How do you like you psionic flavor?

[deClench]

However, this monist perspective was only one character. I generally leave the origin of psionic powers out of the canon of my games, because I like it to be mysterious and open to interpretation. The funny thing is, it always works, no matter why you think it works, even though the system is based on a philosophical introspection exercise, which tells you something very important about the power. I suppose I'm inspired to a certain extent by Mage: The Awakening, in which reality corresponds to belief, and not vice versa. However, that leaves questions about what exactly is the meta-reality underlying the realities that make various approaches to psionics possible. This is exactly the sort of philosophical question I want to direct psionic characters toward, when they realize that their way is not the one true way, even though there should only be one way due to contradictions that would arise if it were otherwise.

I really like this. It illustrates that, maybe moreso than magic, psionics can be portrayed in multiple ways in the same setting. Whether the explanation actually entails different origins of various characters' powers (i.e. gamma radiation ) or is simply a series of belief systems (i.e. hindu-based philosophy).

 

[Drowbane]

The "default" flavor for psionics seems have a crystal "new-age" feel to it. Hyperconscious and Eberron have both tied it to dreams. I've hear other people who treat it as "just another type of magic." What flavor do you like your psionics to have? And is that how you would like to see published material?

(Please do not reply, "I don't like psionics of any flavor." I already know it's not for everybody.)

I prefer a sinister sort of misunderstood "mind-magic"...
example: My favorite wilder had a sort of voodoo-witch flavor.

Also, I like the image of the Monk (w/kung fu genius) | Psion (preferably gestalt... of course) whose psionics are manifestations of Ki.

I didn't get the Crystal-thing when 3e came out (it wasn't in the Psi-flavor of 2e!)... and I still don't.

I'm not quite into the dreamscape-thing... although I'm not opposed to it. One of my friends in SD was going to run a new section of his Homebrew set in a sort of east-indian pseudo-hindu type setting where the ruling class were Rakshasa. Where Arcane/Divine magic was rare, but psionics and incarnum use (only slightly reflavored) were the "norm" for magic. I was going to make a "priest of the hindu pantheon" (for lack of a better term atm) as a Totemist... his melds taking the appearance of various god-figures.

 

[Ambrus]

When I started my last campaign I integrated psionics as a new kind of magic based entirely on the ideals of medieval alchemy. As a force it was known as 'alchemy' and its practioners were 'philosophers'. Psicrystals, naturally, were 'philosopher's stones'; the crafting of which was a process by which a practioner delved into the mysteries of alchemy and learned to harness its power. Generating psychic energy was accomplished by manipulating the four humors of the body (blood, black bile, yellow bile and phlegm) by in turn controling the emotions tied to those humors.

In this way philosophy became a viable D&D magic system with its roots in real-world medieval traditions. As a system it naturally tied into dreams, astrology and mundane alchemy. Tying it into a real-world tradition allowed me to place NPC psionic characters into my fantasy world where'd they'd naturally be found; apothecaries and alchemy shops. It also got rid of all the modern nomenclature which seems built into the D&D psionics system, replacing it with something more appropriate and familiar. To me it's a natural and obvious way to introduce psionics into D&D without loosing the medieval fantasy feel of the setting.

 

[johnnype]

I don't mind the "crystal" feel they've given it with 3rd edition. Crystal weapons have always appealed to me to say nothing of crystal dragons (the only kind I can stomach these days).

Psionics is also a bit more primal. I see psions as the only people able to control a wild power that is everywhere around us. I imagine strained brows and bulging veins. Halo's of light and waves of force. Think Akira with a heaping helping of Dark City sprinkled liberaly with Scanners and you get the idea. Power with a capital P.

 

[Drowbane]

...Psionics is also a bit more primal. I see psions as the only people able to control a wild power that is everywhere around us. I imagine strained brows and bulging veins. Halo's of light and waves of force. Think Akira with a heaping helping of Dark City sprinkled liberaly with Scanners and you get the idea. Power with a capital P.

Well spoken, sir!

I've always liked Crystal Dragons, I used 'em alot back in 2e.

 

[Angel Tarragon]

I use psionics as a racial hook. Most scale-folk are able to manifest the simplest of powers without the need to take classes, though most of them do (and mostly Psychic Warrior or Soulknife). There is a whole region of my homebrew where psionics reign supreme, and if you have ever seen Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's The Lost World [series] and imagine the dino-folk as Lizardmen that have innate psionic ability then that would describe it perfectly.

 

[johnnype]

Well spoken, sir!

I've always liked Crystal Dragons, I used 'em alot back in 2e.

Thanks. You know the more I think about it the more I realize that Psionics is my favorite part of D&D. Without it, it just wouldn't shine as bright.

 

[Klaus]

Black, like my coffee.

With regard to magic, I prefer that it be kept separate and not overlap. In practice, that's a lot of work if both magic and psionics are active in the setting, so I usually play with overlap.

With regard to the presentation, I like it all. I know that's not what you wanted, but I think it's all good. I love the dream-approach from Eberron. I'm not crazy about the new-age connotations of hte crystal-approach, but it still works for me. I wonder if that new-agey vibe is what makes some people dislike psionics. I would love to see new approaches. The crazier, the better! ^_^

Funny you should say "the crazier, the better", as in Eberron the psionic power is linked not only to Dal Quor, the plane of dreams, but also to Xoriat, the plane of madness.

 

[DMH]

It also got rid of all the modern nomenclature which seems built into the D&D psionics system, replacing it with something more appropriate and familiar.

Do you have that posted or uploaded somewhere?

 

[Mercule]

IMC, psi has always occupied the space 3E tried to put sorcerers into -- inherent power. Arcane is study of ambient energy and divine is channelling from someone else. In theory, anyone could do either of those. Psi is self-powered and requires an innate spark that is very rare.

Otherwise, it's pretty much the same kind of energy, just a different origin. I'm very unhappy with the new age flavor is 3E. The mechanics rock, but the flavor is wrong (IMO).