Nale, Sabine and Negative Energy

[Mike Havran]

In the latest strip (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0906.html), Nale claims he orders elixirs of Negative Energy Protection (NEPs) in bulk, because his lover drains levels. But how come? It's like he doesn't trust Sabine that she won't use her energy-draining abilities on him. Aren't they supposed to be in love and a happy couple? Surely such mistrust would put a dent into their relationship.

Or maybe, Sabine can't suppress her draining ability very well, and sometimes she fails at doing it. But that's not very consistent with what we see of her. She drains only when she wants to, and has no problem when smooching with Nale (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0365.html), and she objects flying with Pompey for three days not because she would drain him to death, but because he would grope her.

Are the NEPs long lasting, so that he can afford drinking one per day and be fine with it? But then, Nale's claim that Malack caught him off guard (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0811.html) is a bit strange, because he was holding Sabine only a few combat rounds before that (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0806.html).

Thoughts? Ideas? Do you have a theory that would encompass all these claims and events smoothly?

[tahu88810]

He's evil. She's evil. Trust isn't exactly a big thing when you're evil.

[Morty]

Succubi only drain health in acts of passion. Thus, simply touching a succubus wouldn't cause level drain, so Pompey would be safe. It doesn't seem like they can suppress it either - if a succubus kisses or has sex with a mortal, the mortal is level-drained. I see no inconsistency.

[Bird]

Succubi only drain health in acts of passion. Thus, simply touching a succubus wouldn't cause level drain, so Pompey would be safe. It doesn't seem like they can suppress it either - if a succubus kisses or has sex with a mortal, the mortal is level-drained. I see no inconsistency.
Yeah. Maybe she can even stop herself from draining Nale while kissing him if she has to -- but in the heat of sex, it's harder to control and some extra protection is necessary.

[IronFist]

Succubi only drain health in acts of passion. Thus, simply touching a succubus wouldn't cause level drain, so Pompey would be safe. It doesn't seem like they can suppress it either - if a succubus kisses or has sex with a mortal, the mortal is level-drained. I see no inconsistency.

Exactly. That's explored in Planescape Torment, btw.

[Carl]

Actually we've seen Sabine drain levels just with touch to Haely a few times. However that appears to be a controllable effect. As others have noted the kissing and err, intimacy ones aren't this is shown perfectly when Elan kissed her to distract her in 794# (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0794.html) and got drained.

[davidbofinger]

I imagine The Giant expecting someone to complain, "Hey, Nale couldn't enjoy sex with Sabine, she'd drain his levels. The Giant screwed up." And The Giant came up with this good answer, but nobody complained so it took until nowtop come out.

[Blas_de_Lezo]

In the latest strip (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0906.html), Nale claims he orders elixirs of Negative Energy Protection (NEPs) in bulk, because his lover drains levels. But how come? It's like he doesn't trust Sabine that she won't use her energy-draining abilities on him. Aren't they supposed to be in love and a happy couple? Surely such mistrust would put a dent into their relationship.

Or maybe, Sabine can't suppress her draining ability very well, and sometimes she fails at doing it. But that's not very consistent with what we see of her. She drains only when she wants to, and has no problem when smooching with Nale (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0365.html), and she objects flying with Pompey for three days not because she would drain him to death, but because he would grope her.

Are the NEPs long lasting, so that he can afford drinking one per day and be fine with it? But then, Nale's claim that Malack caught him off guard (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0811.html) is a bit strange, because he was holding Sabine only a few combat rounds before that (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0806.html).

Thoughts? Ideas? Do you have a theory that would encompass all these claims and events smoothly?

Maybe he wouldn't mind being drained from time to time, if you know what I mean... We know they have dirty sex amusements... :smallamused:

I mean, a succesfull saving throw still gives you chills. Ok, this has gone too far :smallbiggrin:

[NerdyKris]

I think the far more likely explanation is that Nale is just making a flippant remark to account for why he carries those around with him. Even if he trust Sabine, as someone who regularly enchants other characters, he's aware of the risks of her being turned on him and wants to be prepared. Not to mention the fact that he was wandering around a palace containing a vampire.