- "Thanks to you all, we have averted catastrophe. It was not without its price, however. But steel is forged through fire, and like it, we have been made stronger. We are prepared for what the future brings..."
- ― Closing Words (X-Men: Evolution)
- "Our power lies in dominance, in the sovereignty of anguish."
- ― The Priest/Pinhead (Hellraiser 2022)
The ability to gain strength from suffering. Technique of Pain Manipulation. Variation of Affinity. Opposite of Pleasure Empowerment.
Also Called[]
- Anguish Affinity/Empowerment
- Dysphoria Affinity/Empowerment
- Misery Affinity/Empowerment
- Suffering Affinity
- Trauma Affinity/Empowerment
- Torment Affinity/Empowerment
- Torture Affinity/Empowerment
- Victimization Affinity/Empowerment
Capabilities[]
Users become stronger, faster, more durable, etc. from suffering of oneself and others, possibly unlocking abilities related to the affinity and enhancing the existing powers. Some users may be able draw sustenance from suffering or even slow or stop aging.
Applications[]
- Condition Augmentation
- Empowered State
- Enhancement Calling
- Metabolization
- Mode Switching
- Peak Human/Enhanced/Supernatural/Absolute Condition
- Peak Human/Enhanced/Supernatural/Absolute Body
- Peak Human/Enhanced/Supernatural/Absolute Agility
- Peak Human/Enhanced/Supernatural/Absolute Dexterity
- Peak Human/Enhanced/Supernatural Durability/Invulnerability
- Peak Human/Enhanced/Supernatural/Absolute Endurance
- Peak Human/Enhanced/Supernatural/Absolute Health
- Peak Human/Enhanced/Supernatural/Absolute Reflexes
- Peak Human/Enhanced/Supernatural/Absolute Senses
- Peak Human/Enhanced/Supernatural/Absolute Speed
- Peak Human/Enhanced/Supernatural/Absolute Stamina
- Peak Human/Enhanced/Supernatural/Absolute Strength
- Regenerative Healing Factor
- Peak Human/Enhanced/Supernatural/Absolute Mind
- Peak Human/Enhanced/Supernatural/Absolute Body
Variations[]
- Despair Empowerment
- Discord Empowerment
- Failure Empowerment
- Fear Empowerment
- Guilt Empowerment
- Misery Empowerment
- Pain Empowerment
- Sadness Empowerment
- Shame Empowerment
- Stress Empowerment
- Violence Empowerment
Associations[]
Limitations[]
- The user may need suffering to sustain their strength, lest they become powerless.
Known Users[]
Anime/Manga/Manhwa
- Yggdrasil (Marchen Awakens Romance)
- Caldea's Orb (Marchen Awakens Romance)
Comics
- Graves (DC Comics)
- Red Jack (DC Comics)
- Hungry (Marvel Comics)
- Wallow (Marvel Comics)
Literature
- Tattermages (After the Forest)
- Liliane/Elisabeth
- Fizcko
- Junia/The Crone
- Pain Mages (Fade to Black)
Mythology/Religion
- Demiurge (Gnosticism)
Movies
- Ashe Corven (The Crow: City of Angels)
Video Games
- Wrexsoul (Final Fantasy VI)
- Evelynn (League of Legends)
- Pokemon with the ability "Guts" (Pokémon)
- Psyduck (Pokémon)
- God (Silent Hill)
- Painwheel (Skullgirls)
Tabletop Games
- Dhrukhari/Dark Eldar (Warhammer 40K)
Web Original
- Scarlet King (SCP Foundation)
Known Objects[]
- The Carronade (Breath Of Fire)
Gallery[]
David Graves "Graves" (DC Comics) can use souls to feed off the misery and suffering of people's memories to bring his enemies to their knees and become stronger
The Pain Mages of the city of Mahala (Fade to Black) can utilize several different types of magic when they experience either their own pain or that of others.
Yggdrasil (Marchen Awakens Romance) is a devilish plant that feeds on the suffering it causes to grow bigger and more powerful.
The Orb (Marchen Awakens Romance) is a vile creature born as a result of humanity's negativity and feeds off of the world's suffering to grow stronger.
Ursaring (Pokémon) activates the ability Guts for increasing its Attack due to its status condition.