Editing Psionics (section)

==Warhammer 40k==
[[Warhammer 40,000]] is ''the'' premier /tg/ example of the "psionics is just space magic!" design. Psionics in the 40kverse derives from the ability to mentally tap into the Warp, a parallel universe of pure, unbridled emotional energy, where thought and matter are interchangeable. As <s>all</s> ''most'' minds are inherently linked to this dimension, psykers just have the ability to exploit that link, psionics consists of either using the Warp as a way to directly connect to and influence the minds of others, or drawing Warp energy into the material universe and using it to temporarily rewrite the laws of reality.

Psionics in 40k is really just fantasy magic because it has most of the classic tropes: rituals, magic circles, demon summoning, magic words, etc.  But Games Workshop wants it to have a veneer of sci-fi so it still gets called psionics instead of wizards in space like it really is.  Actual "sorcerers" in the setting are psykers who have made pacts with the Chaos Gods and wield what the Imperium considers black magic.

In most fantasy and sci-fi settings, being a wizard is generally awesome, but being a psyker in WH40K is more trouble than it's worth. If you are born a psyker but don't get training, you will be prone to madness or even demon possession.  If the Imperium finds you, they'll rip you from your family and community ''[[grimdark|(and maybe exterminate them for safety)]]'' and ship you off to Earth to be judged if you're worthy of being turned into a slave.  If you are judged capable of controlling your powers, you will be trained and turned into a "sanctioned psyker", which means you'll be a slave for life. Psykers, even the sanctioned ones, don't get to live free lives selling their talents to whoever can pay.  They have to serve the Imperium either as psychic telegram operators or as psychic artillery on the battlefield.  And if you're judged incapable of serving these roles because you're too weak, you will be sacrificed to the Emperor so that he can keep his magic lighthouse lit.