Melder
Hex reached out and summoned a micro-singularity—a black hole— which hovered over a nearby platform lifting and twisting all within its pull with a powerful crushing force.
Hex, a Melder
This week’s Character Choices blog features the Melder, a class from Esper Genesis, a heroic sci-fi RPG ruleset for 5th Edition.
Masters of matter and energy manipulation, Melders have attuned themselves to the incredible raw power within the mysterious Crucibles. Using the energy within themselves, they are able to alter reality itself by combining, shaping and channeling the energies around them. It is an ability even the most learned of races still do not fully understand. Some espers wield their powers through use of sorium devices or implants. Melders know no such limitations. Their entire essence is infused with the power generated by the Crucibles, allowing them to draw matter and energy from around them and shape it to their desired form before releasing it.
Melder Disciplines
When they reach 2nd level, Melders must choose a discipline, refining their powers into specialized abilities and practices. The following two disciplines are included in the Esper Genesis Basic Rules:
Metakinetic- As a metakinetic, you specialize in shaping the natural forces and elements that interact with each other to create the fundamental makeup of the universe itself. You possess the ability to see the pattern and flow of prime energies such as fire, wind, light and gravity, and have mastered merging and redirecting them to your will.
Psychogenic - A melder who specializes in psychogenics strives to master the powers that influence and interact with the minds of others. Telepaths, Clairvoyants, and Enchanters follow the path of the Psychogenic.
These disciplines allows the Melder to serve in a variety of roles, whether as a battlefield controller, a support caster, or a powerful damage dealer. No matter which discipline you select, you will be able to select three prime talents and six additional talents at level 1 from the Melder Powers list. These include both defensive abilities such as Aegis, which allows you to form a kinetic barrier around yourself, and offensive abilities such as Proton Blade, which allows you to summon a small blade of pure energy around your hand. The Metakinetic can create pockets of safety for any allies caught within the effects of your kinesis and elemental talents, while the Psychogenic can use their esper powers to charm, immobilize, and stupefy other beings. As with all classes, any race can make a fun and effective Melder, but there are a few races whose natural abilities mesh particularly well. A Crescent Promethean has natural bonuses to Intelligence and Dexterity, and their Logical Thought trait grants them advantage on saving throws against mind-altering and hallucinatory effects. Meanwhile, Lunar Eldori have natural bonuses to Intelligence and Charisma, and their Esper Initiate trait grants them the Aegis, Innervate, and Clean Zone talents, freeing you up to take other talents through your Melder training.
Roleplaying Tips
When choosing Melder as your class, consider the event that took place in which your character was awakened to his or her abilities. Did something provoke this awakening. Perhaps they studied the practices of another melder? Maybe they were capable of strange feats at a young age, or encountered a strange creature or location where their powers manifested. When selecting a background for your Melder, you could consider the scholar background, having gained your abilities through the study of ancient texts and artifacts, travelling through the galaxy to further increase your power. Due to their unique view of the connection between all things, a great many melders tend to try to look past the veil, striving to learn more about the nature of both their universe and the multiverse that exists beyond. Some believe that the Crucibles are merely a manifestation of realities and concepts that cannot yet be fathomed by the mortal mind, and that espers may be the key to their discovery. Another logical choice is the techie, with your technical knowledge and expertise having influenced or even led directly to your ability to tap into the power of the Crucibles. In this case, you may have specially-designed implants that enhance your powers. When roleplaying, ask yourself how your powers have influenced your personality. Have they made you cold, calculating, and aloof? Or has your connection with the powers that underlie the universe imbued you with a greater sense of empathy and compassion? In any case, consider carefully when it is appropriate to use your powers, and when it isn’t, as not everyone will appreciate your meddling with such powerful forces.
How to Access this Content
This class was created by our partners at Alligator Alley Entertainment, and is included in the Esper Genesis Basic Rules as part of the Esper Genesis Beginner Bundle, now available in the Shard Marketplace. Build your own Melder and tell us about it in the comments below or on any of our social channels. Join us on Discord, Reddit or Facebook to meet other members of the community and take your game to the next level, or follow us on Twitter @shardtabletop for regular updates.
