The Magical Space Knight

lifeweb by tanathiel

If we're going to use Magic-As-Psi (from Pyramid #3-29), we should get an idea of how that will look.  What can such a character do?  Is it sufficient to emulate a decent Jedi?  Can we afford such powers with 50 points?  And how well does this system work?

Before we begin, some notes.  The Magic-as-Psi system removes the standard prerequisite system.  Instead, it counts prereqs and requires a Will + Talent equal to 10 + prerequisites, so a spell with 2 prerequisites requires a Will + Talent of 12 before you can learn it.  Furthermore, for our purposes, I'm going to disregard individual talents in favor of more generic Magery.  This tests the "pure" magic system better, and better emulates the generalist nature of the Jedi.  Finally, the article offers "recommended spells", but we won't use all of them (for example, we won't have pyrokinetic space knights), and we'll add a few more to emulate specific elements (for example, their list seems to neglect Choke).

I have collected a list of recommended powers per talent below, including the Will + Magery prerequisite, the spell, a page reference (always to GURPS Magic) and a cost, the last for my own reference to get an idea of how much energy reserves a typical Space Knight might need to accomplish much.

ESP

Suggested ESP Spells:

Will + Magery	Spell	Page	Cost
10	Detect Magic	101	2
10	Sense Danger	166	3
11	Sense Mana	101	3
11	Aura	101	3
11	Identify Spell	102	2
11	Mage Sense	102	2
11	Seek Magic	102	6
11	Watchdog	167	Area 1
11	Sense Observation	167	Area 1
13	Analyze Magic	102	8
14	History	106	3-10
15	Ancient History	106	3-10
16	Prehistory	106	3-10
16	Projection	105	4
18	Oneiromancy	109	10

Sample ESPer
An Esper might look something like this (Assuming a base IQ/Will of 12):
Magery +2 [25]
Energy Reserves +5 [15]
Aura (H) IQ* [1]-12
History (H) IQ* [1]-12
Mage Sense (H) IQ+1* [2]-13
Sense Danger (H) IQ+2* [4]-14
Sense Mana (H) IQ* [1]-12

This ESPer is fairly certain to detect when he may be in danger, or when other psis are near. He's modestly good at glancing at a person and learning a great deal about them, and can sense when he's in a place where “the dark side is strong.” He can even read the history of an object, but this is generally the most exhausting thing he can do.

Telepathy

Will + Magery	Spell	Page	Cost
10	Sense Foes	44	Area 1
10	Sense Life	45	Area 0.5
11	Daze	134	3
11	Sense Emotion	45	2
12	Command	136	2
12	Fear	134	Area 1
12	Hide Emotion	45	2
12	Mental Stun	135	2
12	Persuasion	45	2 to 10
12	Sleep	135	4
12	Truthsayer	45	2
12	Vexation	45	2 to 10
13	Compel Lie	137	4
13	Compel Truth	47	2
13	Hide Thoughts	46	3
13	Mass Sleep	137	Area 3
13	Mind-Reading	46	4
13	Terror	134	Area 4
14	Mind-Search (VH)	46	6
14	Mind-Sending	47	4
15	Suggestion	140	4
15	Telepathy	47	4
16	Mass Suggestion	141	Area 4
19	Communication (VH)	48	4

Sample Telepath
A Telepath might look something like this (Assuming a base IQ/Will of 12):
Magery +2 [25]
Energy Reserves +5 [15]
Sense Life (H) IQ* [1]-12
Sense Emotion (H) IQ* [1]-12
Command (H) IQ+1* [2]-13
Hide Thoughts (H) IQ+1* [2]-13
Mind-Reading (H) IQ* [1]-12
Mind Sending (H) IQ* [1]-12
Compel Truth (H) IQ+1* [1]-12

This telepath can sense when people are nearby, sense what they are feeling, read their mind, communicate briefly with them, force them to briefly act in a particular way, force people to speak the truth, and protect himself from mental intrusion. A Jedi Mind Trick is just out of reach for this relatively novice character (Sorry Rey!).

Telekinesis

Will + Magery	Spell	Page	Cost
10	Apportation	142	1+
11	Holdfast	143	1+
11	Jump	143	1-3
11	Poltergeist	144	1-2
12	Manipulate	145	4+
15	Choke	40	4

Sample Psychokinetic
A Psychokinetic might look something like this (Assuming a base IQ/Will of 12):
Magery +2 [25]
Energy Reserves +6 [18]
Apportation (H) IQ* [1]-12
Jump (H) IQ+1* [2]-13
Poltergeist (H) IQ+1* [2]-13
Manipulate (H) IQ+1* [2]-13

This creates a rather abbreviated list of powers. Choke is just out of reach for a novice. A few spells is sufficient to do most Jedi tricks, so I've chosen extra Energy Reserves instead.

Other Sample Characters

GURPS Magic's structure tends to make it front-loaded: If you've already purchased magery and energy reserves and such, it applies to all of your spells, making it very cheap to simply expand out. With this particular model, I've chosen to discard the “College-focused” talents in favor of general magery. The result is that we don't have to focus a character in one direction. He can easily have a variety of spells, instead of a single psi power, as you see when we treat the Force as Psi.


Sample Space Knight
A Space Knight might look something like this (Assuming a base IQ/Will of 12):
Magery +2 [25]
Energy Reserves +5 [15]
Apportation (H) IQ* [1]-12
Command (H) IQ* [1]-12
Hide Thoughts (H) IQ* [1]-12
Jump (H) IQ* [1]-12
Mage Sense (H) IQ* [1]-12
Mind Sending (H) IQ* [1]-12
Mind-Reading (H) IQ* [1]-12
Poltergeist (H) IQ* [1]-12
Sense Danger (H) IQ* [1]-12
Sense Mana (H) IQ* [1]-12


This character can sense the nature of the mana around him, whether he is in danger, and can pick up on nearby magical individuals or items. He can make super-jumps, move things around, or fling things at his enemies. He can command someone, read their mind, send his thoughts to another, and protect his mind from intrusion. He has a broad spectrum of Jedi-like abilities that makes him close enough to a Jedi that most people might find it acceptable. He even has ~15 points of fatigue that allows him to easily use his abilities, and he can continue to expand his power by improving his Will and his Magery.


Sample Dark Inquisitor
Magery +2 [25]
Energy Reserves +5 [15]
Compel Truth (H) IQ* [1]-12
Daze (H) IQ* [1]-12
Fear (H) IQ* [1]-12
Hide Thoughts (H) IQ* [1]-12
Holdfast (H) IQ* [1]-12
Mage Sense (H) IQ* [1]-12
Mass Sleep (H) IQ* [1]-12
Sense Danger (H) IQ* [1]-12
Sense Observation (H) IQ* [1]-12
Terror (H) IQ* [1]-12

Here's a character that's equally valid, but absolutely does not conform to "Jedi Norms." He's aware when someone is watching him or when he's in danger.  He can sense magic or magical being.  He can force you to stay where you stand, force you to speak the truth, or blast you with fear. He also has the ability to wipe the consciousness people, or put an entire room of people to sleep, allowing him to slip in and out of places unseen.  All of this together makes for an excellent spy.