—allow characters to perceive things beyond the natural range of human and demihuman senses.

Clairsentience powers which list an MAC of "8*" are affected by distance. The distance of the target spot modifies the power’s MAC, as shown below.

*Clairsentient powers only work within a given plane or crystal sphere. For example, a user trying to hear something 10,000 miles away would require a roll against a lower MAC. Instead of 8, for the closest range, the mental armor class would now be -2. If the user’s MTHAC0 is 15, he needs to roll a 17 to successfully employ this power.

It is important to remember that unless stated otherwise in the power description, clairsentient powers can only be used on areas the psionicist has knowledge of. He cannot target the power on "wherever Uldan the mul is at this moment" or on "the sorceror-king's throne room in Urik" if he has never been there.

Places the psionicist knows include any place he has ever been to himself, any place within his sight at the moment, or any place he can specify. He could use clairvoyance to peek behind a sand dune, since he can tell from where he is that the sand dune has another side. He could also scan a point "10 miles directly west" or two miles north of the central square in Urik" — assuming that he has been to that square. Standing outside a tower, he can make a reasonable guess that there is a room or passageway behind any windows that he can see, but he can’t know the layout of the tower and use his powers against interior rooms.

However, a psionicist with many PSPs could use clairvoyance to "visit" an area. After seeing a tower window with clairvoyance, he could see into that room. After seeing a door inside that room, he could look behind the door, since he knows now that it exists.

The devotions of Sense Sound and Sense Light are of limited usefulness, but sound negates darkness-based combat penalties for the psionicist, as long as his opponents are making any normal amount of noise. Incorporeal opponents such as spectres of ghosts don’t make noise when they attack!

Unless Range and Area of Effect are listed, the power exclusively works on the psionicist’s perceptions. If Preparation time is not listed, then the power is triggered instantly.

While technically speaking most Clairsentient powers affect the psionicist’s perception, terms such as Range and Area of Affect are often used in this section to identify what the psionicist can perceive using the given power.

Clairsentience is not a powerful discipline, if one defines power as the ability to cause immediate harm to one's foes. It is a subtle and patient art. The clairsentient may he the most capable information gatherer of Athas. He is rarely surprised by any turn of events. With powerful talents for precognition and location, the clairsentient can find almost anything and anticipate the onset of dangers.

Clairsentient psionicists, also known as "seers" or "spirit-speakers," are in great demand throughout the Tablelands. Only Telepaths are more commonly encountered — and in Kurn, the "Blind Seer" is actually the most common type of psionicist. Generally, any given NPC with sufficient wealth can hire a seer. Nobles, merchant dynasties, templars and kings use seers’ talents to solve mysteries, ferret out enemies, and help determine who to trust or betray. Powerful nobles and kings usually have a seer as a permanent advisor.

The prevalence of Clairsentience has shaped Athasian society more perhaps than any other branch of psionics. Object Reading can be used on any piece of evidence left behind at the scene of a crime — or to identify the maker of a forged ceramic piece. The very spirits of the dead can be questioned. Mastermind villains will use seers to anticipate their enemies’ actions. Powers such as Clairvoyance, Environment, or Object Tracking can be used to spy on the PCs anywhere. NPCs who make good use of Clairsentient reconnaissance can be difficult to defeat.

Of course, the reverse applies for PC seers. If they are wise, they'll keep tabs on their enemies and check out potential hirelings or employers. The DM may find it nearly impossible to sneak an evil NPC into the party if the PCs hit everyone they meet with Aura Sight.

In an adventuring party, the seer is a tactical liability. He has little combat power and should be kept out of harm's way. The seer is at his best when using his powers to scout ahead of the party and to anticipate traps and ambushes.