# Torlos — Islands of Space character guide

> Torlos in Islands of Space by John W. Campbell.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** the giant Torlos, XIX Torlos

**First appearance:** 0012-xii

## Snapshot

A giant, steel-muscled commander from a high-gravity world whose telepathic mind and gentle honor make him the Earthmen's most valuable alien ally.

## Who they are

Torlos commands a Nansalian ship and greets the Earthmen with wary curiosity, communicating through telepathy in a world where speech is secondary. His enormous strength and three-hundred-fifty-pound frame are matched by a courteous, hopeful nature, and he leaps at the chance to visit Earth despite knowing he will look alien there. His friendship with Arcot bridges two species and proves that kinship can outrun biology.

## Relationships

### [Robert Morey](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/islands_of_space_se/characters/robert_morey)

_friendship_

Morey and Torlos develop a respectful friendship, bridging human and alien perspectives.

### [Sator](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/islands_of_space_se/characters/sator)

_friendship_

Sator and Torlos are fellow aliens who cooperate with the human explorers, sharing a common goal.

### [Wade](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/islands_of_space_se/characters/wade)

_friendship_

Torlos and Wade have a friendly, cooperative relationship as members of the mixed crew.

### [John Fuller](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/islands_of_space_se/characters/john_fuller)

_friendship_

Fuller and Torlos share a friendly, if less frequent, interaction as crewmates.

### [Nansal](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/islands_of_space_se/characters/nansal)

_social_

Nansal and Torlos are acquaintances within the same alien society, with limited direct interaction.

### [Sator](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/islands_of_space_se/characters/sator)

_friendship_

Sator and Torlos are fellow aliens who cooperate with the human explorers, sharing a common goal.

### [Robert Morey](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/islands_of_space_se/characters/robert_morey)

_friendship_

Morey and Torlos develop a respectful friendship, bridging human and alien perspectives.

### [Robert Morey](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/islands_of_space_se/characters/robert_morey)

_friendship_

Morey and Torlos develop a respectful friendship, bridging human and alien perspectives.

### [Wade](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/islands_of_space_se/characters/wade)

_friendship_

Torlos and Wade have a friendly, cooperative relationship as members of the mixed crew.

### [Nansal](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/islands_of_space_se/characters/nansal)

_social_

Nansal and Torlos are acquaintances within the same alien society, with limited direct interaction.

### [Sator](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/islands_of_space_se/characters/sator)

_friendship_

Sator and Torlos are fellow aliens who cooperate with the human explorers, sharing a common goal.

## In the story

### [XV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/islands_of_space_se/chapters/xv)

Satorian commander who communicates telepathically with Arcot, shows immense strength by knotting a crowbar, and agrees to accompany the Earthmen to the city.

### [XVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/islands_of_space_se/chapters/xvi)

Reveals himself as a Nansalian spy embedded in the Satorian fleet; uses his superior strength to hurl guards and protect the Earthmen.

### [Chapter XVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/islands_of_space_se/chapters/xvii)

Warns Arcot of the ambush, accompanies the Earthmen, operates the heat beam against orders, and later explains his actions to Arcot.

### [The History of Nansal and Sator](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/islands_of_space_se/chapters/xviii)

Torlos' father died in the Satorian biological attack.

### [XIX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/islands_of_space_se/chapters/xix)

Explains his people's war history and suspicion; demonstrates immense strength by crushing an armrest; guides the Earthmen to his home city.

### [Chapter XX: Negotiations and Demonstrations](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/islands_of_space_se/chapters/xx)

Acts as intermediary between the Earthmen and the Nansalian Council, reports the Council's decision, and escorts Arcot and Wade.

### [Preparations and Discoveries](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/islands_of_space_se/chapters/xxi)

Saves Arcot and Morey from the Satorian spy by leaping to shield them and taking bullets.

### [The Battle for Nansal](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/islands_of_space_se/chapters/xxii)

Reluctantly leaves the ship before battle due to vulnerability to magnetic rays, then helps examine wrecked enemy ships after the fight.

### [The Coordinator and the Departure](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/islands_of_space_se/chapters/xxiii)

Torlos asks to visit Earth and is allowed to join the crew on the return journey. He practices English and shows eagerness to see Earth.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/islands_of_space_se/characters/torlos
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/islands_of_space_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/islands_of_space_se/characters