Cephalopod Spekter

Touched, by his noodly appendage.

A cousin to the Piscean Spektor, Cephalopod Spekters are Necromundan mechanical devices created by House Delaque.

Overview

They can move through the air on their suspensors and are perhaps the most sinister tools the House uses to secretly gather information for them. In appearance, a Spekter is a writhing mass of flying tentacles and gleaming oculus lenses that constantly track shadows for movement. In addition to having a complex array of auspexes, these lenses allow the Spekter to fully observe its surroundings and communicate them directly to its owner.

However, each device is created specially for one of the House's members, as their cogitators are built around a fragment of synaptic tissue that was taken from a cloned brain of their owner. By doing this, House Delaque ensures that the Spekters are obedient and can develop a bond with their owner that no mere servo-skull or trained beast could match. This kind of cognitive bonding can also have its drawbacks, though. While a Spekter might be able to anticipate its owner's needs without being told, it also often shares their hatreds or fears, and can begin acting erratically if their owner gives in to rage or panic.

These minor drawbacks are vastly outweighed by the Spekter's skilled information gathering, and because of this, the devices accompany Delaque gangs to battles, where they can provide a multi-spectral view of the battlefield. If it is required to directly get involved in the battle, the Spekter is a fast and deadly opponent. Its tentacles wrap themselves around an opponent and give off electricity, as well as sprout weapons that are ready to stun, capture or exterminate any threats it faces.

Crunch

On Necromunda, the Cephalopod Spektor fucking suck. Clocking in at 100 credits that brings barely 40 credits worth of value. It offers a single Strength 4 shock attack in melee and a buff to Intelligence checks for its owner (which could help somewhat if you’re using a chem-synth, or opening a lot of doors). Even if you’re anticipating a lot of up-close combat, there are dozens of better ways to spend your creds on this useless flying octopus.