Mentalist: The Whisper

By Matt Robarge (blackkfox@aol.com or daekota@mfi.net)

Description

Who knows how long they've exsisted or how they've come to be. Whatever the case, in this World of Darkness, there exists creatures of great mental capacity. The abilities of these few gifted (or cursed, from some perspectives) individuals range from senses extending far beyond normal expectations, to manipulating others' thoughts. Below is but an example of these extraordinary abilities. Perhaps there are more facets of the human mind yet to be discovered. Maybe there are more eyes watching from the shadows....

Power Source

To avoid the use of a "power pool," the usage of these mental abilities could be based on spending Willpower, simulating the "weakened state" associated with prolonged psychic activity.

Powers

The ability to perceive events at great distances and/or in the past or possible future.

Note: The future is not written!! What you see ain't always what you get....

*	Vision hazy. You're dependent upon a reflective surface to focus your concentration (i.e., a crystal ball or mirror). You only envision those close you.
**	Vision clearer. Still dependent upon surfaces. You can now envision distant relatives, old friends, etc.
***	Images and even sounds without the need for reflective surfaces. You still see "bits and pieces," but at least the reception's better :)
****	Images and sounds of an entire conversation or event unfold before you.
*****	All senses are involved in your visions, now. It's almost as if you're standing in the event, but you remain motionless. (You can only see from certain perspectives.)
******	You are now able to change your perspective at will. The events can be easier to interpret. (As an option for the Storyteller, you may even be able to perceive empathically, though only vague surface emotions.)
*******	Your abilities have increased so far that you now have either Precognition (future) or Postcognition (past.) With a Perception + Alertness roll, difficulty 7, you are able to tell to what portion of time this vision belongs.
********	You may now envision anyone with whom you've come in contact in your life. Perception + Alertness (diff 6) still required for determination.
*********	You now have both Pre- and Postcognition. Perception + Alertness (diff 6) for determination.
**********	You no longer need a roll for determination. You are at the pinnacle of your Clairsentience ability . . . or are you?

This is, of course, the ability to control the mind of whomever you wish. Refer to V:tM Discipline: Dominate for specifics with one minor change: Control is not limited to the human mind, only, but to the animal world, as well. Consider ratings 1-5 to be 2, 4, 6, 8, and 10. Ratings 1, 3, 5, 7, and 9 will be the same abilities, but for animals. As in V:tM, you cannot Control someone whose Control/Dominate is as or more powerful than your own.

At the Storyteller's discretion, this ability could be used as a "soak roll" for psychic attacks, or a Difficulty increase. The latter would act as a modifier, equal to one half (1/2) of the Defense rating (rounded down), to psychic attacks. Each Willpower point you spend adds +1 Defense.

Example: Ching Ky has a Defense rating of 5. Psyphon must normally roll a difficulty of 6 to attack. With Ching Ky's mental prowess, this would be a difficulty of 8, instead.

This allows you to project any image, real or unreal, into the mind of your target. A roll of Manipulation + Illusion is required, with the difficulty being the target's Willpower. The following chart determines the outcome of the roll:

In addition, each Willpower point you spend adds +1 dice to your roll.


# Successes	Effect
1	Minor distraction, loss of initiative.
2	Cosmetic changes to setting.
3	Major changes to setting.
4	Completely alters setting.
5	Character no longer interacts with real environment.
6	Character takes damage from illusionary attacks.
7 (optional)	Character receives Derangement for remainder of game.
8 (optional)	Character receives permanent Derangement.

Note: For the illusion to be maintained, you must reroll each turn (diff. target's Willpower). No more successes are needed than initial successes. Consequently, no further effect can be produced than the initial effect.

This ability enables you to "read" thoughts, perception, even detect the physical/mental well-being of the last possessor of a particular object. You must roll Perception + Psychometry (diff 8) to determine the extent of the reading. Refer to V:tM Player's Guide, p.32, with one minor change. Substitute # of successes for dot rating.

This allows you to maintain a psychic connection with a willing person or persons. Connection with certain WoD creatures may vary from time to time due to such elements as Frenzy, Rage, Paradox, Quickening, Penance, etc. if the Storyteller wishes.

*	Link with one receptive mind. Concentrated communication, only in close proximity (line-of-sight).
**	Link may now include obvious surface emotions.
***	Includes subtle surface emotions, and obvious deeper-rooted emotions. Line-of-sight no longer required, but still requires general proximity ("shouting distance").
****	Link permanent with one receptive mind, and includes visual images through their eyes.
*****	Link with a specified group of minds, all receptive. Concentrated communication, only in line-of-sight proximity. By rolling Manipulation + PsyLink (diff Your Willpower - 2), you can determine by # of successes how many minds you can link.
******	Link may now include obvious surface emotions, though only you may sense them (otherwise things can get confusing...) Still line-of-sight proximity.
*******	Includes subtle surface emotions and obvious deeper-rooted emotions. "Shouting distance" proximity still required.
********	Link so strong with single receptive mind, no proximity of any sort required.
*********	Link with any one receptive mind. Treat as a rating 4 link (but not permanent).
**********	Link with any group of minds, all receptive. Treat as a rating 6 link. Manipulation + PsyLink roll still required to determine # of minds successfully linked.

With this ability, you can locate a particular mind over certain distances. Requires Perception + PsyScan roll (diff Target's Willpower).

*	In the room.
**	On your floor.
***	The nearest three (3) floors.
****	In the building.
*****	On the block.
******	Across town.
*******	Neighboring city.
********	Next county.
*********	Next state.
**********	Coast-to-Coast.

This is a Mentalist's primary weapon. You may form a weapon, Melee or Ranged, of your choosing from pure psychic energy. This could include a simple energy blast, a "psychic blade," an animal form, a psychic fist or any other solid object. These weapons will only do psychic damage no matter what form it takes. If a Melee form is chosen, roll Dex + PsyStrike (diff 7). For Ranged forms, roll Wits + PsyStrike (diff 8), the # of rounds equals your Willpower. Your PsyStrike rating equals your damage dice In either case.

Note: Once you choose the form of weapon your PsyStrike will take, it is your "signature." It cannot be changed for the life of your character.

This aspect of Telekinesis enables you to lift certain objects.

*	Lift up to 10 lbs.
**	Up to 30 lbs.
***	Up to 60 lbs.
****	Up to 120 lbs.
*****	Up to 240 lbs.
******	Up to 480 lbs.
*******	Up to 960 lbs.
********	Up to 1 ton (2,000 lbs.).
*********	Up to 2 tons (4,000 lbs.).
**********	Up to 2 3/4 tons (5,500 lbs.)

A Mentalist's conversion of the V:tM Discipline: Ascension, this is the ability to use your TK unconventionally, giving you the capabilities of hovering and/or full flight. While in the air, use the following with your TK Flight rating to determine maneuverability and such.

Maneuver	Roll
Sharp maneuver	Dexterity + TK Flight
Dodge while in the air	Dodge + TK Flight
Remain aloft for extended flights	Stamina + TK Flight
Attacks, such as diving thrusts or flying kicks	Brawl/Melee +TK Flight

Your TK Flight ratings also entitles you to automatic successes when resisting damage from falls. You receive one success per level of TK Flight.

*	Surface: The body cancels out gravity to an extent, allowing you to walk no more than an inch or two off a surface (water, ice, across walls and/or ceilings, etc). A surface of some sort, even sheer surfaces, in required. Note that without proper concentration, this would also mean that you could be knocked back (punched, kicked, lifted or pushed) effortlessly. Paying attention to your surroundings will be a necessity moreso than usual.
**	Surface Plus 1: Others may join you at an inch or two off the ground, although this will hinder your reaction time. Each rating hereafter is another person that may join you (+1 to difficulties per person). Hover: You can now rise above the ground at your height's equivalent or Dexterity in feet per turn (Storyteller's discretion). Even slow movement is possible, although no more than your Dexterity +12 in yards per turn. Jumping distances are doubled.
**	Hover Plus 1: Every rating hereafter allows you one more person to levitate. +1 to difficulties per person. Glide: You can now glide at a rate of (Dexterity + TK Flight) x 2 miles per hour, using the chart above for dodging, maneuvers, etc. Altitude capability = (Stamina + TK Flight) x 10
***	Glide Plus 1: Same as other "Plus 1" ratings. Flight: Your speed can increase to (Dexterity + TK Flight) x 5 miles per hour, using the chart above for dodging, maneuvers, etc. Altitude capability = (Stamina + TK Flight) x 20
****	Flight Plus 1: Same as other "Plus 1" ratings.
*****	Eagle's Flight: Your speed can increase to (Dexterity + TK Flight) x 10 miles per hour, using the chart above for dodging, maneuvers, etc. Altitude capability = (Stamina + TK Flight) x 50
******	None.
*******	None.
********	Wind's Flight: Your speed can increase to (Dexterity + TK Flight) x 20 miles per hour, using the chart above for dodging, maneuvers, etc. Altitude capability = (Stamina + TK Flight) x 100
*********	None.
**********	Thought's Flight: Your speed can increase to (Dexterity + TK Flight) x 50 miles per hour, using the chart above for dodging, maneuvers, etc. Altitude capability = (Stamina + TK Flight) x 200

This use of your psychic powers creates a forcefield to be used as "soak dice" for any physical attacks. For each rating above 4, you can extend your TK Forcefield to one other character. This however, makes it an "either/or" decision between power and coverage.

Example: Ching Ky uses her TK Forcefield of 8 on herself and three innocent bystanders that has come between her and Psyphon. This reduces her normal 8 dice to 5 because of the three additional people to cover.

Another drawback to this otherwise handy defense is +1 to difficulties per person if you're extending your TK Forcefield coverage. You can, however, spend Willpower points to negate it.

Unlike PsyLink, this allows you to connect with an unwilling person or persons. Connection with certain WoD creatures may still vary from time to time due to such elements as Frenzy, Rage, Paradox, Quickening, Penance, etc. If the Storyteller wishes, connection can be made but at a price. The Mentalist may have to roll his Willpower to avoid suffering the physical effects of the element in question (difficulty 8).

To attempt with an unwilling mind, the Mentalist must roll Manipulation + TP, difficulty target's Willpower. If the target is aware of the attempt, a Willpower roll may be used in self-defense to cancel the Mentalist's successes. Three (3) successes are needed for a successful link. They must reroll each turn until the link is severed by either individual.

*	Link with one mind. Concentrated communication, only in close proximity (line-of-sight).
**	Link may now include obvious surface emotions.
***	Includes subtle surface emotions, and obvious deeper-rooted emotions. Line-of-sight no longer required, but still requires general proximity ("shouting distance").
****	Link now includes audio/visual.
*****	Link with a specified group of minds. Concentrated communication, only in line-of-sight proximity.
******	Link may now include obvious surface emotions, though only you may sense them (otherwise things can get confusing...) Still line-of-sight proximity.
*******	Includes subtle surface emotions and obvious deeper-rooted emotions. "Shouting distance" proximity still required.
********	Link so strong with single mind, no proximity of any sort required.
*********	Link with any one mind. Treat as a rating 4 link (but not permanent).
**********	Link with any group of minds. Treat as a rating 6 link.

With this ability, you can transport yourself instantly over certain distances.

*	In the room.
**	On your floor.
***	The nearest three (3) floors.
****	In the building.
*****	On the block.
******	Across town.
*******	Neighboring city.
********	Next county.
*********	Next state.
**********	Coast-to-Coast.

This requires Stamina + Teleport roll, base Difficulty of 7. Refer to difficulty chart below for whatever modifiers apply when teleporting. Willpower points can be spent to negate modifiers. Four successes are required to accomplish a teleport.

Factor	Modifier
Line-of-sight	-1
Familiar w/ location (Been there personally, a PsyLinked mind sent you an image of the location, etc.)	0
Each Health Level lost	+1
+10 lbs. cargo	+1
Each passenger	+2
Never been there	+3

If you are attempting to Teleport to an unfamiliar location, you may want to spend one Willpower point for "insurance." This will allow you to return to your point of origin if you botch.