Psionics and the Known World

Post/Author/DateTimePost
#1

zombiegleemax

Jun 19, 2004 16:16:06
Considering what little I know of Mystara (most of which comes from my copy of the D&D Rules Cyclopedia, from the section in the back of the book), it seems like Mystara is one of those worlds that would be ruined by the addition of psionics. Much like Krynn and Aebrynis, Mystara seems to glow with heavy magical elements and storylines; worlds like these suffer when psionics are introduced.

Considering that Mystara was updated to 2e, was psionics ever introduced to the setting? If so, how was it treated? Was it feared and shunned? Was it totally embraced? Somewhere inbetween?

Furthermore, if it hasn't been introduced yet, should it be? As stated above, some d20 fantasy settings work best when free of psionics. Others could stand to have a little mentalism in them. Where do you feel Mystara stands on this issue?

--personally, I feel Mystara should remain "psi-free" in 3.5 NB
#2

havard

Jun 19, 2004 17:31:50
Originally posted by Nero's Boot

Considering that Mystara was updated to 2e, was psionics ever introduced to the setting? If so, how was it treated? Was it feared and shunned? Was it totally embraced? Somewhere inbetween?

Furthermore, if it hasn't been introduced yet, should it be? As stated above, some d20 fantasy settings work best when free of psionics. Others could stand to have a little mentalism in them. Where do you feel Mystara stands on this issue?

--personally, I feel Mystara should remain "psi-free" in 3.5 NB

I Dont remember any references to Glantri Kingdom of Magic or Karameikos, Kingdom of Adventure, but the Red Steel sourcebooks did mention psionics, at least once in the Kit section. Cant remember the details, but I got the impression that the Yazi goblinoids might have psionicists among them. In an issue of Dragon Magazine, in the VotPA Questions section Bruce Heard discussed how to use the AD&D Psionics Handbook with OD&D. Don't think there were any setting specific references though. but I might be mistaken.

I dont see how Mystara would be ruined by having psionics introduced to the setting. Mystara was always created in layers, and new stuff was constantly being added onto it. If it should be included, it has to be done with care though, so that it is introduced to the setting in a credible way (see psionics on Mystara Thread).

In the end, I think it boils down to what you'd like for your campaign. If you dont like psionics, just leave them out. If Mystara was to be reintroduced, however, I think psionics should be included, just so that players who like psionics should have the opion of playing them.

Havard