Psionic Strangeness

[Deleted]

Why is Yellow Mold (and Gray Ooze?) on the Psionic Random Encounter Table?

[Scott]

Because they both can possess psionic ability.

Scott

[Deleted]

Huh, that's funny I never noticed that before. When I switched to AD&D I must have never read the monster manual descriptions for them, which obviously must differ from the D&D versions.

[geneweigel]

This is from the additions and corrections from 1976's ELDRITCH WIZARDRY - Supplement III:

GREY OOZE: This creature type has a dim intelligence, and in exceptionally large individuals intelligence of a sort is probably well developed. Furthermore, these exceptional individuals have a latent psionic ability, and if psionic powers are used within 6" of them they will prepare a psychic crush of from 21 to 121 psionic strength attack points and direct it at any individual within range who uses psionic abilities. Grey ooze with this ability is no more frequent than 1 in 10. and even 1 in 20 is not too infrequent. After loosing its psionic attack the grey ooze is psionically helpless for several hours; however, it cannot then be psionically attacked.

YELLOW MOLD: When formed into great colonies this growth will form a collective intelligence about 1 time in 6. If this should happen the yellow mold will be aware mentally and psionically. It will attack by spore cloud if it senses the presence of other life forms (range of sensing will vary from 10' to 60') or psionically if such abilities are used within from 20' to 120' (random determination of sensing range). If it attacks psionically, it will await the approach of the life form and then loose an attack which is equal to the most powerful form of id insinuation. It cannot be counter-attacked psionically unless a cleric who has the power to telepathically communicate with plants is on hand, for he will be needed to channel such attacks into a form which will affect the vegetable intelligence of the mold colony. Otherwise, the yellow mold must be physically attacked and destroyed. The colony has sufficient power to make from 1 to 10 psionic attacks within as many turns, and after resting for 1-4 days it will thereafter be able to again attack in this manner.

In addition to psionics D&D supplement III introduced demons, druids, artifacts and the psionic monsters. The mind flayer was introduced in The Strategic Review way earlier (Spring 1975) and the elaborative decription of his attack was the basis of the psionics system:

The Mind Flayer:
Number
Appearing 1-4
Armor Class 5
Move 12"
Hit Dice 8+3
% in Lair 50%
Treasure F
Magical
Resistance 90%

This is a super-intelligent, man-shaped creature with four tentacles by its mouth which it uses to strike its prey. If a tentacle hits it will then penetrate to the brain, draw it forth, and the monster will devour it.
It will take one to four turns for the tentacle to reach the brain, at which time the victim is dead. A Mind Flayer will I flee if an encounter is going against it. Their major weapon, however, is the Mind Blast, a wave
PSI force with a 6î directional range and a radius of 5í. All within the radius must save as indicated or will suffer the result shown:
IntelIigence
of Opponent
3-4
5-7
8-10
11-12
13-14
15-16
17
18

Saving Throw at Range

l - 2 "
19
17
15
13
11
9
7
5

3 - 4 "
19
16
14
12
10
8
6
4

5 - 6 "
17
15
13
11
9
7
5
3

Effect of Mind Blast

Death
Coma, 3 days
Sleep, 1 hour
Stun, 3 turns
Confuse, 5 turns
Enrage, 7 turns
Feeblemind
Insanity, permanent

Magic users add +1 to their saving throws, and clerics add +2. A Helm of Telepathy adds a +4 to saving throws, and when such saves are made the attacking Mind Flayer is stunned for 3 turns.

So psi was considered very early on in D&D although it wasn't as omnipresent as in AD&D.