Life Energy: Difference between revisions

In [[Anime]], is often the [[Our Vampires Are Different|vampire alternative]] to [[Bloodless Carnage|drinking blood]], but also is often used to explain why human blood is [[The Power of Blood|better]] for vampires than non-human or why they can't feed on the dead. It just sates their [[Horror Hunger]] better. Many [[Anime]] antagonists, especially enemies of [[Magical Girl|Magical Girls]]s, are [[Life Drinker|thaumovores]]: [[Vampiric Draining|they feed on Life Energy or use it to power their evil plans]]. A clear sign that a character is a life-force sink is the [[Enemy to All Living Things|spontaneous death of flowers around him or (usually) her]].

See also [[Aura Vision]] and [[Anatomy of the Soul]]. If [['''Life Energy]]''' is used to power a device, the thing powering it is a [[Living Battery]].

* The Life Entity of the [[Green Lantern Corps]] mythos is the embodiment of life, and thus, is [[Energy Being|made of pure]] [[Life Energy]].

* [[Mercedes Lackey]]'s ''[[Heralds of Valdemar]]'' series uses a fairly [[Magic A Is Magic A|well-developed magic system]] that is based almost entirely around this concept. All living beings generate Life Energy, which drains away from them [[Background Magic Field|into the ambient environment]], eventually collecting into [[Ley Line|Ley Lines]]s. Where two or more Ley Lines meet, you have a [[Place of Power|Node]], which is a massively powerful energy source that only [[Power Levels|Adepts]] can hope to use without burning themselves out. The ultimate destination of this energy is the nether plane, from which it then reenters the world through living beings. Mages are people who have the innate capability to store additional magical energy within themselves, see this energy, and instinctively manipulate it. It's also possible to manipulate it without mage talent via rituals or [[Blood Magic]]. A person wholly drained of life energy, whether from [[Blood Magic]] or [[Cast From Hit Points|spellcasting beyond their capacity]], will lapse into a coma and die. Accordingly, it can also be used to [[Liquid Assets|heal people]], although this is most efficiently performed by those with the [[Healing Hands|specific talent]] for it.

** Lackey's ''Children of the Night'' has '[[Our Vampires Are Different|psi-vamps]]' who drain energy from others. In this case the energy is [[Emotion Eater|tied to emotions]] -- they—they drain excitement at first, and later hate and fear. Also, a completely drained victim is usually not physically dead, but is [[The Stoic|emotionally/mentally burned out]] (described as a mindless hulk, with no chance of recovery).

* ''[[Dungeons and Dragons|Dungeons & Dragons]]'' has many creatures that can [[Level Drain|drain life energy levels]], such as many undead, succubus demons and so on. Class Levels being certainly the most hardly-earned feature of a PC, such creatures are greatly feared -- especiallyfeared—especially in 1st and 2nd edition, where such drains were permanent with no saving throw. Later editions have somewhat nerfed this power, to the regret of any [[Killer Game Master|serious GM]].

** ''[[Spelljammer]]'' also included lifejammers -- alifejammers—a spelljamming helm was a chair which allowed one to pilot a vessel into space by draining spell energy; a lifejamming helm ... well, you can figure it out from there. Lifejammers were particularly popular among evil beings such as neogi and undead, who were fond of subjecting their slaves and captives to this.

* ''[[GURPS]] Aliens''. The Gloworms feed on [[Life Energy]] by touching other living creatures. They can feed on animals but prefer sentient victims.

* ''[[Call of Cthulhu (tabletop game)]]''. The Colour Out of Space monster feeds on [[Life Energy]], just like the original version in the [[H.P. Lovecraft]] story.

** ''[[Tsukihime]]'': {{[{spoiler| Akiha's}} ability ("Plunder") is taking the life energy (and heat, apparently -- thereapparently—there may not be much of a difference) of others through [[Prehensile Hair]] that moves at the speed of thought, hits like a sucker punch or a spear, holds like a python, and is invisible even to her own eyes. Fortunately, the drain itself doesn't start or finish instantly.