| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| Mournblade |
Posted - 25 Apr 2003 : 07:56:32
Pick up this months issue of SCIENTIFIC AMERICAN. IT is incredible. It talks about the quantum science of Parrallel universes (A concept I have always used), and that is the basis for many sci fi novels.
ALSO there was an article on Tasting Shapes, hearing color, and seeing sound, which is a concept illustrated in both the Complete Psioniscist 2e, and the Psionics Handbook 3e. Real interesting information there, that for me anyway offered me insite into running psionics.
But how do you all feel about running your campaign as a multi-verse? Some DM's Hate it but I have been using the concept as long as I have been playing D&D.
IS there a place for Psionics in the Forgotten Realms? After reading the Scientific American, I kind of got an interest rekindled in psionics. DO any of you use Psionics in the FR?
|
| 11 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| Mournblade |
Posted - 26 Apr 2003 : 08:28:18
I wonder with the Wormholes and Singularities if it is possible to land in one of the level IV's. I have not yet read the book I wanted to on Wormholes (I can't remember the name) but I shall have to look for it after I read Windwalker.
You guys are definitely starting to convince me that I should leave psionics to professor X and Jean Grey.
I was going to change Psionics to be non magical but than I read the balance factors in the book. SO I MIGHT just make psionics possible for Mindflayers and Intellect Devourers. I will have them use true, non-weave psionics, which of course will make them much deadlier. But just using it for SPECIFIC monsters should not throw off too much. Illithids should be deadly anyway.
I remember in 2e, I had an INtellect Devourer use Ego Whip on the high level fighter. The party was subdued completely because of this. It can be very unbalancing.
|
| branmakmuffin |
Posted - 25 Apr 2003 : 23:30:44
mournblade94:
quote:
Well for someone like me... Well I have to get excitement SOMEHOW...
That's what RPGs are for. 
Edain Shadowstar:
quote:
I find the fact Psionics is part of the Weave rather annoying. It sorta cheapens the uniquness of it in some ways...but amybe thats just me.
Yeah, that makes them just another kind of magic. I do like psionics in general, but maybe that's why I don't so much in fantasy games. There's already loads of magic in fantasy RPGs, so what's the big deal if there's another kind? In modern and sci fi RPGs, psionics are often the only kind of "magic", thus making them more special. |
| Bookwyrm |
Posted - 25 Apr 2003 : 23:27:03
Hey, remember, it's Geeks 'R' Us here! All we're missing are our pocket protectors and buck teeth.
And Mournblade, remember the model. You can't "land" in another universe under this theory. You have to physically travel to it. This theory says that there are no barriors between them (unless you're talking about Type IIIs, which are on the quantum level, and coexist at all points).
Actually, it's quite similar to a theory in the late 13th century Europe. With the Condemnation of 1277 (issued by a bishop in France, I think, condemning any and all ideas that place limits on the power of God -- after all, if He's not omnipotent, He ain't God) it was now conceivable that God might have created other worlds out there. These would exist "beyond the sphere of the fixed stars."
Boy, that sounds familiar, doesn't it . . . . |
| Edain Shadowstar |
Posted - 25 Apr 2003 : 22:57:57
I find the fact Psionics is part of the Weave rather annoying. It sorta cheapens the uniquness of it in some ways...but amybe thats just me.
As for the parallel universe things, very interesting. Sounds like I'll have to pick it up. |
| Mournblade |
Posted - 25 Apr 2003 : 21:53:35
Well for someone like me... Well I have to get excitement SOMEHOW...
1st edition psionics was a PERFECT example of what BRan said in an earlier post about the arbitrariness of the D&D system. It was just tacked on, and really interupted the feel. I think they did a better job with 2nd ed, and I used Psionics in some later campaigns, but I am still on the fence with 3e. |
| branmakmuffin |
Posted - 25 Apr 2003 : 19:13:39
mournblade94:
quote:
Pick up this months issue of SCIENTIFIC AMERICAN. IT is incredible. It talks about the quantum science of Parrallel universes (A concept I have always used), and that is the basis for many sci fi novels.
ALSO there was an article on Tasting Shapes, hearing color, and seeing sound, which is a concept illustrated in both the Complete Psioniscist 2e, and the Psionics Handbook 3e. Real interesting information there, that for me anyway offered me insite into running psionics.
But how do you all feel about running your campaign as a multi-verse? Some DM's Hate it but I have been using the concept as long as I have been playing D&D.
IS there a place for Psionics in the Forgotten Realms? After reading the Scientific American, I kind of got an interest rekindled in psionics. DO any of you use Psionics in the FR?
Oh, you are just way too geeky for words, Prof. Mournblade.
I use alternate realities, alternate timelines, dream travel and stuff like that in all my games. Not to mention gravitons in my sci fi games. A friend of mine who has an M.S. in physics hates that.
I like psionics in general, but the old 1e AD&D psionics soured me on (A)D&D psionics. I know (A)D&D psionics has changed a lot since then, but it's hard to overcome deeply ingrained prejudices. |
| Mournblade |
Posted - 25 Apr 2003 : 17:50:59
Why? Because all these universes exist in the same space as we do. Weird, huh? But that means that you can no longer have a transporter accident and end up in the United Empire of Planets.
Hmmmmm.... I know level one and two universes are existing in the same space, but remember with the alternate laws of Level IV I think it would be very possible to land in a sort of Galactic Empire. I imagine the Lavel IV is the actually the farthest removed.
|
| Hymn |
Posted - 25 Apr 2003 : 16:18:16
[quote]Originally posted by Bookwyrm
Yes, I mentioned the cover story elsewhere on here, as a thing to top the idea of a circular temporal paradox. (If you receive something from a stranger, then find out later that it's actually you who did it through time travel, and so you give the item to your younger self
A note on this; That actually happens in a book by Peter F Hamilton, Fallen Dragon, alas it’s Sci Fi. But still very readable.
I have only used the concept: that all time exist at the same time you just have to be in the right universe. Theres no history or future only present. |
| kahonen |
Posted - 25 Apr 2003 : 12:21:19
quote:
Originally posted by mournblade94
IS there a place for Psionics in the Forgotten Realms? After reading the Scientific American, I kind of got an interest rekindled in psionics. DO any of you use Psionics in the FR?
Two of the players in my current campaign are wild talents. I'd never used psionics up to this point but it works very well and adds a whole new dimension to the game. I'll certainly be introducing more in the future. |
| Bookwyrm |
Posted - 25 Apr 2003 : 09:10:56
Yes, I mentioned the cover story elsewhere on here, as a thing to top the idea of a circular temporal paradox. (If you receive something from a stranger, then find out later that it's actually you who did it through time travel, and so you give the item to your younger self . . . where did the item originally come form?)
Being the astute person I know you are, you've probably noticed I mentioned (in at least two spots) that my character here is actually from "another type-IV mutliverse." For those who don't read this magazine, that's where I got it. (A Type-IV is one where physical laws are different -- thus, magic can exist in a place like that.)
However, I have to say that the basic mathematical model this article is based on (due to recent messurements that show we are not, in fact, living in a closed universe) actually ruins a whole area of science fiction. My favorite, in fact -- what I call the transfer science fiction/fantasy. Someone from our universe going to another.
Why? Because all these universes exist in the same space as we do. Weird, huh? But that means that you can no longer have a transporter accident and end up in the United Empire of Planets.
A major bummer for a writer like me, let me tell you.
Still, the fantasy version can still hold out for at least a little while. After all, what is magic but an excercise in the scientifically impossible? |
| The Sage |
Posted - 25 Apr 2003 : 09:04:10
Greetings,
mournblade94 said -
quote:
Pick up this months issue of SCIENTIFIC AMERICAN. IT is incredible. It talks about the quantum science of Parrallel universes (A concept I have always used), and that is the basis for many sci fi novels.
ALSO there was an article on Tasting Shapes, hearing color, and seeing sound, which is a concept illustrated in both the Complete Psioniscist 2e, and the Psionics Handbook 3e. Real interesting information there, that for me anyway offered me insite into running psionics.
But how do you all feel about running your campaign as a multi-verse? Some DM's Hate it but I have been using the concept as long as I have been playing D&D.
IS there a place for Psionics in the Forgotten Realms? After reading the Scientific American, I kind of got an interest rekindled in psionics. DO any of you use Psionics in the FR?
I only just finished reading this article, I so enjoy reading about the theory of parallel universes, the potential of quantum science never ceases to amaze me.
As for running an FR campaign as a multiverse - well, I am a huge Planescape fan, in fact along with FR, and DL, Planescape is one of my favorite settings. Anyway, a huge part of Planescape revolves around the multiverse and adventures about journeys through the multiverse, so when it comes to FR and the multiverse, well that is a campaign I have run several times, in fact I always try to add a little plane and universe hoping into my FR campaigns, it's fun.
Psionics has been one of my most favorite aspects of D&D. However I try not to overuse the systems as it sometimes tends to disturb my players, some of whom are no-psionics-in-campaign types. I do however try to use psionics whereever I can in a FR campaign. In fact the last campaign I ran which took place in the Underdark, was also the first time I had used the psionics system in the Underdark.
I sometimes find Science magazine in general are a treasure trove for useful fantasy and sci-fi campaign tidbits, just waiting to be exploited.
Good learning...
- The Sage of Perth: For all your Realms lore needs
|
|
|
