Monday, September 06, 2010

Fantasy Concepts: Adding Psionics To The Mix...

Good Afternoon, All:

A recent purchaser of Fantasy Concepts wrote me an email asking about how one could introduce psionics into their games. I didn't include psionics in the original rules because I am not a fan of psionics in my fantasy games. However, as this was not the first request I've received along the way, I realize that others might enjoy some input on adding that element to their games. Following in the trends set in my post on adding Vancian magic back into Fantasy Concepts, I present the following talent for Scholars.

Psionic Mastery
Through this talent, a Scholar gains the ability to manifest psionic powers.

Benefit: When a Scholar selects their first level in the Psionic Mastery talent, the Scholar must decice which psionic discipline he will specialize in. Choosing a discipline provides a Scholar with Psionic Mastery with access to the powers restricted to that discipline. This also means that the Scholar cannot learn powers that are restricted to other disciplines.

A Scholar with Psionic Mastery begins play knowing three psionic powers of your choice. Each time he achieves a new level of mastery, he unlocks the knowledge of new powers.

Choose the powers known from the psion power list, or from the list of powers of your chosen discipline. You cannot choose powers from restricted discipline lists other than your own discipline list. You can choose powers from disciplines other than your own if they are not on a restricted discipline list. A Scholar with Psionic Mastery can manifest any power that has a power point cost equal to or lower than his character level.

The number of times a Scholar with Psionic Mastery can manifest powers in a day is limited only by his daily power points.

A Scholar with Psionic Mastery simply knows his powers; they are ingrained in his mind. He does not need to prepare them (in the way that some spellcasters prepare their spells), though he must get a good night’s sleep each day to regain all his spent power points.

The Difficulty Class for saving throws against psion powers is 10 + the power’s level + the Scholar with Psionic Mastery’s Intelligence modifier. Maximum Power Level Known: A Scholar with Psionic Mastery begins play with the ability to learn 1st-level powers. As he attains higher levels, a Scholar with Psionic Mastery may gain the ability to master more complex powers.

To learn or manifest a power, a Scholar with Psionic Mastery must have an Intelligence score of at least 10 + the power’s level. Unless otherwise stated, you may manifest a power as a standard action. You must make a magic power check against a DC of 10 + power level to successfully manifest your power. If your power description indicates that a specific Save Score must be overcome, then the magic power check must also overcome the target's Save Score. The spellcasting ability score modifier for psionics is Intelligence.

Special: This talent can be taken up to ten times. A Scholar's level of ability in Psionic Mastery is based on the number of times the character has selected this talent. For example, a Scholar that has taken the Psionic Mastery talent three times is said to have 3rd level mastery.

Table: Psionic Mastery Talent
Level of MasteryPower Points/DayPowers KnownMaximum Power Level Known
1st231st
2nd1172nd
3rd25113rd
4th46154th
5th72195th
6th106226th
7th147257th
8th195288th
9th250319th
10th311349th

Hope That Helps,
Flynn

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