Mountebank (Character Kit)

Description: Mountebanks are psionicists who use their psychic powers to pass themselves off as mages or priests. They are sometimes failed wizards or clerics who have discovered the hidden psychic potential that prevented them from excel ling at their chosen career, and at other times people eager to exploit their talent for things psionic by using trickery.
In areas where psionics are outlawed and suspected psionicists burned, mounte banks are forced to pretend to be wizards in order to practice their powers without fear of reprisal. They try to avoid direct confrontation with real wizards or priests in order to minimize the chances of discovery, and are usually very reluctant to display their talents in front of such an audience.
Role: In many lands, psionics are viewed as akin to witchcraft, despite the fact that the the are in no way related. Even in areas where wizardly magic is not feared, psionics are still seen as inherently evil. This is perhaps because there are very few magical spells that provide pro tection from psychic powers, and the use of psionics is so secretive and easily concealed. Mountebanks tend to pose as the more accepted members of society; they can make some money selling " spells" (real or not) to willing customers, and save their skins at the same time.
Chosen disciplines: Required —any one of psychokinetic, psychometabolic, or psychoportive.
Recommended—other "required" disciplines.
Sciences/Devotions: Required —none.
Recommended—psionic powers that could be confused with spells (e.g., Create Object, Detonate, Disintegrate, Telekinesis,
Animate Object, Control Flames, Control Wind, and Levitation are just a few exam ples from the psychokinetic discipline).
Weapon Proficiencies: As for normal psionicist.
Nonweapon Proficiencies:
* Bonus: none.
* Recommended: bribery 1 , diplomacy 2 , disguise, etiquette, fast-talking 3 , forgery, healing, herbalism, hypnosis 4 , languages (modern), pharmacy 5 , sleight of hand 5 .
Equipment: Any mountebank valuing his life will have false holy symbols and magical components at hand to fool would be psionicist-hunters.
Special Benefits: The major benefit of being a mountebank psionicist is the freedom to practice forbidden powers in an intolerant land without being fried, impaled, or beheaded. Mountebanks are also permitted to purchase any of the "recommended" proficiencies above at their normal listed costs.
Special Hindrances: Mountebanks are hated by most "normal" (i.e., secretive) psionicists, who see them as traitors to the "Way." They can also get into trouble with local churches if they masquerade as priests. Such trouble tends to be permanently damaging to the mountebanks' health.
Races: Mountebanks are mostly human, although psionicists of other races may also elect to don the mountebanks facade.
Category:Character Kit
Category:Character Kit Dragon Magazine