Effects of Psionic Experimentation

Since the first diagnosis, humanity has worked to better understand what Psionics are capable of. The Emerald Legion in particular has a strong focus on improving psionic capabilities, no matter the harm to the test subjects. Even the former president of the prestigious Blue Spire Academy has been implicated in unethical experimentation.
The field of psi-med, or psionics medicine, seeks to help victims recover from what was done to them. However, many people refuse treatment - sometimes out of distrust, but other times because they don't want to lose the psionic enhancements they've gained.

Psionic Amplification

Goals

Improve abilities in psionic disciplines already known to the subject.

Unlock techniques and enhancements without years of study.

Performed By

Emerald Legion

Josephine Quinn

Side Effects

Severe system strain

Uncontrollable abilities

Death

Known Subjects

Roderick
Telekinetic member of the Emerald Legion
Results Amplification successful, but subject seemingly only survived due to heavy cybernetic usage. Subject was later killed.

Trisha
Biopsionic member of the Yellow Jackets
Results Amplification successful, but turned subject feral. Subject was later killed.

Alice
Precognitive pirate taken prisoner at Parala
Results Amplification successful, but subject has no control over techniques. Suffers from frequent, unintentional torching. Constant sedation and mental focus required to prevent further torching. Subject at large.

Psionic Induction

Goals

Grant psionic abilities to those who don't already have them.

Performed By

Emerald Legion

Side Effects

Uncontrollable abilities

Headaches

Death

Known Subjects

Twelve
Former test subject at the Legion compound on Xeros
Results Induction successful, but techniques cannot be used at will. Under significant duress, subject may unintentionally use a high-level technique of a random discipline.

Trey/Thirteen
Former test subject from Xeros, current criminal networker on Nisora
Results Induction successful with minimal side effects. Subject capable of precognition with only occasional headaches.

Mable/Forty-two
Former test subject from Xeros.
Results Inconclusive. Subject is too young to display psionic abilities, and the compound was destroyed before further testing could be completed.

Torching Restoration

Goals

Repair damage caused by overuse of psionics.

Prevent future damage from torching.

Performed By

Norah Everdin

Side Effects

Total physical paralysis

Memory loss

Vertigo-like symptoms

Brain damage

Death

Known Subjects

Patricia Eckhart
Professor at Blue Spire Academy
Results Damage repaired, but subject faced constant metadimensional energy flow through the brain. Caused vertigo-like symptoms. Subject recovered after emergency psi-med treatment.

Rose
Patient at Avlen Memorial Hospital
Results Unclear. Subject seemingly has no prior memories and cannot create new ones. Near-constant use of telekinesis and aggression toward medical staff prevents further study.

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Terminology

Psionics

Genetic ability to manipulate energy to affect the world and people.

Torching

Over-using psionics to the point of causing irreversable brain damage.

Feral

Potential effect of torching. The psion has limitless ability to use psionics, but has lost all control and sense of self. Often attacks other on sight.

Inforation

Type

Neurological

Origin

Engineered

Cycle

Chronic, Acquired

Psi-med

Some recovery from these side effects is possible through experimental psi-med treatments. However, they often need rare materials to synthesize necessary medication, and many hospitals are reluctant to attempt the unproven treatments. Despite years of research, many symptoms are still untreatable.
Many refuse potential treatment. In some cases it's out of distrust for the experimental nature, or refusal to continue being a test subject. Others, however, refuse because they fear it will remove the improvements to their psionics. To them, the side effects are worth the power they gained.

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