This concept might fit a bit better in
a science fiction game, or a science-fantasy/fiction game
masquerading as a traditional high fantasy game. This won't apply to
everything perfectly, but since some consider psychic powers as magic
by any other name, I'm sure it will work.
Wizards are
Psychics. Spells are psychic powers. This works best for spell
systems using spell points or “stress points” based on how many
spells are cast giving increasing dangerous negatives to rolls.
However, Vancian spell slots could also function; simply requiring
the fluff that spells are concentrated packets of psychic energy
formed in preparation for later, ala a Tulpa.
Telekinesis is
your core ability. You can move objects with your mind- Unseen
Servant, Levitation, Mage Hand/Floating Disc, Hold Person/Portal and
so on. More complex forms of movement, such as to animate a skeleton
or controlling wind requires higher levels of power. In this magic
system, golems and skeletons would be appropriately mindless
automatons, continually animated by some psychic commands and energy.
Similarly, giving a mind to something would be a pretty impressive
feat, or involve the creator giving up a part of their psychic
mindspace to the creation, similar to spending XP.
Pyrokinesis and
Electrokinesis explain elemental spells. Cold spells aren't as easily
explained, unless you just count it as really focused telekinesis
that stops atoms in place.
Summoning spells
are in a weird place. Summoning could be either literally creating
new life through a combination of telekinesis and more abstract
energy- that's why you need a sacrificial virgin to summon a demon,
her life energy and body is drained to form the new living creature
before you. Or it could be a totally psychic phenomena like a
Eregore. It only exists in creatures minds, which is why demons try
so hard to make themselves appealing and get people to do their
bidding, manipulating people to giving it power or fulfilling its
mission. Summoning could also go with a more “New Age” model of
cosmology similar to some New Age Religions- Demons exist as a “lower
vibration” form of being that your psychic energy can elevate to
your plane. Gods and angels exist on a “higher vibration”, all of
which require intense mental effort to have them manifest here.
All Illusion &
Mind-Domination spells are telepathy. Psychic false sensations and
personalities existing only in the mind. This wouldn't work for
semi-real illusions, unless the illusions can do damage by hijacking
the creature's body internally and causing real wounds to rip open,
but at that point you may be overstepping what makes Psychic feel
“Psychic”
Healing works by
tricking a body into going into super regeneration mode, or by
actually influencing life energy. Based on a “vibration” nuAge
model of cosmology, you could also say healing is restoring things to
a platonic ideal or granting positive energy in droves. It could also
just be telepathy based- only masking the pain a person feels and
acting as 'Grit' or abstract Hit Points.
Teleportation
isn't a common power of psychic characters, but could be used as is.
Instant transmission of matter across space, or by 'folding' space.
If you use a psychic otherworld or a magical collective conciseness
connecting all beings, then this could also work but implies that you
can only transport yourself nearby a living being.
Magic items store
psychic energy to perform their effects. Every magic item is psychic
in some minor way, to release and control psychic energy based on a
simple set of instructions. The more powerful an item is, the more
complex and person-like its artificial mind is; hence ego weapons.
Finally- Magic as
Psionics also explains all the ridiculous wild magic, magical
crossbreeds and beasts, and dangerous or cursed magical items and
places. The random thoughts and feelings of a mind could implant
themselves on an item or location, even without psychic powers, and
along with insane or dreaming Wizards could create unforeseen
creations of pure imagination.
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