Metaconcert: How does it work?

[Three_Haligonians]

So, I was looking over the Metaconcert power in the Expanded Psionic Handbook and it has left me perplexed.

The power states that all the characters involved devote X amount of power points into a pool. It also says that one person is the "conductor" and it is he who "directs the efforts of the group".

Then it goes on to say that all the powers of all those involved are known to the "mental entity" created by the power. For every connected person, the DCs of these powers increase by 1 and so do the saves of the entity. It even goes on to explain that if the entity takes ability damage, it is split up amongst the group.

But that is all it says about that. What happened to the conductor? What is this "mental entity" is it a creature? targetable by spells, powers and effects? What about swords? Furthermore, what about everyone involved? Do they just loose the power points they chipped in but can otherwise do what they want on their initiative? Can they do nothing but concentrate on the "mental entity" and collectively all go at once - focused through the powers it uses?

It seems to me to be very unclear, I'm hoping we can have a metaconcert of our own to pin down some rules..

J from Three Haligonians

 

[moritheil]

Basically, if you've read R. Jordan's work, you might be familiar with his concept that multiple spellcasters can link to form a "circle" where they all channel their power into one individual, who then directs it as he (or she) chooses.

If you haven't, well, there's the concept, but the limitations won't be as readily apparent if you haven't seen it before.

The "entity" is just a way to reconcile the idea that you have all these people but the powers can only be manifested as though there is only one manifester. The entity has all the bodies and all the minds of the people who are in concert, unless I'm mistaken.

 

[Bacris]

Some of your questions are answered by the power entry:

creating an entity more powerful than the sum of its parts...

All the powers of each participant are known to the mental entity created with metaconcert (which is under the conductor’s command).

So, the entity is a sort of pseudo-creature - it doesn't have any hit points or armor class or even defined physical form, but can be targetted by powers or psi-like abilities. I'd assume it can be targetted by targetting the misty strands of power that are visible... but as it has no actual physical form, can't be attacked by physical means.

The other members of the metaconcert must remain within a 20' radius, but no other requirement is put upon them, so they'd be able to take their normal actions.

What's intriguing is that no mechanical requirement is given to "directing" the entity, so the manifester can direct the entity and its actions and then take his own actions. The power duration should really be Concentration, up to 1 min/level (D), since Concentration has built-in action requirements.