Psionics in Primal Power?

[FoolishFrost]

You know, I'm easy going about a lot of things, But looking at page 35 in Primal Power, I was struck about the paragraph starting with "Psionic magic confuses druids..." and the part about "Only recently appeared..."

Confuses me too, since they aren't releasing it for months?

 

[Nahat Anoj]

You know, I'm easy going about a lot of things, But looking at page 35 in Primal Power, I was struck about the paragraph starting with "Psionic magic confuses druids..." and the part about "Only recently appeared..."

Confuses me too, since they aren't releasing it for months?

It'll take me a second to dredge up the sources, but in the assumed setting psionics (at least the style of psionics practiced by psions) is a relatively recent innovation. So far, we've been told that psionics arises as the world's defense mechanism to Far Realm incursion (or, perhaps, because of Far Realm influences).

 

[Henrix]

Confuses me too, since they aren't releasing it for months?

There's some trickling out of the depths of the DDI....

 

[Nahat Anoj]

Here we go. From July's Design & Development:

Mike: In the history of Dungeons & Dragons, the story of psionics too often has taken second place to its mechanics. Many readers and authors feel that psionics doesn't integrate seamlessly with the core concepts of a fantasy world.

Rather than treat that as a bug, we looked to it as a feature. The psionic power source -- or at least its expression as used by psions and other classes with power points -- is something new to the world of D&D. Monks have used psionic power for ages, but they tapped into it when it was relatively weak.

Recently, as the Far Realm's incursion into the world has grown more aggressive, psionic energy has become more common, stronger, and easier to control. Previously, only monks could tap into it with their rigorous discipline and self-control. Now others can utilize it, from psions who study and unlock its secrets to others who acquire psionic powers seemingly at the universe's whim.

And from the Cerulean Adept PP in the Psion preview:

Some say psionic power itself is the world’s answer to the Far Realm. Just as a body unconsciously fights off sickness, the universe prepares for some future battle by sowing psionic potential among its denizens.

 

[ProfessorCirno]

Have they mentioned what's going on with all the halos, yet?

 

[kenmarable]

You know, I'm easy going about a lot of things, But looking at page 35 in Primal Power, I was struck about the paragraph starting with "Psionic magic confuses druids..." and the part about "Only recently appeared..."

Confuses me too, since they aren't releasing it for months?

Sounds like since they had a pretty good idea what is going into PHB3 at the time, they are working it into books being released now. Helps make them seem more relevant down the road, I imagine.

Same thing with the art. At least according to the gallery (haven't seen the book yet myself) there A LOT of minotaur images, and even a githzerai. Also one or two others that might be of unknown descent.