The Harbingers (WatW)

The Will and the Way

Chapter 5: Mental Combat
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Mental Combat
Constructs and Harbingers
The Harbingers
The Constructs
Psionics in Combat
An Example of Psionic Combat Using Psionic Power Cards

Each symbol used in mental combat is selected for a specific quality of strength that the psionicist wishes to emulate. For example, harbingers of the mind thrust attack are weapons. Harbingers of the ego whip attack are symbolic personalities that signify emotion. Id Insinuation harbingers are horribly venomous creatures, while those representing psychic crush are powerful, irresistible forces. The harbingers of psionic blast are strong, savage animals renowned for their ferocious fighting abilities.

The 20 commonly recognized harbingers used by psionicists on Athas are presented below.

• The Sword (Swd): Strong and flexible, the Sword pierces defenses and slashes away deceit.
• The Chatkcha (Cht): Swift and graceful, the Chatkcha circumvents defenses to strike its targets.
• The Incantation (Inc): The power of the Incantation overwhelms resistance and erodes the will.
• The Flame (Fla): Defenses are seared to ash by the pure touch of the Flame.
• The Templar (Tmp): Signifying betrayal, the templar can destroy the most powerful mind from within.
• The Noble (Nob): Scorn is the noble's weapon. exposing weakness to harsh scrutiny.
• The Slave (Sla): Utter despair can defeat those who are too strong to overcome otherwise.
• The Dragon (Drg): Grief and horror follow in the Dragon's wake, swallowing the weak and defenseless.
• The Wyvern (Wyv): Fierce and dangerous, the wyvern attacks with rage and blinding speed.
• The Scorpion (Scp): Relentless in its pursuit of its prey, the scorpion never gives up the attack.
• The Crystal Spider (Cry): Beautiful but deadly, the spider's mystic poison can destroy defenses easily.
• The Silk Wyrm (Slk): The Silk Wyrm is stealth personified, slithering past defenses to attack.
• Sand (San): The crushing weight of Sand has covered the green jungles and blue oceans of Athas.
• The Mekillot (Mek): Strong and relentless, the mekillot cannot be stopped.
• The Silt Horror (Hor): Powerful tentacles can drag even the strongest defender into death and madness.
• The Boulder (Bdr): Shattering walls and crushing the weak, the Boulder cannot be stopped.
• The So-lit (Sot): The insane rage of the Rampager sweeps frail human minds before it like dust.
• The Sloth (Sit): Slashing claws and relentless tenacity can carve a defense to pieces.
• The Kirre (Kir): Graceful and strong, the Kirre fights with honor and skill.
• The Tembo (Tern): Malice and guile can defeat skill and honor with ease.