Psionic powers spring from sentient minds. Even an undead creature or a being that has no physical form can create a reserve of inner strength necessary to manifest powers, as long as it has an Intelligence score of at least 1.
Vermin possessed of a hive mind ability are an exception to this rule.
A psionic power is a one-time psionic effect. Psionic characters and creatures need not prepare their powers for use ahead of time.
They either have sufficient power points to manifest a power or they do not.
A power is manifested when a psionic character pays its power point cost. Some psionic creatures automatically manifest powers, called psi-like abilities, without paying a power point cost.
Other creatures pay power points to manifest their powers, just as characters do.
Each power has a specific effect. A power known to a psionic character can be used whenever he or she has power points to pay for it.