[3.5] Becoming an Elan...

[Zovc]

How does one become an Elan, can only humans "ascend?"

I'm AFB, but aren't Elans unable to die of old age?

[Raewyn]

Elans are not born; they are made. Living humans are selected from a pool of applicants and screened by a special elan council. Those who pass muster undergo a secret psionic process in one of several hidden elan enclaves, where they abandon their humanity for a new psionically energized existence.

The answer to your first question is yes.

The second is a bit more up for debate... on the one hand, the text in XPH says they have "effectively unlimited lifespans." On the other, the Aging Effects table gives them a maximum age of 1000 + (10d%) years. So I think it's up to your DM on that one.

[Fan]

Per RAW, Specific Table Trumps General Text.

So, no, Elans are not Immortal VIA RAW.

[JeenLeen]

I believe there is no official account of the ritual/whatever to become an Elan. The Elans know and don't tell, although some sort of ritual is mentioned in the Expanded Psionics Handbook, IIRC. Someone who wants to become an Elan is judged by the ruling council of Elans (or something like that) to determine if they are worthy.

It is considered that only humans can ascend. At the least, no non-humans have become Elans.

I believe Elans do not die of old age, although I was suprised to not see an 'NA' at the 'when do they die' part of the age chart in the aforementioned book. They don't age, I'm pretty sure. Can anyone clarify?
Edit: clarified above while I was typing.

[Zovc]

The answer to your first question is yes.

The second is a bit more up for debate... on the one hand, the text in XPH says they have "effectively unlimited lifespans." On the other, the Aging Effects table gives them a maximum age of 1000 + (10d%) years. So I think it's up to your DM on that one.

So, is there a template anywhere? I'd be interested in a homebrew if need be.

I suppose that is better than a human life span. I'd take it! What about sleep?

[Raewyn]

So, is there a template anywhere? I'd be interested in a homebrew if need be.

I suppose that is better than a human life span. I'd take it! What about sleep?

http://www.d20srd.org/srd/psionic/monsters/elan.htm

They meditate for 4 hours/night to become fully rested.

[Ernir]

Per RAW, Specific Table Trumps General Text.

So, no, Elans are not Immortal VIA RAW.

Both are pretty specific on Elans, I'd say. So what about Text Trumps Table?

[JeenLeen]

So, is there a template anywhere? I'd be interested in a homebrew if need be.

I suppose that is better than a human life span. I'd take it! What about sleep?

It's not a template, but a race. You effectively become a level 1 character when you become an Elan.

Elans do not sleep, but instead must 'trance' (not like elves, but similiar) for 4 hours to psionically charge their powers.
This is not to regain psionic power points, but seems vital to their continual life from the text. However, no special rules for going without trance exist, from what I've read, so I reckon it goes as if you missed sleep (fatigued, then exhausted after x days.)

[The Rose Dragon]

Per RAW, Specific Table Trumps General Text.

So, no, Elans are not Immortal VIA RAW.

Errata trumps both.

As per Errata, Elans do not die of old age.

[crazedloon]

they do live forever as the table has been updated to read

Elan 200 years 400 years 1,000 years —

*ninja

[Swok]

iirc weren't Elans errata'ed somewhere to have no maximum age?

Edit: *nin nin!*

[Blackfang108]

Per RAW, Specific Table Trumps General Text.

So, no, Elans are not Immortal VIA RAW.

Errata removes the maximum age for Elans. So, Yes, they are.

Check the SRD, also.

EDIT: Double Ninja'd.

[Aldizog]

Not being familiar with 3.5 psionics, there is something amusing about reading on the OOTS site about
a) wanting to become an Elan, and
b) Elan being an immortal ascended human.

[Zovc]

http://www.d20srd.org/srd/psionic/monsters/elan.htm

Yes, but that's a race, not a template. I was hoping I could turn a level 1 human wizard, for example, into a level 1 Elan (with likely more benefits than the race) Wizard instead of leveling up.

[Sinfire Titan]

Yes, but that's a race, not a template. I was hoping I could turn a level 1 human wizard, for example, into a level 1 Elan (with likely more benefits than the race) Wizard instead of leveling up.

Look at the Dragonborn option. -2 Cha, bonus PP, special abilities, Aberration type, no LA. Loses some previous racial traits.

[The Dark Fiddler]

Not being familiar with 3.5 psionics, there is something amusing about reading on the OOTS site about
a) wanting to become an Elan, and
b) Elan being an immortal ascended human.

The oddest part is that Elans have a Charisma penalty.

[Zovc]

Look at the Dragonborn option. -2 Cha, bonus PP, special abilities, Aberration type, no LA. Loses some previous racial traits.

I will compare the two once I get home, thanks for pointing that out!

Also, thanks, everyone else for the infos.

Would anyone else become an Elan if they could?

[Kish]

Not being familiar with 3.5 psionics, there is something amusing about reading on the OOTS site about
a) wanting to become an Elan, and
b) Elan being an immortal ascended human.

Yeah, I read the thread title and thought, "First, roll one 18 and put it in Charisma, then use both Wisdom and Intelligence as dump stats, and..."

[taltamir]

to become an elan:
1. Ask your DM if you can play one
2. Write "Elan" on your character sheet under the heading "race"

[Zovc]

Not being familiar with 3.5 psionics, there is something amusing about reading on the OOTS site about
a) wanting to become an Elan, and
b) Elan being an immortal ascended human.

To be honest, I don't read OOTS. I've got a... different* sense of humor, and am on this site only for the forums, usually.

Maybe I'm already an Elan?

[Optimystik]

Not being familiar with 3.5 psionics, there is something amusing about reading on the OOTS site about
a) wanting to become an Elan, and
b) Elan being an immortal ascended human.

Woo! I'm invisible!

[JeenLeen]

Yes, but that's a race, not a template. I was hoping I could turn a level 1 human wizard, for example, into a level 1 Elan (with likely more benefits than the race) Wizard instead of leveling up.

Although that's not how it works, it is assumed you don't become an Elan in game but as part of your backstory. I could see a DM letting you become an Elan and keep your level (especially since it is level 1) without an xp penalty, but it would be special permission by the DM.
And you should lose your human bonuses (bonus feat/skill points).

[Haven]

Woo! I'm invisible!

I snerked.