Telepathy was the ability for one mind to communicate directly with another without the use of spoken words. It could arise from Magical, psionic, or supernatural sources and often allowed creatures to exchange thoughts across barriers of language. In many cases, telepathy required that the user know at least one language, but communication itself did not depend on sharing the same tongue. Some creatures possessed more limited forms, restricted to images, emotions, or communication only within their own kind. The range of telepathy varied widely, though most examples were effective within roughly one hundred feet, and contact was typically severed if either party became incapacitated or moved beyond this distance.
The nature of telepathy could also differ depending on its origin. Some forms created narrow bonds between masters and their servants, such as Familiars, Constructs, or summoned mounts. Others existed as a communal link, allowing members of a species to share thoughts constantly and to sense harm inflicted upon one another. Telepathic items were also common, from Weapons that spoke silently into their wielder’s mind to magical traps capable of delivering empathic warnings. Some potent [ability:6573068|s, such as those of domination, established telepathic control alongside mental commands, further blurring the boundary between communication and compulsion.
Despite its versatility, telepathy was not without defenses. Mental barriers, protective wards, and specialized spells could all disrupt or block unwanted contact.