Diablerie (VTM)

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In Vampire: The Masquerade the act of diablerie, also called the Amaranth, involves one Cainite draining another vampire of blood and then devouring their soul. Most consider it a heinous act, akin to cannibalism. The aggressor, dubbed the diablerist, automatically loses a point of Humanity and is branded by black streaks in their aura that may persist for several years. Still, the practice holds a great deal of allure, for it is said to bestow the greatest pleasure imaginable, and can also grant greater power.

Diablerizing the soul of a Cainite is one of the few ways of lowering one's Generation, for if the victim possessed more potent blood then the diablerist's Generation drops by an amount equal to half the difference (with a minimum of one). However, there is the risk of some portion of the victim's soul living on within the diablerist. Rumors abound of diablerists taking on the mannerisms of their victims, and even stranger tales speak of the victims consuming their assailants from within and taking over their bodies. Some Antediluvians and Methuselah are believed to have survived their death in this manner.

The Traditions of the Camarilla strongly forbid the practice, but the majority of the Sabbat and Assamites consider it quite acceptable, one of the reasons both groups are viewed with such fear and disgust. While one's rank in a Path of Enlightenment may fall as a result of committing diablerie, several Paths actually encourage vampires to perform the act under the proper circumstances.

Rules for diablerie can be found in Vampire: The Masquerade Revised Edition, p 224-226.