Crystallite (Character Kit)

==Crystallite==
: From Dragon Magazine 200 Pages 98
Description: Whereas many psionicists use their "energy nexus" to focus their psychic powers, the crystallite uses a material object (usually a pure, clear, quartz crystal) as a collection vessel for their psionic strength. Crystallites are typically creatures with an affinity for the earth and gemstones, like dwarves or gnomes.
Leading dwarven psionicists claim that they are able to draw "latent psychic potential" from their crystal foci in much the same way that a priest uses his holy symbol to draw power from his patron deity. Most human psionicists dismiss this as "insane dwarven gibberish," but a few enlightened humans have learned to use crystal foci and swear by their effective¬ ness. It is rumored that svirfneblin psychics also benefit from crystals, and hushed whispers fearfully claim that there are illithid crystallites of great power. There are no minimum attributes necessary to be a crystallite.
Role: Crystallites function in much the same way as normal psionicists in fact, in dwarven society the crystallites outnumber other types of psionicists. In human society, crystallites tend to be branded even by other psionicists as "freaks" or "frauds." (Some psionicists say that crystallites can actually "talk" to their own personal crystal—this rumor has neither been confirmed nor denied by true crystallites.)
Chosen disciplines: Required — either psychokinetic or metapsionics.
* Recommended—the other of the two, or psychometabolic.
Sciences/Devotions: Required — none.
* Recommended — Empower, Magnify, Prolong, Psionic Inflation, Receptacle.
Weapon proficiencies: Any allowable to psionicists.
Nonweapon proficiencies: Bonus none.
* Recommended harness subconscious 4 , meditative focus 4 , and any others appropriate to the character's background (see also the list of dwarven "crafts" proficiencies in the Complete Book of Dwarves if the crystallite is dwarven.)
Equipment: The crystallite must possess an uncut pure quartz crystal of 200 500 gp value,  which he uses to focus his psychic energy. It takes about one month of constant contact  for a psionicist to attune to a new crystal if his old one is damaged or lost. At the end of  his time, there is a 70% chance ( + 2% per level of the psionicist) that the attunement has  been successful; otherwise, the process must be restarted with another crystal.
Special benefits: Crystallites are able to tap the psychic energies of their crystals and consequently can master more powerful psionic powers. They gain a + 1 bonus on all Wisdom power checks and may attempt psionic sciences or devotions one level before the listed prerequisite level (if any). These bonuses apply only to psionic powers when the crystal is used as a focus.
Special hindrances: Crystallites are rarely able to focus their power as well as other psionicists if they are without their crystals. When they do not have crystals to use as foci, all of their psionic sciences scores suffer from a -4 penalty, and all devotions from a -2 penalty.
Races: Crystallites are most commonly dwarves or gnomes, but may also be human. It is unknown whether halflings have the same natural ability to use focal crystals, and it is highly unlikely that elves can harness their potential, although there are rumors in psionic circles of elves using amber gemstones (fossilized tree resin) as foci.
Category:Character Kit
Category:Character Kit Dragon Magazine