Is there going to be a Psionics book?

[chibiko]

I've always thought the Microkinesis description to be a little vague, unless it's just me being dim.
I've always thought that having the relevant skill, such as Medic for conducting microsurgery, should be necessary. A psion who doesn't know what they're doing is as likely to kill as cure. Likewise with most other tasks.
IMTU psions lacking the relevant skill get DM-3 to their Microkinesis check.

 

[MasterGwydion]

What is a fruit machine? A vending machine that sells fruit? Or a hydroponic chamber that grows fruit? I have never heard the term before.

 

[Sigtrygg]

I think the colonials call them slot machines.

 

[WHULorigan]

I think the colonials call them slot machines.

In the USA a "slot machine" is the gambling machine where you put in a coin and pull a lever and three wheels with images (often of various fruits) spin around - if they all come up the same image you hit the jackpot and get a mass of coinage falling out of the slot at the bottom.

I have never heard the term "fruit machine" over here across the pond, either. I assume that what I described is what is being referred to?

 

[Tom B]

Actaully we call them puggies after the sound they make. I was trying to think what the generic term was, but yes slot machines. Called fruit machines because they traditionally had pictures of fruit (I assume).

And yes I agree Microkinesis is vague, hence the reason I put in the covering bit about having to study the inner workings in detail to know which bit to manipulate.

 

[Condottiere]

I thought they were all electronic now, using a somewhat biased randomizer programme.

You probably need a hacker.

 

[Tom B]

I thought they were all electronic now, using a somewhat biased randomizer programme.

You probably need a hacker.

True - but perhaps there are some old-school ones on some worlds.

 

[Sigtrygg]

Slot machine, one armed bandit, fruit machine - all terms used in the UK for the same thing.

Slot machine - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

 

[Garran]

I am not trying to cripple psionics. My point about Sanity is that there should be a mechanic that captures the impact of the unexplainable on the human mind. I am not a fan of superhero games (while others may be- this is not a jab). I like the Sanity rules, because they allow for temporary impacts of the mind's resiliency in abnormal situations.

Doesn't each planet have their own cultural norms? Isn't that half the fun of Traveller?

That presumes that psionics are abnormal and inimical. It might be appropriate for WoD or Cthulhu type games but I'd rather not have those takes imposed on everyone else. It'd be an especially jarring disconnect in the case of societies like the droyne or the Zhodani (to name two obvious ones), for whom psionics are perfectly normal and even unremarkable.

That aside, I've never like sanity-as-a-stat mechanics, and I definitely don't want that becoming a core component of the system.

 

[MasterGwydion]

That presumes that psionics are abnormal and inimical. It might be appropriate for WoD or Cthulhu type games but I'd rather not have those takes imposed on everyone else. It'd be an especially jarring disconnect in the case of societies like the droyne or the Zhodani (to name two obvious ones), for whom psionics are perfectly normal and even unremarkable.

That aside, I've never like sanity-as-a-stat mechanics, and I definitely don't want that becoming a core component of the system.

I would say that it is not Psionics themselves that are inimical. It is how they are used. A human connecting to a human mind? No worries, with the possible exception of if they are "suffering" from some mental illness or altered mental state. Connecting to an alien intelligence or other vastly different mental framework? Then I can clearly see some kind of Sanity rules coming into play. Attacking someone else's mind and damaging it in such as way to cause some form of psychosis? Also, yes.

So for Me it feels like a yes and no on the Sanity Rules. No in general, but yes in certain situations.

 

[ProfGrizzlyJon]

Another psionic thing I've just been thinking about is using psionics in a casino.

Casinos will always be on the alert for psionic individuals cheating. Casinos will use psi-detectors on those they suspect of using psi abilities, i.e. anyone who wins big and possibly their companions. The biggest risk to casinos is teams of psions working with a few non-psionic players. The psionic players affect the game allowing the non-psionic players to win. Then when the winners are tested, they come out negative.

High level poker games and the like will be conducted in psion-proofed rooms.

Obvious use of telekinesis to affect dice rolls or roulette wheels can be noticed.

The following psionic abilities can be used to affect the outcome of a game.

Mind-link:​

Used by a psionic individual to tell another psionic character what another player’s cards are. Of course the first individual needs to discover what the cards are first.

Read Surface Thoughts​

Used by a psionic player to discover another player’s cards.

Suggestion​

E.g. telling another player, perhaps you should fold!

Clairvoyance / Clairsentience​

Seeing cards at a distance.

Telekinesis​

Affecting the roll of some dice or perhaps a game of roulette. Some ideas:

A die can be changed by the effect of the psi-check plus 1. So with an effect of zero a roll of 5 and 3 in a game of craps could be changed to a 5 and 2.

A roulette ball can be changed from red to black, odd to even with a successful check. It can be changed from 1-12 to 13-18 etc, with an effect of 1. An effect of 4 or higher allows the psionic individual to choose a specific number.

Microkinesis​

Can be used to affect fruit machines. The inner-workings of the specific machine must be studied in depth before this is possible.

Inspiration​

Could be used in games like poker to read another player.

Regeneration, Fortitude & Teleport​

Useful when the casino heavies catch you and decide you could do with a beating.

Control (Zhodani)​

Affecting fruit machines, similar to Microkinesis, but easier.

Others​

Of course if a psionic Traveller should ever learn precognition, then all bets are on!

Read Walter John Williams’ book Angel Station for a really great depiction of psionics in a Casino. Joan D. Vinge’s Catspaw series also has some great material.

 

[ProfGrizzlyJon]

That presumes that psionics are abnormal and inimical. It might be appropriate for WoD or Cthulhu type games but I'd rather not have those takes imposed on everyone else. It'd be an especially jarring disconnect in the case of societies like the droyne or the Zhodani (to name two obvious ones), for whom psionics are perfectly normal and even unremarkable.

That aside, I've never like sanity-as-a-stat mechanics, and I definitely don't want that becoming a core component of the system.

I am not saying the psi, by its nature, causes problems. However, when exposed to traumatic happenings (psi terror) or between alien minds (Human and Droyne, or sophont and animal) or when “things go bump in the jump” or when dealing with artificial intelligences (who are insane by nature), or when dealing with Security Software when connected directly to a neural link or the like…. the Sanity stat works and works well.

 

[CordwainerFish]

I've read more than one story where a psion goes to a casino and gets 86ed for no other reason than that they're winning too much. (Ass-kicking in the back room optional.)