Ian Creiche

Bloodmoon Hunters Armorial

**Ian Creiche** is a member of the Bloodmoon Hunters Chapter's Apothecarion that has been seconded to the Long Vigil with the Ordo Xenos' Chamber Militant - the Deathwatch. An expert marksman and highly knowledgeable about both xenos and Imperial biology, he makes a valuable member of the Kill-Teams. Ian's knowledge of poisons is second only to some very knowledgeable Drukhari Haemonculi.

## History

Born within the harsh and acidic environment of Aigéad Fuil, Ian Creiche's early life was defined by the necessity to adapt and survive. Growing up in the shadow of the last Hive city on the planet, Ian learned valuable skills from his family. His father was a wasteland hunter, and from a young age, Ian was taught the arts of trapping, combat, and survival. The dangerous wastelands and tunnels of Aigéad Fuil were fraught with peril, but those like Ian's family ventured beyond the safety of the void shields to gather essential resources for their survival..

His early experiences and resourceful nature would lead Ian to the Arachnid School of training within the Bloodmoon Hunters. There, he honed his skills in understanding xenos biology and learning the craft of poisons, making him one of the most knowledgeable members outside the secretive circles of Drukhari Haemonculi.

His experience dealing with the deadly flora and fauna of Aigéad Fuil led to an interesting method of hunting. Ian mastered the techniques of navigating the treacherous landscapes, avoiding deadly spore-projecting fungi and cunning Léim Portán. His adeptness in tracking and dealing with the unique challenges of his homeworld made him a standout Aspirant.

As an Aspirant, Ian faced the ultimate test of the Bloodmoon Hunters—to ambush and capture cyborgs under the control of a Master of the Bloodmoon Hunters. In his particular trial, Ian had to capture formidable cyborgs of the infamous Master of the Blood Seekers. Known fielding large amounts of Assault Marines and Reivers the 2nd Hunt company are famous for their tireless and ruthless natures. So the Master of such a company was the pinnacle of close combat. It's a rare Aspirant who can best this master, but Ian through performed well through the use of poisons and accurate fire. His ability to see the battlefield quickly and adapt was recognized he was recognized to become a Hunter of the Bloodmoon. The Master manipulated the cyborgs with unparalleled precision, making the challenge even more daunting.

If the challenge wasn't hard enough, Ian had to perform his feat while under the effects of drugs meant to bring his worst fears to life. His precision with the Damhán Alla Thornbow allowed him to hit any target with deadly accuracy. The venomous thorns from the Damhán Alla added a toxic element to each shot, making him a formidable adversary on the battlefield. These early uses of poisons and accurate fire lead him into the Lupine School of training for the Bloodmoon Hunters. Here he learned ways to hunt more efficiently as an expert marksman, he learned Hit and run and how to harass an opponent to the location of one's choosing. As a Apprentice, he recon the enemy, identified ambush zones and laid traps. Further he learned the ins and outs of the tactical support and harassing techniques as he moved from Apprentice to Journeyman.

Ian's ability to hit any target with any Imperial weapon was a marvel even among the skilled hunters of the Bloodmoon Hunter Chapter. Ian was quickly considered a Master of Arms and gained Marksman Honors. For several years he was considered the top marksman among the Apprentices, and even among Journeyman he retained the respect of one of the most accurate shooters in the Chapter. Even during gatherings with other Chapters he would out shoot others in competitions.

Through the years, Ian proved to be a creative and thorough Hunter. He eventually worked his way up the ranks into the Apothecarion and from there worked his particular methods with the additions of learning from other Schools of Hunting. Surviving and Hunting for centuries eventually he became a respected apothecary of the Blood Seekers. His adept usage and knowledge of plants and animals made him at home among the those whose knowledge was that of the biological.

As part of his exceptional marksman training, Ian was granted combat sight for use with his weapons, incorporating various aspects of standard Imperial sights but enhanced and improved by the skills of the Bloodmoon Hunters' Artificers. Ian begin play with a Combat Sight specially developed for his own needs, one he has trained with and adjusted to his own unique abilities. A Combat Sight has been specially configured for its user and will only grant its full effects to Ian. It was intended for, its size, shape, and focus matching that Ian’s own physiology and marksman style.

Over time it was decided he needed to get out from Ishtar Sub-sector and learn more about the Xenos during the Long Watch known as the Deathwatch. He has achieved legendary skills with the bolter, and with many other types of common Astartes weapons, able to push them to their limits and tap into their killing power in ways others could not begin to imagine.

## Personality

A tactical and strategic genius with a pragmatic nature. His turn of mind leads to learning the biology of his foes and using that against them. He has tendencies driven towards personal achievement and competition to prove individual superiority. Ian has a general disregard and suspicion of the mere trappings of honor and glory, favoring results by any means necessary like most of his Chapter. Not being blindly obedient expects to act upon his own initiative and feels others should do the same. Aloof and autonomous in his ways as normal for Bloodmoon Hunters and so is at odds with most other chapters.

Flexibility and willingness to adapt to their situation represents the core of the Bloodmoon Hunters' combat doctrine. As he prepares to engage his opponents, Ian is always careful to identify all of his assets and utilize them to the fullest means possible. Generally reserved, Ian stays in the shadows until the right time to speak. When he does he tends to be very recalcitrant and terse, often condemning the more direct tactics. Ian is extremely intelligent and possesses naturally well-developed problem-solving abilities as well possesses a near-genius ability to observe, memorize and adapt to any situation.

At various times during in Ian's history, he have faced extinction but has neither the less continued to function and once more face their enemies. It is part of Ian's mentality that he will endure no matter the cost and that the eventual destruction of everything is inevitable. As one Battle-Brother dies, another takes his place to continue the endless struggle where the gene-seed lives on but the warrior does not. Death is the only constant in the universe and regardless of victory or defeat the only reward a Battle-Brother can look forward to. Quite apart from casting a dark cloud over Ian, it fills him with stoic pragmatism to face everything that the universe can throw at him, to fulfil this duty until he eventually die and another takes his place.

The galaxy and its many horrors hold no surprises for him and he know that somewhere out there among the inky black is the piece of ground where he will fall, having served his Emperor and held back the night at least for a brief time. Others can find these attitudes at odds with a strong devotion to the Emperor and the righteous plight of mankind, though he see the two as intertwined, and he will always do his duty and remains unquestionably loyal to the Imperium. For a him facing death is only a matter of time, and he carries the knowledge with him every day, alongside his duty to his brothers and their oath to the God-Emperor.

The passing of the gene-seed from the chapter to a new recruit is a major investment. The gene-seed is the Chapter’s most precious gift and is constantly scrutinized to be sure it remains pure and untainted. Even when recovered from the ﬁeld of battle, the Apothecaries of the Space Marines perform multiple tests to ensure that they are still viable gene-seed to pass to the next generation of recruits. Most Apothecaries normally work with the gene-seed of a single Chapter and are able to perform tests on larger quantities of gene-seed. Those who are a part of the Deathwatch, however, must constantly develop new tests and screen for anomalies that wouldn’t be found in their own Chapter.

Deathwatch protocol dictates that after every mission and/or contact with a xenos race or Chaos-tainted being, the Apothecaries must take samples and determine if his Battle-Brothers are ﬁt for duty. Both the protection of the gene-seed and the mission are paramount duties and they are occasionally directly at odds. Apothecary Ian is willingly bear this dual burden, for the sanctity and preservation of the Chapter’s gene-seed is paramount. Though it is a difﬁcult position to be in, he has accepted the relative dislike many of their Battle-Brothers have for his constant testing.

## Relations

Ian's pragmatic and reserved nature may sometimes lead to strained relations with others, particularly those from chapters with different approaches to honor and glory. His unwavering commitment to his duty and understanding of the inevitability of death set him apart. However, his loyalty to the Emperor and the Imperium is unquestionable.

## Wargear

* **Astartes MK Vb Godwyn pattern Bolter** - The most widely-used pattern of Astartes Bolter in the Imperium but Ian's particular Bolter was modified to have a fire selector and has attached a sight that was expertly crafted and refined for his particular style of shooting. Because of Ian's Shooting Style he is more accurate with the Bolter than most even at extreme ranges. The sight aids the Ian in picking out the weak points on his opponents armour, focusing on joints and seals and guiding the aim to the most vital points. Darkness and optical cloaks are no protection against the attacks from Ian's weapon bearing his combat sight as it pierces the illusion of light and dark to find his prey.

* **Mk VII Aquila Power Armor Variant** - This version of basic Power Armour was also known as 'Aquila' Armour. It is the contemporary variant of Power Armour most commonly used by the Space Marine Chapters of the Imperium. Mark VII armour was developed during the last stages of the Horus Heresy, and remains in use as the most common form of Power Armour more than 10,000 standard years later.

* **Reductor and Narthecium** - A Narthecium is a tool of a Space Marine Apothecary's trade, containing implements specially designed for treating the Astartes' genetically-engineered physiology and for performing first aid without having to remove the patient's Power Armour. A Reductor is a special tool used by Adeptus Astartes Apothecaries and Primaris Apothecaries to retrieve the crucial gene-seed of their fallen Battle-Brothers so that new Astartes might be raised from among their Chapter's Aspirants. Retrieval and storage of a fallen Battle-Brother's gene-seed is so critical that Apothecaries carry a special tool for this operation, often included as part of the Narthecium.

* **Bolt Pistol**

* **Combat Knife** - Every Imperial Space Marine is issued one of these blades as soon as he recovers from receiving his gene-seed implants, and he carries it up until his final moment of battle. This large knife -- easily the size of a normal human's short sword -- holds a mono-molecular edge that never dulls, even through centuries of service.

* **Cyber-Raven** - This dark-winged creature is excellent for scouting objectives, his keen eyes picking out enemy ambushes and relaying troop positions. The bird's brooding appearance atop a shoulder pauldron and its occasional muttering of ominous phrases can be useful side effects as well. He often accompanies Ian in battle and act as Ian's eyes and ears, relaying vital information via arcane cyber neuro-implants. This fearsome creature is fitted with an array of deadly weapons to protect his master in the heat of battle.

* Bionic Ocular Sight
	+ Preysense
	+ Pict-recorder
	+ Omnispex
	+ Electromagnetic Waveform
	+ Radiation Meter
	+ Full Spectrum Scanning
	+ Target Sighting
	+ Ultraviolet Readings
	+ Medical Readings
	+ Telescopic
	+ Tagging
	+ Auspex
	+ Rangefinder
	+ Night-vision