Let me try and rephrase the question. Does your group's interpretation include thoughts or explorations regarding the nature of the draining abilities? In essence what does it really mean to drain a creature of abilities or levels...what is it that is really being taken from the person?
Level Drain
- Thread starter Herzog
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Greenfield
Adventurer
It varies with the source.
For example Wounding weapons cause CON loss through blood loss. Says so right on the label. The Vampire's bite works the same way. Again, says so right on the label. The same for creatures like the Stirge.
Other undead abilities appear to be described as negative energy effects, which would be why various forms of "negative energy protection" guard against them.
Certain other spells and abilities, such as Enervation say that they infuse the subject with negative energy.
So comparing the level drain from a Vampire (described as a negative energy effect) and the Strength drain from a Shadow (also described as a negative energy effect) is easy.
Comparing these, in turn, to a spell like Cause Light Wounds, which is coincidentally described as a negative energy effect, is also pretty easy.
The various Cause spells take temporary hit points first, then any real ones you happened to leave lying around.
So, by the way, does the application of pointy things like swords and arrows to the target's body, and these in turn compare nicely to the Vampire's blood drain, the Stirge and the Wounding weapon.
So it's hardly a stretch to suggest that different flavors of negative energy would take temporary stat points first, before going after the real ones.
Same basic cause for the loss (negative energy or specific types of physical injury) gets treated the same way regardless of what number they're going after.
So here's a question: Does Death Ward somehow prevent CON loss from blood draining effects, like a Stirge dropping in for a pint or two after work?
For example Wounding weapons cause CON loss through blood loss. Says so right on the label. The Vampire's bite works the same way. Again, says so right on the label. The same for creatures like the Stirge.
Other undead abilities appear to be described as negative energy effects, which would be why various forms of "negative energy protection" guard against them.
Certain other spells and abilities, such as Enervation say that they infuse the subject with negative energy.
So comparing the level drain from a Vampire (described as a negative energy effect) and the Strength drain from a Shadow (also described as a negative energy effect) is easy.
Comparing these, in turn, to a spell like Cause Light Wounds, which is coincidentally described as a negative energy effect, is also pretty easy.
The various Cause spells take temporary hit points first, then any real ones you happened to leave lying around.
So, by the way, does the application of pointy things like swords and arrows to the target's body, and these in turn compare nicely to the Vampire's blood drain, the Stirge and the Wounding weapon.
So it's hardly a stretch to suggest that different flavors of negative energy would take temporary stat points first, before going after the real ones.
Same basic cause for the loss (negative energy or specific types of physical injury) gets treated the same way regardless of what number they're going after.
So here's a question: Does Death Ward somehow prevent CON loss from blood draining effects, like a Stirge dropping in for a pint or two after work?
Greenfield
Adventurer
You mean like the Strength Drain ability of a Shadow? Negative energy, already explained.
As for the "blood supply" question, it harkens back to my question regarding Death Ward and the Vampire's CON draining bite. What, does it replenish his supply, or just cause rapid clotting? Or does it apply at all? (Technically it shouldn't, but everyone I know lumps it in with other Undead negative energy attacks.)
Some ability loss spells, such as Touch of Idiocy, are actually "Enchantment (Compulsion) [Mind-Affecting]" according to the SRD.
Would Death Ward stop that, or would it call for something like Mind Blank? (Note that Mind Blank specifically protects against mind affecting spells and abilities, while Death Ward stops death effects, energy drains and negative energy effects.)
And if we can call an Orange an Orange, why can't we call a Banana a Yellow? I understand Blueberries, but would someone please explain Gooseberries to me?
Sorry, I'm back.
As for the Vampire drinking from the CON boosted individual, I guess it's like the old jokes about Chinese Food: An hour later you're hungry again.
As for the "blood supply" question, it harkens back to my question regarding Death Ward and the Vampire's CON draining bite. What, does it replenish his supply, or just cause rapid clotting? Or does it apply at all? (Technically it shouldn't, but everyone I know lumps it in with other Undead negative energy attacks.)
Some ability loss spells, such as Touch of Idiocy, are actually "Enchantment (Compulsion) [Mind-Affecting]" according to the SRD.
Would Death Ward stop that, or would it call for something like Mind Blank? (Note that Mind Blank specifically protects against mind affecting spells and abilities, while Death Ward stops death effects, energy drains and negative energy effects.)
And if we can call an Orange an Orange, why can't we call a Banana a Yellow? I understand Blueberries, but would someone please explain Gooseberries to me?
Sorry, I'm back.
As for the Vampire drinking from the CON boosted individual, I guess it's like the old jokes about Chinese Food: An hour later you're hungry again.
Greenfield
Adventurer
Poisons work normally in our game, draining base numbers not enhancements.
We have negative energy effects drain enhancements first.
Does that clarify anything?
We have negative energy effects drain enhancements first.
Does that clarify anything?
Do diseases work like poison? What about magical diseases, same as non-magical (assuming the issue has come up)?
Greenfield
Adventurer
While we handle diseases, mechanically, with a Save at a specific moment, the actual drain effect would take place over a much longer period of time. Unless you had a way to make a buff last that long it wouldn't make any sense to have it act as "ablative points".
Same argument against trying to apply a temporary buff at the time a drained person would make their Save.
So yeah, diseases (magical or otherwise) would act like poisons.
Same argument against trying to apply a temporary buff at the time a drained person would make their Save.
So yeah, diseases (magical or otherwise) would act like poisons.
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