Seers: Difference between revisions

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{{trope}}
{{trope}}
[[File:peekablue_vision_tail.jpg|link=She Ra Princess of Power (Animation)|frame|Like many oracles, she sees events through her eyes...the eyes [[Peacock Girl|on her tail]].]]
[[File:peekablue vision tail.jpg|link=She-Ra: Princess of Power|frame|Like many oracles, she sees events through her eyes...the eyes [[Peacock Girl|on her tail]].]]


{{quote|''"Many paths, many seasons I have seen.<br />
{{quote|''"Many paths, many seasons I have seen.
''Time has washed them away just like the sea.<br />
''Time has washed them away just like the sea.
''So many fates, and dreams...<br />
''So many fates, and dreams...
''Will become...tragedies..."''
''Will become...tragedies..."''|'''Yeul's Theme'''<ref>[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B9prDR5gLek Listen here.]</ref>, ''[[Final Fantasy XIII-2 (Video Game)|Final Fantasy XIII-2]]''}}
|'''Yeul's Theme''',<ref>[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B9prDR5gLek Listen here.]</ref> ''[[Final Fantasy XIII-2]]''}}


People who can see into the future, past and to faraway places. People can be born with this or gain it through freak accidents. If the latter, expect a [[Reset Button]].
People who can see into the future, past and to faraway places. People can be born with this or gain it through freak accidents. If the latter, expect a [[Reset Button]].
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When a seer is really powerful, she is [[The Omniscient]] or a [[Omniscient Hero]]. However, it might turn out that she is [[Not So Omniscient After All]].
When a seer is really powerful, she is [[The Omniscient]] or a [[Omniscient Hero]]. However, it might turn out that she is [[Not So Omniscient After All]].


This can also lead into a [[Fantastic Aesop]] about not using this power for selfish gains. It can also lead to [[Fridge Logic]] about being able to see the future but not being able to to avoid and/or fix many problems. But then stories that do are often accused of having [[God Mode Sue|God Mode Sues]]. Although the latter can justify a [[Gambit Roulette]] because they the chance involved in such plans is negated by their powers. These types will likely invoke [[All According to Plan]]
This can also lead into a [[Fantastic Aesop]] about not using this power for selfish gains. It can also lead to [[Fridge Logic]] about being able to see the future but not being able to to avoid and/or fix many problems. But then stories that do are often accused of having [[God Mode Sue]]s. Although the latter can justify a [[Gambit Roulette]] because they the chance involved in such plans is negated by their powers. These types will likely invoke [[All According to Plan]]


A [[Sub-Trope]] of [[Psychic Powers]].
A [[Sub-Trope]] of [[Psychic Powers]].
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A [[Sister Trope]] to [[My Significance Sense Is Tingling]] (a more vague feeling instead of visions).
A [[Sister Trope]] to [[My Significance Sense Is Tingling]] (a more vague feeling instead of visions).


Not to be confused with a certain department store chain famous for its catalog...
----
'''[[Sub-Trope|Sub Tropes]]:'''


----
'''[[Sub-Trope]]s:'''
* [[Blind Seer]]
* [[Blind Seer]]
** [[Prophet Eyes]]
** [[Prophet Eyes]]
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** [[The Ophelia]]
** [[The Ophelia]]
* [[Merlin Sickness]]
* [[Merlin Sickness]]
* [[Not So Phony Psychic]]
* [[Not-So-Phony Psychic]]
* [[Oracular Urchin]]
* [[Oracular Urchin]]
* [[Retroactive Precognition]]
* [[Retroactive Precognition]]
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* Both protagonist Mikura and {{spoiler|antagonist Momomi}} in ''[[Mezzo Forte]]'' can see brief glimpses of future events.* {{spoiler|Shizune}} in ''[[Senkou no Night Raid]].''
* Both protagonist Mikura and {{spoiler|antagonist Momomi}} in ''[[Mezzo Forte]]'' can see brief glimpses of future events.* {{spoiler|Shizune}} in ''[[Senkou no Night Raid]].''
* {{spoiler|Urawa}} and to a degree Sailor Mars in ''[[Sailor Moon]]''.
* {{spoiler|Urawa}} and to a degree Sailor Mars in ''[[Sailor Moon]]''.
* Tiffa from ''[[After War Gundam X (Anime)|Gundam X]]'', as one of the few surviving Newtypes. It's not her only psychic power, either.
* Tiffa from ''[[After War Gundam X|Gundam X]]'', as one of the few surviving Newtypes. It's not her only psychic power, either.
* The title character of ''[[Oriko Magica]]''.
* The title character of ''[[Oriko Magica]]''.
* Kakei from ''[[Legal Drug]]''.
* Kakei from ''[[Legal Drug]]''.


== [[Comic Books]] ==
== [[Comic Books]] ==
* The most notable clairvoyant in [[Marvel Comics]] is Destiny, an old woman who was a member of the Brotherhood of Evil Mutants. After her death she left behind some hidden books with information about the future that led the [[X Men]] to various adventures.
* The most notable clairvoyant in [[Marvel Comics]] is Destiny, an old woman who was a member of the Brotherhood of Evil Mutants. After her death she left behind some hidden books with information about the future that led the [[X-Men]] to various adventures.
** Similarly, Spider-Man enemy/sometimes ally Madam Webb was an old, blind woman who could see the future.
** Similarly, Spider-Man enemy/sometimes ally Madam Webb was an old, blind woman who could see the future.
* The most famed precog in DC Comics is Dream Girl, of the [[Legion of Super-Heroes]], who could see the future in her dreams. Unlike the Marvel examples she is a young platinum blonde whose powers are rarely useful. But then again she was introduced [[Ms. Fanservice|more for her looks than anything else]].
* The most famed precog in DC Comics is Dream Girl, of the [[Legion of Super-Heroes]], who could see the future in her dreams. Unlike the Marvel examples she is a young platinum blonde whose powers are rarely useful. But then again she was introduced [[Ms. Fanservice|more for her looks than anything else]].
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== [[Literature]] ==
== [[Literature]] ==
* Many seers appear in the [[Trojan Cycle (Literature)|Trojan Cycle]]: The Trojans [[The Cassandra|Cassandra]] and Helenus, the Achaean Calchas, and even the ghostly [[Blind Seer|Tiresias]].
* Many seers appear in the [[The Trojan Cycle|Trojan Cycle]]: The Trojans [[The Cassandra|Cassandra]] and Helenus, the Achaean Calchas, and even the ghostly [[Blind Seer|Tiresias]].
* In the ''[[Elemental Logic]]'' series, this is one of the abilities that can go with having [[Elemental Powers|fire blood]]. The seer Medric has dreams and visions that generally have to be interpreted, but accurately reflect the future. (Notably, he and his companions are fairly good at interpreting and acting on the things he sees.) Zanja, a fire blood but not an actual "seer", has limited prescience- she occaisionally sees short-term future events, and her glyph card readings are always accurate, but her visions don't have the range or complexity of Medric's.
* In the ''[[Elemental Logic]]'' series, this is one of the abilities that can go with having [[Elemental Powers|fire blood]]. The seer Medric has dreams and visions that generally have to be interpreted, but accurately reflect the future. (Notably, he and his companions are fairly good at interpreting and acting on the things he sees.) Zanja, a fire blood but not an actual "seer", has limited prescience- she occaisionally sees short-term future events, and her glyph card readings are always accurate, but her visions don't have the range or complexity of Medric's.
* Niklaren "Niko" Goldeye from the ''[[Circle of Magic]]'' series, who mainly devotes his talent to spotting magical influence where it was otherwise missed, such as the protagonists. Occassionally he uses it for crime-solving.
* Niklaren "Niko" Goldeye from the ''[[Circle of Magic]]'' series, who mainly devotes his talent to spotting magical influence where it was otherwise missed, such as the protagonists. Occassionally he uses it for crime-solving.
* Many novels and short stories by [[Philip K Dick]] feature precognitive powers.
* Many novels and short stories by [[Philip K. Dick]] feature precognitive powers.
* In [[Robert E Howard]]'s ''[[The Hour of the Dragon (Literature)|The Hour of the Dragon]]'', [[Conan the Barbarian]] meets one. Somewhat cryptic.
* In [[Robert E. Howard]]'s ''[[The Hour of the Dragon]]'', [[Conan the Barbarian]] meets one. Somewhat cryptic.
{{quote| ''I am but an oracle, through whose lips the gods speak. My lips are sealed by them lest I speak too much. You must find the heart of your kingdom. I can say no more. My lips are opened and sealed by the gods.''}}
{{quote|''I am but an oracle, through whose lips the gods speak. My lips are sealed by them lest I speak too much. You must find the heart of your kingdom. I can say no more. My lips are opened and sealed by the gods.''}}
* [[Time Scout (Literature)|Time Scout]]'s Ianira Cassondra receives visions voluntarily and involuntarily. Sometimes leads to [[Fainting Seer]].
* [[Time Scout]]'s Ianira Cassondra receives visions voluntarily and involuntarily. Sometimes leads to [[Fainting Seer]].
* Coryn from ''Guardians of Ga'hoole'', who can see the future in the flames of a fire.
* Coryn from ''Guardians of Ga'hoole'', who can see the future in the flames of a fire.
* Any medicine cat in [[Warrior Cats]], and the clan leaders, too for that matter. They all get visions and prophecies from [[Star Clan]].
* Any medicine cat in [[Warrior Cats]], and the clan leaders, too for that matter. They all get visions and prophecies from [[Star Clan]].
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== [[Live Action TV]] ==
== [[Live Action TV]] ==
* [[Buffy the Vampire Slayer|Drusilla,]] [[Angel|Doyle and later Cordelia]] all get visions. Where Drusilla's came from isn't explained but it's revealed she had them prior to becoming a vampire and that they had driven her [[Mad Oracle|quite mad]]; it was the reason she was turned since Angelus wanted her to suffer eternal torment. Doyle got them from the Powers That Be and passed them onto Cordelia via a kiss.
* [[Buffy the Vampire Slayer|Drusilla,]] [[Angel|Doyle and later Cordelia]] all get visions. Where Drusilla's came from isn't explained but it's revealed she had them prior to becoming a vampire and that they had driven her [[Mad Oracle|quite mad]]; it was the reason she was turned since Angelus wanted her to suffer eternal torment. Doyle got them from the Powers That Be and passed them onto Cordelia via a kiss.
* Screech in ''[[Saved By the Bell]]'' gets this for an episode.
* Screech in ''[[Saved by the Bell]]'' gets this for an episode.
* ''[[Lexx]]'''s Time Prophet, who could only see the ''past'' -- which luckily was [[Eternal Recurrence|identical to the future.]]
* ''[[Lexx]]'''s Time Prophet, who could only see the ''past'' -- which luckily was [[Eternal Recurrence|identical to the future.]]
* [[Merlin]]'s Morgana, who gets future visions in her dreams.
* [[Merlin]]'s Morgana, who gets future visions in her dreams.
* Phoebe of [[Charmed (TV)|Charmed]] can get premonitions just by touching them. She can see the past and the future.
* Phoebe of [[Charmed]] can get premonitions just by touching them. She can see the past and the future.


== [[Mythology]] ==
== [[Mythology]] ==
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== [[Tabletop Games]] ==
== [[Tabletop Games]] ==
* In ''[[Dungeons and Dragons]]'', divination is the school of magic that specializes in gaining information, including clairvoyance.
* In ''[[Dungeons & Dragons]]'', divination is the school of magic that specializes in gaining information, including clairvoyance.
** In the optional [[Psychic Powers|psionics]] for 3rd Edition, seers are psions who specialize in the same.
** In the optional [[Psychic Powers|psionics]] for 3rd Edition, seers are psions who specialize in the same.


== [[Video Games]] ==
== [[Video Games]] ==
* Hannah from [[Fire Emblem Elibe]]. {{spoiler|when she gets [[Put On a Bus]], Nils takes over her "oracle" duty.}}
* Hannah from [[Fire Emblem Elibe]]. {{spoiler|when she gets [[Put on a Bus]], Nils takes over her "oracle" duty.}}
** Also {{spoiler|Prince Lyon}} from ''[[Fire Emblem the Sacred Stones (Video Game)|Fire Emblem the Sacred Stones]]''. Who actually aquired said powers by {{spoiler|experimenting with the Stone of Grado.}}
** Also {{spoiler|Prince Lyon}} from ''[[Fire Emblem: The Sacred Stones]]''. Who actually aquired said powers by {{spoiler|experimenting with the Stone of Grado.}}
* Bloomseer Poplar from ''Fallout 3'' is a prophetic old lady living in the settlement of Oasis. Her precognition factors into the gameplay: you can ask about your future, and she will tell you something related to quests that you have not yet discovered.
* Bloomseer Poplar from ''Fallout 3'' is a prophetic old lady living in the settlement of Oasis. Her precognition factors into the gameplay: you can ask about your future, and she will tell you something related to quests that you have not yet discovered.
** The same goes for the Forecaster from ''Fallout: New Vegas''. He can pretty much sum up the whole game for 300 caps.
** The same goes for the Forecaster from ''Fallout: New Vegas''. He can pretty much sum up the whole game for 300 caps.
* Fateweavers from ''[[Kingdoms of Amalur Reckoning]]''. Contrary to the what the name implies, the Fateweavers can only see the Weave of Fate, they can't actually change it -- [[You Can't Fight Fate|no one can]]. They were honored in the past, but nowadays have a poor reputation since people don't like to receive bad news and tend to blame the messenger. Their reactions to meeting The Fateless One are mixed -- part fear and shock that someone is able to alter the Weave, and part hope since the Fateless One can give them a new unwritten future.
* Fateweavers from ''[[Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning]]''. Contrary to the what the name implies, the Fateweavers can only see the Weave of Fate, they can't actually change it -- [[You Can't Fight Fate|no one can]]. They were honored in the past, but nowadays have a poor reputation since people don't like to receive bad news and tend to blame the messenger. Their reactions to meeting The Fateless One are mixed—part fear and shock that someone is able to alter the Weave, and part hope since the Fateless One can give them a new unwritten future.


== [[Web Comics]] ==
== [[Web Comics]] ==
* [[Dominic Deegan]] is a seer for hire.
* [[Dominic Deegan]] is a seer for hire.
* In ''[[Drow Tales]]'', the drowussu Chiri'nide and Shimi'lande Val'Kyorlsolenurn are seers, as is the leader of the light elves of Vanaheimr, Vala Hudr. Since it was revealed that {{spoiler|drowussu are descended from light elves it may mean that prescience is a racial trait}}.
* In ''[[Drowtales]]'', the drowussu Chiri'nide and Shimi'lande Val'Kyorlsolenurn are seers, as is the leader of the light elves of Vanaheimr, Vala Hudr. Since it was revealed that {{spoiler|drowussu are descended from light elves it may mean that prescience is a racial trait}}.


== [[Web Original]] ==
== [[Web Original]] ==
* Apollo and Hera in ''[[Thalias Musings]]''. They're both prophecy deities who can see visions of the future.
* Apollo and Hera in ''[[Thalia's Musings]]''. They're both prophecy deities who can see visions of the future.
* The Pythia in [[Greek Ninja]].
* The Pythia in [[Greek Ninja]].


== [[Western Animation]] ==
== [[Western Animation]] ==
* Pictured: Peek-A-Blue of ''[[She Ra Princess of Power (Animation)|She Ra Princess of Power]]''
* Pictured: Peek-A-Blue of ''[[She-Ra: Princess of Power|She Ra Princess of Power]]''
* Lion-O of ''[[Thunder Cats]]'' and ''[[Thundercats 2011 (Western Animation)|Thundercats 2011]]'' through the power of the Sword of Omens.
* Lion-O of ''[[Thundercats]]'' and ''[[Thundercats 2011]]'' through the power of the Sword of Omens.
* In ''[[Duck Tales]]'', Fenton Crackshell's mother gets this for an episode.
* In ''[[DuckTales (1987)]]'', Fenton Crackshell's mother gets this for an episode.
* Sally from ''[[The Nightmare Before Christmas]]'' has shades of this, though it's unclear if her premeditation is a one-time thing or if she can see the future often.
* Sally from ''[[The Nightmare Before Christmas]]'' has shades of this, though it's unclear if her premeditation is a one-time thing or if she can see the future often.
* Several characters of ''[[Delta State]]''.
* Several characters of ''[[Delta State]]''.
* Shirley from ''[[Tiny Toon Adventures (Animation)|Tiny Toon Adventures]]''.
* Shirley from ''[[Tiny Toon Adventures]]''.
* Pinkie Pie of ''[[My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic (Animation)|My Little Pony Friendship Is Magic]]'' has her "Pinkie Sense", in which specific twitches and tics of her body (or combinations thereof) indicate certain future events; for example, her tail twitching indicates something's going to fall.
* Pinkie Pie of ''[[My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic|My Little Pony Friendship Is Magic]]'' has her "Pinkie Sense", in which specific twitches and tics of her body (or combinations thereof) indicate certain future events; for example, her tail twitching indicates something's going to fall.


{{reflist}}
{{reflist}}
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[[Category:Fate and Prophecy Tropes]]
[[Category:Fate and Prophecy Tropes]]
[[Category:Urban Fantasy Tropes]]
[[Category:Urban Fantasy Tropes]]
[[Category:index]]
[[Category:Index]]
[[Category:Seers]]
[[Category:Seers]]
[[Category:Sensory Tropes]]

Latest revision as of 02:01, 11 March 2020

Like many oracles, she sees events through her eyes...the eyes on her tail.

"Many paths, many seasons I have seen.
Time has washed them away just like the sea.
So many fates, and dreams...
Will become...tragedies..."

Yeul's Theme,[1] Final Fantasy XIII-2

People who can see into the future, past and to faraway places. People can be born with this or gain it through freak accidents. If the latter, expect a Reset Button.

When a seer is really powerful, she is The Omniscient or a Omniscient Hero. However, it might turn out that she is Not So Omniscient After All.

This can also lead into a Fantastic Aesop about not using this power for selfish gains. It can also lead to Fridge Logic about being able to see the future but not being able to to avoid and/or fix many problems. But then stories that do are often accused of having God Mode Sues. Although the latter can justify a Gambit Roulette because they the chance involved in such plans is negated by their powers. These types will likely invoke All According to Plan

A Sub-Trope of Psychic Powers.

A Sister Trope to My Significance Sense Is Tingling (a more vague feeling instead of visions).

Not to be confused with a certain department store chain famous for its catalog...


Sub-Tropes:

Examples of Seers include:


Anime and Manga

Comic Books

  • The most notable clairvoyant in Marvel Comics is Destiny, an old woman who was a member of the Brotherhood of Evil Mutants. After her death she left behind some hidden books with information about the future that led the X-Men to various adventures.
    • Similarly, Spider-Man enemy/sometimes ally Madam Webb was an old, blind woman who could see the future.
  • The most famed precog in DC Comics is Dream Girl, of the Legion of Super-Heroes, who could see the future in her dreams. Unlike the Marvel examples she is a young platinum blonde whose powers are rarely useful. But then again she was introduced more for her looks than anything else.
  • The Sandman (Sanderson Hawkins), also of DC fame, suffers from the same precognitive nightmares as his predecessor, Wesley Dodds.

Film

  • The Oracle of The Matrix films is a subversion, as she can't actually see the future. She can, however, predict what choices people will make with near-perfect accuracy and from that extrapolate events that will come, through an innate understanding of the human psyche. She also admits that this ability has limits: if she doesn't understand a choice someone will make, she can't predict what they will do, and she doesn't know what will happen after that.
  • The Precogs of Minority Report.

Literature

  • Many seers appear in the Trojan Cycle: The Trojans Cassandra and Helenus, the Achaean Calchas, and even the ghostly Tiresias.
  • In the Elemental Logic series, this is one of the abilities that can go with having fire blood. The seer Medric has dreams and visions that generally have to be interpreted, but accurately reflect the future. (Notably, he and his companions are fairly good at interpreting and acting on the things he sees.) Zanja, a fire blood but not an actual "seer", has limited prescience- she occaisionally sees short-term future events, and her glyph card readings are always accurate, but her visions don't have the range or complexity of Medric's.
  • Niklaren "Niko" Goldeye from the Circle of Magic series, who mainly devotes his talent to spotting magical influence where it was otherwise missed, such as the protagonists. Occassionally he uses it for crime-solving.
  • Many novels and short stories by Philip K. Dick feature precognitive powers.
  • In Robert E. Howard's The Hour of the Dragon, Conan the Barbarian meets one. Somewhat cryptic.

I am but an oracle, through whose lips the gods speak. My lips are sealed by them lest I speak too much. You must find the heart of your kingdom. I can say no more. My lips are opened and sealed by the gods.

  • Time Scout's Ianira Cassondra receives visions voluntarily and involuntarily. Sometimes leads to Fainting Seer.
  • Coryn from Guardians of Ga'hoole, who can see the future in the flames of a fire.
  • Any medicine cat in Warrior Cats, and the clan leaders, too for that matter. They all get visions and prophecies from Star Clan.

Live Action TV

  • Drusilla, Doyle and later Cordelia all get visions. Where Drusilla's came from isn't explained but it's revealed she had them prior to becoming a vampire and that they had driven her quite mad; it was the reason she was turned since Angelus wanted her to suffer eternal torment. Doyle got them from the Powers That Be and passed them onto Cordelia via a kiss.
  • Screech in Saved by the Bell gets this for an episode.
  • Lexx's Time Prophet, who could only see the past -- which luckily was identical to the future.
  • Merlin's Morgana, who gets future visions in her dreams.
  • Phoebe of Charmed can get premonitions just by touching them. She can see the past and the future.

Mythology

  • The oracles and sybils of ancient Greece and Rome.
  • Modern Groundhog Day events presume that a rodent can be a seer, at least regarding the weather.

Tabletop Games

  • In Dungeons & Dragons, divination is the school of magic that specializes in gaining information, including clairvoyance.
    • In the optional psionics for 3rd Edition, seers are psions who specialize in the same.

Video Games

  • Hannah from Fire Emblem Elibe. when she gets Put on a Bus, Nils takes over her "oracle" duty.
  • Bloomseer Poplar from Fallout 3 is a prophetic old lady living in the settlement of Oasis. Her precognition factors into the gameplay: you can ask about your future, and she will tell you something related to quests that you have not yet discovered.
    • The same goes for the Forecaster from Fallout: New Vegas. He can pretty much sum up the whole game for 300 caps.
  • Fateweavers from Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning. Contrary to the what the name implies, the Fateweavers can only see the Weave of Fate, they can't actually change it -- no one can. They were honored in the past, but nowadays have a poor reputation since people don't like to receive bad news and tend to blame the messenger. Their reactions to meeting The Fateless One are mixed—part fear and shock that someone is able to alter the Weave, and part hope since the Fateless One can give them a new unwritten future.

Web Comics

  • Dominic Deegan is a seer for hire.
  • In Drowtales, the drowussu Chiri'nide and Shimi'lande Val'Kyorlsolenurn are seers, as is the leader of the light elves of Vanaheimr, Vala Hudr. Since it was revealed that drowussu are descended from light elves it may mean that prescience is a racial trait.

Web Original

Western Animation