“House Rule, Psyche” is an independent product published under the Shadowdark RPG Third-Party License and is not affiliated with The Arcane Library, LLC. Shadowdark RPG © 2023 The Arcane Library, LLC.
Psyche represents a character’s total psychic strength. An ancient artifact may require a Psyche Check to activate it, and some eldritch beings force a Psyche Check to oppose their powers.
Psyche Modifier
To determine your Psyche Modifier, add your INT Modifier, WIS Modifier, and CHA Modifier together. The total is your Psyche Modifier, sometimes abbreviated PSY.
Psyche Check
Roll a Psyche Check like any other characteristic check, using PSY. Unlike other checks, a Natural 20 does not mean you succeed; only rolling the DC counts as success. A Critical Failure likewise has no effect beyond failing the check.
Using Artifacts
You must touch the artifact with your bare hand and focus. You may try only one Psyche Check per session per artifact.
Defending Against Attack
You may try one Psyche Check on each distinct psychic attack, like any other check.