[Carlisle puts up a hand in a whoa, one thing at a time fashion now that he's on the receiving end of a string of questions.]

It is eksth'alva. Er, magical energy. Though it is technically life energy, as well, depending on who translates it. So... both. Most of what I do does draw from that reservoir, which is... er.

[Pointing out that it's unusual for someone like him to be drawing off something that's technically life energy does not bode well for his chances of being able to avoid the topic of what he is forever.]