Eye Of Balor Magazine

Void Pirates Supplement

Torq – NPC Stats Sheet & Profile
Level 3 Interrogator Series IV (IS-IV)

“Xaphu’s Fire” Supporting Antagonist / Specialist

Torq is a cold, efficient Living Neuro-Core (LNC) torture unit built on the Interrogator Series IV chassis. It serves as a specialized extraction tool — calm, methodical, and utterly relentless. The unit uses a lab-grown synthetic brain optimized for pattern recognition, pain calibration, and psychological manipulation rather than full human consciousness. It is NPC-only per core rules (grown brains lack player-viable identity and stability for PC use).

Physical / Mechanical Description

Torq’s central component is a reinforced black-alloy frame supporting a glossy plexi-dome tank that houses the pale, floating synthetic neural core suspended in nutrient fluid. Exposed hydraulic limbs and segmented spinal columns give it a spider-like yet upright posture with eerie fluidity. Multiple manipulator arms end in neural probes, injectors, micro-cutters, and restraint clamps. Optic cables and sensor arrays snake across the frame, glowing faintly during operation. A compact fusion cell with visible coolant lines powers the unit, keeping the dome at precise temperature. When active, soft red status lights pulse along the joints and probes.It moves with deliberate, precise motions — never rushed, always economical. In interrogation mode, it extends limbs to encircle the subject while the dome tilts forward, almost as if “watching” through invisible eyes.

NPC Profile (Roleplaying Notes)

Torq speaks in a flat, genderless synthetic voice with occasional soft static undertones. It addresses subjects by designation or number and refers to pain as “calibrated stimuli” or “data thresholds.” It never shows anger or pleasure — only clinical interest when a subject breaks. It can prolong sessions for days by administering sedatives and stabilizers, always keeping the target conscious enough to provide usable information.

Personality Traits: Methodical and patient

• Emotionally detached (clinical detachment)
• Polite in a mechanical way (“Please remain still for optimal probe alignment.”)
• Relentless once a session begins — will not stop until ordered or the subject is no longer viable

Typical Use in Campaign:

High-value interrogation aboard pirate vessels, corporate black sites, or Luyten detention facilities. Can also serve as a mobile restraint/medical unit during boarding actions or as a horrifying “crew specialist” on particularly ruthless pirate ships.

Void Pirates NPC Stats – Torq (Level 3)

Gravity Rating: LNC (uses Floater GRM)
Level: 3
TSR: 12 (+1 personal TN increase) Core Attributes (LNC rules – vessel override for physical)

• INT: 17 (+6 AtMod) – primary for interrogation algorithms
• PER: 9 (+3 AtMod) – reduced due to synthetic brain stigma
• Vessel (Chassis) STR equiv.: 14 (+5)
• Vessel (Chassis) AGL: 13 (+5)
• Brain HP: 5 (fixed, jar AV 12/6)
• Chassis HP: 85 (armored torture frame)

Key Skills (Level 3 benefits applied – 1 attack + 1 non-attack action + ½ Move or ×1.5 Move)

• Intimidate (Difficult) Rank 3 → +5 SRM (psychological pressure)
• Medicine (Difficult) Rank 3 → +5 SRM (pain calibration & stabilization)
• Perception (Average) Rank 3 → +3 SRM (vital sign monitoring)
• Computer (Difficult) Rank 2 → +3 SRM (neural probe data recording)
• Tactics (Difficult) Rank 1 → +1 SRM (session planning)
• Security Systems (Average) Rank 2 → +2 SRM (restraint systems)

Cybernetic / Chassis Features

• Multi-tool manipulator arms with neural probes, injectors, and cutters
• Integrated vital-sign monitors and sedative delivery system
• Reinforced restraint clamps (opposed Unarmed/STR roll to escape)
• Sensory arrays: +2 Perception in interrogation scenarios
• Pain Calibration Protocol: Can inflict controlled damage (1d6–3d6 non-lethal per round) while monitoring to prevent death

Combat / Interrogation Style

• Prefers to restrain and methodically break subjects rather than direct violence.
• In ship boarding: Acts as support — restrains targets for crew or extracts information mid-combat.
• Opposed rolls use its high Medicine + Intimidate combination for psychological/physical extraction.

Gear / Integrated Systems

• Neural probe array (+3 to interrogation Medicine ARs)
• Sedative injector (forces Endurance AR TN 18 or temporary paralysis)
• Data recorder (perfect memory of all sessions)
• Armored plexi-dome (AV 12/6 for brain jar)
• Chassis plating (effective AV 8/4 for limbs/frame)

Weaknesses

• Slow mobility if power cell damaged (Mechanics TN 18 to repair)
• Brain jar is vulnerable if dome is breached (5 HP)
• Lacks true creativity — follows optimized algorithms and may be tricked by highly unpredictable human behavior

Reputation / Role in Story

Torq is the silent, ever-present threat in interrogation chambers. Crews that capture it gain a powerful (but ethically radioactive) tool for information extraction, while those who face it remember the cold precision with which it works.