The Warhammer 40K neighborhood is as soon as once more divided over the portrayal of girls within the lore, notably within the new tenth Version Adeptus Custodes Codex. The controversy facilities round a narrative that includes Custodian Calladayce Taurovalia Kesh trying to assassinate the Emperor in the course of the Blood Video games.
Regardless of the story’s high quality, many followers are fixated on Kesh being referred to with she/her pronouns. This has sparked accusations of pandering and breaking lore from some factions throughout the neighborhood. Video games Workshop’s assertion on social media that feminine Custodians have at all times existed has additional fueled the talk.
When Have been Feminine Custodes Added to Warhammer 40,000?
Feminine Adeptus Custodes are a latest addition to the lore of Warhammer 40,000. They had been formally confirmed within the tenth version codex launched in April 2024.
This got here as a shock to many followers, as beforehand the Adeptus Custodes had been depicted solely as male. Nonetheless, Video games Workshop has since acknowledged that feminine Custodes have at all times been part of the faction, despite the fact that they had been by no means portrayed in miniature kind or talked about within the lore earlier than.
The addition of feminine Custodes has been met with combined reactions from the Warhammer 40,000 neighborhood. Some followers have praised the transfer as a constructive step in direction of better illustration within the recreation, whereas others have criticized it as a retcon that contradicts the established lore.
Solely time will inform how feminine Adeptus Custodes shall be obtained by the Warhammer 40,000 neighborhood as an entire. However one factor is for positive: their arrival marks a big change for one of many recreation’s most elite and secretive factions.
Why It Makes Sense for Warhammer to Have Feminine Custodes
There’s a well-written Reddit post that summarizes the entire discourse round feminine Custodes. It reveals that those that declare it breaks lore usually cite the eighth version codex’s use of “sons” when referring to these given as much as change into Custodes. Moreover, phrases like “Brotherhood” would possibly suggest a male-exclusive group. Creator Aaron Dembski-Bowden’s remark provides gasoline to this fireplace, revealing his preliminary need to incorporate feminine Custodes however being discouraged as a result of launch of all-male Custodes fashions, which might stir controversy.
On the flip facet, proponents of the opportunity of feminine Custodes level to gender-neutral language in older Horus Heresy black books, suggesting authors might need resisted GW’s male-only mandate. This means that whereas there is not any specific point out of feminine Custodes, the door was by no means firmly closed on their existence.
Taking a center floor, it is conceivable that each arguments maintain water. Maybe the problem lies extra within the execution than the idea itself. For example, introducing feminine Custodes with out acknowledging their absence till now feels disingenuous. A extra swish strategy would contain addressing the matter head-on throughout the lore, offering a believable rationalization for his or her sudden look.
Finally, it is about discovering a steadiness between honoring current lore and embracing new prospects. Whereas the inclusion of feminine Custodes would possibly ruffle some feathers initially, dealing with it with care and respect for the established universe can result in richer storytelling and a extra inclusive Warhammer 40k universe.