Spirits
General Lore & Info
Spirits are a truly terrifying form of undead because unless they possess someone, they cannot be harmed, attacked or even blocked without the use of magical, cold iron, or ethereal/astral means (though some undead spirits have unique weaknesses that can be exploited by people). This by itself makes them far more dangerous than most physical undead for anyone without the material, or otherwise the means of attacking, stopping or turning them. Even if one did have the ability, all it takes is one failed attempt to stop a spirit for things to go horribly wrong due to their various supernatural abilities.
Banshee
The Banshee is a female spirit created typically when a female humanoid has died during, just after, or directly from a moment of unimaginable loss, grief and mourning. This typically refers to when she has lost her beloved husband or boyfriend, but beyond this it can have been any attachment to a living being that is just as strong a bond as a husband and wife's bond. With such an intense loss, if they didn't die from the sheer intensity of emotions, the intense lingering energies cause them to become a Banshee should they become deceased during the episode or shortly thereafter.
Banshees can be found around the areas of their death, but they are more often drawn to linger in ancient barrows, streams or glens, crossroads, abandoned estates and manors, misty moors, foggy rural paths, and so forth. However they can also be found in areas where someone is about to die, either naturally or caused by the Banshee. As such they are also known as harbingers of death.
DM's Quick Notes
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Daibuk
Malicious spirit of the dead clinging to the living, often possessing them
Clings to living signatures, following them anywhere and makes it very hard for them to remove/repel
Possess victims, leaving behind lingering mental illnesses, irrational behavior, and hallucinations depending on length of possession. They continue to possess until forcefully expelled or killed.
Their touch can drain the life force of ethereal beings they touch
Abandoned Homes, Ruined Homes, Graveyards, Burial Grounds, Synagogues/Places of Worship (where possession/exorcism occurred), Places of Tragedy/Guilt, Special (possessed person)
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Ghost
Souls in purgatory, unable to pass on or reincarnate
They can materialize with
Graveyards, Cemeteries, Barrows, Old Houses/Castles/Inns/Battlefields/Prisons, Sites of unfinished business (murders, accidents, betrayals), Crossroads, Bridges or Paths they died, Special (objects associated with their lives like heirlooms, weapons, letters)
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Haunt
A spirit bound or trapped in a place of death, sin, or emotional attachment, mostly residual, repeating events like echoes. Stronger ones interact with intruders. Soul refuses to move on
Abandoned houses/Ruins/Castles/Manors, Graveyards/Crypts/Tombs/Barrows, Ships, Prisons, Theaters, Roads & Crossroads, Rooms tied to murder or despair
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Onreyu
Vengeful spirits who suffered injustice in life & exact vengeance, bringing harm to living or causing disasters
Old Homes, Homes of Betrayal, Wells Rivers & Lakes (hidden/drowned), Grave Sites & Memorial Shrines, Abandoned villages/battlefields tied to mass death
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Poltergeist
Noisy or violent spirit moving or destroying objects. Mischievous or Angry.
Occupied homes with emotionally turbulent families/people, Schools/inns/apartments, Near Certain Individuals (focus/catalyst for activity), Rarely in Graveyards
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Shadow
Residual of mortal's intense emotions, acting on those alone, appearing from disturbed tombs or from sites/deaths of intense emotions
OR
A failed attempt to become a shade
Shadowy Rooms, Abandoned Buildings/Basements, Graveyards/Ruins, Dark Tunnels/Mines/Caves
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Specter
Visible apparition, seen not heard or felt. The lingering astral body, not ethereal body. Often repeat their own death, replaying the moment that bound them, born of tragedy or violence.
Abandoned houses/Ruins/Castles/Manors, Graveyards/Crypts/Tombs/Barrows, Ships, Prisons, Theaters, Roads & Crossroads, Rooms tied to murder or despair
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Tokoloshe
Evil souls bound by warlocks & clerics to harm others. Can become invisible, cause illness, death, especially at night.
Bedrooms/Sleeping Areas, Rural Huts or Urban Homes, Marshy or Riverbank Regions, Witch and Warlockâs homes, Ritual Grounds, Dark Spaces under Furniture or Floors
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Wraith
Apparition of living person appearing just before their death, or restless soul of newly dead still lingering.
OR
Angry hollow remnants of the dead, shadows of souls, impression, echo.
Graveyards & Barrows, Battlefields & Places of slaughter, Moorlands & Misty Glens, Near their Victims, On Lonely Roads, Riversides, Just before Dawn
