[net.games.frp] New AD&D Character Class

lute@abnjh.UUCP (J. Collymore) (11/04/83)

			ATTENTION ALL AD&D PLAYERS

Well, they've finally done it!  Created a character class that is a real
challenge, and that will force DM's to start using all those neglected
psionic monsters in the Monster Manual.  I am referring to the new
character class called the PSIONICIST, described in thorough detail in
issue #78 of DRAGON magazine.

This character is a psionics specialist, he/she is allowed no armor, but
decent hit dice and weapons (for survivability).  Acquisition of psi
strength and powers are laid out in a logical fashion.  Also, NEW psi
powers are offered in addition to those in the Player's Handbook.

Almost all of the new powers are based on those of the DERYNI Race.  The
Deryni are the major chacters in Katherine Kurtz's two trilogies:


	Camber of Culdi		High Deryni
	Saint Camber		Deryni Checkmate
	Camber the Heretic	Deryni Rising


Although there are two following articles in Dragon #78 describing the
Deryni, and introducing them as a new NPC, along with descriptions of some
of the Deryni heros and villains in the books; I would strongly recommend
that you read the books first to get a better appreciation for the Deryni
character.  You should probably start with the Camber series.

To give you a little background, the Deryni are a race that although they
look human are genetically different in that they are all born with
psionics.  Usually only those of the nobility or clergy have the opportunity
to be properly trained in the use of there various powers.  A sub-group of
the Deryni (a rare few) are gifted from birth with the additional power of
healing.  They must go to special secular or monastic schools to be trained
how to use their healing ability.  Use of their ability uses up psi strength
points and can be draining, but can be renewed by proper meditation.  
Healers are highly regarded in ALL circles and where bright green cloaks to
show there status.  They also have the ability to know potions, and by sight
or smell know if a potion is a healing one or not.  Also, there are certain
potions that will work on only humans, others, only on Deryni.  The most
fearsome of these is MERASHA; a drug that forces a Deryni to drop his
mental shields, makes him totally stuporous and sick for 4-12 hours 
(depending on the dosage).

All in all, there is now a whole new world of opportunities for the DM and 
player to start using those most awesome powers of all...PSIONICS!

I strongly recommend that you check out this issue of Dragon magazine to get
more details on these new Characters and NPCs.



					Jim Collymore

argo@hou2a.UUCP (11/06/83)

  I don't know, maybe the author of this article skimmed over the article.
The psionicist was presented as an NPC, please keep it that way!!!!!!!
  I have run into great deals of trouble when people try to use the Dragon
NPC's as character classes.  I can hear the cries already that the DM should
compensate for their power and be ready to handle it...  It may interest you
to know that I object to them most strongly when I am playing.  I am currently
in a cmapaign that allows dragon NPC's as character classes, and of 5 people,
4 are dragon classes.  We have an anti-paladin(myself), an archer-ranger,
and two ninjas running around beside a druid.  I was forced into this class
because I happen to be very competitive, and I couldn't compete against
some of the dragon classes within the confines of the rules.
  That brings me to my major objective, these people are powerful.  NPC's
in dragon, with a few exceptions are very different from the AD&D norm.
There is no precedent for the psionicist.  Psionics are very rare, and the
player is supposed to roll for them and always have a slim chance of obtaining
them.  However, if you allow a player to choose psionicist, he autamaticall
has psionics.  Even NPC's will tend to show up more frequently with psionics
if you allow the psionicist.  I don't happen to approve of using NPC's even
as such, an NPC should only be able to do what a player can do.
 This may seem a bit outraged, because it is.  I am always upset when people
try to take a very good role playing system like AD&D and add things so their
characters can be more godlike.  I happen to think AD&D is one of the best
games on the market, but also one of the most corrupted, in hack and slash
and Monty Haul campaigns.  
						Andrew Garrett

robison@eosp1.UUCP (11/07/83)

The new Dragon magazine, on the whole, recommended very minor
bandaid changes to the AD&D concept of psionics.  Overall,
AD&D psionics is terrible.  It is laborious to handle, and there is
no good continuum of psionic monsters to handle.  (Just very weak
ones and very strong ones.)  The new PSIONICIST class makes a laborious
process yet more complicated, though more interesting.  How about a
complete revamping of this peculiar aspect of the game, and a new approach
that doesn't slow things down (and create ambiguous rules) so much?

				- Keremath,  care of:
				  Robison
			          decvax!ittvax!eosp1
				  or:   allegra!eosp1