Pneuma FAQ
What is Pneuma?
It is a magical essence. Often it is connected to a person's soul. But not always.
Where does pneuma come from?
Likely a product made from the existence of faith/belief in something greater than themselves. It typically exists in anything with a soul, though it can also be found imbued into objects of significant. A bible, for instance, would have more pneuma than a spoon. But, if that spoon belonged to Vincent Van Gogh, then it's likely his creative energy would have created more pneuma in that spoon than normal. The biggest source of pnuma for Elohim are humans, or what remains of them since the D13 outbreak. This makes humans valuable and Elohim should care about hoarding and protecting them. (On imbued items that hold or produce pneuma, it must be an approved ST ticket item)
Primary Virtue vs Secondary Virtue: When a character application is submitted an Elohim can ask for Primary and Secondary Virtue to use in order to feed pneuma from. The primary virtue is more like having a full meal, and would be the most efficient way to keep topped off and in good pneuma 'health'. Using your secondary virtue to feed is akin to having a small snack, and these feedings wont sustain very long at all, but its certainly good in a pinch!
What God(s) does pneuma benefit?
All gods benefit from pneuma or from some other similar magical essence. It is what allowed them to construct their own planes of reality and what allowed them to give birth to their own followers/race. Note : the term pneuma is often used among celestial, but other races have differing names for the same concept.
Can pneuma be made from faith about subjects that doesnt involve a deity?
Yes. Though usually to a much lesser extent.
Pneuma in Elohim Biology.
The flesh of an Elohim is flesh, but its made out of pneuma. Elohim bleed blood. We dont understand why Elohim heal so slow, but it was suggested we can ICly research this. Finally, Elohim will not die from not-breathing, but probably will pass out. They also will not die from not eating food, but will eventually become unconscious. It does take longer for an Elohim than for humans. In general, its assumed that Elohim bodies mimic the bodies of humans in order to let them blend in with humanity. While their biology is the same as humanity, the essence that allows them to exist is pneuma. Thus If they are critically wounded their body reacts similarly to that of a human, they can become incapacitated, however where a human could bleed out and die, and Elohim will not die, simply remain unconscious until pneuma is able to heal/revive them.
The Elohim are extremely difficult to kill, but like most beings powered by pneuma, they can become dormant if drained or deprived of pneuma for too long. Pneuma deprivation generally results in the Elohim basically hibernating within their own body. Hibernation is like the Fae phenomenon of "forgetting", where the person will believe themselves human, and exhibit no angelic power. If scryed, they will register as human until they are 'awakened'. Elohim can take an enormous amount of damage before dying, and it is unknown if the Seraphim can die at all. However, Infernal magic or Infernal-enchanted weapons can kill them far more rapidly. If "killed", the Elohim would normally return to Heaven, and have to be "re-made" by their God. However, because they no longer have a link to heaven, Elohim killed in this fashion now end up in the Pale Lands.
What happens if all a celestial's pneuma is fully drained?
Pneuma deprivation generally results in the Elohim basically hibernating within their own body. where the angel will believe themselves human, and exhibit no angelic power. If scryed, they will register as human until they are 'awakened'. They can be awoken once more to their old celestial self, but it take a form of extreme event to jar them back into celestial consciousness. This also requites a ST ticket.
If pneuma is an essence of sorts, how do Elohim typically siphon it?
It is left to the players to decide. It does not have to be similar from Celestial to Celestial. Beings are different, and the way in which magic manifests is often different, being to being. One person might cast a spell one way, and another person in another way to get the same effect. However, it should be noted that an Elohim must feed off acts which align with their born virtue. This is done by encouraging others to act our or demonstrate that virtue. A blessed can give Pneuma simply by praying to their Elohim.
When pneuma is gathered where/how is it stored on the Elohim or Nephilim character?
It is stored inside of them, it simply exists there until it is used or taken.
How is pnemua sent back to Ael (god) or The Morning Star (Lucifer)?
Unknown to the Celestials.
Why do Elohim need pneuma?:
Without the connection to Ael, the Elohim who remained trapped within the mortal plane need to keep surviving. They use it for their magic and the use it as a survival essence for their souls. The Elohim are extremely difficult to kill, but like most beings powered by pneuma, they can become dormant if drained or deprived of pneuma for too long. Pneuma deprivation generally results in the Elohim basically hibernating within their own body. where the angel will believe themselves human, and exhibit no angelic power. If scryed, they will register as human until they are 'awakened'. In order to keep some of their magics, the Elohim have been taught by Zaphkiel how to directly siphon pneuma from humans, as well as objects and places of power. There are many ways to do so, but when it comes to humans, they often involve encouraging the seven heavenly virtues, and preventing the seven deadly sins. (page source HERE)
Can Pneuma be shared willing?
Celestial's can willing give their pneuma to someone else. This can aid in mana for casting. Its can not be used to heal faster.
Can Celestials hide their pneuma signatures?
Celestial's can hide their pneuma if they wish. However if they choose to cast magic this will reveal them. A celestial can not hide their pneuma while using it at the same time. A Celestial casting magic would be an example of a use of pneuma, since their magic is fueled by pneuma. Another Celestial could sense that, since it's a change in penuma, if they were looking for it. Active use of pneuma is easier to spot than non-active use, so you would not have to "drop" your hiding of your pneuma to be able to spot active pneuma use. (page source HERE)
Can Celestials sense each other?
Yes they can. So long as pneuma is not being hidden and with carefully focusing on an individual they can tell if they are with another Celestial. They cant tell what sort of Celestial though. Elohim and Nephilim can, indeed, get some impression of a person's recent act of virtue and sin. This requires concentration, a sustained connection through touch, and will be a 'general' sense, such as 'recent acts of lust', rather than 'last Tuesday you committed adultery'. But it will be up to the player as to how much they really want to reveal.
Can Elohim sense souls?
They are able to sense a person for a soul. They can feel if none is present, or if a soul has been damaged. However they cant know why it was damaged, and it doesn’t reveal a definite racial profile. Though obviously if you sense no soul, that narrows is down some. To a Celestial, a vampire will register as having a soul, because the magical force which powers them is 'close enough' to a soul as to be indistinguishable. They may read vampires as having "some problem with their soul"...a corruption, but this 'corruption' happens in other supernaturals and occasionally in humans. They will know that something 'isn't right' but not exactly what it is. They may be able to sense that some necromantic creations are soulless, however, since the magic that powers them belongs to another being. (page source HERE)
What is it like for a human to lose pneuma?
Humans would have no positive or negative reactions to having pneuma taken from them. Humans make pneuma from faith and belief but they do not need it for health or energy. Humans are capable of believing many things, they can be depressed and apathetic, religious or atheist. Unlike Celestials, they do not require it to maintain themselves.
What is the pneuma like to a Celestial when siphoning from someone that has the Heightened Pneuma skill?
This skill means the person with the skill simply has more pneuma to offer. It is not particularly 'tastier' or beneficial then another persons pneuma. It could be argued such individuals would be more coveted for the fact they produce more.
Can a celestial sense someones emotions when siphoning pneuma?
They can not sense emotions. The character would need to have a specific skill which allowed it.
Why does an Elohim revealing their true selves stunt penuma production?
The major production of pneuma in humans happens because of faith (though it can also be produced by virtue). Faith, believing in something against all odds and evidence, is a different thing than believing in something because you have seen truth with your own eyes. That's when Faith transitions into Knowing. Here's is a good example. Buying a lottery ticket is fun because you can imagine what you would do if you won the lottery. If you win the lottery, you no longer have to IMAGINE it. That process of imagining dies in your head. (For full explanation click here)