Custodes

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

## Introduction

The Custodes are one of the six great Strigoi Bloodlines and members of the Inner Cirlce of the Covenant. They rule over italy, switzerland and parts of spain, yet they are employed across the entire world as elite warriors and bodyguards. Like no other the Custodes embody the ancient legacy of the Lemurians, rulers of rome.

## Culture

### Knightly Orders

* **Teutonic Order-** They are one of the oldest and most esteemed knightly orders, looking back on 600 years of brutal conquest. From their defense of Jerusalem and the Holy Land after their founding to the conquest in eastern europe alongside the Dracul; the Teutonic order has been among the most successful knighly orders. Its members are masters of the blade and faith alike, being able to act as priests on the battlefield. Their current Grand-Master is Sir *Sigismund the Pale* and their patreon angel is *Ariel* the "lion of god", said to be the personification of the holy land.
* **The Sword Brethren-** Founded as an order of witchhunters sworn the eradicate the walachian Strigoi the order was quickly overtaken by their enemies. For centuries they where employed in the Dracul war against the Vargr and other Ghouls until Vlad Tepes gifted them to his Custodes cousins to gain their favour. After being embraced into unlife the Sword Brethren have been turned into the most adept hunters of shapeshifters, fighting exclusivly with silver weapons and witchhunter gear. Their current Grand-Master is lord *Alexandru Dalca*, the only Dracul to lead a Custodes. Their patreon angel is *Sarathiel* the "Unwavering", an angel of the eastern eastern orthodoxy that represents discipline and penance.
* **Silent Brotherhood-** Since its founding this secret order only consisted of highly trained Custodes and scholars of the supernatural. It was founded by *Circe*, Sitis only daugther, it was sworn to rid the world of eldritch influences. Across the ages they fougth against *Wraiths*, *Daeva* and *Balauri* in the shadows, cleansing western europe from most of their influence. It is said that its older members ritualistically cut of their tongues and devote themselves to the silence of death so they can remain uncorrupted. Even in present times they are among the largest orders and by far the most adapt at fighting the supernatural. Their current Grand-Master is Sir *Michael* *the Grim* and their patreon angel is Samael, archangel of death and the banishment of restless spirits.
* **Hospitallers of St. Lazarus-** Originally the defenders of Jerusalems hospitals this knightly order quickly devoted itself to physical purification and healing. They do not only deal with mortal diseases like the bubonic plague, cholera or leprosy but also with the pestilent creations of necromancers. Over time they moved their head quarters to the british ilses to deal with the contagious sorcery of the *Vuldonen* and *Balauri* that hid in its chilling marshes. They are not only capable of healing any disease be it supernatural or not; they are also very profficient when it comes to fighting those controlled by disease or their masters. Across the ages the Hospitallers of St. Lazarus have resorted to very radical measures, including the purging of entire cities to prevent plagues from spreading. Their Grand-Master is Sir *Richard Donovan* and their patreon angel is *Raphael* the *"*Virtuous*"*, leader of the cherubim and spiritual healer.

## See also

* Opinions
* Custodes (Rules)
* Custodes (Overview)

## Opinions

### Strigoi

*"Ennobled by the blood of the ancient Lemurians, the Strigoi are destined to rule this world. And in their name we are destined to swing the executioners axe."*

**Balauri**

*"While other Strigoi washed themselves clean of Balaurs betrayal of the roman emperors, the Balauri willingly indulge in disloyalty. Their minds are blackened by madness as are their fangs reddened by thirst. They are abominations that must be destroyed without remorse or afterthought."*

**Cousombre**

*"They honor both the tradition of emperorship and the word of the lord. The Cousombre, as mysterious as their motives can be from time to time, are destined to rule this world since the death of Romulus Augustulus. And since our creation we are obligated to serve such rulers."*

**Dracul**

*"The Dracul have been many things for us: Brothers, masters and companions. The bond between us was forged in the blood of heretics and since that day we are sworn brethren. As long as they honor the crusaders steel nothing will be able to sever this sacred bond."*

**Vuldonen**

*"How low can even the greatest fall? The Vuldonen have tarnished our legacy and dedicated to themselves to heresy. As Undead they might have cheated purgatory but their false gods wont protect them from the fire we will reign upon them."*

**Zalim**

*"We are sworn to strike everyone down that dares to imply bloodrelations between the Strigoi and these heathens; just as we are sworn to eradicate this brood from the world. They have tainted the sacred city and even now they dare to defile it with their dirty presence. The Covenant migth not be willing to launch another crusade but we are not so hesitant."*

### Ghouls

*"May the lord have mercy with these creatures. The entire world has wronged them and again and again they have been pushed into the dirt. Perhabs they should simply stay there, then would could show them mercy."*

**Aedifex**

*"The Aedifex are not to be trusted. Other Strigoi migth be willing to employ their services but they are bound to betray us eventually. Why unleash the beasts of hell when blessed steel is all you need?"*

**Mayong**

*"They have devoted themselves to paganism and they shall pay the price that all enemies of christ do. We do not feel remorse for their recent fate as it has been just."*

**Nereids**

*"It has long been foretold that the great beast shall rise from the sea to bring about the end of the world. We have no doubt that these sea-worshippers are in his service, they can not be trusted."*

**Sphingians**

*"Some of us saw their crypts in the long gone age of crusade. We always knew this was their rightful place and we are sworn to put them back in there, not matter the cost."*

**Vargr**

*"There is no doubt that the Vargr are by far the worst of their kind. They defy the natural laws of this world in mind and flesh, and no matter how much dismay they cause, our blade is bound to find their guts."*

**Zemedi**

*"Although they taint themselves with outlandish arts and foreign faiths, the Zemedi share our zeal. They embrace christ and by his mercy they shall be delivered. We do not strike down believers no matter what the Covenant says."*

### Revenants

*"They meddle with the natural order of things and dare to disturb the rest of the dead. When the Last Judgement comes and the dead rise from their graves, they will lose all of their power. Until then we shall drive them back by the word and the sword."*

**Aph**

*"These things are by no doubt demons in disguse. With trickery and plague they wish to corrupt humankind since ages but none of them can persist in the fire."*

**Aloka**

*"Heathens truly, they shall burn just like their empire did. The Covenant was wise to order their eradication from this world."*

**Yunsong**

*"What madness leads one to defile and tortue the dead in such manners? Not even hell is so cruel as to force a spirit into an idol and enslave it for centuries. Soon enough we shall put an end to these accursed practices."*