Steal Essence range limit
 

Do Impudites need to touch their targets to use Steal Essence? Reading through Core section on resonances would suggest they could use it through a live video feed or something, but I can't think of a piece of IN fiction where they haven't physically touched the person they're draining. Is there some RAW somewhere that specifies one way or the other?

Re: Steal Essence range limit
 

The fiction doesn't follow the rules.

According to the rules, he could be across a stadium watching a co-Ed through binoculars and have a CHANCE to charm and steal Essence. Practically...GM discretion. Because the odds are so low most Impudites play the odds and touch. Plus they LIKE to touch...

Re: Steal Essence range limit
 

Since stage one is Charming, though, that would seem to require that the target notice the Impudite -- it's not enough to see them through binoculars, they have to see you back. ("An Impudite can use his resonance again to rob his charmed victims of Essence, if they have any." Pg. 153 of Core, emphasis mine.)

Of course, that doesn't preclude the classic "love at first sight when eyes meet across a crowded room," or crowded stadium as the case may be.

Re: Steal Essence range limit
 

No limit - if you are prepared to take the penalties, your Taker can charm/drain a target over live media, including the phone, security cameras or talkback radio.
A smart move for Tethers of The Media when under attack is to broadcat live into Hell the attack, so that every empty Impudite in front of a screen can attempt to charm/drain the invaders. Sure only one in 100 will succeed, but if thouands are attempting it....

Re: Steal Essence range limit
 

So was I correct that the three Impudites could not drain the Malakite, despite being more powerful than he, because there was no way they'd be able to charm him?

Re: Steal Essence range limit
 

Given the latter, the former is true, yes. An Impudite can only take Essence from a charmed victim.

Re: Steal Essence range limit
 

Why wouldn't the Impudites be able to Charm him? Angels are just as suceptible, albeit with stronger Wills and more Forces. It even mentions it in canon.

Re: Steal Essence range limit
 

A Charm can work on an angel, yes, but if I remember the core rules correctly, the chances of success on the "average angel" (3 Celestial Forces, Will 6, etc.) were exactly zero.

Re: Steal Essence range limit
 

I worked on the idea that the Charm causes the victim to rationalize liking the demon, and a very zealous Malakite, even given my modified dice system, no way he could rationalize sparing them.

Re: Steal Essence range limit
 

Seems logical.