Retrocognition (The Reader)
The user can discern the past and past events using various means, usually entering a trance while seeing and hearing a noted past event, whether it be concerning themselves or of an unfamiliar lineage in a past occurrence. Occasionally spontaneous. Retrocognition is a form of Magic, that is mostly inherited from previous relatives, however can be self-taught, with intense meditation and years of isolation. The purpose of Retrocognition, is nothing more than for the sake of Roleplay opportunities and a more mysterious, passive way of roleplaying magic. It is solely a passive magic, that has no real effects on anyone aside from the user itself.
Being able to use Retrocognition, comes with many disadvantages for the user. This magic bends the relation between a memory/experience of an Animal, Plant or Person, and the time in which the memory/experience took place. This allows the user to cognitively gather information from the past, which was beforehand impossible to get hold of for the reader. The time in which the user is allowed to go back in time to gather information, depends on the users ability to meditate, and focus, which in turn makes the risk of failing so much more probable. Side-effects to this magic, consists of a high probability of blindness, confusion and physical weakness. It is due to these effects that people tend to give up on learning the technical difficulties of the magic.
Aside from the above stated side-effects, there are still things that Retrocognition can do, which would be unlikely to comprehend otherwise. Stuff like Returning lost memories to a person, or looking back at events that happened many generations ago. Would be possible with the likes of Retrocognition, however drawing information to such an extend could break the users grip of what is present and what is past. If such would happend, Retrocognition is an unforgivable magic. It will throw its user into a constant illusion of what is past and present, while the users body is rendered unconscious. This will continue, untill the person dies from the inevitable lack of food and liquid. Yet there are still multiple ways of getting a person out of such a situation, one of which could be to get a cleric or illusionist to venture into the mind of the reader, and guiding them out of the confusion.
As stated previously, Retrocognition, is not supposed to be considered a form of combat magic, or a loophole for Metagaming. It is for the mere enjoyment of people who want to spend time and patience roleplaying with the nostalgia that some players have of previous events, and bringing those memories back in the light.
Redlines:
Reader cannot read experiences or memories as they are happening.
Reader cannot Metagame any form of Cognitive information from a player without direct consent from that player.
Reader may be unable to notice present surroundings, while performing a reading.
Reader may need specific concentration, such as trances or meditation.
Reader may unwilling perceive collective knowledgeable attachments.
Reader may gain instability from attained knowledge.
Reader may become infected with information.
Reader is unable to tap into history of other universes, and is unable to perceive contents from parallel dimensions. (Such as the nether)
Reader may be required to have physical contact, with something that has relation with the memory/experience being read.