Wraiths

Spellcasting and the use of magic can be risky at the best of times. The misuse of magic can lead to catastrophic and deadly consequences. For those unlucky enough to lose their life from a miscast, they may find their spirit trapped and awake as a Wraith.

A malevolent ghostly entity, Wraiths are feared for their violent hauntings. Said to sap the life out of their victims, they are a deadly presence to those unlucky enough to wander into their domains. Wraiths are found across Varda wherever magic is used, although knowing them from other types of Ghosts can sometimes be difficult.

Appearance and Behaviour

Hauntings by a Wraith resemble those of most Ghosts, though they exhibit subtle but chilling differences. Most will appear as a shadowy, incorporeal form, with defining features all but melted away.

The presence of a Wraith differs slightly in that those that live in proximity to its haunting location will slowly become more lethargic and drained. Those living near a Wraith’s domain often describe an oppressive weight in the air, a creeping exhaustion that no rest can cure. The very presence of the creature seems to sap their life force, although at a drawn-out rate. This is greatly increased when a Wraith attacks, with its very touch sapping the life out of its victims. It is very common that those that are killed by a Wraith will also become spirits soon after.

Unlike most Ghosts, Wraiths are exclusively nocturnal. Where most Ghosts prefer night-time, they are still able to appear and influence the The Material Plane during the day. Wraiths are greatly reduced in power during the sunlight hours, so their activity will likewise be less.

Silvered objects also effect Wraiths more than other types of Ghosts, and they will actively avoid objects that are made of silver and may even flee in the event they are attacked with a weapon made of the glistening metal. Many ghost-hunters have exclusive weapons made of the substance for combating Wraiths.

Signs of Presence

Wraiths have much the same presence as normal Ghosts, but a few clues may lead to discovering this type of Ghost:

• Areas of sudden cold, with frost or rime forming unnaturally. Temperature fluctuation is common to most Ghosts, but Wraiths exhibit these more fiercely.
• Members of the haunted household being exceptionally tired or showing symptoms of a minor illness.

Known Lore (In-World)

In many places across Varda, magic is mistrusted and seen as dangerous. Wraiths are cautionary figures in many cultures, their tales serving as grim warnings against the dangers of reckless spellcasting. They have also been tied to many institutions for magical learning, with several prominent universities passing down tales of a Wraith haunting in libraries, classrooms and dormitories.

Folklore is rife with protective measures against Wraiths. Alongside the usual Ghost repellents, protective wards such as circles of salt or silver amulets is said to repel a Wraith.

True Origins

The following is for world-building purposes only – no Character or mortal found within Varda will be privy to such information (although Divine or Otherworldly Beings may be).

Wraiths are born much like normal Ghosts; a soul cannot pass on and gets trapped in theThe Ethereal Plane. However, it is the reason for this entrapment that makes them unique. A failed ritual, a miscast spell – magic is the cause for the Wraith's demise.

This usually causes the Wraith's unfinished business to be related to magic. Incomplete magical research, blame against a fellow caster that was responsible for the magical accident, or the soul getting tied to a magical object that they failed to enchant. These restless spirits are often tied to the location of their demise or to the magical object that sealed their fate.

Type
Medium Undead
Location
All over the world of Varda