| From: | "J.D. Falk" <jdfalk@****.CAIS.COM> |
|---|---|
| Subject: | NERPS PSI 0.04 2 of 4 |
| Date: | Mon, 26 Sep 1994 14:28:52 -0400 |
Priority Tables
compiled by J.D. Falk and Kyle Kohler
There was much arguing over the priorities table; many good ideas were
posted, yet it was well night impossible to come to a consensus.
Therefore, we've listed a number of tables here below; the Game Master
should choose which one to use.
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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 M Full Full 30 40 1M/50
B * M Adept Adept 24 30 4M/35
C * M -- Wild 20 24 90K/25
D H Spo. -- 17 20 5K/15
E H -- -- 15 17 500/ 5
F H -- -- 14 15 200/ 0
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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 M Full Full 30 40 1M/50
B * M Adept Adept 24 30 4M/35
C * M -- Wild 20 24 90K/25
D H Spo. -- 17 20 5K/15
E H -- -- 16 18 2K/10
F H -- -- 15 17 500/ 5
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Tim Skirvin came up with this one, which is slightly more interesting
for converted characters. They would all be Wild Psis, but they would
have NO way of knowing this. At all. They could train a little bit,
if they found a master (yeah, right), and get that one ability...but
they wouldn't know what to take, what the mechanics are, what the hell
is going on at all.
Priority Race Magic Psi Attrib Skills Resources
A M Full Full 30 40 1M/50
B * M Adept Adept 24 30 4M/35
C * M -- Wild 20 24 90K/25
D * M Spo. -- 18 22 20K/20
E H -- -- 17 20 5K/15
F H -- -- 15 17 500/ 5
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With a full Psi, karma can be spent on new abilities, upgrading
abilities, learning new disciplines, etc.
Now, psionic adepts are similiar, but are limited to only one
Discipline and don't get astral.
Wild psionics represent that person that either A) has a very limited
and unique 'gift' and/or B) has never received any of the proper
training.
They essentially have only one ability and this 'class' of psi is
included here to kinda represent the 'civilian' rogue psi. Karma can
be spent to improve this one ability, of course. And there is no
astral projection.
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Psionics-Related Skills
by J.D. Falk, Kyle Kohler, and Eric Trager
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.
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Psionic Theory: This skill gives the character a general understanding
of the functions and functioning of Psionics. It is vital in the
developement of new psionic powers (those devised during game play),
and in "hacking" (using powers which the psi has not specifically
learned, but are in a know discipline -- see below.)
Concentrations: Power Design (Disclipline), History (Post-Awakening,
Pre-Awakening, by Culture), Philosophies (Scientific, Spiritual.),
Hacking
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Psionics Pool
by Robert A. Hayden
The Psionics Pool is that measure of raw talent inherent in every psi.
It is treated just like the Magic Pool, in that it refreshes each
action (after drain.)
Psi Pool = Psionic Manipulation Skill Level + 1/2 Base Willpower +
Mastery Level
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Psionic Disciplines
by Robert A. Hayden
TELEPATHY: This is the ability to read, effect, and manipulate the
minds of other people.
TELEKINESIS: This is the ability to shape, move, and manipulate
physical objects by the power of thought.
CLAIRVOYANCE: With this class of abilities, you can see and hear into
locations that you could not normally, or that might be many miles
away.
PSYCHOMETABOLICS: This is the ability to effect change in your own
body. Note that the abilities to change other people's bodies are
usually telekinetic in nature.
DIVINATION: pre/postcognitive powers, danger sense, etcetera. Many of
these powers will be triggered automatically during the course of the
game; when this happens, exactly, is up to the G.M.
CYBERPSIONICS: This is the ability to project psionic energies into
the computer networks (this is optional due to much arguing; see below
for further explanation.)
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Telepathic Abilities
unwritten
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Telekinetic Abilities
unwritten
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Clairvoyance Abilities
unwritten
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Psychometabolic Abilities
unwritten
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Divining Abilities
unwritten
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Cyberpsionic Abilities
Psychic Grep
by Robert A. Hayden
This ability allows the user to attempt to read the headware storage
of the target decker. The target number is equal to the target's
willpower plus deck hardening. If successful, the GREPper can copy
that memory into his own for study at his liesure.
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Suppress
by Robert A. Hayden and J.D. Falk
The ability allows the user to sieze control of the target decker's
mind. The target number of the attack is equal to the target's
willpower plus any deck hardening. If successful, the target will be
unable to refocus their attention on the real world (to jack out, for
example) and will be unable to make any actions in the matrix. This
is a sustained ability. The target can attempt to break out each turn
using dice equal to his willpower, with a target number equal to the
caster's suppress rating.
It is worth noting that the recipient of the SUPRESS effect does not
know that it is another decker using mental powers on them, or even
that there is another decker there (unless an analyze or visual
contact has already show the Cyberpsionicist's presence); all the
target decker knows is that they cannot think clearly enough to do
anything. Of course, another Cyberpsionicist will be able to
recognize the effect.
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A Description of Cyberpsionics
by Robert A. Hayden, J.D. Falk, and "Darth Vader"
We know that magic and technology do not mix, because magic is the
antithesis of tech. Psi on the other hand, the the power of the mind,
and what beter represents much of that power than tech.
The concept of psionic matrix access (Cyberpsionics) is not that
psionics allows you to run the matrix, but that you can use your
psionic abilities against other PEOPLE in the matrix. Essentialy,
that the net can become a medium for the transmission of telepathy
energies, for example.
A psionic would not be able to blast Black ICe, for example, because
Black ICe doesn't actually exist. It is only an iconic representation
of a security program. The only thing REAL in the matrix is another
person.
There are a number of theories as to why some forms of psionics seem
to work in the matrix. Obviously, the workings are not actually in
the matrix -- but it seems that way to both the psionic and the
recipient.
Aura in the Icon theory
by Darth Vader
One theory, technically impossible according to most computer
engineers, is that a deckers' aura (his mental signature) can me
divined from his matrix icon (as he practically plugs his brain in,
when he jacks into the matrix). This way a psi-decker that meets
another decker in the net, will have the chance to try to
remotely-influence/control him if he wants to. This has nothing to do
with tech or the matrix, and is just another use of standard psi
abilities.
Searchin' the Worldmind theory
by J.D. Falk
Another theory, widely misunderstood, has to do with the "worldmind"
concept (described in the 'What Is Psionics?' section) Following this
theory, there is no discernable distance between any two psyches on or
near Earth (not sure about elsewhere, but we'll blast that alien when
we come to it.)
In order for a psionic to affect another psyche in the worldmind, then
the psi needs to be able to locate that person's "frequency." Due to
limitations of the human mind at our current stage of evolution, the
psi needs some sort of visual or emotional representation in order to
make that first contact. A person's Matrix icon would, to a psi
experienced with the Cyberpsionics discipline, work as well as a
photograph -- they would use that so that the concious mind could tell
the subconcious mind (or, in some books, higher self) where in the
Worldmind to look in order to affect the target psyche.
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