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They made no mention of psionics, they made a consious decision to neither make them official nor disallow them. Psionics, and whether they exist on Krynn is firmly up to the DM.
So if you want to use it, go for it.
Depending on the era you are playing in there numerous factions that would gladly destroy such creatures.
WoHS have a history of persecution versus those who have magic other than their own (besides magic given from the gods - in short divine). So I would see the WoHS attempting to hunt psionicists.
Renegades might even hunt such creatures so as to avoid WoHS hunting down renegades. Of course they might also help such creatures hide from the WoHS.
The Knights of Neraka might even react in the same manner as I mention renegades above.
You could infer that Psionics are a forerunner of Mysticism. There are numerous indications that there might be Psionics on krynn. Of course most people would say to use mysticism, but hey everybody got an opinion.
Originally posted by Nived
They are firmly, unmovingly.... on the fence.
Good one, Nived.
I asked Jamie this question in an interview. Sovereign Press' position is that they won't specifically mention psionics in their products, so it is up to the DM as to whether or not to use them.
Products from prior editions, such as Unsung Heroes, state that psionics do not exist on Krynn.
So, can psionics work on Krynn without mucking anything up?
You can ask this question about any number of things that you bring into Dragonlance.
I think psionics can be used, but you would have to be careful on how to present them. Perhaps they're a form of mysticism. Certainly, the sphere of Mentalism fits the bill of a psion. Perhaps psionics is a new power in the world of Krynn. Or perhaps, when Chaos was defeated and his power was unleashed into the world, it not only boosted sorcery and mysticism to usable levels, it also unlocked peoples' inner psychic potential.
Your big pitfall is going to be the fact that you will have four types of magic as well as psionics.
The key thing is to try and maintain the Dragonlance feel. Try not to just say, "Bamf! Psionics are here, now deal with it." Instead, try to present a reasoning for the existence of psionics, and see what the rest of the world does. My example above of Chaos unleashing peoples' inner psychic potential is one such route.
I would definitely tread carefully in regards to psionics and Dragonlance. It can be done, but be careful to keep that "DL feel".
Originally posted by darthsylver
WoHS have a history of persecution versus those who have magic other than their own (besides magic given from the gods - in short divine). So I would see the WoHS attempting to hunt psionicists.
If they see psionics as another form of arcane magic, then yes. I would question whether they would go after a psion since his power is different. A White Robe would probably only interfere if the magic is dangerous. A Red Robe might say to let the psion be in order to maintain the balance, so long as his power doesn’t pose a danger to magic. A Black Robe might destroy the psion on sight, so as to not have any rival powers. Or, he may try to manipulate the psion.
The Knights of Neraka might even react in the same manner as I mention renegades above.
Here’s an area where you would have to be real careful. The Knights of Neraka were the type that they used all resources to their utmost potential (i.e. arcane and divine magic working with armed forces).
So how would the Knights of Neraka approach having psions or psychic warriors in their ranks? First you would have to ask what order they would join, and then you would have to ask if another order would be created or not. One of Dragonlance’s big themes with its major organizations is to have organizations with three orders (i.e. KoS, KoN, and WoHS). Certainly, adding a 4th order would go against this theme.
Of course, psychic individuals might be extremely rare. If that is the case, then maybe one rare psychic warrior moves up the ranks of the Lily Knights, and uses his psionic potential to take leadership of the group.
This illustrates why it is that one would have to be careful adding psionics. It can be done, but it has to be done just right.
Personally I never thought Psionics fit well with the Dungeons and Dragons game, more less the DragonLance setting in particular.
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Originally posted by Dragonhelm
Here’s an area where you would have to be real careful. The Knights of Neraka were the type that they used all resources to their utmost potential (i.e. arcane and divine magic working with armed forces).
So how would the Knights of Neraka approach having psions or psychic warriors in their ranks? First you would have to ask what order they would join, and then you would have to ask if another order would be created or not. One of Dragonlance’s big themes with its major organizations is to have organizations with three orders (i.e. KoS, KoN, and WoHS). Certainly, adding a 4th order would go against this theme.
Three words for you: Solamnic Auxilliary Mage. It was a good way to introduce an arcane order fo the Knighthood and not actually add an arcane order to the knighthood.
Solamnic Auxilliary Psion, Nerakan Auxilliary Psion, it's all good.
Note: I'm also looking for a Legion Knight, Solamnic Auxilliary Cleric(for clerics of Mishakal or Majere), Solamnic Auxilliary Scout, and Nerakan Auxilliary Scout.
Note to note: yes, I know thatt here's no official Nerakan Auxilliary, but come on, it would be realatively easy to add one.
Originally posted by Jacen Solo 5007
Three words for you: Solamnic Auxilliary Mage. It was a good way to introduce an arcane order fo the Knighthood and not actually add an arcane order to the knighthood.
Solamnic Auxilliary Psion, Nerakan Auxilliary Psion, it's all good.
Good point.
Note: I'm also looking for a Legion Knight, Solamnic Auxilliary Cleric(for clerics of Mishakal or Majere), Solamnic Auxilliary Scout, and Nerakan Auxilliary Scout.
I was toying with the idea of a Solamnic Auxiliary Medic (for clerics of Mishakal who treat wounds after battle), and some sort of spy role. Brimstone has mentioned the idea of a Legion Knight to me before, although I would be inclined to call it a Legion Centurion.
The Auxiliary is a nice catch-all area for those who want to help out the knighthood, but can't become actual knights.
Note to note: yes, I know thatt here's no official Nerakan Auxilliary, but come on, it would be realatively easy to add one.
Actually, there is an auxiliary of sorts. The Knights of Takhisis were served by a group called the Minions of Dark, comprised of servants such as goblins. I think this is where the evil allies of the knights served. There's not much detail on them. I want to say they were mentioned in History of Dragonlance, but I can't find the reference right off.
Originally posted by Dragonhelm
Products from prior editions, such as Unsung Heroes, state that psionics do not exist on Krynn.
This never sat well with me. In a few paragraphs, psionics was dismissed, those possessing psionics were stripped of their powers and not a single reason (to add to the Dragonlance feel of course) was given. I think the decision to leave it up to the DM was an excellent one.
I think psionics can be used, but you would have to be careful on how to present them. Perhaps they're a form of mysticism. Certainly, the sphere of Mentalism fits the bill of a psion. Perhaps psionics is a new power in the world of Krynn. Or perhaps, when Chaos was defeated and his power was unleashed into the world, it not only boosted sorcery and mysticism to usable levels, it also unlocked peoples' inner psychic potential.
All valid ways of introduction, although I’d prefer to keep mysticism and psionics separate, as in my opinion psionics is the harnessing of one's own power while mysticism represents the tapping of the "divine spark" gifted to all as the creation of the gods. A subtle difference, but one that is needed to distinguish the two types of power. I feel, however, the more history and explanation you put behind the existence or absence (although maybe you wouldn't bother if it wasn't there) of psychic power, the better.
For instance, let's say that upon the release of the Greygem its chaotic energies accelerated an evolutionary process in the ancestors of certain individuals, and it is only now that these powers are being harnessed. That way, psionics has really always been present. Of course, there may be other reasons why its power has not been tapped until now (perhaps the greygem also released some form of suppressant, and upon its destruction at the end of the Summer of Chaos, this suppression itself was nullified)
Your big pitfall is going to be the fact that you will have four types of magic as well as psionics.
Don't see this as a problem. We had two types before the fifth age. But with the proper background history and explanation of the other types, four types are now accepted. And what of monk abilities? They don't fit either arcane or divine but are still accepted. Granted, they are supernatural abilities, but as far as "feel" goes, they are very close to psionic abilities.
The key thing is to try and maintain the Dragonlance feel. Try not to just say, "Bamf! Psionics are here, now deal with it." Instead, try to present a reasoning for the existence of psionics, and see what the rest of the world does. My example above of Chaos unleashing peoples' inner psychic potential is one such route.
Definitely. In my own attempt on the subject (which moves very slowly - waiting for the XPH) there exists an organisation known as the Coalescent Order. It did not emerge until after the War of Souls, when its founder returned from an exile imposed by Takhisis' theft of the world. At this time, he was researching his power within the astral and suddenly found himself adrift, unable to return.......(and so on). The order is home to the Mind Wardens, sentinels of freedom of thought and action for the inhabitants of Krynn. If I ever get around to finishing it, I'll post it for those interested.
Originally posted by Kalthasian Talanward
This never sat well with me. In a few paragraphs, psionics was dismissed, those possessing psionics were stripped of their powers and not a single reason (to add to the Dragonlance feel of course) was given. I think the decision to leave it up to the DM was an excellent one.
Well, the same argument could be made for drow, orcs, and lycanthropes.
It's all a matter of personal taste anyways, when it comes to gaming.
Alot of people have said that 5th Age sorcery isn't far off from psionics anyways.
Does DL need psionics? I don't think so.
Why? Because it's part of making DL unique next to other D&D worlds. It's also why I wouldn't want to see kender in the Realms. Although, undead vampiric kender are an amusing idea like those in RL.
Originally posted by iltharanos
Dragonlance may not need psionics, but that wasn't the original question. ;)
Well, consider it a tangent on the idea of Sov Press "sitting on the fence" with this one.
They may not want it, but they're not disallowing it outright either. Regardless, that won't stop anybody that wants 'em anyways.
Originally posted by silvanthalas
Well, consider it a tangent on the idea of Sov Press "sitting on the fence" with this one.
They may not want it, but they're not disallowing it outright either. Regardless, that won't stop anybody that wants 'em anyways.
True enough. It should be interesting to see how the XPH has changed psionics and how the changes will affect those seeking to introduce psionics into their settings.
An interesting possibility would be the inhabitants of some unknown continent (we only know of 2 of the estimated 5 on Krynn) that after the Chaos War instead of turning towards primal sorcery and mysticism instead turned toward the power of psionics.
Any differences in opinions?
Originally posted by Dragonhelm
I'm curious what people think about this subject now that the XPH is out.
Any differences in opinions?
I think that you or someone else should buy the book for me so that I can effectively contribute!
Originally posted by Dragonhelm
If they see psionics as another form of arcane magic, then yes. I would question whether they would go after a psion since his power is different.
As you know, I use psionics in my games, and what I did was have a "secretive society" within the WoHS who when they learnt of the existence of psionic individuals set to hunting them down.
Their view being that, although psionic's is not magic, its also not governed' by a deity or faith, and therefore is still dangerous. Their ultimate view though, was this is a source of power we cannot access or control, so out of fear or a "scorched earth" policy they sought to eradicate all psionic individuals.
The new races don't really have a good DL feel to them.
Some of what we discussed previously on the psions and psychic warriors still apply, although now we have the soulknife and wilder classes to consider. And if you take the recent issue of Dragon into account, the erudite as well.
In some ways, I could really envision a group of psions (and erudites) who used psychic warriors as their muscle arm. While some flavor of the WoHS might be there, one would have to be careful not to duplicate them.
*shrugs*
Originally posted by darthsylver
What does "XPH" stand for anyway?
Expanded Psionics Handbook.
I haven't seen it.
Originally posted by darthsylver
When did this come out?
I haven't seen it.
It just came out. I've had mine for about a week now, and I'm loving it.
Even though I'm a big fan of psionics, I don't use it in my DL campaign because I personally don't believe psionics belong. That's just my opinion and I know some people think elsewise.
Would be kind of neat incorporating it within some of the organizations, but I like the DL world how it is. I like the 4 different magics and don't see a need to incorporate it into my campaign.
Originally posted by Dragonhelm
I'm curious what people think about this subject now that the XPH is out.
Any differences in opinions?
I think the wilder represents an excellent opportunity to introduce psionic characters into DL if you wanted to do so. Here's a class that doesn't require formal training and could be the foreunner to organised psionic classes.