Psionics in the World of Darkness
By Brian D. Moore (bmoore2@ibm.net) (22 November 1995)
I've been writing up some attempts at Psionics in the World of Darkness. This is a set of powers intended for mortals, primarily associated with Mage. The idea was for "Magick without Paradox", engineered by Iteration X and the Progenitors. A scientifically reproducible extra-human set of abilities.
Psionic abilities allow the wielder to alter reality by focusing and harnessing her willpower. By concentrating and utilizing the natural abilities of a fully focused mind, the psionicist can begin to influence the material world. This is not Magick, as this does not tap the natural energies of the world. This is a mundane power, wielded by mortals, and can in no way cause Paradox. There are, however, certain limitations to the power. The psionicist can tax herself beyond her capabilities and incur psychic backlash. The procedures on being and becoming a psionicist are detailed below.
The Psi Trait
The character will have a Psi Trait, which will range from rank one to rank ten. Any psionically active character will start at rank one. All affects of psionic masteries will require a Psi roll. The psionicist may spend willpower to guarantee a successful psionic action. The psionicist will incur psychic backlash when she does this. Further, after the psionicist has spent over half of her willpower, she may then choose to spend temporary Psi. This also incurs backlash, as well as physical damage: a point of aggravated damage for each point of Psi spent. To spend Psi is to tap the physical manifestation of the psionicist's essence, to tap the physical body of the psionicist herself.The psionicist may recover her willpower as normal, by acting out her nature and her demeanor. To regain Psi requires the psionicist to meditate and contemplate on the actions she took to tap her physical self. The psionicist must rest, remain psionically inactive, and meditate for one week per point of Psi needed.
Advancement
Freebie point cost: Four points per dot of Psi.Experience Point Cost: Five times the current level for the first five dots of Psi, then eight times the current level thereafter.
Psionic Masteries
The character may choose to develop skills in one or more of the Psionic Masteries. These masteries are areas of study that develop related psionic skills. The masteries are purchased as follows:
- Six freebie points per dot in a mastery, and six times the current level in experience points to raise the mastery a given rank if the psionicist has not chosen a primary mastery.
- The character may choose a primary mastery. The primary mastery would cost five freebie points per dot and five times the current level for advancement. However, all other masteries would cost seven freebie points and seven experience points respectively
Psionic Sciences
The character may then learn specific sciences within a given mastery. Sciences are assigned a rank based on the difficulty, power, range, and area of affect of the science. In order to learn a given science, the psionicist must possess skill in the mastery under which the science falls equal to the rank of the science.
- Freebie point cost: Two points per science.
- Experience point cost: Four points per science.
The Masteries and the Sciences
- Clairsentience - Precognition, Postcognition, Object Reading
- Psychokinesis - Telekinesis, Project Force, Molecular Rearrangement
- Psychometabolics - Body Manipulation, Healing, Body Weaponry
- Psychoportation - Astral Projection, Umbral Travel, Colocation
- Telepathy - Telepathy, Domination, Iron Will, Psychic Attack
Psionic Disciplines
Once a psionicist attains rank five in any given mastery, he may begin to develop his own sciences, called disciplines at this level. A discipline is an extension of the psionicist, a personification of his development in the mastery. To develop a discipline, the psionicist must purchase rank six in the mastery (eight times the current level) and define the effect of the discipline. For example, Temple has attained supreme mastery over Psychokinesis, and wishes to develop a personal discipline. He works hard for a number of months to attain the experience points necessary, and then purchases the sixth rank in Psychokinesis. He then proceeds to develop his signature discipline, pyrokinesis, mastery over fire.
The Psyche Trait
The character may purchase the Background Trait Psyche. This trait will range from one to five. This trait indicates the base level of Psionic Essence a character will have after a period of rest.
Psionic Essence
The character is able to maintain a pool of Psionic Essence, which may range from one to twenty. Psionic Essence may by used to reduce the difficulty of psionic actions. The character will always have a base level of Psionic Essence equal to her Psyche rank. If the character utilizes her Psionic Essence below her base, the essence will return to its base level after adequate rest.The character may temporarily increase her essence beyond her Psyche by Meditating (difficulty seven). Each success will add to the temporary Psionic Essence. This roll may be made once an hour, up to three hours. Temporary essence will remain for a short period of time, not to exceed twenty-four hours, at which time any essence beyond the character's Psyche rank will dissipate, leaving her feeling psychically and physically drained.
Psychic Backlash
There are times that the psionicist can tax his abilities beyond his psychic capabilities. This can cause him to incur psychic backlash. A backlash causes strain upon the psionicist, making it more difficult for him to concentrate. The storyteller may increase the difficulty for Psi rolls based upon the amount of backlash the psionicist has incurred. Additionally, while the psionicist has amassed backlash, he is limited in the amount of Psionic Essence he may cultivate. He is limited to a maximum pool of essence less the amount of backlash amassed.The psionicist must spend a week of "psionic rest" to eliminate backlash. This means he cannot be psionically active for each week he wishes to reduce backlash. The psionicist can reduce half of amassed backlash each week he rests.
The psionicist can incur backlash in the following manner:
- Whenever he uses willpower or Psi to guarantee a successful psionic action.
- When the psionicist attempts to perform a psionic task greater than the capabilities of the science he is using, whether that be area of affect, duration, or range.
- During any period of prolonged psionic use.
- When he is fighting a psionic or mental battle with another psionicist (or any awakened and mentally active being), one combatant may inflict a backlash upon the other combatant instead of inflicting physical damage.
Psionic Masteries
Clairsentience The Mastery of Clairsentience is the study of Clairsentience Sciences
- Precognition
Psychokinesis
The Mastery of Psychokinesis is the study of Psychokinetic Sciences
- Telekinesis
Psychometabolics
The Mastery of Psychometabolics is the study of Psychometabolic Sciences
- Body Manipulation
Psychoportation
The Mastery of Psychoportation is the study of Psychoportive Sciences
- Astral Travel
Telepathy
The Mastery of Telepathy is the study of Telepathic Sciences
- Telepathy