With focus and great effort, you are able to drain the magical prowess of those nearby, rendering their abilities useless for a short while. But beware, for a wolf can only contain so much magical energy, and if used recklessly, this ability can overwhelm - and even kill.
TIER RATING
This is a tier three ability.
STAGES
STAGE 1: Beginning stage
In this first stage, the ability is reckless and uncontrollable. If you come into contact with any magic user, you will immediately drain their ability for the period of time in which you are in proximity to them. The feeling of the ability activating is dizzying and disorientating. If you come across two magic users at the same time, you will become overwhelmed by the power drained from their spirit to yours, and will faint. If you come across a tier 3 magic user, you could risk falling into a comatose state for a couple of days.
STAGE 2: Intermediate
Acquired by completing three pieces of artwork or roleplay that relate directly to your ability
In this stage, the user begins to learn to control and direct the ability. They must clear their mind and focus clearly on their target, imagining their power transferring to their own body. When they do so, the spirit drain will activate, rendering the ability useless. The effects of the spirit drain only last for as long as the target is within eyesight. In this stage, the user can actively drain from 2 magic users at once. Trying to drain from more will cause the user to faint. In this stage, they are unable to drain from tier 3 magic users.
STAGE 3: Master
Acquired by completing a further three pieces of artwork or roleplay that relate directly to your ability.
The ability grows in strength, and the user gains much stronger control of the ability, but equally, can be in greater danger of being consumed by it. In this stage, it takes much less effort and focus to activate their drain, and in the proximity of several magic users they can easily hone in on a specific one they wish to drain and leave the others intact if they wish. The effects of the spirit drain now last for 24 hours, regardless of whether the target goes out of eyesight. In this stage, the user can actively drain from up to 4 magic users at one time, and they are also now able to drain from tier 3 abilities. Doing so, however, is very unpredictable, particularly if draining a tier 3 in addition to other abilities - and can come at great risk to the user, who could become overwhelmed. Death is not unheard of in a Spirit Drain who gave into greed.
OVERALL RESTRICTIONS
This ability is passive in stage 1, with control and focus being gained in stages 2 and 3.
In stage 1 the ability is passive and will activate near magic users, whether the user is aware they have magic or not. Proximity is required in this stage.
In stage 2 and 3, the user must either have previous knowledge that a target has an ability, or they must witness the ability become activated in order to drain it. Once they are IC aware of a magic user and their ability, they will retain this knowledge and be able to drain that ability at will each time that target is encountered. In these later stages, close proximity is not needed, but the target must be within eyesight.
A wolf targeted by spirit drain is not simply unable to target the user, such in the way as Barren - the target is rendered entirely unable to use their ability in any way, on anyone. It applies to both passive and active abilities. The effects last for varying times and with different restrictions as described in the stages above.
When using the ability, the Spirit Drain can almost "feel" the power of the abilities of others flooding into their own body. You have artistic liberty to describe this as you wish, but be aware there are no physical/visible signs that the ability is in use. The feeling of this additional power can be extremely intoxicating, leading the user to be tempted to activate their ability more and more often. However, this is dangerous to the user, for they can in a way "over charge" and die.
The Spirit Drain simply renders the ability useless. They do NOT acquire the power for themselves.
A Barren wolf would be unaffected. The Spirit Drain cannot drain a non-magic ability, in essence, there is nothing for them to call upon.