Phasmic Phenomenon

> *“Where the Crypt Doors are left ajar and the hallways are darkly lit, Spirits and Spooks may lurk in the dark where we cannot see. These beings are called Phasmic Phenomenons - visitations or presences of spectral anomalies from beyond the grave.”*
>
>

According to the Supernatural College of Polysia, there are three categories in which a phasmic phenomenon can be located and categorized. Conceptualized Phenomenon, Paranormal Phenomenon, and Demonic Phenomenon.

## **What describes a Phasmic Phenomenon?**

Phasmic Phenomenons come in a variety of sub-category forms - Spirits, Ghosts, and Demons. Spirits are by far the most common occurrence, and with a simple explanation; An undying essence of a living being, also known as the soul. Ghosts are spirits which have been manifested into a darker, more malevolent essence, bound to a source in which they haunt; To appear to in the form of an apparition while spirit is to carry off, especially in haste, secrecy, or mystery - Ghosts are to haunt the object, location, or on rare occurrences, the person that they are bound to unless released or the object is destroyed. Demons are extremely malevolent, oftentimes referred to as pure evil sources of phasmic phenomenon that remain extremely dangerous and have to be dealt with carefully and methodically. The majority of Demons are literal spirits of demonic entities that are bound to the object in the physical world, while a select few are extremely powerful ghosts.  In order for a phasmic phenomenon to be referred to as such, they have to be categorized based on the anomaly itself. Such factors include;

* The anomaly cannot be a physical or living thing; these are cryptids. Phasmic Phenomenon have no physical form, but on occasion they may appear to targets in a translucent, spectral body, known better as an apparition.

* Thus with the previous factor, a phasmic phenomenon may not have organs, living tissue, blood, or any biological makeup that’s known to the world of the living.

* To be considered a Paranormal or Demonic Phenomenon, the anomaly in question has to be bound to a specific object, location, or on rare occurrences, a person.

* Phasmic Phenomenon cannot reproduce or create more of themselves like a living creature can. They may have an appearance of a certain gender, age or from the point of their departure or previous life, but as a phasmic phenomenon they have no gender, race, or age - the only exception to this being that they may have a name.

## **What is a Haunting?**

A haunting is the event of which a Paranormal or Demonic phenomenon has been present, or is present in a location - whether it be tied to that location, and object at said location, or one of the people which resides there - and continues to disrupt the area. Hauntings are relatively common throughout the world and vary in severity, some of which you can barely notice, while others keep you awake at night. Not all hauntings are caused by a purposefully malevolent anomaly - most hauntings are actually a ghost trying to gain the attention of the living around them.

Hauntings can be located in a large variety of ways and do not always show themselves, occasionally a haunting can take weeks or months, even years before a ghost can be present or make itself present. Here are some signs which may help you determine a location of a haunting or if you are being haunted by a phasmic phenomenon;

* Unexplained noises; Footsteps, Whistling, Humming, even Singing.
* Abnormally cold rooms, or noticeably cold compared to the area around them.
* Moving shadows, mists or silhouetted figures.
* Objects moving on their own, unexplained writing or changes to a room or area.
* Tingling sensation in the body, such as hands, arms, legs, or feet.
* Constant headaches or joint pain when near a location of a haunting.
* Mood swings, depressive emotions or violent outbursts when around the haunting.
* Floating orbs of light, like dimmed fireflies.
* Being touched or hurt when nothing is there; scratches, bruises, burns, etc.
* Pets or animals avoiding a certain location or area.
* Experiencing frequent sleeplessness or night terrors.
* Dirtied water or disturbed liquids.
* Food spoiling abnormally quickly, or a rotting smell.
* Doors or windows shutting or opening on their own.
* The feeling of being watched, or that you aren’t alone.
* Witnessing the manifestation of a ghost - seeing an apparition.

If one or multiple of these signs are present, there is a chance that there is a haunting occurring there. Be wary and careful when around a hunted area or an area believed to be haunted; things can go wrong quite quickly if the phenomenon becomes or already is malevolent or violent to the living.

## **The Categorization System of Phasmic Phenomenon**

***Conceptualized Phasmic Phenomenon*** - fairly common throughout the worlds' religions, spirits that reside in this category are seen through a direct magic link or in visions. They resemble spiritual guides, also known as spirit animals, or ancestors of time forgotten that may provide insight or wisdom on the matters at hand. They can also be summoned by a rune or magical spell, and accompany a mage as a guide or companion; these are Familiars.

***Paranormal Phenomenon*** - A different classification of phenomenon entirely, rather instead of being conceptualized, they are bound to the physical plane by a location, object, or on very rare occasions, a person. These ghosts have the widest range of classification classes as they vary wildly - examples in this category being Poltergeists, Shades and Mists - but they are also one the most unpredictable and potentially violent phasmic phenomenons that one can encounter. They should not be underestimated and if possible, should be avoided to ensure the safety of the living.

***Demonic Phenomenon*** - The most dangerous and violent phasmic phenomenon that one can potentially encounter, and the most rare. Similar to a paranormal phenomenon, demonic phenomenons are bound to a location, object or person. However, they are classified as beings of pure evil - violence and killings are a regular occurence. Ghosts in this category are either extremely powerful paranormal phenomenons, or literal manifestations of a demon in spiritual form. This includes notable beings such as Yokai, Oni, and Daemons.

## **What’s the difference between a Phasmic Phenomenon and a Soul Bind?**

In the most simple of terms, phasmic phenomenon are existent, meaning they’re more real than not. Soul Binds are non-existent, which is the opposite. Anomalies that are "non-existent" aren't really referred to as ghosts - rather a summoned, malevolent demon or daemon that is brought forth to cause ill-will on those it targets.

A ghost can only be attached to the physical world, as said before, to an object, location, or in the rarest of situations, a person. Violence can either be intentional or unintentional, for instance, if a word or action relates to the predicted or unpredicted events that lead to injuries, fatalities, or emotional attachment in a certain area of which the haunting is occurring. Attached to items of value or importance to the spirit, whether it be how they died, where they died, or what they enjoyed while living would be their source of power in which they are forced to, or voluntarily reside in the physical world. Meaning that if a ghost would be "non-existent", that is without a place or object in which it is bound to, it would have to be in place with a curse or a hex - without it, the spirit would either ascend to the spiritual plane or disappear.

## **Can one actually experience or comprehend a Phasmic Phenomenon?**

One’s mind can comprehend something that shouldn't exist - just as one can spot something that shouldn't be there in the first place. Rather, in the case of ghosts and spiritual hauntings, the ghost will oftentimes do it's best to grab the attention of the living or to let them know they're there. One of the most dangerous ghosts along these lines would be a ghost that's been ignored or unable to receive help, therefore turning it’s presence into a malevolent and dangerous haunting. Such ideas can also be different, as not all ghosts are the same. You would get different reactions from different hauntings as if you would a regular person. Some wish to be noticed, some not. Some are territorial or prefer solitude and silence. Others may prefer one gender and hate the other. Some may just hate everything and need to be removed before they harm more in the world of the living.

Non-existent anomalies may be the most dangerous, but that also comes with the restrictions of the curse or hex that was cast. Although, some may be dangerous due to how they are maintained - say a ghost who is only existing due to a cursed object that it manifests itself around (Like an energy source.) and it then moves with the ghost and is a part of it, and cannot be easily, if at all contained. This also borders on the difference between an existent and a non-existent ghost. Technically, with such an item, it would therefore exist, and be a Paranormal or Demonic Phenomenon.