Character Help

[Bacris]

So I'm probably going to be starting in a new campaign somewhat loosely based off the previous longest-running campaign I played. It's going to be a legacy-based game, where our new characters will be loosely connected to our previous - 3-4 generations down the line.

My previous character was a psion (kineticist) and, as any that know me know, I'm pretty much a gigantic psi-fan. I'm wanting to play a psionic character in some form or fashion, but coming up blank on what exactly to play.

I've played a kineticist, briefly an egoist using metamorphosis, two psywars, and an egoist / druid hybrid that was mostly a debuffer / healer. I've tried druid and found that it wasn't my style. I've tried ranger and didn't really like it, either. Currently playing a cleric and detest spell slots.

The character concept is pretty open - 3-4 generations allows me to choose either human, half-elf, or one of the planetouched races, as my previous character was a half-elf. Stats are up in the air, although they tend to be on the higher-end of the spectrum. Starting level - no idea, but likely no higher than 5. Same with books allowed - likely core + xph, not sure outside that until the DM finalizes the rules of the campaign.

Anyway, given these items, any recommendations on what sort of psi-character I could play that wouldn't feel like one of my previous incarnations?

I'm thinking possibly psychic rogue from WotC's the Mind's Eye (assuming the DM will allow it), or perhaps a Lurk from Complete Psionic (again, assuming the DM will allow it)... but I'm having a bit of a hard time thinking outside the box here...

Anybody have any ideas for a guy who doesn't do so well as a "face" style character?

 

[Shazman]

You could play a soulknife. You don't get psionic powers, but you can get psionic feats. If you really want powers, take the war mind prestige class.

 

[Mycanid]

So I'm probably going to be starting in a new campaign somewhat loosely based off the previous longest-running campaign I played. It's going to be a legacy-based game, where our new characters will be loosely connected to our previous - 3-4 generations down the line.

My previous character was a psion (kineticist) and, as any that know me know, I'm pretty much a gigantic psi-fan. I'm wanting to play a psionic character in some form or fashion, but coming up blank on what exactly to play.

I've played a kineticist, briefly an egoist using metamorphosis, two psywars, and an egoist / druid hybrid that was mostly a debuffer / healer. I've tried druid and found that it wasn't my style. I've tried ranger and didn't really like it, either. Currently playing a cleric and detest spell slots.

The character concept is pretty open - 3-4 generations allows me to choose either human, half-elf, or one of the planetouched races, as my previous character was a half-elf. Stats are up in the air, although they tend to be on the higher-end of the spectrum. Starting level - no idea, but likely no higher than 5. Same with books allowed - likely core + xph, not sure outside that until the DM finalizes the rules of the campaign.

Anyway, given these items, any recommendations on what sort of psi-character I could play that wouldn't feel like one of my previous incarnations?

I'm thinking possibly psychic rogue from WotC's the Mind's Eye (assuming the DM will allow it), or perhaps a Lurk from Complete Psionic (again, assuming the DM will allow it)... but I'm having a bit of a hard time thinking outside the box here...

Anybody have any ideas for a guy who doesn't do so well as a "face" style character?

Aha! Another psionics fan! A pleasure to know you.

One possibility you might try ... I created an pc who originated from a desert background who was a LN half-elf ranger 1/soulknife 1/psion (nomad) 2. He was set in Greyhawk. He was TOTALLY cool to play and his name was Jaleel al-Qizhalem. He had been originally a ranger who had an inherent psionic talent developed by the Xeph, who also had been the ones to introduce him to the worship of Xan Yae.

The closest I could come to describing him is a cross between a desert ranger and a dervish with a meditative/psionic bent - almost a zen buddhist monk type. His main "theme" was gracefulness and movement (a la the nomad), and best expressed in slow, perfectly poised and stately dance - which is the main manner of worshipping Xan Yae at both sunrise and sunset.

I loved playing him....

 

[Bacris]

Shazman, maybe with one of the variant soulknives. The XPH soulknife is a bit too lackluster for me to enjoy, although it's a good idea for a psionic character without being the type I normally play. Thanks!

Aha! Another psionics fan! A pleasure to know you.

Psionics fan since AD&D 2nd Ed. Ahhh, back in 2nd Ed when we didn't know any better and it was horribly broken!

One possibility you might try ...
I loved playing him....

Now that's an intriguing concept... I may just borrow this idea - in some form or fashion. Thanks!

 

[Mycanid]

Feel quite free sir! I should mention only one thing. Xan Yae as a diety is often portrayed as a very tall, graceful female wielding two falchions one-handed. Eventually I had intended to develop the soulknife side of him to this ideal. Since they are psiblades, they are, of course, quite light. Of course, Xan Yae is also a patron of psionics....

Another aspect of Xan Yae, if you remember, is a love of secrets - both keeping and discovering them. The "quest for inner knowledge" sort of thing fits well with this. Jaleel was very soft spoken and formal in address, as well as quite respectful of all - even if he had no respect for who or what he was talking to ... the standard models of desert civilization based behavior. Might check out the 3.5 Unearthed Arcana and/or the Sandstorm book for more about these types of behaviors if you want to follow this route....

Finally, Jaleel was a very non-urban sort of fellow. He felt uncomfortable even in small villages. He could get by, of course, but vastly preferred the wilderness.

By the way ... I have been a lover of psionics since 1e!