Psionism



Psionism is the ability to use Psionic (also called psychic, or archaically magic) abilities. This can manifest in a manner of ways, with the most common being telepathy or special awareness. While a great deal of effort has gone into studying the phenomenon there are still a great deal of unanswered questions outside of it's connection to the Shroud.

The incidence of Psionism varies from species to species, with around 15% of elves being classed as Psionic users, 9% of Orcs, 6% of humans and 4% of dwarves.

Telepathy


Telepathy is the most common manifestation of the Psionic phenomenon, which involves the ability to communicate nonverbally. While two telepaths can communicate effectively, attempting to understand the mind of a non-telepath is a difficult endeavor, and is better understood as a form of advanced empathy. Basic users can pick up surface emotions, while an advanced user might be able to interpret the mind of another sentient being or understand the intentions of a non-sentient living thing, even plants.

Empathy


Where Telepaths read the minds of others, and empathy manipulates it. Reactions to Empaths vary, with some viewing them as windows into their own soul, and others as manipulative predators. Most Empaths will have innately give off a soothing aura, often making it easy for them to pick up animal companions, or to otherwise work in fields involving interpersonal skills. However, more powerful or skill empaths are able to much more effectively change the mood of others, with some being able to send whole rooms into fits of ecstasy. or frenzy.

Navigation


Navigators tap in their sense of the manner in which the Ether flows around everything. In a terrestrial environment this means having perfect special awareness, but it is in space that Navigators truly shine, being able to intuitively sense the Ethereal winds and guide their vessel to their destination as quickly as possible. While most spacefaring vessels can function without a navigator, they are still considered essential for all but the shortest of journeys. A Navigators mind is half in the Shroud, and is prone to sudden prophetic images.