Psionic powers are paranormal abilities also known as Extra Sensory Perception (ESP). All psionic abilities seem to come from the mind/brain of the psychic and are channeled through mental concentration and willpower. Powers of the mind include telepathy, empathy, clairvoyance, telekinesis and many others. They are hereditary traits shared by humans and many intelligent races. Humans and human-like races (elves, dwarves, vampires,etc.) are either born with active psionic abilities or not. Many supernatural creatures and monsters have greatly developed psionic abilities. Among those blessed with incredible psychic powers are the Mind Mage, Mystic and Psychic Sensitive.
Who Has Psionic Powers:
All Psychic Character Classes, like the Mind Mage, automatically get psionic abilities. While the psychic is strong with psi-powers, he is limited in skill developement. Other characters may possess major or minor psionic abilities. Note that there are a handful of races whose genetic makeup does not allow them to possess psi-powers. These include the hob-goblin, orc, troll, troglodyte and gnome, as well as other nonhuman races and even some supernatural and mystical beings. Each racial description will indicate whether that race exhibits psychic abilities or not.
Inner Strength Points:
Every use of psionic ability temporarily uses up a certain amount of psychic energy we call Inner Strength Points (ISP). Each specific psionic power will indicate exactly how many ISP are required to perform that ability. When a psionic has exhausted all of his ISP, he is unable to perform any more psionic feats untill he acquires sufficient rest.
Meditation & Recovery of Inner Strength Points:
Meditation is a skill/ability automatically known to all psychics. It is the only ability that can be done at any time and costs no ISP to perform. Meditation is not so much a psi-power as it is a mental discipline that enables the psychic to concentrate deeply and focus one's abilities and thoughts. The exact techniques for meditation may vary from focusing on a mental object or notion to chanting or humming a mantra. The result, regardless of technique, is a deep relaxation and focus to achieve insight and harmony into one's self and the world around him.
A relaxing meditative state also offers the following benefits to all psionics: 10 minutes of meditation restores six (6) ISP and is equivalent to one hour of sleep/rest for the physical body. ISP is also restored during sleep and/or total relaxation at a rate of four (4) ISP each hour.
Defense Against Psionic Attacks:
Psionic attacks which assail the mind, emotions or physiology of a person can always be fought off through the force of one's own will and mental endurance. Psionic attacks that fall into this category include empathy, empathetic transmission, mind wipe, telepathy, hypnotic suggestion and bio-manipulation. Some psionic attacks for which there is no defense include levitation, pyrokinesis, telekinesis, presence sense, healing touch, force field and mind bolt. However, a dodge may be appropriate in some cases, like dodging a mind bolt or telekinetic attack.
The Influence of Ley Lines:
Range and Duration are increased by half when near a ley line (within 2 miles) and doubled when within 1 mile of a nexus point.