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Raith Reservoir [Peace Talks Spoilers]

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Grifter:
We were debating this in the 'What is Lara's problem?' thread but I wanted to get a larger consensus and not derail that thread.

A known issue for Wamps is that they have to feed regularly.  Another known issue for Wamps is that if they exhaust too much energy (a la Thomas getting beaten in Peace Talks), their demon can go full parasite and devour the host.

My proposal is this: an artificial reservoir for lust energy.

Benefit:
If a Wamp gets dangerously low on energy, he could tap the reservoir for either a boost to continue fighting, or to sate the hunger of the demon to prevent it from feeding on themselves.  It would effectively help a Wamp exceed their own natural reservoir of energy limitations, which is apparently a thing.

Drawback:
A small percentage of energy would be syphoned from the feeding, and it would potentially go to waste if unused.  It would presumably need to be recharged regularly, as most enchanted items do.

Components:

* An enchanted item that can act as a reservoir for energy, similar to Harry's bear belt buckle (Gravel Peril).
* An enchantment that would syphon a small percentage of lust-fueled spiritual energy when the Wamp feeds, similar to Harry's rings absorbing kinetic energy.
* Optionally, a thaumaturgic link between a bunch of these items and a Queen item that would get a percentage of the percentage from each of the others. (Not advertised to the masses, but maybe 1% of 1%?)
* A wizard/sorcerer/being experienced enough and inclined enough (via favor/payment) to help create the enchantment, but not at a cost so steep that Lara would be unwilling to pay it.
Concerns noted by vultur so far:
 - Can lust energy be stored?
 - Can a wamp feed on stored lust energy?

For the first, I'd argue yes. In Storm Front, Harry commented that Victor Sells' lake house was surrounded by an aura of lust and fear and hate.  This would suggest that the lust energy used in Sells' spell was capable of being transferred to an area/object even without the intent to do so.

For the second, I'd argue yes. Lara is able to feed Thomas in Peace Talks without invoking lust.

'Usable' Energies stored so far:

* Kinetic energy in rings
* Kinetic energy in the staff
* Raw spirit energy of life in the bear belt buckle
* Knowledge/wisdom in Margaret's ruby
* Sunshine in a hankerchief
Query:

* Do we think this is possible?
* Do we think this would be beneficial?
* Do we think it would be worth the cost/time/effort?
Relevant text:

--- Quote ---It seethed with negative energy, anger and pride and lust. Especially lust. Lust for wealth, lust for power, more than physical desire.

--- End quote ---
It seems like the lust was mostly Sells' own desire for power, but the text suggests that there was physical desire as well. Debatable, though.


--- Quote ---I touched my left hand to my belt buckle and whispered, “Fortius.” Power rushed into the pit of my stomach, a sudden tide of hot, living energy, nitrous for the body, mind, and soul. Raw life radiated out into my bones, running riot through my limbs. My confusion and weariness and pain vanished as swiftly as darkness before the sunrise. This was no simple adrenaline boost, either, though that was a part of it. Call it chi or mana or one of thousand other names for it—it was pure magic, the very essence of life energy itself. It poured into me from the reservoir I’d created in the silver of the buckle. My heart suddenly overflowed with excitement, my thoughts with hope, confidence, and eager anticipation, and if I had a personal soundtrack to my life it would have been playing Ode to Joy while a stadium of Harry fans did the wave. It was all I could do to stop myself from bursting into laughter or song.

--- End quote ---
Raw spirit can be stored, and it can induce an emotional reaction in the bearer.

Arjan:
It was only used once and I think Jim did his best to forget about it.

Grifter:

--- Quote from: Arjan on July 27, 2020, 09:05:04 PM ---It was only used once and I think Jim did his best to forget about it.

--- End quote ---
The same could be said about a bunch of things, until they come back around.

Heart explody spell book one, bloodline curse book twelve.

Gray background dude spell book two, most powerful beings barely notice me dude spell book sixteen.

Bringing things back around but in bigger scale is kind of becoming a thing.  And Harry now has, assuming Thomas survives and still has his hunger demon, a motivation to help Thomas never get so weak again.

KurtinStGeorge:

--- Quote from: Grifter on July 27, 2020, 07:11:23 PM ---My proposal is this: an artificial reservoir for lust energy.

--- End quote ---

I'm not saying your idea is unworkable, but I suspect a wizard; and maybe more than one, would have to set it up for them and that's not terribly likely.

In a more practical sense, wasn't Club Zero set up for exactly the same reason?  It's a place any House Raith White Court vamp can go to fill up the tank when they don't want to waste time finding new victims.

Grifter:

--- Quote from: KurtinStGeorge on July 27, 2020, 09:23:22 PM ---I'm not saying your idea is unworkable, but I suspect a wizard; and maybe more than one, would have to set it up for them and that's not terribly likely.

In a more practical sense, wasn't Club Zero set up for exactly the same reason?  It's a place any House Raith White Court vamp can go to fill up the tank when they don't want to waste time finding new victims.

--- End quote ---
A wizard seems most likely, but I think there are others capable. Monoc, the Summer Court, and the Svartalves are all good at different types of magic and enchantments.  And the Svartalves trade in sex and craft items.  So there would be options.

As for Club Zero, that does them no good when they're in a fight or near death like Thomas is.

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