D&D 5E Psionics relates to Ki

[Yaarel]

In your game, how do you explain the relationship between Psionics and Ki?

 

[aramis erak]

Unless my monk player multiclasses in, I won't explain the relationship at all.

 

[El Mahdi]

I've always seen Psionics as cognate with Eastern Mysticism (Hindu and Bhudist beliefs - Yogis or Siddhas in Hindu). Psionics is a word coined in 1956 by John W. Campbell Jr. for the February issue of his Astounding Science Fiction magazine. Psychic is also a relatively modern term (mid 1800's). I prefer the word Mystic (derived from Old French mystique, thru Latin and all the way back to ancient Greek mustikos for "initiated person").

Siddhas are capable of doing things like Astral Projection, manipulation of objects (telekinesis, levitation), etc. through the use of Prana (Qi, Ki, or Chi in Buddhist belief).

In Hindu Sādhanā such abilities are called Siddhis, while in Buddhism they are called Iddhi. There are also correlates in Jainism and Sikhism.

 

[Paraxis]

Ki is magic in 5e, and psionics is going to be not magic so they are different.

 

[Sunseeker]

Clerics and Druids both cast divine spells. Why is it not a problem that they both get their powers from their gods, while it apparently is a problem that Monks and Psions get theirs from mental discipline and special training?

 

[Klaus]

IMC, they're the same thing.

 

[CapnZapp]

I dislike Monk being a core class. Ki is far from the only not compatible with Western fantasy aspect that I prefer to not think about.

 

[Leatherhead]

Clerics and Druids both cast divine spells. Why is it not a problem that they both get their powers from their gods, while it apparently is a problem that Monks and Psions get theirs from mental discipline and special training?

Mostly because divine spells are mechanically similar to other divine spells, they stack with all other spells in regards to multi-classing, and (if you pick the right god) you can get the spells from the same source.

Ki is mechanically different than Psi. Psi does not stack with Ki for the purposes of multiclass. Psi doesn't even stack with magic in general save for a few line item exceptions.

Story-wise, Ki is a different branch of magic than The Weave, and is specifically "the element that flows through living bodies." Conversely Psi is explicitly not magic, comes as a reaction to the far realms, and is specifically "a source of power that originates from within a creature’s mind." Which seems to imply that Ki is tapping into some sort of all encompassing force, like a power grid. And Psi is the opposite of that, being the origin of the power and broadcasting it in a directed fashion.

Another way to say it is that Ki, and all magic by extension, is a natural part of the universe which can be manipulated by an individual part of the universe. Where as Psi, and all psionics, is displacing or over-riding the established universe and replacing it with your own.

The major confusion from all of this, is the implication that Ki and Psi are utilized in a similar manner, despite coming from different places. Sorcerers are another sore spot, in that their magic is supposed to be a part of their being (also, they use points to augment their magic, which again do not stack with Ki or Psi). But the Sorcerer's theme tends to be on the side of genetic lineages, or some other collective origin that is greater than the "self."

It can seem like splitting hairs with all these power sources, methodologies, and origins. Personally, I had to imagine all those connections as an electronic schematic for it to make sense to me.

 

[El Mahdi]

Many roads leading to the same place. Many beliefs and philosophies leading to understanding of the same universe.

"You're going to find that many of the truths we cling to, depend greatly on our own point of view." - Obi Wan Kenobi

 

[SkidAce]

I always felt like ki was a blend or transition between magic and psionics.

Magic bends reality and pervades the universe (more or less) Wizards manipulate by cause and effect via some link to power. (sorcerers inherit, warlocks bargain, etc etc,)

Ki is your enlightenment and understanding of your self allowing you to affect magic locally and on yourself. (ki abilities, chakra points)

Psionics is one step up and uses your cosmic understand to overide reality*.

Hence why in my campaign, since AD&D and the early 80s, the *gods have been psionic/at will.

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Interestingly enough, thats kind of how dragon kings were trying to ascend in Dark Sun, using magic and psionics.

I like it, works for me and my homebrew, and plotlines. Players liked it.

May not be actually written/defined "precisely" that way in the books, but the connection can be made.