[3.5] Manifesting psionic powers while paralyzed?

[Tyger]

There don't appear to be any restrictions on manifesting a psionic power whilst paralyzed. Is this an accurate interpretation?

[Starbuck_II]

Paralyzed mentally or physically?
Hold Person is mental paralyzing. You can't do anything. "It is aware and breathes normally but cannot take any actions, even speech."

Str 0 is physical. You can take mental actions.

So answer is maybe. The question depends on how they are paralyzed.

[Tyger]

Ahhh... good point. And the answer is a homebrewed critter the DM came up with.

Lets assume for a moment that all the critter did was apply the normal paralyzed condition. That specifies you can take purely mental actions. So power manifestation would be unaffected there, right?

[Yzzyx]

From the SRD (bolding added):

A paralyzed character is frozen in place and unable to move or act. A paralyzed character has effective Dexterity and Strength scores of 0 and is helpless, but can take purely mental actions. A winged creature flying in the air at the time that it becomes paralyzed cannot flap its wings and falls. A paralyzed swimmer can’t swim and may drown. A creature can move through a space occupied by a paralyzed creature—ally or not. Each square occupied by a paralyzed creature, however, counts as 2 squares.

I believe that includes psionics.

EDIT: As evidence for the last bit, Ectoplasmic Cocoon includes the line

The subject can execute purely mental actions (such as manifesting powers or casting spells with no verbal, somatic, or material components).

[sofawall]

Ahhh... good point. And the answer is a homebrewed critter the DM came up with.

Lets assume for a moment that all the critter did was apply the normal paralyzed condition. That specifies you can take purely mental actions. So power manifestation would be unaffected there, right?

Completely and totally unaffected.

[LordLocke]

You can still fail via Concentration check. When paralyzed by an effect, it would be that effect's saving throw (if it doesn't have one, it gets assigned one based on the spell level/spell it's mimicking) plus the power's level. So manifesting a 2nd level power under the effect of Hold Person from a 18 Int wizard would be 10 + 3 (Hold Person is a 3rd level spell) + 4 (18 Int) + 2 (for a 2nd level power) for a DC 19 Concentration check to manifest.

(You can manifest in Hold Person assuming all the power needs is thought- you're still aware, which means your mind is still working. I can't remember what/if any Psionic powers require a focus or any kind of S/M/V component, but those that would DO get stopped by Hold Person still.)

[AslanCross]

(You can manifest in Hold Person assuming all the power needs is thought- you're still aware, which means your mind is still working. I can't remember what/if any Psionic powers require a focus or any kind of S/M/V component, but those that would DO get stopped by Hold Person still.)

None. No Psionic Powers have the traditional arcane components. Some have XP components, though.

[Myrmex]

You know what I really like about psions? Being able to take 15 on concentration checks.