Jedi-like groups in other worlds?

[schneefink]

I'm trying to get my thoughts about the Jedi in order. (I finally have a Star Wars icon, even!) For comparison I'm looking for other canons that have people with special powers that are sometimes born among the population and whose existence is general knowledge.

So far I have:
- the telepaths in Babylon 5
- the mutants (or other super-powered people, but mutants fit best) in X-Men/Marvel and other superhero stories
- benders in Avatar:tla and LoK, though they're a bit more wide-spread
- chakra users in Naruto
- wizards and witches and magicians in several fantasy worlds: right now I can only think of Tortall and Emelan, but I know I'm missing some obvious ones, even excluding the many I don't know. Uprooted qualifies.

Which other groups/worlds can you think of?

Comments

[skygiants]

Heralds of Valdemar! Very Jedi-esque; telepathic powers AND a divine message that announces to the world that they're the best and specialist and most altruistic people there are.

[schneefink]

The people with the white not-horses, right? I only know them from crossovers.
So the fact that they are Chosen is seen as proof that they are good people? Convenient.

[skygiants]

ISN'T IT JUST. The white horses only choose people with the right mindset, see. A very HEROIC mindset.