PSI

Psionics, also called psionic powers, psychic powers or PSI, are special powers boasted by some individuals that allow one to manipulate the world around them with their mind in ways seemingly supernatural to a non-psychic.

Overview
Psionics, often symbolized with an eight-pointed star or the Greek letter Ψ Psi, are powers that, as stated above, can manipulate aspects of reality to the wishes of the user, the psychic. In the past, when PSI was not yet properly understood, it was often seen as magic, witchcraft or miracles (not to be confused with actual miracles). The psychic can manifest PSI via "techniques" or "spells", which are ranked on levels based on strength and magnitude, symbolized with Greek letters, with the weakest and simplest techniques being categorized with α Alpha and the strongest and complex being categorized with Ω Omega. Psychics have a "Psyche Pool", which contains energy that is used up when using PSI, similar to how physical energy is used up in manual labour. Psyche Pool can be refilled, partially or fully, by resting, depending on the length and quality of one's siesta.

Whether or not is one born a psychic depends on many factors. Some species are inherently fully psychic (such as the Gieegs), while in others, being born a psychic is considered a rare gift. Though even if one was born with PSI, they must study, learn and practice in order to successfully use it and learn new techniques.

To psychics, PSI is completely natural, like breathing. Psionics feel like a "sixth sense" or a "wind" to them.

Psychic VS Psyker
A common misconception is mistaking the words "Psychic" and "Psyker".

-A psychic is someone who is capable of using PSI, but uses it only casually or not at all.

-A psyker is someone who made learning and using PSI their profession, career and dedidace their life to it, such as Gieeg Seers or Faerae Magisters.

All psykers are psychic, but not all psychics are psykers.

PSI is also very liberal, and has very little rules, if one has the proper skills and knowledge, they may even create their own techniques or variations, even harness PSI in a new way entirely. However, some things are simply impossible, such as manipulation of time.

Major Psionic Disciplines
Psionic powers are divided into disciplines, based on what effect they have. The following are the "major" disciplines, the most common ones.

Psychokinesis
Psychokinesis, also known as the "winds that flow", is the manipulation and creation of energy, be it kinetic energy, elemental energy, raw psionic energy or even cosmic energy. Telekinesis, levitation as well as wards and shields go here. Elemental psychokinesis is the most used type of PSI used in combat to harm or do damage.

Illusions
Illusions, also known as the "winds that deceive", is the manipulation of the mind, sense, emotions and feelings and general perception of reality. One may invoke or surpress certain emotions or feelings in others, charm others to make them trust the caster more, convince them to mistrust someone, or the caster may even vanish completely, temporarily surpressing the knowledge of their existence from the minds of those around the caster.

Restoration
Restoration, also known as the "winds that heal", focus on treating wounds, but also on curing illnesses and other ailments, as well as for restoring and repairing broken objects and lulling the living dead back to their sleep.



Alterations
Alterations, or the "winds that change", are powers that can alter aspects of reality to the caster's wish. Changing the states, shapes and other traits and qualities of objects, but also of living beings, belongs here. Unlike illusions, results of Alteration actually affect the real world and can be perceived by anyone, not just the person afflicted with an illusion.

Conjuring

Conjuring is turning psionic energy into tangible, physical objects, such as tools, weapons or armour, but it can also be used to create sentient, but obedient and usually temporary lifeforms, like conjuring a familiar to help in a task or conjuring "wicked spirits", which are necessary for practicing necromancy.

Psychoturgy
Psychoturgy studies PSI overall, how it is used and harnessed, as well as it can be focused, channeled and imbued into objects.

Portgating
Portgating covers teleportating objects or beings between locations, as well as the creation and maintenance of portals.

Scrying
Scrying is the school that covers projecting something via PSI, similar to a hologram, but also telepathy and clairvoyance.

Legality of PSI
PSI can be both helpful and harmful, so there has been questioning whether it should be allowed or not, but the general consensus is that it should be allowed, as long as proper precautions are set in place to limit any risk to a minimum (eg teaching psychics how to properly control their powers). However, some psionic powers in particular are simply not allowed or allowed only to be used by the most skilled due to the effects being considered immoral or too dangerous, most notorious examples being:

-Necromancy.

-Random, erratic alteration of one's form, aka Mutation.

-Mind control.

-Heavy alteration and manipulation of flesh and blood.