Psionics

Psionics, known in Faerûn as the Invisible Art and sometimes ki, and colloquially known also as mind magic was practiced by psionicists.

Practitioners
The most notable psionicists belonged to the powerful illithid race, who had the nickname "mind flayers", owing to their considerable psionic powers, and appetite for brain matter. Illithid communities possessed a communal intelligence.

Few members of any other race besides aboleths and duergar were psionicists, and they tended to be less powerful than illithids. Notable non-illithid psionicists included the members of the fallen drow House Oblodra, of which only Kimmuriel Oblodra survived, and the half-fiend son of Mephistopheles, Magadon.

While psionic organizations were uncommon in Faerûn, a few did exist:
 * The Kaliesh'erai: an association of elves based in Evereska
 * Stray Thoughts: an adventuring company based in Sembia and led by the human wilder Jacenelle Traen
 * The Forak-Erach-Naek: a group of duergar soulknife/assassins based in the Underdark
 * The College of the Eclipse: a society dedicated to the advancement of psionic abilities based in Riatavin in Tethyr
 * The Hall of Mental Splendor: a group of psionic mercenary spies based in Skullport and led by the human psion Vhondryl
 * The Destroyers, a mercenary company specialized in mundane, magical, and psionic artillery.
 * The Order of the Bladewright: a unit of soulknives devoted to the protection of the Boy King Imbrar II of Impiltur.

Jhaamdath, located in the south of Faerûn, was ruled by powerful human psionicists. It existed between -5800 DR and -255 DR, when it became under the control of the tyrannical emperor Dharien who was a threat to the elves of Nikerymath. As a kind of vengeance for their crimes against the wood and its inhabitants, the high magi of the elves unleashed a gargantuan tidal wave and destroyed the whole realm.

Nature of Psionics
Use of psionic power did not require spell components. Psionic power could be activated much faster than either divine or arcane magic. All psionicists possessed formidable mental discipline in order to properly use their psionic powers.

Psionics was more common in the Realms before the Time of Troubles. Psionics vanished for a brief period after the Time of Troubles, with the exception of those travelling Realmspace in spelljammer ships.

Deities of Psionics

 * Auppenser, a sleeping deity
 * Deep Duerra, a duergar demigod
 * Ilsensine, the illithid god
 * Memnor, a giant deity

Disciplines
Psionic powers were known as disciplines. Known disciplines included:
 * Clairsentience
 * Metacreativity
 * Psychokinesis
 * Psychometabolism
 * Psychoportation
 * Telepathy