Greek Letter Psi Greek Letter Psi

PSI-WORLD CHAMPIONS

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This world is a twisted mirror of my Overman world, with psionics rather than physical super-powers.


In the 1880's, reliable, verifiable psionic powers began to appear among the population of the world. It is speculated that they arose because the population density of humanity went over a certain critical level at this time. The first recorded incidence of psi powers was at the battle of Majuba Hill in what became South Africa between a British and a Boer psi; the British psi was shot and killed during the battle, contributing, in part, to the British defeat.

Very few of these psionic powers had any effect on the real, physical world, but were devastating against unprotected human minds. Even for those with psi powers, the superb persuasion-type skills possessed by many psionics (from their enhanced knowledge of psychology) made them hard to resist. Many publicly-known psis became politicians, or law enforcers, or private investigators; others made vast fortunes by various means. Because of the psis who went into law enforcement, crime rates were drastically reduced, making psionics popular with the upper levels of society. Unsurprisingly, by the 1920's, the world was completely under the sway of those with psionic powers, either directly or through their puppets, and remains that way to this day. People without psionic powers are the pawns of those with them, and tend to be known as such by psionics. Governments attempt to recruit all people with psionic powers, but many escape, either singly or into the psionic resistance.

These are a group of psis who, seeing the way the world was going, a psionic autocracy, decided to do what they could do change the world to as they would like it to be, ruled by the best, not just those with the power, for the good of all, not just an elite. They were formed, and are led by a shadowy figure known only as Omen, who is rumoured to be able to see into the future. They include the remnants of a number of criminal and terrorist organisation, including the IRA.

Weapons of all kind, and martial arts, are illegal for the public in almost every nation of the world, primarily because psis tend to be no more bullet-proof than anyone else.

Technological progress has essentially stopped, and in some cases reversed, to give a publicly-available level equivalent to about the 1900's of the real world, as, after the Great War the psionic rulers of the world came to fear it would come to threaten them. They saw the horrors of the war (poison gas and the like) and decided it must be stopped; many scientists 'spoke out' about the evils of science, or 'committed suicide', leaving heartfelt notes condemning science behind them. Governments, moved by public protest, first restricted, and then stopped, scientific research. Essentially the only exceptions to this policy are in the fields of medical and psionic research and purely theoretical fields, such as pure mathematics. As a side-effect of the psis horror at the War, it ended in 1917 with a mutually agreeable settlement, "in the name of humanity". Shortly after the end of the war the Russian revolution occurred.

One effect of the end of the war was the setting up of the Council of Nations, "so that problems between nations can be solved amiably, over the conference table, rather than by the use of force." This is based in Geneva, and has actually done a fairly successful job of preventing wars. It is really just a discussion forum for the controllers of nations to meet and settle their differences, but its members do have a general desire to avoid war. The resistance does have a few spies in the council, but only a few, due to the rare combinations of powers needed to remain under cover there for long.

Despite the suppression of science which accompanied this, there are still groups which practise it; in particular, there is an organisation of psionic Ninjas who still carry out research and technological development (primarily into weapons and means of better carrying out their work). However, this consists almost entirely of extensions to ideas which had already been conceived when the suppression of science began. The most advanced technology is roughly equivalent to the 1940's of the real world (though with no nuclear technology, computers or jet engines).

The most well-known psionic Ninja is the woman known as Psilence; she has been known as an assassin for more than 50 years, has never been caught, and is rarely even seen, by her victims or anyone else.

Because of the suppression of science, religion and superstition flourish (though there have been problems with psionic religious leaders and the like). All sources of information (mainly newspapers and magazines) are strictly controlled. Certain technological developments have been un-invented, at least as far as the general public knows - these include electricity (hydraulic power is widely used instead), telephones (psis do have these, but the calls all go through an operator, and are often monitored), the radio, the tank, the aeroplane and the airship. Other inventions, such as the helicopter, exist (in a primitive form) but are highly secret...

Some drugs (often used by South American cartels) can boost peoples physical and mental capabilities to unheard-of levels, always with serious, if not fatal, results. Most governments experiment with drugs which can boost, control or suppress psionic powers.

For the vast majority of the pawns, education is generally limited to the three R's, and vocational training. Medical treatments remain primitive. Psis, on the other hand, have the best of everything, and access to the highest levels of medical technology, including the few known psionic healers. Unsurprisingly, even where technically it is not so, there is one law for the psis and one law for the pawns.

A fairly homogenous Western culture has been imposed on the world; only the Orient seems to have escaped this, due to possession of enough psychic potency to keep their cultures distinct. Crowded city slums for the poor. Significant restrictions on movement. In general, telepathy is routinely used on criminal suspects (making the overall crime rate, and especially the number of unsolved crimes, very low indeed), and at the customs inspections of some nations. Trade unions are uncommon, and those which do exist are heavily government-controlled.

General clothing lengths and coverage have not varied much from the 1910's, though styles have changed significantly with time. Musical styles have not changed much from the (real world) 1930's or 40's; crooners, big bands and jazz are all common, as well as classical music. Recorded music is uncommon.

In the 1990's there are an estimated 15000 psionics in the world. Among them are a few who can only be described as ghosts; they seem to be exceptionally strong minds which have somehow survived past the death of their physical body. They are greatly sought after for study. Despite the existence of ghosts there is, at present, no evidence for any other kind of afterlife. About 80% of psis work for (or are) various governments; about 5% are with the Resistance, and 2% or so with the Ninjas; the rest live independent, solitary lives.

Known psi powers include telepathy, mind control, mental illusions, body-jumping (which can, it is speculated, be used for a form of immortality), clairsentience and, much more rarely, more bizarre abilities such as healing powers, psychometry, or the ability to pass through solid matter. Because of their mental powers, a number of psi's can control or link with animals to form a human-animal team more effective than any which is possible without psionics. Other unusual mental traits are often linked to possession of psionic powers; these include, for example, high intelligence, eidetic memory, phenomenal mathematical ability, or a reduced or eliminated need for sleep.

It is known that psionics are essentially instantaneous, regardless of range.

Some psis need some kind of prop or focus for their mental power(s) in order for them to work correctly; this can include mirrors, crystal balls or tarot cards for clairvoyance, or glittering crystals for mind control or illusion casting. Psis who need these 'crutches' are often looked down upon by those who do not...

Psi society has few nudity taboos, as intimacy is far closer via telepathy, and little sexism, as female psis are just as powerful as male ones (though sexism does endure among the pawns). Most of the psis who work for the governments of the world are not evil. Rather, many are corrupted by their own powers into becoming manipulators of the pawns, joining the establishment willingly. those who are raised within the system also, in the vast majority of cases, remain within it by indoctrination and the like. Only a few have the strength of will to reject society and join the resistance.

Occasionally rumours of ... unnatural breeding projects among the psionic elite surface. Obviously these are always either denied or ignored.

Among the psionic elite, mirrored windows are the norm in buildings and vehicles, preventing psis without Mind Scan from attacking the occupants. In many places (for example, Amsterdam) psis live in secure enclaves, walled areas of cities, often with armed guard towers and the like facing outwards.

Most psis who are affiliated with a government wear some kind of symbol to that effect (see national descriptions, below), often in different colours, styles or borderings to indicate groupings of powers and abilities. These symbols are generally worn on a badge/broach, armband or eppaulette.


The Nations of the World

All the great colonial powers have retained their Empires (including, in the case of the UK, all of Ireland), and a few other nations have risen to prominence, including Romania.


UK - The psionic Charity Ravenwood formed the Psychical Studies Institute (PSI) to learn about psionic powers; this grew out of the older, more mystical, Order of the Silver Twilight of which Ravenwood was a member. It remains a powerful 'advisory' group to the UK government. Charity Ravenwood has long since been succeeded by a line of other women with similar powers, but her family remains a powerful force within PSI. There was no abdication crisis, so Edward VIII remained on the throne until his death in 1970, to be suceeded by his daughter, Queen Annabel. The symbol for British psis is a Greek letter Psi; the colour and style of this varies depending on British or colonial origin, and other factors.


Persia - Taken over by the British, now also incorporates what was Afghanistan.


India - Stretches from the Persian border in the west up to and including Burma in the east.


Japan - A puppet Emperor rules in the name of a cartel of psi-controlled zaibutsu, over a Japanese Empire stretching deep into what was China, and across a significant part of south-east Asia. In Japan the psis symbol is a coiling Oriental dragon. Fought a war with France over their respective holdings in south-east Asia.


China - Torn apart by revolution, warlordism and rogue psionics, China no longer truly exists, what little remains outside of Japanese control. The warlord-controlled states suffer very much covert support from the Japanese and Russian governments who use them as buffer states between the various Asian holdings of the great powers.


Russia - The Russian Revolution occurred shortly after the peace treaty which ended the Great War was signed. Because of the outbreak of peace the Tsarists retained some strength and the war stagnated. The Tsarists now have Siberia (and strong ties to the Japanese) while the Communists have European Russia. Central Europe has remained independent for this reason. Constant tension and occasional wars exist between the USSR and Russia; the only real aspect of co-operation between them is that over the operation of the Trans-Siberian Railway.

In the USSR psionics are involved with all aspects of government, to protect the state against the likes of capitalist infiltration, reactionism and wrong thinking. Their symbol is a simple red shield (sometimes with gold trim). Several radical Communists have suggested that the way forward is to merge all individuals into a single gestalt mind, making people and state one, but so far nothing has come of these ideas. Recently (about 4 years ago) the USSR fought a war with Poland over a border dispute.

In Russia, on the other hand, psis are involved in every aspect of government to protect the country against the dangers of communist infiltration. Because one of the earliest and most powerful Russian psis was a priest, the Russian government, and its psis especially, have close ties to the Russian Orthodox Church. Their symbol is a white Russian Orthodox cross on a black ground.


The USA - Isolationist, with a psionic President, 'elected' as "only a psi can protect you from other psi's". Psis symbol is a spread-winged eagle. Security cordon around government part of Washington DC. USA owns all of Central America down to just past the Panama Canal, and much of the Carribean, apart from Belize, which remains British. However, it does have problems with terrorists/rebels in its southern territories - not all of Central America is incorporated into actual states yet. Panama City is a hive of scum and villainy, and well known as such - a good place to hide. Problems with an independent Native American nation within the USA, who took, and keep, their independence by means of an overabundance of psionic powers among their population.


Cuba - Nominally independent, and something of a free port in the Caribbean; in reality very much under the heel of the USA.


Germany - Militaristic. A psionic replaced Bismark, and was never thrown out by the Kaiser. The country is still ruled by the Kaiser (since 1968 Frederick IV; William II ruled through WWI to 1945; Frederick III from 1945 to 1968), but in reality he is little more than a figurehead... Incorporated what was Austria after the break-up of the Austro-Hungarian Empire following the Great War (the Empire was crumbling anyway, and the War merely speeded this along), in return for Germany giving up various of its overseas colonial holdings. This has led to occasional, and usually brief, problems with Austrian nationalists. The symbol of the German psis is a wolfs head pointing to the right.


Romania - Taken over by a powerful psionic in the 1890's, who rules it still, with a fist of steel. Expansionistic, owns much of what was the Ottoman Empire, Bulgaria, Serbia and Hungary. Has been the instigator of several wars. A red Western dragon forms the symbol of Romanias psionics.


The Ottoman Empire - Fell apart in a chaos of infighting. Eastern parts taken over by the UK, other parts became independent for a while before being taken over by Romania.


Poland - Recreated, with the aid of various Polish nationalist, as part of the settlement which ended the Great War. Essentially a buffer state between Germany and the USSR, a free port, and notorious as a haven for dissidents. Often fought over, partly for this reason, most recently warring with the USSR, about four years ago, but always seeming to hang on by the skin of its teeth.


Czechoslovakia - Like Poland, something of a buffer state between Germany and the USSR. Unlike it, less of a haven for dissidents and the like.


Holland - Evolving from a psionic dictatorship to something where psi powers are used more for the good of the populace as a whole. Their psionics symbol is an owl.


Sweden - Nominally a democracy, in reality a very autocratic regime. Despite this, it seems to be evolving from a psionic dictatorship to something where psi powers are used more for the good of the populace as a whole. Their symbol is a pair of crossed black swords on a golden ground. Norway is still a part of Sweden, never having separated from it; this causes occasional trouble with Norwegian nationalists.


Finland - A buffer state between the USSR and Sweden, it broke away from Russia during the Russian Revolution and now walks a tightrope between its neighbours.


France - The symbol of their psionics is a hawks head pointing to the left. Fought a war with Japan over their respective holdings in south-east Asia.


Cambodia - A high density of psionics allowed the expulsion of the French and the establishment of a free nation, ruled by the 'New Khmers'. A refuge for dissidents and a free port. Reputed to be a hotbed of psionic ninjas. Has alliances with the UK and Japan to help protect it against France. Psis symbol the view of a lotus flower from above.


Belgium - A lack of psis has led to such binding treaties with France that it is almost entirely France's satellite.


Switzerland - Psis symbol is a boars head pointing to the right.


The Vatican - Has far more psis than might be expected, as Catholics of various nationalities have put their loyalty to the Church above that to their country. All male Vatican psis are Jesuits; all female Vatican psis are members of an associated all-female order, the Society of Mary. They protect the Church far more than interfere in the activities of other governments. After prolonged consideration, the Catholic church's opinion of psionics is that those who work for their legally appointed governments do Gods work; those who do not, do not... The symbol of the Vatican psis is a black Millvine cross on a white ground. The Saint of Psionics is considered to be St Sebastian.


South Africa - Languishing under the Apartheid regime. What were Rhodesia and Botswana are now part of South Africa after prolonged negotiations with the UK government. According to the South African government there are no Black or Coloured psis in the country, an unlikely state of affairs given their presence in other African nations. The symbol of the South African psis is a 3-legged swastika, point down.


The rest of Africa - Essentially 'domesticated'. In Africa, and other less developed parts of the world (such as Indonesia) exploitation of tribalism and factionalism kept the local psis divided amongst themselves and thus conquerable by the colonial powers.


Tibet - A land of mystery; no-one goes in and returns, no-one comes out.


Brazil - Psis symbol a pumas head, pointing to the left.


Argentina - Psis symbol a bulls head facing directly ahead.


Peru - Now the New Incan Empire, ruled by 'noble' psionics.


Italy - A fascist dictatorship. Psis symbol a laurel wreath.


Greece - Monarchy overthrown and replaced by a military council, it is allied with Italy due to fear of Romania. Psis symbol is a slanted spear.


Albania - Freed in the break-up of the Ottoman Empire. Walks a political tightrope between Romania on one side and the Italian-Greek alliance on the other.


Yugoslavia - Like Albania walks a tightrope between Romania and Italy/Greece.


Spain - Psis symbol a dragonfly.


Other psi symbols : Spiral, Swastika, 3 linked circles


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