Psionics and Alchemy: Any help appreciated!

[kdarc]

So I'm starting up a new game with a new group, and having discussed what we would like to do, we've decided to try going with Psionics and Alchemy as the main "extraordinary shticks" of the setting. I'm somewhat new with both, and have a few questions.

1. I own Powers and Psionic Powers already - are the rest of the Psionics books worth a look?

2. Interaction between the two systems. While generally quite distinct in terms of focus and effect, I still have a few worries. It is mainly about point cost-y side of things. Alchemists can build up a respectable repetoire relatively cheaply, while Powers (inc. Psionic powers) are generally somewhat costly. Should I then use Alternative Abilities, as described in Powers? Because then it seems to me that Powers get REALLY cheap...

3. Just continuing from above. I've decided to use the Skills for Everyone for Psionics, due to setting lore reasons. However, if I use Alternative Abilities, do all abilities coming from a given "core" ability use one skill?

4. Are there rules anywhere for the price and time to create acids and gunpowder? One of my players is interested in playing an alchemist specializing in throwing stuff, and especially acid and small bombs. If no rules exist for their cost and creation time, any ideas? (Also, I'm considering raising their market prices so things won't go out of control)

5. Kind of continued from number 2. I'm fiddling with idea of making some Psionics-related elixirs for the setting, as it would link the two together in a meaningful way. Any ideas on what such elixirs might do without being too unbalanced?

Thanks in advance!

[RyanW]

The other Psionics books:

Psi Tech: Technology related to psionics, from Kirlian photography to psi amplifying helmets.
Psionic Campaigns: Guidelines on how psionics interact with a campaign (like which abilities derail what kinds of plots, and how the frequency of psionics affects the feel).
Psis: Templates for common psi archetypes with lenses for individual power suites.

Re: gunpowder. Low Tech and High Tech both have costs for gunpowder, and Low Tech Companion 3 has guidelines for production of anything (natually, somewhat focused more on low tech craftsmanship).

[kdarc]

I've have gotten Psionic Powers and Psionic Campaigns, along wit LT Companion 3 - all good purchases, especially Psionic Powers!

However, regarding the acid and gunpowder thing - I can find the market price for finished gunpowder, yea, but I can't seem to find out what it would cost and how much time it would take to make it in a laboratory. The LT Companion 3 does not say a lot about chemistry, and chemical ingredients do not seem to be covered in the raw goods table. Am I overlooking something?

[Fred Brackin]

Originally Posted by kdarc

However, regarding the acid and gunpowder thing - I can find the market price for finished gunpowder, yea, but I can't seem to find out what it would cost and how much time it would take to make it in a laboratory. The LT Companion 3 does not say a lot about chemistry, and chemical ingredients do not seem to be covered in the raw goods table. Am I overlooking something?

Perhaps only that wholesale cost (including materials and labor) should average about 1/2 retail price with materals obviously being only a part of wholesale cost.

Call it 1/2 or 1/10th or anything you want. These sorts of things are likely to be hghly variable especialy at the low TL implied by home made black powder hand grenades.

I'd actually adivise the PC to just buy his stuff instead of making it himself. Making black powder is a lot like a full time job and frequently both dull and dangerous.

[Walrus]

First of all, what's TL of your campaign? What is alchemy serve and capable for?
You know, it's assumed supernatural so it's TL^ anyway and can vary from simple healing potions and oil flasks to homunculus, philosophers' stone and alkahest. Or all of the above.

"Standard" GURPS Alchemy is described in Magic, so it's assumed magic connected art. There are also several paragraphes about Alchemy in Thaumathology. But anyway, it's your universe so Alchemy may be anything.

You might as well be interested in DF 4 - Sages, particulary Artificier template.

[Flyndaran]

With gunpowder, the charcoal is trivial to get, sulfur is mostly about location, and saltpeter is the lion's share of the cost and chemistry. From what little I know of course.

[kdarc]

Originally Posted by Fred Brackin

Perhaps only that wholesale cost (including materials and labor) should average about 1/2 retail price with materals obviously being only a part of wholesale cost.

Call it 1/2 or 1/10th or anything you want. These sorts of things are likely to be hghly variable especialy at the low TL implied by home made black powder hand grenades.

I'd actually adivise the PC to just buy his stuff instead of making it himself. Making black powder is a lot like a full time job and frequently both dull and dangerous.

That sounds rather reasonable. I discussed it with the player earlier today and I think were gonna run with him buying finished blackpowder. Then, of course, he might still tinker with it...

Originally Posted by Walrus

First of all, what's TL of your campaign? What is alchemy serve and capable for?
You know, it's assumed supernatural so it's TL^ anyway and can vary from simple healing potions and oil flasks to homunculus, philosophers' stone and alkahest. Or all of the above.

"Standard" GURPS Alchemy is described in Magic, so it's assumed magic connected art. There are also several paragraphes about Alchemy in Thaumathology. But anyway, it's your universe so Alchemy may be anything.

You might as well be interested in DF 4 - Sages, particulary Artificier template.

I have Magic, as well as the Pyramid magazine with some more alchemical goodies, so I'm pretty covered there. The campaign TL is 4-ish, augmented by alchemy and psionics in some areas. I'm still figuring out what "exotic" substances alchemy can produce, and I'm playing with the thought of implementing some of the stuff from Psi-Tech. Alchemical stones augmented psi powers, psionic-disrupting fabrics, that kind of stuff.

I don't own DF 4, but is the Artificer template mostly a clockwork-ish gadgeteer-type thingie?

[Joe]

Originally Posted by kdarc

The campaign TL is 4-ish, augmented by alchemy and psionics in some areas.

What I'm about to say isn't helpful at all, but: I'd love to hear more about this campaign. You've given us such an intriguing set of hints, but I still can't quite imagine it... and I'd like to, because it sounds like heaps of fun!

[Diomedes]

Originally Posted by kdarc

I don't own DF 4, but is the Artificer template mostly a clockwork-ish gadgeteer-type thingie?

Mostly, yes. But if you swing by PK's mygurps website, you'll find he has a lens that converts it to a dedicated alchemist.

[kdarc]

Originally Posted by Joe

What I'm about to say isn't helpful at all, but: I'd love to hear more about this campaign. You've given us such an intriguing set of hints, but I still can't quite imagine it... and I'd like to, because it sounds like heaps of fun!

Sure! I'd love to know what other people think of it. Basic campaign sketch:

• Psionics and alchemy exists as the setting choice of "exotic" powers.
• TL is about 4-ish, with alchemical and psionic enhancements in some areas, as mentioned before. I haven't really gotten into the details yet, however. Gunpowder weapons exist, but are not ubiquitous.
• General aesthetics and "feel" draws much inspiration from the Byzantine Empire and medieval Middle-East.
• Gameplay will be somewhat "gritty" and stuff like injuries, food etc will be handled rather realistically.
• General history: Some time ago, the Astral Plane (which exists as an "overlay" to the Material Plane, eg. "real world", and is accessibile through psionics, was invaded by Cthulhuish abominations and attacked the very minds and sanities of mortals in a way most people could not comprehend. Psion-scholars of the Gheedran Empire realized the true nature of the situation and the Empire quickly began expanding in order to gather enough psions to counter the threat. Nations who did not willingly join the Empire's project and bowed to its authority were militarily subjugated. The Empire's psions defeated the eldritch menace by erecting phychic barriers to keep them imprisoned. The mortals won The Astral War, as this was called. Some time has passed now, however, and the world is awakening from the celebration of victory. The Gheedran Empire rules supreme, but people are beginning to question their rule, and espeically their draconic enforcement of their laws (especillay those regarding psions). The Empire claims that the barriers on the Astral Plane require maintainance by experienced psi-users, but this is questioned. The Empire might also be facing a destructive war with another nation, and meanwhile, dissidence brews across the provinces.
• Ripping off Thieves' World (probably because I read the first three short story collections recently), the focus will be a trade town under Imperial rule. Imagine a cross between Gotham City and Mos Eisley. But in a fantasy world. With psions and stuff. The people there are feeling more and more self-conscious and are beginning to seriously question the Empire's role in the city. In response, a new governor has been dispatched, and realizing he must use rather... shadowy means to effectively govern the city ("a wretched hive of scum and villainy!"), he has been allowed to assemble a force he can dispatch for special missions. Enter the PCs.

Rather brief, safe the history part. I always tend to write more lore than "rules crunch". Forgive me.

Originally Posted by Diomedes

Mostly, yes. But if you swing by PK's mygurps website, you'll find he has a lens that converts it to a dedicated alchemist.

That sounds interesting. Might look into that, though I don't imagine alchemists being too spontaneous.