Ryan

Biodata

History

Ryan's return shocks a Chaos psyker who believes the Primarchs belong to a bygone age. Ryan announces that he is back, advances through a psychic attack, and overpowers the psyker 598. After learning that Caliban and the Dark Angels are in danger, he resolves to confront the Chaos Marshal Abaddon. Alvin offers him a battleship for the journey, while warning that it contains technology and servants the Imperium would consider heretical; Ryan promises not to hold this against him 607 608.

On Avalon, Ryan publicly declares himself the Emperor's firstborn and the father of the Dark Angels when an archbishop challenges his identity 631. His forces later fight Chaos around the Stone Fortress and Dragon Forest Star. Ryan seeks an opportunity to eliminate both Vashtor and Daemon Prince Belak rather than commit himself to either side, and later duels the Daemon Primarch Angron 667 729. During the battle on Dragon Forest Star, he and Alvin hold out against daemons while Guilliman's reinforcements race to reach them 736.

Appearance

Ryan is described as a colossal figure with white hair and a cloak woven from the fur of a Caliban Mighty Lion 598 736.

• His presence terrifies a Chaos psyker, who perceives him as a mighty lion deep within a forest 598.
• He draws the Sword in the Lake when declaring his return on Avalon 631.

Personality

Ryan is protective of the Dark Angels and determined to reach Caliban when he learns they are under attack 607. He can be blunt and sharp-tongued: while facing Angron, he repeatedly invokes Angron's past as a slave and the Butcher's Nails to provoke him 729. He is also calculating in battle, outwardly agreeing to help Vashtor while looking for a chance to kill both Vashtor and Belak 667.

Abilities & Skills

Primarch Strength and Durability

• Ryan withstands a psychic shriek and shockwave powerful enough to overturn a Leman Russ tank; the attack delays him for only a fraction of a second 598.
• He fights Angron directly while Alvin takes shelter behind him 729.

Battlefield Judgment

• Ryan looks for an opening against both Vashtor and Belak while they struggle against each other 667.
• He supports coordinated action against Chaos despite tensions among the Dark Angels and their allied forces 696.

Equipment

• Sword in the Lake — the blade Ryan draws during his public declaration on Avalon 631.
• Power sword — used in his duel with Angron on Dragon Forest Star 736.
• Caliban Mighty Lion cloak — worn when he announces his return 598.

Relationships

• Dark Angels — Ryan is their gene-father; they invoke his name in battle, and their peril drives his return to Caliban 607 631 668.
• Alvin Valshius — Alvin offers Ryan transport and later fights alongside him. Ryan trusts Alvin enough to appoint him Supreme Commander 607 612 736.
• Roboute Guilliman — Ryan's fellow Primarch sends reinforcements to Dragon Forest Star; their exchanges carry tension over the timing of Guilliman's arrival 736 786.
• Angron — a Daemon Primarch whom Ryan provokes and engages in combat 729 736.

Notable Quotes

“Go back and tell your master, tell those scum, I—Ryan am back!” 598

“I am the Lion King, Ryan El'Jonson! I hereby declare—I, the Emperor's Firstborn, the Father of the Dark Angels, have returned!” 631