Psionic disease idea -- unmediated empathy [Archive] - Wizards Community

Psionic disease idea -- unmediated empathy [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
JulesCARV
03-15-07, 04:49 PM Unmediated Empathy: unsure who spreads it: contact, DC 12; incubation 1d6 days.

With this disease, a psionic character, so long as it has an unused psi-like ability, power point, or spell-like ability labelled "psionics (sp)" remaining, experiences constant empathy for any nearby creatures which are not immune to mind-affecting effects. The closer another creature, the more intense the empathic experience of the afflicted character.

If a creature within 10 feet takes damage (whether lethal or not), the character takes that amount in nonlethal damage. In addition, the character experiences any pain, fear, hunger, lust, joy, regret, or other emotions experienced by the creature within 10 feet. If someone uses a psionic power, spell, or the like to cause, for instance, fear or attraction in the creature, the character afflicted with unmediated empathy must also make the save or be affected similarly. This only applies to abilities which affect emotions, such as causing fear, attraction, or charm, (abilities of the (charm) subschool or with the [fear] descriptor) not to abilities which directly control the mind, such as modify memory or dominate (abilities of the (compulsion) subschool). In addition, the character gains a +4 bonus to sense motive checks made against creatures with 10 feet.

If a creature is further than 10 feet away but within 30 feet, the character feels a weaker empathy for other creatures: the character only takes half as much nonlethal damage as the creature, and any saves against mind-affecting abilities are made with a +2 bonus. Sense motive checks maintain a +2 bonus.

If a creature is further than 30 feet but within 60 feet, the empathy is weaker still, and the character only takes 1/4th as much nonlethal damage as the creature, and any saves against mind-affecting abilities are made with a +4 bonus. There is no longer any sense motive bonus.

In addition, a character afflicted with unmediated empathy may experience lingering emotions from a place or object even if the creature(s) involved are no longer there. Coming to a bed where a couple made love and subsequently left a few hours previously may cause the character to experience sexual arousal and pleasure. Coming to a slaughterhouse which is currently shut down for the night but where cattle were slaughtered during the day may cause the character to experience fear and pain. A noose used by someone suicidal to hang himself may carry with it feelings of despair, sadness, or regret. Generally speaking, intense emotions linger on a place or object for 2d6 hours.
Thomar_of_Uointer
03-15-07, 10:46 PM The wording on what can and can't affect the individual isn't specific enough. I would just say that if anybody within 10' fails a Will save against a nondamaging mind-affecting effect, the individual must make a Will save as though similarly affected.

Anyways, it looks like a very neat plot hook disease, especially if its gets passed around the party for a while. You might want to have it cause 1d6 Strength damage, just so the party doesn't get too fond of it.
JulesCARV
03-15-07, 10:51 PM How 'bout: people with Unmediated Empathy are effected by someone within 60' (closer means lower save bonus) being subject to an effect with the [fear] descriptor or from the (charm) subschool/subdiscipline. That rules out things from the (compulsion) subschool/subdiscipline, while still allowing necromnacy [fear] effects to work. (Although this would all be much easier to handle if Cause Fear enchantment not necromancy. I have no idea where the "necromancy" bit of cause fear comes in.)

Note: update my original post
Ryuu_Tenshi
03-16-07, 04:16 PM Ow. It's River Tam Syndrome. I like it.
JulesCARV
03-16-07, 04:43 PM Hmm... River hadn't really occured to me when I wrote this, but she is a good example.

I'm thinking of upping the DC a bit -- maybe to 15. Or maybe have it be spread by some organism which transmits it to people with a charisma or constitution-based save.
JulesCARV
03-17-07, 01:36 PM I'm thinking that Unmediated Empathy is kind of a clunky, uninteresting name for this disease. Anyone have any better ideas?
progresslevel9
03-17-07, 02:52 PM I'm thinking that Unmediated Empathy is kind of a clunky, uninteresting name for this disease. Anyone have any better ideas?
I rather like your current name, mostly because it really fits in with the quasi-psychological, pseudo-medical terminology inherent in psionics as written.

Also, there's a degree to which the idea behind the disease, 'too much of a good thing', is just really very juicy.

But for a more DnD sounding name... :so n' so's: lament? Ialabode's Lament? Or a more generic, Mindtalker's Hubris...
Rather than some sort of diseasy name, like Flu or the Runney Trunneles or something...the name might imply the emotional and mental aspect.

Alternatively...it's Someone's Syndrome. (You see Down's, Arsbergers (splg?), and the like, so if this is a more congenital occurrance in regards to origin, then it's possible it was named and catalogued by some sagely individual in your campaign world of choice.)
mato_hibiki
03-17-07, 04:48 PM Tam's syndrome.

This has Firefly written all over it, and me likey.

... Or you could call it Post Traumatic Empathic Reception, or PTER for short.

Hah.

"I got PTER."

"Peter? Who's that?"

I know, the second one isn't exactly fitting, but it's kinda funny.
JulesCARV
03-19-07, 03:17 AM Another idea for a name: permeable mind. Or maybe permeable spirit.
Lord_Iames
03-19-07, 04:05 AM No. This is Flinx (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flinx) Syndrome.
JulesCARV
03-25-07, 11:02 PM Another example might be Lauren Olamina from Parable of the Sower (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parable_of_the_Sower_%28novel%29). In short, the idea of this disease is fairly common throughout sci-fi and fantasy (although usually it's not portrayed as an infectious disease so much as an innate character quality). Likewise, getting emotional "resonances" from objects or places can be seen a lot of places too, like Eric The Crow or The Nameless One in Planescape: Torment (although recovery of memories are involved in those cases).

In short, I can claim no originality in my idea, and I'm not sure who can. I wouldn't be surprised if this idea went back into the 19th century or earlier :).

I'm thinking that it might be spread by some kind of psionic race of doppelganger-type shapeshifters who naturally have unmediated empathy, who "naturally" tend to slip into the shape of life forms who are nearby as a result of the empathy.

Hmm... they'd be kind of a weird encounter. I wonder how a race of people who are naturally under the effects of unmediated empathy/permeable mind/whatever would act. Either they'd be total isolationists who try to stay as far away from anyone as possible, they'd be benevolent saints, or they'd just be completely alien to our minds, maybe not even really possessing a sense of "self."
Lord_Iames
03-26-07, 10:57 AM Hmm... they'd be kind of a weird encounter. I wonder how a race of people who are naturally under the effects of unmediated empathy/permeable mind/whatever would act. Either they'd be total isolationists who try to stay as far away from anyone as possible, they'd be benevolent saints

Or they could be sadomasochists.
mato_hibiki
03-26-07, 08:55 PM I'm staying away from that idea.

Can you imagine having a sudden identical twin?

... All those jokes too. 'He's the evil one!' "No, he is!"

Either that, or we'd be arguing over who gets to sacrifice themself for the greater good.

... I'm just gonna sneak in a Bender/Flexo joke here. Aaaannnd done.
Thomar_of_Uointer
03-27-07, 01:35 AM Or they could be sadomasochists.

The Hitchiker's Guide to the Galaxy series described a race that had been cursed like that. They talked all the time so that noone could hear their thoughts. Oddly enough, humans don't have psychic talent.
Lord_Iames
03-27-07, 02:29 AM I'm staying away from that idea.

Can you imagine having a sudden identical twin?

... All those jokes too. 'He's the evil one!' "No, he is!"

Either that, or we'd be arguing over who gets to sacrifice themself for the greater good.

... I'm just gonna sneak in a Bender/Flexo joke here. Aaaannnd done.

You could go with race that's mostly saintly, but then a very rare few are the evil sadomasochistic variety. Come on, it'll be fun to screw with the players.
JulesCARV
03-27-07, 03:12 AM I'm thinking most of them will be isolationists who try to stay as much away from sentient life as possible, so that they can be in their own minds, in their own native form (I'm not sure what their native form would be). A few might be weirdos who actively seek out other sentience, though, whether they're benevolent or sadomasochistic.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
JulesCARV 03-15-07, 04:49 PM	Unmediated Empathy: unsure who spreads it: contact, DC 12; incubation 1d6 days. With this disease, a psionic character, so long as it has an unused psi-like ability, power point, or spell-like ability labelled "psionics (sp)" remaining, experiences constant empathy for any nearby creatures which are not immune to mind-affecting effects. The closer another creature, the more intense the empathic experience of the afflicted character. If a creature within 10 feet takes damage (whether lethal or not), the character takes that amount in nonlethal damage. In addition, the character experiences any pain, fear, hunger, lust, joy, regret, or other emotions experienced by the creature within 10 feet. If someone uses a psionic power, spell, or the like to cause, for instance, fear or attraction in the creature, the character afflicted with unmediated empathy must also make the save or be affected similarly. This only applies to abilities which affect emotions, such as causing fear, attraction, or charm, (abilities of the (charm) subschool or with the [fear] descriptor) not to abilities which directly control the mind, such as modify memory or dominate (abilities of the (compulsion) subschool). In addition, the character gains a +4 bonus to sense motive checks made against creatures with 10 feet. If a creature is further than 10 feet away but within 30 feet, the character feels a weaker empathy for other creatures: the character only takes half as much nonlethal damage as the creature, and any saves against mind-affecting abilities are made with a +2 bonus. Sense motive checks maintain a +2 bonus. If a creature is further than 30 feet but within 60 feet, the empathy is weaker still, and the character only takes 1/4th as much nonlethal damage as the creature, and any saves against mind-affecting abilities are made with a +4 bonus. There is no longer any sense motive bonus. In addition, a character afflicted with unmediated empathy may experience lingering emotions from a place or object even if the creature(s) involved are no longer there. Coming to a bed where a couple made love and subsequently left a few hours previously may cause the character to experience sexual arousal and pleasure. Coming to a slaughterhouse which is currently shut down for the night but where cattle were slaughtered during the day may cause the character to experience fear and pain. A noose used by someone suicidal to hang himself may carry with it feelings of despair, sadness, or regret. Generally speaking, intense emotions linger on a place or object for 2d6 hours.
Thomar_of_Uointer 03-15-07, 10:46 PM	The wording on what can and can't affect the individual isn't specific enough. I would just say that if anybody within 10' fails a Will save against a nondamaging mind-affecting effect, the individual must make a Will save as though similarly affected. Anyways, it looks like a very neat plot hook disease, especially if its gets passed around the party for a while. You might want to have it cause 1d6 Strength damage, just so the party doesn't get too fond of it.
JulesCARV 03-15-07, 10:51 PM	How 'bout: people with Unmediated Empathy are effected by someone within 60' (closer means lower save bonus) being subject to an effect with the [fear] descriptor or from the (charm) subschool/subdiscipline. That rules out things from the (compulsion) subschool/subdiscipline, while still allowing necromnacy [fear] effects to work. (Although this would all be much easier to handle if Cause Fear enchantment not necromancy. I have no idea where the "necromancy" bit of cause fear comes in.) Note: update my original post
Ryuu_Tenshi 03-16-07, 04:16 PM	Ow. It's River Tam Syndrome. I like it.
JulesCARV 03-16-07, 04:43 PM	Hmm... River hadn't really occured to me when I wrote this, but she is a good example. I'm thinking of upping the DC a bit -- maybe to 15. Or maybe have it be spread by some organism which transmits it to people with a charisma or constitution-based save.
JulesCARV 03-17-07, 01:36 PM	I'm thinking that Unmediated Empathy is kind of a clunky, uninteresting name for this disease. Anyone have any better ideas?
progresslevel9 03-17-07, 02:52 PM	I'm thinking that Unmediated Empathy is kind of a clunky, uninteresting name for this disease. Anyone have any better ideas? I rather like your current name, mostly because it really fits in with the quasi-psychological, pseudo-medical terminology inherent in psionics as written. Also, there's a degree to which the idea behind the disease, 'too much of a good thing', is just really very juicy. But for a more DnD sounding name... :so n' so's: lament? Ialabode's Lament? Or a more generic, Mindtalker's Hubris... Rather than some sort of diseasy name, like Flu or the Runney Trunneles or something...the name might imply the emotional and mental aspect. Alternatively...it's Someone's Syndrome. (You see Down's, Arsbergers (splg?), and the like, so if this is a more congenital occurrance in regards to origin, then it's possible it was named and catalogued by some sagely individual in your campaign world of choice.)
mato_hibiki 03-17-07, 04:48 PM	Tam's syndrome. This has Firefly written all over it, and me likey. ... Or you could call it Post Traumatic Empathic Reception, or PTER for short. Hah. "I got PTER." "Peter? Who's that?" I know, the second one isn't exactly fitting, but it's kinda funny.
JulesCARV 03-19-07, 03:17 AM	Another idea for a name: permeable mind. Or maybe permeable spirit.
Lord_Iames 03-19-07, 04:05 AM	No. This is Flinx (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flinx) Syndrome.
JulesCARV 03-25-07, 11:02 PM	Another example might be Lauren Olamina from Parable of the Sower (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parable_of_the_Sower_%28novel%29). In short, the idea of this disease is fairly common throughout sci-fi and fantasy (although usually it's not portrayed as an infectious disease so much as an innate character quality). Likewise, getting emotional "resonances" from objects or places can be seen a lot of places too, like Eric The Crow or The Nameless One in Planescape: Torment (although recovery of memories are involved in those cases). In short, I can claim no originality in my idea, and I'm not sure who can. I wouldn't be surprised if this idea went back into the 19th century or earlier :). I'm thinking that it might be spread by some kind of psionic race of doppelganger-type shapeshifters who naturally have unmediated empathy, who "naturally" tend to slip into the shape of life forms who are nearby as a result of the empathy. Hmm... they'd be kind of a weird encounter. I wonder how a race of people who are naturally under the effects of unmediated empathy/permeable mind/whatever would act. Either they'd be total isolationists who try to stay as far away from anyone as possible, they'd be benevolent saints, or they'd just be completely alien to our minds, maybe not even really possessing a sense of "self."
Lord_Iames 03-26-07, 10:57 AM	Hmm... they'd be kind of a weird encounter. I wonder how a race of people who are naturally under the effects of unmediated empathy/permeable mind/whatever would act. Either they'd be total isolationists who try to stay as far away from anyone as possible, they'd be benevolent saints Or they could be sadomasochists.
mato_hibiki 03-26-07, 08:55 PM	I'm staying away from that idea. Can you imagine having a sudden identical twin? ... All those jokes too. 'He's the evil one!' "No, he is!" Either that, or we'd be arguing over who gets to sacrifice themself for the greater good. ... I'm just gonna sneak in a Bender/Flexo joke here. Aaaannnd done.
Thomar_of_Uointer 03-27-07, 01:35 AM	Or they could be sadomasochists. The Hitchiker's Guide to the Galaxy series described a race that had been cursed like that. They talked all the time so that noone could hear their thoughts. Oddly enough, humans don't have psychic talent.
Lord_Iames 03-27-07, 02:29 AM	I'm staying away from that idea. Can you imagine having a sudden identical twin? ... All those jokes too. 'He's the evil one!' "No, he is!" Either that, or we'd be arguing over who gets to sacrifice themself for the greater good. ... I'm just gonna sneak in a Bender/Flexo joke here. Aaaannnd done. You could go with race that's mostly saintly, but then a very rare few are the evil sadomasochistic variety. Come on, it'll be fun to screw with the players.
JulesCARV 03-27-07, 03:12 AM	I'm thinking most of them will be isolationists who try to stay as much away from sentient life as possible, so that they can be in their own minds, in their own native form (I'm not sure what their native form would be). A few might be weirdos who actively seek out other sentience, though, whether they're benevolent or sadomasochistic.