So, I had this idea to create a psionic version of the binder class from the Tome of Magic. While this idea is not directly associated with Dark Sun, given that Dark Sun has possibly the most developed psionics rules and concepts, I figured I’d put this idea here for critique.
The idea for most binders is that they are making pacts with spirits called vestiges who are beyond the multiverse in order to gain power for themselves. A cool idea, but not one which readily lends itself to psionics. But that is only the generally accepted theory. Another idea is that the “spirits” aren’t spirits at all, but rather various parts of the binder’s unconscious mind which he evokes with binding rituals, resulting in gaining a temporary selection of powers. This would lend itself more easily to a psionic adaptation.
The way I see it, a psionic binder actually possesses the powers that he is making pacts to “gain”, but due to his misunderstanding of the actual process involved, he is unable to actually manifest powers when not “bound”. This means that he has both a reserve of power points and psionic focus, but lacks any normal choices of powers. Instead, he must bind “spirits” that he has convinced himself give him the power he desires, which are really just extensions of himself.
In order to maintain the utility of the pre-existing vestiges (so I don’t have to create an entirely new set of vestiges just for a variant class), the descriptions used for vestiges will be identical. However, any abilities used are changed from supernatural abilities to psionic powers. This means that they can be more easily resisted, but it also means they can be augmented like psionic powers. Granted abilities will be augmentable as per their closest parallel to psionic powers. If no such parallel exists, the DM rules what the augmentation does and how much it costs.
As for the binding process itself, doing so should require expending one’s psionic focus. Instead of being granted the ability to grant more vestiges at once at higher levels, he is granted extra uses of his psionic focus, which he can use for binding additional vestiges or for other purposes.
As for pacts the binder can make at specific levels, I was thinking of eliminating the level restrictions entirely. Instead, the player will be limited by the number of power points he actually has. Thus, a first level binder could bind an 8th level vestige, but because his power point reserve will be so small, he will not be able to use most (if any) of it’s powers and will still be subject to the vestiges influence and sign.
the influence and sign of the vestige result not from a possessing spirit but from the character’s unconcious mind, and what he believes the vestige would do or look like. Nevertheless, the mechanics would be identical.
Finally, power points would be earned at roughly the same rate as a normal psion of the binder’s level.
Please tell me what you think, and give any critique you can on the design or concept. Also, ideas for Athasian vestiges would be cool.