40K Lore: Constantin Valdor, The Emperor’s Spear
Today loremasters we talk of the greatest guardian of the Master of Mankind – the legendary Lord Commander of the Adeptus Custodes.
Constantin Valdor (‘Emperor’s Spear’), the First of the Ten Thousand, was the Chief Custodian to the Emperor of Mankind as Captain-General of the Adeptus Custodes at the time of the Unification Wars, Great Crusade, and the Horus Heresy.
Biography
Constantin Valdor was the first of the Emperor of Mankind‘s Custodians, stoic and observant. He served during the Unification Wars at the Battle of Maulland Sen. A handful of years later, he assassinated Koja Zu, the Minister of the Anuatan Steppes, and claimed her son, Ra Endymion, for the Legio Custodes.
A warrior of superlative skill, it was said that Valdor could match even a Primarch in single combat.
Battle of Prospero
Just prior to the Horus Heresy, Valdor was charged by the Emperor to accompany Leman Russ of the Space Wolves in bringing Magnus the Red to account for breaking promises made during the Council of Nikaea at which the Emperor strictly forbade the use of sorcery and psychic powers.
Valdor, with a contingent of elite Custodian Guard, fought alongside Russ and the Space Wolves on Prospero. He and his forces were responsible for killing at least three of the greatest psykers of the Thousand Sons and routing a force much more numerous than their own, however little else is known after this. According to one account, he was also responsible for saving Bjorn 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. Another account states that Bjorn’s arm was cut off by a Skjald of the Space Wolves, Kasper Hawser.
Horus Heresy
When Amon Tauromachian returned from his extended Blood Game, Valdor informed his fellow Custodian of how Horus Lupercal had declared rebellion against the Emperor. When Tauromachian asked how this could happen, Valdor, speaking as someone who knew the Warmaster, rejected theories that it was pride or resentment, instead voicing his belief that something had driven Horus and his closest advisers mad. Valdor then assigned Tauromachian with the task of investigating Pherom Sichar, Lord of Hy Brasil, for evidence of treason.
After Horus declared his rebellion, Valdor then oversaw the mission and deployment of the first ever execution team. Invited by the Master of Assassins, one of the High Lords of Terra whose secret identity was Malcador The Sigillite Valdor oversaw the council of Assassins. Each clade- Venenum, Eversor, Culexus, Vanus, Callidus, and led by Vindicare selected a single alpha-dan operative for the mission. The target was Horus Lupercal. Rogal Dorn learned of such events and challenged Valdor claiming that Horus being alive was a boon because he was predictable, and killing the head of the rebellion would not stop it, someone more predictable would simply take over. Valdor argued that the actions of the Officio Assassinorum were not necessarily cowardly, but expedient. Valdor said to Dorn that they all wanted the same thing; to preserve the Emperor. Dorn however claimed that Valdor’s role was to safeguard the life of the Emperor, whilst Dorn himself, and all the Astartes role was to safeguard the Imperium. The Assassin’s mission uncovered valuable information, and encountered Erebus‘ own agent, daemonically enhanced. The mission to kill Horus was a failure as Horus was tipped off of the attempt on his life and sent a proxy who was killed in his place. Dorn and Valdor continued to argue, Dorn citing that to preserve the Imperium it must have a moral code, Valdor cited that to match Horus’ evil they must be willing to take underhanded tactics. The Emperor settled the argument with the final statement “No more shadows. No more veils”.
Wargear
Valdor went into battle equipped with a expertly crafted Guardian Spear known as the Apollonian Spear and an ornate suit of Custodian Armour.
Learn More of the Adeptus Custodes
Lexicanum
~The ultimate fate of Valdor is unknown.
