| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| Tyrant |
Posted - 21 Apr 2011 : 04:47:36
I thought about posting this in the ask Ed section, but my knowledge of the Realms is far from complete so I thought I would put it here first in case this info is elsewhere (or in case he has already addressed this).
I know that there are a few concentrations of psions/psionic creatures in the Realms. The Illithids, that one Drow house that got almost entirely wiped out, I believe the Yuan-Ti (I think that it is mentioned in one of the 3.x sourcebooks that psionics are somewhat prevailant amongst the Yuan-Ti). So, the first question is, are there any other areas with a higher than normal psionic presence? Any particular regions/populations/races/crossbreeds?
Monks have monestaries. Clerics have temples. Wizards have guilds, enclaves, circles (and probably a million other names for groups). Druids can have circles. Knights/Paladins can have orders. You get the idea. So, do Psions have anything like that? Is there anything along the lines of a psion enclave located anywhere in the Realms? A place where psions can gather for training, sharing insight into their abilities, pooling their resources, etc? I would think that there would be, if for no other reason than some evidence points to psionics being inherited (that one Drow house, whole races have psionics, at least one Yuan-Ti half breed has psionic abilities and I believe the implication was the Yuan-Ti blood was the source of his abilitites). I would think that would lead to a concentration of psions at some point.
And I have a couple of general psion questions because my source material for psionics is lacking. 1) Are psionic abilities inherited as seems to be the case in at least some cases? 2) Can a psion "awaken" psionic abilities in another being? 2a) If so, can this be done in someone who doesn't have any latent psionic abilities? 3) (kind of a variation of 1 and 2) Are psionic abilities a case of "you either have them or you don't" and it just takes the right situation/training to awaken them? Or is it a power that anyone can have "awoken" in the right situation (I assume a powerful psion or some type of artifact)? 4) What is the best place to look for info on psionics in general (D&D psionics, I mean)? Anything Realms specific? I assume that some Dark Sun material covers this given the prevailance of psionics there? 5) Are there any races that are absolutely psionically dead? Can't be mind read and can't develop psionic abilities?
Thanks for any input.
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| 30 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| Lord Karsus |
Posted - 10 May 2011 : 18:30:09
quote:
Originally posted by Thente Thunderspells
Psychic Theurge, not an overwhelming class, and nothing surprising in it.
It was referenced in a 2007 retired article about Psionics in the Realms in general which has some tidbits about the Dieties most concerned with Psionics:
http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/frcc/20070711
Thanks for the point Lord Karsus!
-There you go.
-How'd you find their archives? I know, the times I've tried to go looking since they changed their main webpage circa 2008, I never was able to find them. |
| Thente Thunderspells |
Posted - 10 May 2011 : 17:08:59
quote:
Originally posted by Lord Karsus
-That PrC was offered on the WotC website. Not sure if it's there anymore; I have no clue how to access the old, archived stuff.
Found it: http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/psm/20040925b
Psychic Theurge, not an overwhelming class, and nothing surprising in it.
It was referenced in a 2007 retired article about Psionics in the Realms in general which has some tidbits about the Dieties most concerned with Psionics:
http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/frcc/20070711
Thanks for the point Lord Karsus! |
| Lord Karsus |
Posted - 10 May 2011 : 04:42:02
quote:
Originally posted by Thente Thunderspells
Not sure of a divine/psion mix...
-That PrC was offered on the WotC website. Not sure if it's there anymore; I have no clue how to access the old, archived stuff. |
| Hawkins |
Posted - 10 May 2011 : 04:07:58
Expanded Psionic Handbook (3.5) is vastly superior to the Psionic Handbook (3e). Luckily, most of it is available HERE (a link also in my signature). I checked, and Hyperconscious did not seem to have a divine casting/manifesting prestige class. You could probably make your own using the Cerebremancer prestige class in the Expanded Psionic Handbook as a template. |
| The Sage |
Posted - 10 May 2011 : 01:18:02
quote:
Originally posted by Hawkins
There may be a divine/psion hybrid prc in the 3PP Hyperconscious: Explorations in Psionics, by Bruce Cordell. Though it is 3P, Bruce also wrote the majority of the Expanded Psionics Handbook and the Complete Psionic, so I think it is safe to assume that it is balanced with the rest of the 3.5 psionics rules. I will try to remember to check it when I get home.
Hyperconscious is a particularly useful tome, and one that provides a wealth of options for any DM or player keen on focusing on Jhaamdath in their Realms campaigns. |
| Thente Thunderspells |
Posted - 10 May 2011 : 01:17:47
quote:
Originally posted by althen artren
Not to rain on anybody's parade, the 3.5 Players Guide to
Faerun says the opposite of what Ed said in 04. That psionics
and magic can detect and affect each other. That is in the area
where they talk about the psionic institute in Evereska.
Not that I will use that, they're two different animals in my book.
Just because they are not transparent to each other doesn't mean that they aren't different animals. One is power from the weave, one is internal power.
The main discrepancy I see is Ed stating that Psionics could work in a dead magic zone, but the PGtF blurb says that an Antimagic Shell would prevent Psionics...which to me are basically the same thing. Though one could argue that since an Antimagic Shell is a magic effect that it blocks Psionics, whereas a dead magic zone is just a lack of the weave in an area, which shouldn't affect Psionics
As always though, play it however your Realms works best for you!  |
| Brimstone |
Posted - 10 May 2011 : 00:57:27
Old new to me... |
| althen artren |
Posted - 10 May 2011 : 00:10:54
Not to rain on anybody's parade, the 3.5 Players Guide to
Faerun says the opposite of what Ed said in 04. That psionics
and magic can detect and affect each other. That is in the area
where they talk about the psionic institute in Evereska.
Not that I will use that, they're two different animals in my book. |
| Hawkins |
Posted - 09 May 2011 : 23:15:45
There may be a divine/psion hybrid prc in the 3PP Hyperconscious: Explorations in Psionics, by Bruce Cordell. Though it is 3P, Bruce also wrote the majority of the Expanded Psionics Handbook and the Complete Psionic, so I think it is safe to assume that it is balanced with the rest of the 3.5 psionics rules. I will try to remember to check it when I get home. |
| Dennis |
Posted - 09 May 2011 : 22:31:12
Auppenser's clergy, most probably. |
| Thente Thunderspells |
Posted - 09 May 2011 : 20:51:09
There is the Cerebremancer from Expanded Psionic Handbook that is arcane/psion theurge
Not sure of a divine/psion mix...
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| Tyrant |
Posted - 09 May 2011 : 20:07:14
Well my copy of the Psionic Handbook showed up finally and it does answer some of my answers about the ins and outs of psionics. I need to read it a little more thoroughly to get the system down pat. I should have a copy of the Expanded Psionics Handbook soon.
I have a new question, that I am guessing is answered in the Expanded Handbook but I figure I will throw it out here any way in case it isn't. Is there any kind of Prestige Class along the lines of the Mystic Theurge only with Psionics and Arcane Magic (or Divine Magic)? Also, does the Expanded Handbook have any of the "Psionics in setting X, Y, Z" type advice/overview? |
| Dennis |
Posted - 05 May 2011 : 06:40:06
Okay, thanks ahead, Sage. I hope you find them. That must mean Ao is pretty much busy everyday, or what passes as day for the gods, as his "little children" have always been scheming to gain more power, save Mystra. |
| The Sage |
Posted - 05 May 2011 : 06:02:52
quote:
Originally posted by Dennis
Is Mystra the only deity Ao prohibits to have an increase in power? Shar is obviously hoarding power here and there, the last being Mask himself (though one may argue that what she took from Mask was hers from the very beginning).
I know Ed's covered this topic before, but I can't remember which year in the "So Saith Ed" archives.
I'll keep looking. |
| Dennis |
Posted - 05 May 2011 : 04:59:22
You're welcome, Sage.
And yes, you were. I didn't know about that Ao angle, or maybe just forgot about it.
Is Mystra the only deity Ao prohibits to have an increase in power? Shar is obviously hoarding power here and there, the last being Mask himself (though one may argue that what she took from Mask was hers from the very beginning). |
| The Sage |
Posted - 05 May 2011 : 04:47:48
Thanks for that Dennis.
It looks like I was on the mark, though I'd never fully considered the Ao angle. Very interesting. |
| Dennis |
Posted - 05 May 2011 : 04:15:22
Here's a brief reply from Ed:
quote:
Originally posted by THO
Dennis, that's correct: she still would not have had control of psionics.
Also, Mystra is one of the most "mature" deities, most concerned with cosmic balance and less with getting her own way.
Moreover, Ao had already told her flatly that NO increase in her power would be tolerated.
(This all comes from Ed.)
love,
THO
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| Dennis |
Posted - 04 May 2011 : 07:43:10
I actually PM'd THO about the matter on Mystra and Auppenser, as Sage and I can't seem to agree on it. Hopefully, despite his incredibly busy schedule, Ed could find time to give a reply. |
| Brimstone |
Posted - 04 May 2011 : 06:08:45
I was only wondering if Mystra doing her mind switch would have worked. Heck maybe Midnight was the one who died. Now Mystra and Appenser share the same body. We all know WotC will change stuff up with out really checking it out half or most of the time... |
| Dennis |
Posted - 04 May 2011 : 06:01:44
I wonder if Telamont is also a psionicist. His ability to control minds with ease looks like a sign. Malygris was practically helpless before him. |
| Thente Thunderspells |
Posted - 04 May 2011 : 00:48:06
Was re-reading Cloak and Dagger for another scroll earlier today and discovered that one of the Cambion of House Dlardrageth was a level 12 Psionicist back in 2E Ryvvik Dlardrageth was Countess Sarya's only son. 3.x has this kid dead though per Lord's of Darkness |
| Keldren |
Posted - 03 May 2011 : 07:33:38
I have always been fascinated with psionics and its connection to the realms. In fact, one of our campaigns featured a priest of Auppenser as a main character.
We tried to incorporate as much official lore on the invisible art as possible (including, a few udoxias, the Kaliesh’erai and some more).
Illithids and duergars had their parts to play as well, of course. Rebuilding the church of Auppenser from the ground up was quite the undertaking!
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| The Sage |
Posted - 03 May 2011 : 04:03:27
quote:
Originally posted by Dennis
quote:
Originally posted by The Sage
Regardless, it's supported by Ed's words on the subject [which I quoted earlier--about the Invisible Art being independent of the Weave], so I'd assume there's something special about the relationship between psionics and Auppenser, that makes it difficult for Mystra to simply subsume him and his control of the Art.
And the fact that Ed didn't say whether Mystra would be able to control psionics or not should she subsume Auppenser leaves others to assume almost anything...
How so? We're told it stands apart from magic. Thus, Ed sees psionics and the arcane as very different energy systems. |
| Dennis |
Posted - 03 May 2011 : 04:00:45
quote:
Originally posted by The Sage
Regardless, it's supported by Ed's words on the subject [which I quoted earlier--about the Invisible Art being independent of the Weave], so I'd assume there's something special about the relationship between psionics and Auppenser, that makes it difficult for Mystra to simply subsume him and his control of the Art.
And the fact that Ed didn't say whether Mystra would be able to control psionics or not should she subsume Auppenser leaves others to assume almost anything... |
| Gouf |
Posted - 02 May 2011 : 23:02:33
1) Yes. In one campaign we had a shield dwarf who discovered he had a few psionic wild talents, that he later discovered he inherited from his duergar father.
2) Yes, with psychic surgery, but it's bloody damgerous to the target.
2a) Yes, with psychic surgery, but it's bloody damgerous to the target.
3) There is an item, that looks like a silver disc or button that can shock a % chance of awakening. As for powers, use what suits your story and wont unbalance your game.
4) 2nd, 3rd, and 4th have their own psionics books.
5) Atleast in 2nd, there was a scale that seemed to indicate, the more magically inclined a race was, the few psionics they had. |
| The Sage |
Posted - 02 May 2011 : 08:33:48
Regardless, it's supported by Ed's words on the subject [which I quoted earlier--about the Invisible Art being independent of the Weave], so I'd assume there's something special about the relationship between psionics and Auppenser, that makes it difficult for Mystra to simply subsume him and his control of the Art. |
| Dennis |
Posted - 02 May 2011 : 07:09:37
I find that unlikely, specially that Auppenser is just an Intermediate Deity, while Mystra is a Greater. If an archdevil [Asmodeus] managed to subsume a lesser deity [Azuth], how much more a greater god. |
| The Sage |
Posted - 02 May 2011 : 06:09:26
quote:
Originally posted by Dennis
My point is there is no need to force that "limitation" to Mystra. Sure, the Invisible Art is separate from the Weave, but by subsuming Auppenser, she wouldn't only do the nearly-dead god and his followers a favor, she'd do the entire Toril a favor---there would be an abundance of psions. By absorbing Auppenser [his knowledge and essence], she'd obviously learn how to "harness" psionics; and given the number of clergy she has, it'll be easy for her to "spread" the practice of psionics. Heh, she could simply "tell" all her clerics to be dual-skilled: in magic and in ki.
The very fact that Mystra chose to support Auppenser by casting him into a regenerative sleep, rather than letting him fade into oblivion, suggests that her subsuming the Psionic God and his portfolios may not have been entirely possible. Or, at the very least, required Auppenser to still remain intimately connected to the energy of the Invisible Art, much like the relationship between Mystra and the Weave.
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| Dennis |
Posted - 02 May 2011 : 05:08:09
My point is there is no need to force that "limitation" to Mystra. Sure, the Invisible Art is separate from the Weave, but by subsuming Auppenser, she wouldn't only do the nearly-dead god and his followers a favor, she'd do the entire Toril a favor---there would be an abundance of psions. By absorbing Auppenser [his knowledge and essence], she'd obviously learn how to "harness" psionics; and given the number of clergy she has, it'll be easy for her to "spread" the practice of psionics. Heh, she could simply "tell" all her clerics to be dual-skilled: in magic and in ki. |
| The Sage |
Posted - 02 May 2011 : 04:10:47
quote:
Originally posted by Dennis
Nah, that's too relative. Shar herself retains control over the Shadow Weave while at the same time being in possession of other things not necessarily associated with the SW, like night, loss, and forgetfulness.
Eh. We know that psionics are separate from the Weave. And given how pervasive and intimate the Weave was with Toril, I suspect that Mystra simply preferred that the Invisible Art remained in the hands of other more capable deities.
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