"Do not fail your Brothers. Though their bodies may die, their spirit must return to the Chapter. That is your charge. In Nostra Manus - Progenies Futura."
- — Medic Credo
Schematic of a Space Marine Apothecary's 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. It also comprises various counterseptics, skin patches, transfusions and other compounds engineered for the Space Marines’ physiology, and several stasis tubes for storing any recovered gene-seed taken from a dead Space Marine's Progenoid Glands. In battle, an Apothecary carries a number of specialised items of equipment, integrating a variety of tools into his single, wrist-mounted Narthecium unit. The Apothecary may have crafted many of these tools himself according to his own needs. He uses a high-powered laser scalpel or an adamantine-toothed chainsaw to cut away ruined armour so that he can treat a Battle-Brother’s wounds, and he administers the panacea of drugs stored within the unit using long syringes.
Variants
- Exsanguinator - This device is used exclusively amongst the Sanguinary Priests of the Blood Angels Chapter. It is identical to a Narthecium in all respects. An Exsanguinator is both a sophisticated medical device and a close quarters weapon. It is also used to harvest the gene-seed of fallen comrades and contains implements specially designed for treating Astartes physiology, just like its more common Narthecium counterpart.
Source
- Codex: Space Marines (4th Edition), pp. 16, 24
- Deathwatch: Core Rulebook (RPG), pg. 68, 173
- Deathwatch: First Founding (RPG), pg. 102
- Warhammer 40,000 Munitorum: Narthecium (Digital Edition)
Gallery
