Mentalist

Mentalists are those trained in the use of mentally based abilities (MBA). A very disciplined occupation, a Mentalist has the ability to use the power of the mind in many ways.

Not all characters can be a Mentalist. There are three conditions that will allow a character to choose Mentalist as an occupation:

1. Random chance: When creating a character, roll three D6. If three sixes are rolled, the character can be a Mentalist. (Biological beings only.)
2. Biological/Technical Enhancement: A high stage biologist can implant the ability to gain MBA. Also, a droid can have a psionic plate added to give them MBA. (e.g.: Interrogator)
3. Referee says so.

Once a character has the potential to acquire MBA, he can earn a stage of Mentalist in much the same way as other occupations. To earn skill towards Mentalist, he must practice using his powers. As with all occupations, the lower stage a character is, the faster he will gain skill.

Skill earned towards Mentalist is different from other occupations in that it may be used immediately. Skill towards Mentalist translates into mental points that can be used as soon as they are gained. A character that has only earned a couple of points of skill towards Mentalist will still be able to use those points for MBA.

Once a character has gained enough points of MBA, he may convert them into permanent abilities. In the list of MBA, each power has a temporary cost and a permanent cost. (temporary / permanent) When using general points for an ability, he uses the temporary cost and those points are used up until they are regained through rest or meditation. However, a character may trade in the general points of MBA for a permanent ability. The cost for a permanent ability is used up and those points can never be used for anything else. However, the permanent ability can be used over and over again without the need to regain mental points through meditation.