Sixth Sense

Cost: 1 Point/Rank
Relevant Ability: Wisdom
Progression: The character gains 1 Sixth Sense/Rank

Optional: Fatigue

Some characters have the ability to detect things that are hidden to normal senses or technological sensors, while others have affinities for specific objects or people. Sixth Sense typically represents psychic or magical ability, but can also reflect trained and acute senses or divine intervention.

The character may sense one particular category of phenomena per Rank. The player should define the category with the GM's approval (Sixth Sense is very much a GM-defined ability). As a guideline, the character is automatically alerted when something his or her Sixth Sense detects is in close proximity (roughly 20 foot radius area). The GM may require a Wisdom check to do this, with difficulty modifiers depending on the strength of the source of whatever emanations the character can sense. In some cases, the GM may allow detection at greater distances if the source is very strong. The GM should give a bonus (+2 modifier or more) if the character is touching the source.

A character who specifically concentrates on using his or her Sixth Sense may gain more precise information on a successful Wisdom Check. The exact content of this information is up to the GM. If the check succeeds, the GM may provide the character with a few extra clues about the source such as "the magic is coming from those buildings over there" or "you sense the evil presence feels otherworldly... and hungry." If the check fails, the character will not gain any additional information unless something happens, such as the phenomena becoming stronger, or coming much closer. The GM should always try to use Sixth Sense to plant clues that make a story more exciting, but not allow it to short-circuit the process of discovery in a mystery plot.

Examples of phenomena to which the character may be sensitive include astral0ethereal beings, danger, Pocket Dimensions, electricity, elements, emotions, evil, illusions, interpersonal dynamics, magic, magnetics, paranormal nexus points, particular objects, places of power, psionics, spirits, telepathy, truth, virtue, or the use of specific Attributes or Defects.

Precognition and Postcognition
Alternatively, Sixth Sense can be assigned to represent precognition and postcognition - the ability to access visions of past and future events. This option is a GM-defined Attribute, however, which allows him or her limit its application and scope within the campaign. For precognition and postcognition, the Attribute's Rank reflects the maximum time difference between the present situation and a perceived future or past event (the higher the Rank, the longer the time difference). Low-Ranking character may only perceive events within minutes or hours of the current time; high-Ranking characters can extend this time to hundreds or even thousands of years.