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