Precognition
The Science
Forward Thinking
Precognition is the rarest of the psionic disciplines. Few people develop it naturally, and unlike other disciplines, not everyone who attempts to learn it intentionally is successful. Those who are gain the ability to see possible futures and influence the likelihood of certain futures coming to pass. This foresight helps them avoid dangers and improve their odds of success.Uncertain Futures
Typically, a precog can only see potential outcomes of their own decisions. Each vision is a single potential future. The farther away the future, the easier it is for anyone to alter it.Luck Influencer
Some precogs can also direct the future, commonly described as affecting luck. They can improve their odds of survival, avoid deadly surprises, and even curse an enemy with bad luck.Quantum Theories
The only theory that hasn't yet been disproven suggests the metadimension exists in a quantum state in which it experiences all possibilities at once. A precog can drag one out to examine or make it more likely to happen. Once something has come to pass, all possibilities collapse into the true event. This theory explains the lack of postcognition, or view of past events, as well as other aspects of Metadimensional Space.The People
Common Traits
Did you know?
Some precogs can't differentiate between a precognitive pull to buy something that will be vital later, or an impulse to buy what they'll never need. They can become hoarders of bizarre items.
Per the stereotypes, precogs have all the answers but only share if it benefits them. They're assumed to be smug and lazy, coasting by on seeing the future. However, the limitations of the discipline make it unlikely a precog actually does have all the answers. Spotlight effect helps cement the stereotype, helped by precogs who act the part.
In truth, many precogs live with an incredible amount of uncertainty. No future they see is promised, and the path to avoid or guarantee a potential isn't always clear. As coveted as precog visions are, many don't understand how delicate of a process it is to influence these potential futures. Precogs often keep their visions secret in hopes of better controlling the end result.
Common Jobs
Many expect precogs to be excellent fortune tellers, but since they only see potential futures from their own perspectives, they do better in advisory positions where they have regular meetings with a client. This surprisingly includes matchmaking.
Vision showed the client engaged one month after the first date. This could be a major success, but given this client's poor judgement and co-dependency issues, I have concerns.High-risk endeavors love having a precog on the team, but as rare as they are, hiring one is incredibly expensive. They're most useful when in danger themselves, where their precognitive luck can turn disaster to success.
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Limitations
Precognition has some of the most esoteric limitations, some of which remain the same no matter the skill level of the precog. To remember what they are, stay focused on the FACTS:Known Precogs
Author Commentary
Extra CreditPrecognition is both incredibly powerful and incredibly limited, making it a fascinating challenge to support as a GM. After two years of Campaign 2: The Gal Pals, I could write a lengthy essay on the topic. As with Telepathy, you have to be willing to reveal your secrets.
'Some precogs can't differentiate between a precognitive pull to buy something that will be vital later, or an impulse to buy what they'll never need. They can become hoarders of bizarre items.' This is such a great touch. It made me laugh. Great article. I feel as though being able to see the future would just make me anxious, honestly. XD
Explore Etrea | WorldEmber 2025
I agree! An earlier draft had a section about the high comorbidity between precognition and anxiety, but the article flowed better without it.
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