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Each talent has a name and a description. The description is a guide to what happens when the talent is successfully evoked. These effects may be varied within reasonable limits by the evoker or the GM. The description may also list special requirements for evocation.

As the psychic's ML increases to certain preset levels, he has the option to evoke additional (bonus) effects. These effects are optional (on the part of the psychic) and must be specified before the evocation is attempted.

Using a talent requires mental effort, reflected by the accrual of fatigue points. The "cost" in Fatigue Points to evoke a talent, is expressed as a formula. Abbreviations used in the formulae are defined in the talent description.

All psionic talents require a significant amount of concentration to use properly. The skill of meditation is a primary measure of the training and discipline of persons mind (all Shek-Pvar are assumed to have a Meditation Skill in excess of 100). An initial concentration time (CT) equal to [10-SI_meditation] is included in all Psionic Skills (for SI's in excess of 9 concentration time is zero).

The amount of gametime required to evoke a talent is expressed as a formula dependent on SI (i.e. 2x[15‑SI] + 2xCT seconds). This number is the time necessary to achieve the minimum energy and concentration to begin the actual effects.

In most cases (at GM discretion) the psychic may opt to hasten his evocation. This option allows him to complete evoking the talent in as little as half the normal time. However, the EML of a hastily evoked talent is reduced in proportion to the hastening (i.e. 50% reduction in time = a 50% reduction in EML).

A talent's range is the maximum distance between the psychic and the object/effect(s). The Success Level achieved in evoking, and the psychic's ML may affect the talent's range. In some talent's descriptions the range is expressed as a formula such as "ML feet." "Touch" indicates the psychic must establish physical contact with the talent's object. "Self" means the talent has no range ‑ the psychic may use the talent on himself.

All psionic effects are powered directly by the psionic's mind and all abnormal effects stop when the psionic stops expending fatigue to cause the effect - what happens then is dependent on the laws of nature.

There is a heightened degree of sensitivity to aural activity implied with most talents. This Sensitivity Factor (SF) is a measure of the distance a psychic can detect telepathic sendings (in feet per SI of the telepath). For example, sensitivity is rated at 50xSI (i.e. a person with a SI of 10 in sensitivity would detect telepathic sendings at 500 feet times the SI of the telepath (farther if directed to him). There is a maximum level of implied sensitivity associated with each talent. is ~1/5 of the rating squared. Thus while Sensitivity can go to 50x10=500 Telepathy max's out at 15x3=45 (rounded to 50).

If no rating is listed it implies normal levels of sensitivity. Few projective talents are rated in this category.

The character informs the GM of his intent to evoke a talent he has, expends the necessary time to evoke, and meets any other requirements. See also Spellfire Timing, Shek‑Pvar p.19.

Reduce the psychic's EML by the current fatigue and injury points. EML may be further reduced if the GM believes that optimal requirements for evocation are not being met.

Once EML is known, a skill roll is made to determine success. The player should make all success rolls unless the outcome would not be observable/knowable by the psychic.

A psychic accumulates fatigue each time he attempts to evoke a psionic talent. Each talent description includes the FP accumulated when the talent is used successfully. If the evocation roll achieves CS, fatigue accumulation is halved. If MF occurs, fatigue is multiplied by 1.5 and an exhaustion check must be made. If CF occurs, fatigue is doubled and an exhaustion check must be made.

The ability to gain information by observing the living, physically associated Pseudo-Aura. Unlike psychometry this can be used on a living being (or even from the remains of the dead).

As the pseudo-aura and body both tend to decompose rapidly after death Necromancy is normally used at a penalty of -20 (fresh) to -60 (not much left) (to -100 naught but dust). Interestingly, a few Pseudo-Auras remain beyond the decay of the body and can remain indefinitely.

The psychic may optionally dissect, handle the internal organs, and breathe the gases of the corpse from which he wishes to gain information. This tends to be a messy, nauseating process but will give +10 to +20 on EML.

Fatigue: 15‑SI
Time: ([15-SI] + CT)x 2 seconds
Range: Touch
Duration: 1-3 rounds
SF: 20 x SI - max of 100

The ability to hear events currently occurring at a remote location. The psychic enters a trance and transfers his point of perception up to ML yards away.

Bonus Effects

ML 40+: The psychic may attempt to focus on a specific remote object or person well known to the psychic whose location may or may not be known. With MS the psychic will gain vague whispers surrounding the object/person's current situation, activities, etc. With CS, the audience will be clearer. No range restriction when used this way.

EML: -20
Fatigue: 20‑SI + 2/round
Time: ([15-SI] + CT) minutes

Fatigue: 12‑SI + 1/round
Time: ([15-SI] + CT) seconds
Range: ML yards (see bonus effects)
Duration: Check ML each round (at +20) to maintain.

The ability to visualize events currently occurring at a remote location. The psychic enters a trance and transfers his point of perception up to ML yards away. Check ML each turn to maintain vision.

Bonus Effects

ML 40+:  The psychic may attempt to focus on a specific remote object or person well known to the psychic whose location may or may not be known. With MS the psychic will gain a vague vision of the object/person's current situation, activities, etc. With CS, the vision will be clearer. No range restriction when used this way.
EML: -20
Fatigue: 20‑SI + 2/round
Time: ([15-SI] + CT) minutes

Fatigue: 12‑SI + 1/round

Time: ([15-SI] + CT) seconds

Range: ML yards (see bonus effects)

Duration: Check ML each round (at +20) to maintain.

The psychic may attempt to detect the presence of immediate danger in a specific location/plan of action. For example, the psychic enters a short trance and asks, "is this path safe." MS will give a vague feeling of danger if there are traps or other dangers within range. CS improves detail. CF may give random true/false results.

Fatigue: 13‑SI

Time: ([15-SI] + CT) seconds

Range: SI yards

Duration: Instantaneous

SF: 30 x SI - max of 200

The ability to detach the ethereal spirit from the body. The psychic enters a trance and with success, the character's spirit is detached and his body is left in a state of unconsciousness.

While disembodied the psionic's spirit can fly at speeds up to 600 yards per minute (l0 yards per second or just over 20 mph) and can pass though any non-auraed objects (though slightly more slowly). Additionally he/she will have telepathy and sensitivity equal to:

Sensitivity or TelepathyTelekinesis

Have Skill (SB > 0)+1SB*+1SB*

Disembody ML 41+4xAura1xAura

Disembody < 403xAura0

* - to higher of own skill or that while disembodied.

Bonus Effects

ML 60+:  The psychic may open either Sensitivity or Telepathy with a SB of 0.

ML 70+:  The psychic may open either Sensitivity or Telepathy (whichever was not opened at ML 60+) with a SB of 0.

ML 80+:  The psychic may open Telekinesis with a SB of 0.

For more information on "Ethereals", see Psionics 6.

Fatigue: 16‑SI

Time: ([15-SI] + CT) x 4 seconds

Range: N/A

Duration: permanent

SF: 10 x SI - max of 20

Healing

The basic talent allows the psychic to diagnose the emotional and/or physical well‑being (details will depend on the level of success), or remove the fatigue (CS removes all FPs, MS removes 50%) of a patient. May be used once per recipient (or wound) per day.

Bonus Effects

ML 40+:  The psychic may use the talent to halt bloodloss from a single bleeding wound. CS stops bleeding completely. MS reduces bloodloss by 1 BP, which stops bleeding if now B0.

EML: -20

Fatigue: 20-SI

Time: ([15-SI] + CT) seconds

ML 60+:  The psychic may attempt to hasten the healing of one identified ailment. CS increases healing rate by 2, MS by 1. If this brings the healing rate to I6/P6 or more any infection is defeated or any poison is neutralized.
EML: -30
Fatigue: 20-SI
Time: ([15-SI] + CT) x 4 seconds

Fatigue: 16‑SI + 1/round
Time: ([15-SI] + CT) seconds
Range: Touch
Duration: Permanent

The ability to curse a victim with bad luck. With success the victim halves the EML of one skill roll (or short series of related skill rolls) during some unspecified, but critical event in the future. If the psychic has in his possession a part of the victim (nail trimmings, lock of hair, etc...) increase EML by +20. CS allows a little more direction of when/what the effects will be.

Fatigue: 14‑SI

Time: ([15-SI] + CT) seconds

Range: ML feet

Duration: MS ML hours / CS SI days

With the basic talent the psychic is able to clearly perceive and communicate with any ethereal within roughly ML yards (this is low level projective telepathy - of ML/100 yards * sensitivity).

Bonus Effects

ML 30+:  The psychic may attempt to summon an ethereal he can perceive, or one whose true name is known. Some entities may require CS to be summoned. CF breaks the trance. This use does not so much force compliance as lure in neutrally disposed / friendly spirits - it may also attract the attention of spirits of less than friendly disposition. Range increases with SI so total time (until an answer) also tends seems to increase - 1 to SI minutes total.
EML: -15
Fatigue: 16-SI+ 1/min (+ communication)
Time: ([15-SI] + CT) seconds

ML 50+:  The psychic may attempt to coerce an ethereal in his presence to do his will. The psychic's EML is reduced by 5 times the ethereal's Will - some ethereals are beyond control. With MS, the ethereal may be commanded to perform a simple task (answer a yes/no question within its knowledge, dispossess a body, etc.). With CS the task or question may be more complex. With MF the ethereal departs. With CF the ethereal may attempt to possessed the psychic.
EML: -5 x the ethereal's Will
Fatigue: 18-SI (+ communication)
Time: ([15-SI] + CT) seconds
Duration: varies

Fatigue: 14‑SI + 1/round
Time: ([15-SI] + CT) seconds
Range: Basic talent ML yards; varies
Duration: Check ML each round (at +20) to maintain.
SF: 40 x SI - max of 300

The ability to project a blast of mental energy at any single mind.

Fatigue Shock roll

• With MS 2D6+SI/2 E2+SI/2.
• With CS 3D6+SI E2+SI

Fatigue: 15‑SI

Time: ([15-SI] + CT) seconds

Range: ML/2 yards

The psychic drains/dispels ethereal energy in his vicinity. The effects of this are highly dependent on the spell/effects in question (mostly at GM discretion). In general:  any thing except a CS becomes an MF. A CS is converted to a MS and eliminates the shield of negation unless the psychic can make a E4 resistance roll. The shield requires great concentration; the psychic is limited to simple activities, like walking.

Fatigue: 16‑SI + 2/round + 1/complexity drained

Time: ([15-SI] + CT) seconds

Range: SI + 5 feet radius centered on psychic's head /neck

Duration: Check ML each round (at +20) to maintain -> lasts one round w/o maintenance or until next struck.

The psychic enters a trance, during which he has a precognitive vision concerning a specified subject. Normally, the psychic lacks control over the vision, but with CS, it is possible to direct the inquiry somewhat. MF produces vision to vague to understand and CF may produce false visions. Precognition can only reveal the GM's estimate of probable events; the future may be altered by the actions of the characters. This talent is subject to passive triggering.

Fatigue: 18‑SI

Time: ([15-SI] + CT) x 1/3 hours

Range: N/A

Duration: 10-60 minutes

SF: 20 x SI - max of 100

The ability to gain information about persons by reading aural residues associated with a location or object. Such imprints are usually associated with frequent use or strong emotional ties/reactions. Psychometry may also be used to divine the history/properties of an object held by the psychic, perhaps to learn the age, powers, or the identity of an artifact's maker/owner.

Fatigue: 13‑SI

Time: ([15-SI] + CT) x 2 seconds

Range: Touch

Duration: 1-3 rounds

SF: 30 x SI - max of 150

The ability to raise the temperature of a combustible object to flash point and start a fire. Once the object begins to burn, the psychic has no control of the fire. The psychic may use the talent to warm or heat objects to a desired temperature less than flash point, but a CF on a second roll (assuming success on the first) on such attempts may cause ignition.

Fatigue: 15‑SI + 1 per ounce

Time: (15‑SI + 1/ounce) seconds

Range: SI yards

Duration: Instantaneous

The ability to restore life to a dead person. EML is reduced by the number of minutes the person has been dead. The person is restored to life with any success, but remains in shock (S5) with MS. Revivification does not heal injuries; this requires further treatment.

EML: -1 per minute dead

Fatigue: 30‑SI

Time: ([15-SI] + CT) minutes

Range: Touch

Duration: Permanent

This talent may be used to actively scan for magical or psionic effects (detect a magical item or scan for telepathy). The effectiveness of the talent depends on the level of success; CF may generate random true/false results. The psychic may also intercept telepathic communications even when not directed to him. If used actively (requiring a skill roll and costing fatigue) gives 3 (MS) or 6 (CS) times the normal ranges.

Fatigue: 13‑SI + 1/round

Time: ([15-SI] + CT) seconds

Range: Varies according to the strength of the effect (GM discretion)

Duration: 1 round

SF: 50 x SI - max of 500

The ability to move objects without touching them. The integrity of objects cannot be violated. Telekinesis cannot be used to move parts of an object unless they were designed to move independently (i.e. the tumblers in a lock). The stone in a ring cannot be moved without moving the whole ring. Two or more objects cannot be made to occupy the same space. Objects may be moved up to SI yards per second. To initiate the object must be within ML feet, but once control is established the object can be moved up to ML yards. Maximum weight limit is SI x 2 ounces.

Fatigue: (12 - SI) + 1 per ounce - each round

Time: ([15-SI] + CT) seconds

Range: ML feet (yards) (line of sight)

Duration: Check ML each round (at +20) to maintain.

The power to transmit thoughts and emotions - sometimes even at great range. In general, messages/emotions may be received by persons whose Aura is 13+. With CS, messages/emotions may be received by any single target person whose Aura is 10+. A character who receives an emotion will feel the emotion himself ‑ this can have interesting effects. The transmissions of the telepath may be intercepted by others in close proximity with some degree of sensitivity.

Telepathy can be received intelligibly at the following ranges (times sensitivity factor).

* Distances above are for passive reception. Active use is 3 (MS) or 6 (CS) times the above ranges.

Bonus Effects

ML 30+: The psychic can limit the power of his broadcast to the SI he/she believes necessary.

ML 40+:  If the psychic is aware of the range and location of his intended recipient, OR the recipient is well known to the psychic, range is increased by half (recipient only).

ML 50+: If both [the above] range is doubled.

ML 60+: The psychic may intentionally send telepathic messages with a MF without need to roll - avoiding risk of CF (no development rolls either).

ML 70+: The psychic may channel telepathic messages. Range inside a cone of 45 degrees or less is increased by half and within a 30 degree cone it is doubled. Ranges outside a 90 degree cone are halved.

Fatigue: 18‑SI + 1/round

Time: ([15-SI] + CT) seconds

Range: as above

Duration: Check ML each round (at +20) to maintain.

SF: 15 x SI - max of 50

The ability to step between worlds at natural correspondence (Barasi) points. The transfer seems instantaneous, but actually takes 1d100 hours (with CS 1d10 hours). The effects of this may vary depending on the correspondence point.

Not all correspondence points (few actually) are traversable safely or at all (ability to use these points increases with ML).

Bonus Effects

ML 80+ The psychic can bring with him a single creature with whom he is maintaining skin contact.

ML96+ The psychic can bring (SI-7) additional creatures. Skin contact is required.

Fatigue: 30‑SI + 10 per additional creature

Time: ([15-SI] + CT) x 6 seconds

Range: Self, see bonus effects.

SF: 10 x SI - max of 20

An astral is created by the use of the talent Disembodiment. It maintains a strong empathy with its native, mortal body, which it can always locate. Any ethereal may take possession of a vacated body, but will be at a disadvantage if/when the native spirit returns and contests possession. A vacant body may suffer physical injury, and will likely die if its astral experiences dissolution (see below), unless already occupied/possessed by an alien ethereal.

If the native spirit experiences dissolution while the body remains vacant the body will (90%) die within the hour - though some (10%) last in a coma for much longer. Even if the spirit remains at large there is a 1% chance each hour that the pseudo-spirit will fade to a level that the body will die. The native spirit know immediately if this occurs. Reinhabiting the body within the hour is sufficient to prevent its death and such powers as the psionic talent of Revivification are ideally suited for restoring a dead body to allow reinhabitation.

 If its body is still vacant when it returns, the astral may repossess without difficulty, except that an E2 Shock roll is necessary once repossession is achieved. If, however, another ethereal has occupied the body in the astral’s absence, a battle of wills is necessitated, although the native spirit retains its advantage. When an astral reclaims its body, the FP/IPs of spirit and body are combined into a single total.

This page was last updated on January 23, 2002
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