Psionics - very high TL or inter-dimensional magic?

[mike wightman]

My curiosity into the role of psionics in Traveller has been piqued yet again.

A couple of questions first.

Do people include psionics as written in their Traveller Universes?

If you do include it do you have an explanation of how it works; i.e.is it TL25+ technology acting as magic, or is it "really" magic?

 

[Psion]

I do include it, but I downplay it. Especially among PCs. I don't want it to take the same role it has in Simon Green's Deathstalker universe, which is about on the order of D&D psionics.

I sort of think of Psionics as "cheat codes for the universe." Certain harmonic resonances can exhibit effects on a quantum level, interfering with natural probability. Though these harmonics are difficult to acheive through technology (though the jump drive and antigravity may be limited examples of this sort of tech), psionics evolved in some species though millions of years of evolution.

 

[robject]

I include and downplay it too, and presume it's just another facet of the way the universe works that we don't normally know about. Sort of a sixth-sense effect. It is neither supernatural (magic) nor technological. In some cases tech can act upon it (neural shields) precisely because both are part of the universe.

IMTU of course.

 

[mike wightman]

Has anyone else noticed that many Ancient devices can heve psionic properties and that the Robots book mentions that Ancient robots can be fully psionic?

In TNE there is a psionic, Virus possessed, computer in a Psionic Research Institute, and the Regency has begun producing simple electronic/machine copies of psionic abilities.

 

[Malenfant]

I would say that psi is a real, physical phenomenon (insert armwaves about conscious minds, resonant frequencies, and quantum mechanical effects) that is not explainable by current mainstream science. However, it can be duplicated by electronic means (so AI can be psionic) and masked by electromagnetic interference.

 

[fredofmars]

Originally posted by robject:
I include and downplay it too, and presume it's just another facet of the way the universe works that we don't normally know about. Sort of a sixth-sense effect. It is neither supernatural (magic) nor technological. In some cases tech can act upon it (neural shields) precisely because both are part of the universe.

IMTU of course.

I'll say "me too" to what robject said.
- Joseph

 

[signless]

Psionics have become somewhat of an integral part of our gaming after our hardy band of adventurers began running into Zhodani in the Marches. I tend to treat it as a quantum-physical occurence, mixed in with some mysticism culled from "Dune".
That having been said, I've been working on some munchkin-esque adventures for my traveller group...and this has given me a great idea on how to introduce one of my most favorite DnD creatures into the MTU...the mind-flayer.
A creature which was subjected to an incredibly powerful psionic field generated by a massive piece of ancient technology (a la the planetary war machines of Vland...), and now supplements its diet with tasty bits of psionic energy generated by biological life.
This is gonna be fun.

 

[Glen Allen Mcinnes]

Hey guys i started a thread on Psi tech a wile back in the Ships Locker section, the stuff that showed up was mostly BIO/Chem but may help jump start any flaging intrest in PSI, also if you got any good stuff drop by and put in your .05cr (ajusted for gst and rounding) and help re-start the thread

 

[Spinward Scout]

Hey signless, if you get a chance, take a look at the Mind Flayer in d20 Modern. d20 Modern uses a different system than D&D for Psionics and such. Might mesh a little better with Traveller. My "idea" of Psionics IMTU is different than the books and I'm working on my own d20 system to show it. Stronger Psi if you can get it. A cross between Traveller Psi and Marvel Super Heroes would be more like it. I figured out at one point how to freeze the sun - something like 30 Psionic minds (average of 10 psi points each) gestalted/linked together - or about 300 Psi points of use. The difficulty to actually make the roll, was about half that, tho - about DC 150. Haven't quite figured out how that would work. Synergy bonus from each person would be +2 each (i.e. +60) for the roll. I have a Latent Psychic Template (which is how I think Psionics SHOULD work in the d20 system), a Psychic Class, and a Psychic Grand Master Prestige Class I've written down ideas for.

Now if I can just find the time to work on the system.

Later,

Scout

 

[signless]

Thanks for the above post! I'll be grubbing up as much on the mind-flayer as possible now.
*evil, evil, grin*

 

[Evo Plurion]

Asimov's Foundation and later Robot novels provide examples of how psionics can play a significant but subtle role in a narrtive. Psionicists in his universe are extremely rare and secretive about their abilities. All but the most powerful are limited in their ability to influence the behaviour of others. In Robots And Empire, for example, a psionic character can read emotions but no thoughts. He can influence motivations by tweaking the intensities of the subject's emotions. He cannot adjust an emotion that isn't there to begin with, nor can he easily counter an emotion which is unusually strong or deeply ingrained.

Given that Traveller was originally inspired by classic science fiction in general and Asimov in particular, I've always been surprised that the game eschewed a subtle treatment of psionics in favour of the D&D-like "magic" which it uses to this day. Does T20 improve on this at all?

 

[Psion]

T20 is almost an exact translation of CT.

Though it does require you to pay out the nose in terms of feats.