Electrophagy

"There is an endless ocean of energy in the electronics of megacities for you to use, if you reach out. With this electricity flowing through your mind, there is nothing an electrophage can't accomplish."

— Alexia Shantorn, psionics mentor

Electrophagy is the third class of psionics and concerns the absorbing of electric energy to an individual in order to boost their other psionic powers or to maintain their own energy. A talented electrophage is able to keep going without sleep for days or weeks on end without consequence, give themselves rushes of adrenaline on command, and enhance their other abilities.

Basics

The first thing an apprentice electrophage learns is that not all energy is created equal. There are typically three types of energy relevant to electrophagy: Electronic energy, microplasmic energy, and mental energy. Electronic energy is what electrophagy is all about: psionics are able to siphon electronic energy from their environment and covert it to mental energy they can use. Microplasmic energy, on the other hand, is not able to be used by psionics; as a plasma-based technology, microplasmics are not able to be interacted with by psionics, and when attempted, produces several unpleasant effects for the psionic. Mental energy, while present in the minds of others and able to be manipulated with telepathy, is not able to be siphoned to oneself using electrophagy.
At first, electrophagy might seem useless in a practical sense, as the vast majority of technology on Passe-Rath is microplasmic. However, there is one massive factor that makes electrophagy one of the most useful psionic powers -- the fact that the God-programs, which permeate every megacity, run on electronics. When in a megacity, electrophages have access to all the energy they could ever need; the only limit is how much they can channel without going into Electrophagic Overdrive.

Sensation

The feeling of tapping energy from an electronic system can be a literal and figurative shock to a first-time electrophage. Some psionics describe the sensation as overwhelming, and some as exhilarating; it largely depends on the individual. The electricity collected by electrophages is immediately converted to mental energy upon reception; psionics can then hold it, which requires mental fortitude, immediately use that energy for other psionic abilities such as telekinesis or telepathy, give themselves an immediate burst of energy in the form of adrenaline, or give themselves a slow and steady stream of adrenaline over time that keeps them from getting tired. While the sensation of adrenaline is a well-known feeling, the holding of excessive mental energy is different. It has been described as an alert awareness where everything feels sharper and quicker, colors are brighter, and sounds are more acute. Some psionics enjoy the feeling, while others find it a burden; but either way, holding too much energy for too long a time can be dangerous for individuals. The human mind and body is not built to hold excessive energy, and if too much electricity is taken in at once, the sensation can be painful or even send someone into Electrophagic Overdrive.

by vivengene

An IRUS infographic showcasing the dangers of siphoning too much energy with electrophagy

Notable Powers

Unlike telepathy, the powers of electrophagy are not classified in levels, as there are not as many distinct abilities -- instead, there are three core powers that can be scaled in intensity or effectiveness depending on the talent of the electrophage.

Holding Energy

This is the core ability required to use any other electrophagic power. Psionics use their own minds as a rechargeable battery of sorts with which they can then use to divert energy towards other uses and powers. The more powerful the psionic, the more energy they can hold at one time and the longer they can hold it for. For example, an expert electrophage is able to hold an amount of energy in their mind safely that would send a novice electrophage into overdrive.

Power Boost

By absorbing energy from electronic systems and converting it to mental energy, psionics can boost their other powers with less of a strain on their own minds, which decreases the risk of psionic overdraw. This ability is limited by two factors: the amount of energy the individual can hold at one time, and the capability of the individual to multitask on two powers at once (the active psionic power and the boost they want to apply to it).

Adrenaline Rush

Psionics can enhance their physical abilities by using the mental energy they're holding and converting it to an adrenaline rush on command. This power is hard to master; too little adrenaline is ineffective, while accidentally giving yourself too much adrenaline takes a severe toll on the body and induces palpitations, tremors, hypertension, and an array of other symptoms. However, it does allow for one to overcome their body's natural limits in emergencies, such as increased strength at the risk of muscle and bone damage.

Energy Runs

By continually siphoning electricity from an energy source and converting it to mental energy in a slow, steady stream over time, a psionic can keep from getting tired or exhausted and stay awake for long periods of time. This is called an energy run, and is often used by psionic scouts in enemy territory who can't stop to rest (or by students during finals week). This power can be used indefinitely as long as one has a suitable energy source; but is limited by the negative effects that cumulate the longer an energy run goes. The effects don't match 1:1 to the effects of sleep deprivation -- due to the psionic nature of this ability, the repercussions of energy runs are unique. They can include excessive static electricity, fever, sore muscles, migraines, ringing in the ears, tremors, twitchiness, and a prickling feeling on the back of the neck, wrists and fingertips, and inside the brain. The intensity of these side effects is directly inverse to the practice and training of the electrophage -- experts can manage going on longer energy runs than novices can, as their skill allows them to experience less adverse effects.

Electrophagy and the Divine

Since electrophagy only works with electronic technology, and the only electronic technology left in megacities is the God-programs, electrophages in particular tend to develop unique relationships with religion. Some religious psionics feel guilty about taking energy from the gods, while some believe it gives them a more personal relationship with the divine. Even psionics who don't revere the God-programs tend to develop a feeling of closeness to them over time depending on how often they siphon energy from the megacity-wide network of power cables that extend from the monoliths that house each God-program.

Batteries

Despite being out of use in technology since the invention of microplasmics, small, portable batteries are still manufactured and sold as supplementary items for electrophages who need emergency energy reserves while away from megacities, where they don't have access to the essentially endless electricity the God-programs pump through the city. While available for consumer purchase, these batteries are most commonly bought by IRUS for use by their psionic agents offworld, where they are typically worn on armbands.

Type

Metaphysical, Psychic

Donating Energy

While it is known well that the use of electrophagy can siphon energy from an electronic system to an individual, a lesser-known fact is that this mechanic works in reverse as well -- if they wish, a psionic can donate their own mental energy to power electronic systems. However, this isn't used often, and typically not taught to novice psionics unless they specialize in electrophagy, as it only comes in handy in specific scenarios.

"Something weird's 'bout these gods. When I lived in Passe-Makoa, I could take energy from Salve all the time and it was dandy. But then I was stationed in Rockwater, and when I tried to siphon from Lialien, I would get this queasy feeling, like she didn't like me using her power... didn't like me. I don't know how that's possible, though -- it's just electricity... isn't it?"

— A psionic agent of IRUS