So, I started trying to build a class using the level 0 (non-mage), using thief powers to get spells to mimic the visitor monsters powers. Then I sort of added the ability to use all technology along the way, deciding to give it 1d6 HD so it can go into combat with some of that stuff. Then i went a little over the top on the telepath referances... (maybe? I not sure where thematic corosses over with fandom). I ended up with this (will post the build notes in the next post). Its sort of a telepath and technology user blend without being a full spell options style class.
PSION
Prime Requisite: WIS
Requirements: DEX 10, INT 10, CON less than 16
Hit Dice: 1d6
Maximum Level: 13
The enigmatic Visitors came from beyond the stars to pursue ends unknown. As part of their mysterious mission they abduct ordinary humans to perform experiments on them. Sometimes children come of these experiments, cuckoos created by eldritch rituals in the Visitors’ alien laboratories. These Nephilim, half human and half Visitor, grow up to be eccentric outsiders, belonging to neither the terrestrial world nor the alien realms. Nephilim are usually somewhat shorter than ordinary humans, slight of build, with greyish skin, dark oily hair and almond-shaped multi-faceted eyes. The Psion is a Nephilim who has taken up the path of focusing on their innate mental abilities and technological knowledge, rather than pursuing paths arcane.
The Visitors have visited many worlds. Thus, any ACKS setting where science-fiction and/or science-fantasy content is appropriate may have Visitor and with them, Nephilim. Similar to the Nephil class (BCK), the Psion class relies heavily on the existence of alien artifacts in the setting, without which several of its abilities lose their usefulness. Therefore, the class is most appropriate in a setting where such technology is in use, at least as treasure.
Psions lack the physique or temperament for heavy fighting, but through exercises and rote training designed to focus their mind and body they become capable combatants. At first level, Psions hit an unarmored foe (AC 0) with an attack throw of 10+. They advance in attack throws by two points every four levels of experience (i.e. the same as thieves), and use the saving throw progression of thieves. They may use leather armor, as well as all technological armors, and may use their innate mental powers while in armor. They may fight with any alien weapons (regardless of class restrictions) but are only trained in the use of daggers, short swords and swords as well as crossbows and arbalests. They may fight wielding a weapon with two hands but are not trained to use shields or dual wield weapons. They may perform one cleave attack per two levels of experience. They may use any magical and technological items usable by thieves.
Because of their alien mindset, they can use alien technology as if they were an arcane spellcaster. They may make the technological research test in place of arcane research when such tests are required by an alien device, such as reprogramming a robot. All Nephilim possess an instinctive knowledge – an inborn alien lore - of Visitor technology, and thus have the equivalent of the Alien Lore proficiency in weapons, armor, and chemicals. Nephilim can achieve On-the-Spot Understanding of an alien artifact from these three categories on a proficiency throw of 7+, and only suffer mishaps on a natural 1 in those categories. They can rely on their subconscious alien intuition to achieve On- the-Spot Understanding with all other types of alien tech on a proficiency throw of 11+ (with mishaps only on a 1). Their extensive knowledge of alien lore also grants them a +3 bonus on all research throws related to alien technology (already factored into technological research).
Nephilim are also highly tuned to their surroundings and enjoy sharp alien senses that grant a +1 bonus to avoid surprise and a +4 bonus on any proficiency throws to hear noises and detect secret doors. With a proficiency throw of 18+ a Psion can notice secret doors with just casual observation. Thanks to the genes inherited from their telepathic alien progenitors, Nephilim may use ESP (as per the spell) every 8 hours, with a casting time of 1 round. They have a telepathic ability to perceive intentions and always know the exact reaction result (Hostile, Unfriendly, etc.) of creatures they interact with, even if the creature's attempt to lie or conceal their intentions. Creatures with a CHA greater than the character’s WIS are immune to this power, though the character will know they are immune.
Due to their alien nature, Nephilim suffer a -1 penalty to the reactions, loyalty, and morale of humans and other humanoids, but gain a +1 bonus to the reactions, loyalty, and morale of Nephilim and pure-blood Visitors.
At 3rd level (psychic) their growing mental powers enable them to psychically manipulate those with similar mental structures to their own. The Psion may use Charm Person (as per the spell) every hour, with a casting time of 1 round.
Their mental powers continue to grow and from 5th level (telepath) their telepathic powers allow them to probe deeply into the minds of others and forcibly extract thoughts, emotions and intentions. The Psion may use Telepathy (as per the spell) every day, with a casting time of 1 round.
At 7th level (mentalist) their understanding of the mind enables them to dominate the mind of an individual. The Psion may use Command Person (as per the spell) once per week, with a casting time of 1 round.
Upon reaching 9th level (meta-psion), a psion achieves metapsionic mastery allowing them to use their power more frequently. The abilities physically manipulate, telepathic powers and ESP may be used at will. Dominate the mind may be used once per day.
Also on reaching 9th level (meta-psion), a psion can build a refuge for other nephilim and human families that are outcasts of other domains taking on the role of leader. When he does so, up to 1d4+1x10 0th level mercenaries and 1d6 psions of 1st-3rd level will come to apply for jobs and training. If hired, they must be paid standard rates for mercenaries. To maintain order and wellbeing for all this domain does not adopt a religion but instead funds a society of telepaths who guide and assist the population for the benefit of all. The cost to maintain this is the same as a religion and while this cost is paid the domain moral can never be negative as telepaths ensure all thoughts are directed towards the benefit of the society. In most societies these telepaths build on the greater good fulfilling the role priest often fill in other societies, but in domains suffering from outward threats or difficult times they are often viewed more as thought police keeping the social order together above the needs of the individual. Additional rules for domains are detailed in the Campaign chapter.
At 11th level (meta-psion, 11th level) their mastery of mental manipulation allows them to manipulate monsters and other strange minds. The Psion may use Charm Monster (as per the spell) once per day, with a casting time of 1 round.
Upon attaining 13th level (transcendent), the psion gains the ability to project their mental form. After 1 turn (10 minutes) of meditation, the psion enters a deep trance during which his mental form projects free of his body. Once a projection begins, it continues until the psions projection returns to his body, to a maximum duration of 13 hours. A projecting psion's mental form appears as a stylized version of their physical form. The psion can see and hear normally, move around at his normal movement rate, and pass through solid objects without difficulty. However, the projecting psion cannot see into, hear sounds from, or move through an area warded by an antimagic shell or protection from evil spell or similar effect. The projecting psion is incorporeal and invisible, but can be detected with detect invisible or true seeing, harmed by spells and magic weapons if detected, and forced to return to his body with dispel evil. If the psion’s body is destroyed, the character dies at the end of the projection. If the psion’s spirit is destroyed, his body falls into a catatonic slumber that can only be lifted with restore life and limb, resurrection, or wish. Projecting is so taxing that it can be performed but once per week.
Psion Proficiency List (29): Alien Lore, Arcane Dabbling, Bargaining, Beast Friendship, Blind Fighting, Bribery, Climbing, Combat Reflexes, Combat Trickery (disarm, incapacitate), Command, Contortionism, Diplomacy, Eavesdropping, Fighting Style, Gambling, Illusion Resistance, Intimidation, Mapping, Martial Training, Mystic Aura, Passing Without Trace, Precise Shooting, Running, Seduction, Swashbuckling, Wakefulness, Weapon Finesse, Weapon Focus.
Class proficiencies at: 1st, 4th, 8th, 12th.
General proficiencies at: 1st, 5th, 9th, 13th.
Troubleshooter Template: This pre-generated template represents a researcher seeking to uncover the truth and recover arcane and visitor artifacts that reveal secrets of the past. The template is ready for adventure. However, if your troubleshooter's INT is 13 or greater, you may pick one or more additional general proficiencies before play if you’d like (see Starting Proficiencies in Chapter 4 of ACKS).
Template
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Researcher
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Proficiencies:
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Arcane Dabbling, Mapping
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Starting Equipment
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Crossbow, case with 20 bolts, slender shortsword, boot holstered dagger, leather armor, cloak with deep hood, traveler’s tunic and pants, black gloves, leather belt, shoes, backpack, 2 small sack, 2 large sacks, thick woolen blanket, 50' rope, grappling hook, tinder box, 6 torches, 1 weeks’ iron rations, canteen of water, 15gp. (5 2/6 st., Move 90’/30’)
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Psion level progression
Experience
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Title
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Level
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Hit Dice
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Technological Research
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0
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Sensitive
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1
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1d6
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13+
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1,725
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Reader
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2
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2d6
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12+
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3,450
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Psychic
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3
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3d6
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11+
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6,900
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Mystic
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4
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4d6
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10+
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13,800
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Telepath
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5
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5d6
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9+
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27,600
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Auger
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6
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6d6
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8+
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55,000
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Mentalist
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7
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7d6
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7+
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110,000
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Cerebral
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8
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8d6
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6+
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265,000
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Meta-psion
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9
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9d6
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5+
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420,000
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Meta-psion, 10th Level
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10
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9d6+2*
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4+
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575,000
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Meta-psion, 11th Level
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11
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9d6+4*
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3+
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730,000
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Meta-psion, 12th Level
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12
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9d6+6*
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2+
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885,000
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Transcendent
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13
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9d6+8*
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1+
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Psion (Thief) Attack and Saving Throws
Level
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Petrification & Paralysis
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Poison & Death
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Blast & Breath
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Staffs & Wands
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Spells
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Attack
<div><strong>Throw</strong></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="vertical-align:top">
<div><span style="background-color:transparent; color:rgb(0, 0, 0)">1-2</span></div>
</td>
<td style="vertical-align:top">
<div><span style="background-color:transparent; color:rgb(0, 0, 0)">13+</span></div>
</td>
<td style="vertical-align:top">
<div><span style="background-color:transparent; color:rgb(0, 0, 0)">10+</span> </div>
</td>
<td style="vertical-align:top">
<div><span style="background-color:transparent; color:rgb(0, 0, 0)">16+</span></div>
</td>
<td style="vertical-align:top">
<div><span style="background-color:transparent; color:rgb(0, 0, 0)">13+</span></div>
</td>
<td style="vertical-align:top">
<div><span style="background-color:transparent; color:rgb(0, 0, 0)">15+</span></div>
</td>
<td style="vertical-align: top; width: 118px;">
<div><span style="background-color:transparent; color:rgb(0, 0, 0)">10+</span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="vertical-align:top">
<div><span style="background-color:transparent; color:rgb(0, 0, 0)">3-4</span></div>
</td>
<td style="vertical-align:top">
<div><span style="background-color:transparent; color:rgb(0, 0, 0)">12+</span></div>
</td>
<td style="vertical-align:top">
<div><span style="background-color:transparent; color:rgb(0, 0, 0)">9+</span></div>
</td>
<td style="vertical-align:top">
<div><span style="background-color:transparent; color:rgb(0, 0, 0)">15+</span></div>
</td>
<td style="vertical-align:top">
<div><span style="background-color:transparent; color:rgb(0, 0, 0)">12+</span></div>
</td>
<td style="vertical-align:top">
<div><span style="background-color:transparent; color:rgb(0, 0, 0)">14+</span></div>
</td>
<td style="vertical-align: top; width: 118px;">
<div><span style="background-color:transparent; color:rgb(0, 0, 0)">9+</span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="vertical-align:top">
<div><span style="background-color:transparent; color:rgb(0, 0, 0)">5-6</span></div>
</td>
<td style="vertical-align:top">
<div><span style="background-color:transparent; color:rgb(0, 0, 0)">11+</span></div>
</td>
<td style="vertical-align:top">
<div><span style="background-color:transparent; color:rgb(0, 0, 0)">8+</span></div>
</td>
<td style="vertical-align:top">
<div><span style="background-color:transparent; color:rgb(0, 0, 0)">14+</span></div>
</td>
<td style="vertical-align:top">
<div><span style="background-color:transparent; color:rgb(0, 0, 0)">11+</span></div>
</td>
<td style="vertical-align:top">
<div><span style="background-color:transparent; color:rgb(0, 0, 0)">13+</span></div>
</td>
<td style="vertical-align: top; width: 118px;">
<div><span style="background-color:transparent; color:rgb(0, 0, 0)">8+</span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="vertical-align:top">
<div><span style="background-color:transparent; color:rgb(0, 0, 0)">7-8</span></div>
</td>
<td style="vertical-align:top">
<div><span style="background-color:transparent; color:rgb(0, 0, 0)">10+</span></div>
</td>
<td style="vertical-align:top">
<div><span style="background-color:transparent; color:rgb(0, 0, 0)">7+</span></div>
</td>
<td style="vertical-align:top">
<div><span style="background-color:transparent; color:rgb(0, 0, 0)">13+</span></div>
</td>
<td style="vertical-align:top">
<div><span style="background-color:transparent; color:rgb(0, 0, 0)">10+</span></div>
</td>
<td style="vertical-align:top">
<div><span style="background-color:transparent; color:rgb(0, 0, 0)">12+</span></div>
</td>
<td style="vertical-align: top; width: 118px;">
<div><span style="background-color:transparent; color:rgb(0, 0, 0)">7+</span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="vertical-align:top">
<div><span style="background-color:transparent; color:rgb(0, 0, 0)">9-10</span></div>
</td>
<td style="vertical-align:top">
<div><span style="background-color:transparent; color:rgb(0, 0, 0)">9+</span></div>
</td>
<td style="vertical-align:top">
<div><span style="background-color:transparent; color:rgb(0, 0, 0)">6+</span></div>
</td>
<td style="vertical-align:top">
<div><span style="background-color:transparent; color:rgb(0, 0, 0)">12+</span></div>
</td>
<td style="vertical-align:top">
<div><span style="background-color:transparent; color:rgb(0, 0, 0)">9+</span></div>
</td>
<td style="vertical-align:top">
<div><span style="background-color:transparent; color:rgb(0, 0, 0)">11+</span></div>
</td>
<td style="vertical-align: top; width: 118px;">
<div><span style="background-color:transparent; color:rgb(0, 0, 0)">6+</span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="vertical-align:top">
<div><span style="background-color:transparent; color:rgb(0, 0, 0)">11-12</span></div>
</td>
<td style="vertical-align:top">
<div><span style="background-color:transparent; color:rgb(0, 0, 0)">8+</span></div>
</td>
<td style="vertical-align:top">
<div><span style="background-color:transparent; color:rgb(0, 0, 0)">5+</span></div>
</td>
<td style="vertical-align:top">
<div><span style="background-color:transparent; color:rgb(0, 0, 0)">11+</span></div>
</td>
<td style="vertical-align:top">
<div><span style="background-color:transparent; color:rgb(0, 0, 0)">8+</span></div>
</td>
<td style="vertical-align:top">
<div><span style="background-color:transparent; color:rgb(0, 0, 0)">10+</span></div>
</td>
<td style="vertical-align: top; width: 118px;">
<div><span style="background-color:transparent; color:rgb(0, 0, 0)">5+</span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="vertical-align:top">
<div><span style="background-color:transparent; color:rgb(0, 0, 0)">13</span></div>
</td>
<td style="vertical-align:top">
<div><span style="background-color:transparent; color:rgb(0, 0, 0)">7+</span></div>
</td>
<td style="vertical-align:top">
<div><span style="background-color:transparent; color:rgb(0, 0, 0)">4+</span></div>
</td>
<td style="vertical-align:top">
<div><span style="background-color:transparent; color:rgb(0, 0, 0)">10+</span></div>
</td>
<td style="vertical-align:top">
<div><span style="background-color:transparent; color:rgb(0, 0, 0)">7+</span></div>
</td>
<td style="vertical-align:top">
<div><span style="background-color:transparent; color:rgb(0, 0, 0)">9+</span></div>
</td>
<td style="vertical-align: top; width: 118px;">
<div><span style="background-color:transparent; color:rgb(0, 0, 0)">4+</span></div>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
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