Reciprocal Cognition

Reciprocal Cognition

◊Descriptors – mental telepathy, Vulcan discipline

◊Effect – Mental Communication 1; Comprehend Languages 2; Enhanced Insight 6; Enhanced Persuasion 6; Mind Reading 5 • 19 points

Mind Meld (close, grab-based, rapid 5 which affects others Communication 1; limited, sustained Comprehend 2; limited Enhanced Trait 6 and limited linked Enhanced Trait 6; close, cumulative Mind Reading 5 subject to feedback)

◊Modifiers – close: -1/rank, grab-based: -1/rank, rapid 5 affects others with a -1 quirk: 9 flat points (Communication); limited: -1/rank, sustained: +0 (Comprehend); limited: -1/rank, linked +0/rank (Enhanced Traits); cumulative: +1/rank, effortless: +1/rank, feedback: -1/rank, reduced range: -2/rank (Mind Reading)

◊Action – standard (Communication and Mind Reading) or free (Enhanced Traits and Comprehend)

◊Range – close (Communication, Comprehend and Mind Reading) or personal (Enhanced Traits)

◊Duration – sustained

◊Results – mental link with subject; able to share emotions, language, thoughts, memories at rapid speed and improved rapport with the subject

Description

“PAIN!”

By coming into close (usually physical) contact with a creature possessing conscious awareness, Spock can communicate with that subject telepathically. This deep psychic link allows both Spock and the subject to share emotions, memories and thoughts with one another at a rate 10,000 times that of normal speech. At this rate, Spock and the subject could share a lifetime of information in a matter of just a few weeks. The subject can ignore Spock’s attempts at mental communication if they wish. Unlike other Communication effects, this power is not language-dependent, although the subject must be intelligent. See the Communication and Comprehend effects for more information.

Spock’s telepathic discipline is sufficient to allow him to force a mental connection. To do so, Spock makes a Mind Reading check which the subject opposes with a Will check. If Spock succeeds, Spock can perceive the subject’s surface thoughts and vice verse. With two, three or four degrees of success, Spock can read personal thoughts, memories and the subconscious of the subject respectively, however Spock (to say nothing of the Vulcan community) consider these sorts of mental intrusion an almost unforgivable offense except in the gravest of circumstances. No matter how deeply Spock chooses to probe, information is passed both ways (the subject can probe Spock’s mind to an equal degree) so probing an enemy carries great risk. See the Mind Reading effect description for more information on how this power functions in practice.

Due to the increased empathy shared between Spock and the subject of a successful mind meld, Spock may gain a bonus to Insight and Persuasion checks regarding such a character in the future. Spock has a 50% chance to add a + bonus to his skill check. The character will usually be interacting directly with Spock, but needn’t always be, for him to gain this benefit. For example, if a shapeshifter impersonates Dr. McCoy, Spock can apply the bonus to recognize unusual behavior on the part of the impersonator (having previously melded with the Doctor on stardate 4385.3).

Note: This power represents distinct effects packaged together for thematic reasons; they are not linked. If the cost of these separate effects becomes important (due to a power stunt or Weaken effect, for example) they are respectively a 10 point Communication effect, a 2 point Comprehend effect, a 4 point enhanced trait, and a 5 point Mind Reading effect. Also, Spock’s rapid Communication effect must be shared (effectively increasing the action to activate it a standard action).