Psions

Psions

Psions are a mutated form of human. They are identical in size and identical in appearance with one small exception with normal humans. The only difference in appearance is the presence of gold colored 6 inch long tendrils located on the upper front portion of their skull. These tendrils may be extended upright or may lie flat against the skull at will. If damaged these tendrils will grow back in 3 to 6 months. Psionic strength is at half strength if the are missing or severely damaged. The tendrils act as antennae which along with a specially adapted portion of their brain enables a normal psion to perform psi functions. All normal psions have a basic abilities similar to the mystical skill psionics as a natural ability with the psionic disciplines of ESP and Telepathy. However, only by choosing the mystical skill psionics, at the initial cost of 10 character points, will the psions learn to control and fine tune his psionic abilities beyond a rudimentary level.

During physical combat psions will flatten their tendrils against their scalp to help protect them from damage. But they will not, except when unwillingly forced to do so, wear a helm, helmet, hat, or other head covering unless it has been modified to allow their tendrils to be extended.

Because of their formidable mental powers, psions have a 90% resistance to sleep, charm, and feeblemind spells plus 1% for each rank of psionics above first. Psions, because of their telepathic ability, are able to quickly learn new languages directly from the mind of someone else, including secret languages or monster languages provided that he has had sufficient contact with an individual speaking that language. Initially psions speak Common, and three other languages learned in childhood.

Psions have a very high racial intelligence and value intelligence above all else. Psions with an intelligence of 2 or less are generally shunned due to their obvious mental deficiencies.

Psions and humans have a mutual hatred for each other and only rare individuals will associate with a member of the opposite race. Psions view humans as a dead-end race of anthropoids whose purpose for existence was served by evolving into psions. Humans view psions as repulsive freaks with delusions of grandeur. Otherwise psions are not racially biased. Intelligent individuals of any race are acceptable company, but look down on beings of normal intelligence. They are antipathic toward beings of sub-normal intelligence, and often have a strong hatred of particularly stupid individuals.

Psions may take up any class as a profession and may come from almost any type of background. Due to racial characteristics, psions are not religious, and never become priests or subscribe to a religious order. Psions gain an initial bonus of +2 to intelligence, maximum 5. Psions suffer a -2 penalty to their initial charisma roll, minimum 0. They are often considered rude and arrogant by other races. This is partially a result of the telepathic and extrasensory aspects of their culture, in which social amenities and graces have developed differently.