Echo

Ghosts are created by someone or something that leaves a strong impression on the world. While this normally stems from emotional or painful events, moments of brilliance can also create impressions.<ref>“They’re not real beings, they’re echoes of major events that happened. Typically painful, sad, or angry events. Sometimes moments of sheer brilliance. Sometimes other things. Chances are pretty good that the ghost is going to have a limited script to work with. They’ll be single minded. But you should be able to negotiate something. Remember that every second that you’re using your blood to keep it here, you’re making yourself just a bit weaker. There isn’t time to hit your head against a brick wall. Don’t argue with them if they aren’t listening. But if you find leverage, then use it. Roll with whatever happens.” - Excerpt from Damages 2.3</ref> Ghosts aren't the souls of individuals who had died, but are mere impressions that left a strong enough impact on the world and as such the person who leaves behind a ghost can theoretically be alive at the same time.

Could be seen as a natural form of Vestige<ref>Vestiges can arise naturally. In fact, you could make the argument that ghosts are a subset of vestiges as a whole - they're just really reinforced by the ongoing and complicated pattern of life and death, arising from things that push beyond the boundaries of that pattern. - Excerpt from a Wildbow Comment on Reddit</ref>

Types

Regular ghosts are mere impressions, as such they aren't truly sentient. They can only understand things in the context of the moment they died and resolving the issue that made up the impression will erase them entirely. Ghosts typically function best in enclosed spaces and those they have connections to, but they also function in places where few humans will bother them since they can't stand up to poking and prodding, like the wilderness.<ref>“They function best in enclosed spaces, especially any enclosed spaces they have connections to. Houses, houses with bodies still in them, lurking near their murder weapons, and so on. But that’s not the key bit. They also function in places with very few humans to mess with them. The wilderness.” - Excerpt from Damages 2.3</ref>

A ghost who has become too unstable is called Spectre. They are too unreliable to use or bind in the same manner one would a normal ghost, possibly exploding if handled carelessly.

Likewise, a ghost that has taken in too many negative aspects of different individuals changes from being a ghost to a Wraith. These ghosts are different from their roots as mere impressions and can be hostile and capable of causing physical harm.

Uses

Ghosts aren't typically used because they aren't seen as reliable to work with and burn out if drawn on for power.<ref>“Exactly. There aren’t many places where you find intact ghosts, and they aren’t really sought after, because they’re unreliable to work with and they tend to burn out if you draw on them for power.” - Excerpt from Damages 2.3</ref> As impressions, they can affect their surroundings depending on how they were formed.<ref>“Another thing? Misery likes company, and ghosts tend to try to bring others down to their level. Whatever grips them, they spread it. Anger, pain, sadness, madness…” - Excerpt from Damages 2.3</ref> A ghost who suffered a debilitating injury will share that same pain with all those around it; one that died from being burned or frozen will give off extreme heat or cold. While these sensations aren't real, they feel real enough.

By binding ghosts into weapons or items, their powers can be used and directed. An example would be Blake's Frost Hatchet, where a ghost of a woman who died of hypothermia enables it to freeze things it cuts into or have an area effect when the ghost inside is released.<ref>“We’ll need a way to inscribe the handle, or she can leave any time she feels like it, and she’s liable to go out in one big intense shot of cold the moment you hit something,” Rose said, as I made my way into the hallway. - Excerpt from Damages 2.3</ref>

They can also be used as a power source, but this runs the risk of using them up and wiping out the impressions entirely.

Ghosts can also be warded against by a circle or banished with salt.<ref>“Salt,” she said. “Is a pure substance, and any ghosts that actively want to hurt us are going to be naturally impure. Tainted by anger and hatred.” - Excerpt from Damages 2.3</ref>

Notable Ghosts

• June Burlison
• Leonard Harlan
• Evan Matthieu

References

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