| From: | "Robert A. Hayden" <hayden@******.MANKATO.MSUS.EDU> |
|---|---|
| Subject: | PSI: Some more babbling |
| Date: | Tue, 12 Jul 1994 00:50:30 +0100 |
about, so I'll babble a bit more.
-------------------------------------------
1) Create a new category for character creation. This category is
similiar to the 'magic' category. Depending on the letter you
put in here, will determine your ability.
NOTE: I don't know if the creation of a 'F' letter is good or not.
Human Status Meta Status
--------- --------- --------- ---------
E Full E N/A
D Adept D Full
C Wild C Adept
B -- B Wild
A -- A --
The number of magic points you start out with (from your Tech/Magic
category) is the number of psi-points you start out with. If a person
has both magic and psi ability, the tech/magic points are used for both.
DEFINITIONS
-----------
Discipline This is a 'category' of abilities. Telekinesis is a
category that represents several similiar abilities.
Diciplines do not have ratings.
Ability This represents a specific psi-skill related to the
discipline. For example, Mind Wipe is an ability under
the category Telepathy. Abilities have ratings.
Astral This is the ability to project ones psychic image into
astral space (commonly called an 'out of body
expierience.') This is identical to the ability that
hermetics and shamans possess (although the mechanics are
a little different).
PSI Ratings
-----------
Full Unlimited number of disciplines
Unlimited number of abilities
Astral Perception
Adept Only one Discipline
Unlimited number of abilities (within Discipline)
No Astral Perception
Wild One discipline
One ability (within Discipline)
No Astral Perception
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Now, let's say that I am creating a new character. He's Troll and has a
'D' rating in Psionics. I've assigned a 'C' rating for Tech/Magic.
Since I dont' have my book with me, I'm going to guestamate and say that
that gives him 35 magic points (plus cash).
The next step is to 'buy' all of my disciplines and abilities.
So let's say that I want the diciplines that allow me to project force
(telekinesis), manipulate minds (telepathy) and manipulate my own body
(metabolics?). For shits-n-giggles, let's say that each discipline costs
5 magic points. That leaves me with 20 points left.
Next I go to my list of abilities and, just like spells, determine which
ones my character has. Let's pretend I take:
Rating Cost
Telekinesis -- 5
General Telekinesis 3 3
Telekinetic Punch 3 3
Levitate 2 2
Telepathy -- 5
Scan Mind 2 2
Illusion 2 2
Animal Telepathy (dog) 1 1
Metabolics -- 5
Heal Self 3 3
Shape Change 4 4
Each of these abilities have individual target numbers and drain codes.
Stronger rating abilities are naturally meaner (for both drain and
effect).
From here on out, the character is normal. Karma can later be spent on
new abilities, upgrading abilities, learning new disciplines, etc. In
addition, it would be a trivial matter to create instruments similiar to
fetishes and the like that help a psi to work better.
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.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
That's the creation and interplay mechanics. One of the other things
that need to be put into play are the rules for balancing things.
With magic, the balancing factor is Essence and Body. As they both go
down (representing corruption of the body by foreign agent), one's magic
ability decreases. I think a similiar reasoning could be applied to
psionics. As the body becomes corrupted, the ability to produce psychic
energies becomes less.
In addition, being a mage does not exclude being a psi. But with the
lettering system, a full mage could only be an adept psi, or vice-versa.
Adding the letter 'F' will allow a person to be both a full mage and full
psi (but with at most, only a D rating for point, they will be limited
in the number of spells and abilities they canb buy, but have tremendous
potential for later expansion).
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Following the above, a psionic is (at least initially) actually LESS
powerful than a mage, because they must spend precious magic points on
Disciplines as well as the individual abilities, where a mage just chucks
it all into spells.
This could be partially offset by either eliminating the cost for
disciplines or making abilities a little more powerful or different.
(And this is speaking from a fairness/balance perspective, not from the
role-playing view).
In any case, comments are appreciated.
____ Robert A. Hayden <=> hayden@******.mankato.msus.edu
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