You detect the surface emotions of any creature you can see that is in the power’s area. You can sense basic needs, drives, and emotions. Thirst, hunger, fear, fatigue, pain, rage, hatred, uncertainty, curiosity, friendliness, and many other kinds of sensations and moods can all be perceived. You gain a +2 insight bonus on any Bluff, Diplomacy, Intimidate, or Sense Motive checks that you make in the round when you cease concentrating on this power.

This power can penetrate barriers, but 3 feet of stone, 3 inches of common metal, 1 inch of lead, or 6 feet of wood or dirt blocks it.

Augment

When you meditate to regain your power points for the day, you may spend 3 power points to gain the benefit of this power for the whole day (until you rest). For the rest of the day, you need only concentrate to gain the benefit of the power; you need not spend any additional power points.

If you instead spend 6 power points, you need not even concentrate to sense the surface emotions of nearby creatures; you gain the information provided by this power automatically, as long as you are conscious. However, this constant barrage of sensation is distracting; you incur a −2 penalty on concentration checks and on any skill checks that require attention or focus.

If you augment empathic sense in this way, then while the duration of the power lasts, you become aware of the presence of any creatures with hostile intent within the power’s range, and their direction from you (but not their specific location). The power detects active aggression, as opposed to vigilance. In addition, while this power is active you cannot be surprised or caught flat-footed by creatures that are susceptible to mind-affecting powers. You can also make Sense Motive checks as a free action against anyone within the power’s range.

Additionally, for every 6 power points you spend to augment this power, the power’s range and the radius of its area double (60 feet for 6 power points, 120 feet for 12 power points, 240 feet for 18 power points).