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Some
humans exhibit a natural, intuitive ability to bend or break the rules of
the Matrix. These gifted people are called Potentials because each could potentially
be The One. They can be Free Minds or coppertops still hardwired to the Matrix,
though the latter can lead to tricky situations when Agents try to take over
their bodies. Potentials are often easier to remove from the Matrix because
they already understand its artificiality.
Player Characters may possess any of the powers described below. (Each should be represented by a skill or class ability.) However, they are bound by the same limitations as Free Minds with Zen: Their powers only work in the Matrix and AI searches might be tripped if they use them in front of coppertops. Many Potentials don't deal well with the gifts and develop mental or emotional problems as a result (see "The Prince of the Gift" below).
Telekinesis
In essence, this is the ability to manipulate and/or alter objects within the Matrix. Some Potentials can levitate themselves, people, or objects. Others can bend and mold objects with their minds. A few can even turn one substance into another. Telekinetics have been known to work as performers, escape artists, and thieves. A few have even found themselves working for Agents via employment by super-secret government agencies.
Clairvoyance
Normally, the Matrix feeds humans information via the sensory areas of the brain. Some Potentials seem to be able to tap other sources of input, gaining knowledge of things beyond the range of their "physical" senses. In virtually all cases, this is a completely passive ability; clairvoyants simply know things that they should not be able to know. Examples range from vague intuition to the ability to see events from a location's past or future.
Telepathy
It is well-known that Agents can hack into the minds of humans connected to the Matrix. Telepaths appear to possess a similar ability. By far, the most common telepathic talent is mind reading. Other talents include being able to command others to action; inserting, removing, or altering memories; and causing intense seizures or paralysis. Many latent telepaths are diagnosed with Schizophrenia and admitted to psychiatric hospitals. Resistance crews have been known to patrol such place in hopes of recruiting Potentials.
The Price of the Gift
Because of their intuitive knowledge of the Matrix's falsehood, Potentials are usually disturbed individuals. They often suffer from one form of mental illness or another, usually paranoia or schizophrenia. Some have suffered a traumatic event that both triggered their Gift and left them emotionally scarred. These disorders usually persist into the Real World after their minds have been freed. If your game system includes mechanics for mental disorders, feel free to use them; otherwise, just look them up online and use them as role-playing aids.