Oh I misunderstood nothing. Telepathy is listed under the same section as aura (something that can be turned on and off). And as I pointed out it's listed in the eberron book as a language but it gets changed when you look the the CB/DDI. The misinterpretation is you treating it like a language when it no longer is.
And telepathy is a keyword? You mean the thing attached to powers? and you are using this to say telepathy shouldn't be looked at like a power? And what power has the telepathy keyword? Looking at my psion sheets all I see is Psionic and Psychic. Even send thoughts is psionic not telepathy.
SO... It is in fact not a keyword (unless I'm missing something or it's changed) and not a language (at least as far as the updated kalashtar). And nothing states that it's on or off by default. I can't see where you can state it as fact.
As I don't have DDi, giving me a DDI link isn't very helpfull... Ok, it's a ritual. After reading it, I fail to see where is states that telepathy is on by default. It stops mental communication. How is that helpful?
As quoted from the compendium, "An aura is a continuous effect that emanates from a creature." it goes on to say that an aura can be turned off and on with a minor action.
Aura is listed under "Rules Combat", while Telepathy is listed as "Rules Other".
Telepathy is not a power, because it doesn't have a power block. It is not at-will or encounter, it does not have a target, it is not cast/prayed/exploited, it cannot be turned off, and it is not on.
When Telepathy can be found on a monsters sheet, it is still listed under Languages.
Keyword, as in search term, not keyword as in "fire/psychic/weapon/implement".
Telepathy is a form of mental communication.
Two-way communication is by definition, both ways.
So if your friend doesn't have your phone number, it's one way communication. You can call him, that is one direction, when he can call you, that is two directions. (I don't like the phone analogy, it's more like a shortwave radio.)
It sounds like a power to me, If it were a language I could take it as one of my bonus languages, right? Or would I have to take it as a language to speak mentaly with a Kalashtar? Without quoting any rules a power seems to be something that not everyone can do, isn't that what this telepathy is?
Just like Supernal, it is more difficult to gain Telepathy than just taking a bonus language.
You don't have to take Telepathy as a bonus language to speak it with a Kalashtar, because it allows two-way communication, by definition.
A power gets a power-block, and is listed under powers. Telepathy is listed under "Rules Other" and shows up in the language section of everything except Kalashtar.
If I were you, I really wouldn't care either.
The only reason this is important enough for KD to bring up at all is because for me, Telepathy has led to a slightly less than satisfactory roleplaying experience.
Every time a telepathic one off behind the scenes communications goes on in the game where my PC is prevented from participating, I think "Oh great, another roleplaying opportunity thrown in the garbage can".
I find Telepathy as a PBP concept to be annoying. Not a big deal, just a minor annoyance. And this is why I waited to even bring this up until the Kalashtar in our group who was the main focal point of most of these types of one off conversations had left the group because the player no longer enjoyed playing that PC.
And before someone says "But you decided for your PC to be out of those conversations", that's partially correct. I roleplayed my PC the exact way most players should have roleplayed their PCs: afraid of Telepathy when they first encounter it. Instead for the sake of expediency, the other players decided "oh well, it's only a game, my PC is totally cool with someone talking in his head" instead of it scaring the crap out of them. That's their choice too. I'm ok with that. But instead of dropping most of the Telepathy, the other players decided to continue using it. That's ok too. But because they made that choice, my roleplaying experience is slightly less satisfying.
It's also correct that most PCs are out of the one off telepathic communications, not just my PC.
And the rules appear to support a POV that not just anyone can do this, only the Kalashtar.
I also understand that it might not bother the other players. It bothers me both because it does not appear to be the rule and also because I don't roleplay to read a book. I roleplay to participate.
So I understand and even respect that you do not have a horse in this race. I do.
You're a judge. You should be impartial.
And note: I did not bring this up for a proposal. Kalidrev did. I only brought it up for discussion. Kalidrev appears to have enough of a horse in the race for him to propose it the way he wanted it proposed.
It would be explicit if it said "Anyone can initiate the conversation". Since it does not say that, you are inferring that rule out of whole cloth.
Your interpretation is not even implicit. The words "You can" and "Any ally can" are the only rules we have for initiating and hence, my interpretation is implicit.
Two way says nothing about who can start the communication. Your interpretation is called an assumption, not a rule because there is not one word in the rules that even hints at your interpretation.
Except it wasn't a RP opportunity thrown in the garbage can, the characters are RPing. Also, there is no particular way a PC should react to Telepathy.
Your interpretation is implicit, it is derived.
My interpretation is explicit, it says, "Telepathy... allows for two-way communication".
The definition of two-way, from dictionary.reference.com, "2. allowing or entailing communication or exchange between two persons, groups, countries, etc."
If the non-Kalashtar cannot initiate conversation, it no longer meets the definition of two-way.
If WotC wanted Telepathy to only be activated by Kalashtar they would have said as much, as shown by Send Thoughts.
