Matter agitation,[1] originally known as molecular agitation, was a minor psionic devotion[3][5][6] of the psychokinesis discipline that allowed a manifester to rapidly excite the molecules within an object so as to generate heat within the target.[1][3][5][6][note 1]
Effects[]
This power could be used to target one item, weighing no more than 1 pound (450 grams), within 40 yards (37 meters) of the psion.[3][6] Early instances of this power found that all effects occurred after a period of ten minutes.[5] Later documentation found that molecular agitation's effects were actually evident as early as one minute, but that their severity increased the longer the power was active for.[1][3][6]
For the first minute of active use: readily flammable material would ignite and burn brightly, such as paper,[1][3][5][6] parchment, straw,[5] dry grass, etc. Skin would become red and tender. And wood would darken.[1][3][6]
After two minutes of active use: wood would begin to smoke and smolder, metal would become hot to the touch[1][3][6] (an effect some described as being similar to the spell heat metal)[5], skin would begin to blister, hair would begin to smolder, paint would shrivel,[1][3][6] and water would boil.[1]
After three minutes of active use: wood would properly become aflame, metal would be scorching, skin would be burning away, water would be boiling, and lead would melt.[1][3][6]
After four minutes, molecular agitation would cause even steel to grow soft, and after five minutes of active use steel would melt.[3][6]
Display[]
When used this power manifested an auditory and material display.[1]
Significance[]
This power was one of the prerequisites for learning the psychokinesis discipline detonate.[7]
Users[]
This power was knowable by psions[1][3][5][6] and wilders,[1] ardents and divine minds who followed the chaos mantle,[2] and could be gained as a wild talent.[6]
Molecular agitation was exhibited as an innate psionic ability by amethyst dragons,[8] aratha,[9] beljuril dragons,[10] greater shedu,[11][12][13][14] and lythlyx.[15][16]
In psionics terms, it could be known by duergar,[17][note 2] phoenixes,[18] and planetars.[19]
Thonots, psionic equivalents of shamans within quaggoth society, possessed molecular agitation as one of their psionic powers.[20]
Known/Notable Users[]
- K'yorl Odran, a drow psionicist and the matron mother of House Oblodra.[21]
Appendix[]
Notes[]
- ↑ In 1st edition, it was stated within the "Area of Effect" for molecular agitation that the target could be either an item or a creature, though its description made mention of only items. When the power was updated for 2nd edition AD&D, its "Area of Effect" was updated to mention only items, even specifying a target weight of 1 lb (450 g), though the mentions of skin and hair in the effects section implies that it might be possible to target creatures.
- ↑ The creatures filed under "in psionics terms" are those who were first stated out with magical powers and rules, which in some cases were described as 'psionics' in fluff text, and then later got stated or revised with actual psionics powers and rules once The Complete Psionics Handbook came out. It also refers to any creatures where psionics were noted in 1st edition, but not carried over as part of their identity into later editions.
Appearances[]
Adventures
Card Games
References[]
- ↑ 1.00 1.01 1.02 1.03 1.04 1.05 1.06 1.07 1.08 1.09 1.10 1.11 1.12 Bruce R. Cordell (April 2004). Expanded Psionics Handbook. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 114. ISBN 0-7869-3301-1.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Bruce R. Cordell, Christopher Lindsay (April 2006). Complete Psionic. (Wizards of the Coast), pp. 66–67. ISBN 0-7869-3911-7.
- ↑ 3.00 3.01 3.02 3.03 3.04 3.05 3.06 3.07 3.08 3.09 3.10 3.11 Steve Winter (1991). The Complete Psionics Handbook. (TSR, Inc.), p. 48. ISBN 1-56076-054-0.
- ↑ Douglas Niles (1995). Player's Option: Skills & Powers. (TSR, Inc), p. 156. ISBN 0-7869-0149-7.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 5.4 5.5 5.6 5.7 Gary Gygax (1978). Players Handbook 1st edition. (TSR, Inc.), p. 113. ISBN 0-9356-9601-6.
- ↑ 6.00 6.01 6.02 6.03 6.04 6.05 6.06 6.07 6.08 6.09 6.10 6.11 Douglas Niles (1995). Player's Option: Skills & Powers. (TSR, Inc), p. 156. ISBN 0-7869-0149-7.
- ↑ Steve Winter (1991). The Complete Psionics Handbook. (TSR, Inc.), p. 38. ISBN 1-56076-054-0.
- ↑ Doug Stewart (June 1993). Monstrous Manual. (TSR, Inc), p. 70. ISBN 1-5607-6619-0.
- ↑ Doug Stewart (June 1993). Monstrous Manual. (TSR, Inc), p. 204. ISBN 1-5607-6619-0.
- ↑ Jennifer Tittle Stack (November 1999). “Earthstokers”. In Dave Gross ed. Dragon #265 (TSR, Inc.), pp. 42–43.
- ↑ Gary Gygax (August 1983). Monster Manual II 1st edition. (TSR, Inc), p. 109. ISBN 0-88038-031-4.
- ↑ Steve Winter (1991). The Complete Psionics Handbook. (TSR, Inc.), p. 119. ISBN 1-56076-054-0.
- ↑ Bruce R. Cordell (1998). A Guide to the Ethereal Plane. Edited by Michele Carter, Keith Francis Strohm. (TSR, Inc.), p. 71. ISBN 0-7869-1205-7.
- ↑ Doug Stewart (June 1993). Monstrous Manual. (TSR, Inc), p. 313. ISBN 1-5607-6619-0.
- ↑ Monstrous Compendium pages included in Ed Greenwood (March 1993). The Ruins of Myth Drannor. Edited by Newton H. Ewell. (TSR, Inc.), p. Lythlyx. ISBN 1-5607-6569-0.
- ↑ David Wise ed. (December 1994). Monstrous Compendium Annual Volume One. (TSR, Inc), p. Lythlyx. ISBN 156076838X.
- ↑ Steve Winter (1991). The Complete Psionics Handbook. (TSR, Inc.), p. 123. ISBN 1-56076-054-0.
- ↑ Gary Gygax (August 1983). Monster Manual II 1st edition. (TSR, Inc), p. 101. ISBN 0-88038-031-4.
- ↑ Gary Gygax (August 1983). Monster Manual II 1st edition. (TSR, Inc), p. 102. ISBN 0-88038-031-4.
- ↑ Doug Stewart (June 1993). Monstrous Manual. (TSR, Inc), p. 298. ISBN 1-5607-6619-0.
- ↑ R.A. Salvatore, Michael Leger, Douglas Niles (1992). Menzoberranzan (The Houses). Edited by Karen S. Boomgarden. (TSR, Inc), p. 28. ISBN 1-5607-6460-0.