Ghost (Dungeons & Dragons)
Encyclopedia
In the Dungeons & Dragons
fantasy
role-playing game
, the ghost is an undead
creature. Like a Dungeons & Dragons vampire
, it is achieved by applying a template
to a base creature, of the races existing for playability within the canon.
A ghost can be of any alignment
, and usually retains whatever alignment it had in life. A ghost is incorporeal, and can harm living creatures with either a touch or a gaze.
, The Strategic Review #3, August 1975.
The lesser ghost for the Forgotten Realms
campaign setting
appeared in Lords of Darkness
(1988).
set (1984), and the Dungeons & Dragons Rules Cyclopedia (1991).
Several variants of the ghost appeared in Dragon
#29 (September 1979).
The immature desert ghost and mature desert ghost appeared in Creature Catalogue (1986), and the Creature Catalog (1993).
The watchghost for the Forgotten Realms setting first appeared in the Ruins of Undermountain boxed set (1991). The Pasocada ghost appears in City of Gold (1992). The spectral harpist first appeared in Code of the Harpers (1993). The Zhentarim spirit first appeared in the Ruins of Zhentil Keep boxed set, and in Monstrous Compendium Annual Volume Three (1996).
The ghost mount for the Al-Qadim
campaign setting appeared in Monstrous Compendium Al-Qadim Appendix (1992), and the lesser ghost mount appeared in Dungeon
#51 (January 1995).
The bear animal ghost, the wild boar animal ghost, the wild horse animal ghost, the mountain lion animal ghost, the stag animal ghost, and the wolf animal ghost appeared in Ravenloft Monstrous Compendium Appendix III: Creatures of Darkness (1994).
The casura ghost and the ker ghost appeared in Monstrous Compendium Annual Two (1995).
The ghost pack appeared in the Shaman
supplement (1995).
The lacunae ghost appeared in Dragon #265 (November 1999).
A number of variant ghost templates for the Forgotten Realms
setting appeared in Monstrous Compendium
: Monsters of Faerun (2001), including the spectral harpist, the watchghost, and the Zhentarim spirit.
The domovoi (ghost) appeared in Dragon #290 (December 2001).
A variation on the ghost template appeared in the Ghostwalk
campaign setting (2003), using the dwarf ghost as a sample creature.
The ghost brute template appeared in Dragon #300 (October 2002), and included the ghost brute cat as a sample creature. The ghost brute template appeared in Savage Species (2003), which also included the ghost hound.
The Selskar watchghost appeared in the adventure "Forest of Blood" in Dungeon #101 (August 2003).
The frostfell ghost template appeared in Frostburn: Mastering the Perils of Ice and Snow (2004), including the human frostfell ghost as a sample creature.
The ghost brute template appeared in Libris Mortis: The Book of Undead
(2004), which included the ghost brute hound as a sample creature. This book also included the haunting ghost and the sagacious ghost. The ghost brute lion later appeared in the module Red Hand of Doom
(2006), along with the ghost dire lion.
setting, ghosts are one of the main playable character races. Ghostwalk ghosts have a semi-tangible body made of transparent ectoplasm. Ghosts are not undead, although they are often mistaken for undead creatures.
hosts a number of variants ghosts.
Dungeons & Dragons
Dungeons & Dragons is a fantasy role-playing game originally designed by Gary Gygax and Dave Arneson, and first published in 1974 by Tactical Studies Rules, Inc. . The game has been published by Wizards of the Coast since 1997...
fantasy
Fantasy
Fantasy is a genre of fiction that commonly uses magic and other supernatural phenomena as a primary element of plot, theme, or setting. Many works within the genre take place in imaginary worlds where magic is common...
role-playing game
Role-playing game
A role-playing game is a game in which players assume the roles of characters in a fictional setting. Players take responsibility for acting out these roles within a narrative, either through literal acting, or through a process of structured decision-making or character development...
, the ghost is an undead
Undead (Dungeons & Dragons)
In the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game, undead is a classification of monsters that can be encountered by player characters. Undead creatures are most often once-living creatures, which have been animated by spiritual or supernatural forces....
creature. Like a Dungeons & Dragons vampire
Vampire (Dungeons & Dragons)
In the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game, the vampire is an undead creature. A humanoid or monstrous humanoid can become a vampire, and looks as it did in life, with pale skin, haunting red eyes, and a feral cast to its features...
, it is achieved by applying a template
Template (Dungeons & Dragons)
In the Dungeons & Dragons game, a template can be applied to a creature to enhance its abilities or to even create a new type of creature.Templates can be either acquired or inherited. An acquired template can be applied to a creature at any point , while an inherited template is gained at birth...
to a base creature, of the races existing for playability within the canon.
Description
A ghost looks just as the creature did in life, though its appearance is hazy and translucent.A ghost can be of any alignment
Alignment (role-playing games)
In some role-playing games, alignment is a categorisation of the moral and ethical perspective of the player characters, non-player characters, monsters, and societies in the game....
, and usually retains whatever alignment it had in life. A ghost is incorporeal, and can harm living creatures with either a touch or a gaze.
Dungeons & Dragons (1974-1976)
The ghost first appeared in the official newsletter of TSR GamesTSR, Inc.
Blume and Gygax, the remaining owners, incorporated a new company called TSR Hobbies, Inc., with Blume and his father, Melvin Blume, owning the larger share. The former assets of the partnership were transferred to TSR Hobbies, Inc....
, The Strategic Review #3, August 1975.
Advanced Dungeons & Dragons 1st edition (1977-1988)
The ghost appears in the first edition Monster Manual (1977), where it is described as the spirit of an evil human who was so awful that it has been rewarded (or cursed) with undead status.The lesser ghost for the Forgotten Realms
Forgotten Realms
The Forgotten Realms is a campaign setting for the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game. Commonly referred to by players and game designers alike as "The Realms", it was created by game designer Ed Greenwood around 1967 as a setting for his childhood stories...
campaign setting
Campaign setting
A campaign setting is usually a fictional world which serves as a setting for a role-playing game or wargame campaign. A campaign is a series of individual adventures, and a campaign setting is the world in which such adventures and campaigns take place...
appeared in Lords of Darkness
Lords of Darkness
Lords of Darkness is the name of two accessories for the fictional Forgotten Realms campaign setting for the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game.-Advanced Dungeons & Dragons 1st edition:...
(1988).
Dungeons & Dragons (1977-1999)
This edition of the D&D game included its own version of the ghost, which first appeared in the module Palace of the Silver Princess (1981). The ghost was also later featured in the Dungeons & Dragons Companion RulesDungeons & Dragons Companion Set
The Companion Set is an expansion boxed set for the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game. It was first published in 1984 as an expansion to the Basic Set.-Publication history:...
set (1984), and the Dungeons & Dragons Rules Cyclopedia (1991).
Several variants of the ghost appeared in Dragon
Dragon (magazine)
Dragon is one of the two official magazines for source material for the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game and associated products, the other being Dungeon. TSR, Inc. originally launched the monthly printed magazine in 1976 to succeed the company's earlier publication, The Strategic Review. The...
#29 (September 1979).
The immature desert ghost and mature desert ghost appeared in Creature Catalogue (1986), and the Creature Catalog (1993).
Advanced Dungeons & Dragons 2nd edition (1989-1999)
The ghost appears first in the Monstrous Compendium Volume One (1989), and is reprinted in the Monstrous Manual (1993).The watchghost for the Forgotten Realms setting first appeared in the Ruins of Undermountain boxed set (1991). The Pasocada ghost appears in City of Gold (1992). The spectral harpist first appeared in Code of the Harpers (1993). The Zhentarim spirit first appeared in the Ruins of Zhentil Keep boxed set, and in Monstrous Compendium Annual Volume Three (1996).
The ghost mount for the Al-Qadim
Al-Qadim
Al-Qadim is an Arabian Nights-themed campaign setting for the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game. The setting was developed by Jeff Grubb for TSR, Inc., and was first released in 1992. Al-Qadim is set in the land of Zakhara, called the Land of Fate...
campaign setting appeared in Monstrous Compendium Al-Qadim Appendix (1992), and the lesser ghost mount appeared in Dungeon
Dungeon (magazine)
Dungeon Adventures, or simply Dungeon, was a magazine targeting consumers of role-playing games, particularly Dungeons & Dragons. It was first published by TSR, Inc. in 1986 as a bimonthly periodical. It went monthly in May 2003 and ceased print publication altogether in September 2007 with Issue 150...
#51 (January 1995).
The bear animal ghost, the wild boar animal ghost, the wild horse animal ghost, the mountain lion animal ghost, the stag animal ghost, and the wolf animal ghost appeared in Ravenloft Monstrous Compendium Appendix III: Creatures of Darkness (1994).
The casura ghost and the ker ghost appeared in Monstrous Compendium Annual Two (1995).
The ghost pack appeared in the Shaman
Shaman (accessory)
Shaman is an accessory for the 2nd edition of the Advanced Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game, published in 1995....
supplement (1995).
The lacunae ghost appeared in Dragon #265 (November 1999).
Dungeons & Dragons 3.0 edition (2000-2002)
The ghost appears in the Monster Manual for this edition (2000) as a template, including the human ghost as a sample creature.A number of variant ghost templates for the Forgotten Realms
Forgotten Realms
The Forgotten Realms is a campaign setting for the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game. Commonly referred to by players and game designers alike as "The Realms", it was created by game designer Ed Greenwood around 1967 as a setting for his childhood stories...
setting appeared in Monstrous Compendium
Monstrous Compendium
The Monstrous Compendium is a series of accessories for the Advanced Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game.-Volumes:MC1 Monstrous Compendium, Volume One was published by TSR in 1989...
: Monsters of Faerun (2001), including the spectral harpist, the watchghost, and the Zhentarim spirit.
The domovoi (ghost) appeared in Dragon #290 (December 2001).
A variation on the ghost template appeared in the Ghostwalk
Ghostwalk
Ghostwalk is a book that introduced a campaign setting for the 3rd edition of the Dungeons & Dragons game, similar to Forgotten Realms or Dragonlance...
campaign setting (2003), using the dwarf ghost as a sample creature.
The ghost brute template appeared in Dragon #300 (October 2002), and included the ghost brute cat as a sample creature. The ghost brute template appeared in Savage Species (2003), which also included the ghost hound.
Dungeons & Dragons 3.5 edition (2003-2007)
The ghost appears in the revised Monster Manual for this edition (2003), including the human ghost as a sample creature.The Selskar watchghost appeared in the adventure "Forest of Blood" in Dungeon #101 (August 2003).
The frostfell ghost template appeared in Frostburn: Mastering the Perils of Ice and Snow (2004), including the human frostfell ghost as a sample creature.
The ghost brute template appeared in Libris Mortis: The Book of Undead
Libris Mortis
Libris Mortis: The Book of Undead is a book which is an official supplement for the 3.5 edition of the Dungeons and Dragons role-playing game...
(2004), which included the ghost brute hound as a sample creature. This book also included the haunting ghost and the sagacious ghost. The ghost brute lion later appeared in the module Red Hand of Doom
Red Hand of Doom
Red Hand of Doom is a 128-page adventure module for the 3.5 edition of Dungeons & Dragons . It is designed to be used as a generic D&D adventure, which can be dropped into any campaign world, including a personal one...
(2006), along with the ghost dire lion.
Dungeons & Dragons 4th edition (2008-)
The ghost appears in the Monster Manual for this edition (2008), including the phantom warrior, the traphaunt, the wailing ghost (banshee), and the tormenting ghost.Variant Ghosts
- Doomsphere - Ghostly beholderBeholderThe beholder is a fictional monster in the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game. It resembles a floating orb of flesh with a large mouth, single central eye, and lots of smaller eyestalks on top with deadly magical powers....
s
- Frostfell Ghost - The spirit of a creature slain by Arctic hazards, it appears caked in ice, rime, and snow.
- Ghost Brute - Spectral remnants of animals, magical beasts, and sentient plants.
- Ghostly Dragon - Ghost dragonsDragon (Dungeons & Dragons)In the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game , dragons are an iconic type of monstrous creature used as adversaries or, less commonly, allies of player characters...
gain a breath weapon that ages those it touches.
- Haunting Ghost - A haunting ghost lurks in foreboding, often deserted areas. Typically, it seeks to drive away all living creatures from its domain.
- Keening Spirit - Also known as a groaning spirit, this ghost of an evil female elfElf (Dungeons & Dragons)In the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game, elves are a fictional humanoid race that is one of the primary races available for play as player characters. Elves are renowned for their grace and mastery of magic and weapons such as the sword and bow...
is known for its constant weeping and groaning.
- Sagacious Ghost - Some ghosts possess vast stores of knowledge, making them akin to an undead library. Depending on alignment, these ghosts might offer information freely or at a dire cost.
Ghosts in Ghostwalk
In the GhostwalkGhostwalk
Ghostwalk is a book that introduced a campaign setting for the 3rd edition of the Dungeons & Dragons game, similar to Forgotten Realms or Dragonlance...
setting, ghosts are one of the main playable character races. Ghostwalk ghosts have a semi-tangible body made of transparent ectoplasm. Ghosts are not undead, although they are often mistaken for undead creatures.
Ghosts in the Forgotten Realms
FaerûnFaerûn
Faerûn is a fictional subcontinent, the primary setting of the Dungeons & Dragons world of Forgotten Realms. It is described at a relatively high level in the Forgotten Realms Campaign Setting from Wizards of the Coast, and various locales and aspects are described in more detail by separate...
hosts a number of variants ghosts.
- Selskar Watchghost: These spectral guards were created by human warriors by the Selskar wizards.
- Spectral Harpist: The spirits of Master Harpers who died while engaged in Harper service that is left unfinished.
- Watchghost: Also called "unsleeping guardians", these ghosts are created by powerful necromantic magic.
- Zhentarim Spirit: Vengeful spirits of Zhentarim wizards who hunt those they hold responsible for their deaths.
Ghosts in Oriental Adventures
- Acheri - The spirits of girls who died as a result of murder, accident, or plague.
- Akikage - The undead spirit of a ninja assassin who died while stalking an important victim.
- Bhut - Bhuts are vicious, flesh-eating ghosts most commonly formed from the spirits of those who are executed, commit suicide, or die accidentally, and do not receive proper funeral rites.
- Chu-u - A legless spirit of a mortal who was neither virtuous enough to be rewarded nor wicked enough to be punished in the afterlife. It wanders in agony seeking others to testify on its behalf to the judges of the dead.
- Con-tinh - The spirit of a maiden who died before her time—usually as the result of an illicit love affair that ends in murder. Its spirit is bound to a single fruit tree.
- Hanging Ghost - Spirits of those who committed suicide, who try to trick others into doing so via illusions.
- Kuei - A kuei, or phii ha, is the spirit of a humanoid that died by violence unavenged or with a purpose unfulfilled.
- Ubume - The "mourning ones" are the spirits of women who have died in childbirth or while pregnant. A ubume cannot rest until its child is "born" via a kind soul agreeing to hold the ghostly child.
Critical reception
The ghost was ranked eighth among the ten best mid-level monsters by the authors of Dungeons & Dragons For Dummies. The authors described the ghost as "the perfect example of an incorporeal monster - a creaure that simply doesn't have real substance on the Material Plane, and thus can move through walls, doors, and other obstacles". The authors also note that ghosts "also have the advantage of being infinitely configurable".Additional reading
- Collins, Andy, James WyattJames Wyatt (game designer)James Wyatt is a game designer and a former United Methodist minister. He works for Wizards of the Coast, where he has designed several award-winning supplements and adventures for the Dungeons & Dragons roleplaying game...
, and Skip WilliamsSkip WilliamsRalph Williams, almost always referred to as Skip Williams, is an American game designer. He is married to Penny Williams, who is also involved with the games industry...
. DraconomiconDraconomiconThe Draconomicon is an optional sourcebook for the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game, providing supplementary game material focusing on dragons. Different versions of the Draconomicon have been printed for different editions of Dungeons & Dragons...
(Wizards of the Coast, 2003).
- Moldvay, Tom. "Too Evil To Die." DragonDragon (magazine)Dragon is one of the two official magazines for source material for the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game and associated products, the other being Dungeon. TSR, Inc. originally launched the monthly printed magazine in 1976 to succeed the company's earlier publication, The Strategic Review. The...
#210 (TSR, 1994).
- Wyatt, JamesJames Wyatt (game designer)James Wyatt is a game designer and a former United Methodist minister. He works for Wizards of the Coast, where he has designed several award-winning supplements and adventures for the Dungeons & Dragons roleplaying game...
. Oriental AdventuresOriental AdventuresOriental Adventures is the title shared by two hardback rulebooks published for different versions of the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy roleplaying game...
(Wizards of the Coast, 2001).- Wyatt, James. "The Mahasarpa Campaign: A Web Enhancement for Oriental Adventures." (Wizards of the CoastWizards of the CoastWizards of the Coast is an American publisher of games, primarily based on fantasy and science fiction themes, and formerly an operator of retail stores for games...
, 2001).
- Wyatt, James. "The Mahasarpa Campaign: A Web Enhancement for Oriental Adventures." (Wizards of the Coast