GREY KNIGHTS AND THE TERMINUS DECREE! CONFLICT WITH THE CUSTODES?

Hey everyone Rho here! Today we discuss the legendary Grey Knights chapter, and the mysterious Terminus Decree... Would it lead them into conflict with the Emperors Custodes?
General Spoiler Warning to begin as the events we are discussing today are from across the Warhammer 40,000 universe. So you have been warned!
Games Workshop does not endorse or support this video. All views and opinions expressed in this video belong to Wolf Lord Rho and in no way reflect the views or opinions of Games Workshop Ltd.
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Music belongs to Wolf Lord Rho.

[@cesarpallincourt9987]

The terminus decree is in fact a text-to-speech device.

[@jenswurm]

ABOUT FUCKING TIME! I HAVE SO MANY THINGS TO COMPLAIN ABOUT!

[@ionic_archangel2655]

I mean you may not be wrong

[@cesarpallincourt9987]

@@jenswurm They may prefer Him when he was the strong silent type

[@manemperorofmankind8119]

Yes

[@DeltaPhoenix180]

... Yeah, that could easily tear the Imperium apart pretty quickly.

[@earltheartist3697]

yoo thanks for featuring my art rho!

[@Wykesidefruitmachine]

Which one? 😲

[@earltheartist3697]

@@Wykesidefruitmachine the one used in the thumbnail so the grey knight holding the severed daemon head

[@Wykesidefruitmachine]

@@earltheartist3697 Holy shit, what incredible talent!!! Where can I follow your art?

[@lonedesertfox]

Great job mate! Yeah @earltheartist where are you located on the web!?!

[@danpsyker6122]

Stunning artwork mate! That Grey knight looks like a complete badass

[@basketcase289]

The Terminus Decree is the instructions on how to delete the Emperors browser history

[@BrawnyStream]

Doesn’t want anyone to know he looked up “big tiddy Eldar girls”

[@HG1F2]

@@BrawnyStream wait until you see his history for "blue fishy oriental hotties"

[@josephjohnson5415]

Two tau one greater good.

[@patrioticwhitemail9119]

Head-cannon: all the psykic energy that is "leaking" from the throne is actually being stored up, with the gradual failure of the throne only being a ruse to prevent the gods from catching on. The seal is the catalizer of the bomb.

[@themagickgoblin840]

Isn't that basically what Vulcan installed he turned the golden throne into a bomb so if the emperor dies it closes the warprift leading to terra.

[@patrioticwhitemail9119]

@@themagickgoblin840 If the throne turns off, the broken webway portal E was trying to make (then magnus destabilized and broke) would consume Earth. There was never a direct confirmation of what the device was. Vulcan who made it says that he didn't even know what he made, or why he made it, only that he went unconscious and woke up with it in his hands with the feeling that he needed to bring it to E. Vulcan assumes that E possessed him directly to make it, or implanted in him the suggestion to make it and not remember. Nobody but E knows what it does in-story. it being a bomb is only assumed given E said "a blow they will never recover from", and a warp bomb designed to be as empirically vicious as the birth of slannesh, but with the acidic essence of E instead of unfocused emotion, seems like the only thing that could do that successfully, unless E plans on commanding the imperium's forces to directly sterilize the galaxy of all life in a suicide bum-rush, which is unlikely given that if the imperium ever got that desperate to do it, the imperium's enemies would already be far too strong to stall by the feeble remnants. If the throne is a E bomb, then the warp rift still won't close, because only a necron plyon can do that. The warp and materium were one-in-the-same during the glory days of the old ones. A sane rules-based existence free of overflowing warp is the left-over battle-trenches the necrons dug to fight the eldar and old-ones. The eye of terror, and rift, and Earth will simply burn with steralizing fire for a couple hundred years or so until it fades like slannesh's birth scream did, destroying everything it touches, thus resetting the "great game's" "chess board" for a second match, kinda like the fantasy Age-Of-Sigmar franchise did after Chaos won and ate the planet. This is probably what GW planned to do with the 40k franchise too before the negative fan reaction to AOS and the explosion of 40k popularity made then reconsider.

[@themagickgoblin840]

@@patrioticwhitemail9119 seeing gws habit to flip flop on lore i wouldnt be surprised if a psychic ebomb would be as affective as a black stone pylon. It wouldn't be the first time they smashed established lore for the sake of a cool story to sell a book and some models

[@stariswartorn]

"catalyst"

[@saltedllama2759]

@@themagickgoblin840 It's their lore; they can do what they want with it. All of their lore is "established" and canon, since it's theirs. After 10,000 years in-story, stuff is bound to change, be undone, or reverse. Just because you don't like doesn't mean it stops being established.

[@normtrooper4392]

My suspicion is that the Grey Knights have some secret access route. Some secret portal or maybe spell that they could use to get inside the throne room for a lightning quick strike. Malcadore must have known that the custodes would always be vigilant against any and all threats and planned something specific.

[@macgonzo]

Could the GK maybe have a way to teleport in?

[@normtrooper4392]

@@macgonzo they must have some spell or device that directly teleports them there. Possibly just in case they need to respond to a demonic incursion faster than their ships can take them

[@macgonzo]

@@normtrooper4392 that would be my guess too 👍

[@tha8baller]

Makes sense, they just got out of the webway war so they would want a shortcut to get the GKs to the dungeon/throne room for instant reinforcements in case the webway were somehow reopened and the demons overrun the palace. It’s probably a secret teleporter room in the Titan Monastery keyed for only one location: right by the golden throne’s off switch.

[@elijahgrimm8052]

Not likely. Custodes love their blood games, where they stage any and every way to make an attempt on the Emperor. Hell if I remember right, during one blood game they stumbled upon an assassin who was in the middle of such an attempt. Things got pretty awkward pretty quick.

[@victoroduarte]

if the Gray Knights clash with the Custodes I'm sorry, but they're going to take a beating... They've suffered to deal with the Space Wolfs. I don't see them having much of a chance against the Custodes.

[@WanderingCelts]

Just in numbers maybe. But with their power as pyskers they would beat the cutodes. In the fight before the wall in Watchers of the throne they were watched by Valerian and he commented on their power and how they fought as a brotherhood. In the lore they are bigger than primaris and deadlier. In the Uriel Ventris novels he was beaten along with his sergeant instantly by one grey knight. Only Mephiston could hope to match their pysker power. They are unique as they can fight in the warp and universe equally. They are the Emperors creation and equally his children.

[@magnum32b]

Facts. They should've been able to roll the wolves. They certainly gave them a beating, but received an equal beating in return. And unlike the Space Wolves, the Grey Knights can't replace their casualties so lightly.

[@victoroduarte]

@@WanderingCelts the point is that the Custodes always count on the support of the sisters of silence.

[@kccustodes2618]

@@victoroduarte true story

[@silentedict4256]

They lost maybe 3 against the space wolves, and that by surprise attacks. In return the wolves were nearly destroyed, but they won the moral victory and thus got them to back down since few Grey knights actually cared to follow the instance inquisitor.

[@aldrikvoldus585]

I don’t think it’s about loyalty. I think it’s because the Grey Knights know the power of a True Name. What if the parchment is the Emperor’s True Name and what to do with it

[@jrsrfcemc2756]

And his name is Timmy

[@apocalypsenow6559]

Put the hat on Timmy.

[@henryviiifake8244]

*_"AND HIS NAME IS JOHN CENA!_* 🎺🎶🎺🎵🎶"

[@Jon-ef4hh]

@@henryviiifake8244 That's so messed up it would be totally worth it. LOL

[@chuckhoyle1211]

His True Name is Henry Cavill.

[@oatlord]

"He pressed the golden colored button, and heard only a faint voice in the background. Straining, he heard: I was there the day Horus killed the Emperor."

[@Humster]

KONO HORUS DA!!!

[@MrRedmaw]

The Terminus Decree is a simple parchment that reads - Have you tried turning it off, then on again.

[@daftwulli6145]

so turning the thonre off and on again ?

[@terrellthegoat5919]

I like the non cannon theory which states that the Throne plus the two devices will activate a galaxy wide ritual on all planets with the Emperors symbol which absorbs all the souls on that planet fueling the Emperor's Return as a God in the Material Realm. If you add 1million worlds worth of souls being devoured by the Emperor that's a critical blow to chaos and what's left can attempt a comeback.

[@joshuahan9816]

I have a theory on how grey knights can pull this off. So Dante has visions of a golden warrior defending the golden throne against the hordes of chaos. I think it’s reasonable that during the final stand against chaos, the custodies will order a retreat into the throne room. The last stand will include key figures like Dante, a loyalist primarch or two, custodians, and most likely, several named grey knights including the supreme grand master. I think prior to this last stand, the supreme grand master will have read the terminus decree and understood his mission. As you say, he can’t find a way to pull this off by fighting or reasoning his way in. It’s only possible if the custodians have no choice but to let them in as a final last stand. In regards to what the decree actually does, I’d be willing to bet something like a throwback to the last time the emperor walked off the golden throne would happen. Like when custodians defended against chaos breaking into the palace, but on a much larger scale. Since he’s been sitting on the throne being fueled with psyker sacrifices for the past 10k years, I’d guess he’d be able to just emit some kind of golden blast to cleanse the entire planet of chaos taint and revive everyone who died. Or bring them back legion of the damned style.

[@JamesHuxford]

I assume the decree reads “have you tried turning it on and off again?” Got to love Rho’s work, in top 3 lore channels!

[@xristospalaiokostas8903]

The Adeptus Custodes always and forever will obey in their master's decrees and commands no matter what, no matter what the cost for humanity or for themselves, will be always loyal to the core to the Emperor. If ever they learned about the Terminus Decree is legitimate wish from their Master and in extension, Malcador, then will execute this last resort with grim dedication and undoubtedly faith.

[@thundercrash4775]

While true, the trick is PROVING it is a legitimate command from the Emperor.

[@kccustodes2618]

I do not think it has anything to do with the Emperor. If it did, the head of the Custodes would have the decree and immediately just execute it at the time.

[@MrSplicer3]

It is from Malcador, not the Emperor. He may have said yes for it to be created, but it is not His seal.

[@xristospalaiokostas8903]

@@MrSplicer3 if you assume the decree indeed comes from Malcador himself then the Emperor approved it, so no matter from the moment the Terminus Decree is approved from the Master of Mankind then, there is no problem from Custodes's side.

[@radekhomola7658]

i would dissagree, in Siege of Terra Saturnine, Dorn, Malcador and Valdor (SPOILER) are discussing the possibility of evacutian of the Emperor through the use of Phalanx, when Malcador says, and i quote ‘He will never leave,’ he said. ‘The question went unanswered. I can tell you, He will not agree to it.’ and Valdor replies ‘He might have to,’ said Valdor. ‘His safety is my duty. It’s the one area in which I have final say. I won’t ask. I will just do it.’ From this we can take that Custodes would never let Emps die, even if on His command.

[@Vohtwomax]

After listening to all the different theories and possible issues, I find myself wondering if the Terminus Decree describes how the Grey Knights will have to sacrifice themselves to the throne? If we are led to believe that the Emperor himself was born from 1,000(or whatever #) ancient pyskers all commiting suicide, then it might stand to reason that 800 Grey Knights, each of whom are some of the most powerful pyskers in the imperium, all killing themselves at the same time might bolster the Emperor somehow. Just a thought, but one I had not considered before. If the decree is to kill the Emperor, however, then the GK will have one fuck of a fight on their hands. But for that reason ALONE is why they were entrusted with the decree in the first place.

[@halloweener3754]

Yeah that's my theory also, the Grey Knights have to replay the ancient shamans' mass suicide that created the Emperor. Just morbid enough to fit the lore nicely.

[@piotrd.4850]

@@halloweener3754 Imagine same ritual using loyal primachs whole Thousand Sons legion and selected Custodes.

[@shuginubi]

sounds too true

[@ssjjshawn]

I'll be honest, this doesn't sound like the Emperor trying to restart his power, that sounds like the Emperor's final decree is to try and create a second Emperor tier psychic to take over where he failed. This may not even be the first time that has happened, if what some of the few hints of the DAoT and Malcador are true.

[@ruaine83]

Makes sense, especially when the grey knights are already trained to combine their warp powers during battle to make them stronger than the sum... I expect it would be something like GN: All of you, pour your entire soul and power into this merger *cool buzzing noises and a blast if light" Big-E: "BY YOUR POWERS COMBINED, I AM THE EMPEROR OF MAN!!!"

[@darkage5]

According to Realms of Chaos. Grey knights are automatically granted an audience with the Emperor. Haven't seen that retconned.

[@rorytolmie6504]

I think that's a lot of assumption, Malcador and Empz don't seem dumb enough to think the Grey Knights would even try and attack the throne. Assuming their intelligences were not stunted. They would likely make access to the Golden throne, and Seal location separate from where the Gold dongles are hanging out in the throne room on guard duty. You wouldn't put your spare housekey under the mat a foot from the door it's used on, you'd hide it in a false rock or magnet box nearby, out of sight. Especially because, the Empz knew what was going to happen, it's hard to believe he would just say "Screw it, Vulcan. Put the big red button to blow on my armrest" That seems.. I don't know... stupid? Illogical? Short-sighted? Anti-climatic? Bad writing.... Yep. So more than likely, the Grey Knights would have their own trigger, in it's own spot, hidden away from even the Custodes... As to anyone saying, the golden boys know every inch of the Imperial Palace, may I remind you an assassin nearly made it to the throne room and he was JUST a Drukhari assassin. Not a demon, not a greater demon, not a god-spirit or Uber-OP plot armor dipstick. Just a Drukhari. Who managed to make it though Battlefleet Solar, the Astra-militarum, Custodes, Grey Knights, Martian Mechanicum, and all of Terra's millions of defenses. Just one guy.

[@claytonthegrubkiller6430]

The drukhari part is bullshit, another story says that a random ass world eater killed multiple custodes with his bare hands, most writers have no idea where the Custodes are on the power scale.

[@inquisitordakka]

@@claytonthegrubkiller6430 honestly anything lesser that kills a Custodes is non canon for me

[@LutherMahoney]

@@claytonthegrubkiller6430 How is it bullshit when the Inquisition is trying to cut a deal with the Drukarhi themselves to get the Golden Throne fixed?

[@claytonthegrubkiller6430]

@@LutherMahoney lmao, first off, it's not the drukhari, there's absolutely no diplomacy with them it's always kill on sight, second, the Inquistion needing help dealing with xeno tech (which the throne uses) has absolutely nothing to do with how strong the custodes are

[@snakeoo7ca]

@@claytonthegrubkiller6430 lmao first off, you are way off kid. Diplomacy *has* been (semi) successful with the Drukhari. Diplomacy may not be feasible with the Drukhari faction in entirety, however there are Drukhari entities who may desire to reap the reward from helping the emperor Albeit it is far from a healthy relationship free from ulterior motives, but a relationship nonetheless.

[@anxioussamurai9017]

Rho is almost at 100k subscribers and he's earned every one of them. One of the best 40k lore channels out there, and that's saying something!

[@Ghastly_Grinner]

Well its clear that GW is turning the Emperor into a god so either this is going to happen in a novel just before the Emperor ascends into the warp & becomes a god or it will just fade away out of the lore after it happens

[@John-jc3ty]

you forgot an obvious approach. the custodes could have a protocol if someone showed with that seal, that says that whoever has it has to be brought to its counterpart, but they wouldnt know what it does. then once hes brought there, he can push the switch, even with custodes watching they wouldnt notice until mabe a few seconds or minutes after. it doesnt seem too difficult.

[@halloweener3754]

The Terminus Decree is just a simple door override so the real Emperor can finally leave Trazyn's gallery.

[@23Zeljko]

Nothing leaves Trazyn's Museum unless he himself wishes it xD

[@Erika_Redmark]

All hope is lost. The galaxy is in flames. The resurgent Squat Empire has smashed aside all resistance. Holy Terra itself is on the verge of destruction. The Custodes are holding the final bulwark leading to the throne room. The Grey Knights Chapter Master makes the fated decision to open the box containing the Terminus Decree. As the container opens all he sees inside is a solitary datasheet. With no time to spare, he activates it, and a recording starts to play. The fated sound that heralds the Imperiums final breath… “We’re no strangers to love. You know the rules and so do I…” 🤣👍

[@thechriscrowing]

One of the most fun things about 40k is there are so many pieces of open ended, semi-abandoned lore like this that might be a part of some development in the narrative, but probably not, that could in-universe be part of some grand plan, or not that we can wonder about.

[@tha8baller]

The parchment contains 2 things: 1) instructions to re-aim the teleporter already in the Sanctum Sanctorum to point to the throne room instead 2) instructions on how to deactivate the golden throne to reboot the Emperor into a warp-like god being (personally I think he is a suped up, self made demon prince Perpetual from his time in the Molech portal, why else would demons call him the Anathema?) No need to fight their way in, I’m sure the Emperor and Malcador would have made it possible for them to complete their mission if they chose to finally open the box. They are his personal astartes chapter and he is their primarch so maybe a different bond than with his custodes who would literally only refuse this one command and he knew it. It’s over as soon as they open that box.

[@dibshadibs]

you're getting real close to 100K Rho, i'm so happy you're going to hit the big 6 digit milestone. Looking forward to a new subscriber special!

[@mysticalseapotato8303]

Depends on if the grandmaster of the grey nights even knows what it does. If he doesn’t, he would be have no reason to believe it would kill the emperor, so he wouldn’t even be able to act suspicious which the custodies would notice. I would see it that he would ask permission to see the emperor and the golden thrown. There is a good chance that there is definitive proof that the emperor and malodor set this up, so I think the custodies would end up allowing them to come in, under heavy guard of course. Then they would scour the thrown to find the seal, do what they think needs to be done, witness the emperor die, and then the grandmaster would instantly be slaughtered for “treason” against to emperor.

[@EvelynNdenial]

more like instantly die to the psychic nuke going off next to them when big E dies and or the hammer thing is activated.

[@adeptusagronomist9650]

You have outdone yourself Wolf Lord. I think you’ve solve the endtimes plot. As a lore junky this is the greatest fix I could hope for.

[@adeptusagronomist9650]

I just hope I can come down from this high.

[@sheevpalpatine2128]

Id like to think after 10,000 years the custodes would find every path in or out the palace, nevermind the throne room.

[@fulalbatross]

I do agree they'd have found any and all purely physical ways into the throne room by now. But I'm sure there's a plethora of psychic pathways in there too. At least some of which, they still don't know about.

[@sheevpalpatine2128]

@@fulalbatross a fair point i didnt really think of that, just physical entrances, that would probably be the work around.

[@nuru666]

@@sheevpalpatine2128 Custodes know the palace inside and out, they would literally notice a single new scratch on a single screw on a wall panel the size of Mt Rushmore. They play constant war games and a few are selected to sneak around the palace to "assassinate" other Custodes in order to weed out possible points of entry. Think of that for a second.... Not just ordinary Space Marines, but CUSTODES.... Playing Hide and Seek/Manhunt :D

[@JerkyMurky]

I would love to see a battle where the grey knights are trying to turn off the thrown, and the custodes, guillomen, and the sisters are trying to stop them and then the custodes turn off the thrown and during the midsts of their battle the emperor returns... That would be fucking awesome.

[@trenthydra7189]

i feel like you are overlooking the whole reason Malcador needed to sit of the emperor's throne the imperial webway project acting as a backdoor for the greyknights not saying that assuming that they could fight through the hoards of daemons trying to get in that they would have any easier a time if they were expected by the custodes but if terra were to come under siege again...

[@adeptusagronomist9650]

It would entirely depend on who the sisters of silence sided with.

[@duncanself5111]

I'm impressed you're producing a lot more videos now while managing to keep the quality high and the content as interesting as ever. Keep up the good work dude!

[@hiddenleaf414]

I love the aesthetics of the Grey Knights but I just hate how the Inquisition makes them their lap dogs and they just core crack planets for small encounters with Chaos. That’s the opposite of grey, that’s seeing it black and white.

[@leftistadvocate9718]

i like the idea that the terminus decree is instructions on how to make an emperor. the emperor is a bunch of psychic souls melded together in mass ritual suicide. so it's entirely possible the terminus decree isn't about killing the emperor but making a new one. the grey nights are the only military arm comprised entirely of psychers. if any faction in the imperium could pull off making a new emperor with the same ritual that was used to make the first emperor it is them.

[@yikeswazowski9838]

12:03 it's crazy how a random harlequin got further than the grey knights probably could

[@johnball1481]

I recall seeing a bit of lore a lonnnnnng time ago in an old imperial army book that upon the death of the emperors body his souls physic presence would ascend as a inverse to the power of the chaos gods causing their destruction. No Emperor, No Chaos Gods, No chaos forces, no warp travel.

[@KronicVayne]

I think they would be instructed to find one of or both of the missing primarchs behind the doors with their numbers (2 and 11) hidden behind psyker traps (why grey knights alone were chosen or at least part of the reason) perhaps awakening/reviving/releasing one or both secret sons would have a game-changing effect on the imperium, super fun things to think about :)

[@Shire_Sam]

Key gets inserted into the golden throne: slight humming starts: ITS ABOUT FUCKING TIME, I HAVE SO MANY THINGS TO COMPLAIN ABOUT

[@SirBlade666]

The Emperor and Malkador know what the Custodes (and the Grey Knights) are like and would have taken precautions in de document (I'm assuming it's not a remote control that would work from far away). The easiest way would be to lie to both, and we all know the Emperor's relation to the truth is similar to a certain British PM. I'd expect the degree to read something like "When Earth is likely to fall, bring the Grey Knights Chapter Master to me and I will bestow upon him te power to vanquish any foe. Let none bar his way or face my wrath, this goes for you Custodes as well!" Then when the Chapter Master is brought to the Golden Throne he's instructed to send out a psychic command like "Alexa, code Code Zero Zero Zero Destruct Zero". We've also seen conditioning including secret shutdown or activation commands, like when an assassin attacked Vangorich. I've always found this idea of a secret known only to the Chapter Master a bit weird. Whether it's the terminus degree or Luther's cell. Chapter Masters tend to die on the Battlefield and their successors aren't always near them, or even known at the time. There have to be some chapter serfs or servitors who hold the knowledge too so they can teach the new chapter master.

[@o-anonium8653]

I have had this idea rolling around in my head for a long time, it seems obvious to me that there would have to be conflict if the Terminus Decree indeed instructions to turn off The Golden throne. This takes me on quite a tangent but bear with it, one of the so called origin stories of the emperor was that of the suicide of large group of shamans to create the Emperor. What if the terminus decrees intent was to force the the Grey knights into conflict with the Custodes and Sisters of silent? What if every single Grey knight sacrificed themselves in the name of the Emperor, not knowing their death was by design to make the Emperor reborn. Given every single Grey knight is a powerful psyker it could definitely work. Food for thought at least.

[@KaiserMaxim]

I think that the rebirth of the emperor could take time and effort just as Vulcan's did. Therefore, the astronomican would go off and the Emperium would be no more.

[@Kat1kafka]

Grey Knight tries to hurt a Custode Custode:something tickled me...

[@PhthaloGreenskin]

I think a grey knight Paladin or grandmaster might be able to hold his own against a custode but only for a very brief period of time. Because I think sigismund dueled a custode and scored a point. It wouldn't be to out there for a Paladin or Grandmaster to achieve a similar feat.

[@adamshapiro5692]

According to the 8th edition Custodes codex it says "No secret is kept from the Custodes." and since from their creation back in the days of the unification wars, they have only been made and tasked for protecting big E. I think there would have to be some colaboration between the Custodes and the GK, and not even a GK can take out a custodes, 1v1. I love this lore, but hate its execution.

[@thth1000]

The Terminus Decree could involve the true rebirth of Horus (now resistant to Chaos due to his experiences) as a Champion of Emperor. Terminus Decree could be in effect mean the opposite of it, that is the unmaking the termination of Horus.

[@morgs456]

Let's be fair. There aren't any 40k fans who do not want to see the greys stand off with the custodes

[@piercethroughheart5700]

Valdor once slaughtered 30 Thousand sons alone and They were top tier psykers. I don't think GK has any chance against Custodes. Custodes are way too agile for GK.

[@phan]

People kind of counting out Kaldor Drago, he's one of the few people to defeat a daemon primarch, so he might have a chance with his full forces to fight their way to the throne.

[@balazsvarga1823]

The only non primarch who beat a demon primarch one on one.

[@Tyler.O]

The "Terminus Decree" is a 'yo mama' joke so funny that it has everyone (when played on loud speaker) rolling on the ground laughing their guts out (not literally) - but it gives whoever is holding the parchment enough time to slip in and do whatever he/she needs to do in order to bring about said event(s).

[@Three-Headed-Monkey]

The Terminus Decree: "Hold a Bolter to Gav Thorpe's head until he writes 'And thus Chaos was destroyed forever and mankind rules the galaxy unchallenged.'"

[@Not_James_Hernandez]

So I think this is a halo ring situation. The instructions are for the GKs to work with the Custodies to unplug the Big E unleashing the hoards in the webway while simultaneously destroying all life (on every plane) , sparing everyone from a faith worse than death. The caveat, prior to pulling the plug, the custodies or GK will be responsible for preparing/securing an arch of some kind holding raw genetic material and basically set a timer to begin fertilizing eggs after the halo style cleansing, therefore snuffing out the source chose draws it power from, humans, then allowing enough time to go by and restart humanity free of chaos. Who knows, this may be a cycle?! Humanity starts, chaos sprouts, humanity ends and do it all over again. I’m aware this premise is used elsewhere but still pretty cool. Also, maybe all or some of the custodies will remain in the arch and be responsible for passing down everything they have learned to humanity. There are many ways this plot can go and this is just my interpretation.

[@dgpainting638]

I like to think that it is command codes to switch off Terra itself, so they never have to step onto the planet. Or command codes to switch off the throne room. So long as they are in orbit/communication range, they can send the codes and stay safe

[@muneirovalibas6194]

*Grey Knight opens the Terminus Decree* " Make some sht up, thanks." Love, M. Sigilite.

[@peterbc6129]

I had a theory for a little bit, especially with the implications of the Custodes and the Lost Primarchs: Couldn't it be possible that, in the direst circumstances, Big E wanted them to reawaken the Lost Primarchs and their legions?

[@Colin13ify]

Love your channel. Keep up the great work!

[@crunchynutter8241]

Once opened, the instructions reads: press and hold the power button for 3s. Then wait 30s before pressing the power button again.

[@britishpalmtree9268]

Perhaps the terminus decree is to seek out the king in yellow and aid him. It would take those heavily resistance to the warp and it's temptations to find him, and they would be his new custodes. Perhaps the KIY can heal the emperor, but choose not to... Or perhaps the KIY could, with his warp knowledge, be a new spearhead for the imperium, but it would mean the emperor betraying himself, and the risk of civil war.

[@dac314]

I guess I don't know the lore as well as Rho, but I figure if you explained to the Custode the significance of the order, and the possibility of it bringing the Emperor back to life, they MIGHT do it. I really hoped this video was gonna be about two Solar factions cracking shots at the other.

[@Alhazzred01]

I believe the parchment holds the true name of the emperor. The one valdor has been searching for for 10000 years. With it the emperor could be controlled.

[@sersisor]

Maybe the fact that the head of the grey knights won't even open the box is pointing towards that just opening the box will do the trick? And the note will just be a "oh btw since you opened the box this will happen"xD

[@andrewwatts2443]

It would involve turning the throne off and in so doing cause a psychic wave so massive it would destroy most of the warp, seal it and cut off what little is left of humanity. This would also cut off the chaos gods from humanity.

[@Phil-D83]

Turns the throne into a massive psychic doomsday bomb. The last massive weapon you have when you run out of all the medium and small weapons.

[@markharrison1884]

Inside the box is a little note which reads: "First shalt thou take out the Holy Pin. Then shalt thou count to three, no more, no less. Three shall be the number thou shalt count, and the number of the counting shall be three. Four shalt thou not count, neither count thou two, excepting that thou then proceed to three. Five is right out. Once the number three, being the third number, be reached, then lobbest thou thy Holy Hand Grenade........"

[@reinettesylfgreinar365]

I don't think turning off the throne would require beating the entire custodes. Being the Grey Knights, I imagine they have something that permits them to get in if not at least pretty close. From the closest point, they only need to fight off the custodes who are immediately present, then hold that position while they turn the throne off which shouldn't take long. If they have the order they must have instructions as well or, lacking instructions, a good hammer or explosives tends to do such a job just fine. Even more so with psychic powers assisting such an effort. In other words, they don't have to beat the custodes to perform this task. They just have to keep them occupied long enough for the task to be performed.

[@PhynixDS]

Terminus Decree is a reset switch possibly a time reversal key, and the Emperor going back to just pre heresy and the emperor knowing what he knows would possibly set to purging his legions of the traitors before istvan 5 massacre just a theory :D

[@Peter-by3ox]

This is a great theory

[@ShadowPhoenixMaximus]

Given how spread out the Grey Knights are and how desperate the situation would have to be for the Terminus Decree to be activated, I couldn't imagine them having the numbers to pull it off.

[@AvACyberSecurity]

Could it not be this weapon we are currently currently seeing being made in the SOT novels? So it ends ALL transhumans, loyal and traitor alike?

[@davidb3155]

Perhaps the true nature of the Alpha legion is to be the distraction for the Grey Knights to turn off the throne

[@stewartleslie3292]

Nah, the Alpha Legion is playing both sides for another reason. It's almost like they are a link between the traitor primarchs and the Imperium.

[@mathewfitzpatrick5645]

Shit goes down. The decree is read. The Grey Knights have a "hop, skip, bounce" fast landing on Terra. The Grand Master holds up a partially unrolled scroll to the nearing Custode, barking "I need into the Throne Room. Now!". The Custode, after reading a line written by Big E or Malcador, turns and VERY briskly leads the GK host to the Throne Room. Entering the Throne Room, the GKs fan out as there GM moves in front of a specific rune. As the leader of the Custodes enters the room, the GM unfurls the rest of the parchment and reads it out so all can hear as he activates the runs on the Throne. As the Throne is heard powering down, the GKs present arms (a la funeral ceremony) as the Custodes fall upon them. A giant crash is heard behind the web way gates's doors, stopping the Custodes mid stroke. Everybody looks before the doors are thrown off, and an (angelic) host flood out of the gate. Big E leads the charge, closely followed by a whole Ferrus, and innumerable lost heroes of the Imperium. The host charges onward as a psychic wave cleanses the entire sol system/solar segmentum of chaos' taint. Lights come back on, credits roll.

[@Its-Just-Zip]

I think there's an important point to be made here the terminus decree won't be executed unless there is no hope left for the imperium which likely means there won't be 10,000 custodians anymore there will likely only be a few hundred and the gray knights will probably still have a sizable portion of their numbers given that the only situation that a custodian is going to fall that would equal no hope left is a chaos one The other question to ask here is who would the sisters of silence side with

[@cydraiyne8323]

I think it’s coordinates for a webway entrance behind the throne under or whatever as well as the way and location to shut off the throne 😁

[@ruaine83]

Could be a remote trigger for the Talisman of Vulkan, in case it needs activated, but the emperors state still registers as alive-ish but suoer weakened and unable to keep the warp gate closed. It very well may teleport the Emperor off of Terra so that his Perpetual qualities let him regenerate. I'm my thoughts, He cannot regenerate while He is spending so much psychic power keeping the gate closed and managing the Astronomicon. Take that burden from Hin, and let the regeneration commence.

[@Admiralkirk95]

Maybe the terminus decree has instructions to turn off the throne in a more simple way. Maybe it's as simple as it tells them how to turn off the device from afar? It may not require conflict. The grey knights are a secret, and the way to kill the emperor may also be a secret kill switch. They'd serve the final order of Malcador and the emperor while remaining anonymous? Either that or it is a way to reach the throne secretively, or take down any anti teleportation shielding so they can get in close. But knowing this is grimdark, easier solutions don't usually exist, so a fight is probably inevitable.

[@johnro5650]

It's the emperor's true name written in the parchment. It's mere meaning gives the parchment power and exists now as a daemon god like figure in the warp, knowledge of his true name could control or banish him like any other daemon.

[@benmagiera6973]

Also my personal opinion about what the terminus degree is, the grenades are basically the Knights Templar and they guarded a precious secret being the holy Grail. The darkest of times the imperium will face is when the emperor dies. Terminus decree meaning and being the emperors life contains The location of where to find the newly reborn emperor. It is the green lights task to find this child and keep them safe until he’s able to rule the imperium again.

[@eragon666s]

Small correction... the terminus protocol, the sealed box is located in a Grey Knights Sactum on Holy Terra not in there fortress on Titan... and the sactum is within the bowels of the citadel itself. There is a small force of Grey Knights gaurding it tho none may enter the Sanctum except the Supreme Grand Master.

[@jadmurdoch1986]

That 100k subs mark is creeping up! Will be well deserved :)

[@thecheechoftheages]

They need to make this scenario a game where you are the grey knights chapter master fighting a losing battle across the galaxy that climax’s into him having to break into the palace to use the terminus decree

[@duddude321]

The Custodes have two absolutes "Protect the Emperor," and "Obey the Emperor." If the TD is indeed an order to pull the plug on him then the Emperor and Malcador would have correctly guessed that the Custodes are incapable of making that decision, but the Grey Knights can. It could well be the TD is instructions for the Grey Knights to let him die and a direct order to the Custodes to stand aside and let them do it.

[@mrrodriguezHLP]

Custodes: Lol. Grey Knights. Space Wolves: I know, right?

[@kccustodes2618]

The Terminus Decree is the key into the Throne Room via the Golden Throne. It was given to the Grey Knights so they could take it to Valdor's secret pocket dimension, allowing a portal (or something akin) to open and let Valdor and his crew come to save the day at some point in the future. You are getting this all wrong. It is not just the Emperor and Malcador, it was The Emperor, Malcador, and Valdor. Valdor was there at that time. Also you are wrong, if the decree was to kill The Emperor a Custode could NOT defy it. A Custodes cannot go against the wish of the Emperor. But if the decree was to end The Emperor, the head of the Custodes would have it because they cannot disobey. Also, I made a facebook account just to try and find groups so I can talk about 40k stuff, but that hasn't worked out at all. If anyone wants to just chat, theorize, etc about 40k look up Kevin C. Custodes there.

[@vinayvenkatram8535]

Sounds more interesting than Rho's biased speculations as always. Also, have you tried the "Warhammer 40k" and "Warhammer 40k Fans" groups on Facebook? It's not lore-focused in its entirety but the community is still cool.

[@kccustodes2618]

@@vinayvenkatram8535 Thanks, will look. But yeah, this is one of the things in 40k that grabs my attention currently. The decree being a key, Valdor and his army, Octarius, and the possibility the Custodes have Primarch XI locked away in the basement.

[@tokoyonokuni4656]

In pre-Ward sources, the Grey Knights were admitted into the Imperial Palace for audiences with the Emperor, several companies at a time (there is 300 Companions, and no sister of silence inside). They were also not believed to be Codex size, which makes absolutely 0 sense, as they are a Codex thoroughly uncompliant Chapter, which does a job that should be undertaken by a dozen more, in fact, I am pretty sure they were believed to be circa 2000 and a few hundreds.

[@naus6081]

It’s an embarrassing photo of the Emperor at the Christmas party with Horus

[@kateyderr3077]

If it's an incantation, what's to say it's not a way to remotely shut down the golden throne without ever having to leave their own secured location? Thereby never having to engage either the Custodes or the sisters of silence...

[@scasimir1000]

So I normally to the party but here's a theory to throw out maybe there's an entrance that leads straight to the throne itself customize and somewhat built by the emperor himself and only a great night who has the box and the parchment can even walk in.

[@the_guitarcade]

Terminus Decree is actually a 6th millennium doom metal band. The corpse Emperor just wants to hear them one last time before he dies.

[@BishopBrow]

Well I would point out that at that point the imperium would be a done deal the throne world besieged and falling, and the custodes up to their armpits in heretics. The emperor would probably relax the psychic blocks enough for the Grey Knights to teleport into the throne world.

[@DarKbIZ94]

In short: For me the Terminus decree is the spell to bring back the lost legion and the lost primarch. And that is why the instruction were given to the grey knights, because it needs the emperors geneseed as a key. In long: In the emperor has stashed the lost legion on a planet in the warp as a last line of defence. The whole destruction thing is just a diversion. Only the emperor and malcador knew of this and only the emperor had the power to bring the lost legion back. But when the Horus Heresy came, both of them knew, they needed a different plan to bring the lost legion back and so the idea for the grey knights was born. They needed a strong pysic force with the emperors geneseed as the key to bring the lost legion back from the warp. No other force at the time had these abilities and so they created one. The only reason malcador was able to send the grey knights into the warp, was emperor. Malcador had the spell used to send the lost legion into the warp as a template which he used for the grey knights. The spell to bring back the lost has to be cast from the golden throne itself. Maybe the death of the emperor is even need as an additional key or as a source of power. Additionally the dammed legion is lost legion. There power armour is just not known anymore. Maybe after 10 k years the barriers between the lost legion and rest of the warp are weakning and the great rift has weakend the barrier between the warp and the realspace. Or the emperor activly sends the member of the lost legion out for specific missions. That would also explain why they are always at places were they are most needed. This theory connects a lot of open points in the 40k lore. @Wolf Lord Rho What is your opinion to this theory?

[@bluedragon5676]

If the grey knights tried to harm the master of mankind every loyal space marine would decend upon them and last time the grey knights got into a fight with the space wolves they where rended apart, so the custodes would obliterate them without breaking a sweat.

[@CyrodiilCome]

Nah, The Inquisition would back them, So deathwatch, regiments of stormtroopers, The sisters of battle, and chapters who owe allegiance to the Inquisition like the Crimson Fist who use to do hits for them, Exorcists chapter, and many more

[@bluedragon5676]

@@CyrodiilCome For every regiment of storm troopers I will raise you a regiment of emperor loving kriegers and their shovels as for the death watch doubt they would fair any better than the grey knights commander did when Grimnar and the space wolves decended upon the grey knights, not to mention the imperial fists are also present upon earth.

[@CyrodiilCome]

@@bluedragon5676 kriegers would join the sisters and the inquisition easily.

[@bluedragon5676]

@@CyrodiilCome LOL no they wouldn't the kriegers are 200% fanatical about fighting and dying for the emperor in order to redeem themselves in the emperors eyes, also the inquisition are not stupid enough to fight the loyalists of the emperor, hell Guillimen is in effective control of the high lords and the Astartes would join Guillimen to purge the inquisition if they even thought of harming the emperor.

[@kingbaldwiniv5409]

The Custodes are loyal as robots, but aren't capable of much dynamic thought or sacrifice in a strategic sense, hence why the primarchs were needed. Malcador and the Emperor were crafty, they would have an inbuilt failsafe to provide the way.

[@bthsr7113]

Bjorn the Fell Handed: so the tin knights wish to test themselves against the golden 10,000? Gather round young pups, this will very educational... and entertaining. Serfs, menials, get the popcorn and ale! This is a spectacle the likes of which hasn't been seen for over 10 millinia.

[@Volvith]

Insane theory: Malcador isn't truly dead. He _is_ what allows the throne to function, and the emperor to remain in it. The leaking enery from the throne is not the throne failing, but Malcador failing to contain and suppress the pure psychic energy that is the God Emperor. He alone, powerful as he was, would be able to hold form without form. The terminus decree is the means by which Malcador, the psychic interface that has entombed the Emperor, can be truly killed, as a result releasing the Emperor from his dying form, and rebirthing him as the physical God he has now become. All would be cut off from the Astronomicon as it would seize to exist, but in it's place would stand the physical manifestation of a God. As for the warp, the energy release of the Emperor's rebirth would rip through the failing webway gate on Terra, and rend a scar of cleansed psychic essence across all of warpspace. It would result in utter devastation, the Imperium of Man being cut off along a thousand borders all across the cosmos. Untold trillions would die in the ensuing slaughter of retaliation, the Gods of Ruin no longer fighting for expansion, but for survival. Death, destruction and carnage on a galactic scale not seen since the eons before man. Trillions worship the Emperor. Morphed him into something he never wished to become, something he wished to prevent through the Imperial Truth. And every century, the number of his worshippers grows. Expands. And as his following does, so does his presence, no longer being able to be contained within the golden throne. No longer being able to be contained, restrained, by his oldest friend. A decree even the Emperor himself would not wish for; His life the payment, _true_ Godhood the purchase. His vengeance upon the forces of ruin would be nigh absolute, yes, but at what cost?... This truly would be a decree best never uttered, never spoken of, not remembered. For were it's enactment come to pass, surely, the Knife of Darkness would be closing in on the heart of ALL of mankind. And if those circumstances would ever come to pass, the Emperor would have already failed. ... At least, that's the theory. A final chance for a price never worth paying.

[@jordanblake5916]

Only the Emperor is keeping the warp gate closed, they don't even need to step on earth until they reach the throne room and they are perfectly adept at taking on the demons on the other side long enough to reach the throne room.

[@russelltimmerman3771]

12:22 there are only 300 personally guarding the body of the emperor.

[@edom7]

*Opens terminus decree. "Ok let's see what this says. 'try turning the throne on and off a few times'."

[@jamricsloe]

You're not imagining that all hell has already broke loose. All hell breaking loose is the perfect distraction and reason for the Grey Knights to be there.

[@MWH12085]

Primarch #2- Once the order is given, it's my time to shine! Primarch #11- Hey, what about me? Primarch #2-....Sure, why not?

[@MionMikan]

Upon the parchment paper, the true name of the Emperor is written: “Steve”

[@joenelson4235]

Nah it's a twist. The gray knights open it and read instructions for a direct teleportation device into the throne room. They realise their 800 will be enough for the job and set out. They appear before the emperor and silently begin slaying sisters and being demolished by custodes, though through local superiority of numbers gain the upper hand. However then! The chapter master turns to the sealed rip in the webway and cut through the protective runes. First comes Russ now fully realising his potential and Corax not long after with the khan. Dorm is next missing a hand aged a thousand eons. But then before the demons of the warp charge the gap figures of pure light move into being the lost primarchs, the dead primarchs their warp souls re centralised, malcadore addresses the throne "let's finish what we began" an the emperor rises and says, yes where is the board?

[@xenoscry]

Could it be that the decree isn't exactly for the GKs but for someone else that they should be close to or know how to find? Maybe their first Grandmaster? I don't think it's impossible that Malcador thought Janus could sit on the throne.

[@sergio9669]

We had this technically already when the traitor loyalists on terra were hunted imprisoned and culled. If they were to somehow to turn traitor (which is pretty much impossible) the custodies would have contingencies in place to wipe out those in the sol system immediately whilst other flee sand become key targets for inquisition

[@UrielVentris1984]

hence why justicar thawn was supposed to be in the next codexes, he was supposed to die at the emporers golden throne likely to help with the terminus decree, a perpetual gk who could not be killed.

[@chancecisneros3492]

The Tyranids seem like the bigger threat than chaos.