Drainer: The Hunger

By Kirith1443@aol.com

Description

"Since our hideous creation, we have existed only for the purpose of draining power from others. Like vampires, we leech off others, but unlike them we have no hope for redemption."
-- Joseph Insipus, Ancient

The Drainers were a mistake. Whose mistake is unknown. They keep no records, have no history of their own, but their power is amazing and unrivaled throughout the World of Darkness.

Theme

The theme of Drainer is based on a Maxim: "Absolute power corrupts absolutely." Then there's: "He who wants to have a munchkin character has another think coming." I think Confucius said that. ^_^

Powers

A Drainer is a normal mortal who has the ability to leech off other supernaturals powers. Every Drainer has an amount of energy (for they lack the poetic grace to call it anything else) that they spend to use these newfound powers and take them away.

They have the power to use someone else's power, temporarily take it away, or take it away forever. Sounds fun, huh? Well it's not. It's hell.

Draining energy (Quintessence, gnosis, blood points, etc): Roll Soul, (difficulty 7) and Brawl (difficulty 8).

Using someone else's power: Roll Soul (difficulty 8).

Temporarily borrow a power: Roll Soul (difficulty 9).

Permanently thieving a power: Roll Soul (difficulty 10).

None of their draining powers work against wraiths or Risen.

They use this power to feed themselves with supernatural energy, and are hated by everyone.

Soul

Soul is what keeps the Drainer from going on a murderous rampage and killing everything in sight. a Drainer has a Soul rating of 1-5.

Energy

A character uses energy to power his ability to steal other powers, use them, etc.

Creating a Drainer

Drainer are very rare, and have about 10-20 at most in the biggest city, so they have no society. That means forget about uniting them. They hate each other as much as themselves.

Attributes: 6/4/2

Abilities: 11/7/4

Willpower: 4

Energy: 5

Soul: 1

Freebies: 12 points

Freebie Cost
Trait	Cost
Energy	2
Soul	7
Experience Point Cost
Soul	Current rating x 10*

^*Soul cannot exceed 5.

Draining

When permanently draining a power, you must roll your current Soul (difficulty nine). If you fail, you lose a point of permanent Soul. Botches have no additional effect.

Draining Energy: The character must grapple with his opponent (opposed Brawl + Strength roll) before grabbing his victim's face. He then rolls Soul (difficulty 7). For each success he makes, he drains a point of energy away from his victim. (convert any appropriate "power upper" to energy, like blood points, Quintessence, etc.)

Using someone else's power: Roll Soul (difficulty eight). This counts as a complex action to borrow the power, and it cannot be released until the next turn.

System: Roll Soul. If it succeeds, spend the points it would usually take to power the ability. If it normally does not require an expenditure of energy, spend energy equal to the level of the power (Forces 1 :1 point of energy). Draining True Magick requires expenditure equal the Sphere (taking Mind 3 = 1+2+3 = six energy) This lasts two turns per success.

Temporary Theft: Spend two energy points before trying. Roll Soul (difficulty nine). If you succeed (two successes), you use the procedure detailed in using the other persons power, but she cannot use the power.

Permanent theft: Spend four energy points before trying. Roll Soul (difficulty 10). You need only one success, but you must make another Soul roll at difficulty six to see if you do not lose the Soul point anyway.

Terminology

Slipping: Losing all Soul.

Ancient: Someone who has lived with being a Drainer for 30+ years.

Initiate: Someone who has just become a Drainer.

Neophyte: A Drainer for 10-19 years.

Middleman: A Drainer for 20-29 years.

Taking the Birdie: Permanent theft.

Stereotypes

Most other supernaturals don't even know Drainers exist. Those who do, hate them unless they have very good reason not to.