Steve Jackson Games Forums - View Single Post - [Psionics] Pulp Psi-Phi

Prince Charon · 12-23-2015, 02:52 PM

Psi Drugs

Unless otherwise noted, these drugs require no attunement, instead affecting the target's psi powers by modifying the brain's biochemistry.

Blocker (Psi-Tech p33) is available in refined form, as of 1928.

Blue Fire (p33) is available as an herbal preparation from Japan, Korea, and eastern China ('blue fire' is a translation of the Japanese name, 'aoikasai'), but is only known as a deadly poison - if anyone is aware of its effect on psi abilities, they aren't talking.

Brainstorm (p33) is available as an alchemic preparation, usually in drinkable form, but takes 1d*5 minutes to take effect, and requires the user to fail a HT-2 roll. As usual, duration does not start until the effect begins.

Neurovine (p33) was patented in 1931, and is known to be an antidote for Blue Fire, among other poisons. Cost is $150/dose.

Psi-Boosters (p34) are found in a variety of forms, both alchemic and herbal, but must be attuned to the ability they are designed to induce, or anchor an astral entity with that ability (they are charms or single-use psychographs, in other words). Those who take Psi Boosters for the same ability multiple times may eventually gain that ability, as the elixir trains the mind for it. Normally found as incense, tea, or powder.

Shatter (p34) is available in hypo form only, and was refined in 1929. As everyone is a latent, it is not useful in detecting psis. Being new and fairly expensive, few police departments have access to it, though the FBI does. Cost is $90/dose.

Trance (p35) is available as a wide range of herbal and alchemic preparations, with varying abilities and prices. Traditionally, it was most often taken in the form of incense or tea, though nowadays you can put it in your pipe and smoke it (or roll it into a cigarette).

Window (p35) is available as an alchemic preparation, though several companies claim they'll have a refined version Real Soon, Now. Quality is somewhat variable. Available as a powder or potion.

Genetics of Psi

While genetic engineering is currently unknown, eugenics is not only known, but quite popular (prizes were given for the most 'scientific' or 'eugenic' baby at some state fairs, for example). While still too early to tell, attempts to breed more Talented psis are being made all over the world, but particularly in Germany and America.

Cloning is not yet possible, and neither are the Proteus Virus or Null Virus (indeed, they might never be possible).

Psibernetics and Surgery

Brain-tissue grafts are being experimented with, mostly on people who aren't part of the 'favored' race locally, but rarely have much, if any, effect on psi abilities. Most work is being done in Japan and the United States.

Drones are rumoured to exist, but there is no proof as yet.

Psiborgs do not exist at this time, but there are many rumours about them, and a sufficiently skilled psychographer or astral binder may be able to create them.

So, thoughts?

12-23-2015, 02:52 PM	#22
Prince Charon Join Date: Dec 2012	Re: [Psionics] Pulp Psi-Phi Psi Drugs Unless otherwise noted, these drugs require no attunement, instead affecting the target's psi powers by modifying the brain's biochemistry. Blocker (Psi-Tech p33) is available in refined form, as of 1928. Blue Fire (p33) is available as an herbal preparation from Japan, Korea, and eastern China ('blue fire' is a translation of the Japanese name, 'aoikasai'), but is only known as a deadly poison - if anyone is aware of its effect on psi abilities, they aren't talking. Brainstorm (p33) is available as an alchemic preparation, usually in drinkable form, but takes 1d5 minutes to take effect, and requires the user to fail* a HT-2 roll. As usual, duration does not start until the effect begins. Neurovine (p33) was patented in 1931, and is known to be an antidote for Blue Fire, among other poisons. Cost is $150/dose. Psi-Boosters (p34) are found in a variety of forms, both alchemic and herbal, but must be attuned to the ability they are designed to induce, or anchor an astral entity with that ability (they are charms or single-use psychographs, in other words). Those who take Psi Boosters for the same ability multiple times may eventually gain that ability, as the elixir trains the mind for it. Normally found as incense, tea, or powder. Shatter (p34) is available in hypo form only, and was refined in 1929. As everyone is a latent, it is not useful in detecting psis. Being new and fairly expensive, few police departments have access to it, though the FBI does. Cost is $90/dose. Trance (p35) is available as a wide range of herbal and alchemic preparations, with varying abilities and prices. Traditionally, it was most often taken in the form of incense or tea, though nowadays you can put it in your pipe and smoke it (or roll it into a cigarette). Window (p35) is available as an alchemic preparation, though several companies claim they'll have a refined version Real Soon, Now. Quality is somewhat variable. Available as a powder or potion. Genetics of Psi While genetic engineering is currently unknown, eugenics is not only known, but quite popular (prizes were given for the most 'scientific' or 'eugenic' baby at some state fairs, for example). While still too early to tell, attempts to breed more Talented psis are being made all over the world, but particularly in Germany and America. Cloning is not yet possible, and neither are the Proteus Virus or Null Virus (indeed, they might never be possible). Psibernetics and Surgery Brain-tissue grafts are being experimented with, mostly on people who aren't part of the 'favored' race locally, but rarely have much, if any, effect on psi abilities. Most work is being done in Japan and the United States. Drones are rumoured to exist, but there is no proof as yet. Psiborgs do not exist at this time, but there are many rumours about them, and a sufficiently skilled psychographer or astral binder may be able to create them. So, thoughts? __________________ Warning, I have the Distractible and Imaginative quirks in real life. "The more corrupt a government, the more it legislates." -- Tacitus Five Earths, All in a Row. Updated 12/17/2022: Apocrypha: Bridges out of Time, Part I has been posted.