[Psionics] [Space] Psi Trek - Worldbuilding - Page 43

Vikingv · 07-17-2020, 08:40 AM

2. Shapeshifting species exist, but cellular metamorphosis as a learnable ability does not.

TGLS · 07-17-2020, 10:40 AM

7) (Effectively a special case of 1 or 2) There are multiple types of shapeshifters, but they rarely congregate into groups and are effectively unique. The Dominion could exist as canon, but it's too far away to count.

Emerald Cat · 07-18-2020, 10:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Prince Charon

Do [shapeshifters] exist in the Psi Trek setting[?]

My preference is option 2: Shapeshifting species exist, but cellular metamorphosis as a learnable ability does not.

Cellular metamorphosis as a learnable ability just breaks my suspension of disbelief too much.

Prince Charon · 07-19-2020, 03:05 PM

I think I see a consensus forming, and it's one that I'm fine with. I mean, 'Whom Gods Destroy' was an interesting episode, but it was really more 'fantasy set in the future' than 'science fiction,' more-so than average for 1960s TV SF.

So, unless there are a lot more votes in another direction before I have another question ready, the answer is '2. Shapeshifting species exist, but cellular metamorphosis as a learnable ability does not.'

Prince Charon · 07-20-2020, 09:16 AM

There was some interest in the Tholians when I was asking for new ideas, so I'm preparing some questions on them. Here's one:

Tholians question I

How varied are the Tholians mentally from one another?

1. The Tholian race is a single, telepathic hivemind with effectively-unlimited range.

2. The Tholian race form a number of telepathic hiveminds with limited range.

3. The Tholian race form a number of non-telepathic (probably radio-based) hiveminds with limited range.

4. Tholians are individuals, but they are born with many of the memories of their parents and ancestors, leading to a great deal of mental conformity.

5. Tholians are individuals.

6. Something else (please specify).

Please include the number of your preferred option when you vote.

Note that if 2 or 3 wins, we will need a few more votes, to determine how individual Tholians interact with their hiveminds (like, are they permanently part of the same hive, or can they be exchanged, how big is a hive, how are new hives created, et cetra).

TGLS · 07-20-2020, 10:34 AM

I'll go with 4.

ericthered · 07-20-2020, 11:25 AM

I think 2 or 3 is the strongest option. I'm not sure which. We need a hive mind, but rival hive-minds are the most interesting.

As an additional option, different hive minds with unlimited range would also be interesting. I'm not sure if I actually favor that over 2 or 3.

Vikingv · 07-20-2020, 01:10 PM

2. The Tholian race form a number of telepathic hiveminds with limited range.

Phantasm · 07-20-2020, 03:38 PM

2 or 3 are my preferred votes, in that order.

Prince Charon · 07-23-2020, 12:20 PM

OK, the consensus seems to be leaning toward 2, so I guess we'll go with that. Next question:

Tholians question II

Can individual Tholians move from one hivemind to another?

1. Tholians are born to a hive, and remain part of it for their entire lives.

2. Tholians are born to a hive, and only change hives under extreme or unusual circumstances.

3. Individual Tholians regularly change hives, delivering information and skills between different groupminds, or allowing more efficient sharing of resources, but the hives themselves remain relatively stable.

4. Hiveminds are formed and broken up quite regularly

5. Something else (please specify).

Please include the number of your preferred option when you vote.

07-17-2020, 08:40 AM	#421
Vikingv Join Date: May 2020	Re: [Psionics] [Space] Psi Trek - Worldbuilding 2. Shapeshifting species exist, but cellular metamorphosis as a learnable ability does not. __________________ I own and use 3e rules. I am not versed in 4e rules

07-17-2020, 10:40 AM	#422
TGLS Join Date: Jan 2014	Re: [Psionics] [Space] Psi Trek - Worldbuilding 7) (Effectively a special case of 1 or 2) There are multiple types of shapeshifters, but they rarely congregate into groups and are effectively unique. The Dominion could exist as canon, but it's too far away to count.

07-19-2020, 03:05 PM	#424
Prince Charon Join Date: Dec 2012	Re: [Psionics] [Space] Psi Trek - Worldbuilding I think I see a consensus forming, and it's one that I'm fine with. I mean, 'Whom Gods Destroy' was an interesting episode, but it was really more 'fantasy set in the future' than 'science fiction,' more-so than average for 1960s TV SF. So, unless there are a lot more votes in another direction before I have another question ready, the answer is '2. Shapeshifting species exist, but cellular metamorphosis as a learnable ability does not.' __________________ 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.

07-20-2020, 09:16 AM	#425
Prince Charon Join Date: Dec 2012	Re: [Psionics] [Space] Psi Trek - Worldbuilding There was some interest in the Tholians when I was asking for new ideas, so I'm preparing some questions on them. Here's one: Tholians question I How varied are the Tholians mentally from one another? 1. The Tholian race is a single, telepathic hivemind with effectively-unlimited range. 2. The Tholian race form a number of telepathic hiveminds with limited range. 3. The Tholian race form a number of non-telepathic (probably radio-based) hiveminds with limited range. 4. Tholians are individuals, but they are born with many of the memories of their parents and ancestors, leading to a great deal of mental conformity. 5. Tholians are individuals. 6. Something else (please specify). Please include the number of your preferred option when you vote. Note that if 2 or 3 wins, we will need a few more votes, to determine how individual Tholians interact with their hiveminds (like, are they permanently part of the same hive, or can they be exchanged, how big is a hive, how are new hives created, et cetra). __________________ 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. Last edited by Prince Charon; 07-22-2020 at 02:57 PM.

07-20-2020, 10:34 AM	#426
TGLS Join Date: Jan 2014	Re: [Psionics] [Space] Psi Trek - Worldbuilding I'll go with 4.

07-20-2020, 11:25 AM	#427
ericthered Hero of Democracy Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: far from the ocean	Re: [Psionics] [Space] Psi Trek - Worldbuilding I think 2 or 3 is the strongest option. I'm not sure which. We need a hive mind, but rival hive-minds are the most interesting. As an additional option, different hive minds with unlimited range would also be interesting. I'm not sure if I actually favor that over 2 or 3. __________________ Be helpful, not pedantic Worlds Beyond Earth -- my blog Check out the PbP forum! If you don't see a game you'd like, ask me about making one!

07-20-2020, 01:10 PM	#428
Vikingv Join Date: May 2020	Re: [Psionics] [Space] Psi Trek - Worldbuilding 2. The Tholian race form a number of telepathic hiveminds with limited range. __________________ I own and use 3e rules. I am not versed in 4e rules

07-20-2020, 03:38 PM	#429
Phantasm Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: On the road again...	Re: [Psionics] [Space] Psi Trek - Worldbuilding 2 or 3 are my preferred votes, in that order. __________________ "Life ... is an Oreo cookie." - J'onn J'onzz, 1991 "But mom, I don't wanna go back in the dungeon!" The GURPS Marvel Universe Reboot Project A-G, H-R, and S-Z, and its not-a-wiki-really web adaptation. Ranoc, a Muskets-and-Magery Renaissance Fantasy Setting

07-23-2020, 12:20 PM	#430
Prince Charon Join Date: Dec 2012	Re: [Psionics] [Space] Psi Trek - Worldbuilding OK, the consensus seems to be leaning toward 2, so I guess we'll go with that. Next question: Tholians question II Can individual Tholians move from one hivemind to another? 1. Tholians are born to a hive, and remain part of it for their entire lives. 2. Tholians are born to a hive, and only change hives under extreme or unusual circumstances. 3. Individual Tholians regularly change hives, delivering information and skills between different groupminds, or allowing more efficient sharing of resources, but the hives themselves remain relatively stable. 4. Hiveminds are formed and broken up quite regularly 5. Something else (please specify). Please include the number of your preferred option when you vote. __________________ 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.