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 Melissia wrote:

 Grey Templar wrote:
Its unlikely that normal humans could break them

Oh please, Inquisitors could break Marines pretty damned easy compared to some of the stuff they have to break on a regular basis.

The Inquisition may not be as sadistic as the Dark Eldar, but unlike the DE, they're on a mission from the Emperor and NOTHING will stop them. They have the power, the authority ,and the indomitable will to do whatever they have to do to keep the Imperium alive. In many ways, this actually makes them more frightening to be tortured by than the DE. A Dark Eldar might torture you for fun ,but he'll get bored of it eventually, and then one way or the other, it will end.

An Inquisitor will never get bored. It won't end until you break and tell them EVERYTHING you know and literally barrq your soul to them. And then they'll keep going-- just in case you missed something.

I wouldn't exactly call Inquisitors normal humans.

They have access to other stuff like mind probes and psykers.


If we are talking just interrogation techniques avaliable to us on Earth today, its highly unlikely for a Marine to break.

Our techniques arn't foolproof. Normal humans can and do resist even the most horrible tortures. Its going to be that much easier for a Space Marine to withstand them.

Grey Templar wrote:If we are talking just interrogation techniques avaliable to us on Earth today, its highly unlikely for a Marine to break.

Weren't we talking about interrogation techniques used by normal humans in the 41st millennium?
Not all Inquisitors are psykers, and as has already been asked, what exactly is a Dark Angels Interrogator-Chaplain going to do to a captive Marine that a normal human cannot?

Also, I think you are greatly underestimating the depravity of the human mind. As someone else already mentioned, look up the sick stuff people came up with during the past couple centuries. Normal humans "resisting" the "most horrible tortures" is when they are lucky enough to die. A Space Marine's physiology will actually be a drawback here as he will survive so much longer than a normal human, meaning much, much more pain to endure.

 Lynata wrote:

Grey Templar wrote:If we are talking just interrogation techniques avaliable to us on Earth today, its highly unlikely for a Marine to break.

Weren't we talking about interrogation techniques used by normal humans in the 41st millennium?
Not all Inquisitors are psykers, and as has already been asked, what exactly is a Dark Angels Interrogator-Chaplain going to do to a captive Marine that a normal human cannot?

Also, I think you are greatly underestimating the depravity of the human mind. As someone else already mentioned, look up the sick stuff people came up with during the past couple centuries. Normal humans "resisting" the "most horrible tortures" is when they are lucky enough to die. A Space Marine's physiology will actually be a drawback here as he will survive so much longer than a normal human, meaning much, much more pain to endure.

But you also have to consider that the Marine's mind is not the mind of a normal human. He's not a human in a super human body. He's a super human mind in a super human body.

They don't have the same psychology that we do.


I'm not saying a marine can't break. I'm saying that without the advanced torture tools and techniques they have in the 41st millenium it would be impossable to break an Astartes.

Breaking a marine is probably a feat in itself, but far from impossible. As others said, there are both technologies far beyond today's capability to cause pain that goes beyond the physical, and ruinous powers that can cause pain, dread and other emotional extremes to impossible degrees.

Also, remember that at least some on a Space Marine's resistance to pain, exhaustion and other conditions comes from his armor and the chemicals and meds it dispenses into their system. Remove it (as almost any captor would) and things do get a bit easier.

If a marine can be convinced to convert to being a follower of nurgle, as a plague marine, they can be tortured for information.

Grey Templar wrote:I'm not saying a marine can't break. I'm saying that without the advanced torture tools and techniques they have in the 41st millenium it would be impossable to break an Astartes.

Well, personal interpretation I suppose. I just don't see it, but ... not surprising that opinions on this will vary, considering how many different versions of Space Marines exist throughout the various sources.

The one thing of note may be the Sus-an membrane, however, which allows an Astartes to enter a state of suspended animation upon receiving extreme physical trauma - so if the victim actually has a working membrane (not all Chapters do), it would indeed require chemical treatment to "wake him up" again, which in turn means 40k medical knowledge.

 Grey Templar wrote:
I wouldn't exactly call Inquisitors normal humans.

Your definition of "normal" is looking to be arbitrary and nonsensical, something you twist around in order ot try to make your point.

No interrogator/torturer is a "normal" human anyway, even in modern society. They are uniquely trained individuals who are capable of withstanding causing far more pain/discomfort without backing off than any normal human, and are at the same time also capable of far more restraint than the average psychopath is.

Inquisitors themselves are truly exceptional human beings, but they're still "merely mortal", IE, just "normal" human beings. Although perhaps I can quote comic books and say "there's nothing MERE about THAT mortal."

 Lynata wrote:
Not all Inquisitors are psykers, and as has already been asked, what exactly is a Dark Angels Interrogator-Chaplain going to do to a captive Marine that a normal human cannot?

I'd imagine that they'd have an increased knowledge of astartes physiology due to being astartes themselves. This might give them an advantage because they'd know where to poke and prod to do the most damage.

Of course, I have no fluff to back this up. It's just off the top of my head.

Coolyo294 wrote:I'd imagine that they'd have an increased knowledge of astartes physiology due to being astartes themselves. This might give them an advantage because they'd know where to poke and prod to do the most damage.
Of course, I have no fluff to back this up. It's just off the top of my head.

It makes sense, but as this is "just" knowledge it wouldn't - and very likely isn't - limited to Astartes. The Inquisition at least would very likely have people who have read the appropriate files - and everyone else could just go ahead and experiment. After all, they've got all the time in the world to get to know their subjects intimately ...

Yep. Since Marines are so durable and live for so long, they get tortured for a long time, too

Physical torture is probably ineffective, but in the 41st Millennia there are plenty of agencies able to bypass the body and go straight for the mind. Marines are tough, but they're not unbreakable.

In our own world, if you want accurate information, sleep deprivation combined with a bit of kindness from the interrogator is one of the more reliable methods. Obviously it wouldn't work on a Marine.

That depends on the nature of the question and how much the interrogator can trick the marine in to thinking it'll help his chapter by revealing the information.

 Just Dave wrote:
Considering the kind of torture possible (psychic for example) and that the Night Lords were capable of keeping people alive after flaying their skin IIRC, I can see it as possible.

AFAIK, Huron may use similar methods to turn some to his cause?

I recall something where Huron placed the last loyalist in his chapter in a dreadnought sarcophagus and the marine went crazy and finally joined the cause, But he was no-longer the same Astartes.

I am not sure that the Dark Kin are being given enough credit here. They do not simply "get bored" and walk away. They also have many reasons they might want information as much as an inquisitor might. The information gained from a Space Marine could be the difference of whether or not your coup works or whether or not your next real-space raid is a huge success or a flop. It is a matter of you staying on top and not being picked off and damned to She Who Thirsts. Your very survival and soul are often on the line. Information is power. Without power in the dark city you are nothing. A failed raid, to use the example again, is tantamount to bleeding in a tank full of hungry sharks. Many probably have vendettas against you.

We should also not forget just what the Haemonculi covens are capable of as well. Considering that they taught Fabius Bile everything he knows in the first place...

Lastly.. the Dark Eldar do not stop the torturing when they get bored. They stop when you have been utterly broken. Your pain is their sustenance. Their "immortal" lives depends on it. Space Marines might be harder to break, but that makes them more like an all you can eat buffet.

Eventually though, they will succumb.

Nightwolf829 wrote:Lastly.. the Dark Eldar do not stop the torturing when they get bored. They stop when you have been utterly broken. Your pain is their sustenance. Their "immortal" lives depends on it. Space Marines might be harder to break, but that makes them more like an all you can eat buffet.

Yup, all this resilience does is make them an even more attractive prisoner.

"After a short but extremely violent skirmish with Vect's Kabalite fleet, the Forgehammer was crippled by haywire bombs and transported into the heart of the Dark City. The furore that resulted from this audacious capture set the spires of High Commorragh aflame with intrigue. A Captain of the Adeptus Astartes was a prize indeed, for such an individual could withstand extreme and prolonged torture before divulging his vital secrets."
- 5E Codex Dark Eldar

Rebirth - Reservoir dogs scene with the TS in the chair and

Ah, I forgot, this is the internet after all.

Why wouldn't my source for a fictional universe be deemed unreliable.

I'm out like... a tree

just going to throw in my thoughts, while not likely because of the example set forth by all adeptus astartes i can see a select few not being exemplary paragons of the chapters they represent. Though the process is something that is painstakingly done, i know the mindstate of a few soldiers is just too much varied to say beyond a shadow of doubt the badasses that marines are would give into such things.

again this is all down to POV, i think in the eyes of a 100 year veteran you'd have probably no chance in actually twisting the words out of that seasoned veteran. But a wide eyed pup of maybe hist first decade of battles? I would say it's very likely they could still give into these sensations as they are learning still about themselves and hold shreds of their humanity without realizing it.

Ultimately it is a case by case basis but the tradition is to say no... but when chaos and inexperience are involved... the answer becomes less heroic...