Ghost-lock
A dangerous power displayed by
Type Two ghosts
, possibly an extension of
malaise
. Victims are sapped of their willpower, and overcome by a feeling of terrible despair. Their muscles seem as heavy as lead, and they can no longer think or move freely. In most cases they end up transfixed, waiting helplessly as the hungry ghost glides closer and closer . . .
Ghost-touch
The effect of bodily contact with an
apparition
, and the most deadly power of an aggressive
ghost
. Beginning with a sensation of sharp, overwhelming cold, ghost-touch swiftly spreads an icy numbness around the body. One after another, vital organs fail; soon the body turns bluish and starts to swell. Without swift medical intervention, ghost-touch is usually fatal.
Glimmer
fn1
The faintest perceptible
Type One
ghost. Glimmers manifest only as flecks of
other-light
flitting through the air. They can be touched or walked through without harm.
Greek Fire
Another name for
magnesium flares
. Early weapons of this kind were apparently used against
ghosts
during the days of the Byzantine (or Greek) Empire, a thousand years ago.
Haunting
See
Manifestation
.
Ichor
Ectoplasm
in its thickest, most concentrated form. It burns many materials, and is safely constrained only by
silver-glass
.
Iron
An ancient and important protection against
ghosts
of all kinds. Ordinary people fortify their homes with iron decorations, and carry it on their persons in the form of
wards
. Agents carry iron
rapiers
and chains, and so rely on it for both attack and defence.
Lavender
The strong sweet smell of this plant is thought to discourage evil spirits. As a result, many people wear dried sprigs of lavender, or burn it to release the pungent smoke. Agents sometimes carry vials of lavender water to use against weak
Type Ones
.
Limbless
fn2
A swollen, misshapen variety of
Type Two ghost
, with a generally human head and torso, but lacking recognisable arms and legs. With
Wraiths
and
Raw-bones
, one of the least pleasing
apparitions
. Often accompanied by strong sensations of
miasma
and
creeping fear
.
Listening
One of the three main categories of psychic
Talent
.
Sensitives
with this ability are able to hear the voices of the dead, echoes of past events, and other unnatural sounds associated with
manifestations
.
Lurker
fn1
A variety of
Type One ghost
that hangs back in the shadows, rarely moving, never approaching the living, but spreading strong feelings of anxiety and
creeping fear
.
Magnesium flare
A metal canister with a breakable glass seal, containing magnesium, iron, salt, gunpowder and an igniting device. An important
agency
weapon against aggressive
ghosts
.
Malaise
A feeling of despondent lethargy often experienced when a
ghost
is approaching. In extreme cases this can deepen into dangerous
ghost-lock
.
Manifestation
A ghostly occurrence. May involve all kinds of supernatural phenomena, including sounds, smells, odd sensations, moving objects, drops in temperature and the glimpse of
apparitions
.
Miasma
An unpleasant atmosphere, often including disagreeable tastes and smells, experienced in the run-up to a
manifestation
. Regularly accompanied by
creeping fear
,
malaise
and
chill
.
Night watch
Groups of children, usually working for large companies and local government councils, who guard factories, offices and public areas after dark. Though not allowed to use
rapiers
, night-watch children have long
iron
-tipped spears to keep
apparitions
at bay.
Operative
Another name for a psychical investigation agent.
Other-light
An eerie, unnatural light radiating from some
apparitions
.
Pale Stench
fn1
A
Type One ghost
that spreads a dreadful
miasma
, a smell of noxious decay. Best confronted by burning sticks of
lavender
.
Phantasm
fn2
Any
Type Two ghost
that maintains an airy, delicate and see-through form. A Phantasm may be almost invisible, aside from its faint outline and a few wispy details of its face and features. Despite its insubstantial appearance, it is no less aggressive than the more solid-seeming
Spectre
, and all the more dangerous for being harder to see.
Phantom
Another general name for a
ghost
.
Plasm
See
Ectoplasm
.
Poltergeist
fn2
A powerful and destructive class of
Type Two ghost
. Poltergeists release strong bursts of supernatural energy that can lift even heavy objects into the air. They do not form
apparitions
.
Problem, the
The epidemic of hauntings currently affecting Britain.
Rapier
The official weapon of all psychical investigation agents. The tips of the
iron
blades are sometimes coated with
silver
.
Raw-bones
fn2
A rare and unpleasant kind of
ghost
, which manifests as a bloody, skinless corpse with goggling eyes and grinning teeth. Not popular with agents. Many authorities regard it as a variety of
Wraith
.
Relic-man/relic-woman