A Psionics System
Basic Concepts
Psionically Active: A creature or object is
psionically active if it possesses psionic
powers and has a power pool that may be
used for any purpose other than defense in
psionic combat, even if that pool’s total is 0.
Power Pool: Psionically active creatures have
a power pool that when fully rested is equal to
their hit dice. Non-psionic creatures use a
power pool equal to half their hit dice (round
up) when resisting psionic combat only.
Psionic creatures gradually expend dice from
their power pool, which they recover by
resting, or by absorbing psionic energy from
other creatures and certain objects.
Manifesting: To activate a power, a
psionically active creature chooses dice from
their power pool and rolls them. The dice are
summed, and the number must exceed the
power’s target number to manifest. The
creature may roll any number of dice up to
the current number in their power pool.
When manifesting powers, dice with values
below a certain threshold are expended and
removed from the power pool until the
psionically active creature rests. The threshold
varies depending upon the type of power –
whether it is an art, science, or grand art. It
takes an action to manifest a power.
Mastery Level: The number of dice a
psionically active creature chooses to roll to
activate the power.
Maintenance: A manifested power lasts one
round unless it is maintained. To maintain a
power, the psionically active creature must
dedicate dice from their power pool to the
power. The dedicated dice do not count
towards the psionically active creature’s
current power pool, but are not expended.
When the power is dismissed, the dice return
to the pool.
Arts: Arts are simple psionic powers. It costs
two dice from a power pool to maintain them.
Dice that come up with values of 1 or 2 are
discarded when manifesting arts.
Sciences: Sciences are psionic powers of
moderate complexity. It costs four dice from a
power pool to maintain them. Dice that come
up with values of 4 or lower are discarded
when manifesting sciences.
Grand Arts: Grand Arts are the pinnacle of
psionic prowess. It costs eight dice from a
power pool to maintain them. Dice that come
up with values of 8 or lower are discarded
when manifesting grand arts.
Magic and Psionics: Magic and psionics are
interchangeable. An effect that blocks or
dismisses magic works on psionic powers. If
level is important, the level of a psionic power
is ½ the mastery level used to manifest it.
Saves vs. psionic effects count as saves vs.
spells in systems with multiple saving throws.
The Magic-User’s bonus to saves vs. spells in
Swords and Wizardry applies to psionic
effects.
Psionic Combat
Any psionically active creature may engage in
psionic combat, even with creatures that are
not themselves psionically active. Creatures
must have minds, even if very rudimentary
ones. Constructs, unintelligent undead, and
most plants are immune to psionic combat.
To begin psionic combat, a psionically active
creature must have line of sight, or must be
able to perceive the creature through some
other means (clairvoyance, seeing through
dimensions, a psionic scan, etc.)
Creatures attacking in psionic combat are
dazed during the round psionic combat
occurs – they may not move or act, but are
not helpless for the purposes of being easily
coup-de-graced.
Psionic combat occurs in normal initiative
order.
Mechanics
The psionic attacker chooses a target and an
attack mode. The defender chooses a defence
mode, if they possess any. Only one attack or
defense mode may be chosen by each side in a
single exchange of psionic combat. If the
defender is not aware of the attacker, is
surprised, stunned, asleep, unconscious, etc.,
they may only defend themselves if they
possess the Cognitive Labyrinth defence
mode.
Spellcasters with memorised spells may
choose to sacrifice memorised spells to add a
bonus to their defense roll equal to the total
levels of memorised spells sacrificed.
Participating in psionic combat does not
count as manifesting a power, and does not
cause dice used in it to be expended.
Each side rolls their current power pool. They
may choose to only roll a portion of their
available power pool if they wish. Each roll is
summed, with the higher total winning the
combat.
If the attacker wins, the defender comes
under their psionic control. If the attack
mode causes any additional effects, they take
place. The effects of attack modes that endure
beyond the initial attack last so long as psionic
control is maintained.
If the defender wins, the attacker loses a die
from their power pool and is stunned for one
round. Any psionic control the attacker is
exerting over other creatures ceases
immediately. The defender may move and act
normally (including launching their own
psionic counter-attack if they wish to and are
capable.
Summary
Step Action
1 Attacker chooses target and attack mode
2 Defender chooses defence mode
3 Spellcasters defending choose whether to
sacrifice memorised spells
4 Each side rolls their current power pool
and sums the rolled dice
5 The attacker either establishes psionic
control or is rebuffed and loses a die from
the current power pool
Attack Modes
Mental Stab: Mental stab is a blast of focused
psionic energy lashing out at the conscious
thoughts of the opponent. The die type used
by the attacker is upgraded by two using the
following scale. 1d4 – 1d6 – 1d8 – 1d10 –
1d12 – 1d20
Personality Invasion: The attacker attempts
to replace the defender’s personality with their
own by merging their minds. Upon a
successful mental attack the target is mentally
possessed by the attacker, who may operate
their body as if it was their own. The puppet
receives a saving throw if commanded to
perform actions that endanger themselves.
Psionic Wave: The attacker radiates a wave
of willpower targeting multiple opponents.
The attacker may attack as many multiple
opponents simultaneously as they wish. Each
defender rolls their defence separately. Upon a
successful attack, the attacker may take
psionic control of all of the defenders
simultaneously, but must dedicate one die
from their power pool per defender. When
relinquishing psionic control, all defenders
must be released simultaneously.
Subconscious Subversion: The target’s
basest impulses are turned against itself. Upon
a successful attack, the defender is frightened,
as per the Fear spell. This effect persists even
after the attacker ceases psionic control.
Synaptic Overload: The target’s own psionic
energy is redirected against itself by the force
of the attacker’s will. Upon a successful attack,
the defender takes damage equal to the sum
of the dice it rolled to defend itself.
Defence Modes
Barrier Mantra: The defender fills their mind
with repetitive images and phrases which
provide a decoy for the attack. If the defender
loses the psionic combat, they are stunned for
one round instead of falling under the psionic
control of the attacker.
Blank Mind: The defender empties their
mind to make it harder for attackers to locate.
The attacker must make a saving throw. If
they fail the saving throw, the attack
automatically fails, and they lose a die from
their current power pool.
Cognitive Labyrinth: The defender’s mind is
a warren of mental traps and illusions. The
defender may defend even when unconscious,
surprised, resting, asleep, dazed, etc. so long
as they are not already under psionic control.
Imagination Swarm: The defender creates a
swarm of decoy-thoughts that lure the
attacker through others’ minds. The defender
may choose to draw allied non-psionic
creatures into the psionic combat. The
defenders count as conducting a group
psionic operation but don’t need to spend an
action to join it. The allies are dazed for one
round. If the attack is still successful, then the
attack affects all equally. Psionically active
creatures may also use this defence mode to
participate in a psionic combat that is
targeting an ally they can see.
Pinnacle of Will: The defender beats back
the attack through sheer willpower. The die
type used by the defender is upgraded by one
using the following scale: 1d4 – 1d6 – 1d8 –
1d10 – 1d12 – 1d20
Psionic Control
Psionic control is the state a creature is in
when their mind has been successfully
attacked through psionic combat.
Once established, psionic control over a
creature may be maintained indefinitely by
dedicating a die from the controller`s current
power pool to it. A creature under psionic
control has their current power pool reduced
to 0, and is stunned. They automatically fail
saving throws against further psionic powers
used by the controller until the controller
relinquishes control.
Any psionic powers the creature is
maintaining cease when psionic control is
established over it, and dice used to maintain
them are expended.
Psionically attacking a creature under psionic
control automatically attacks the controller,
even if they cannot be seen or otherwise
detected.
If the controller rests while maintaining
psionic control, they do not regain any dice
dedicated to maintaining psionic control until
they relinquish control. Each time the
controller rests, the creature may make a
saving throw vs. spells to throw off the
control.
Group Psionic Operations
Psionically active creatures may link minds
with psionically active allies they can perceive.
Each participant involved spends an action to
do so and dedicates a die from their current
power pool to maintain the effect. This is
called a “mental link”. Mental links, once
established, may be maintained over any
distance.
The current power pools of all participants in
a mental link are added together into a single
current power pool used by all participants.
Dice may be added to any manifestation roll
or psionic combat roll, or dedicated to
maintaining any power, by any of the
participants.
The effects of psionic combat flow through
the link, and any attack mode that affects one
of them affects all of them.
Participants in a mental link designate a
conductor.
Regaining Power Pools
A psionically active creature must rest for at
least 8 hours a night to restore its power pool
to full.
The Psionicist Class XP Lvl HD SV
0 1 1d8 15
Prime Attribute: Charisma 1,500 2 2d8 14
Hit Dice: 1d8/level (Gains +1HP/level after 3,000 3 3d8 13
6,000 4 4d8 12
10th)
12,000 5 5d8 11
Armour/Shield Permitted: Light armour 24,000 6 6d8 10
only, no shields 48,000 7 7d8 9
Weapons Permitted: As per proficiencies or 100,000 8 8d8 8
as per thief 170.000 9 9d8 7
Species/Origin: Any 240,000 10 10d8 6
Alignment: Any 310,000 11 10d8+1 5
380,000 12 10d8+2 5
Attack Bonus: As thief 450,000 13 10d8+3 5
520,000 14 10d8+4 5
Psionicist Class Abilities: 590,000 15 10d8+5 5
660,000 16 10d8+6 5
730,000 17 10d8+7 5
Saving Throw Bonus: Psionicists receive a
800,000 18 10d8+8 5
+2 to saves vs. any psionic powers and 870,000 19 10d8+9 5
magical mental effects. 940,000 20 10d8+10 5
+70,000/level 21+ 10d8+ (1HP/level) 5
Followers: At 11th level, a psionicist gains the
Attack /
title of “Master Psionicist” and may establish Grand Defence
a psionics school. Students and other Lvl Arts Sciences Arts Modes
psionicists will come to join them. 1 2 1 0 1/1
2 3 1 0 1/2
Psionic Training: A psionicist adds their 3 4 2 0 2/2
Charisma bonus to any manifestation rolls 4 4 2 0 2/3
they make. 5 5 3 0 3/3
6 6 3 0 3/4
7 6 4 0 4/4
Psionically Active: A psionicist is a
8 7 4 0 4/5
psionically active creature and may attack and 9 8 5 0 5/5
defend in psionic combat. 10 8 5 0 5/5
11 9 6 1 5/5
Psionic Powers: A psionicist gains psionic 12 10 6 1 5/5
powers according to the following table. 13 10 7 1 5/5
14 11 7 2 5/5
15 12 8 2 5/5
16 12 8 2 5/5
17 13 9 3 5/5
18 14 9 3 5/5
19 14 10 3 5/5
20 15 10 4 5/5
21+ 15 10 4 5/5
Psionic Arts
Inhuman Communication
Target Number
Range
Duration
Saving Throw
Description: This power allows the user to
communicate with animals, monsters and
other creatures who do not use language to
think or communicate. It removes any
penalties to reaction rolls caused by the alien
character of a mind.
Animate Object
Target Number
Range
Duration
Saving Throw
Description: This power causes a nearby
object or discrete collection of objects to
animate (i.e. a stack of paper, a sheaf of
arrows). The user can issue the objects
telepathic commands which they will obey
even if it leads to their destruction. Up to
50kg of objects per mastery level can be
animated. The objects creep, crawl and climb.
For every 50kg of mass or portion therof a
single object has, it is considered to have 1HD
for purposes of attacks, HP, and grappling.
Animated objects have an AC of 10.
Attraction / Repulsion
Target Number
Range
Duration
Saving Throw
Description: This power makes a particular
object that the user touches give off an aura
of supernatural attraction or revulsion (user’s
choice) to those who fail a saving throw.
If attraction is chosen, then all creatures who
see the item and fail a saving throw will feel
compelled to take possession of it. They will
be distracted, and must make saving throws to
notice inobvious dangers along the way to
doing so.
If repulsion is chosen, then all creatures who
see the item and fail a saving throw will feel
compelled to avoid the item. If the item
comes within 10m of them, they must make a
saving throw or immediately retreat. If they
cannot retreat, they will cower and cover their
eyes (if any) and count as both dazed and
blinded.
Aura of Awe
Target Number
Range
Duration
Saving Throw
Description: This power causes the user to
radiate a wave of psionically induced awe in
onlookers (including allies). All who fail a
saving throw will refuse to attack the user, and
in non-combat situations, they will gasp and
murmur, but otherwise remain silent and
inactive. If the user attacks them, they gain
another saving throw. Success means they are
freed from the effect, while failure means they
beg for mercy.
Aura of Fear
Target Number
Range
Duration
Saving Throw
Description: This power causes the user to
radiate a wave of psionically-induced fear in
onlookers (including allies). All who fail a
saving throw will flee for a number of turns
equal to the mastery level used to manifest the Cannibalise
power. Target Number
Range
Ballistic Attack Duration
Target Number Saving Throw
Range Description:
Duration
Saving Throw Chameleon
Description: This power is used to launch an Target Number
unsecured object of no more than 1kg mass at Range
high speed towards a target. One object per Duration
mastery level may be launched at one target Saving Throw
per mastery level. Each object deals damage as Description:
if it were an arrow, and uses the user’s attack
bonus. Charm
Target Number
Banish Range
Target Number Duration
Range Saving Throw
Duration Description:
Saving Throw
Description: Danger Sense
Target Number
Blindness / Deafness Range
Target Number Duration
Range Saving Throw
Duration Description:
Saving Throw
Description: Detect Good / Evil
Target Number
Body Shell Range
Target Number Duration
Range Saving Throw
Duration Description:
Saving Throw
Description: Detect Magic / Psionics
Target Number
Body Weaponry Range
Target Number Duration
Range Saving Throw
Duration Description:
Saving Throw
Description: Displacement
Target Number
Range Saving Throw
Duration Description:
Saving Throw
Description: Growth
Target Number
Ectoplasmic Form Range
Target Number Duration
Range Saving Throw
Duration Description:
Saving Throw
Description: Heal Wounds
Target Number
Empathy Range
Target Number Duration
Range Saving Throw
Duration Description:
Saving Throw
Description: Inflict Pain
Target Number
Enhance Range
Target Number Duration
Range Saving Throw
Duration Description:
Saving Throw
Description: Levitation
Target Number
Environmental Adaptation Range
Target Number Duration
Range Saving Throw
Duration Description:
Saving Throw
Description: Light Control
Target Number
ESP Range
Target Number Duration
Range Saving Throw
Duration Description:
Saving Throw
Description: Locate Creature
Target Number
Float Range
Target Number Duration
Range Saving Throw
Duration Description:
Locate Object Range
Target Number Duration
Range Saving Throw
Duration Description:
Saving Throw
Description: Read Aura
Target Number
Molecular Heat Range
Target Number Duration
Range Saving Throw
Duration Description:
Saving Throw
Description: See Through Walls
Target Number
Paralyse Range
Target Number Duration
Range Saving Throw
Duration Description:
Saving Throw
Description: Shrink
Target Number
Phantasmal Force Range
Target Number Duration
Range Saving Throw
Duration Description:
Saving Throw
Description: Spider Climb
Target Number
Precognition Range
Target Number Duration
Range Saving Throw
Duration Description:
Saving Throw
Description: Stat Boost
Target Number
Psionic Invisibility Range
Target Number Duration
Range Saving Throw
Duration Description:
Saving Throw
Description: Suspend Animation
Target Number
Psychometry Range
Target Number Duration
Saving Throw Duration
Description: Saving Throw
Description:
Sustenance
Target Number Crystal Construction
Range Target Number
Duration Range
Saving Throw Duration
Description: Saving Throw
Description:
Swarm Master
Target Number Detect Life
Range Target Number
Duration Range
Saving Throw Duration
Description: Saving Throw
Description:
Telepathic Message
Target Number Detonate
Range Target Number
Duration Range
Saving Throw Duration
Description: Saving Throw
Description:
Tracer Beacon
Target Number Dimension Door
Range Target Number
Duration Range
Saving Throw Duration
Description: Saving Throw
Description:
Weaken
Target Number Dispel Magic / Psionics
Range Target Number
Duration Range
Saving Throw Duration
Description: Saving Throw
Description:
Psionic Sciences
Dominate
Astral Projection Target Number
Target Number Range
Range Duration
Saving Throw Leech
Description: Target Number
Range
Emotional Control Duration
Target Number Saving Throw
Range Description:
Duration
Saving Throw Life Drain
Description: Target Number
Range
Energy Dissipation Duration
Target Number Saving Throw
Range Description:
Duration
Saving Throw Memory Wipe
Description: Target Number
Range
Etherealness Duration
Target Number Saving Throw
Range Description:
Duration
Saving Throw Mind Bar
Description: Target Number
Range
Far Sight Duration
Target Number Saving Throw
Range Description:
Duration
Saving Throw Personality Switch
Description: Target Number
Range
Inertial Barrier Duration
Target Number Saving Throw
Range Description:
Duration
Saving Throw Polymorph
Description: Target Number
Range
Invisibility Duration
Target Number Saving Throw
Range Description:
Duration
Saving Throw Probe
Description: Target Number
Range Saving Throw
Duration Description:
Saving Throw
Description: Sculpt Dreams
Target Number
Psionic Interference Range
Target Number Duration
Range Saving Throw
Duration Description:
Saving Throw
Description: Summon Tulpa
Target Number
Psychic Surgery Range
Target Number Duration
Range Saving Throw
Duration Description:
Saving Throw
Description: Telekinesis
Target Number
Puppet Range
Target Number Duration
Range Saving Throw
Duration Description:
Saving Throw
Description: Telepathy
Target Number
Pyrokinesis Range
Target Number Duration
Range Saving Throw
Duration Description:
Saving Throw
Description: Teleport
Target Number
Regenerate Range
Target Number Duration
Range Saving Throw
Duration Description:
Saving Throw
Description: Transmutation
Target Number
Schism Range
Target Number Duration
Range Saving Throw
Duration Description:
Psionic Grand Arts Temporal Fugue
Target Number
Mass Dominate Range
Target Number Duration
Range Saving Throw
Duration Description:
Saving Throw
Thrall
Description:
Target Number
Planar Travel Range
Target Number Duration
Range Saving Throw
Duration Description:
Saving Throw
True Sight
Description:
Target Number
Prophecy Range
Target Number Duration
Range Saving Throw
Duration Description:
Saving Throw
Ultrablast
Description:
Target Number
Psionic Construction Range
Target Number Duration
Range Saving Throw
Duration Description:
Saving Throw
Description:

Stasis
Target Number
Range
Duration
Saving Throw
Description:

Sunder
Target Number
Range
Duration
Saving Throw
Description: