Psionic Sensitivity
Psionic sensitivity is a blanket term referring to the ability to "do things" with ones mind - things that seem to defy the basic physical laws of the universe. It is still little understood, even within the Zhodani culture that highly prizes it. Within the Imperium, and most of the rest of Charted Space, it is treated as a disease, and those who exhibit it are shunned, quarantined, or worse. The only thing that is universally known about it is that all Humans, whether of Solomani (Terran) stock, or from one of the many sub-races that were transplanted by the Ancients, seem to have the potential to express psionic abilities embedded somewhere in their genome.
Imperium researchers speculate that psionic capabilities arise as the result of one or more mutations in DNA, though they have not yet pinpointed which. It is also known that while genetics can provide the potential, that potential must be developed through effort and practice by an affected individual.
Throughout ancient pre-history and history, As Terran and Vilani human strains became civilized, those who exhibited psionic abilities (which could include ESP, telekinetics, pyrokinetics, and others), were sometimes treated with reverence, and sometimes treated as evil manifestations of some dark force and thus shunned or even killed. As time passed, and organized religions began to classify "good" and "evil", the latter became the predominant course of action. In present time, use of psionic abilities is still illegal according to Imperial Law, and anyone found to possess the abilities is snatched up by government forces, never to be seen again. Some speculate that they are quietly disposed of, but most suspect the Imperial government, or a branch of its military, are harnessing these powers as potential weapons against the Zhodani.
In Zhodani space, things were quite different - and still are today. From the time psionic abilities began to manifest in their people, the talents were highly regarded and seen as the future of humanity. Rather than being suppressed, psionic development was encouraged. Children were tested as early as possible to identify any latent psionic talent, and those who showed promise were trained to enhance their skills. Eventually, their entire culture grew up around psionic capability, with social castes based on degree of psionic power.
Imperium researchers speculate that psionic capabilities arise as the result of one or more mutations in DNA, though they have not yet pinpointed which. It is also known that while genetics can provide the potential, that potential must be developed through effort and practice by an affected individual.
Throughout ancient pre-history and history, As Terran and Vilani human strains became civilized, those who exhibited psionic abilities (which could include ESP, telekinetics, pyrokinetics, and others), were sometimes treated with reverence, and sometimes treated as evil manifestations of some dark force and thus shunned or even killed. As time passed, and organized religions began to classify "good" and "evil", the latter became the predominant course of action. In present time, use of psionic abilities is still illegal according to Imperial Law, and anyone found to possess the abilities is snatched up by government forces, never to be seen again. Some speculate that they are quietly disposed of, but most suspect the Imperial government, or a branch of its military, are harnessing these powers as potential weapons against the Zhodani.
In Zhodani space, things were quite different - and still are today. From the time psionic abilities began to manifest in their people, the talents were highly regarded and seen as the future of humanity. Rather than being suppressed, psionic development was encouraged. Children were tested as early as possible to identify any latent psionic talent, and those who showed promise were trained to enhance their skills. Eventually, their entire culture grew up around psionic capability, with social castes based on degree of psionic power.
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