CDI System

The **Corporeal Density Index System**, also shortened to the **CDI System**, is a classification system commonly used by occult hunters for paranormal entities, mainly spirits and specters.

## Classifications

### Class I

Entities with undeveloped forms, insubstantial, and difficult to see. Interaction with their environment is limited and enigmatic (i.e. spectral lights, voices and sounds, ectoplasmic vapors...). Beings of higher forms may originally appear as Class I entities prior to full manifestation or draw the presence of Class I entities, serving as an indication of the presence of true paranormal phenomena. Simple application of a proton stream is normally effective for complete dispersal.

### Class II

Entities with an awareness of time and space. Class II entities and up can physically manipulate things in this plane of existence. These forms are vague, inconsistent, or incomplete (i.e. floating sheets, ghostly hands, animated lips...). Although a proton stream is normally effective, some Class II entities can return attacks so caution is advised.

### Class III

Anonymous hauntings. These entities have a distinct human form and personality, but their former identity as a living being is not established. Alternatively, these entities are humans with a warped sense of identity or impartial corpus. If identity and form are established, the entity is reassigned as Class IV. These entities are often difficult to deal with and often possess sophisticated means of defense. This class is also used for the ghosts of animals or of non-sentient, non-sapient spirits.

### Class IV

The entity's true identity is intact. These entities have a distinct human form and personality with known identity, akin to that of a low-level shade. Economic disposal methods include research into said entity's background and surrounding legends. Communication may be reached through a séance. Research indicates a folk ritual of salting and burning the entity's mortal remains often proves as effective as proton streams and traps.

### Class V

Ectoplasmic manifestations of definite but non-human form. Class V entities could be formed from emotionally-charged events or as side-effects from ritual summoning. These typically require extensive proton stream implementation to sap their considerable ectoplasmic reserves to allow for capture in a Muon Trap.

### Class VI

Parahuman interdimensional beings of significant power. Known by many names: faerie, demon, daimon, shade, etc. Range of power varies. May be resistant to singular or even multiple proton streams, and may require prolonged exposure to three or more proton streams for sufficient weakening to allow defeating, trapping, or banishing.

### Class VII

Exceptionally powerful entities exhibiting control over reality, time, space, or the classical elements. These are often identified by primitive cultures as Pagan Gods, Angels, Devils, Greater Spirits, or other elevated forms of a Class VI entity. Entities which fit this classification often have harbingers or minions. Neutralizing such beings is usually a problematic undertaking at best.

Most standard procedures are futile. The most realistic plan is to take measures to prevent these beings from entering this reality in the first place. In-depth research about their background, myths and legends, possible connections to other beings, and rituals and ceremonies surrounding them is a must.

## Description System

* **Ghost**: Specters or shades of the deceased.
* **Corporeal**: Tangible manifestations.
* **Deity**: Supreme beings.
* **Legend**: Entities popularized by mythologies, legends, and folklore.
* **Unstable**: A physical manifestation who forms itself with paranormally compromised (i.e. "haunted") items.
* **Environment**: Manifestation with close associations with its environment, often a building or a set location.

## Identification System

* **Anchored**: Indicates that the entity is tied to a particular location.
* **Animating**: An entity capable of animating an object, whether by Telekinesis or by inhabiting them.
* **Composite**: A collection of multiple entities merged into a singular being.
* **Corporeal**: Tangible or having a physical body.
* **Ethereal**: Disembodied or intangible.
* **Free-Roaming**: An entity that roams freely and is not bound to any location.
* **Inhabiting**: An entity that occupies and binds to an inanimate object, like a Possessor, but one that acts out of pure instinct rather than higher reasoning.
* **Paranormal**: Beyond normal; Strange, unnatural, or unknown.
* **Possessor**: An entity capable of possessing objects or people.
* **Remnant**: A specter that remains in this world as a result of being unable to completely cross over, as opposed to those that choose to return to the living world.
* **Secretion**: An entity that secretes ectoplasm, or other sticky substances like mucus or slime (both normal and supernatural).
* **Swarmer**: Entities that travel in packs and swarm around their prey.
* **Telekinetic**: An entity with the ability to move things without physical or ectoplasmic contact or simply from a distance.
* **Transdimensional**: An entity outside of this dimension.

## Trivia

* This system is created based on and named after the CDI System from the *Ghostbusters* franchise, as its original creator was a huge fan of the franchise as a whole.

## Notes

* List of Characters by CDI Classes
* List of Characters by CDI Description Classes
* List of Characters by CDI Identification Classes