Drainers

Content Warning: References to abuse.
A Drainer, also called a Class 1 Paragon, is a Paragon whose ability is that they can, through touch, impair the function of the power carriers in human and aignaoi blood. Thus they can temporarily take away the abilities of any Amalgam, Paragon, or shapeshifter. They can control the number of power carriers they "turn off" and thus hold their victims at a steady powerless state. If they disable all the power carriers in the blood, the victim's body is unable to function; he or she dies. This works for even powerless humans.
Despite being Paragons by name, Drainers are farther from the glittering palaces and political power of typical Paragons than any commoner. But despite popular belief, it hasn't always been this way. In fact, Drainers have only been used to the degree they are today for a mere 200 years.
I will focus on the history of Crathlia's treatment of Drainers, since it is what I know best, but I will note other countries as well.

First Drainers

One night those children, born of shapeshifter-like lust and greed, born of the sins of their fathers, those children crept into Ironwood's bedroom where he and his youngest wife slept soundly. They gripped his arms--he awakened, twisting his hand, attempting to stab them to death like so many other fallen opponents--but they held fast. And they drained the lifeblood from his veins, and thus was the end of the warrior Ironwood's dark and blood-stained life. And the Creator had His vengeance for all the evil that was committed in the depths of those dark woods.

— Dervila, c. 740

Although legend holds that the first Drainers were the children of Adrian Ironwood, the Ironwood patriarch, it is likely that these Drainers were only the first of any fame. Healers were recorded during the colonization, and Drainers inherit their abilities similarly.
However, Adrian Ironwood's Drainer children--known as the first Blackfades--are certainly worth mentioning. According to legend, they murdered their father quietly in the night to save their mothers from the horrors Ironwood put them through. Many people, both contemporaries and modern scholars, consider Ironwood's Drainer children as The Creator's retribution for his evils.
This painting of Drainers as divine consequences for the evil of those around them is an image that continues throughout history.

Drainers in the Alderley Clan

I took the complaint to Roland, who went immediately to see the shapeshifter in question. He took her hand, determining that she was responsible for her words and meant ill. Satisfied, he left her at the point of fainting, her fellow shapeshifters warned that future misbehavior would result in being sent back to Inis Baile Mor.

— Diary of Queen Aveline Ashdown Alderley, Diary 2 (1002)

In the early kingdom of Crathlia, Paragons were not classified by ability; the major factor that gave political influence was the power to defeat others in duels. Thus, a point of contention among scholars remains whether or not Prince Roland Jetworth Alderley was a Drainer. Queen Aveline Ashdown's diaries, one of which is quoted above, are incomplete and unclear on the matter. Though the above quote seems to describe the action of draining, it could refer to the skill of his telepathy. To make matters more complicated, some of the original documents show evidence of tampering. It is certainly possible that the Alderleys later removed any references to Prince Roland's power in an attempt to preserve the reputation of their bloodline.

The Industrial Age and Drainers

Drainers have proved themselves a danger to society, resorting to violent uprising rather than civilized duels or talks. Their abilities give them the belief that they are more powerful than any of us, even though they score far below the majority of those who stand here today. They can take away our Creator-given abilities. Is that fair? Is that just? They must be held and kept under careful control.

— Senator Ethel Alderley Dunspark, Speech to the Senate Floor, 1113

With the introduction of steam power and electricity, the 1100s were a time of great technological advancement. This century was also a time of extreme emphasis on science and reason, with the power leveling tests being introduced for the first time. Thus the official groupings of Dreg, Amalgam, and Paragon were introduced, along with the Class 1 (Drainer), Class 2 (Healer), and Class 3 (other) distinctions.
As covered in the above sections, Drainers had long been feared and were increasingly viewed with suspicion by the ruling Paragons, who felt that Drainers could take away the power that they had fought to keep for themselves. Thus, in 1113, after an attempted coup of the Duchy of Ironwood by the Blackfades (who argued that they had the right to it, being descendants of Adrian Ironwood), the Senate rounded up all Class 1 Paragons (with the notable exception of the Reesguard Clan) and sent them to the then-abandoned island of Culduff. They were kept in labor camps where they produced fabric, clothing, food, and other products for the rest of Crathlia. Their handlers wore full metal suits of armor. Any who attempted to rebel were beaten and deprived of food.
Meanwhile, as crime rates dramatically increased and prisons began to fill, the Senate realized the possibility of benefit from Drainers' abilities. Thus beginning in the 1130s, young Drainers were trained to be prison guards as the Senate debated what the restrictions should be on them. In 1133, the Class 1 Code of Conduct was passed, and Drainer life became close to what it is today.

Regulations of Modern Life

1. Must remain out of arm's reach of all but fellow Class 1 Paragons unless ordered otherwise.
2. Must not use telekinesis unless ordered otherwise.
3. Must wear uniform as outlined in Section B.
4. Must not speak to anyone but colleagues and supervisors, unless spoken to.
5. When outside workplace, must carry certificate of employment, signed by supervisor and local governor, and license at all times.

— Excerpt from the Class 1 Code of Conduct, Section A (1133)

Since 1241, anyone born to a Drainer parent is chipped in the right arm at birth along with immunizations so that they can be tracked at all times. They are then raised on Culduff in care centers divided by age. When they begin tapping into their abilities (usually around 6 to 8 years old), they are strictly trained, using one another as subjects.
Aged 18, they begin work in prisons all over Crathlia. Male Drainers typically never return to Culduff during their working lives, while females return when they are with child. They retire age 60, at which point their lives are spent working with the children on Culduff.

The Case of Molly Desfade

The criminal Drainer Molly Desfade made history in 1244 by running away with her noble Paragon prisoner, Carroll Mistgard Ironwood. While she was executed for her crimes (including rebellious speaking to the court), their daughter Flora Desfade grew up to score at 125.13, high enough to attend Everdon Academy. After a months-long debate in Senate, it was determined that the government could not deny her Creator-given right to attend the school, and she was sent to Everdon, where she met her future husband, Bryan Weatherby Desfade. Flora was the first Drainer to marry outside the Drainer clans since 1113.
Following Flora's admittance into Everdon, the Senate amended the Class 1 Code of Conduct, prohibiting sexual relations between Drainers and their prisoners on penalty of death, for both the Drainer and any child from such an act. They hoped that the steep penalty would prevent a repeat case, which has so far been successful.

Rogue Drainers

Jonas Velfade is considered to be the first modern-day rogue Drainer. He defected after Molly Desfade's trial. After remaining on the run for an astonishing forty years, he was caught and executed in 1281. His letter to the public about his experiences has been banned from distribution all over Crathlia due to its strong anti-governmental sentiments.
It is estimated that 100 to 200 Drainers have followed in his footsteps since his escape. The majority have been caught and executed, though the number continues to increase, especially in the last ten years.

Drainers at Everdon

Since 1113, only two Drainers have attended Everdon Academy: Flora Desfade and her daughter Katherine Desfade Weatherby. Weatherby is significant because she currently holds a teaching position at Everdon, King Leonard's compromise with the Senate after she developed the DWMST method for testing power level. King Leonard hopes that Weatherby's presence will help cut down on the recent surge of Drainers going rogue, as well as appeasing the rebellion to a greater degree. Unfortunately, this has been unsuccessful, as the numbers of runaways have only increased.

Drainers in Other Parts of the World

The western Aviumi city-states typically are based on one type of power (water, light, etc.). Neither Drainers nor Healers have developed there. Some scientists believe that Drainers and Healers are descended from a particular shapeshifter, or that they may be the result of inbreeding during the Colonization. In any case, both Paragon minorities are rare in Avium in particular.
In the Lumen Empire, Drainers (who form a significant minority for the reasons above) are killed once they are caught using their abilities after being tried for crimes against the natural right to power. Before Empress Calida's reign, the treatment of Drainers varied from region to region, based on the opinions of the warlords who ruled each area. Many times they were not treated differently at all.
The Republic of Notia has not treated its Paragons well ever since its founding, keeping most in controlled labor camps. It views Drainers the same as any Paragon.
In countries without a significant Paragon presence, or countries that view Paragons as enemies, Drainers are viewed just as any other Paragon: dangerous and threatening.

Written by Cordelia Colbreak Evenbrook

Parent ethnicities

• Paragons

Related Locations

• Culduff

Encompassed Species

Humans

Languages Spoken

Crathlian

Major Historical Figures

Prince Roland Jetworth Alderley (debated)
Molly Desfade
Jonas Velfade
Katherine Desfade Weatherby

Modern-Day Codes (excerpted)

Hair must be shaved around the rim of standard hat; no hair may be visible at any time.
Uniform must be worn at all times outside sleeping quarters.
Non-prisoners and non-Drainers must be addressed as "Your Honor."

by ReachingForStardust

This is the modern-day Drainer's uniform, adopted in 1226.

The Reesguard Clan also sometimes includes Drainers, but as they are exempt from the Class 1 Code of Conduct, they can hardly be considered "true" Drainers and thus are kept to their own article.

Surnames

Unlike other Crathlians, Drainers have one surname, denoting their mother's clan. All Drainer surnames currently in use are listed below in order of commonality.

1. Blackfade: the descendants of Adrian Ironwood's Drainer children, black referring to the nighttime murder and fade referring to their abilities.
2. Desfade: combination of the elements des, with the same root as despair, and fade, which describes Drainer abilities. The first bearer of this name, according to legend, was young girl who accidentally killed her older sister. She wore gloves for the rest of her life and became a servant of the Creator, traveling Crathlia to atone for her sins.
3. Evermors: combination of the elements ever and mors, a Lumen root that means death; thus the name translates to "always death."
4. Velfade: vel being a corruption of veil, this name was supposedly first borne by an unwilling Drainer bride who killed her husband as they took their vows.
5. Morlock: combination of the elements mor, a shortening of mors, and lock, which refers to a Drainer's ability to lock away the abilities of others. This name was first borne by Donald Morlock, who was in charge of King Hadrian Alderley the Usurper's vast prisons and executions. He escaped death himself even after the king was overthrown, living proudly on Dalry, his name and descendants feared by all.
6. Duffade: duff meaning black or dark, the first bearer was an assassin who worked with King Matthew Alderley the Great in the overthrow of the mainlanders and the retaking of North Lautney.
7. Blakefade: blake being a variation on black, this name is a variation of Blackfade. However, it is considered a separate clan. The historical holders claimed that they were descended from a different sibling than the Blackfades.
8. Everfade: the origin and first bearer of this name have been lost to time; it is possible that it denoted the child of an Evermors and one of the surnames ending in fade.
9. Everlock or Everlocke: unknown origin; though these two names were considered separate clans in 1113, they have since merged into one clan when Drainers became generally illiterate.