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Rules

Condition — Drained

Drained (value): status penalty to CON checks, max HP reduced by level x value. Recovered by full rest (-1) or Restoration. HP reduction is the real threat.

Your vitality has been sapped. Drained reduces your Constitution-based stats and max HP.

Mechanical Effects:

  • Status penalty equal to the Drained value on:
    • Constitution-based checks and DCs (Fortitude saves primarily)
  • Max HP reduced by your level × Drained value
    • A level 5 character with Drained 2 loses 10 max HP
    • Current HP decreases if it exceeds new max
  • Does NOT affect other ability scores

How Applied:

  • Vampiric drain (classic source)
  • Negative energy effects
  • Certain diseases and curses
  • Some undead attacks
  • Life-draining spells

How Removed:

  • Full night's rest reduces Drained by 1
  • Restoration spell reduces or removes Drained
  • Some specific healing effects
  • Drained does NOT decrease during combat or short rests

Stacking:

  • Drained has a value (typically 1-4)
  • Multiple sources do not stack — only the highest value applies
  • If you gain Drained 1 while already at Drained 2, you stay at Drained 2

Why It's Dangerous: The max HP reduction is the killer. A level 10 character with Drained 3 loses 30 max HP — that could be 25-30% of their total HP. Combined with the Fortitude save penalty, Drained makes you weaker AND easier to drain further.

Interaction with Healing: Healing restores HP up to your new, reduced maximum. You can't heal above max HP while Drained.