Psionics aren't specifically overpowered in Ravenloft since many powers are useless against the undead. Powers would probably be treated like magic, making the psionicist a possible target of angry attacks by unenlightened villagers.
You might want to alter how their powers are used if the player should go insane (so when they think they're manifesting a True Sight power, they really did Aura Sight instead, or something potentially more dangerous, like a Recall Agony on themselves instead of a Body Adjustment).
Another idea is to give their psicrystal, if they get one, an ulterior motive, much like how familiars tend to work against their masters.
Hey, and nothing says 'cursed' like a Graft Weapon that doesn't go away.
And, in my opinion, you should certainly let him play a psion, as they certainly have their place in Ravenloft (more so than in most other campaign settings) as the weird people with mental powers they don't really understand or control, psychics who hide their abilities to avoid being burned at the stake.
Psionics, since 2nd Edition, actually fit better in Ravenloft than other fantasy settings. They're an odd fin in most worlds as psionics are not a part of traditional fantasy and thus many people hate them but the powers of the mind have a long history in horror and gothic tradition. The people cursed with visions and foresight, or with the power to read minds, stuff like that. Just remember to alter the mood and image of the psion. Instead of the sparsely clothed and tattooed bald guy with floating gems and shiny rocks on the end of sticks try something else.
Just think of a good reason why they would have expanded their mind and you're good to go.
Like a classy dressed gent in a tricorner hat and impeccable shirt with a lovely large ruby tiepin. A scholar by trade he has been fascinated by the human mind. He studied phrenology and biology and along the way unlocked some doors that should have maybe remained closed.
Or a rough Verbrek hunter in a buckskin tunic that doesn't talk much or let go of his bow and had a lump of quartz tied to a hide string dangling from his neck. He's spent so much time alone in the woods providing for his family he developed a sixth sense that has only grown.
Or a gown wearing Borcan noblewoman with the amazing diamond ring and a few daggers discreetly tucked away. In the cutthroat world of the court everyone needs and edge. Hers was the ability to peer into the minds of her competition and outmaneuver them.
There is a problem with tattoos as they don't fit the setting as they stand. But since any magic items and large amounts of gold are rare they'll be less common. And instead of the tribal and angular stuff in the XPH think classic mystic tats, like circles and religious symbols with latin-esque writ surrounding. Or a few minimalist symbols sketched in a few discreet places.
For psionics I’d mute most of the side effects produced, especially the visual effects. And darken the ones that need remain. Instead of the jingling of bells or a high pitched whistle it is the howl of wind, the sound of footsteps or the faint call of a hunting wolf. Don’t overdo anything, remember minimalism.
The Realms Beyond, page 10 of The Book of Souls.
Marcu Vasilis and the complementary adventure The Man Who Lost His Mind, on page 19 of The Forgotten Children.
The God Brain on page 24 of The Book of Sacrifices. Keep in mind, I'm not suggesting to use the God Brain in your campaign as an NPC (unless you desperately want to kill the PCs), but it might be interesting for you as a DM to understand him better.
Psionics in Ravenloft on page 55 of the Undead Sea Scrolls 2002.
That's all I can think of right now.
I will give it a shot, and see what happens. Thanks again everyone.
Currently i have a psionic in my campaign in Ravenloft, hes character has reached 5-th level by now and i can assure you that psion fits into Ravenloft very well.
The only thing that makes my hair go gray again and again, is that damn power of his, "object reading".
Originally posted by Kyylik
The only thing that makes my hair go gray again and again, is that damn power of his, "object reading".
Wouldn't an object owned by a person of immence personal presence (like a darklord), overload the senses of the character manifesting "object reading"?
Just a thought.
Object reading, as i see it, reveals the auras of its owners, imbued within the object. And yes, some auras can be harmful, and also i take under consideration, that the object may be used for evil deeds, in that case, there is a possibility to give the player some visions from the past. It is unlikely that a psion can hold his/her concentration, while viewing the horrible scenes.
But, may it be possible, that somebody, who owned the object before and is now searching for it (let's say a darklord maybe?), may feel it, when psionic manifests OR and starts browsing through his/her personal information?
Millenium is a great place to see how psionic abilities can be used against evil and how evil can screw with psionics in turn. I think a bunch of old episodes are now available in torrents (I don't believe there was a DVD, but I could be wrong).
The mage waves his hands about and mumbles, and the magic occurs.
The psion does nothing, but suddenly a fiery red glow emanates from his flesh and a strange ghostly slime seems to cover everything near him. It all ends a moment later - and the power occurs.
Which would bother the villagers more, hmm?
Psionics on the otherhand they are not. They'd probably just assume that its magic like the wizards but since its something new and strange they would be more frightened.