Ghost

Spirits of the Dead (Art from Kirby's Wonderful and Scientific Museum)

A **ghost** is the ethereal essence or spirit of a departed person or animal that can manifest in visible form or other apparitions to the living.

## Overview

Descriptions of ghostly apparitions indeed vary widely, encompassing a spectrum of manifestations. Ghosts can range from being imperceptible presences to taking on translucent or wispy forms, and in some cases, they may appear as vivid, lifelike visions.

One intriguing belief is that ghosts are embodiments of the emotions felt by those who have passed away. It is said that when a person dies, the final emotions they experienced take shape and form, becoming the essence of the ghost. Consequently, these spirits are destined to endlessly reenact those emotions, often centered around the last moments they witnessed in life.

Typically, a ghost begins its existence in a state of confusion and disorientation before coming to the realization that they are deceased. In instances of sudden and traumatic deaths, a ghost might persist in believing they are still alive, continuing routines from their past lives while remaining oblivious to their actual state.

Ghosts are often bound to specific objects or places, frequently the locations where they met their demise or lived during their lifetime. This binding restricts their movements, though exceptions exist. Some exceptionally potent ghosts can traverse greater distances, yet unless they can move the objects or locations to which they are bound, they remain unable to attain full freedom. Occasionally, ghosts are tethered to their own remains unless their bodies have been properly put to rest.

An intriguing aspect of ghostly existence is their ability to bring forth objects or elements from their past lives. Items closely associated with the ghost during their lifetime or strongly connected to their death may also be recreated in the ghostly realm. This phenomenon accounts for the existence of ghosts associated with vehicles, ships, and other significant objects.

## Types of Ghosts

A ghost is a generic name for human souls that inhabit the Spiritual Plane. Because of this, they are divided into categories, such as:

* **Ghost**: This classic type of banished soul is a soul that resides in a certain location and performs the same routine it had when alive, not realizing it has already passed away. When some other being invades their property, they tend to become possessed and shake the Root of Time in an attempt to scare them away.
* **Shades**: These are souls that, even in life, felt lost and were obsessed at the time of death. On the Spiritual Plane, they spend eternity repeating whatever they were doing when they passed away, it is useless to try to interrupt them and talk to them.
* **Beggar**: These ghosts, for reasons unknown, stay close to their former departed, haunting cemeteries, vaults, or wherever their corpse was left.
* **Banshees**: The most aggressive and dangerous types of ghosts. They are spirits steeped in agony and bitterness, attacking beings - both mortal and spirit - that invade their domains, letting out a scream loud enough to hurt their victims. In addition, they possess a touch of rot and a horrible physiognomy.

## Trivia

* They are possibly the most common kind of paranormal being in the world.
* Necromancers are known for employing ghosts as servants for their private estates.