Poltergeist

A couple of poltergeists.

**Poltergeists** are a species of Spectre known for their ability to ‘possess’ objects and people. They are one of the more common types of Spectre, typically seen using their strange ability to manipulate objects to do their bidding. Poltergeists are widely considered a nuisance by the general population due to their lack of empathy, and their place of origin is unknown.

## Appearance

Poltergeists typically take a cylinder-like shape, rounded at the top, and fading into an amorphous base at the bottom. The exact details of this shape can change between individuals. The base of a poltergeist’s body is referred to as its ‘wisp’ and has no shape, resembling the top of a flame. Poltergeists also have detached hands that fold into the shape of a hemisphere. The body of a poltergeist always takes on a certain vibrant color depending on its genetic makeup; however, their eyes are always tall and bright white.

## Biology

### Composition

Poltergeists, as eukaryotes, have a unique organic structure where organs exist as layers within the body. The innermost stratum hosts a centralized cerebral core or ‘brain’, while subsequent layers house distinct organs. An inner ‘stomach’ contains a potent acid for food digestion. Other organ strata include a larynx-like organ, which vibrates to create speech patterns, and a ventilator organ underneath the outer layer which pushes gaseous waste out of the body. The outermost stratum resembles a resilient gelatin akin to both musculature and dermal layers.

### Habitat

The habitats of poltergeists are quite diverse, often found in areas with high concentrations of energy or inhospitable atmospheres. They tend to congregate in abandoned buildings, ancient ruins, and areas of unexplained phenomena. It's believed that their elusive nature and adaptability to various environments contribute to their mysterious origins.

### Diet

When food enters the body of a poltergeist, it is quickly dissolved as if it was in acid. The nutrients are distributed throughout the body like a solution. For this reason, the diet of a poltergeist is, theoretically, anything—however, organic foods such as meat and plant matter digest easier than artificial foods such as the common food cubes.

### Reproduction

Poltergeist babies, also known as "Wispkins," are born from the merging of wisp particles from two parent poltergeists. These particles detach from their hosts, intertwine, and form a genetically-unique wisp embryo that eventually develops into a juvenile poltergeist. The incubation period is relatively short, spanning about three to four weeks. During this time, the developing embryo draws energy from its surroundings and the parent poltergeists, rapidly growing in size and complexity. One or both of the parents will protect the growing embryo until incubation ends and it gains sentience.

Wispkins exhibit a playful and mischievous behavior, often practicing their object manipulation skills from an early age. While Wispkins are not actively raised in the same manner as some other species, parent poltergeists do provide a certain level of guidance and education early on. This involves teaching the young Wispkins how to manipulate objects, control their particle contraction, and adapt to their environment. Once young poltergeists mature, they leave their parent(s) to explore the world, often forming loose-knit groups with other Wispkins.

### Possession

Perhaps the most strange and unique property of poltergeists is their ability to ‘possess’ creatures and objects. This adds to the general perception of them as haunting spirits. Such possession is achieved by manipulating their contracted particles into the shape of the desired object, causing their bodies to overlap, or by integrating their wisp into a host organism's central nervous system. This grants poltergeists control over the host's actions to varying degrees, ranging from subtle influences to complete control, depending on the poltergeist's strength and the host's resistance.

## Culture

### Behavior

Perhaps poltergeists’ most notable trait is their affinity for mischief, constantly performing playful pranks and trying to frighten others. These events typically involve possessing or otherwise manipulating objects near unsuspecting victims. Poltergeists find great joy in these activities, and will attempt them regardless of whether the victim is playing along or not. They also have little respect towards others, causing them to generally be unwelcome in foreign societies.

While poltergeists are generally considered solitary beings, especially in foreign environments, they do engage in social interactions with other poltergeists if available. They form loose, transient groups called "gleams," gathering for survival and entertainment. Despite being a fairly common race, gleams are incredibly rare, as poltergeists typically do not stay in one place for long.

### Religion

Poltergeists are generally nonreligious creatures, with no organized religion existing among them. With no major poltergeist societies, little tradition exists or has been found. However, there seems to be an underlying, unspoken belief regarding a universal energy state, characterized by meditative states and superstitious behavior. This also manifests as a philosophical inclination towards animalism, complementing the lack of organized religion.