So... does anyone know of a vancian version (or conversion) of the psionic system?
Why would you even want something like that?
not off hand, paizo's system will be vancian when it comes out, but that is a long way off.
There was a sorcerer psion bloodline in one of the wayfinders. It should not be hard to make a "psion" spell list however.
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Monte Cook's Arcana Unearthed / Evolved has an assortment of spells with the [psionic] descriptor, and a spellcaster with the Psion feat can cast his spells without somatic or verbal components. It's kinda sorta like Vancian psionics.
He's also got a Witch class, with a Mind Witch option, which does much the same thing.
Set and seekerofshadowlight, thanks for the leads on mechanics and ideas.
Why would you even want something like that?
Well two reasons really...
1) I like my systems to all use the same mechanics (vancian or spellpoint or other).
2)I'm trying to figure out what psionics IS.
As to point of what psionics actually is, this is what I found so far:
1) Horrible naming conventions. I assume this is because most of the authors of psionic systems do not seem to have a good understanding of its difference from standard magic. (WotC has always made some sub-par naming choices but for psionics sub-par was the top of the heap for naming choices).
2) Spellpoints (for many people this is enough but it really seems to be a poor answer to me).
3) Psionics is often deeply entwined with many related paranormal or science fiction phenomena.
4) It appears to be mind/will magic that
a) has less 'creation' effects (Often more short range powers that are less flashy and doesn't create many things that act independently of the caster or last longer then the caster focuses)
b) less ritualized than standard magic
(Verbal and Somatic components are still there but they are usually shorter triggers instead of complex rituals)
c) less fantastical (only in comparison to full blown high fantasy)*
*Illusion of a dragon is in the mind... not in the actual air. Fire comes out of the casters hands... not a portal.
Common Features of RPG Psionics from Wikipedia
Common features
Psionics are primarily distinguished, in most popular gaming systems, by one or more of the following:
* Magical or super/meta human-like abilities including:
o Telepathy, Mental Attacks/Defenses, and Projected Illusions
o Extrasensory Perception such as ESP, Clairvoyance/audience, Pre/Recognition, et al.
o Telekinesis - as in simply projecting pure force via the mind
o Other (non-force) "Energy"-based abilities (e.g. Pyrokinesis, Electrokinesis, Cryokinesis, etc.)
o Teleportation, Astral Projection, Dimensional Walking, Etherialization, etc.
o Similarly, Time Travel and/or the manipulation of the flow of time
o Psycho-Metabolic abilities (literally "mind over matter") such as healing, environmental resistance, shape shifting, levitation, etc.
* Exclusive or near-exclusive association with highly intelligent, disciplined, and/or willful beings
* Intense mental discipline required for training and use
* Lack of arcane rituals, gestures, components, and other typical features of magic
* Transmutation
* Extreme empathy (not only are they able to pick up on an emotion, if the emotion is strong enough, the psionic himself is able to feel that emotion. A frequent example is pain.)
A year or so back I went and separated "psionic" spells from the other spell list. The HD crash took it with it, but it wasn't all that hard.
To me mental powers should not create energy. I hated that in 3e fire, sure energy bolts hell no. It should not be hard to make a "psychic" or mentalist wizard school or even Bloodlines.