Anwar Question...

[Ghost of Bob]

David:
You mentioned Anwar has a latent telepathy talent. What would it take to simply go to PsyU in Greyhawk and get this talent unlocked and learn basic Psy stuff without changing classes? A game year? I think he's ready after this adventure. At least now he has tuition covered.

[David]

On my world, psionics are a mysterious and generally unknown phenomena. They exist in only about one-in-a-thousand people and usually are similar enough to witchcraft or blood-sorcery that they're categorized and treated accordingly. Only about 1-in-10,000 gain even a basic understanding of how then really work. While many PARTIES might have psis in them, the average adventurer still calls psionics "mind magic" and fail to see any difference. Powerful mages are generally the most knowledgeable (since counter spells don't work on psis), but it's reasonable for a Mage (14th lvl) to never to have heard of psionics. The Churches of Angellus and St Cuthbert have begun to educate their upper echelons, but that's unusual and a consequence of player actions.

I say all this to put perspective on psionics. They're not "mysterious" but they ARE misunderstood. Psis are much like mutants in the Marvel universe. Mages and clerics distrust 'em, they're mislabeled as magic, witchcraft, sorcery, or demonic, and even for a decent level person, psionics tend to be unreliable (spells don't have activation rolls, but psionics do).

There are only two schools in the Western hemisphere where someone can be trained as a psi. Neither are known to the general public, so they have somewhat the flavor of the Masons or Illuminati (which doesn't help a psi's reputation!). Now, luckily for Anwar, he's just met someone who studied at one of these schools. So, he can do some role-play and learn about it, but it's not something that he would know about otherwise (even if he were from the West). There are no psi schools in Zakhara (Middle East). There are schools in the Far East, but that's an academic point.

[Ghost of Bob]

But alas, Mikhail already mentioned a school Anwar should train at in the second roleplay over Psy when he broke through Anwar's defenses. Anwar is simply following up on that somewhat dramatic enlightenment process. Anwar would ask to be taken to the school and provided a letter of introduction.

[David]

Okay. It goes here then.

When questioned, Mikhail explains that he, like Anwar, was born psionic. His original talent was animal telepathy, which is what drew the young man (Mikhail is BARELY 18) into druidism. Anyway, Mikhail's sister encouraged him to attend the Foundation, here in Furyondy, specifically, just outside the capitol city of Chendl. The faculty and student body were devastated when vampires attacked and slaughtered MANY of the psis who were powerless against the undead (does his reaction to the vampire now make more sense?), but there are still several decent instructors. Most importantly, Mikhail explains, is that THE most powerful telekinetic on Oerth, Adam Malachitous, is the headmaster and should certainly be able to greatly train Anwar.

Mikhail does mention that his sister, Adama, trained under Adam Malachitous and Andar, and that she's probably now the second most powerful teek on Oerth as a result. Tuition is 1000gp per year, although scholarships are available (an adventurer like Anwar probably wouldn't qualify).

[Ghost of Bob]

I'm sure Anwar can afford tuition after this treasure is divided... ;D

How long will Anwar be out of circulation as a player?

[David]

To just "learn the basics"? That would be about six months of training which would be three to six of our months.

To actually change classes? At least one game year which would be at least six to twelve of our months (it depends on the games that're running and what the flow of time moves at). This would ONLY allow ZERO level in the new class, with ALL the defects that includes.

See also: oerdian.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=classes&action=display&thread=481

[Ghost of Bob]

I was more looking to unlock the latent powers (if any) and get better at psychic combat and maybe pick up an attack mode or two, not switch classes per se. I was more sidelining Anwar until he got the hang of being a psionic. He would then maybe try picking up a fighting style as long as he is on this side of the world.

[David]

The six month training class would allow the PC to tap into all his CURRENT powers and get an IDEA of what's coming. Mikhail couldn't predict the outcome as he's not a true telepath (just an empath). But, given that Anwar hasn't learned to attack psionically, either he lacks the potential or hasn't learned to access it yet. Mikhail knows a man, his sister's mentor, who could determine the truth VERY quickly...although most people distrust him, including Mikhail's own mother, Mikhail believe Andar would not harm another psi. And if we want to ask a favor of Mikhail's friend, Samandra, we could easily travel to Andar's world (Mikhail can get us back) for a quick visit...

[Ghost of Bob]

Anwar is game (if he survives the mission on 3hp) and would be amazed anew at the experience of a different world!

[David]

Mikhail says that Eon, the world where Andar has moved to, is a bit tame compared to Oerth or Torsh or the Ethereal (which means nothing to Anwar, but it clearly does to the young druid). Other than a few giants in the mountains and clouds, there are no dangerous creatures to worry about and even orcs are kind and gentle. But it is interesting and society of Eon is quite different from Oerth. Heck, they don't even know what elves are and have no fear at all of lycanthropes!