Psionics and Pure Psions

By Jeremy Belton (gilok@mint.net)

Basic Psi System

Psi costs 7 freebies a dot, or new rating x 7 (first dot costs 10 xp). When you take Psi, choose one power that you possess. This can be anything basic, like ESP, Clairvoyance, Danger Sense, Telekinesis, Pyrokinesis, etc. This will be your only psi power. To use it, roll Psi. Alternatively, the power will automatically work by spending a Psi point. Psi will generally be maxed out at 5. Only truly powerful psions will have Psi ratings higher than 5.

Expanded Psi System

The first aptitude costs 7 freebies a dot, the second 10, the third 15, the fourth 20, the fifth 25, and so on. For each aptitude, choose a single basic power. This is your primary ability. This can be used without spending a Psi point, except in difficult circumstances.

In experience, aptitudes cost as follows:

First aptitude: new rating x 5, first dot 10
Second: new rating x 7, first dot 15
Third: new rating x 10, first dot 20

And so on. Essentially, it is very, very difficult to learn more than one aptitude.

System: Roll Aptitude + Permanent Psi. Spend a Temporary Psi point.

Aptitudes

Aptitudes are treated like abilities. There isn't a specific power for each level in an aptitude or anything like that. Instead, Aptitudes are simply treated as abilities and rolled as such. This does not mean that they cost the same as Abilities, simply that they are considerably different from Disciplines, Spheres, etc.

This is the Aptitude involved in such things as Faith Healing, physical enhancements, etc. Assume that one health level or attribute point is added per success. Other powers are of course possible, at Storyteller discretion.

This is the power involved in moving things with your mind.

This power is used to create or manipulate fire.

This is used to create or manipulate electricity.

This is the most common power, the one used to read other's minds and intentions.

This power allows you to sense things at a great distance.

This power allows you insight into the future, or into the past. You can use this power, for example, to tell someone's fortune or to see her past lives.

Pure Psions

Some characters have a natural affinity for Psionic abilities. Such a character surpasses mortal abilities and is no longer a normal human. Such characters could be considered mythic remnants, the next step in evolution, touched by alien forces, or could be people modified by government experiments. Regardless, they are superior to mortals who have more basic, primitive psionic powers. Pure Psions are created as other World of Darkness characters, and cannot be mages, werewolves, etc. If embraced by vampires, they will lose most of their abilities, although they might, at Storyteller discretion, have an easier time learning them back with experience. Unlike normal mortals, they can learn multiple Aptitudes with relative ease, although they start with only one

Attributes and Abilities: Normal for World of Darkness characters.

Backgrounds: Pure Psions can purchase Arcane, Destiny and Dream backgrounds, in addition to any suitable for mortals. They receive 7 points in backgrounds.

Willpower: Pure Psions start with 5 Willpower.

Psi: Pure Psions start with a rating of 3 in Psi.

Aptitudes: 3 points in any one Aptitude. Others may be purchased with freebies or experience, all of them at the same rate. The freebie costs for Pure Psions are:

Trait	Freebies	Experience
Psi	7	Current Rating x 6
Aptitudes*	7	Current Rating x 7

^*Unlike human Psions, this is a flat cost no matter how many aptitudes the Psion learns.