Re: I'm back, and a possible Psionic Helm idea

Brad Jackson wrote:

>         Psionic Helms.
>         So I had a sudden inspiration.  The reason that Psionic Helms had never
> been perfected in the past was that people were trying to get a helm that a
> single psionicist can use.  The Series Helms used by the Illithid are
> actually different from the other Series Helms in use in that they operate
> on the psionic energies the Illithid naturally use.  A group of
> non-Illithid psionicists ought to be able to use an Illithid Series Helm
> with no problem, though using a normal (magic draining) Series Helm would,
> of course, not work.
>
        <Hertz-commerical mode> **Not Exactly**...IIRC, the series helm makes
use of spell-like abilities.  SJ came out before Psi Book, I think, and
at the time, illithid powers were spell-like rather than psionic.  I
think the description said that the drow and like creatures (hurwaets)
could use series helms.  Now honestly, I think using series helm as a
psi helm is just fine, but that's just me:)
        I think most of the problems with psi helms revolved around trying to
make something usable and at the same time different than normal helms.

>         Now, getting hold of an Illithid Series Helm might take some work, and
> most adventuring parties don't have more than one psionicist around.  Still
> groups of psionicists aren't that rare, and wildspace seems like a good
> place to build a retreat (gods know its quiet enough, right?), so some
> psionic groups might be interested in such things.
>
        Sure, I've seen psionic characters here and there in SJ products.

>         Also, one does have to wonder if such helms are vulnerable to sargasso?

        Depends on if you define psionics as magical or not.  DM's choice
there.
        As far as a psi helm goes, here's my solution, using 3e because I have
the book out: use a combination of the fire powers to kill a Q'dinar,
causing it to crystalize.  Just as it dies, capture it's spirit and bind
it to the ship.  The helm is bound to the spirit and thus the ship.
Moving may be a pain because you have to first get control of the
spirit, but it also gives some benefits (you can use powers through the
ship, maybe make amplified psi attacks, etc).  Just a thought (though
that probably falls into near-artifact...:)

--
Adam Miller