govermental views on psionics

[Kedrith]

Are there any "official" views on non-Imperial/non-Zhodani governmental views the use, training and goods for psionics?

I am working up a Traveller campaign set in the spinward marches of the third imperium and here is are my current working assumptions, admittedly jaded by my original Traveller campaign I ran back in the early 80's

Imperial view: Officially the use of psionic powers, training of psionic powers, and drugs and materials to benifit the use of psionics is illegal. Unofficially there is Imperial research into the use of psionics and probobly some "black project" psionic "units" for military and intellegence gathering.

Zhodani: Very straight forward testing of all for psionic powers and upward social movement possible based soley upon individual proficiency in psionics.

Darrian: I have no clue but I am leading toward a somewhat more laissez-faire policy towards psionics than thier Imperial allies. I imagine that the Darrian laws do not make it illegal to develop or use psionic powers but that the use of them in a crime is an "aggravating circumstance".

Sword Worlders: I have no clue. They are allied with the Zhodani but I dont see a clear linkage to similar views on the use of psionics.

I have no idea on the various "Alien" viewpoints on the issue.

I look forward to your replies and opinions.

 

[locarno24]

Can only speak for Zhodani and Imperial perspectives but that's correct as I understand it.

The Imperium definitely has access to psionics every bit as capable and politically influential as the Zhodani, they just legally speaking do not exist.

One of the interrogators in Secrets of the Ancients part 8 is such an individual, thanks to a combination of 7 ranks worth of psionics talents, PSI 15 and a pretty much unlimited Imperial Warrant.

Zhodani upward social movement isn't soley based on psionic potential, but you can't progress beyond a very basic level without it, and the higher the level you reach, the more you're expected to be able to protect the (increasingly important) information in your head, hence the more competent a psionc you're expected to be.

 

[alex_greene]

On the other side of the Imperium, of course, you have the Hivers - who are totally immune to telepathy. They neither possess psionics, nor can be affected by Telepathy at all.

Don't know about the K'Kree, or indeed the Solomani; I could surmise that the more supremacist factions among the Solomani might have the same attitude towards psionics that the more fascist norms have towards mutants in the X-Men comic book: as some sort of corruption of their genetic purity, abominations to be put down on sight yadda yadda.

 

[Elrick]

I've been reading up on K'Kree for a campaign I'm planning. According to the Classic Traveller alien module, psionics are not illegal in K'Kree scoiety but because they are contrary to tradition the only K'Kree who pursue psionic training are those whose place in society is to conduct research - and then obviously only with the permission of their superiors. Because it isn't illegal research facilities will be quite open and above board, but probably not very common.

 

[RichardP]

Yes, 2 of the original psionic insitutes were not closed down and moved under the Imperial Navy. One in the marches, and one on Terra on the solomanii rim.

The solomani have the same potential for psionics as Imperials, but they are far away from the best source of psionic info i.e. the zho's and they were still part of the 3I during the psionic supressions, so they have the same anti-psionic laws / culture as the 3I.

Can't remember about the Vargr and the aslan

cheers
Richard

 

[Jeraa]

From Mongooses Alien Module 1:

ASLAN AND PSIONICS
Psionic ability is virtually unheard-of among the Aslan and there is some doubt as to whether or not the race is naturally psionic. The few known cases of Aslan possessing such abilities are all shrouded in either mysticism or can be attributed to genetic manipulation or alien technology. Aslan Player Characters may not possess any psionic ability at the start of the game.

There is mention of a psionics-heavy clan later in the book.

This minor clan was a unique aberration in Aslan society. Psionics are virtually unknown to the Aslan outside their myths and legends; there are no psionic foundations or traditions in the Hierate and the Aslan have no concept of psionics as a science. There is considerable debate as to whether or not the Aslan race even possesses the genetic or mental capacity for psionics.

The Khoafteirftah clan, though, are said to have vast psionic powers. They were always on the fringe of Aslan space with few close allies and their own mysterious traditions, so the truth of the matter is hard to determine. The Khoafteirftah may have been able to use genetic engineering to add psionic capabilities to their line or may have found an Ancient mental enhancement device or perhaps they unlocked some dormant power in the Aslan mind.

Whatever they found, it died with them when a Syoisuis fleet turned their territories into molten glass.

 

[Jeraa]

As for Vargr, from ALien Module 2:

Although Vargr have the same psionic potential as humans, the primary factor holding back the wide ranging use of psionics amongst the Vargr is the lack or organised research and training facilities. As a result of this, Vargr psions are uncommon in the Extents.

Vargr attitudes towards psionics vary from place to place – many worlds are indifferent but some governments have outlawed the use of psionics, some encourage it and to other cultures such abilities are blasphemous.

There are also 3 Vargr subspecies withe the Notable Psionic Strength trait (ranging from +1 to +4 to their psionic strength score.)

 

[Nuclear Fridge Magnet]

The Imperium does indeed have a 'Psi Corps' that isn't acknowledged, referred to in official documents, or even spoken about. The Operative in the movie Serenity is a similar case:

"You've got maximum security clearance... but there's no name listed?"
"Of course. I have no name, because -- like this facility -- I don't exist."

The inference being that if you do merit the attentions of one of the Imperium's psionic inquisitors, you're in serious trouble... and no-one will ever know what became of you. Individual rights mean nothing if you're even suspected of collusion with the Zhodani... or meddling with Ancients technology. :shock:

As far as the Darrians go, they have got psionics training and knowledge, in a very limited capacity. Their psions are deployed in a counter-intelligence capacity against the Zhodani, who really want to learn the truth about the Darrians' Star Trigger technology. So far, they've been able to hold off the telepathic probes, but it just takes one slip... :twisted:

 

[alex_greene]

So far, they've been able to hold off the telepathic probes, but it just takes one slip... :twisted:

And nine months later, there's a blessed event in the family?

It's possible that the sort of psion agents described could be involved in that long, slow cold war at the end of Secrets Of The Agents. They would most likely be involved in plots like Tripwire, or that adventure in one of the JTAS where people on Regina were being replaced by lifelike robots.

I'm reminded of "Agents of Vega" by James H Schmitz.

 

[torus]

Does the Solomani aliens book discuss this? Haven't read it yet. Seems to me they are just as likely to regard Psionics as yet more evidence of the superior capabilities of the human species, and also to be symapthetic to the Zhodani as fellow enemies of the Imperium.

 

[Nuclear Fridge Magnet]

Does the Solomani aliens book discuss this? Haven't read it yet. Seems to me they are just as likely to regard Psionics as yet more evidence of the superior capabilities of the human species, and also to be symapthetic to the Zhodani as fellow enemies of the Imperium.

Maybe they would... but it's a long, long trip to the Zhodani Consulate to compare notes on how to topple the hated Imperium!

 

[torus]

Does the Solomani aliens book discuss this? Haven't read it yet. Seems to me they are just as likely to regard Psionics as yet more evidence of the superior capabilities of the human species, and also to be symapthetic to the Zhodani as fellow enemies of the Imperium.

Maybe they would... but it's a long, long trip to the Zhodani Consulate to compare notes on how to topple the hated Imperium!

Not neccessarily impossible though. From Avalon in Reavers Deep to the Zhodani systems in Cronor subsector is about 160 pc - that's doable in 10 months or so at Jump-4. Diplomatic missions have frequently been undertaken on that timescale in the past on Earth. Perhaps, with some imagination, there's a campaign plot there: a mission from the Rim to the Zhodani (with the PCs as emissaries themselves or as protection) to explore common interests? The Sol agents would have to be psions of course.. and it would mean travelling through Imperial space.