The Warhammer 40k universe has long been built around rich, detailed lore, much of it centring on genetically enhanced warriors like the Adeptus Custodes. Traditionally, it was assumed that these elite protectors of the Emperor were exclusively male, similar to their counterparts, the Space Marines. However, Games Workshop recently stirred the pot by introducing a female Custodes in The Tithes animated series and asserting that Custodes “can be any gender.” But, is there any actual evidence to suggest female Custodes have existed all along?
What Does This Mean for the Lore?
While the lore never explicitly ruled out female Custodes, the assumption for decades has been that they, like the Space Marines, were male due to the genetic processes involved. However, Custodes undergo a more advanced creation method than Space Marines, one overseen by the Emperor himself, leading to Games Workshop’s recent clarification that Custodes are not gender-restricted. The 10th Edition Custodes Codex even introduces Custodian Calladayce Taurovalia Kesh, a prominent female Custodes, further solidifying this change. Does this mean female Custodes were always possible, just never featured?
Official Reference: The introduction of a female Custodes in The Tithes animated series is the first on-screen depiction of a Custodes who is not male. Alongside the 10th Edition Custodes Codex, which references Custodian Calladayce Taurovalia Kesh, Games Workshop has confirmed that Custodes can be of any gender, though this is a relatively new development in the lore.
Mixed Reactions from the Fanbase: The announcement has left many wondering if this is a new direction for the lore or if female Custodes were part of the narrative all along but just unseen. Some fans welcome this inclusivity, while others feel it disrupts long-standing depictions of the Custodes as the ultimate male defenders of the Emperor.
Community Discussions: Discussions on forums like Warhammer-Community.com and Reddit showcase the divide. Some hobbyists argue this is simply Games Workshop catching up with modern expectations, while others feel that female Custodes should have been hinted at earlier if they were indeed part of the lore all along.
Games Workshop’s Approach: Games Workshop has been working towards more inclusivity across its factions, and the introduction of female Custodes fits into that trend. While the addition of Custodian Calladayce Taurovalia Kesh and others has been a significant step, there is little to no historical lore suggesting that female Custodes existed before these recent announcements.
Developer Statement: Games Workshop has recently stated that the gene-forging process for Custodes doesn’t restrict them to being male, but there is no significant pre-existing evidence to suggest female Custodes have been part of the background lore since the beginning.
The Future of Custodes Lore
So, is there any actual evidence that female Custodes have been hidden in the background all this time? The short answer is no. The introduction of female Custodes, both in The Tithes and the 10th Edition Custodes Codex, appears to be a modern addition to the lore rather than a revelation of something previously hinted at. While this new direction opens up opportunities for future stories and character development, it’s a clear divergence from the traditionally male-centric depiction of the Adeptus Custodes.
References:
- Warhammer Community Announcement: Introduction of Female Custodes in The Tithes.
- Warhammer 40k 10th Edition Custodes Codex: Introduction of Custodian Calladayce Taurovalia Kesh.
- Reddit Thread: Mixed reactions on the introduction of female Custodes.
- Games Workshop Q&A: Clarification on Custodes creation and gender.
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Written by @gothicgarnish : – "Revealing the unseen realms." A digital creator-driven project, GothicGarnish focuses on Warhammer, 40k, and beyond, exploring gothic themes and narratives through immersive storytelling and visuals.
