Custodes (Overview)

*"Ennobled by the blood of the ancient Lemurians, the Strigoi are destined to rule this world. And in their name we are bound to swing the executioners axe."* -Sigismund, Grand- Master of the Teutonic Order

## Introduction

The Custodes are the warrior Bloodline of the Strigoi and loyal members of the Covenant. They are christian fanatics believing themselves to be angels send by gods to do his work. Since their creation they have been employed as bodyguards, knigths and commanders as their bladework is unmachted across all of europe.

## History

* **First of the Strigoi-** Apollonios was a Lemurian Renegade and one of the first preachers of christianity, using his necromancy to heal the sick and bring back the dead. He spread the word of god until emperor Nero senteanced him to death, which forced him to flee into the east. Heavily wounded he made it into far cappadocia, reforging his Essence in the depts of its countless caves. He turned himself in the first Strigoi and began to spread his blood to the naitive population, creating a sect of followers. Soon enough Apollonios hideout was discovered by roman legionaries who burned down his cave and slew his progeny.
* **Capture of Sitis-** In the depts of the cave there was one that survived, having hidden in the deep dark of the earth. Like his forefather he began to raise new Strigoi and like his forefather he attracted the attention of the romans. Instead of fleeing he allowed his progeny to escape while facing the romans alone. Instead of killing him he was captured and taken to rome to study this new breed of Afflicted. The first thing they noticed was his need for blood, which earned him the name *Sitis*, translating to "*The Thrist".*
* **Rise of the Praetorians-** After arriving in rome the Lemurian scholars forced Sitis to undergo horrible examinations that where designed to break his spirit and unlock the secrets of his Essence. The Strigoi mangaged to hold on to his sanity and in the end his new masters decided to kill him. His death was supposed to be a public spectacle as he was stripped of any clothing or weapons and send into the arena. There he was facing countless waves of enemies, including beasts, gladiators and a pack of enslaved Vargr. Out of every fight he emerged victorious and neather steel, fire nor claw could end his unlife. Emperor Galba noticed his potential and commanded he was taken out of the arena and brought into his private quarters. There Sitis was offered the choice to die or swear his eternal allegiance to rome and its emperors. He accepted and became captain of the emperors personal guard. Soon enough the Lemurians found Sitis and his freshly turned childer to make for better bodyguards than the Vargrs that where used up to this point. In the end Sitis and his progeny became the sole protectors of the emperor and reformed the praetorian guard.
* **Blood Oaths-** Since the new praetorian guard turned out to be so effective many roman nobles, generals and senatores wished to own such a formidable defense themselves. Through this way their blood spread across the entire empire, each time renewing their oaths of loyalty. The Lemurians recognised these Strigoi as relatives and rennamed Custodes to distinguish them from their walachian cousins. Unlike the Vargr many of them where given rights and they showed a clear interest in becoming romans instead of mere liberation. Across the ages of their service countless Custodes abandoned their role as noble bodyguards and became legionaries, generals or roman nobles. Since their blood was stronger and able to be passed on twice a year the Custodes began to outnumber their Lemurian cousins.
* **Divine Revelations-** It is said that Sitis fought alongside Constantine the Great on the battle of the Milvian Bride. After their return they spoke of a burning cross appearing on the clear sky, promising them victory if they took on gods sign. Constantine later on declared christianity to be romes state religion and used to Custodes to champion this new faith. While many of the older Lemurians refused to abandon their ancestral faith the word of christ became exceedingly famous among the more numerous Strigoi. Sitis and his closest sons left rome for several decades to go on a pilgramige to rid themselves of their old sin and seek divine insight. They ended this pilgramige when being summoned by their emperor into the east. There they aided in the construction and population of Constantinople. It was through the influence of Sitis children that the eastern orthodoxy was founded and the eastern roman empire gained independance.
* **The Baldesnight-** As the roman empire grew larger the numbers of the Custodes began to constantly rise. Almost all of them had taken on the banner of christianity which exasorbated conflict with their Lemurian cousins that still clinged to the old ways. This inner conflict often sparked civil war across rome, forcing the Custodes to kill those they swore eternal loyalty to. The Aedifex, creator guild of the empire, approached them in these dark times and offered a tempting solution. In the end Sitis and his praetorian guard where convinced to purge the empire of the enemies of god. In a fateful night that would later be called *Bladesnight* Sitis and his sons broke their oaths of loyalty and turned against their emperor and the senate, slaying each of them. This betrayal sparked conflict across the entire empire, turning the Custodes against their ancient cousins and killing them. With their last dying breath the last Lemurians cursed Sitis and his bloodline, replacing the mere need for blood with a murderous thrist that could never be quenched.
* **Custodes in the Middle Ages-** Shortly after their betrayal german armies marched south, lead by former Vargr slaves. Since the inner conflict had weakned rome the Vargr forced managed to fracture the empire and make their way to the eternal city itself which was sacked in a brutal rampage. Shortly after the western roman empire fell and the remaning Custodes where forced to travel east into Byzantium. While the eastern roman empire managed to retain its strength across centuries, the rest of europe transformed into a patchwork of kingdoms. It was during this time that the role of divine protectors for the Custodes would be reimagined when the first knights grew. Many Custodes became knights themselves and soon after the first Knightly Orders where founded. Over time many of them returned to rome and pledged themselves to the service of the pope.
* **Crusades against the Zalim-** The first children of Sitis had managed to spread across the middle east and grow into a Bloodline of their own, known as *Zalim*. First the eastern roman empire held good relations with them, reuniting them with their ancient progenitor and their roman cousins for the first time. This friendship was shattered with the rise of islam. While other Afflicted in the middle east where eradicated under its religious wars, the Zalim took on the word of Allah and integrated into the first eastern caliphates. The Custodes where unwilling to tolerate this foreign faith and tensions between the Zalim began to grow. Soon enough the roman pope called upon a crusade to take back the holy land and the Custodes gladly accepted this opportunity to wage war against their cousins. The crusades where the beginning of a bloody and everlasting conflict that would consume contless Custodes and Zalim lifes. With the foundation of the Ottoman Empire the Zalim managed to turn the tides of war conquer Constantinople, causing the Custodes to loose their second holy city.
* **Founding of the Covenant-** In the ages afterwards the Custodes had given up on their ambitions to rule an empire of their own and embraced knighthood. While Sitis layed himself to rest after being bested in the battle for Constantinople, his childer carried on his legacy. The Custodes forged friendships with other Strigoi Bloodlines and played an essential role in the between the Cousombre and the Vuldonen. At the climax of this war the Cousombre managed to cast out their pagan enemies and take over Britannia. After their final battle they founded the Covenant, an allegiance of all worthy Strigoi. The Custodes where integrated as protectors and warriors, allowing them to deploy their talents where they where most needed.

## Culture

What makes the Custodes unique is their belief that their Affliction is not the product of undeath but a gift of divinity. They see themselves as angels; freed from the shuckles of mortality to serve their lord. They are devout christians and worship the holy trinity; yet they choose greater angels as their patereons and worship them as their ancestors.

Since their foundation the Custodes have been employed as warriors and guardians of others; something they embrace to this day. Across the middle ages most of them served as knights and crusaders, an esthetic they cling to to this day. In the modern times they have given up on their shining armor and heavy swords; instead fighting in light uniforms armed with pistols and rapiers.

### Curse of Sitis

Unlike other Strigoi Custodes do not simply need blood to sustain themselves or recieve pleasure from its consumption. They activly thrist for it, developing a crazed addicition as soon as they taste it for the first time. The mere smell of blood can drive a Custodes mad with desire, driving them foward like animals. While it is possible to resist the temptation the curse brought onto them, it requires immense amount of inner fortitude. This excessive desire is juxtaposed to their angelic selfperception; indeed many outsiders have theorised that their obsession with religious purity may have arisen as a coping mechanism against this inner conflict.

This hereditary curse befalls all children and relatives of Sitis. While it is possible to rid oneself from this curse it will befall ones children. The only Custodes unaffected by it are the descendants of *Circe,* Sitis only daughter that had left rome long before it was spoken; and the Zalim.

### Faith

The Custodes are an almost exclusivly christian Bloodline. Although they founded the eastern orthodox church most modern Custodes are devout catholics and heed the word of the pope and the cardinals. They genuinly look down on protestants and place much less value in studying the bible than in the lived heritage and history of the roman catholic church. Since they view themselves as unliving angels their standarts for their own purity are inhumanly high. This often alienates them from those they are supposed to protect, focussing so much on their own purity code that they fail to see most mortals are incapable of upholding to the same standarts.

### Knightly Orders

Across the centuries the Custodes have founded or overtaken many mortal knightly orders. In the middle ages these orders where highly esteemed, involving themselves in the crusades, border conflicts and internal wars. In the Victorian Age all of these orders have lost their mortal relevance and public fame; yet they are still active in the shadows. Its modern members have either been turned or are being prepared for it; joining them as a mortal is usually only possible through noble blood or a particular chivalrous deed.

These Knightly Orders have a highly hierarchical structures that are assigned based on age, fame or their knightly deeds. After the *Convention of Andorra* all Knigthly Orders under Custodes command were standardized and pledged to follow a set of decrees that greatly eased their cooperation and enforced a clear structure or ranks. The established ranks are:

* **Squires** are mortals in the service of order that seek to be turned and become knights themselves
* **Knight Wardens** make up the backbone of each order, consisting of young Custodes or noble mortals
* **Knight Quaestors** are Custodes that travel across the christian lands, either as the Orders agents or to fufill a Vow.
* **Paladins** act as the orders honored scribes, lorekeepers and teachers
* **Knight Commanders** are high ranking members that rule over orders hidden chantries
* **Grand-Masters** rule their order with unquestioned authority until their death. They are elected by the orders Knight Commanders or chosen through a divine sign

Every order has a patreon angel they worship, believing themselves be its descandants and earthly servants. The greatest of the modern orders and their patreons are:

* **Teutonic Order-** As one of the most esteemed knightly orders they train their members to be masters of the sword and faith alike, excelling in their bladeswork and religious zeal. Their current Grand-Master is Sir *Sigismund der Bleiche* and their patreon angel is *Ariel* the "Lion of God", said to be the personification of the holy land.
* **The Sword Brethren-** They are the most adept hunters of shapeshifters and Ghouls, fighting exclusivly with silver weapons and witchhunter gear. Their current Grand-Master is Lord *Alexandru Dalca*, the only Dracul to lead a Custodes Order. Their patreon angel is *Sarathiel* the "Unwavering", an angel of the eastern orthodoxy that represents discipline and penance.
* **Knights Templar-** As the most devoted order to further european expansion and strengthen christianity the Knights Templar possess the most potent bladesmen and duellists among the entire Bloodline. Their current Grand-Master is Sir *Gille de Bourgogne* and their patreon angel is *Gabriel* the "Strength of God", archangel of war and the lords divine messenger.
* **Hospitallers of St. Lazarus-** This order is devoted to healing of plagues, be they supernatural or not; aswell as slaying those that brew and spread them. Their current Grand-Master is Sir *Richard Donovan of Canterbury* and their patreon angel is *Raphael* the *"*Virtuous*"*, leader of the cherubim and master of spiritual healings.
* **Silent Brotherhood-** This mysterious order has mastered the fight against the supernatural and eldritch, having pledged themselves to the eradication of *Wraiths*, *Daeva* and *Balauri* from the material world. Their current Grand-Master is Sir *Michael* *the Grim* and their patreon angel is *Samael* the "Divine Prosecutor", archangel of death and the banishment of restless spirits.
* **Order of the Alabaster Rose-** They dedicated themselves to preserving and enshrining divine artifacts and holy relicts. In the forbidden vaults of the orders fortress in sicily they also gather and contain some of the most powerful artifacts europe ever saw, making sure their corrupting influence can not spread. Their current Grand-Master is Sir *Valeriano l'Amaro* and their patreon angel is *Zophiel* the "Divine Grace", the archangel of wisdom, understanding and beauty mentioned in the Pseudo-Dionysian teachings.
* **The Papal Guard-** As the successors of the Praetorians this Knightly Order is charged with defending and enacting the will of the pope. They employ the Swiss Guard, entirely consisting of Wights, to guard the vatican at day and take on the duty themselves at nightfall. Their Grand-Master is *Alaric of Vienna* and they worship all Seraphim as their patreon angels.

### Undying Vows

Although the Custodes believe themselves to be lesser divines, they are not without sin and flaw. After a humiliating defeat, a shameful failure or sinful act they may seek redemption by taking on an Undying Vow. They will seek a challenge that can rid themselves of their shame and restore their purity. These challenges can take any form; the most popular examples are pilgramiges, retrieving a holy relic or slaying a mighty enemy. It is said that some Custodes managed to revert the corrupting influence of the underworld or break the Curse of Sitis and put an end to their thirst for blood through fufilling enough vows and chivalrous hardships.

### Turning

Most Custodes where Squires of a Knightly Order before their turning, being preselected by their family relations and the entire order. Although it is rare sometimes a Custodes chooses an exeptional warrior to become their progeny. These must be brave, devout christians and unwavering in the face of death while also associating with the loose code of chivalry the Custodes still uphold to this day. After being deemed worthy the chosen mortal will be inducted into the secrets of the supernatural world and recieve excessive physical and religious training. A candidate for becoming a Custodes must serve their master for several years as Squire to learn and earn themselves the blood of an angel.

Custodes prefer to turn men, believing themselves to naturally be more strong, pure and closer to the image of god. Women are viewed as closer to the devil, being more tempted by sin, corruption and charnal desire. Should a women be chosen to be turned they must usually undergo strict ceremonies of purification that ensure their virginity and the strength of their religious zeal. To outsiders many of these treatmens appear to be physical and mental torture but Custodes view them as a necessairy price to pay for their divine gift.

After proving themselves worthy the chosen mortal will be brought to a secluded place where their progenitor engages them in ritual combat. Although they have no chance to win the way they approach this battle and face their own death is essential. Should they display great courage and face their death without fear their progenitor will disarm them and sink their fangs into their throat to drain them of their blood. Afterwards the exsanguinated body will be stabbed in the heart with a blade covered in the progenitors Essence. Should they be strong enough to return to unlife, the bloody blade will be pulled from their chest and placed on their shoulders and head as a ceremonial accolade.

## Lineages

* **Zalim-**
* **Nephilim**- It was a Cult of Balauri that tried to destroy Constantinople from within long before it was taken by the Zalim. They attempted to cast a powerful curse onto Sitis and his children that would allow Abaddon and his Wraiths to take possession of them through their unnatural thrist. It was *Belial*, a son of Sitis, that prevented this through taking the curse on himself. After the Balauri where slayn *Belial* left the city to cleanse himself from this unholy influence. He could fend of the thread of possession but Abaddons mark was still carved into his soul, allowing his servants to whisper into his ear and influence his desires. This curse was later passed onto Belials children, founding a Lineage of Custodes that are commonly viewed as the children of angels and demons alike. While they are outcast from the rest of their Bloodline they work in the shadows and have devoted themselfes to the fight against the Balauri, although it is just as common to join their ranks.

## See also

* Opinions
* Custodes
* Custodes (Rules)