I had a question...I have a player in the game I'm starting up who wants to play a psionic. I couldn't find any races in the DL beastiary that were psionic and realistically playable, and most of the psionic races in the MM are FR (mind flayers, etc.), or not something that would make the game still fun if they played the race.
So...Psionics are never specifcally mentioned in an of the books I've read (all the main ones from the series, including Blood and Ashes, all the books about the twins, and a few other random ones.) or in the campaign setting, however...there's nothing specifically against it either. The problem is the races.
If you were to play a DL Psionic, what race would you choose? We were contemplating Elans, because I could rule-3 'em into the world, but I'd like other opinions.
PS-Does anyone other then me think that a "maps of DL" book would be cool? God, it would take HOURS for me to draw out a map of Palanthas, but it would be useful to have as a DM...same as some of the places we'd use for dungeons, and the towers and such. Yeah, that would rule.
And as for the map book, Tasslehoff's map pouch was just recently realesed, and has some fantastic maps in it. Very well done, and only 15 dollars.
Cheers,
Cam
However, on a more constructive note, since it is your DL to make your own, I would say that the Elan would make an excellent choice, along with the Tarmak and Shadowperson. Basically, anything that is not all that well known in the world of PC's would be a solid choice. I also would restrict the choices, it would make more sense for Wilders and maybe the occasional Psychic Warrior and Soul Knife, but I would reserve the Psion itself until latter down the road in the characters life. Make something up, like they have to learn to control it (gain 5 levels, etc) to take it.
It was the psionic LIKE powers shown in the second book of War of the Souls, by the head of the knights of Neraka (both names slip my mind right now) that made me so sick I had to take a break from DL for almost a year. I felt betrayed by it, bleh!
Are you high? They were using the mystic sphere of Mentalism.
Sheesh. Kids today. Don't even know their SAGA lore proper anymore.
thanks for the advice tho, and the mention of Tasselhoff's Maps. I'm going to pick that up from Amazon later tonight, probably. =)
Man, how come everyone treats Psionics like a plague? I never thought it was the coolest thing, but it didn't seem horrible...O.o
thanks for the advice tho, and the mention of Tasselhoff's Maps. I'm going to pick that up from Amazon later tonight, probably. =)
In older editions of the game material, psionics were banned. They just didn't fit the creators' vision for Dragonlance, which I understand completely. I'd never put them in a DL game, but you certainly have the option to do so.
DL and psionics have an old history of not playing nice together. Something about DL took psionics lunch money on the playground or something. I'm not even quite sure.
Man, how come everyone treats Psionics like a plague? I never thought it was the coolest thing, but it didn't seem horrible...O.o
thanks for the advice tho, and the mention of Tasselhoff's Maps. I'm going to pick that up from Amazon later tonight, probably. =)
Naw, not the plague, I actually like 3.5 Psionics and play a Shaper / Urban Ranger in an Eberron game. I just don't like them for Dragonlance, they don't fit the campaign style in anyway.
Man, how come everyone treats Psionics like a plague? I never thought it was the coolest thing, but it didn't seem horrible...O.o
I enjoy psionics myself, even the 2e Complete Psionics Handbook.
I think this is a topic I've discussed way too often, though. I should find an old response and just have it handy to repost at a moment's notice. Either that, or write an article for the Nexus.
Now where's my Twinkies...?
After all, Irda Crystals have to come from somewhere right? ;)
Presenting...Psionics in Dragonlance.
Now if you'll pardon me, I'll be getting some plastic. I have a feeling the veggies are going to be like a Gallagher show. ;)
I find the 'psionics are granted by the gods' angle interesting, as is the 'Chaos and the Greygem' example. If I were to provide a solid basis for psionics in my campaign, these would certainly factor into my decision.
That was helpful. =) *prints it out and gives it to her Psionic-loving player*
Score! I'm glad that was helpful. Let me know if you use a psionic character in your DL game.
I know I know, let's just stop having campaign specific worlds and throw everything together because I want my options open all of the time!
And what, exactly, is wrong with wanting to shap Dragonlance to the users desire? I like the fact that he wants to try something new. This is one of those, "If you can't say anything nice. . ," situations.
And what, exactly, is wrong with wanting to shap Dragonlance to the users desire? I like the fact that he wants to try something new. This is one of those, "If you can't say anything nice. . ," situations.
Thanks for the kind words, Kalanth.
The Nexus has always been about providing options and alternate points of view. While Sovereign Press presents the standard, the Nexus tries to present options that they can't. Sometimes, those options are for things that aren't standard to Dragonlance games.
The psionics topic pops up often enough that it shows that there is interest in using them in Dragonlance. Sovereign Press has made it clear that they do not intend on addressing psionics in their products, leaving that for the DM's to decide.
My article on psionics is for that minority of people who want to use them in Dragonlance. I'm not setting any sort of standard or precedent, and my article makes it clear that this is a non-standard option. That being said, there is a resource out there now for using psionics in DL for those that want to. If you don't want to use psionics in DL, simply ignore the article. It's that simple.
And what, exactly, is wrong with wanting to shap Dragonlance to the users desire? I like the fact that he wants to try something new. This is one of those, "If you can't say anything nice. . ," situations.
What I am saying is that SHAPING Dragonlance to the users desire is something that all campaigns do, however when those shapes do not reflect what Dragonlance is then you may have a D&D world but Dragonlance it is not.
D&D is all about the rule 3.
I think, these and other "small details" must be taken in consideration when trying to introduce psionics to DL campaign.
Personally, i think they don´t belong to DL
... however when those shapes do not reflect what Dragonlance is then you may have a D&D world but Dragonlance it is not.
Not true.
Dragonlance isn't Forgotten Realms; not everything is kosher to throw in the mix. But to people with other views, it's still Dragonlance. To some, it might be Dragonlance with orcs, Rainbow Dragons, and psionic halfling Wizards of the Purple Dragon Knight Robes. It all depends on what you like.
The core of Dragonlance is the stories that are told and the theme at the center of them. That's a philosophical debate in itself. Geez. What have I started?
Never mind anything I say. There are pixies with razor wings cutting into my brain. Just click all my signature links and the world (and Dragonlance) will be fine.
Dragonlance isn't Forgotten Realms
Exactly! each setting has its own profile. DL resembles the dark ages in such decadent way that any change,no matter how little, becomes huge... just the like in the dark ages. People refused changes and the setting reflect that. Think of Robe Orders and the Knightly Orders or the elves!!!
Introducing a new class affects the whole setting not just a single PC. FR on the other hand is more rich in culture and is far more flexible. That makes it ideal for quasi-generic camapign.
To some, it might be Dragonlance with orcs, Rainbow Dragons, and psionic halfling Wizards of the Purple Dragon Knight Robes. It all depends on what you like
Couldn´t disagree more with this! That is not flexibilty, that´s ignoring the nature of the setting! That's something i'd expect from a person that hasn't read a single novel or sourcebook! (I know u used an extreme example, so this an extreme answer).
That's the whole idea to playing a specific setting! Playing with specific stuff?
Look at it as a challenge, not a hindrance!
Introducing a new class affects the whole setting not just a single PC. FR on the other hand is more rich in culture and is far more flexible. That makes it ideal for quasi-generic camapign.
Couldn´t disagree more with this! That is not flexibilty, that´s ignoring the nature of the setting! That's something i'd expect from a person that hasn't read a single novel or sourcebook! (I know u used an extreme example, so this an extreme answer).
I think the problem you're encountering in processing this all through is that you have a singular concept of what Dragonlance is. You understand that Dragonlance is This Way, as opposed to Those Ways. I can understand that, because Dragonlance does have unique exceptions to it's setting and interface that mark it apart from the pack of fantasy staples.
But the truth is that your personal view of Dragonlance - anyone's personal view of Dragonlance - cannot be held as a standard for everyone to adhere to. Dragonlance is a specific setting with specific rules and exceptions, however, you're free to alter this in any way you desire. This makes it unaligned with the canon Dragonlance material, but that doesn't mean it still isn't 'Dragonlance' to somebody.
The duh factor jumps into this based on the statement: It's your game and you're free to do what you want with it.
Does the addition of ridiculous or excepted material make someone's game not Dragonlance? No. It makes it Dragonlance with additions, up to a point.
Never mind anything I say. There are pixies with razor wings cutting into my brain. Just click all my signature links and the world (and Dragonlance) will be fine.
Why? Do you get a 10% commission or something?
Cheers,
Cam
Why? Do you get a 10% commission or something?
Cheers,
Cam
I wish. All but 2 of the links aren't even mine.
I'm merely trying to distract everyone away from the logs I'm slowly piling beneath their feet. So, grab a log and help or put on that pixie outfit I sent and start clicking.
Including psionic characters is not as simple as allowing players to be psionics, u must create a "psionic culture". Who would create cristal weapons? how would a psion would learn about the tatoos? are there psionic items other than those created by the pc? how would the orders react to psionic characters? what about normal people? who would train psions???
True Raistlin>Well, no, I don't necessarily have to create a culture for psionic. They can be just as rare as noble draconians, or more so. I just have to say "Elans do, indeed, exsist on Krynn. There are like...10." ;P The Crystal weapons, I believe, are made by the protoplasm that the psionics produce, if you're referring to what I think you are. (I don't know Psionics as well as the core stuff.) And Not all psions use tattoos...so, the tattooed class doesn't exsist. And no, I'd have to say there probably aren't any other psionic items but if there are, then they're very VERY rare and probably possessed by Elans. But are they going to find them laying about in a dungeon? No. As for peoples' reaction....well, Elans look like humans...so, it's not as if there's a big lizard walking into town. In addition, who cares how the orders react? Psions aren't mages, and so they'd probably pay them just as much a mind as they pay any other class that isn't magic using. Who would train them? Well, Elans get their class levels when they're created...so, well, they'd train the same way every other class trains once they take a level in that class...by learning on their own.
It's not that hard to do it...I guess maybe if you wanted to use every Psionic race, and every Psionic class...then yeah, it'd probably get hairy.
But that's why I said he couldn't play some of the other races he wanted...they made no sense for Dragonlance. ;P~
Can't believe no one brought the Yaggol (from Taladas) into the discussion yet...
That's because he's locked in my basement.
Cheers,
Cam
You just don't like any hidden reference to SJ in DL, eh Cam?
Too bad in a way. Teldin Moore (if anyone still recalls who he was..) had proven you can mix the two successfully. Ah well, those were the days of 2E...
Now about elans, let mi quote:
"Elans are not born; they are made. Living humans are selected from a pool of aplicants and screened by a special elan council."
Isn't this a little too complicated for non-psionic culture? Of course u do need a psionic culture. Also, sooner or later a psion would get some attetion, at first glance he might appear as a sorcerer and thus a renegade to the Conclave view; and once his nature is revealed... I don´t know, it could the main plot to a long campaign!
Now Rooks, I know we all have our home-made rules, exceptios, additios, etc. personal views, blah, blah, but I like to notice a real difference when playing DL, otherwise the only difference would be that the character sheet says Dragonlance instead of Forgotten Realms. That's why a like to stick to what the settings offers and based on that do a cohorent home made expansion, instead of allowing every single new option froms other book!
And finally... if we all agree all the time the board would be absolutely boring :D
Now Rooks, I know we all have our home-made rules, exceptios, additios, etc. personal views, blah, blah, but I like to notice a real difference when playing DL...
Keywords there in bold. What others like may differ and that doesn't necessarily mean what they're doing, if radically altered, isn't Dragonlance.
And finally... if we all agree all the time the board would be absolutely boring :D
Very true. In fact, in can be stirringly refreshing to have civil debates with various viewpoints. It's quite marevlous, in fact.
Now Rooks, I know we all have our home-made rules, exceptios, additios, etc. personal views, blah, blah, but I like to notice a real difference when playing DL, otherwise the only difference would be that the character sheet says Dragonlance instead of Forgotten Realms. That's why a like to stick to what the settings offers and based on that do a cohorent home made expansion, instead of allowing every single new option froms other book!
:D
On the Faq page by dragonhelm it says allowing psionics in should be the DMs option.
Blues are pretty much Psionic Goblinoids with blue skin who get +1 pp and + to int instead of dex
As for yaggol, there is nothing that demands or even suggests that their abilities are psionic. Many settings include the illithids as magic using creatures and the same can be said for the yaggol.
Ah, and Teldin Moore. A recent rereading of those novels gave me the inspiration for a Spelljamming Dragonlance campaign set directly before the War of Souls, in which the player characters are on a quest to find the lost planet of Krynn. It has produced some memorable adventures, that's for sure.