Ian

Ian (?–February 13th, 2162) is a potential companion who resides in Shady Sands in Fallout.

Background
Ian is a short, stocky caravan guard who adopted Shady Sands as his new home. He was working for the Crimson Caravan company during a routine caravan route to the small settlement. However, routine doesn't mean safe. He was shot by raiders and stayed in Shady Sands to recuperate. The Shady Sands townsfolk helped him recover and ultimately Ian decided to stay with them. His experience and skills helped him contribute, as very few of the townsfolk ever left its safe walls. He occasionally makes a run to Junktown and the Hub to do trading. He is strong, confident, and independent. A perfect wastelander.

These traits endeared the Vault Dweller to him. Together, they scouted Vault 15, learning that the water chip was in another Vault. Following a long trek through the wastelands, the two finally reached Necropolis. Engaging the super mutants at the Watershed in battle, Ian lost his life. A flamer unleashed by one of the super mutants burned him to death. The smell of Ian's burning body would haunt the Dweller for years to come.

Quests

 * Recruit Ian: This mysterious quest leaves everyone baffled as to what is necessary to do to complete it.

Other interactions

 * He has unique float dialogue for locations around the northern wasteland;

Behind the scenes

 * Ian was a test case character designed to see if the engine could handle non-player-controlled followers who would move from map to map with the Vault Dweller's character. Though the initial implementation required some troubleshooting, it functioned well enough for the team to decide to implement more followers.
 * The character of Ian is roughly based upon Ian Dunteman, roommate of designer Jess Heinig. However, the developer found it hard to portray the real-life Ian's characteristics in just a few short lines of dialogue.
 * Ian's response to "Apocalypse" is based on Albert Einstein: "I do not know with what weapons World War III will be fought, but World War IV will be fought with sticks and stones."
 * In the Cafe of Broken Dreams, Tandi mentions that Ian may be a part of the Abbey.
 * In Fallout 2, Ian was meant to appear as an old man living in Vault City, who mistakes the Chosen One for the Vault Dweller and reminisces on the past before giving the player a gun to keep them safe in a city of bigots.

Appearances
Ian appears in Fallout and Fallout 2.