Crisis of breath was a rare psionic devotion[2] of the telepathy discipline,[1][2] and its compulsion subdiscipline.[1] Originally developed by mind flayers,[3] it allowed a manifester to disrupt a creature's autonomic breathing cycle.[1][2]
Effects[]
A creature targeted by crisis of breath had autonomic failure induced in their mind. This disruption of the target's nervous system[2] compelled them to expel the air currently stored within their lungs[1] and disabled those organs' systematic functioning, forcing the target to consciously control their breathing. This did not prevent the afflicted from undertaking other actions,[1][2] but failure to focus on breathing could lead the target to blacking out from lack of oxygen.[1]
The version originally developed by mind flayers was a persistent affliction, lasting thirty days or more and necessitating some extraordinary means of healing to recover from sooner,[2] while the one later used by psionic users of other races had a limited duration.[1] The means of healing included heal, psychic surgery, restoration, and their equivalents. Cure disease had no affect.[2]
As the original version had a longer-lasting effect, those afflicted by crisis of breath were incapable of sleeping, as a lapse in concentration could risk their life. This lack of sleep in turn would cause a natural degeneration in the afflicted's health, increased irritability, and ever-increasing incidences of hallucinating.[2]
Originally this power had a maximum targeting range of 30 yards (27 meters).[2] Around the late 14th century DR, the version used by manifesters of other races could target creatures from 100 feet (30 meters) away, though depending upon how skilled the manifester was this range was extended in increments of 10 feet (3 meters).[1]
Displays[]
When used this power manifested an auditory display.[1]
Users[]
This power was knowable by psion telepaths[1] and mind flayers, who originally entrusted elder brains with safeguarding the knowledge of it.[3]
Known/Notable Users[]
- Lugribossk, a proxy of the mind flayer god Ilsensine.[4]
- The Mind Shard of Pandorym, the imprisoned form of the eponymous elder evil.[5]
- Saryndalaghlothtor, an adult crystal dragon.[6]
- Zelia, a yuan-ti telepath, who once used crisis of breath on the young psion Arvin.[7]
Appendix[]
Appearances[]
References[]
- ↑ 1.00 1.01 1.02 1.03 1.04 1.05 1.06 1.07 1.08 1.09 1.10 Bruce R. Cordell (April 2004). Expanded Psionics Handbook. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 89. ISBN 0-7869-3301-1.
- ↑ 2.00 2.01 2.02 2.03 2.04 2.05 2.06 2.07 2.08 2.09 Bruce R. Cordell (April 1998). The Illithiad. Edited by Keith Francis Strohm. (TSR, Inc.), pp. 29–30. ISBN 0-7869-1206-5.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Bruce R. Cordell (April 1998). The Illithiad. Edited by Keith Francis Strohm. (TSR, Inc.), p. 28. ISBN 0-7869-1206-5.
- ↑ Bruce R. Cordell (April 1998). The Illithiad. Edited by Keith Francis Strohm. (TSR, Inc.), p. 89. ISBN 0-7869-1206-5.
- ↑ Schwalb, Robert J. (December 2007). Elder Evils. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 83. ISBN 978-0-7869-4733-1.
- ↑ Eric L. Boyd, Eytan Bernstein (August 2006). Dragons of Faerûn. Edited by Beth Griese, Cindi Rice, Kim Mohan. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 33. ISBN 0-7869-3923-0.
- ↑ Lisa Smedman (March 2004). Venom's Taste. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 305. ISBN 0786931663.