From: | kyle kohler <kkohler@**.UCR.EDU> |
---|---|
Subject: | Psi Recap 2.0 |
Date: | Sat, 30 Jul 1994 23:17:17 -0700 |
Tee-Hee! Hold on to your Predators bause it's gonna be a bumpy ride. I'm
trying something new with this second release. Let me know if you like it
or have any suggestions...
1. The History of Psionics - This has been composed by JD Falk. As there
have been no objections or such, I believe that it is, for the most part,
ready to be stuck in the appropriate section of our non-existent book. If
you do have any suggestions/corrections, I suggest you make them soon.
Note that it is not included because it has been posted periodically to
NERPS. If you need/want it, contact jdfalk or myself.
2. The Priorities Table -
Priority Race Magic Psi Attrib Skills Resources
A Meta Full Full 30 pts 40pts 1M/50
B *Meta Adept Adept 24 pts 30 pts .4M/35
C *Meta None Wild 20pts 24 pts 90K/25
D Human None None 17 pts 20 pts 5K/15
E Human None None 15 pts 17 pts 500/ 5
F Human None None 14 pts 15 pts 200/ 0
This is a chart that would allow old characters to be introduced
to the system with no change. At all. 'F' rating is supposed from what
was already there in the system.
Priority Race Magic Psi Attrib Skills Resources
A Meta Full Full 30 pts 40 pts 1M/50
B *Meta Adept Adept 24 pts 30 pts. 4M/35
C *Meta None Wild 20 pts 24 pts 90K/25
D Human None None 17 pts 20 pts 5K/15
E Human None None 15 pts 17 pts 500/ 5
F Human None None 14 pts 15 pts 200/ 0
This is a chart that would allow old characters to be introduced
to the system with no change. At all. 'F' rating is supposed from what
was already there in the system.
Priority Race Magic Psi Attrib Skills Resources
A Meta Full Full 30 pts 40pts 1M/50
B *Meta Adept Adept 24 pts 30 pts .4M/35
C *Meta None Wild 20 pts 24pts 90K/25
D Human None None 17 pts 20 pts 5K/15
E Human None None 16 pts 18 pts 2K/10
F Human None None 15 pts 17 pts 500/ 5
This chart adds a letter between the old D and E. It doesn't work
perfectly, but it does allow old characters to be added without
trouble...their Psi priority was D.
Priority Race Magic Psi Attrib Skills Resources
A Meta Full Full 30 pts 40pts 1M/50
B *Meta Adept Adept 24 pts 30 pts .4M/35
C *Meta None Wild 20pts 24 pts 90K/25
D *Meta None None 18 pts 22 pts 20K/20
E Human None None 17 pts 20 pts 5K/15
F Human None None 15 pts 17 pts 500/ 5
This one is slightly more interesting for converted characters.
It makes them all Wild Psis.
2.5 Tech Points - There are two main ideaas behind this. One is to use
the Tech points given in the Priorities table and modify the costs of
various abilities and disciplines to accurately reflect what we want. The
other is to ignore the Tech points. To instead do the following (excperpt
from a message by S. Kieth Graham)
[ If PSIs have about 12 points to split at the beginning, then they will
have 2 powers at 6, 6 at 2, or 3 or 4 at somewhere in the middle.
Require 1 skill per area, and they get all "spells" in that area. An
Adept might get 6 points, a Wild 3.
You roll "power + (some) skill based" for attack, and "(rest of skill) +
will" for drain. Each power has a list of "common uses" along with drain
codes. ]
2.75 Latent Powers - There has also been talk of limiting the initial
power of Psis. TO make some of their powers "latent." They would be made
available, I assume, during game play and learned via a Karma expenditure.
This will, supposedly, make Psis specialize and be truly unique.
3. The Psionic Disciplines - I believe we are all in agreement with the
following list of disciplines available to Psionic characters. Note that
I included CyberPsionics, because aside from Loki's somewhat brutal attack
on it, I haven't heard any bitching about it lately. (composed by various
peoples)
Telepathy - Self-explanatory
Telekinesis - Self-explanatory
Divination - Pre/Postcognitive type powers, dnager sense, etc.
Clairvoyance - Self-explanatory
PsychoMetabolics - Affect your own body
CyberPsionics - Matrix related. Rob has tried his best to make
his idea on it clear. I am not including it because it goes through many
posts.
4. The Psionic-related skills - Here are the two skills that have been
proposed to be added to the list of skills in Shadowrun. Note that there
is still a debate about the Psionic Manipulation skill, as there has been
talk of using the Discipline rating in lieu of a skill (I believe Vader
is the major proponent of this idea, talk to know more). [These babies
are mine]
Psionic Manipulation: This skill enables the
character to control psionic energy and manipulate it to produce effects
(psionic powers).
Concentrations: Each Discipline will be a concentration
Psionic Theory: This skill gives the character a general
understanding of the functions and functioning of Psionics (makes you
wish we had this skill, eh?). It is vital in the developement of new
psionic powers (those devised during game play).
Concentrations: Power Design (Category), History
(Post-Awakening, Pre-Awakening, by Culture), Philosophies (Scientific,
Spiritual)
5. The Psi Pool - The last time I checked, the Psi Pool was looking like
this (Rob's concoction), but there are still those who just want to be
equal to the Psionic Manipulation skill.
Psi Pool = Psionic Manipulation + 1/2 Base Willpower + Mastery
Level
6. The Hacking Pool - The hacking pool is an idea thought up by Rob. It
goes a little something like this:
When one wants to hack a Psionic ability that he/she does not
possess, (s)he may allocate up to 1/2 his/her Psi Hacking Pool to roll for
success tests. Drain is as normal, and the restriction of not using a
ability greater than the discipline rating applies.
There was also the idea of using the discipline rating of the
power to be hacked and doubling the drain for the power. Also, as a
variation of the previous idea, cut the power in half (a 6 becomes a 3) and
keep the original drain (in this case a 6).
7. Cyberware and Bioware - Two factions. One says use the standard rule
of the 1:1 ratio for bio/cyberware and essence loss. The other says make
it proportional to the amount of involvement with the nervous system.
Compromise - Use standard rule and make the table created by [Tim Skirvin]
optional. There has also been talk that (neural) Bioware might be even
worse for a Psi because the neurosystem is vital to a Psi's abilities. If
this is replaced/modified, it would result in a large loss of Psi Rating.
This has been countered by the statement that the cloning procedures are
so good that there would be no noticable difference. The list of proposed
Bio/Cyberware losses per piece is not posted due to length. Ask if you
want a copy.
8. The PsiNet - An idea thought up by [S. Keith Graham]. It goes like
this:
Psis should have some way to contact and communicate with each
other. Sort of like the Internet (hence, the name). Now I'm not sure it
this is meant to be something available to all Psis, and they can "post"
things to the 'Net, or if it something akin to a telepathic link that two
or more Psis create to communicate only with those in the links. It has
also been pointed out that this could just be duplicated as a Telepathic
ability, called Mental Chat or something similar.
9. Psionic Combat - Another idea thought up by [S. Keith Graham]. Works
as follows:
Both Deckers and Mages have environments and opportunities to
engage in a one-on-one duel with a counterpart. For the Mage, it is
Astral Space. The Deckers take their fights to the Matrix. Why not have
Psis be able to take their fights to a "Psionic Plane?" There, they could
battle with all kinds of flashy effects, and mundanes (read, non-Psis)
would just see them standing there with constipated looks on their faces.
Finally, one would collapse while the other would dance around with the
theme to Rocky XXII playing in the background.
10. Initiation - Not much on the stuff behind it yet. This will probably
just end up mimicing the Magic rules, using similar/identical karma costs
and gaesa (maybe add or delete a few). Some want you to have the option
of either gaining a Mastery Level, or gaining a meta-ability when you fork
out the Karma. While reasonable, we have an awful lot of meta-abilities
proposed. Perhaps gaining the level and getting one power would work
better.
11. Meta-Abilities - Powers that involve the control of Psionics and/or
more powerful abilites that are reserved for Initiates. The format for
such powers, once we start submitting them are:
NAME: Obvious
COST: This is the number of points of karma you spend in order
to get this ability. In addition, there is a time listed
that is the base number of days or weeks it takes to learn
this ability. This time can be decreased by successes
based on intelligence (and maybe my the amount of =Y=
spent on training.)
PREREQUISITES: This are the MINIMUM levels of ability you must have in
various areas. This includes not just the diciplines you
have, but also the initiate "Mastery" Rating. If your
current ratings are below this, you will have to raise them
before you can get this ability.
EFFECT: Again, obvious.
SPECIAL NOTES: Basically, anything additional needed or weird that a
person needs to be aware of.
12. Drain - The easiest thing to do will be to mimic the modifiers for
spells that is in the Grimything-wingamajang-whomper-doodle-doo.
13. Full Psis - It looks like Full Psis will adhere to the following
rules/restrictions:
Spend an A (or B if metahuman) in Psi Priority. Full access to
all disciplines. Basically, the whole kit & caboodle (what the hell is a
caboodle, anyways?)
14. Psi Adepts - It looks like Psionic Adepts will adhere to the following
rules/restrictions:
Spend a B (or C if metahuman) in Psi Priority. Access to only one
discipline. Basically, just like Sorcery Adepts for magic.
15. Wild Psis - It looks like Wild Psionics will adhere to the following
rules/restrictions:
Spend a C (or D if metahuman) in Psi Priority. Access to only one
ability.
16. Karm Costs - Well, there's not much tangible stuff on this. I proposed
some stuff, but was told it will probably be too high. It's not that
important right now, but if you've got ideas, send them
17. Some things to start thinking about:
A. Psionic Critters - Either critters with Psi abilities or
perhaps Psi "Spirits"
B. World Mind - A write-up on this would be nice if we're thinking
of using it.
C. Famous Psis - Start thinking up some famous people. Bane
(currently living in my ongoing fluff) could be one.
D. Psi vs. Magic - Are we going to try to do anything about
possible problems when the two meet? If so, what. If not, are we going
to get nailed for it?
E. Psionic Groups
F. Corp involvement
G. Previous History of Psionics (Maybe the Elves know something we
don't? Just like magic)
Lastly, the outline for the book has been proposed by Rob. There have
been no comments on it (other than mine) so I shall wait until a later
edition to include it.
That's it. Now get to work =)
Kyle Kohler
kkohler@*****.ucr.edu
Good job men/women! Now let's get back in there and kick some
T$R ass! (oops, wrong list) =)