Ghost ranking
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Ghostbane Ghost Ranking System – Expanded
Ghosts and supernatural entities in Ghostbane are classified based on their power, intelligence, and level of threat. Some ghosts are mindless lingering echoes, while others can bend reality to their will.
This ranking system is used by exorcists, the government, and supernatural organizations to determine what kind of entity they are dealing with and how to approach it.
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1. Primary Ghost Tiers (Ranked Weakest to Strongest)
I. Lesser Spirits (Grade 5 Ghosts) – The Weakest
Description: These are the most common, weakest ghosts—barely more than an echo of a soul.
Intelligence: None or very low. They act purely on repeated habits or residual emotions.
Abilities: Minimal—flickering lights, cold spots, whispers, feelings of unease.
Threat Level: Non-lethal. Most cannot harm humans.
Exorcism Difficulty: Easily cleansed using basic rituals, prayers, or even time (some fade naturally).
Examples:
The ghost of a widow who cries at her husband's grave but does nothing else.
A phantom sound of footsteps in an abandoned house.
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II. Wraith-Class (Grade 4 Ghosts) – Hostile Spirits
Description: Spirits that have some level of intelligence and act aggressively toward the living.
Intelligence: Low to Moderate—may recognize humans but lack complex thought.
Abilities:
Can move small objects (poltergeist activity).
Can scratch, push, or briefly choke victims.
Some can possess weak-willed individuals for a short time.
Threat Level: Mildly dangerous—injuries are possible but rarely lethal.
Exorcism Difficulty: Standard purification rituals or trained exorcists can banish them.
Examples:
A vengeful spirit that shoves people down stairs.
A ghostly child that appears at night, trying to lure people into an old well.
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III. Revenant-Class (Grade 3 Ghosts) – High-Level Cursed Spirits
Description: Ghosts with a strong will, purpose, or grudge that keeps them from passing on.
Intelligence: Moderate to High—fully aware of their death and some can speak.
Abilities:
Can create illusions to confuse victims.
Can manipulate objects freely (moving furniture, shutting doors, etc.).
May develop a signature ability based on their cause of death (e.g., a drowned ghost can summon water).
Threat Level: Highly dangerous. Can kill humans if not stopped.
Exorcism Difficulty: Requires experienced exorcists or destruction of their anchor (a body, object, or unfinished business).
Examples:
A dead samurai whose spirit still duels challengers, killing those who lose.
A burned witch whose ghost summons fire to incinerate anyone who enters her ruins.
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IV. Cursed Spirits (Grade 2 Ghosts) – Malevolent Manifestations
Description: These spirits are no longer just ghosts—they are living malice, growing stronger by feeding on fear, suffering, or death.
Intelligence: High—capable of planning, trapping victims, and even controlling lesser ghosts.
Abilities:
Cursed Zones – They can corrupt locations, making them hazardous or inescapable.
Possession Mastery – Can fully possess people, overwriting their personality.
Cursed Evolution – Absorbing negative energy makes them stronger.
Threat Level: Extremely dangerous. Entire buildings or towns can be lost to one.
Exorcism Difficulty: Requires elite exorcists or destruction of their cursed domain.
Examples:
A mass grave where spirits fuse into one colossal abomination.
A shadowy figure that whispers your name until you go insane.
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V. Archfiend-Class (Grade 1 Ghosts) – Legendary Nightmares
Description: The most powerful ghosts—spirits that have transcended normal death.
Intelligence: Exceptionally high. Some believe themselves to be gods.
Abilities:
Can reshape reality within their territory.
Can control hundreds of lesser spirits.
Are immortal unless their core essence is destroyed.
Threat Level: Catastrophic. Only a handful of exorcists in history have ever defeated one.
Exorcism Difficulty: Nearly impossible—often requires sealing rather than direct combat.
Examples:
A king from the past who still rules an undead empire.
A priest-turned-demon whose curse makes people forget their own names.
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2. Special Subcategories of Ghosts
A) Domain Spirits (Territorial Ghosts) – "Home Field Advantage"
Some ghosts control entire locations where they become unstoppable.
Their powers are limited outside their domain, but inside, they are godlike.
The only way to defeat them is to destroy their anchor (cursed object, location, or person).
Example: A ghost ship where the captain cannot die as long as the ship exists.
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B) Phantom Beasts (Non-Human Spirits)
Some spirits are not human but manifested from emotions, fears, or ancient rituals.
They take the form of monstrous creatures—giant wolves, headless knights, screaming specters.
These spirits do not follow normal ghost logic and may act like wild animals or ancient gods.
Example: A giant fox spirit that feeds on dreams instead of souls.
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C) Forsaken Souls (Corrupted Exorcists & Fallen Spirits)
Some exorcists, when corrupted by cursed energy or forbidden techniques, become spirits themselves.
These ghosts are far more dangerous than normal because they retain their exorcist abilities.
Often become rogue entities that both exorcists and ghosts fear.
Example: A fallen exorcist who now hunts and absorbs other spirits to grow stronger.
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3. Additional Threat Factors
A) The Strength of a Ghost's Grudge
The stronger the regret, hatred, or obsession, the harder a ghost is to destroy.
Some revenants persist for centuries because their unfinished business is indestructible.
Example: A knight whose last mission was to protect a kingdom that no longer exists.
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B) The Age of a Spirit
The longer a ghost exists, the more powerful it becomes—absorbing residual energy over time.
Ancient ghosts are often mistaken for gods or demons.
Example: A 1000-year-old spirit that believes itself to be divine.
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C) Ghost Fusion & Evolution
Some ghosts merge with others, creating new, stronger entities.
This often happens when multiple souls share a single purpose.
Example: The ghosts of an entire war merging into one vengeful being