Energy Drain = VILE damage + mildly shaken

So, I have never been satisfied with how energy drain and negative levels works in D&D. Not only is it a pain in the ass to handle mechanically, it just doesn't sit well with me in terms of what "energy draining" is.

For a while I was considering going the Con drain route - but today I got this idea.

If you fail your save against an energy drain attack you take 1d4 points of VILE damage (as described in the Book of Vile Darkness - permanent hit point damage until healed on consecrated ground) for each level it would have drained, and you suffer a minor version of the shaken conditions, -1 on on attack rolls, saving throws, skill checks, and ability checks. This -1 penalty stacks with itself.

The "shaken" result(s) (I may need another name to avoid confusion) passes after 24 hours - or can be restored before that time passes.

For spawning undead, anyone brought below 0 hps by VILE damage rises as the spawn of that type.

Whaddya think?

that would obviously weaken them a great deal... (no spell loss, no "sudden" death)

If that's the plan: I like it but I'd increase the damage to 1d6 or 1d4+2

It certainly seems a lot easier to deal with mechanically, and has much the same effect.

What about a 10th level character who gets pummelled by mundane damage so he's down to 4 hit points, then gets tagged once by a Shadow. He's dead and rising as a shadow immediately. Is that the effect you want? Just want to make sure.

that's aready happening with normal energy drain... ain't it?

Land Outcast said:

that's aready happening with normal energy drain... ain't it?

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First of all, I used the wrong monster. Should have been a Wight (shadows do Str damage instead, duh).

Second, I went and re-read the Wight description and sure enough you're right. I had always assumed it was "slain by a wight's level drain" when in fact it just says "slain by a wight." So this doesn't really change that aspect of things.

Hm. Still seems goofy, but it's goofy RAW.

Ilium said:

Is that the effect you want? Just want to make sure.

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Yep. In fact, I am making it slightly weaker by ruling the death must be by VILE damage in order for the spawn to rise.

Yeah, the more I think about it, the more I like it.

I don't want to make it more damage b/c my games tend to be lower magic - so (semi-)permanent hit point lost will be a big deal.

Anyway, any suggestions on what to name the "mildly shaken" result?

Rattled?
Or you could still call the condition "energy drained" if you always use it rather than the existing rules. "Your energy drain penatly is up to 4."

Ilium said:

Rattled?
Or you could still call the condition "energy drained" if you always use it rather than the existing rules. "Your energy drain penatly is up to 4."

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Of course!

Man, sometimes I feel so stupid!

Thanks!