Skrell Psionics

Psionics

Originally an imagined ability firmly in the realm of fantasy for most sophonts, Psionics defines the esoteric field of communication and interaction with the physical world using the mind alone. All psionics are centered around the Zona Bovinae, a portion of the brain that is variably more sensitive (though this is often referred to as a level of “development”) to psionic signals. Most sophonts may go through their entire lives never experiencing any psionic stimuli, but for Skrell, these stimuli are a part of daily life both socially and physically, using it to communicate and actively interface with the world around them. In the modern day, psionic research remains a field of intense study due to the inherent difficulty in understanding how the brain handles these exotic signal emissions, but great promise is held in the concept of expanding the use of unlocking the power of the mind.

While primarily used for communications between private parties, many abilities exist through dedication, training, and the gift of strong psionic sensitivity. Such abilities range from influencing thoughts and emotional states, to telekinetic movement, to even reading the thoughts of another sophont.

Psionic History

Although humanity would only discover psionics in the year 2332 CE, their influence has shaped skrell society and the species’ overall development for all of their recorded history. Even the earliest ancestors of modern Skrell exhibited some level of psionic potential, and it remains a commonly-held belief that this unique characteristic among the Spur’s sophonts was responsible for their rapid advancements in science, culture, arts, and religion. Even after thousands of years of ongoing research, psionic theory remains an expansive and difficult field among academics across the Federation and beyond – outside the Federation itself, research into the field by other interstellar species has proven almost impossible to conduct without Skrell assistance, and even then progress has been glacial in most nations.

Formal study into psionics by the Skrell is first documented as far back as 7000 BCE, with the first texts and writings separating psionics from early Skrell beliefs and religions manifesting during this period. The ‘psionic centre’ of the brain (better known as the zona bovinae in most languages of the 25th century) was medically discovered at some point in this era, sparking intense speculation over the exact nature of psionics from a scientific and rational point of view. The subject found itself under specific scrutiny for the first time, with academics among the developing Skrell societies no longer content to view the phenomenon of psionic potential as something inexplicable but otherwise intrinsic to their species – often tied inextricably to religion – but as something biological that necessitated a full and comprehensive understanding.

Unfortunately for the scientific community, however, the greatest gift given to the Skrell has also proven to be one of the hardest to fully unpack. Though the discovery of the zona bovinae itself helped to jump-start psionic theory as a legitimate field of study among academia, further analysis into the exact nature of psionics quickly found itself bogged down by a lack of clarity and direction. The ‘shared dream’ of the Srom and ‘psionic wake’ of the Nlom were first formally codified by psionicists as reality-moulding phenomena in the year 2012 BCE, and this fundamental understanding of psionics has so far stood the test of time. Further breakthroughs in both psionic theory and the newer field of psionic technology, however, have come much more gradually.

The most major breakthrough of recent centuries in the field of psi-tech came about in 2067 CE with the invention of the Nlom Interface – a bio-component composed of artificial, lab-grown Skrell brain tissue designed to mimic the zona bovinae. Despite the catastrophic usage of this particular technology during the Skrell Synthetic Age, Nlom interfaces remain in common usage across the Federation to this day, as they allow Skrell to interface remotely with machinery in a way that would otherwise be impossible. Nlom-capable equipment has been a cornerstone of Federation technology ever since its invention, and its ubiquity means that the average Skrell has long since become accustomed to interfacing psionically with a wide variety of devices, from uses as mundane as lights that can be brightened and dimmed at will, to entire computers capable of operation by thought alone.

The Nlom

Under conventional psionic theory, the Nlom is viewed as the all-encompassing psionic wake or psionic field generated by a psion’s zona bovinae, the strength of which is understood as an individual’s psionic potential. Species with a developed zona bovinae (solely the Skrell themselves, to the best of the Spur’s knowledge…) are the only creatures of generating this psionic field and therefore classified as psionically active – all other species are categorised either as psionically capable (humans, monkeys, Tajara, etc.) or psionically inert (Vaurcae, Diona, etc.) in accordance with their brain structure. From here, psionically active and psionically capable sophonts can be further categorized by their psychic sensitivity, a metric by which receptiveness to psychic phenomena can be measured.

The Nlom has both active and passive influences on a psion’s perception of reality, almost all of which are best exhibited between two separate points of psionic potential. In layman’s terms, this means that two separate zona bovinae can interact psionically to form a new consensus on local reality – a phenomenon most easily observed in the Skrell’s penchant for telepathic communication, where one or more psions interact to either impose or build consensus. Active telepathy involves a singular psion imposing a thought on one or more psionically active or capable receivers in the immediate vicinity, effectively sending a thought directly into the recipients’ brain(s); passive telepathy is a shared phenomenon in which multiple psions form a shared consensus by a similar but unconscious mechanism, which becomes a shared reality of emotion or understanding among the group.

The most common form of active telepathy involves a psion choosing to communicate specific thoughts, ideas, emotions or concepts through conscious effort – either to the Nlom field in their immediate vicinity or directly to another zona bovinae they can perceive within that same field – whereas passive telepathy most commonly manifests as the mixing of several individual psionic wakes into a mélange of emotions and perspectives. Neither of these aspects of the Nlom field can be fully experienced by anyone not considered psionically active; other sophonts with less developed zonae bovinae are incapable of anything beyond experiencing psionic effects produced by Skrell participants in the local Nlom field, and their perception of any such effects is often muted or incomplete, to more or less significant degrees depending on their psychic sensitivity.

Put simply, humans and other sophonts can generally receive active telepathy without much issue, but much of the ‘nuance’ and overall understanding intended by the originating skrell may be lost in the process, depending on the psychic sensitivity of the receiving sophont in question. The overexertion of these species’ undeveloped zonae bovinae can also cause headaches, nausea, and other physiological reactions if the telepathy in question is overly complex or extensive, which tends to be more common in psychically dull individuals. Similarly, the passive telepathy of the Nlom field can affect the emotions or understanding of any psionically capable being within the boundaries of the field, but their grasp of specific concepts and the depth of overall ‘feeling’ can vary heavily. A Nlom field radiating intense sorrow might be perceived by a typical human as a sudden sense of melancholy; while an otherwise well-rested psychically sensitive Tajara could find themselves feeling an inexplicably strong sense of fatigue if exposed to a room full of exhausted Skrell all resonating within the local Nlom field.

The Srom

Accessed when Skrell enter deep sleep, the Srom, sometimes known as the shared dream or unconscious wake, is a unique phenomenon within the Nlom that incorporates both active and passive aspects of telepathy at the same time – those immersed in the shared dream can both actively transmit and passively receive thoughts and influences from one another with the utmost intimacy. An entirely artificial realm constructed from the combined psionic force of all active dreamers, the local Srom can take nearly any form imaginable, from perfect recreations of a location in a dreamer’s past to outlandish settings of the sort typically seen in a fantasy novel. Typically, those who first enter the local Srom dictate what form it will take for the session, with their perception gently imposed on any new psions entering the unconscious wake to prevent dream-clashes. The shared burden of creating the Dream results in Skrell having a greater cognitive capacity while asleep, and owing to that, Skrell that enter the Dream are almost always fully cognizant. For planetary-wide Dreams, the initial appearance is commonly determined by the environment of the planet, as it is the most commonly shared reference point among a large amount of Skrell. Psionic activity within the Srom is often imperceptible to those outside the dream-bubble itself, as in effect the Srom constitutes a pocket reality within the Nlom. The more powerful the potential of the participating psions, the more this psionic dream-reality can delve into the realm of the fantastic and the unbelievable, allowing for unparalleled creativity and freedom of thought for those skilled enough to manipulate the dream to their will.

Skrell who don't have the luxury of aluminium-plated walls and want to isolate themselves fully from the Srom must remain in light sleep or stay awake entirely. This means those who have secrets to hide have the telltale sign of being constantly tired. Some Skrell, though, can enter a meditative trance, keeping the mind active while the body rests. Scientists frequently isolate themselves from the general populace in aluminium sealed laboratories and dorms, speaking and dreaming with each other in private as they conduct their research. Lone Skrell, who for one reason or another are away from other Skrell, will still enter the dreamscape while asleep, but without the support of their own kind the Dream will often be much smaller and vaguely hazy. Most Skrell find the experience depressing and prefer light sleep or meditative trances if they have the aptitude.

Near replicas of any deceased individual can be conjured through ‘Srom Manipulation’. While many scientists of the Federation believe that these replicas are merely a hollow shell of memories with no proper soul, some believe that the individual has persisted even after death; this is often also seen as a cultural reverence for their ancestors and those who passed. The generational ship of the Dreamers are often seen practicing this ideology the most.

One of the few ways the pocket reality of the Srom interacts with the real world is via the Srom interface, invented in 2204 CE – a much more recent development than its Nlomic counterpart. Srom-capable devices remain a rarity in civilian life within the Federation even to this day, as the concept of a dreaming machine is disturbing to many Skrell in the post-Glorsh era, but their use in research, logistical, and military fields continues to expand year after year. The underlying technology behind these devices remains a closely-guarded secret of Qerr'Zolvq Industries, the Federation enterprise responsible for their manufacture and distribution, but the effects of a machine projecting itself into the Srom’s pocket reality are much more easily understood than the underlying mechanics. Within the boundaries of the Srom, a machine can both broadcast and receive instantaneous psionic feedback to and from its skrell dream-operators without abiding by many of the physical world’s restrictions – for instance, a Srom device can be operated in abstract terms and at the speed of thought, allowing for complex calculations and concepts to be relayed by the operating skrell to the computer much more rapidly than any conventional input method could allow. This effectively allows the operator or operators of the machine to act as bio-computers and extensions of its own processing power, with the device itself also working as an ‘interpreter’ to transmit the results of any calculations into the real world as electrical impulses.

The most common application of this technology is within modern skrell FTL travel – calculations that would take days or even weeks for skrell to work out conventionally, even with computer aid, can be done in mere minutes by skrell navigators working in the Srom. Larger and more complex teams of aluminium-insulated Srom scientists and researchers, working in parallel with Srom-capable computers, are increasingly common fixtures across the Federation and serve as the skrell’s answer to the true artificial intelligence they relied on in past centuries.

Skrell and The Srom

It is difficult to keep one's lips sealed in the Dream, with social inhibitions easily melting away. However, it is also much easier to create and brainstorm in Srom. Ways to hide from the dream clutter of a Dream are somewhat numerous. Distancing yourself inside the Dream is the most common tactic, but it is also known that aluminium (typically headpieces, blankets, or plated walls) blocks off connection to the Dream entirely.

Psionic individuals can actively alter and adjust things within the Dream through skill and effort, but the level of alteration is heavily dependent on what you’re adjusting and your own psionic aptitude. Typically, it's most easy to modify your own body within the Dream and a very common practice. Some Skrell even go so far as to make costumes to sleep in to make the transition easier. Rarely, talented Skrell can modify a sizable chunk of the Dream’s environment on their own, though the process can be very taxing and leave the sleeping Skrell feeling tired after they wake. Additionally, any changes they make gradually revert once they leave the Dream. Psionic Elders are considered among the best when it comes to Srom Manipulation; they are capable of altering and adjusting the Shared Dream to a higher degree than the average Skrell.

Cultural and Historical Relevance

• The introduction of Srom-Capable VR changed the way that Skrell consumed media. Instead of a first-person book narrative, the audience is thrust directly into the point-of-view of the main character, where they are able to perceive and feel the emotions of the character.

• Wulumunusha naturally grows in alpine climates, typically closer to the poles of the Homeworld. It is used by both Qeblak and Weishii followers, and is said to unlock barriers to both Nlom and Srom.

• Around the 5500s BCE the Great Schism occured; marked by a period in skrellian history in which there was a legitimacy crisis in regards to the religion which they followed, Qe'qlak. It was through several key debates, alongside the use of political maneuvering and stealthy intrusions, that Qeblak was formed. For a while after its formation, many believed that Qeblak was a heresy, and for centuries after, skrellian scholars debated such. It was only through a mixture of both Nlom and Srom interference, Qeblak was eventually adopted as the primary faith of the Skrell.

• The generational ship, The Zi'Pluax, experienced a major systematic failure in the majority of their equipment, including hydroponics and communication terminals; the sudden failure caused the fleet to lose the ability to sustain itself or call for aid. Due to their situation, for over 400 years the crew of the Zi'Pluax have been within rotations of cryosleep, and by extension, crewmembers have been within The Srom for extended periods of time. This has led to a newfound cultural identity forming within the Zi'Pluax and being universally adopted by all of its members.

Sromkala

Sromkala, translating to Dream Enforcers, are Skrell selected to ensure that major planetary dreambubbles are safe from malicious lucidity. Agents are selected for their high psychic potential to oversee the Srom to ensure that no illegal or anti-Federation activities occur, particularly through the malicious use of Nlom-capable devices. They are commonly situated close to Nlom Relays - using the technology to amplify their capabilities tenfold. It is said that for every Nlom Relay across the Nralakk Federation, there is a Sromkala nestled within a special cryogenic pod that allows for their body to be in suspended animation, but allows their minds to project and continue working within Srom.

Non-Skrell and The Srom

Non-Skrell can enter The Srom through the help of a psionic guide. These psionic guides are often Elder Skrell who have dedicated portions of their life to studying The Srom. They can come from many backgrounds; Psionic Scholars, Elders of a Skrell Faith, or simply Psionic Researchers. Due to the immense amount of training that consistent Srom Pulls require, being able to Srom Pull effortlessly is something only the masters of the technique can do. However, the technique is not a secret and many can piece it together and perform one to at least a beginner level. Those without training can perform rudimentary Srom Pulls but it is accompanied with great concentration and straining; something that should not be done constantly. A Skrell will most likely learn the technique of an advanced Srom Pull from an established psionic guide or Elder throughout consistent psionic studies and classes. Schooling related to the Psionics in Depth Colleges even have degrees available in Srom Studies.

A Non-Skrell in The Srom will feel the effects more heavily; and due to such, these Non-Skrell in The Srom are practically incapable of lying and misdirection. Newcomers to the Dream will often be incredibly dazed and confused without any real ability to manipulate their surroundings. It will typically take months of training for a Non-Skrell to manifest even a rudimentary orb of light, or to exist in the space without being dazed, and even then it is rare for a non-Skrell to show any aptitude for manipulation within the Srom. It should be noted that non-Skrell, even with a psionic receiver, cannot interface with Srom-Devices. Once awoken, a Non-Skrell will experience a feeling similar to being intoxicated, accompanied with a brief spike of pain for those of lower psionic sensitivity. Though this pain causes no lasting damage, it is still strongly advised for a psionic guide to conduct a psionic assessment of their prospective student prior to a Srom pull. The health and safety of the Non-Skrell should always be prioritized by the psionic guide.

Dionae, and Vaurca are incapable of experiencing The Srom under normal conditions. However, if one were to install a psionic receiver then a skilled Psionic Guide would be able to assist them in a journey to the Shared Dream. Psionic receivers allow non-Skrell to interact with the Srom but in a more passive capacity, relying on their guide to actively help them manifest objects or change their surroundings but otherwise being more of an observer than other non-Skrell. It is extremely common for Non-Skrell that reside in the Nralakk Federation to have these receivers installed due to the sheer amount of cultural relevance and importance that psionics and The Srom have within society, but they are still at a disadvantage due to the receiver not acting as a full replacement for a Zona Bovinae. IPCs and Synthetics are incapable of entering the dream even with a receiver due to their incompatibility with psionics.

OOC Note

SROM PULLING NON-SKRELL IS DIFFICULT AND STRAINING FOR THE AVERAGE SKRELL. IT WILL TAKE EFFORT UNLESS YOU HAVE PRACTICE AND EXPERIENCE.

You can pull a human, tajara, or unathi into Srom following these steps (these also work on other organic species with a psionic receiver):

1. Yellow grab them

2. Buckle yourself to a chair

3. They sleep

4. You sleep

Srom-Aligned Ailments

• Non-Skrell without a receiver who are repeatedly subjected to The Srom run a very small risk of receiving Psionic Echoes. Psionic Echoes are an ailment that only affects very weak psionic users or non-Skrell. If an individual is pulled into The Srom repeatedly then certain words or images may be "imprinted" into their mind; ringing throughout their head like an echo once they awake from the Shared Dream. This can range from a very mild case, where an individual may only hear one echo a day, or to something more extreme, where an individual will hear multiple echoes repeatedly throughout the day.

• Non-Skrell without a receiver may also have a lasting sense of confusion or paranoia after repeated visits to The Srom. This is thought to be due to how hard it is to keep secrets within the Dream and may even manifest as the individual being unable to tell the waking world from the Dream; albeit only for a short period after their visit. Due to such, it is common for Srom Pulls to be performed in a controlled environment with minimal background noise to ensure that the individual has an easy transition from the waking world to the Dream and vice versa.

• Skrell without Psionic Guidance training who repeatedly perform Srom Pulls will need to cool down for a short while before they are able to do so again. Psionic fatigue is the most common symptom in novice Skrell who attempt this advanced technique but it can be mitigated with further training. This common ailment can hinder general psionic capability and also cause fatigue in the body itself; leaving the Skrell winded and in need of rest before they would be able to perform the maneuver again.

• Nralakk Federation researchers are looking into the connection between Skrell without Psionic Guidance training and Brenaii Syndrome; while there is no official connection, the Federation has warned Skrell that only trained Psionic Guides should be performing Srom Pulls regularly. Brenaii Syndrome is a neural disease that results in the degradation of synaptic pathways of a Skrell. It has also been known to result in immunodeficiencies and endocrine atrophy. It is caused by the disruption of neuroelectric impulses within the Zona Bovinae and is spread through psionic interaction. Brenaii Syndrome is heavily stigmatized within skrellian society.