Shield-Captain - History: Within the ancient Legio Custodes, there existed a range of ranks and seniority of commands, far from transparent to outsiders, to which the more general application of "Shield-Captain" was applied, though within the Legio such ranks ranged from Prefect to Lictor, Proconsul to Tribune, following the ancient patterns of Terra's lost history. Elevated both through the trust held among their peers for their judgement and skill, but first and foremost advanced by the direct approval and in some cases intervention of the Emperor Himself, these were warriors not only of consummate and superhuman ability, but also rare insight, acumen and knowledge.Afforded the rarest and finest of the Imperium's arms, each of these legendary fighters commanded the Legio Custodes against all manner of threats against the Emperor, His works and His domains, and whether their command concerned a dozen of their brethren detached to stand beside one of the Space Marine Legions during the Great Crusade and Horus Heresy in battle, or a thousand-strong Shield Company paved the way for the Emperor to walk upon some world of the dark frontier, they bore with them the might and power of their Legio manifested in a single, indomitable warrior.In the 41st Millennium, the rank of Shield-Captain is still utilised by the Adeptus Custodes. These individuals are amongst the greatest assets of the Imperium. They are superlative superhuman warriors who are able to take on an entire squad of Heretic Astartes in close combat, strike the heads from xenos beasts the size of tanks, and fell rank after rank of lesser enemies with pinpoint fire. Whether they hack their enemies apart with powerful swings of a Castellan Axe, slice and stab with a Sentinel Blade, or impale their victims upon a crackling Guardian Spear, Shield-Captains display absolute mastery of their chosen weapons.Some -- the swiftest in thought and action -- soar into battle in the saddle of a Dawneagle Jetbike. Others -- those of an especially bellicose and aggressive temperament -- favour teleporting to war clad in Allarus Terminator Armour, there to cut down the enemy's leaders and send their underlings fleeing in terror. Whatever their preference, Shield-Captains are the masters of those martial disciplines required to become heroes of legend.More than just exceptional fighters, Shield-Captains are highly intelligent and tactically-gifted battlefield commanders, able to read the ebb and flow of the wider war at a glance and direct their forces accordingly. A great weight of responsibility is placed upon the shoulders of these warrior lords, for to squander the Emperor's personal guards is an unforgivable sin. They know neither fear nor self-doubt, and can appear arrogant and aloof to other warriors of the Imperium.This is a misconception, however, for Shield-Captains are untroubled by such self-serving notions as egotism. They are absolute realists, fully aware of the stakes involved in the wars they wage. They act accordingly, every statement declarative, every action decisive, suffering no impediment to their mission -- be it the machinations of the foe or the pomposity, ignorance or superstition of their mortal allies.This is not to say that Shield-Captains lack for charisma. Rather, they exude it. To the common soldiery of the Imperium these gilded figures seem to have stepped from the pages of religious scripture. Their presence fills faithful men and women with rapturous euphoria, banishing fears and doubts, replacing them with the absolute certainty that the Emperor watches over His servants and will preserve their souls should they fall in battle that day. Shield-Captains are also master diplomats, well-versed in the intricacies of Imperial high society, privy to secrets and traditions that allow them to charm, inspire, threaten and manipulate as required to see their will done.The rank of Shield-Captain is a purely martial one. It signifies that the Custodian in question has the responsibility of leading a force of his comrades into battle. Beneath that umbrella honorific are hundreds of more symbolic or traditional titles. Some are retained only as long as a duty or position is fulfilled, while others are kept in perpetuity. Titles such as "Aquila Commander," "Justus Supreme" or "Emperor's Headsman" are amongst the former, and correspond to guardianship of sections of the Imperial Palace or duties upon the field of battle. Conversely, a Custodian who has stood amongst the Companions will forever be known as "Honoured Watchman," while one who has triumphed in a Blood Game will forever after bear the title of "Shieldsmith."When the Custodians march to war, it is not unusual to see multiple Shield-Captains leading them in battle. Sometimes these warriors fight alongside each other -- groupings such as the Golden Brothers or the Heralds Three have won remarkable renown through their impressive accomplishments. At other times, one amongst the Shield-Captains' number will assume overall command of an especially important mission, his peers lending him their martial prowess and strategic counsel. The decision of who leads at such times is rarely difficult, for the Shield-Captains are frank in discussing their respective merits and quick to recognise whether they, or one of their fellows, is the appropriate choice. So do Shield-Captains epitomise their organisation's pragmatic approach to achieving victory in the Emperor's name.