Patternists are a fictional group of telepathic individuals created by author Octavia Butler in her Patternist series. They possess the ability to communicate mentally and form a collective consciousness, allowing them to share thoughts and emotions. This unique connection enables them to work together and protect their community from external threats. The Patternists are often depicted as being part of a larger hierarchy, with a powerful leader known as the Patternmaster. This leader can control the thoughts and actions of other Patternists, creating a complex social structure. The series explores themes of power, control, and the nature of human relationships within this telepathic society.