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The Ten Thousand, Guardians of the Emperor, each wrought by his own hand. Each of them a work of art, never to be repeated. There are those of their number who stand watch in the dark cells, others who safeguard those of import to the Imperium. Then there is the Adamantine Guard. They do not stand watch, they do not ward the Imperium from the safety of the Imperial palace. They actively seek the enemies of the Imperium, warding those who defend the Imperium in warzones uncounted, since the days of the Great Crusade. Clad in their armor of dark steel and gold, they strike with swiftness and brutality. They are the embodiment of the ancient Merican adage "The best defense, is a strong offense". A great number of them are Ephranoi, tasked with carrying out the most dire of Imperial sanction. They mete out death to all who would oppose the will of the Emperor and the Imperium of man. Though they are Ephranoi, they carry out their duties with a variety of wargear, from the Humble Adrathic Bolt Caliver to the massive Aquilon Terminator warplate. Among their number, the other chambers are represented, with many being from the Tharanatoi. It is the Sentinels of the few Hykanatoi who are most frequently seen by forces of the Imperium who are blessed by their appearance. The Venatari and Saggitarum move swiftly into positions to make optimal use of their skills, while Aquilon Terminator Sodalities will frequently strike deep in the heart of the enemy forces, or utilize the Coronus Grav-Carrier to drive deep into enemy formations before disembarking to eviscerate the enemy. They are an awesome force to behold, but due to their small number they are not a common sight. As a Shield Host they only number as one hundred warriors. They are the most aggressive of the Adeptus Custodes, each of them a veteran of Horus Heresy, from where their attitude originates. They are led by a Tribune, Theodosius Cato, who has commanded the Host for the last ten millennia. As their temperament makes them ill suited for defensive duties, they have occasionally been given leave to turn the tides of battle, but have most often served as most Ephranoi do, testing the defenses of the Imperial palace, but they have also been allowed to deploy to perform that function against critical garrisons, to ensure that the Defenders of the Imperium are up to snuff.

'They say of the Astartes that we are war personified. With only my boltgun and my armour, I can destroy empires. They forget that the true weapon of a Space Marine is hate. Hate for my enemies, hate for the traitor and the xeno. My armour can be broken, and my boltgun can have no ammunition. But my hate can never run dry.' Kaynt Leodor, III Company, Crimson Shrikes Adeptus Astartes http://lh3.ggpht.com/-QG9shD8x0Dc/UjXL8XzkP7I/AAAAAAAAAVU/iSVClUsFAfw/s640/20130915_160036.jpg