Masters of the Way (WatW)

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Although thousands of Athasians command a unique talent, true masters of the Way—or "mindbenders"—are still rare. It takes exceptional ability and dedication to take up the study of the Way, and many do not progress far. Less than one person in one hundred can be considered a true psionicist.
Because trained psionicists are scarce, they are highly valued by many elements of Athasian society. Unlike defilers and preservers, psionicists are free of the taint of magic and need not disguise their calling. They owe no loyalty to the sorcerer-kings, unlike the templars. Even clerics and druids have elemental powers and guarded lands that they must place before all other considerations. Psionicists are free of these patrons and responsibilities and may employ their powers as they see fit.
Any psionicist willing to sell his services will find there is great demand for someone skilled in the mental arts. Merchant houses, psionic schools, nobles, and templars routinely employ psionicists to help them against their enemies. In fact, it is unusual to encounter a psionicist who has no patron or employer. They are often seen as troublemakers.