Psions

"Psions are a strange lot, but very smart and dangerous. However, they still haven't found a cure for 'exploding head syndrome' yet."

- Xavier Madora

Psions are unique individuals endowed with psychic traits and abilities, such as but limited to empathy, telepathy and telekinesis. They are a rare breed of individuals, and make up only a small percentage of the several thousands of species believed to exist throughout the galaxy. For some races, the Xai paramount amongst them, psions make up either the majority or entirety of the species&mdash;the latter case being the Xai. Those bearing a natural affinity for psionic powers within a largely non-psionic species, are often hunted, imprisoned or killed. Or in the case of more tolerate species, allowed to explore their ability or sometimes recruited into special military police units.

The psions known to exist, outside the Xai and Elysian races, are widely feared or killed by their people. Some races, such as the Tarapi, revere psionic individuals, building a priestly class around them and often elevating them to the level of gods. Such leaders, chief amoung them being the Patriarch of the Xai, Shala Alla Tok, who is as of 2843 XE, still the most powerful psion alive, are hailed as heros and saviors, often seek to lead by example. However, more sinister beings often seek to abuse their powers, and oppress entire worlds or even civilizations, for such is the extent of their power. So far, very few species outside of the Xai and the Elysians have been able to scientifically verify the existence of psions, and thus regard them with much superstition.

Psion have left an indelible mark on galactic history, the most important being during the growth of the Xai civilization. Anava Tarka, the Chief Priest of Iconia, was responsible for correctly predicting the birth and name of the eventual unifier and leader of the Xai race, Manawaki the Great. Their positions in society have been shifting greatly, but many often times find themselves as secret police, such as the members of the Xai Inquisition, who enforce the dictates of the Church of Xanus on the worlds of Xai'athus, and ensure no threat to the government arises, especially following the Xyon Civil War, for which it was created to prevent from ever happening again.