The first time you encounter a ghost, it won’t be what you expect. It might be a whisper when no one’s there. A shadow that doesn’t quite belong. A feeling that the air is heavier than it should be. As Unveiled, you’ll know it’s real.
What Are Ghosts Really?
Most people assume ghosts are just lingering spirits—the souls of the dead, stuck between worlds. Some are. But more aren’t. They typically fall into one of these buckets:
- Echoes of the Past: Some aren’t spirits at all but psychic imprints—moments of powerful emotion or trauma recorded into the environment, replaying over and over. These bleed through and cause ‘the creeps’ for the Veiled.
- The Unfinished: Some spirits stay because they have unfinished business—a task, a memory, a person they can’t leave behind. They made a choice… and now they’re stuck with the consequences.
- The Trapped: They aren’t here by choice. Bound by curses, rituals or unfinished pacts, they can’t move on no matter how much they want to.
- The Hungry: They do more than just linger. They feed. On fear. On life. On you.
Signs You’re Dealing with a Ghost
- Sudden temperature drops.
- Objects moving without explanation.
- A presence pressing against your senses—like something is watching.
- Hearing your name when no one is around.
- A feeling of being pulled.
And, of course, there are ghosts who become quite corporeal, like the day manager at the Wayward Stag. Haven’t been there yet? You’re in for a treat!
If the Ghost Is Dangerous, What Can You Do About It?
Treat an entity with respect, as you would with anyone, including werewolves, sorcerers, pixies, kobolds, etc. Here are some general rules of thumb:
- Don’t panic. Some feed off energy. Fear gives them more.
- Acknowledge them. Sometimes, a simple “I see you” is enough to settle a restless spirit.
- Salt and iron. Basic, but effective. Like many supernatural entities, some spirits can’t cross a line of salt or tolerate iron. Just don’t start throwing salt around willy-nilly. You may only wind up pissing off what could have been a lifelong—for you—friend.
- Don’t make deals. Some ghosts will talk. Some will offer things. Never agree to anything without knowing all the costs. (This goes for fae and devils, as well.)
- If it gets bad? Get out.
You should know that sometimes what looks like a ghost isn’t. There are things out there that pretend. They wear the shape of the dead to get close to you. If a ghost knows too much, if it acts too aware, too present, you may not be dealing with a ghost.
But that’s another problem altogether.
TLDR: There are ghosts that make Casper seem surly and then there are ghosts right out of nightmares… and it isn’t always easy to tell which is which. Here are a few hints to get it right.
Stay sharp. Stay Unveiled.
—Penny