General Would a Psion have to become a Spy in the Imperium?

[Spinward Scout]

I've been wondering for a while now if a Psion in the later Third Imperium would have to develop Undercover or Spy skills to stay out the spotlight.

Over on the Traveller subreddit, I weas talking about a Psion having to know the difference between Discreet Psionics and Blatant Psionics - with Blatant Psionics possibly getting the Psion in trouble.

Would that put the Psion in a Spy or Undercover situation?

Or am I putting too much thought into it and the Psion just stays at home and watches the HoloTube?

 

[whartung]

Well, it depends on what their psionic ability is. The big one, at a generic societal level, is telepathy. That's the one that can bring the most "low hanging fruit" value to someone, notably in things like negotiations or hidden information games likes poker.

An empath could also be useful. Telekinesis, I wouldn't suggest open displays of that, but grabbing the coffee cup from across the desk when no one is looking, not a big deal. Teleportation could sure be handy, but you'd have to be careful to scope out hidden places to 'port too.

Any of it used discretely shouldn't be an issue.

The only other detail is that if the society is actively hunting psions, use their own, that's a different problem entirely.

 

[McPerth]

Clairvoyance will also give many of the advantages Telepathy will, at gamblig just to follow your example, or to overhear conversations (with clairaudience), to give another.

Awareness has also many advantages, be it momentary enhance your physical power or to recover from illness (or regenerate).

Nonetheless, I guess just by being a little careful, you can follow any of the careers and keep you powers undercover, if you need so (as in 3I).

 

[Talifon]

There's a lot of lore about psions being employed by the Imperium's intelligence services. So many of them would receive training in spy craft. Obviously, they have to be discreet in any public setting.

 

[Chris Barlow]

As most Third Imperium Travellers campaigns are set in "border" sectors such as the Spinward Marches, Solomani Rim and Trojan Reaches. The simplest solution would be emigrating to somewhere, i.e. anywhere less intolerant of Psionics. I suspect following the Third Imperium's suppression of Psionics, there was mass migration out of the Third Imperium, followed possibly by the setting up of a Psionics "Underground railroad" to the local equivalent of Canada. Zhondani Consulate?

 

[bookwyrm]

Psions are just like any other person, except for being psionic. Could be the guy fueling your starship, your favorite barmaid, your Patron, the underworld contact... until they reveal themselves or share their secret, you wont know.

Those who could left the Imperium, those who couldn't probably moved to another planet and invested in a name change, and a few might have ended up in a criminal organization who just wanted to help, especially if you were 'interested' in using your abilities to improve the organizations financial situation.

There's probably hundreds of expatriate psionic Imperial communities in systems within 20 parsecs of the Imperiums borders. In Gateway to Destiny, many psions were noted to have relocated to the Oytrip of Tubroyllufotyusk during the Suppression, a TL E Droyne world (47+ parsecs from the closest Imperium world in 993). I figure some might have chosen to stop at planets along the way, and a few probably kept going until they couldn't travel any further.

 

[Enoki]

Clairvoyance will also give many of the advantages Telepathy will, at gamblig just to follow your example, or to overhear conversations (with clairaudience), to give another.

Awareness has also many advantages, be it momentary enhance your physical power or to recover from illness (or regenerate).

Nonetheless, I guess just by being a little careful, you can follow any of the careers and keep you powers undercover, if you need so (as in 3I).

I'd say clairvoyance is far more useful than telepathy in most settings.

For example, in gambling it depends on the game. Something like poker, telepathy would be highly useful. Clairvoyance and the ability to predict the outcome of a dice roll would be far more useful at something like craps. Psi protection, like a helmet, would be useless against clairvoyance since the clairvoyant doesn't have to 'read' the person using that psi protection. They are predicting the outcome independent of that.

Being able to 'see' into a closed room ahead of entry is far more valuable than mind reading since the mind reader likely cannot read a mind they don't know is present.

On the other hand, a merchant making a deal using telepathy can read the customer's mind and use that knowledge to their advantage in getting a better deal.

On the whole, all someone who is psionic in the 3I (or somewhere where such things are frowned on or illegal) is simply not display their ability(s) openly. Not doing some psionic thing where it's obvious that's what you're doing means nobody knows you can do it.

 

[RossWinn]

I think it could be a hidden secret, or an open secret. As a hidden secret it could be an oppressed minority living in tiny hidden communities on frontier and remote worlds. These communities actively hide and segregate themselves for protection. They may even operate "underground railroads to smuggle powerful poisons to less hostile planets and polities.

As an open secret there could be a small place for psions within Imperium society and governance. "Truthsayers" as advisors to governments, intelligence assets, and guards to monitor the populace. These would be very secret small assets that would reinforce the Imperium as it deals with other polities that more embrace psionics in their societies.

With either scenario there may still be psionic institutes scattered throughout the Imperium. Either sanctioned or unsanctioned by the government, these are secret and possibly even sacred spaces that average citizens would misunderstand and even fear.

Psionics do exist across the Imperium IMTU, but they are a shadowy and feared part of society, partially by design but mostly from misunderstanding and ignorance. It is possible that through the crisis of the assassination and the Hard Times that psions may become more integrated and become an integral part of the Imperium.

 

[mike wightman]

The canon:

Psionics within the lmperium reached its peak in the latter half of the 700's. In the 790's, however, the crest of popular opinion broke with the revelation of scandals within the Psionics Institutes; the result was the psionics suppressions (800 to 826), which shifted public opinion away from support of psionics.

Psionics Suppressions (800 to 826): The revelation of scandals (financial, ethical, and moral) within the psionics institutes in the years 772 to 798 resulted in a shift in public opinion against the institute. Over a twenty-six year period, various institute charters were cancelled, leading figures jailed or otherwise repressed, and restrictive laws passed limiting or prohibiting the practice of psionics. Many institute figures went underground, to espouse their cause in a type of guerrilla war.
Popular prejudice against psionics continues to the present day. The average citizen will admit to a general dislike of psionics, and if pressed, will usually state that psionics violates a person's right of mental privacy.

<restricted>

the suppressions succeeded far better than the lmperium had envisioned. Public opinion swung widely against psionics and became solidified in the form of strong local laws and customs.
The suppression campaign continued for twenty-six years before its formal halt.
Many small, local campaigns have occurred since.

</restricted>

PUBLIC PREJUDICE
The climate of public opinion about psionics is extremely negative. Individuals will find it unhealthy to admit possession of, or sympathy for, psionic powers.
Persons with psionic ability will not admit their powers unless reassured that they are in no danger; this will usually involve self-revelation by a psionic talent.
Some hirelings or citizens may have psionic training or ability (throw 12 to have any ability; then determine the actual ability). There is an equal chance that the non-character will be an informant or potential informant.
Psionic individuals detected by the public or the authorities are subject to a variety of responses, based on a two-dice throw:
12+ for lobotomy,
10+for lynching,
8+ for tarring and feathering,
6+ for imprisonment
4+ for deportation.

restricted

examination of the SO files will reveal all lmperial charters of psionics institutes to have been revoked; in actuality, two institutes have retained their charters, now under the auspices of the Ministry of Defense.
One institute remains at its original site, at Terra (Sol 0207). The revocation order was cancelled in 1014.
One institute, originally sited at Regina, has been reestablished at Wypoc (Lanth 0401), while retaining a low level recruiting establishment as part of the navy base at Regina.
Both Imperial-chartered psionics institutes are under military control, and are engaged in psionics research. Their existence is of the utmost secrecy.

 

[Enoki]

With that, anyone who knows they are psionic would likely hide that fact by not doing something to give it away to others. For example, a clairvoyant who gambles at dice using their skill to predict the roll only uses that knowledge sparingly to ensure they win a sum of cash that doesn't attract the attention of the casino. So, they deliberately lose some bets while winning others knowing that in the end they come out with say a week's worth of money for expenses. Or, they move between casinos winning smaller amounts at each that don't attract attention while overall they are getting filthy rich.

Now, for the person that doesn't realize they're psionic, or one that's not so sharp (a low Intel number, high carousing skill, etc.) they could flaunt their skill and end up in trouble with the authorities for it. Nothing like 'the life of the party' doing parlor tricks with a psionic skill to get the attention of the government.

A third possibility is someone who "claims" to be say, psychic, or a palm reader or the like and who really is but plays it off as an act / scam. The government might ignore such a person since they're mostly harmless and can be kept an eye on while serving a useful role in keeping a portion of the populace who believes in them under control. The government may or may not be aware the person is actually psionic.

 

[McPerth]

Both Imperial-chartered psionics institutes are under military control, and are engaged in psionics research. Their existence is of the utmost secrecy.

And I guess 3I has more, also secret, training facilities. IRIS is known to use psionics (if you accept its very existence, but I guess DGP made it canon), and I guess IN and other intelligence agencies do too.

Psionics are a very powerful weapons, and, as nukes, I don't believe the 3I has get rid of them, even if forbiding them to others on it.

So, returning to the OP question, yes, I guess if you want to use psionics in the 3I without fear of being discovered, you should join an Imperial agency

 

[mike wightman]

There are two, only two, ultra top pinky swear secret Imperial psionic institutes despite what fanon says, and desires. As to IRIS it was decanonised by TNE.

 

[McPerth]

There are two, only two, ultra top pinky swear secret Imperial psionic institutes despite what fanon says, and desires.

So you believe 3I fully renounced to such powerful weapon psionics?

Forgive me if I find hard to believe...

Even if it kept two institutes (both at the very fringes of the Imperium, one at each end of it), that means only a few people could be trained, and travel times make them far from they could be needed more often than not.

As to IRIS it was decanonised by TNE.

I have already stated at otehr times I was on the pitchfork and torches mob about TNE, so I don't know it, and so I trust your word (I've never have had a reason not to, OTOH), but in MT IRIS was so present than to decanonize it would need a strong retcon...

ITTR someone told here that Strphon denied any knowledge on IRIS at some point, what is not decanonizing it, but just making it a non imperial (or at least a non officially Imperial) agency, a king of conspiracy, while keeping it in canon as such. This seems more acceptable to me, as it doesn't need such a retcon (or, at least, a ligher one). Of course, YMMV

 

[mike wightman]

So you believe 3I fully renounced to such powerful weapon psionics?

yes, they were forced to...

Forgive me if I find hard to believe...

It is a setting secret therefore unassailable, the Imperium played with psychohistory and got burned by it. They never intended the outcome they got, but get it they did.

The Imperium hates psionics tha way you hate nazis or pedophiles, they don't just pretend when it is expedient to do so so they can keep running secret programs.

They have two, period.

Even if it kept two institutes (both at the very fringes of the Imperium, one at each end of it), that means only a few people could be trained, and travel times make them far from they could be needed more often than not.

Correct, the Imperium hates psionics that much.

I have already stated at otehr times I was on the pitchfork and torches mob about TNE, so I don't know it, and so I trust your word (I've never have had a reason not to, OTOH), but in MT IRIS was so present than to decanonize it would need a strong retcon...

it was removed in Survival Margin, Dave Nilsen commented that it was gone, never to have really existed.

ITTR someone told here that Strphon denied any knowledge on IRIS at some point, what is not decanonizing it, but just making it a non imperial (or at least a non officially Imperial) agency, a king of conspiracy, while keeping it in canon as such. This seems more acceptable to me, as it doesn't need such a retcon (or, at least, a ligher one). Of course, YMMV

Dave Nilsen in his long interview mentions it being removed, it has gone.

 

[Enoki]

Now, on a fairly high tech, high law level, planet / system I could see where they might be virulent about rooting out psionics. One way this might be done is they have devised some test that is pretty much foolproof that will determine if someone is psionic and to what degree they are. Say, said test is administered, mandatorily, to 100% of the population at age 18 (or as appropriate). For off-worlders visiting they have to show they've taken such a test or are willing to take one before being given a visa to visit this world. The few false positives are considered just collateral damage.

Those proving positive and being psionic are forced to undergo some horrific procedure to remove this trait if they don't die in the process--not that the government cares one way or the other. You might have a small faction on the planet who disapprove of this and are willing to help those that know they're psionic and will be found out to get the hell out of Dodge so-to-speak. Thus, for these individuals, their life as a traveller begins...

 

[mike wightman]

I would imagine the vast majority of those persecuted for psionics are not in any way psionic...

the fact that you can find an underground psionic institue on high population worlds, and there are a lot of those, shows that psions have got very good at hiding themselves - wonder where they got the foundation of that idea...

 

[Spinward Scout]

Wish I could remember which book said that all of the Psionics Institutes were secretly reestablished. GURPS maybe?

I don't think that many Psions took off. The Imperium would have caught on to that, I'd think. 1 in 36 people were Psionic, right? Isn't that what the odds come out to?

Wouldn't it be interesting if IRIS was created by civilians that pretended to be part of a government agency? When the Capital is over a year away by just about the fastest communication, how could you verify something like that?

 

[mike wightman]

Wish I could remember which book said that all of the Psionics Institutes were secretly reestablished. GURPS maybe?

They went underground, but they no longer had an Imperial charter and the threat to life is real.

I don't think that many Psions took off. The Imperium would have caught on to that, I'd think. 1 in 36 people were Psionic, right? Isn't that what the odds come out to?

Canon mentions psions fleeing to Zhodani space or beyond the Imperium.

Wouldn't it be interesting if IRIS was created by civilians that pretended to be part of a government agency?

More likely when Lucan disolved the Moot some of the Moot supporting nobles and bureaucracy concocted the whole IRIS scam

When the Capital is over a year away by just about the fastest communication, how could you verify something like that?

Slowly...

 

[kilemall]

IRIS busting Agent, perhaps another novel featuring the Agent responsible for internal security.

And what happens when Agents collide?

 

[Quint]

yes, they were forced to...

It is a setting secret therefore unassailable, the Imperium played with psychohistory and got burned by it. They never intended the outcome they got, but get it they did.

The Imperium hates psionics tha way you hate nazis or pedophiles, they don't just pretend when it is expedient to do so so they can keep running secret programs.

They have two, period.

Correct, the Imperium hates psionics that much.

it was removed in Survival Margin, Dave Nilsen commented that it was gone, never to have really existed.

Dave Nilsen in his long interview mentions it being removed, it has gone.

TNE also, however, established that many? most? Imperial noble houses maintained psychics on staff so the situation is far more nuanced than "the Imperium hates psionics" as the Imperium was also researching artificial psionics and just the general topic of "psionics" is in the list of illustrative topics for Research Stations (though that dates back to CT not TNE).

D.