Eberron. No Psionics! [Archive] - Wizards Community

Eberron. No Psionics! [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Oathwin Oakheart
04-25-07, 08:58 AM Hello All -

I am currently playing a Forgotten Realms campagin. I would like to play a Eberron campagin next, but I have a small problem. I would prefer not to use psionics. It seems that psionics are such a big part of Eberron. There is a psionic race and a whole nation ( Sarlona ) that use psionics.

If you play an Eberron campagin and don't use psionics or if you have some good advice about how to run an Eberron game without psionics let me know.

Thanks.

:D
Bluebrush
04-25-07, 09:16 AM Well the Kalashtars and Inspired wage a secret battle behind the scenes of modern life...

The upside of this is that if you remove then you don't have to change much about the campaign setting to run it.
Barely anything at all.

The Psionics Dragonshard on the WotC site gives suggestions for non-psionic Kalashtar. The biggest change is that they're sorcerers instead.
polt
04-25-07, 09:31 AM Actually Eberron is made so it's really really easy to get rid of all the psionics stuff.
When you read the book you can see that that.
gaerfindel
04-25-07, 09:40 AM Polt and Bluebrush speak truly. Realize too, that Eberron is vast; there's much to do that doesn't involve psionics. In fact, there's an entire unmapped continent just waiting for you, the DM, to fill it with all kinds of unpleasant beasties for the PCs to feed--I mean defeat. :D
Macrovore
04-25-07, 11:09 AM you can always just have them not encounter psionics. simple, and effective.
Alex_
04-25-07, 11:21 AM Psionics have their own continent in Eberron (Sarlona). Outside of that continent, they are very rare. The continent is isolationist, and further away from the main continent of Khorvaire than any other. It's not at all a very common destination for travelers.

You don't have to involve Psionics in your Eberron game any more than you have to involve material from Kara Tur, Azteca, or Al Qadim in your Forgotten Realms campaign.
polt
04-25-07, 11:28 AM I think that the one element in Eberron that feels a little forced is the whole psionics and Kalasthar thing. And it also seems to me that it's the part of Eberron DMs has the biggest problem using in their campaign.

To be honest, the impression I get of the Kalasthar and that deal is that it's Keith's golden child. It's what he likes the most, and even though it is cool, it's kind of cheesy to me roleplaying wise.

I like the story, but the Kalasthar as a roleplaying race is just dumb. They are exactly what the elves have always been in all the other setting. They always seem to know something the other people don't know. They have a lot of the answers. They come floating into the room and everybody turn their head, and the Kalasthar goes "MAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH" and people are in awe.

It's lame.
Kryptonian Scion
04-25-07, 11:58 AM I like the story, but the Kalasthar as a roleplaying race is just dumb. They are exactly what the elves have always been in all the other setting. They always seem to know something the other people don't know. They have a lot of the answers. They come floating into the room and everybody turn their head, and the Kalasthar goes "MAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH" and people are in awe.

It's lame.

Yeah. I totally prefer intelligent, as-powerful-as-dragons spiders. :rolleyes:

Talk about lame.
polt
04-25-07, 12:00 PM Yeah. I totally prefer intelligent, as-powerful-as-dragons spiders. :rolleyes:

Talk about lame.

Such clever arguments.
Belabras
04-25-07, 12:20 PM Pot, meet kettle.

Neither of you are making particularly strong cases there, though Scion's was a bit personal.

Polt - it sounds like you are unhappy with a particular persons portrayal of Kalashtar rather than the race in general. I really haven't seen anything in the source material to engender that idea. The Kalashtar really only have one of the many secrets of Eberron, the knowledge about the Inspired, and if they are following the written material, they won't be talking about it.
Cifer
04-25-07, 12:39 PM Well, the others said it: Sarlona/Riedra is a location basically noone goes to visit and I'd say there are a lot of people who don't even know about the Kalashtar.

Oh, and there's exactly one major plotline (The Inspired Threat) that revolves around them. If you compare that to the other races, that's not much.
DireHawk
04-25-07, 12:57 PM Well, like its been said here, you can totally run Eberron Campaign without psionics at all. There's the Undead and Blood of Vol of Karrnath, there's the Lords of Dust in the Demon Wastes, there's the aberrant Daelkyr armies and cults in the depths of Khyber, the ancient Dragons of Argonnessen, the decents of the once powerful Giants in the shattered lands of Xen'drik with their ancient secrets to be revealed, the Hag Sisters of Droaam, and that just barely scratches the surface of potential campaign focuses which have nothing to do with psionics.

But really, ask yourself, Oathwin Oakheart, why is it you don't want to use the psionics? A long time ago, I remember when I didn't like psionics, but that was because I was ignorant of what psionics really were. I felt they were overpowered and scary because it was a new system that I didn't want to take the time to get to know. But after truly looking at it, I realized psionics weren't all that bad. So before you close the door on psionics in your future campaigns completely, I suggest you take a look at them first and ask yourself "Why am I so against psionics?" If you've already done this, or after you do this in the future, if you find you still hate psionics and loathe their use in your games, then Eberron is still a great place to immerse yourself and your players within.
polt
04-25-07, 01:00 PM Pot, meet kettle.

Neither of you are making particularly strong cases there, though Scion's was a bit personal.

Polt - it sounds like you are unhappy with a particular persons portrayal of Kalashtar rather than the race in general. I really haven't seen anything in the source material to engender that idea. The Kalashtar really only have one of the many secrets of Eberron, the knowledge about the Inspired, and if they are following the written material, they won't be talking about it.

Actually that was the impression I got from reading Keith Baker's novels :D And while I liked it in the novel, I don't want a character like that.
Bluebrush
04-25-07, 01:06 PM Ironic since she was an inspired with years of planning, major cashola and more than a few immortal spirits to draw on rather than a Kalashtar with all the answers.
Belabras
04-25-07, 03:04 PM I'll second Bluebrush's post. Sounds like you didn't have all the info.
Alex_
04-25-07, 03:41 PM But really, ask yourself, Oathwin Oakheart, why is it you don't want to use the psionics? A long time ago, I remember when I didn't like psionics, but that was because I was ignorant of what psionics really were. I felt they were overpowered and scary because it was a new system that I didn't want to take the time to get to know. But after truly looking at it, I realized psionics weren't all that bad. So before you close the door on psionics in your future campaigns completely, I suggest you take a look at them first and ask yourself "Why am I so against psionics?" If you've already done this, or after you do this in the future, if you find you still hate psionics and loathe their use in your games, then Eberron is still a great place to immerse yourself and your players within.

I think most people don't want to learn a new system. Psionics remain unpopular for some of the reasons Truename, Incarnnum, Binders, and Shadowcasters aren't very popular.

Psionics requires a whole other book and base classes. That's quite a bit of additional workload for a DM, especially considering how many different rules D&D has already.
Belabras
04-25-07, 04:19 PM I think most people don't want to learn a new system. Psionics remain unpopular for some of the reasons Truename, Incarnnum, Binders, and Shadowcasters aren't very popular.

Psionics requires a whole other book and base classes. That's quite a bit of additional workload for a DM, especially considering how many different rules D&D has already.

Ah, but unlike all the other systems, Psionics if frontloaded into just about every supliment now. Not to mention all of the rules are available for free via the SRD.

I'm not saying people have to add Psionics to their game, but it is pretty easy to do.
Alex_
04-25-07, 04:41 PM Ah, but unlike all the other systems, Psionics if frontloaded into just about every supliment now. Not to mention all of the rules are available for free via the SRD.

It's not a lack of material that people who don't play Psionics don't like. It's that there's so much material. Some people consider it difficult enough keeping up with Valencian magic. A whole other system PLUS supplemental material can seem a bit overwhelming. From what I've seen, most people just skip over the occasional Psionic race, prestige class, or feat they see in a book. If they don't know or want to bother learning the core Psionic rules, of what use is it to them?

I'm not saying people have to add Psionics to their game, but it is pretty easy to do.

That is debatable. I personally have used Psionics in some of my games, but I can assure you that it was NOT easier than not using them at all.

Nothing that requires more work and effort is easier than something that requires less.
Belabras
04-25-07, 05:22 PM By no means did I say it was as easy to add as not. It is fairly easy to add in my experience though. Your experience may vary.
The Ubbergeek
04-25-07, 05:59 PM It's sad to see that an optional but yet big and important part of D&D still get set aside.

Peoples should do some efforts and try it, maybe. I always wanted to play a Psion, but nobody ever try around. -_-
DragoonDarkfire
04-25-07, 06:58 PM Actually that was the impression I got from reading Keith Baker's novels :D And while I liked it in the novel, I don't want a character like that.

Then don't Kalashtar can be just as emotional as humans (especially the orphans who become Wilder's).

And technically they only really know of Dalquor, Quori and the history of Sarlona. Ask a Kalashtar about an ancient artifact of Dahakanni and it'll probably just shrug.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Oathwin Oakheart 04-25-07, 08:58 AM	Hello All - I am currently playing a Forgotten Realms campagin. I would like to play a Eberron campagin next, but I have a small problem. I would prefer not to use psionics. It seems that psionics are such a big part of Eberron. There is a psionic race and a whole nation ( Sarlona ) that use psionics. If you play an Eberron campagin and don't use psionics or if you have some good advice about how to run an Eberron game without psionics let me know. Thanks. :D
Bluebrush 04-25-07, 09:16 AM	Well the Kalashtars and Inspired wage a secret battle behind the scenes of modern life... The upside of this is that if you remove then you don't have to change much about the campaign setting to run it. Barely anything at all. The Psionics Dragonshard on the WotC site gives suggestions for non-psionic Kalashtar. The biggest change is that they're sorcerers instead.
polt 04-25-07, 09:31 AM	Actually Eberron is made so it's really really easy to get rid of all the psionics stuff. When you read the book you can see that that.
gaerfindel 04-25-07, 09:40 AM	Polt and Bluebrush speak truly. Realize too, that Eberron is vast; there's much to do that doesn't involve psionics. In fact, there's an entire unmapped continent just waiting for you, the DM, to fill it with all kinds of unpleasant beasties for the PCs to feed--I mean defeat. :D
Macrovore 04-25-07, 11:09 AM	you can always just have them not encounter psionics. simple, and effective.
Alex_ 04-25-07, 11:21 AM	Psionics have their own continent in Eberron (Sarlona). Outside of that continent, they are very rare. The continent is isolationist, and further away from the main continent of Khorvaire than any other. It's not at all a very common destination for travelers. You don't have to involve Psionics in your Eberron game any more than you have to involve material from Kara Tur, Azteca, or Al Qadim in your Forgotten Realms campaign.
polt 04-25-07, 11:28 AM	I think that the one element in Eberron that feels a little forced is the whole psionics and Kalasthar thing. And it also seems to me that it's the part of Eberron DMs has the biggest problem using in their campaign. To be honest, the impression I get of the Kalasthar and that deal is that it's Keith's golden child. It's what he likes the most, and even though it is cool, it's kind of cheesy to me roleplaying wise. I like the story, but the Kalasthar as a roleplaying race is just dumb. They are exactly what the elves have always been in all the other setting. They always seem to know something the other people don't know. They have a lot of the answers. They come floating into the room and everybody turn their head, and the Kalasthar goes "MAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH" and people are in awe. It's lame.
Kryptonian Scion 04-25-07, 11:58 AM	I like the story, but the Kalasthar as a roleplaying race is just dumb. They are exactly what the elves have always been in all the other setting. They always seem to know something the other people don't know. They have a lot of the answers. They come floating into the room and everybody turn their head, and the Kalasthar goes "MAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH" and people are in awe. It's lame. Yeah. I totally prefer intelligent, as-powerful-as-dragons spiders. :rolleyes: Talk about lame.
polt 04-25-07, 12:00 PM	Yeah. I totally prefer intelligent, as-powerful-as-dragons spiders. :rolleyes: Talk about lame. Such clever arguments.
Belabras 04-25-07, 12:20 PM	Pot, meet kettle. Neither of you are making particularly strong cases there, though Scion's was a bit personal. Polt - it sounds like you are unhappy with a particular persons portrayal of Kalashtar rather than the race in general. I really haven't seen anything in the source material to engender that idea. The Kalashtar really only have one of the many secrets of Eberron, the knowledge about the Inspired, and if they are following the written material, they won't be talking about it.
Cifer 04-25-07, 12:39 PM	Well, the others said it: Sarlona/Riedra is a location basically noone goes to visit and I'd say there are a lot of people who don't even know about the Kalashtar. Oh, and there's exactly one major plotline (The Inspired Threat) that revolves around them. If you compare that to the other races, that's not much.
DireHawk 04-25-07, 12:57 PM	Well, like its been said here, you can totally run Eberron Campaign without psionics at all. There's the Undead and Blood of Vol of Karrnath, there's the Lords of Dust in the Demon Wastes, there's the aberrant Daelkyr armies and cults in the depths of Khyber, the ancient Dragons of Argonnessen, the decents of the once powerful Giants in the shattered lands of Xen'drik with their ancient secrets to be revealed, the Hag Sisters of Droaam, and that just barely scratches the surface of potential campaign focuses which have nothing to do with psionics. But really, ask yourself, Oathwin Oakheart, why is it you don't want to use the psionics? A long time ago, I remember when I didn't like psionics, but that was because I was ignorant of what psionics really were. I felt they were overpowered and scary because it was a new system that I didn't want to take the time to get to know. But after truly looking at it, I realized psionics weren't all that bad. So before you close the door on psionics in your future campaigns completely, I suggest you take a look at them first and ask yourself "Why am I so against psionics?" If you've already done this, or after you do this in the future, if you find you still hate psionics and loathe their use in your games, then Eberron is still a great place to immerse yourself and your players within.
polt 04-25-07, 01:00 PM	Pot, meet kettle. Neither of you are making particularly strong cases there, though Scion's was a bit personal. Polt - it sounds like you are unhappy with a particular persons portrayal of Kalashtar rather than the race in general. I really haven't seen anything in the source material to engender that idea. The Kalashtar really only have one of the many secrets of Eberron, the knowledge about the Inspired, and if they are following the written material, they won't be talking about it. Actually that was the impression I got from reading Keith Baker's novels :D And while I liked it in the novel, I don't want a character like that.
Bluebrush 04-25-07, 01:06 PM	Ironic since she was an inspired with years of planning, major cashola and more than a few immortal spirits to draw on rather than a Kalashtar with all the answers.
Belabras 04-25-07, 03:04 PM	I'll second Bluebrush's post. Sounds like you didn't have all the info.
Alex_ 04-25-07, 03:41 PM	But really, ask yourself, Oathwin Oakheart, why is it you don't want to use the psionics? A long time ago, I remember when I didn't like psionics, but that was because I was ignorant of what psionics really were. I felt they were overpowered and scary because it was a new system that I didn't want to take the time to get to know. But after truly looking at it, I realized psionics weren't all that bad. So before you close the door on psionics in your future campaigns completely, I suggest you take a look at them first and ask yourself "Why am I so against psionics?" If you've already done this, or after you do this in the future, if you find you still hate psionics and loathe their use in your games, then Eberron is still a great place to immerse yourself and your players within. I think most people don't want to learn a new system. Psionics remain unpopular for some of the reasons Truename, Incarnnum, Binders, and Shadowcasters aren't very popular. Psionics requires a whole other book and base classes. That's quite a bit of additional workload for a DM, especially considering how many different rules D&D has already.
Belabras 04-25-07, 04:19 PM	I think most people don't want to learn a new system. Psionics remain unpopular for some of the reasons Truename, Incarnnum, Binders, and Shadowcasters aren't very popular. Psionics requires a whole other book and base classes. That's quite a bit of additional workload for a DM, especially considering how many different rules D&D has already. Ah, but unlike all the other systems, Psionics if frontloaded into just about every supliment now. Not to mention all of the rules are available for free via the SRD. I'm not saying people have to add Psionics to their game, but it is pretty easy to do.
Alex_ 04-25-07, 04:41 PM	Ah, but unlike all the other systems, Psionics if frontloaded into just about every supliment now. Not to mention all of the rules are available for free via the SRD. It's not a lack of material that people who don't play Psionics don't like. It's that there's so much material. Some people consider it difficult enough keeping up with Valencian magic. A whole other system PLUS supplemental material can seem a bit overwhelming. From what I've seen, most people just skip over the occasional Psionic race, prestige class, or feat they see in a book. If they don't know or want to bother learning the core Psionic rules, of what use is it to them? I'm not saying people have to add Psionics to their game, but it is pretty easy to do. That is debatable. I personally have used Psionics in some of my games, but I can assure you that it was NOT easier than not using them at all. Nothing that requires more work and effort is easier than something that requires less.
Belabras 04-25-07, 05:22 PM	By no means did I say it was as easy to add as not. It is fairly easy to add in my experience though. Your experience may vary.
The Ubbergeek 04-25-07, 05:59 PM	It's sad to see that an optional but yet big and important part of D&D still get set aside. Peoples should do some efforts and try it, maybe. I always wanted to play a Psion, but nobody ever try around. -_-
DragoonDarkfire 04-25-07, 06:58 PM	Actually that was the impression I got from reading Keith Baker's novels :D And while I liked it in the novel, I don't want a character like that. Then don't Kalashtar can be just as emotional as humans (especially the orphans who become Wilder's). And technically they only really know of Dalquor, Quori and the history of Sarlona. Ask a Kalashtar about an ancient artifact of Dahakanni and it'll probably just shrug.