Correct Use of Mask P.P.E. psionic

[darthauthor]

The Psionic Power of Mask P.P.E.

Description: Characters who can sense magic energy or see aura will regard this
character as having an insignificant amount of P.P.E. This power is especially good
as protection against Psi-Stalkers and other P.P.E. vampires. Mystics can easily hide
their magical powers through this psionic concealment.

MY QUESTION IS:

"Can a MAGE who first turns on this power, then cast a magic spell and not be detected by a CS Dog Boy or CS Psi-Stalker as having cast a spell or at least, if they sense the casting of the magic spell still NOT sense the location of the mage who cast it.
This assumes the MAGE is not right in front of them while they are casting their spell or something obvious like fire comes out of their hands to strike the Dog Boy.
The MAGE is being sniper of sorts (Maybe Call Lightning so the lightning bolt comes down from the sky above) or casting area of effect spells (Cloud of smoke, etc) in a village crowded with humans.

[green.nova343]

That is a very good question.

If there's something obvious -- bolt of lightning, flames, etc. -- then yeah, it's not going to help. And if you're the only person within half a mile, you'll want to not be visible.

If it's less obvious, the Dog Boy/Psi-Stalker can still get to the general vicinity just fine, but trying to pinpoint them is going to fail (so they can get within the "50ft+/20ft per level" bubble, they don't know who to bite). I'd also consider applying the "multiple psychic/magic sources" penalty (half normal skill for Dog Boys, -10% to -20% for Psi-Stalkers), to reflect the scent being "fuzzy".

[ShadowLogan]

Given the lack of specifics in the description itself, it would seem to allow for the option of being able to cast spells as suggested.

HOWEVER, if we look at the sister power of "Mask I.S.P. & Psionics" (pg174 in RUE) which states that power when active you can not use psionic abilities (and blocks Empathic and Telepathy). This could indicate that Mask P.P.E is supposed to work in a similar fashion, even if it wasn't stated in which case the character would be blocked from using their PPE or other magical abilities.

[darthauthor]

We agree that it LACKS specifics.

It could be that what you wrote is what the author intend but did not write.

Obviously it is a hiding power.

Is it game breaking?

[ShadowLogan]

Is it game breaking? That is going to come down to the type of game you want to run IMHO.

Another way to think about it just HOW the psychic is masking their PPE (we know the end result, but what about the process that allows it to happen)? Unfortunately the text doesn't really elaborate on what's happening exactly only the end result, but some possible explanations could justify blocking the use of PPE and some could not. Is the PPE being shifted somewhere else and is inaccessible (no), is the PPE being masked by some type of jamming signal (yes), is the PPE being converted to another form of energy thus masking it (no), is the PPE being obscured by some type of force field/barrier (maybe), is it some type of super telepathic suggestion (yes, and there is precedent for telepathic invisibility Megaversally, the psi power of Invisible Haze from PF2E), etc. Once you have a process to explain how the power is working, then you can answer if it would block PPE casting or not.

Another thing to consider to is if the Psychic has to go maintain some type of mental mantra/concentration to use this (or any given) power (not saying they do or don't), then it might be difficult to cast a spell (with its own mantra/incantation) at the same time, but second nature things like walking/driving/eating/etc might not interrupt that mantra.

[Stone Gargoyle]

Given the lack of specifics in the description itself, it would seem to allow for the option of being able to cast spells as suggested.

HOWEVER, if we look at the sister power of "Mask I.S.P. & Psionics" (pg174 in RUE) which states that power when active you can not use psionic abilities (and blocks Empathic and Telepathy). This could indicate that Mask P.P.E is supposed to work in a similar fashion, even if it wasn't stated in which case the character would be blocked from using their PPE or other magical abilities.

This is how I would allow it as a GM. The psionics have to be inactive or passive for the masking to work. It's like holding a flashlight- no one will notice you have it when it is turned off, but it draws attention once it gets turned on.