Pyrokinesis

[Shonner]

When did pyrokinesis show up in Traveller rules?

 

[steventirey1985]

When did pyrokinesis show up in Traveller rules?

I know Mongoose Traveller has it as a Telekinesis power.

Traveller 20 didn't have it.

Classic Traveller didn't actually mention it, but it was at least possible. One of the possible psionic talents was "Special", which was totally up to the DM. It included things that didn't fit into any other category, but no actual examples were given of what could be done.

SPECIAL
Although psionic activity generally lends itself to classification, some individuals defy this very classification. Individuals with special talent are capable of some activity which is not described here; this talent is dispensed by the referee after deliberation. The special talent may include abilities not covered by this section, or may be a random assignment of otherwise unreceived abilities. Special talents should be made psychologically dependent on a focus, in the form of some artifact or charm, which must remain in the possession of the character.

Traveller: The New Era renamed "Special" to "Arcana" and gave a few examples of powers. Pyrokinesis wasn't specifically mentioned, but like CT would still of been possible at the DMs discretion.

T4 seems to have removed the "Special" category. Its not included in the rules, but the rules also still refer to 6 psionic disciplines. However in another place, they say there are only 5. With no Special category, and not being mentioned in any other place, T4 wouldn't of allowed pyrokinesis.

MegaTraveller does have a "Special" category, and does specifically mention pyrokinesis.

The special talent may include abilities not covered by this section or may be a random assignment of otherwise unreceived abilities. Some suggestions for special psionic abilities include: ability to spontaneously start fires (pyrotech), the ability to teleport others instead of one’s self, the ability to perform an assault on inanimate objects, the ability to telepathically communicate with computers or robots, the ability to induce visions or hallucinations in others (either audio, visual, or combined), the ability to use awareness to affect others (to either increase or decrease characteristics), and the ability to use awareness to influence Dexterity or Intelligence.

No concrete rules of its use, but it seem MegaTraveller was the first to specifically mention pryokinesis. It was at least theoretically possible in Classic Traveller, and as far as I know Mongoose Traveller is the only edition where its actually included in the rules.

 

[CosmicGamer]

clap clap
That seams to be a pretty thorough answer.

 

[Shonner]

Often times, stuff like this is added via the JTAS magazine. So I was going to start reading through those.

But when you mentioned MegaTraveller (PyroTech), my brain remembered PyroTech. I was going to guess The New Era added it, since the Imperium was collapsing at that point. So maybe psionics were more in use?

 

[Spinward Scout]

There's a Telepyrotechnics power in T4's Psionic Institutes.

 

[McPerth]

In JTAS #5, page 25 (Special Psionics Powers) Psiopyretics are described as "the ability to spontaneously generate heat". If not pyrokinetics, quite close to it.

That's the earliest reference I'm aware about.

 

[Jame]

Traveller: The New Era renamed "Special" to "Arcana" and gave a few examples of powers. Pyrokinesis wasn't specifically mentioned, but like CT would still of been possible at the DMs discretion.


No concrete rules of its use, but it seem MegaTraveller was the first to specifically mention pryokinesis. It was at least theoretically possible in Classic Traveller, and as far as I know Mongoose Traveller is the only edition where its actually included in the rules.

I recall TNE having pyrokinesis, though I can't remember if it's a telekinesis or an Arcana.

 

[steventirey1985]

I recall TNE having pyrokinesis, though I can't remember if it's a telekinesis or an Arcana.

Ah yes, you are correct. Its part of Telephysics, along with telekinesis and cryokinesis.

 

[SanDragon]

Even more rare and obscure is the ability of Cairokinesis.

 

[BlackBat242]

And the dreaded karaokinesis.

o:

 

[Timerover51]

I got out my set of the 1st Edition Dungeon & Dragon books to start getting for my game design and development class, starting July 1.

Eldritch Wizardry, Supplement III, has a pretty good section on Psionics, with a lot of possible ideas. Those of you who can get access to a copy might want to take at look at those.

Also, although I have gone through the books a lot (bought them as original copies, still in ivory box with reference sheets back in 1979), I just noticed that on page 22 of Book 2, MONSTERS & TREASURES, the rules allow for "Robots, Golems, Androids". Not sure that I want to encounter a magic-using robot. However, it does mean that if you want to throw your players a curve and toss them into a D & D universe, that robots and androids can work.

Side Note: I will be periodically kicking myself for not having Gary and Dave autograph the books for me. I saw them enough.

 

[aramis]

I got out my set of the 1st Edition Dungeon & Dragon books to start getting for my game design and development class, starting July 1.

Eldritch Wizardry, Supplement III, has a pretty good section on Psionics, with a lot of possible ideas. Those of you who can get access to a copy might want to take at look at those.

Also, although I have gone through the books a lot (bought them as original copies, still in ivory box with reference sheets back in 1979), I just noticed that on page 22 of Book 2, MONSTERS & TREASURES, the rules allow for "Robots, Golems, Androids". Not sure that I want to encounter a magic-using robot. However, it does mean that if you want to throw your players a curve and toss them into a D & D universe, that robots and androids can work.

Side Note: I will be periodically kicking myself for not having Gary and Dave autograph the books for me. I saw them enough.

Wizards is once more making PDF's available of the older materials. I don't know if Original Ed is available again yet, but it's on the schedule.

 

[Timerover51]

Wizards is once more making PDF's available of the older materials. I don't know if Original Ed is available again yet, but it's on the schedule.

Thanks for the information, Aramis. I will need to check that out. I far prefer the older material to the later editions.

 

[BlackBat242]

Wizards is also reprinting the "older editions" in hardback form as well.

Last year were the 1E AD&D PHB, DMG, & MM... this year saw the 1E UA.

2nd edition AD&D also appeared early this year, and OD&D is now available.

Original Dungeons & Dragons RPG Original Edition Premium Reprint

Player's Handbook 1st Edition Premium Reprint

http://www.examiner.com/article/wizards-of-the-coast-to-reprint-2nd-edition-ad-d-manuals

 

[Timerover51]

Interesting that Wizards is re-issuing the original books. I wonder if they will catch the fact that hobbits and Balrogs still show up in Greyhawk, or at least they do in my copy.

Also, I forgot that the Blackmoor supplement has a D&D conversion of Battle Armor in it, in the description of the High Priest of the Temple of the Frog, who actually is an off-world alien.

For the John Carter of Mars fans, the original books did include Barsoom. I forgot that too.

Looking through them again, there is a lot that could be used for Traveller.

 

[Blue Ghost]

When did pyrokinesis show up in Traveller rules?

In my dragon thread

 

[Blue Ghost]

Harumph.

I didn't invent the pyrokinesis thing. It was Cryton.

Lookit here; http://www.travellerrpg.com/CotI/Discuss/showthread.php?t=28838&page=2

 

[rancke]

When did pyrokinesis show up in Traveller rules?

When people realized that such a well-known SF trope wasn't mentioned in the rules directly they made it a Special talent.

(Well... I'm sure I would have done so if I'd had any players who were interested in psionics).