Page 1 of 1

ZEN and the art of Psychic Heroes.

Posted: Wed Sep 08, 2004 5:15 am
by ZEN
(intro)...
Ectoplasm : What is it?
The word ectoplasm was coined by a French scientists named Charles Richet in 1894, to explain a third arm that appeared from a psychic named Eusapia Palladino, "ectoplasm" came from the Greek words of "ekto" and "plasma", meaning "exteriorized substance".
Ectoplasm is an odd and elusive substance that is reported to be totally repulsive. It is a seemingly life like substance, solid or vaporous in nature, that exudes from the body of the psychic and can be transformed into materialized limbs, faces and even the entire bodies of spirits. Ectoplasm often appears to be milky white in color and smells like ozone. These emanations are warm to the touch and are reported as thick, clotted, mucus like substances, rubbery and dough like. The structure of the ectoplasm varies from clouds and veils, to thin rods, membranes and heavy masses. Ectoplasm also disappears when exposed to light and will often snap back violently. Touching the ectoplasm, or exposing it to light, is said to be able to cause injury to the psychic.
Historic Reports.
"We have very often been able to establish that by an unknown biological process there comes from the body of the medium a material, at first semi fluid, which possesses some of the properties of a living substance, notably that of the power of change, of movement, and of the assumption of definite forms. One might doubt the truth of these facts if they had not been verified hundreds of times in the course of laborious tests under varied and strict conditions." Schrenck Notzing
Shrenck Notzing analyzed the hair cut from a materialized ectoplasmic form and found it to be of a different structure to the hair of the medium. He burned ectoplasm to ash noting that it left the smell of burning horn. He analyzed the ash and found it to contain calcium phosphate and sodium chloride. Psychics were weighed during séances when ectoplasm had been formed and were found to have lost pounds in weight which they later regained. The results of the experiments were testified to by numerous competent witnesses and confirmed by photographs.
"The results are among the most notable of any series of investigations of which we have record."
Sir Arthur Conan Doyle (1859-1930)


"Mr. Eglinton paced about the room between the sitters in a state of trance for five minutes, and then he began gently to draw from his side and pay out at right angles a dingy, white looking substance, which fell down at his left side. The mass of white material on the floor increased in breadth, commenced to pulsate and move up and down, also swaying from side to side, the motor power being from underneath. The height of this substance increased to about three feet, and shortly afterwards the "form" quickly and quietly grew to its full stature. By a quick movement of his hand Mr. Eglinton drew away the white material which covered the head of the "form" and it fell back over the shoulders and became part of the clothing of the visitor. The connecting link (the white appearance issuing from the side of the medium) was severed or became invisible, and the "form" advanced to Mr. Everitt, shook hands with him, and passed round the circle treating nearly everyone in the same manner."
Edmund Damson Roger, "History of Spiritualism", London, 1885.


In the case of Florence Cook it is reported that her hair was nailed to the floor. Florence was able to produce ectoplasm which built up into the figure of a young woman, Katie King, who walked about fully clothed and independent of the medium and was able to converse with the sitters. She was photographed by Crookes 44 times. He also cut off a lock of her hair, took her pulse rate, noted her height, weight, skin color, etc. These were all totally different to the physical appearance and measurements of Florence Cook.

In full light ectoplasmic manifestations melt away "like a wax doll melting before a fire." On one occasion and with her full agreement, a strong light was shone on Katie King as an experiment and this is exactly what happened.
In addition to the Katie King manifestation, raps were produced, objects moved through the air, appeared and disappeared, changed their size and weight, and musical instruments were played.

In the Palladium rule system, Ectoplasm is available as either a vapor or a solid substance, formed as either an extended limb/tentacle or as an ectoplasmic disguise..
But.. there is much more potential open to psychic plasm than just external manifestations.
Stay tuned...
8-)

Re: ZEN and the art of Psychic Heroes.

Posted: Wed Sep 08, 2004 6:52 am
by Sir_Spirit
ZEN wrote:(intro)...
Ectoplasm : What is it?
Historic Reports.
Shrenck Notzing analyzed the hair cut from a materialized ectoplasmic form and found it to be of a different structure to the hair of the medium. He burned ectoplasm to ash noting that it left the smell of burning horn. He analyzed the ash and found it to contain calcium phosphate and sodium chloride. Psychics were weighed during séances when ectoplasm had been formed and were found to have lost pounds in weight which they later regained. The results of the experiments were testified to by numerous competent witnesses and confirmed by photographs.
"The results are among the most notable of any series of investigations of which we have record."
Sir Arthur Conan Doyle (1859-1930)

"Mr. Eglinton paced about the room between the sitters in a state of trance for five minutes, and then he began gently to draw from his side and pay out at right angles a dingy, white looking substance, which fell down at his left side. The mass of white material on the floor increased in breadth, commenced to pulsate and move up and down, also swaying from side to side, the motor power being from underneath. The height of this substance increased to about three feet, and shortly afterwards the "form" quickly and quietly grew to its full stature. By a quick movement of his hand Mr. Eglinton drew away the white material which covered the head of the "form" and it fell back over the shoulders and became part of the clothing of the visitor. The connecting link (the white appearance issuing from the side of the medium) was severed or became invisible, and the "form" advanced to Mr. Everitt, shook hands with him, and passed round the circle treating nearly everyone in the same manner."
Edmund Damson Roger, "History of Spiritualism", London, 1885.

In full light ectoplasmic manifestations melt away "like a wax doll melting before a fire." On one occasion and with her full agreement, a strong light was shone on Katie King as an experiment and this is exactly what happened.

In the Palladium rule system, Ectoplasm is available as either a vapor or a solid substance, formed as either an extended limb/tentacle or as an ectoplasmic disguise..
But.. there is much more potential open to psychic plasm than just external manifestations.
Stay tuned...
8-)

Way cool
did you make any of this up ?( obviously you didn't make up the definition of ecttoplasm)
Or is this all stuff that you read and wanted to incorperate in a game?
and have you thought about selling this to the rifter?

Posted: Wed Sep 08, 2004 5:11 pm
by ZEN
I didn't make any of it up, those are all historic accounts.. I've just put the text there as an intro for what follows, which might be a good Rifter article..

Posted: Thu Sep 09, 2004 9:03 am
by ZEN
Getting there.. here is some bits of text..

The Plasm Master.
The Plasm Master is a powerful psychic who has developed unique powers involving ectoplasm. The focus on physical manifestations of psionic power has many advantages and disadvantages, with an increased control over external phenomina, but a reduced ability to make use of sensory psionic powers.
Ectoplasm mastery first develops as the psychic focus concentrates on the internal source of the psionic plasm, which leads to greater ability to manipulate both endoplasm (the internal plasm) and ectoplasm (externally manifested plasm), the Plasm Master also gains the ability to sense and manipulate the plasm of others, which can be used to heal, control and harm other beings.

Attributes and Hit Points: Roll up as usual, likewise with optional stuff.
Attribute Bonuses:
+1D6 to M.E.
+1D4 to M.A.
Inner Strength Points (I.S.P.) are the character's inner mental strength.
The Plasm Master's base I.S.P. is his Mental Endurance (M.E.) x2, plus the roll of 2D4x10. The total is his starting level of raw mental power.
As the Psychic grows in experience, so too does his I.S.P., adding 10 I.S.P. per each level of experience, starting with level one.
Psionic Abilities of the Plasm Master: The powers of the Plasm Master are only partially selected by the player. At first level, a total of six powers are selected from any of the three combined lesser psionic categories of Healing, Physical and Sensitive. In addition, one ability is chosen from the Super-Psionic category.
Along with the selected psionic abilities the Ecto Master automatically recieves Ectoplasm, Ectoplasmic Disguise and Mask I.S.P. & Psionics, plus the Special Powers listed below.
Save vs Psionic Attack: The Plasm Master counts as a Natural/Master psychic and thus needs only a roll of 10 or higher to save; ordinary people need 15 or higher.
Alignment: Any, but heroes are usually good.
Level of Education and Skill Selection:
Roll education level as per Step four of the character creation process, then remove one whole skill program (special devotion to their psychic powers have taken precedence).
(snip)

Healing : Endoplasmic Infusion, Ectoplasmic Bonding.
Sensitive : Ectoplasmic Cloud, Ectoplasmic Eye.
Physical : Ectoplasmic Armor, Ectoplasmic Web, Endoplasmic Control, Disrupt Plasm.
Super : Ectoplasmic Clone, Teleplasm.
Unique Powers : Syphon Plasm, Endoplasmic Transformation, Create Isoplasm, Charge Isoplasm, Manipulate Plasm.
(snip)

Endoplasmic Infusion
Range: Touch
Duration: 4 minutes of preparation, with lasting effects.
I.S.P.: 10
The psychic is able to make a bond with the patient and infuse some of his own inner strength, empowering the internal plasm of a sick or wounded person to better aid the healing process for a limited time. Endoplasm is the internal, latent energy which aids the body's regenerative process, and acts as a natural buffer for ambient psychic influences (similar to Chi).
Recipients gain a temporary bonus to save vs Coma/Death of +5% per level of the psychic, along with +1 per level vs Poisons, Toxins and Diseases. The psychic super charges the healing process for 24 hours per level of experience, during which time the recipient heals at twice the normal rate. During the time that the internal plasm is charged, the recipient will feel uplifted, stronger and have no growth in the size of cancer tumors or any additional complications to do with an existing terminal medical condition, although this power can not cure terminal illness, nor can it bring the dead back to life.
(snip)
8-)

Posted: Thu Sep 09, 2004 9:24 pm
by ZEN
You will get them when I write them and post them here 8-)