IN> Mainlining (variant use of Calabite resonance)

[Maurice Lane]

http://moeticae.typepad.com/weblog_licentiae_moeticae/2008/05/mainlining-vari.html
(H/T Randy Finder of the IN List for the idea.)

Mainlining (use of Calabite resonance at -6*)

This use of the Calabite resonance is in some ways a
"perversion" of it.  The demon can actually heal Body
Hits (animate or inanimate) done to others by
transferring the damage to himself; this damage will
heal normally.  Doing so causes dissonance, unless the
demon either has the Selfless or Merciful Discord;
dissonance gained by Mainlining seems to manifest as
either these two Discords, or else Addiction
(Mainlining).  Mainlining either works, or it doesn't:
either way, it doesn't generate disturbance.  Calabim
who have used this technique report that the
sensations felt during Mainlining are exceptionally
painful, but not especially repulsive.  

Mainlining is one of those things that Calabim... may
or may not talk about, depending on their Prince,
inherent nature, status in Infernal society, and the
time of day.  It's one of those ideologically awkward
abilities that crop up in demons from time to time,
and there's no real consensus about whether it's a
gift, a curse, or a curse that's been turned into a
gift.  While any Calabite may learn this trick, many
Calabim are advised not to: while certain Demon
Princes find the practice intriguing (and more simply
like the idea of having emergency healers that don't
cause disturbance or waste Essence), Asmodeus finds
the Discords that it generates fairly unacceptable, so
the Game will still hassle known practitioners of it. 
Or, at least, it'll hassle known, uncooperative
practitioners of it: InfSec is more understanding
towards the plight of those demons who voluntarily put
aside petty rivalries to assist the Game in their
endeavors.

Obviously, this technique is popular among Renegade
Calabim who: either are trying to work up their
courage to Redeem; or are simply eager to sprout that
all-important doubt about one's Evil Rating in the
minds of the Malakim hit squad.  It's also a good way
to make friends and gather influence, especially if
the demon has a safe place to heal up afterwards.

*Add any levels of Selfless to the final roll.



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