Talk:Telepathy

According to the telepathy guide, ESP can't work the way it is described now. Kthxbye 12:35, 14 September 2010 (CDT)

Well, the term 'surface thoughts' may imply enough of an understanding to not necessarily gain information the mind would not consciously reveal, right? Which implies the skill bonii of the power, but not that it breaks RP. Gurky Bogglewig 12:42, 14 September 2010 (CDT)

Umh.. The telepathy guide states nothing at all can be read. -- Kthxbye 12:52, 14 September 2010 (CDT)

Perhaps we should reword it then. I mean, it's clearly suggested that ESP gives you an advantage in terms of persuade, bluff, and intimidate, but not because one is aware of surface thoughts... why don't we change that to 'surface emotions'? This doesn't imply reading actual thoughts. Gurky Bogglewig 13:06, 14 September 2010 (CDT)

My suggestion is to use body language.. The description may be something like: "Focusing on body language, the psionicist is able to transmit the emotions he wants conveyed: he can result persuasive, intimidating or easy to trust because of how he acts with others. Also, he is able to tell other people's emotions by their body language, often predicting what they are going to do or tell, giving the feeling (if the psionicist wishes so) to have ESP powers to read their mind, when he is instead only paying attention." -- Kthxbye 02:41, 15 September 2010 (CDT)

Hmkay, I'm pointing the team's attention here. Hopefully the suggestions will produce a new definition we can add to the wiki. Gurky Bogglewig 03:29, 15 September 2010 (CDT)

I disagree - I think the wording of the telepathy guide allows for a reading of surface thoughts (or at least could be specifically tweaked to say so, given it is specifically states the ruling existing to prevent metagaming abuse. All we need to say is that ESP allows a *subconscious* reading of surface thoughts - which actually translates very well into the skill bonuses the power provides - the psion is able to be more persuasive etc. because they intuitively know the right things to say or the right way to say it. I feel very strongly that as this is a *telepathic* power, it should remain *telepathic* in description/effect. The key point of the guide is that information cannot be forcibly extracted, and this would match with that perfectly. (i.e. I agree with Gurky)

Added to that - Hala for one *does* have telepathy (mind-to-mind communication) through an IG mechanic; we might be better directed to implement a working telepathy that can't be metagamed rather than trying to de-telepathise telepathy. -- Calzier 15 Sept. 2010