Psionics or Psychic abilities are powers of the mind. The name comes from the 23rd letter of the Greek alphabet - psi. and may also be referred to as paranormal abilities,
supernormal, preternatural, sixth sense, mind over matter, and
extrasensory perception or E.S.P. These abilities typically refer
to abilities of the mind such as Clairvoyance, Precognition, Telepathy,
Empathy, communicating with the dead and sensing supernatural
forces.
On the world of Otara these abilities are very real and found in many races. Psionic powers spring from sentient minds and examples have been encounted with even animals and creatures or being that have no physical body. It would seem that so long as there is a rudementary intelligence there exists the potential of having psionics. Vermin possessed of a hive mind ability are an exception to this rule.
Psionic characters and creatures need not prepare their powers for use ahead of time. They either have sufficient power points to manifest a power or they do not. A power is manifested when a psionic character pays its power point cost. Some psionic creatures automatically manifest powers, called psi-like abilities, without paying a power point cost. Other creatures pay power points to manifest their powers, just as characters do.
Each power has a specific effect. A power known to a psionic character can be used whenever he or she has power points to pay for it. |