Warhammer 40k Adeptus Custodes Talons of the Emperor - Valerian and Aleya

Valerian and Aleya - Talons of the Emperor - Warhammer 40,000

PARAMETERS:

• Product type: named character miniature set
• Game system: Warhammer 40,000
• Faction: Adeptus Custodes and Sisters of Silence
• Series: Talons of the Emperor
• Characters: Shield-Captain Valerian and Knight-Centura Aleya
• Manufacturer: Games Workshop
• Product code: BL-02
• Manufacturer code: 99120108031
• EAN: 5011921129775
• Number of models: 2
• Material: plastic
• Bases: 1x Citadel 40mm Round Base and 1x Citadel 32mm Round Base
• Additional contents: printed Warhammer 40,000 datasheets for Valerian and Aleya
• Original release: Black Library Celebration 2020
• Assembly: required
• Painting: miniatures supplied unpainted

Bring two heroes from Chris Wraight's Watchers of the Throne novels to your tabletop with Valerian and Aleya. This character set unites a noble Shield-Captain of the Adeptus Custodes with a relentless Knight-Centura of the Sisters of Silence, representing both halves of the legendary Talons of the Emperor.

Product description
Valerian and Aleya are two distinctive named characters whose paths become intertwined during a period of conspiracy, invasion and political turmoil on Terra. Although they come from very different Imperial orders, both are sworn to defend the Emperor and confront threats that could place the Throneworld in danger.

This plastic miniature set builds Shield-Captain Valerian and Knight-Centura Aleya for Warhammer 40,000. The two models offer contrasting silhouettes, equipment and painting styles while forming a coherent display inspired by the Watchers of the Throne novel series.

Valerian represents the golden might of the Adeptus Custodes, while Aleya embodies the silent determination and psychic-null presence of the Sisters of Silence. Together, they make an excellent addition to a Talons of the Emperor collection and a particularly appealing set for readers of Black Library fiction.

Shield-Captain Valerian
Valerian is a warrior of the Adeptus Custodes and a member of the Hykanatoi brotherhood. Like all Custodians, he is an individually crafted champion whose strength, intellect and martial ability place him far beyond ordinary human soldiers.

He is represented in ornate auramite armour, carrying the guardian spear Gnosis. This master-crafted weapon combines the elegant silhouette of a long power blade with the advanced technology associated with the personal guardians of the Emperor.

Valerian also wears the Wreath of Guilliman as a mark of honour. This detail, together with his elaborate armour and commanding pose, distinguishes him as a named hero rather than a standard Custodian warrior.

The model provides painters with large areas of decorated armour, sculpted Imperial symbols, weapon details, robes and contrasting materials. Traditional gold and red can be used to match the classic Adeptus Custodes appearance, while alternative metallic tones can help create a more personal interpretation.

Knight-Centura Aleya
Aleya is a veteran of the Sisters of Silence, the secretive order of psychic blanks charged with hunting rogue psykers, witches and other supernatural threats to the Imperium.

She carries the relic blade Somnus, named in honour of the first temple of the Sisterhood on Luna. The weapon and the model's poised stance present Aleya as a disciplined and experienced warrior prepared to confront enemies that conventional Imperial forces may struggle to overcome.

Her lighter armour, flowing garments and long blade create a strong visual contrast with the towering golden form of Valerian. This difference makes the two miniatures especially effective when displayed together.

Aleya also offers a different painting experience from the heavily armoured Custodian. Metallic armour can be combined with cloth, leather, hair and weapon details, providing varied textures and opportunities for controlled highlights and shading.

Two heroes of the Talons of the Emperor
The Adeptus Custodes and Sisters of Silence are collectively known as the Talons of the Emperor. The Custodians embody peerless martial strength and stand as the Emperor's personal guardians, while the Silent Sisterhood uses its psychic-null nature to counter witches, daemons and warp-born threats.

Valerian and Aleya demonstrate how these two ancient orders can work together despite their different traditions and methods. Their partnership is built through shared danger, mutual respect and an unbreakable commitment to protecting Terra.

The models can be displayed as a matched pair, incorporated into a wider Adeptus Custodes and Sisters of Silence collection or painted as a dedicated tribute to the Watchers of the Throne novels.

From Watchers of the Throne
Valerian and Aleya are central characters in Chris Wraight's Watchers of the Throne series, including The Emperor's Legion and The Regent's Shadow.

The novels explore the defence of Terra, the political divisions within the Imperium and the consequences of Roboute Guilliman's return. Against this background, Valerian and Aleya confront military, psychic and political threats while representing two very different perspectives on service to the Emperor.

Their personalities and developing alliance give the characters a depth that extends beyond the tabletop. For Black Library readers, the miniatures provide a physical representation of two memorable protagonists from modern Warhammer 40,000 fiction.

Contrasting painting opportunities
The set offers two distinct but complementary painting projects. Valerian's ornate auramite armour is ideal for rich gold tones, metallic shading, bright highlights and carefully picked-out gemstones.

His guardian spear provides additional areas for steel, dark weapon casings and energy effects. The weapon can be painted as a clean ceremonial relic or given subtle signs of battle damage to suggest long service in defence of the Imperium.

Aleya combines armour, cloth and the long blade Somnus in a more restrained design associated with the Sisters of Silence. Dark metallics, bronze, black, red and neutral cloth colours can be used to create a strong contrast with Valerian's radiant armour.

The different base sizes also help preserve the individual presence of both characters. Scenic elements such as Imperial marble, palace ruins, broken masonry or the streets of Terra can visually connect the pair.

Printed datasheets included
The original boxed set includes printed Warhammer 40,000 datasheets for Valerian and Aleya.

These cards were produced for the rules edition available when the set was released. For current games, players should use the latest Codex: Adeptus Custodes, official datasheets, FAQs, errata and balance updates published by Games Workshop.

The inclusion of the original datasheets remains part of the physical contents of the product, but they should not be treated as a replacement for current rules publications.

Background
For ten thousand years, the Adeptus Custodes have guarded the Emperor and the Imperial Palace. Each Custodian is a unique warrior created through secret processes and trained to become a master of battle, strategy, diplomacy and independent judgement.

The Sisters of Silence are psychic blanks whose presence disrupts the powers of the warp. Their unusual nature makes them unsettling to ordinary humans but invaluable when the Imperium faces rogue psykers, daemonic entities and sorcerous threats.

Valerian is curious about the galaxy beyond the Palace and determined to carry the Emperor's wrath against the enemies of Humanity. Aleya is a hardened hunter whose experiences have shown her the corruption and indifference that exist within the Imperium she serves.

Their alliance brings together Valerian's measured outlook and Aleya's fierce determination. Despite the contrast between them, both understand that duty to the Emperor may require action beyond tradition, ceremony and political convenience.

Why add it to your collection?

• Two named characters - add Shield-Captain Valerian and Knight-Centura Aleya to your Warhammer 40,000 collection.
• Talons of the Emperor theme - represent both the Adeptus Custodes and Sisters of Silence in one character set.
• Black Library connection - collect the protagonists of Chris Wraight's Watchers of the Throne novels.
• Distinctive relic weapons - Valerian carries Gnosis, while Aleya wields the blade Somnus.
• Contrasting painting projects - combine ornate golden armour with the darker, restrained appearance of the Silent Sisterhood.
• Strong display potential - the two complementary miniatures form a characterful narrative pairing.

Official Games Workshop product
This is an original Games Workshop plastic character set created for Warhammer 40,000 and originally released as part of the Black Library Celebration 2020. The miniatures are supplied unpainted and require assembly.

Citadel Plastic Glue and Citadel Colour paints are recommended for assembly and painting. These hobby products are sold separately.

Unite the golden strength of the Adeptus Custodes with the silent fury of the Sisters of Silence by adding Valerian and Aleya to your Talons of the Emperor collection.