Editing Shattered Lands (section)

==='''4) Arcane Magic Defiles the World'''<br>===
The reckless use of arcane magic during ancient wars reduced Athas to a wasteland. To cast an arcane spell, one must gather power from the living world nearby. Plants wither to black ash, crippling pain wracks
animals and people, and the soil is sterilized; nothing can grow in that spot again. It is possible to cast spells with care, preserving the world and avoiding any more damage to it, but defiling offers more power
than preserving. As a result, sorcerers, wizards, and other wielders of arcane magic are reviled and persecuted across Athas regardless ofwhether they preserve or defile. Only the most powerful spellcast
ers can wield arcane might without fear of reprisal. '''So a note to you arcane-power source people''' (wizards, sorcerors, bards, spell-blades, warlocks and the like): You can defile, and you can preserve, the choice is yours - Defiling isn't necessarily evil - but it is a selfish act.  And all magic is despised - so you squishy wand-wavers had better treat your friends right, because they are likely all that is standing between you and the angry pitch-fork waving mob.

''On the other hand'', Psionics are a way of life for most people.  Almost everyone (and everything) that has a pulse and some sentience has access to some minor psionic power.  In fact, those that display great prowess in Psychic ability are often taken to special schools within the city states in order to harness their abilities more proficiently - and many nobles who have the time and luxury for study choose to dedicate their lives to the study of the power of the mind.