought of the Custodians during the


Horus Heresy era.

Sythran - Sythran was one of the four other Custodians assigned to serve under the
command of Aquillion to watch over Lorgar and the Word Bearers. Before leaving Terra
to watch over the Word Bearers Legion for 50 standard years as part of the XVII Legion's
punishment for violating the Imperial Truth during the Great Crusade, Sythran swore an
oath that he would not speak again until he set foot on Terra once more when this duty
was complete. He kept this promise until the moment of his death at the hands of the Gal
Vorbak, when he mocked the Word Bearers' Chaplain Xaphen just after killing him for
his betrayal of the Emperor.

Sumant Giri Phalguni Tirtha - Tirtha was a Veteran Custodian, whose name was said to
bear at least seventy-six awarded titles. He was one of the gaolers at the high security
Imperial prison on Terra known as The Vault. It was not known how Tirtha had come to
Khangba Marwu. He bore no obvious injury and was in prime physical condition, but
rumor said he had once questioned an order from the Captain-General, Constantin Valdor.
Tirtha was charged with the duty of guarding an extremely dangerous group of prisoners
known as the Outcast Dead, the remnants of the Astartes honour guard known as the
Crusader Host that was stationed on Terra whose parent Legions had turned Traitor and
sided with Horus. Tirtha was killed during the Outcast Dead's successful escape attempt
from The Vault, when Atharva of the Thousand Sons took control of an elite soldier with
a Plasma Gun and made him shoot Tirtha in the stomach.

Uttam Luna Hesh Udar - During the Horus Heresy era Udar was the lead gaoler of the
subterranean high security prison built to detain those individuals deemed hostile to the
Emperor and isolated from the world above. Built beneath the Himalayan peak known as
Rakaposhi, only the most senior Custodians bothered to use its original name, Khangba
Marwu, and for those condemned to its cells, who would never again see the light of day,
it had an altogether more prosaic name. They knew it simply as The Vault. Udar was

removed from the fighting ranks of the Legio Custodes after being exposed to an Ork
bacteriological pathogen, whose aftereffects greatly reduced his reflexive response times
to a level below the minimum required for front line service amongst the Custodians. A
proud man, he took his removal from the front lines hard, but eventually adapted and
took to his new role as a gaoler at The Vault with the same determination and attention to
detail that had seen him come the closest to the full infiltration of the Imperial Palace in
the Blood Games until his peer Amon Tauromachian Leng bested him. During his tenure,
Udar was charged with watching the last remnants of The Outcast Dead -- a small group
of Astartes warriors drawn from the Traitor Legions that were the last of the Crusader
Host, an honour guard of Space Marines comprised of representatives from each of the
18 Space Marine Legions that served on a rotational basis within the Imperial City
outside the Imperial Palace on Terra. Udar met his ultimate fate when The Outcast Dead
engineered a successful escape attempt. Udar was slain when he confronted one of the
berserker World Eaters Astartes in close combat. The berserker in question, Sergeant
Tagore, ripped out a section of Udar's spine through his chest, just as Tagore had
promised he would during his confinement.

Vendatha - Vendatha was one of the four other Custodians assigned to serve under the
command of Aquillion to watch over Lorgar and the Word Bearers. Vendatha was used as
the 10th sacrifice to summon Ingethel, the daemonic Emissary of the Chaos Gods.

Zerin - Zerin was a participant in a "Blood Game" alongside Amon, Haedo and Brokur.
Out of the four, Zerin did the worst, as he did not even make it into Imperial Territory
before he was caught by his fellow Custodians in the city of Irkutsk.

Army Special Rules:


Army of Individuals:
Though each Custodes is a mighty and powerful warrior, they do not share the same bonds of
brotherhood as their Astartes cousins. Much of their war rituals and preparation are done separately, and
they often practice their martial skills individually as well. As a result, they, while being individually
exceptional, do not have the same coordination and teamwork skills that their Astartes cousins have.
During deployment, a unit of Custodes with this special rule may either be deployed together or
as individuals. If the owning player decides to deploy them as individuals, that player may attach a

Custodian to any allied unit from an Imperium Codex. These Custodes unit type changes from Infantry to
Infantry (Character).

Envoys of the Emperor:


Custodes are the living embodiment of the Emperors might and grace. Those that fight alongside
a Custodes can feel a fragment of the Emperor soul wash over them, steadying their limbs and calming
their hearts.
Any allied unit from an Imperium Codex that is within 12 of a Custodes or Custodes unit with
this special rule may reroll all failed morale, pinning, and fear tests. Allied units from an Imperium Codex
that are Falling Back and end up or start within 12 of a Custodes or Custodes unit, can immediately
regroup, even the unit only has 25% of its models remaining.

Aegis:
The armor of the Custodes contains several powerful wards and psychic dampeners to better
steel their mind from the corrupting and manipulative powers of the Warp.
Any Deny the Witch rolls of a 1 may be rerolled.

Warlord Traits:
1. Martial Exemplar: The Shield Captains drive to perfect his martial skills is without equal. He
often duels other Custodes, ever-seeking to hone his skills. When in a challenge, the Shield
Captain may reroll failed To Hit rolls.
2. Demagogue of the Emperor: The Shield Captain is a master of rhetoric, instilling undying
devotion in those faithful to the Emperor. The Shield Captains Envoys of the Emperor special
rule is now 18 instead of the usual 12
3. Terran Diplomat: The Shield Captain is a veteran in the art of diplomacy and has multiple,
powerful connections in the courts of Terra. As a result, he is often able to gain extra resources
and assets that other commanders may not have access to, even other Shield Captains. Units from
his Detachment with the Deep Strike special rule scatter 1d6 less when they Deep Strike
(meaning the usual scatter 2d6 would only be a d6). This is thanks to the Shield Captains access
to more advanced Deep Strike guidance beacons.
4. Master of the Watch: Any unit of Custodes Envoys within 12 gain his Master Bodyguard special
rule. Note that when in a squad of Custodes Envoys, the Shield Captain is protected by them and
is treated as a character for the purposes of the Master Bodyguard special rule.
5. Emperors Favored: The Shield Captain has, through his many millennia of service, gained the
approval and favor of the Emperor himself. That favor still manifests in his soul, knitting his
wounds and filling him with energy. The Shield Captain has the Feel no Pain and It Will Not Die
USR.

6. Blood Games Veteran: The Shield Captain is an expert at the Blood Games, having made it
farther than his brothers on multiple occasions. As such, the Shield Captains knowledge of
misdirection, infiltration, and subterfuge are unmatched, having been honed against the Imperial
Palace itself. A Shield Captain with this Warlord Trait can give D3 units in his detachment the
Outflank USR.

Wargear of the Adeptus Custodes:


Ranged Weapons:
See Warhammer 40,000 Main Rulebook for:
Bolt Pistol
Boltgun
Combi-Weapons
Flamestorm Cannon
Grav Pistol
Grav-Gun
Grav-Cannon
Heavy Bolter
Heavy Flamer
Lascannon
Meltagun
Multi-Melta
Plasma Pistol
Plasmagun
Plasma Cannon
Sniper Rifle
Storm Bolter

Melee Weapons:
See Warhammer 40,000 Main Rulebook for:

Chainfist
Dreadnought Close Combat Weapon
Lightning Claw
Powerfist
Thunderhammer

Guardian Spear:
Crafted by the best artificers for the Emperors personal guards, the Guardian Spear is as much a
symbol of an Adeptus Custodes as it is a deadly weapon of war. Comprised of a halberd with a built-in
modified boltgun, the Adeptus Custodes are able to use this potent weapon to kill at close range and from
afar.
A Guardian Spear strikes w/ the following profile
Name
Guardian
Spear
Custodes
Boltgun

Range
-

S
+2

AP
2

Type
Melee, Master-Crafted, Two-Handed

30

Rapid Fire, Master-Crafted

Custodes Gladius:
Though not as potent or distinctive as the Guardian Spear, the Custodes Gladius is still a
powerful sword that can cut even a Terminator in half with a well-placed strike.
A Gladius strikes w/ the following profile:
Name:
Gladius

Range:
-

S
User

AP
2

Type
Melee, Master-Crafted

Armor:
Artificer Armor:
Embellished by the finest artificers, these lavish suits of power armor afford the wearer
protection that rivals even that bestowed by Terminator Armor.
A model wearing Artificer Armor gains a 2+ armor save.

Carapace Armor:
Carapace armor is manufactured with large rigid plates of armaplas and ceramite that provide
protection against most standard and some heavy firearms and melee weapons.
A model wearing Carapace Armor gains a 4+ armor save.

Custodes Helms:
The helmets of the Adeptus Custodes Envoys are not simply heraldic in nature. They also contain
several highly advanced and sophisticated mental and physical defenses to better preserve the Custodians
in battle. In addition, the helmet also incorporates a powerful set of infrared lenses that can be switched
on when regular vision is inadequate.
On the opposite end of the spectrum are the helmets of the Adeptus Custodes Infiltrators. These
helmets take the form of caps, hoods, headbands, or whatever form the Custodes feels is right for the
task. While more discreet that their Envoy brethrens, the helmets of the Custodes Infiltrators still confer
the same protection.
A model wearing a Custodes Helm gains the Adamantium Will & Night Vision USR and the
Aegis army special rule. In addition, the wearer gains a 5+ invulnerability save.

Custodes Cataphractii Armor:


The precursors to the later Terminator Armors, the Cataphractii Armor became infamous for
being incredibly resilient suits of armor. Throughout the Great Crusade, these suits formed the spear tip
of many of the Astartes Legions Assaults. The Custodes still wear these into battle, though they have been
significantly modified and enhanced to keep up with technology available at the current time. The
Custodes Cataphractii Armor are unique in that they directly interface with the Custodes helmets,
strengthening the physical defenses that the helmets give their wearers.
A model wearing a suit of Custodes Cataphracti Armor gains a 2+ armor save and a 4+
invulnerability save. They also gain the Bulky, Relentless, and the Deep Strike USR, but cannot make
Sweeping Advances. A model wearing Custodes Cataphractii Armor cannot also be equipped with a
Custodes Jetbike or Custodes Personal Teleporter.

Special Equipment:
See Warhammer 40,000 Main Rulebook for:
Frag Grenades
Krak Grenades
Melta Bombs

Camo Cloaks:
Custodes Infiltrators often wear camo cloaksloose garments woven from a light-reactive
material known as cameleoline, which imitates the appearance of nearby terrain. So garbed, Custodes
Infiltrators are almost impossible to see at long distances.

A model wearing a camo cloak gets a +1 to their cover save. If they do not have a cover save,
they instead get a 6+ cover save.

Custodes Jetbike:
Now a rare commodity after the Great Crusade and Horus Heresy, jetbikes once bore Astartes
and Custodes alike onto the battlefield in waves of roaring death. The Custodes are blessed with the
ability to still field small forces of jetbikes when necessary and often make use of them to carry messages
or ride down would-be assassins to the Emperor.
A model on a Custodes Jetbike gains +1 Toughness. Custodes Jetbikes follow the rules for
Jetbikes found in the Warhammer 40,000 rulebook. A model equipped with a Jetbike may not additionally
be equipped with a Custodes Personal Teleporter or Custodes Cataphractii Armor.

Custodes Personal Teleporter:


A relic from the Unification Wars, these small, handheld devices are more complex and precious
than even those used by the Grey Knights. It allows a Custodes to cover an incredible amount of distance
in a short amount of time, appearing where their enemy least expects him.
A Custodes wearing a Personal Teleporter changes its unit type to Jump Infantry. In addition,
once per game, a Custodes may teleport himself anywhere within 30 that is within the Custodes Line of
Sight. The Custodes moving in such away may shoot, but may not assault or run on the turn he teleports.

Digital Weapons:
Digital weapons are concealed lasers fitted into rings, bionic implants, or on the knuckles of a
glove. They lack range, but can be used in melee to take advantage of an enemys exposed weakness.
A model armed with digital weapons can re-roll a single failed roll To Wound in each Assault
Phase.

Targeter Scopes:
Often fitted on the boltguns of Custodes Infiltrators, these scopes allow the wielder to easily pick
out important targets amongst the enemy and swiftly eliminate them.
Any roll of a 6 with a weapon equipped with a Targeter Scope becomes a Precision Shot.

Relics of the Adeptus Custodes:


The Emperors Personal Standard:

This legendary standard has flown over the Emperors armies since the Unification Wars. It is
said that, when it is held aloft on a battlefield, the faithful can hear the whispers of the Emperor,
exhorting them to uphold His glory in every word, action, and deed.
Any unit from an Imperium Codex within Line of Sight of this standard is Fearless, gains the
Furious Charge & Counter-Attack USR, and gains the Feel No Pain (6+) USR. In addition, any unit
within 12 of the standard gain +1 attack (including the unit the banner is in).

Armor of Names:
Over time a Custodes performs many great and noteworthy deeds in service of the Emperor. To
commemorate each of these deeds, the Custodes gain names that they inscribe on the inside of their
armor. More experienced and skilled Custodes generally have accumulated more names than their
brethren. Over time, a Custodes armor becomes covered in hundreds of names, each a sign of his
continued service to the Emperor. These suits of armor become known as the Armor of Names and each
Armor of Names is worn by a truly exceptional Astartes.
A model wearing the Armor of Names gains a 2+ armor save and a 4+ invulnerability save. In
addition, he gains the Eternal Warrior USR and may reroll To Hit and To Wound rolls in close combat.

Talon of the Emperor:


A truly renowned and trusted Custodes may, in times of great need, wield the legendary Talon of
the Emperor, from which Horuss own talons were based off of. A terrifying weapon of destruction, the
Talon of the Emperor can rip apart battle tanks with but a single swipe and it is said the Talon is so sharp
that it can directly attack the souls of the enemy, ignoring any and all armor.
The Talon of the Emperor is a master-crafted lightning claw with the following profile:
Name:
Talon of the
Emperor

Range:
-

S:
+3

AP:
2

Type:
Melee
Shred
Deflagrate*
*For every successful hit made by this weapon in close combat, the target suffers an additional hit
automatically. This additional hit can only be added once per attack.

Helm of the Emperor:


Just like the Talon of the Emperor, only the greatest and most renowned Custodes may wear such
treasured war gear, and only when there is a great need to do so. The helm, it is said, still contains the
whispering echoes of the Emperors thoughts and brief flashes of the Emperors memories that span
several millennia. The wearer of the Emperors Helm feels a small fragment of the Emperors
consciousness latch on to the wearers own, guiding his commands and blade to better serve his master.
The Helm of the Emperor counts as a Custodes Helm and bestow all the benefits a Custodes
Helm would. In addition, the wearer of the Helm of the Emperor adds +1 to all Reserve rolls and any unit
in his Detachment gains the Hit-and-Run USR.

The Imperial Eagle:


Forged at the beginnings of the Great Crusade, this venerable jetbike has been ridden by
countless heroes of the Imperium for over millennia. It is rumored that the jetbike still remembers the skill
of its previous riders and that anyone who mounts it feel as though an invisible hand is guiding them as
they ride into battle.
The Imperial Eagle is a Custodes Jetbike that use the rules for Eldar Jetbikes found in the
Warhammer 40,000 main rulebook. It is equipped with a heavy flamer and the rider gains the Skilled
Rider USR.

Commodus Spear:
A weapon gifted to a particularly noteworthy Shield Captain, Commodus, this spear is a relic
from the Horus Heresy said to have been wielded by Constantin Valdor himself. When activated, the
weapon becomes wreathed in a white flame that is said to be able to directly incinerate the souls of those
stuck.
The Captains Gladius is a Custodes Gladius with the following profile:
Name:
Range:
Captains
Gladius
Custodes
30
Boltgun
*See Talon of the Emperor

S
+2

AP
2

Type
Melee, Master-Crafted,
Deflagrate*
Rapid Fire, MasterCrafted, Deflagrate

Forces of the Adeptus Custodes:


Custodes Detachment:
(note: bold means required)

HQ
Elites

Elites

Heavy Support

Heavy Support

HQ:
Shield Captain: 140 points
Name:
Shield
Captain

WS
6

BS
5

S
5

T
4

W
4

I
5

A
4

Ld.
10

Sv.
2+

Type:
Infantry

Unit Composition:
1 Shield Captain

Wargear:
Artificer Armor
Custodes Helm
Guardian Spear
Digital Weapons
Frag & Krak Grenades

Special Rules:
Counter Attack
Fearless
Furious Charge
Army of Individuals
Envoys of the Emperor
Master Bodyguard:
Having served the Emperor for centuries, and sometimes even millennia, a Shield Captain has
honed his ability to guard the Emperor to an extraordinary level. As such, Shield Captains possess the
skills of a nearly perfect bodyguard, protecting the Emperor from all threats.
If a character is in a unit that includes a model with this special rule, that character cannot be
chosen as the target of a precision shot, strike, or any attack where the opposing player chooses which
model is hit or wounded. Instead, these attacks can only target other models in the unit or the model with
the Master Bodyguard special rule.

Options:
Any model may replace their Guardian Spear w/:
A Pair of Lightning Claws..free

A Storm Shield and Custodes Gladius.15 pts/model


A Storm Shield and Thunderhammer20 pts/model
May replace their boltgun w/:
A Combi-Melta, Combi-Plasma, Combi-Grav..5 points
A Meltagun..10 pts
A Plasma Gun..15 pts
A Grav-Gun15 pts
May replace their Artificer Armor w/ Custodes Cataphractii Armor..40 pts/model
A model in Custodes Cataphractii Armor may replace his Guardian Spear w/:
A Pair of Lightning Claws..free
A Powerfist & a Storm Bolter10 pts/model
A Storm Shield & a Custodes Gladius15 pts/model
A Storm Shield & Thunderhammer.20 points/model
A Chainfist & a Storm Bolter.20 points/model
If he that has not taken Cataphractii Armor, a Shield Captain may take:
A Custodes Jetbike w/ Heavy Bolter..45 pts/model
May replace their Jetbikes Heavy Bolter w/:
A Heavy Flamer10 points
A Multi-Melta.15 pts
A Plasma Cannon20 pts
A Grav-Cannon.20 pts
A Lascannon25 pts
A Custodes Personal Teleporter.20 pts
May Take Melta Bombs.5 pts
May take one Adeptus Custodes Relic:
Armor of Names**..50 pts
Talon of the Emperor 70 pts
Helm of the Emperor**. 60 pts
The Imperial Eagle**... 50 pts
Commodus Spear20 pts

**Does not replace a weapon

Elites:
0-1 Envoy Squad: 220 points
Name:
Custodes
Centurio
n

WS
5
5

BS
5
5

S
5
5

T
4
4

W
2
3

Type:
Infantry

Unit Composition:
2 Custodes
1 Centurion

Wargear:
Artificer Armor
Custodes Helm
Guardian Spear
Digital Weapons
Frag & Krak Grenades

Special Rules:
Counter Attack
Fearless
Furious Charge
Army of Individuals
Envoys of the Emperor

Options:
May take up to seven more Custodes.70 pts/model

I
5
5

A
2
3

Ld.
10
10

Sv.
2+
2+

Any model may replace their Guardian Spear w/:


A Pair of Lightning Claws..free
A Storm shield and a Custodes Gladius.15 pts/model
A Storm Shield and Thunderhammer20 pts/model
For every five Custodes, one Custodes may replace their boltgun w/:
Combi-Melta, Combi-Plasma, Combi-Grav..5 points
Meltagun..10 pts
Plasma Gun..15 pts
Grav-Gun15 pts
One Custodes may take the Emperors Personal Standard..60 pts
Any Custodes may replace their Artificer Armor w/ Custodes Cataphractii Armor..40 pts/model
A model in Custodes Cataphractii Armor may replace his Guardian Spear w/:
A pair of Lightning Claws.free
A Powerfist & a Storm Bolter10 pts/model
A Storm Shield & Gladius15 pts/model
A Storm Shield & Thunderhammer.20 points/model
A Chainfist & a Storm bolter.20 points/model
Any Custodes that has not taken Cataphractii Armor may take:
A Custodes Jetbike w/ Heavy Bolter..45 pts/model
For every five Custodes, one Custodes may replace their Jetbikes Heavy Bolter w/:
Heavy Flamer10 points
Multi-Melta.15 pts
Plasma Cannon20 pts
Grav-Cannon.20 pts
Lascannon25 pts
A Custodes Personal Teleporter.20 pts/model
The Centurion may take Melta Bombs. 5 pts

0-1 Infiltrator Squad: 190 points

Name:
Infiltrato
r
Infiltrato
r
Centurio
n

WS
5

BS
5

S
5

T
4

W
2

I
5

A
2

Ld.
10

Sv.
4+

10

4+

Type:
Infantry

Unit Composition:
2 Infiltrators
1 Infiltrator Centurion

Wargear:
Carapace Armor
Custodes Helm
Custodes Gladius
Custodes Boltgun w/ Targeter Scopes
Digital Weapons
Frag & Krak Grenades

Special Rules:
Army of Individuals
Counter Attack
Fearless
Furious Charge
Infiltrate
Scout
Stealth

Options:

May take up to seven more Infiltrators.60 pts/model


Any Infiltrator may replace their Custodes Boltgun w/ Targeter Scopes w/:
Combi-Melta, Combi-Plasma, Combi-Grav. 5 pts
Melta. 10 pts
Sniper Rifle. 15 pts
Plasam Gun.. 15 pts
Grav-gun 15 pts
Any Infiltrator may alternately replace their Custodes Boltgun w/ Targeter Scopes for:
A Bolt Pistol. free
An Inferno Pistol.10 pts
A Plasma Pistol 15 pts
A Grav Pistol. 15 pts
Any model may take a Custodes Personal Teleporter 20 pts/model
Any model may take a Camo Cloak..2 pts/model
The Centurion may replace his Custodes Gladius w/:
Lightning Claw..free
Powerfist 10 pts
Thunderhammer 15 pts
The Centurion may take melta bombs.. 5 pts

Heavy Support:
All Land Raider variants (From Space Marine Codex & the Imperial Armor Series)
Stormraven
All Dreadnought Variants (From Space Marine Codex & the Imperial Armor Series; note that all
WS and BS of dreadnoughts changed to WS5 & BS5 (however, all Dreadnoughts cost 30 pts
more (except for a Venerable Dreadnought, as it already has WS5 & BS5)

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