Psionically Awakened

One in a hundred souls crackles with unseen energy, Psionically Awakened. Some dance on the fringes, sensing the whisper of psionic storms and weaving through vibrant dreamscapes. Others unlock the secrets of minds, reading thoughts like open books or bridging distances with silent messages. Yet, a select few push the boundaries of reality. Telekinetic hands bend the world to their will, while dreamwalkers slip into slumbering minds, navigating the hidden landscapes of consciousness. But beware the Novas, rarest and most potent. Their minds pierce the veil of Ealathra, glimpsing the multiverse’s kaleidoscope. They bring whispers of alien realities, and in their most daring feats, manifest echoes of those worlds, blurring the lines between what is and what might be. Tread carefully near these awakened minds, for their gifts carry the power to illuminate or unravel the very fabric of existence.

Transmission & Vectors

The Psionically Awakened walk a tightrope between potential and peril. While the spark of awareness lies dormant within one in a hundred, its true manifestation often requires a catalyst. While genetic inheritance plays a role, external forces can fan the flames of this inner power.
Whispers in the Aether: Powerful psychic entities, known variously as Dreamweavers, Mindflayers, or even rogue Novas, possess the ability to manipulate the psionic landscape. By amplifying dormant potential, they can trigger awakenings in susceptible individuals, forcing them to manifest abilities far beyond their natural level. This process is often brutal, akin to ripping open a flower before its bloom. The newly awakened, burdened with abilities they barely understand, can become pawns in the entities' schemes, their minds twisted and their wills subdued.
Dangerous Gifts: Not all forced awakenings are malicious. Ancient texts speak of benevolent entities, spectral guardians, or even deceased loved ones guiding individuals towards their psionic potential. These awakenings, while still intense, are often accompanied by support and guidance, helping the individual learn to control their newfound abilities.
Echoes of Power: Even without direct intervention, powerful psionic events can trigger mass awakenings. Psionic storms, the collapse of ancient psionic artifacts, or even the death of a powerful Nova can send ripples through the collective unconscious, awakening dormant potential in those sensitive enough to receive the echo. These awakenings are unpredictable and often chaotic, leading to both incredible displays of power and tragic breakdowns.
The Burden of Choice: Forced awakening is not the sole threat. Individuals with dormant potential can sometimes be manipulated by powerful entities. Whispers in dreams, subliminal messages, or even subtle emotional manipulation can nudge susceptible individuals towards manifesting specific abilities, turning them into unwitting agents without their knowledge.
The Unseen Battlefield: The manipulation of psionic potential is a hidden war waged across the mindscape of Ealathra. Powerful entities vie for control, seeking to shape the next generation of Awakened for their own purposes. Those born with the spark must remain vigilant, aware not only of their own potential but also the unseen forces that seek to exploit it.

Symptoms

The Psionically Awakened walk a spectrum of abilities, each level unveiling new whispers from the unseen. Here's a glimpse into their experiences:

Minor:

• Psychic Sensitivity: A lingering unease during psionic storms, feeling the emotions of others more intensely, vivid and lucid dreams that bleed into reality upon waking.
• Intuition: An uncanny knack for knowing things without explanation, premonitions in dreams, heightened gut feelings that often prove accurate.
• Empathy: The ability to sense the emotional undercurrents of others, feeling their joy or pain as if their own, sometimes becoming overwhelmed by strong emotions.

Moderate:

• Telepathy: Hearing the surface thoughts of others within close proximity, like distant whispers or flashes of emotions. The ability to project their own thoughts, though initially weak and uncontrolled.
• Dreamwalking: Slipping into the dreams of others, navigating the ethereal landscapes of their minds, witnessing hidden desires and fears. However, getting lost or trapped in nightmares is a risk.
• Limited Telekinesis: A tingling sensation and the faint movement of small objects with focused concentration, a struggle for control like learning to walk for the first time.

Strong:

• Powerful Telepathy: Hearing the full spectrum of others' thoughts, from fleeting ideas to deep-seated memories. The risk of mental intrusion and information overload looms large.
• Dream Manipulation: Shaping the dreams of others, planting suggestions, even extracting information. However, the line between guidance and manipulation is thin, and ethical boundaries blur.
• Advanced Telekinesis: Moving objects with ease, even manipulating energy to form simple constructs. Yet, the strain on the mind and body can be immense.

Nova:

• Multiversal Glimpses: Seeing fragments of other realities bleed into their own, experiencing flashes of alien landscapes and beings. The constant barrage of information can be overwhelming, leading to madness or isolation.
• Manifestation: Bringing fragments of other realities into their own, conjuring objects or even beings from glimpsed worlds. However, the unpredictable nature of these manifestations carries immense risk.

Forced Awakening:

• Sudden Onset: Abilities manifesting without warning, overwhelming the mind and body. Intense headaches, nosebleeds, and even seizures can occur.
• Uncontrolled Power: Erratic telekinetic outbursts, intrusive thoughts flooding the minds of others, and nightmares bleeding into reality are common dangers.
• Mental Scars: The trauma of forced awakening can leave lasting psychological damage, manifesting as paranoia, fear, and a constant struggle for control.

Treatment

Rings of Mind shielding and spells such as Intellect Fortress have been shown to ease the burden on those that don't have a full control over their condition . But these are short term solutions the best treatment is training to learn how to control these abilities

Prognosis

Natural Progression:

1. Minor: Most with minor symptoms live relatively normal lives, using their heightened awareness for personal insight or subtle guidance. The condition rarely progresses beyond this unless triggered by external factors.
2. Moderate: This level often requires training and discipline to master one's abilities. Some become valuable healers, telepathic counselors, or even telekinetic artisans. Others struggle with control, leading to isolation, accidents, or even self-harm.
3. Strong: These individuals face immense societal pressures and ethical dilemmas. Some become revered leaders, guardians, or even revolutionaries. Others succumb to power, manipulation, or the dangers of their abilities, becoming feared outcasts or even villains.

Forced Awakening:

• Uncertain Recovery: Recovery is possible but arduous, requiring extensive therapy, support groups, and sometimes suppression medication. Some regain control and even achieve higher levels, while others remain mentally scarred and ostracized.
• Unforeseen Mutations: Forced awakening can trigger unpredictable mutations, leading to unstable powers, erratic manifestations, or even mental breakdowns.

Stages and Outcomes:
There are no defined stages, but some potential outcomes emerge:

• Mastery: Achieving complete control over their abilities, using them for good or personal advancement.
• Breakdown: Succumbing to the pressure, fear, or ethical dilemmas, descending into madness, isolation, or destructive behavior.
• Transformation: Some with Nova potential might transcend their current reality, merging with glimpsed universes or creating entirely new ones.

Fatal Risks:
The condition itself isn't fatal, but certain aspects carry dangers:

• Psychic Overload: Pushing abilities beyond limits can lead to mental breakdowns, comas, or even death.
• Multiversal Manifestations: Nova-level manipulations can have unpredictable consequences, potentially causing rifts in reality or catastrophic energy surges.
• External Threats: Powerful entities may target Awakened individuals for their abilities, leading to exploitation, manipulation, or even death.

Affected Groups

Any sentient being can be affected

History

The Psionically Awakened have always walked among us, but their whispers were faint, a murmur among the diverse tapestry of sentient beings in Ealathra. Yet, the past five years have seen a dramatic rise in moderate and strong manifestations, echoing across all species, not just elves. What secrets lie behind this sudden amplification?

Whispers from the Dawn:

• Universal Spark: Legends speak of the "First Dreamers," not just elven figures, but individuals from various ancient races, attuned to the flow of consciousness and shaping the early world with their shared premonitions and telepathic guidance. Did this universal echo lay the foundation for the Psionic Awakening?
• Lost Unity: Some scholars believe sentient beings once shared a more profound psionic connection, lost through millennia of separation and conflict. Could fragmented knowledge of this past, rediscovered artifacts, or even echoes of that unity be triggering the current surge?

The Turning Tide:

• Cosmic Convergence: A rare celestial alignment, a psionic storm of unprecedented power, or the awakening of a slumbering entity beyond the stars - these are just some theories proposed to explain the recent surge. Was it a singular event, or is this merely the start of a cyclical phenomenon destined to repeat?
• Environmental Shifts: Did changes in the very fabric of Ealathra, pollution from developing magics, or the thinning veil between realities contribute to the increased sensitivity of all life's consciousness? Perhaps the boundaries between minds are weakening, allowing the psionic spark to ignite more readily.

Hidden Agendas:

• Benevolent Guardians: Do benevolent entities, guardians of the psionic realm, sense a coming threat and nudge individuals towards awakening to prepare them? Are they subtly guiding this phenomenon for a greater purpose?
• Malevolent Whispers: Could malevolent forces be manipulating the psionic landscape, amplifying abilities to sow chaos, gain control of powerful minds, or further their own agendas across diverse species? Is the Awakening a pawn in a larger, unseen game?

Unforeseen Consequences:

• Universal Unrest: The sudden emergence of powerful individuals across species challenges established societal structures and laws. Do societies fear or embrace these "gifted" individuals? Will this lead to segregation, exploitation, or a new era of understanding and collaboration?
• Shattered Beliefs: As individuals glimpse other realities or delve into the collective consciousness, will their revelations shatter established beliefs and understandings of the universe? Could their power reshape the very fabric of Ealathra, forging new alliances or igniting unforeseen conflicts?

Unanswered Questions:

• Is the surge temporary, or a permanent shift in the very nature of sentience in Ealathra? Who or what truly stands behind this phenomenon? Are there ways to control or predict future awakenings?
• What dangers and opportunities lie ahead for the Psionically Awakened and all of Ealathra? Will this lead to a golden age of cooperation and shared knowledge, or a descent into chaos and conflict fueled by fear and ambition?

Cultural Reception

In Ealathra, where the Psionic Awakening remains largely unknown to the public, the cultural reception and individual perspectives will vary greatly depending on several factors:
Level of Awareness:

• Unaware Public: Most people remain blissfully unaware of the Psionically Awakened, leading to their experiences being dismissed as myths, tall tales, or mental illness.
• Whispers and Rumors: Vague rumors of strange abilities might circulate, fueled by hushed tales in taverns or exaggerated campfire stories. These stories could paint the Awakened as anything from mystics to dangerous freaks.

Academic Circles:

• Intrigue and Fear: Scholars might be fascinated by the phenomenon, seeking to understand its origins and potential. However, fear of the unknown and the potential dangers of these abilities could lead to ethical debates and calls for control or suppression.
• Respect and Collaboration: Some academics might approach the Awakened with respect, seeking their collaboration in research or viewing them as valuable sources of knowledge about the mind and the unseen.

Personal Encounters:

• Awe and Wonder: Individuals who directly encounter an Awakened individual's abilities might be awestruck, viewing them with respect and even reverence as beings gifted with extraordinary talents.
• Fear and Distrust: Witnessing uncontrolled or harmful manifestations could lead to fear and distrust, particularly if the encounter is negative or leaves lasting trauma. This fear could be fueled by existing prejudices or societal anxieties.

Societal Attitudes:

• Prejudice and Discrimination: Depending on the dominant cultural values and historical experiences, societal attitudes could range from prejudice and discrimination against the Awakened, viewing them as different or even dangerous, to a more accepting and inclusive approach that recognizes their diverse abilities.
• Governmental Stance: Depending on the political climate and the perceived threat level, governments might enact policies ranging from monitoring and regulation of the Awakened to complete suppression or even persecution.

Type

Mental

Origin

Natural

Cycle

Chronic, Acquired

Rarity

Uncommon