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Telekinesis

wow that's a lot of stars is a sci-fi setting about adventure, exploration, and discovery. Every person, place, and thing has a story to tell, if you listen closely.   Setting Intro | Visitor's Guide | Author's Intentions
Telekinesis is the psionic ability to manipulate energy, from moving objects to creating constructs. It's one of the most common disciplines, and one of the least-threatening per public opinion. Until the telekinetic masters the ability to control someone else's body.

The Science

Manipulating Objects

Current theories suggest ambient metadimensional energy exists around us in trace amounts too small to be detected. Telekinetics harness this energy to move objects through space, freeze or burn items, and create energy-based constructs. Experts can learn how to detonate the energy, causing tremendous destruction to an area, as well as lift enough weight to transport platforms of materials or people.   However, there are two key restrictions: One, the energy surrounding living creatures prohibits manipulation of objects being worn or carried. Two, since a telekinetic moves objects in relation to themselves, they cannot move platforms they themselves stand upon.
The age-old dilemma: snacks are on the table and a cat sleeps on your lap. But lo! You are a telekinetic! You focus on the snack bowl, feel the energy surrounding it, and summon it to your bidding.
— Excerpt from "Solving Problems With Telekinesis"
 

Manipulating Creatures

A telekinetic can bolster the metadimensional energy surrounding their own bodies to walk on walls, protect themselves from harm, or even harm others. Most can only affect their own MES field in this manner. Masters can affect others, such as by granting them the ability to fly, though these others must remain close to the telekinetic.   Their most frightening ability can subjugate another person's MES field and use it to forcibly control them. Some believe this ability has been used throughout history to frame others for murders and assassinations.  

The People

Did you know?

If a telekinetic tells you they learned thermokinesis for anything other than keeping their food the right temperature, they're lying.

Common Traits

With their ability to bring objects to them, many assume telekinetics are universally lazy and never want to put in effort. They often call the psions "spoon benders", and dismiss their abilities as little more than a party trick. Even academics dismiss telekinesis as either a basic and uninteresting discipline, or the one for violent thugs who want to use psionics to hurt others.   Neither of these stereotypes hold true in reality. Many telekinetics point out that they still have to walk to the store the same as anyone else, and to be truly lazy, they'd need to combine their abilities with
Icon for Teleportation
teleportation.   Thankfully, most communities separate their telekinetic friends from the campfire tales of vindictive psions forcibly controlling campers. While such people do exist, they're far from the norm, and aren't the sort to partake in everyday society.  

Common Jobs

Painter, Cleaner, Construction
Telekinesis removes the need for a ladder, makes it easier to keep tools nearby, and can lift equipment.
Spacer, Explorer
Space walks, ship maintenance, and trips to alien surfaces are safer and easier with telekinetic abilities.
Mercenary, Pirate
Those with more violent tendencies can find ample work that benefits from their psionics.
Performer
A practiced telekinetic can perform or support impressive stage shows with visual effects.
Search & Rescue
A telekinetic can arrive to clear debris sooner than most equipment can after a natural disaster.
Cybernetics and machinery can do what most basic telekinesis can, from walking on walls to moving heavy objects. What money might be saved on equipment by hiring a telekinetic is instead put toward their paycheck, making it unlikely a telekinetic is requested for most jobs.   Search and rescue is where telekinetics truly shine. Lives are lost in the time it takes to bring in equipment to clear rubble or dig snow, while a skilled telekinetic can act sooner and reach more difficult areas.  

Content Warning:
Traumatic death

"The worst is leaving people behind. Ones that will survive the wait for digging crews. I place a beacon, make a promise, and leave them trapped. Sometimes I'm wrong, and the crew only finds a corpse. I hear their screams in my nightmares."
— Memoir of a telekinetic volunteer
This is an in-depth exploration of telekinesis. For a more general overview, read about the parent technology.
Parent Technologies

Limitations

Some limitations remain the same no matter the skill level of the telekinetic. To remember what they are, stay focused on the FACTS:
F for Far
Telekinetic manipulation can move objects as fast as a light jog, a speed limitation not even masters have been able to break past.
A for Amount
Only one object at a time can be targeted, but its weight can go from what can be lifted in a single hand up to a metric ton.
C for Consent
Unless the bearer permits it, a telekinetic cannot manipulate an object they wear or carry. But a master may be able to take control of another's body.
T for Time
Most telekinetic effects last for up to twenty minutes, though a few can last for as long as the telekinetic puts in the effort to maintain it.
S for Sense
Any object or location the telekinetic can see unaided is within range of their abilities. If sight is unavailable, touch is typically used instead.
  For information on general limitations of all disciplines, read more about Psionics and the metadimension (article coming soon).

Known Telekinetics

Luis Gonzales
Incoming student at the Blue Spire Academy, and younger brother of Perimeter Agent Emil Gonzales
Jareth Quinn
Talmarian orphanage owner and founding member of the Night Knights.
Annie
Former pirate, spending her retirement like many pirates do: on Nisora.
Elenore King
Former deal of the college of telekinesis for the Blue Spire Academy.
Norah Everdin
Former president of the Blue Spire Academy.
Mys. Yasmin Ada
Unconventional psionics tutor and former founding member of the Witches.

Author Commentary

More Like Guidelines
I sometimes break the 'consent' rule to let my players mess with unaware security guards for the fun of it.


Cover image: by Aaron Lee, Nick Ong, Norah Khor

Comments

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Feb 16, 2024 17:07 by Lady Arsenik

I really like the Common Jobs section. It shows how the magic can be used in a practical setting. I, for one, would like to bring a bowl of chips over to me while my cat snoozes on my lap.

Feb 21, 2024 13:31 by Rin Garnett

100% but also, "there's a cat on my lap" would no longer be an excuse to not do things!

Feb 16, 2024 17:29 by Mochi

All the details you pack into your articles are amazing. I love the common jobs section, the FACTS section, known telekinetics, it's things I'd never think to add to my articles. Wonderful work as always <3

I hope you have a great day!   Explore the endless planets brimming with life of the Yonderverse! Go after creatures, discover new places, and learn about the people you find along the way.   Check out my Institutes of Learning Challenge entry!
Feb 21, 2024 18:11 by Rin Garnett

Thank you so much! I have too much fun brainstorming how fantastical things can be made mundane :D

Feb 20, 2024 20:26 by Dr Emily Vair-Turnbull

Oof, that quote was a gut punch.   Great article. Love all the little details you include. <3

Emy x
Explore Etrea
Feb 21, 2024 18:21 by Rin Garnett

Aww thank you! (and sorrynotsorry about the gut punch)