Ghostbusters, UA style.

Psychokinetomancy (AKA Ghostbusters)

Psychokinetomancers are an odd lot. They see themselves as scientists, and believe that the proper application of science can explain anything. They use a variation of ‘hard science’ that was created by a young college student, Peter Venkman, as he worked for his doctorate. He met with another student; a mechanical genius named Egon Spengler, and founded the beginnings of the school. A third student, Ray Stantz, help keep them ‘sane,’ so to speak, as he applied their theories into actual science. The result is that Psychokinetomancy is mainly gadget-based. The PKmancer burns his charges creating a gadget, and the gadget works. Some gadgets require a charge to use, and those will be noted below.

As a result of their taboo (see below), Ghostbusters start with two hardened notches on their Supernatural madness meter, one failed notch on their Supernatural madness meter, and one less failed slot on their Supernatural madness meter. They start with 1d4+1 minor charges, and 1d2 significant charges.

Taboo: Everything can be explained through science. PKmancers have developed a ‘ranking system’ for manifested spirits and ‘unexplained phenomenon.’ If the Ghostbuster ever encounters something that he isn’t familiar with and cannot ‘pigeon-hole’ into a scientific category, he loses all charges.

Gaining charges: The Ghostbuster seeks to categorize the occult, a daunting task in and of itself.

They gain a minor charge when they classify an occult phenomenon into one of their science categories. Also, when they defeat a minor occult threat.

They gain a significant charge when they defeat a significant occult threat, or when they discover a significant secret of the Occult Underground.

The only way to gain a major charge is to defeat an entity that could be classified as a god. That has happened only once in the history of the OU. The Godwalker of the Destroyer, Gozer, appeared and tried to destroy New York. Through quick thinking (and a lot of luck) the Drs. Venkman, Spengler, Stantz, and their new apprentice, Winston Zeddmore, managed to kill him.

As always, it is up to the GM as to what constitutes a ‘significant threat,’ a ‘significant secret,’ and so forth. Also remember, you cannot spend a charge to gain a charge.

Gadgets:

PK Meter. 2 minor charges to make.

This is a small, hand held device that measures the ambient level of psychokinetic energy (AKA magical energy). It functions automatically, acting as a passive detection system. Used actively, it can pinpoint active uses of magic and occult activity.

Proton Pack. 1 significant charge to make.

This is the Ghostbuster’s blast. The severity of the blast depends on how much ‘juice’ the Ghostbuster pumps into it. A minor charge is a minor blast. A significant charge is a significant blast. Finally, the Ghostbuster can fire a visible stream of ionize protons that simply immobilizes it’s target. If this stream comes in contact with another such stream, however, then the result is similar to a matter/anti-matter explosion. It was this loophole that allowed the original Ghostbusters to defeat Gozer.

Ghost Trap. 1 significant charge to make.

A small device, about the size of two standard bricks, tethered to a foot switch by a twenty-foot cable. The trap is slid under the occult phenomenon, and the foot switch is pressed. By burning a significant charge, the Ghost Trap drains any active charges within a ten-foot radius, and stores it within the trap itself. Charges thus stored are not available for use by anyone. One it is holding charges, it cannot be used until the charges are drained away. See the Containment Field below.

Containment Field. 3 Significant Charges to make. Requires a constant power supply.

A large battery, of sorts. It’s only purpose is to drain and store charges from the Ghost Traps. Using the Containment Field does not require any charges to be spent, but one does have to know the proper procedure. The consequences of a power failure is at the sole discression of the GM’s twisted imagination…