With the Custodes on the rise, we are going to take a look at the outlook and training of the first modified warriors created by the Emperor!
Via our friends at Lexicanum
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. Whatever the truth, the Custodians are undoubtedly fanatically loyal to the Emperor and will carry out any task he demands, regardless of how brutal or suicidal it may be.
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. 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. During the Bloodborn‘s invasion of Calth, Judd Clausel, Chaplain of the Ultramarines 4th Company, suggested to Captain Uriel Ventris, that he try to “think like the enemy,” citing the example of the Blood Games, in order to determine where Calth’s defenses might be vulnerable.
Between the Horus Heresy and the Indomitus Crusade, a specialized corps was charged with recovering suitable subjects, including Chaos Space Marines, from across the Imperium to release within the Palace as part of the Blood Games to test the Adeptus Custodes’ abilities in real conditions as most never left the Palace themselves.
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 fulfill.) 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. The Custodian Guard do not age biologically, so a veteran officer might be well over a thousand years old.
As with all their kind, warriors who believe they are no longer fit for duty will bequeath their armor to the Colossal Hall of Names and go abroad into the galaxy disguised under a hooded black cloak.
Read More About The Adeptus Custodes
