GHOSTWALK

Mortality Made Manifest

Converted by Marsupialmancer.
Blogspot: (http://marsupialmancer.blogspot.com)
Twitter: @MoxWombat

All contents of this document are done for fun and are not intended to be distributed or reproduced
for monetary gain.

Ownership of the Ghostwalk Campaign Option book is strongly encouraged, as it contains

material, images, and references that are not converted or reproduced here.
Marsupialmancer prefers not to be sued.

Version 2021.4.21
Disclaimers & Content Warning
What is this Conversion? Content Warnings
This conversion document exists purely to Ghostwalk has several mature themes which
translate mechanical contrivances of the should be considered if you wish to consume
Ghostwalk Campaign Option to 5th Edition. this material. Please exercise care in exposing
There are many aspects of the old 3rd Edition your players to elements they may find
incarnation of Ghostwalk that do not neatly fit disconcerting or offensive. These elements
into the design goals and style guide of 5th include:
Edition D&D. As such, these aspects were not
• Death, dismemberment, and gore
converted, by design.
• Existential dread
This guide does not exist to replicate • Ghostly possession (consensual or
unconverted systems or lore save to update otherwise)
references and provide some context to new • Potentially scary images (no jump
mechanical contrivances. An example case is scares, that’s cheap and dumb)
the listing of Ghostwalk’s cosmological • Supernatural horror
structure and listing of gods; without context,
some of that information would appear References & Components
bizarre and out of place. As such, references This guide was put together using freely
to those items do exist in this conversion. available fonts and artwork. Header and title
fonts use Dominican Small Caps.
It is strongly recommended that you
purchase a copy of the Ghostwalk campaign
setting if you wish to use that world and its
setting material, as well as use lore references
or locations present therein. Such material is
not convertible and does not exist in this
document.
I love Ghostwalk and its developers and I
don’t want to risk copying any more of their
work than is already inherent in a venture
such as this.

But Why Didn’t You Convert…

Because I am but one hobbyist and this
conversion is free. If you want to roll
something else into this conversion or modify
something I’ve done, you should absolutely
feel free to do so.
Table of Contents
Mortality Made Manifest Ghost Appearances
Disclaimers & Content Warning Possession
What is this Conversion? A Ghostly F.A.Q.
Content Warnings Classes
References & Components Cleric Faiths
Table of Contents Feats
Introduction Circle Magic
What is Ghostwalk? Corrupter (Ghost)
You Died Dominator (Ghost)
What is a Ghost? Haunt (Ghost)
You're Dead. Now What? Poltergeist (Ghost)
Death and Resurrection Shaper (Ghost)
The Life Epiphany Traveler (Ghost)
Elves and the True Afterlife Equipment and Services
Adventuring as a Ghost Goods
New Ancestries Services
Dragonborn, Lichebound Spells
Dwarf, Deathwarden New Magic
Human, Sherem Spell Lists
Rules for the Recently Deceased
Becoming a Ghost
Compulsion
The Calling
Introduction
What is Ghostwalk?
Ghostwalk is two things.
First, it is a set of optional mechanics and
rules for what happens when a player
character dies and how they may continue
their adventures.
Second, it is a miniature setting that can be
dropped in any campaign or exist on its own
in an implied larger world. Campaigns in the
Ghostwalk setting revolve around Manifest, a
city of adventure where the dead walk among
the living.
You Died
Death is not the end for player characters in
Manifest. Those who choose to remain on this
side of the Veil of Souls may continue their
adventures as a ghost. A significant portion of
Manifest's population is comprised of ghosts,
and entire commercial endeavors arose to
support their needs.
Private investigators offer their services to
the ghosts of murdered individuals to bring
their killers to justice. Taverns that cater
exclusively to ghosts also dot the streets of
Manifest, as well as other, more lascivious
dens of indulgence.
What is a Ghost?
Unlike standard ghost monsters, Ghostwalk
ghosts are not undead, but certainly not
among the living. When someone refers to a
ghost in Manifest, they do not mean a
shrieking spirit of the damned that withers all
who behold it – such creatures are unknown
in Manifest, though undead such as wraiths
and specters still haunt defiled burial
grounds.
Rather, ghosts of Ghostwalk are a unique
manifestation of the deceased's will to carry
on. For reasons unknown, only the souls of
humanoids can endure in this fashion without
magical intervention; monsters, outsiders,
and dragons are not governed by this
cosmological law, and their souls either
immediately depart this world or are part of
their physical remains.
A ghost is considered a humanoid of its
corresponding type, though it also gains the
ghost descriptor. Certain functions of feats,
spells, and creatures have special effects on
ghosts, or can only be used while you are a
ghost. Ghosts obviously do not age, do not
require food and drink to survive, and are
immune to physical diseases.
A ghost does not necessarily need to sleep
during a long rest though they may willingly
enter a sort of torpor. However, every ghost
has a compulsion they must satisfy during
this period of time. Some may need to listen
to a particular tune, behold a certain sight or
person, indulge physical pleasures such as
eating or drinking while manifested, or haunt
a particular location. A ghost that fails to do
this at least once a week risks succumbing to
the Calling, which drags them to the True
Afterlife.
You're Dead. Now What?
When a humanoid creature dies, their soul
appears on the Ethereal Plane a short time
after. Their soul is carried along a flow of
otherworldly mist known as the Ethereal
Current – resisting this pull is possible,
though most departed souls lack either the
will or desire to do so.
These currents flow like a river toward
Manifest and the Veil of Souls. The Veil of
Souls is a metaphysical barrier, and upon
reaching it the soul can choose to remain on
the Material Plane or pass into the True
Afterlife – a realm from which only
resurrection magic can extract them.
Death and Resurrection
The cosmological proximity of the next world
in relation to Manifest means that the rules of
resurrection are somewhat lax. Oft times, the
cost of securing the services of a cleric or
druid capable of raising the dead is
exorbitant, compounded by the expensive
material components.
While within the boundaries of the Manifest
Ward, the material component costs of
spells such as raise dead, resurrection, and
true resurrection are annulled when used
on individuals in a ghost state. It is a
relatively simple affair to raise the quasi-dead
here, provided a spellcaster powerful enough
can be located. For this reason, those with the
power often do not advertise such; they
would quickly find themselves overwhelmed
with petitioners begging for loved ones to be
returned to them, and not every deity smiles
kindly on constant prayers to upset the
natural order of life and death (however
peculiar it may be in Manifest).
A ghost can be injured and driven to a state of
"true death." When a ghost is killed, their soul
immediately departs for the True Afterlife as
though they succumbed to the calling and
must be raised from the dead via magic.
The Life Epiphany
The act of resurrection and the subsequent
merging of a being's afterlife experiences
with their living ones is known as a life
epiphany. As the character is restored to life,
the experience is euphoric – some describe it
as long-forgotten memories being
remembered all at once.
A ghost undergoing the life epiphany may
trade out any ghost feats they gained during
their time as a ghost for any other feats for
which they qualify. For example, a ghost that
earned the Corrupter feat is resurrected,
rendering that feat impractical. They may
freely trade it out for any other feat for which
they qualify.
Elves and the True Afterlife
Unlike most humanoids, the souls of elves and
half-elves that submit to the Calling or do not
choose to become ghosts meld with one of the
spirit trees surrounding the city of Manifest.
This does not affect the ability to later raise
the elf from the dead, but elves may not want
to return to life after achieving such a state of
oneness with the souls of their people.
Adventuring as a Ghost
As the departed, though ambulatory spirits of
intelligent humanoids, ghosts experience
their afterlives in much the same way as
traditional adventurers. They are at risk of
injury and being forced into the True
Afterlife, so they are as apt to avoid harm as a
creature of flesh. Ghosts feel pain, sorrow,
and joy as much as any living creature,
though an experience as traumatic as death
may temper their individual reactions.
There are some mechanical considerations
for adventuring ghosts, however. Ghosts
cannot use most mundane equipment while
they are forced into incorporeal or ethereal
states. While this does not inhibit ghosts who
remain within the borders of Manifest, there
are some spells and abilities that can force
ghosts into those states on a temporary basis.
Some seek equipment with the ghost touch
quality, a relatively common enchantment
applied by enterprising magicians throughout
the city and its environs. Ghost touch
equipment and its traits are described in
more detail in the Equipment and Services
chapter of this document.
New Ancestries
Dragonborn, Lichebound
During the terrible Liche War that laid low
the island nation of Inuitea around 100 years
ago, the wicked Xaphan and his Cult of
Neistra'demos (a lesser deity who would later
be revealed as Orcus himself) came upon the
ancient silver dragon Amrost and her devoted
progeny, the dragonborn. Unknown outside
of this enclave, the dragonborn had few allies
to call upon and were quickly overwhelmed
by Xaphan's undead legions. Rather than
slaughter the dragonborn wholesale and
animate them as mere skeletal or zombified
troops, the exarch of Neistra'demos had
another fate in mind.
Amrost was made to undergo the vile rites of
the dracolich in order to spare the lives of her
dragonborn. The once-glorious silver dragon
became a terrible undead monster under
Xaphan's control, with the dragonborn's
mystical bond to their matron intact. Instead
of troops of flesh and bone, Xaphan
manipulated the dragonborn to serve in his
armies as elite shock troops with icy breath
weapons and impressive brute strength.
Proximity to the terrible necrotic magics used
by Xaphan, as well as their connection to
Amrost, slowly turned the shining scales of
these dragonborn to a dull grave-gray, and
their golden eyes into hollow yellow pits.
Though not undead themselves, the
dragonborn were tainted by necromantic
energies forever. When Amrost was finally
slain by adventurers, the lichebound
dragonborn were left without a home,
without a master, and without hope.
Though few of them remain, the last
lichebound dragonborn are tragic souls
wandering a world that fears them for crimes
not of their making. They can be found in
Manifest from time to time, researching ways
to reach across to whatever afterlife dragons
go to and bring Amrost back to the world.
Others have given in completely to despair,
becoming necromancers themselves. As they
are humanoid, dragonborn can indeed
become ghosts.
Ability Score Increase. You increase one
ability score of your choice by 2, and one
other ability score of your choice by 1.
Alternately, increase three different ability
scores by 1 each.
Age. The only surviving lichebound
dragonborn are over 100 years old. They
have no known upper age limit.
Size. Lichebound dragonborn are tall, but
gaunt. You stand anywhere between 6 to 7
feet in height and your weight is around 200
pounds.
Speed. Your base walking speed is 30 feet.
Necrotic Breath. You can exhale a 15 foot
cone of necrotic vapor. Creatures in the area
of effect must make a saving throw with a DC
equal to 8 + your Constitution modifier + your
proficiency bonus. A creature takes 2d6
necrotic damage on a failed save, and half as
much damage on a successful save. The
damage increases to 3d6 at 6th level, 4d6 at
11th level, and 5d6 at 16th level. After you
use your breath weapon, you can't use it
again until you complete a short or long rest.
Necrotic Resistance. You are resistant to
necrotic damage.
Inured to Undeath. You have advantage on
saving throws against effects originating from
undead that cause the frightened condition,
or which reduce your maximum hit points
(such as the enervating touch of a wraith).
Languages. You can speak, read, and write
Common and Draconic.
Dwarf, Deathwarden
The small but stalwart Deathwarden clan of
dwarves thrives in the caverns and citadels
beneath Manifest. Long positioned as the
protectors of the Grand Portal and the
entrance to the True Afterlife, the
Deathwardens are somber in a way that even
mountain dwarves find off-putting.
The Deathwardens often send their members
out into the world for training or to expand
their knowledge of outsiders, so as to learn
their death traditions. On rare occasions,
Deathwarden adventurers travel abroad to
hunt down those who have stolen secrets
about the Veil of Souls so that the bridge
between life and death remains secure.
Though they are a distinct ancestry of
dwarves, Deathwardens have many aspects in
common with their mountain and hill cousins.
Ability Score Increase. You increase one
ability score of your choice by 2, and one
other ability score of your choice by 1.
Alternately, increase three different ability
scores by 1 each.
Age. Deathwarden dwarves mature at the
same rate as humans, but unlike other
dwarves they are considered adults as soon
as they are physically mature. Deathwarden
dwarves can live to 350.
Size. Like other dwarves, Deathwardens
stand between 4 and 5 feet tall and average
about 150 pounds. Your size is Medium.
Speed. Your base walking speed is 25 feet
and is not reduced by wearing heavy armor.
Darkvision. Accustomed to life underground,
you have superior vision in dark and dim
conditions. You can see in dim light within 60
feet of you as if it were bright light, and in
darkness as if it were dim light. You can't
discern color in darkness, only shades of gray.
Deathwarden Resilience. You have
advantage on saving throws against poison
and disease, and you have resistance to
poison damage.
Dwarven Combat Training. You have
proficiency with the battleaxe, handaxe, light
hammer, and warhammer.
Halt the Dead. You have the ability to halt
the advance of ghosts and undead opponents.
As an action, you may hold out one hand and
proclaim that the dead may not pass you. All
ghosts or undead that you choose within 30
feet must succeed on a Wisdom saving throw
with a DC equal to 8 + your proficiency bonus
+ your Wisdom modifier. On a success, they
may act and move normally. On a failure, the
undead cannot move closer than they were to
you when you used this ability and cannot
take any hostile action against you unless
they are damaged. This effect lasts for 1
minute.
Once you use this ability, you cannot do so
again until you complete a long rest.
Tool Proficiency. You gain proficiency with
the artisan’s tools of your choice: alchemist’s
supplies, mason’s tools, mortician’s tools.
Stonecunning. Whenever you make an
Intelligence (History) check related to the
origin of stonework, you are considered
proficient in the History skill and add double
your proficiency bonus to the check, instead
of your normal proficiency bonus.
Languages. You speak, read, and write
Common and Dwarvish.
Human, Sherem
The ancient and esteemed noble families of
Bazareene, though of human origin, are so
deeply tied to their sorcerous bloodlines that
they are distinct from the citizens of that land.
The Sherem are the result of this
supernatural infusion, a people with intrinsic
magical potential.
Though they are physiologically similar to
other humans of Bazareene, with reddish-
brown skin and dark hair, all Sherem all
possess striking jade-green eyes. Like other
Bazareene humans, Sherem possess chiseled
facial features that make them seem like
living bronze statues, with stern brows,
angular noses, and sharp jawlines.
The Sherem divide themselves further by the
professions they adopt beyond their
formative years. Martial Sherem are known
among the Bazareene people as the Kihu-
Sherem, who train to one day protect the
sorcerous rulers of the realm. Mystically-
minded Sherem, the Sherem-Lar, are accorded
great respect in their homeland and are part
of the line of succession – though most are far
removed from the possibility.
While it is not unheard of for the Sherem to
wander abroad, those that do often find
themselves in Manifest on some business or
another. Due to the cutthroat politics among
the Sherem-Lar elite that rule the country, it
behooves wandering Sherem to visit the city
and possibly learn what fates to avoid by
consulting with their dead predecessors.
Ability Score Increase. You increase one
ability score of your choice by 2, and one
other ability score of your choice by 1.
Alternately, increase three different ability
scores by 1 each.
Age. The Sherem, imbued in the womb with
mystical energy, mature at the same rate as
humans but can live over 200 years.
Size. You fall within the average height and
weight ranges of humans. Your size is
Medium.
Speed. Your base walking speed is 30 feet.
Minor Magic Resistance. You have
advantage on all Intelligence, Wisdom, and
Charisma saving throws against magic.
Sorcerous Blood. You know one cantrip
from the sorcerer spell list. Your spellcasting
ability is Charisma.
Languages. You speak, read, and write
Heshar (the language of Bazareene) and the
Common tongue.
Designer Notes
In the original text, the Kihu-Sherem were
exclusively male monks and the Sherem-
Lar exclusively female sorcerers, chosen
by a feat selection at 1st level. While a
plurality of the groups might fit that
criteria in the setting, expanding who can
belong to which class and gender role
helps people play what they want to play.
Rules for the Recently Deceased
Those who travel to Manifest become
intimately familiar with death in all of its
forms. Some are exposed to it through their
association with ghosts in the city, or by
studying the peculiar energies of the Veil of
Souls. Others die and become ghosts
themselves.
Death is not the end in Manifest, and
player characters have the option to
continue their adventures as a ghost. The
mechanics below are for those characters
who wish to begin their careers as ghosts, or
those who die in the process of adventure and
are duly transformed.
Becoming a Ghost
When a player character becomes a ghost, the
following changes apply to their characters.
Ectoplasmic. Though your type remains
humanoid, your body is comprised of an
exotic material known as ectoplasm. It is both
skin and blood for a ghost; a ghost that is cut
will bleed ectoplasm. Ectoplasm separated
from your body (such as from a severed limb
or a splash of blood) evaporates within 10
minutes unless preserved in some way.
You are immune to mortal diseases and are
resistant to poison damage. You do not
require sleep but can enter a state of alert
repose during a long rest in order to
recuperate. However, you are potentially
subject to a myriad of effects, illnesses, and
predators that specifically target ectoplasmic
creatures.
Tenuous Material Hold. A ghost exists in
one of three states: ethereal, incorporeal,
and manifested. They may transition through
one or more of these states as they adventure
or are affected by certain magic.
A newly-formed ghost is ethereal. An
ethereal ghost is formless and invisible to all
but ethereal creatures or those with magic to
see into or transpose themselves onto the
Ethereal Plane. Ethereal ghosts can pass
through unwarded solid objects but cannot
harm or be harmed by creatures on the
Material Plane. Ethereal ghosts cannot wear
or use physical equipment unless it is present
on the Ethereal Plane.
An incorporeal ghost is weak in both realms
and is considered in a state of flux. And
incorporeal ghost can pass through objects as
though they were difficult terrain and has
resistance against damage from non-magical
bludgeoning, piercing, or slashing sources. A
ghost suffers 5 (1d10) force damage if it ends
its turn inside an object that it does not
intend on possessing.
All damage you inflict through attacks or
spells is halved while you are incorporeal,
unless such damage is inflicted against
other incorporeal entities. Your form has
insufficient mass or presence to fully harm
corporeal ones. Incorporeal ghosts cannot
wear or use physical equipment unless it is
present on the Ethereal Plane or possesses
the ghost touch quality, or unless they are
inhabiting a shellcraft manikin.
A manifested ghost is, for all intents and
purposes, completely on the Material Plane.
They suffer and deal full damage to creatures,
though their appearance is still clearly that of
a ghost – slightly translucent flesh, a haunting
gaze, and possibly the physical marks of their
death. A manifested ghost has a peculiar
scent, can be touched, and can feel both wind
and water.
While within the Manifest Ward, all ghosts
are forced into a manifested state. Some
spells, magic items, or feats used outside of
the Ward may temporarily duplicate this
effect. Outside of the Ward, which extends
above and below the surface of the city of
Manifest as well as outward toward the ring
of trees at its periphery, a ghost cannot
willingly become manifested without
aforementioned magical aid.
Succumbing to the Call. Ghosts inevitably
venture to the True Afterlife and cling to their
existence only through great effort.
Compulsion
All ghosts suffer from a compulsion, which is
an activity or stimulus they must experience
in order to fend off the Calling. Compulsions
tie a ghost to the material world of the living;
without satisfying these compulsions, the
ghost becomes detached from their living
psyche and fades from the world, eventually
passing on to the True Afterlife.
If you are beginning play as a ghost, or
become one through the course of adventure,
you may choose a compulsion befitting your
circumstances. Compulsions are not intended
to be a mechanic for inhibiting adventuring,
but compulsions are unique in that they are
unusual experiences for ghosts that recall a
powerful feeling of being alive. Thus, a ghost’s
compulsion should never be “killing
something” as that is antithetical to the
purpose of a compulsion (and also, a cop out
for “murder-hobo” characters). Some
example compulsions are provided on the
table below.
The Calling
The Calling is the need for the departed to
gravitate toward the True Afterlife. Even
ghosts with a strong will can find themselves
yearning to venture to the beyond.
Certain effects in the world may trigger the
Calling, as will a ghost failing to satisfy its
compulsion after a period of one week. When
such a situation occurs, the ghost must make
a Charisma saving throw with a DC equal
to 10 + its current level of the Calling or
Example Compulsions
d8 Result Compulsion
1 The sound of a particular tavern melody
keeps you anchored in this world.
2 Memories of your grandmother’s
kitchen are strong, particularly the
scent of fresh baked bread.
3 There is a famous painting that touched
you in life and you lost hours in reverie
viewing it.
4 You spent the best (or worst) years of
your life in a particular residence and
something compels you to visit it once
in a while.
5 Gustatory delights are so often denied
to ghosts, but you long for the feeling of
a full stomach.
6 Your life was defined by revelry and you
long to be part of celebrations even as a
wallflower.
7 Before you died, you were entrusted
with a keepsake that you spent hours
rubbing for good luck.
8 There is, or was, a person important to
you in life. You are compelled to collect
mementos or belongings of that person.
The Calling Track
Level Effect
1 Your ability to maintain solidity in your
ghostly form is diminished. You cannot regain
more than half of your maximum Hit Dice
when completing a long rest.
2 Your will wavers as you struggle to fend off the
Calling, and you suffer disadvantage on all
Wisdom and Charisma saving throws.
3 The Calling forces you into an incorporeal state
if you are manifested. You can no longer fully
manifest outside of the Manifest Ward by any
means.
4 As you fall deeper under the sway of the
Calling, you become closer to a state of
undeath. You may be turned or commanded by
clerics and are vulnerable to radiant damage.
5 The Calling weakens your grasp on the world
even further, forcing you into an ethereal state.
You can no longer become incorporeal or
manifest outside of the Manifest Ward by any
means.
6 You are drawn to the True Afterlife, no longer
able to resist the Calling.
advance one further step on the track. You
have a penalty on this saving throw equal
to the number of levels you have earned
since you became a ghost; the longer you
cling to this between-state, the more at risk
you become.
You also advance along the Calling track by
one level if you are reduced to zero hit points
while you are a ghost, with no saving throw
allowed.
You reduce your level on the Calling track by
one after completing a long rest while
satisfying your compulsion or completing a
task that cements your grasp on the Material
Plane, such as vanquishing a powerful foe.
Should you be restored to life, all levels of the
Calling immediately vanish.
Ghost Appearances
When a ghost appears on the Ethereal Plane
after its death, it looks much like its corpse at
the moment of its death. Depending on the
circumstances, the appearance of a ghost can
be merely unsettling or completely horrifying.
This appearance persists across different
states of manifestation; there is no way to
repair any apparent damage, nor does this
result in a loss of hit points for the ghost
while they exist on the Material Plane. Any
severe damage, such as the loss of a limb, may
impair the ghost in significant ways.
Should the cause of death not bear hallmarks
of severe trauma, such as death by natural
causes, a heart attack, or spells that kill
the target with psychic damage, the ghost
does not suffer any social inconveniences
aside from being dead.
Most adventurers, however, tend to die due to
terrible injuries such as sword wounds and
magical spells. When attempting Charisma
skill checks using Deception, Performance, or
Persuasion on creatures not used to dealing
with ghosts, you suffer disadvantage on the
roll.
The most unfortunate ghosts are those that
suffer grievous and terrible deaths from
massive weapons, being devoured by dragons
or other monsters, being consumed by
fireballs or dissolved by acid, or dying due to
aggressive flesh-consuming diseases. Even to
those citizens of Manifest that deal with
ghosts on a daily basis, beholding one of these
poor souls causes instant revulsion. You
suffer disadvantage on all Charisma skill
checks made to positively influence creatures,
though you have advantage on Charisma
(Intimidation) checks. It is advisable for such
a ghost to hide their features when possible
so as to avoid creating public disturbances.
Possession
The most feared ability of ghosts is their
ability to possess others. While this does not
initially afford a ghost control over the entity
they inhabit, it is a deeply unpleasant
experience for the unprepared and the
unwilling. Possession is primarily used by
ghosts to inhabit a shellcraft manikin, though
also to allow a ghost to use the host’s senses.
As an action, the ghost enters the space of
their intended target, forcing them to make a
Charisma saving throw. Your own Charisma
modifier sets the saving throw DC. A creature
may repeat this saving throw at the end of
each of their turns and expels you from their
body on a successful saving throw. If a
creature succeeds on any saving throw
against your possession, they are immune
your future attempts for 24 hours.
Possession save DC = 8 + your proficiency
bonus + your Charisma modifier
The target may voluntarily fail this saving
throw and allow you to possess them. You
may also possess unattended objects of a size
equal to your own. For example, a human
ghost could possess a dresser (Medium size)
but could not possess an oak tree (Huge size).
You must use an action to exit a creature or
object you are possessing.
While possessing objects or creatures, you
have advantage on Dexterity (Stealth) checks
made to remain undetected in your host. You
suffer half of the damage inflicted upon your
host at all times during possession. If you or
the host are reduced to zero hit points while
possessing an object or creature, you are
instantly expelled from the target.
A Ghostly F.A.Q.
The following questions might arise
regarding ghosts. This section provides a
mechanical breakdown, in no uncertain
terms, about these cases.
Q: What conditions affect a ghost?
A: A ghost is affected by every condition that
could affect them if they were alive. The state
of being a ghost does not provide immunity to
conditions of any kind, as they are not truly
undead. Ghosts can become exhausted if they
do not rest, though this is more of a
psychosomatic response than a purely
biological one.
Q: Can ghosts levitate or fly?
A: A ghost can only levitate or fly if under the
effects of a spell or magic item that grants
those modes of movement. They do not
inherently float like other incorporeal undead
creatures and adhere to the nearest floor-like
surface.
Q: When can my ghost use equipment?
A: A ghost can only use equipment, wear
armor, and wield weapons if the items
possess the ghost touch quality, if the ghost is
manifested in some way, or if the ghost is
possessing a shellcraft manikin.
Q: Why wouldn’t I always want to be a
ghost? Being dead doesn’t seem so bad…
A: The Calling exists to deter (or at least,
minimize the desire) to remain a ghost for
one’s entire adventuring career.
Incorporeality is often more of a hindrance
than a boon and was deliberately balanced to
reduce the combat benefits of being
incorporeal. Note that all damage you inflict
while incorporeal is halved, regardless of its
source, and creatures may have further
resistance to that damage.
Q: Ethereal, incorporeal, manifested… it’s
all confusing! What states can I be in from
a practical sense?
A: Ethereality is the state you are in when you
first become a ghost. You quickly transition to
incorporeal once you reach the Veil of Souls.
Incorporeality is the default state for most
ghosts. You can manifest while within the
Manifest Ward, or while under certain
magical effects.
Q: Can my ghost eat? Drink? Sleep?
A: A manifested ghost can eat and drink,
though they do not digest this food because
they have no biological functions (making
cleanup a messy prospect). Ghosts don’t
normally sleep, though they do enter a state
of repose during rests.
Q: Am I invisible while possessing a
creature or object?
A: No. There are hallmarks that the observant
can detect when seeing a possessed object or
creature, such as a sheen of ectoplasm, a
strange look behind the eyes, or some other
visual marker. You can Hide while possessing
and you have advantage on Dexterity
(Stealth) checks to do so, but you are not
invisible.
Classes
Eidolon and Eidoloncer
If you played the 3rd Edition version of
Ghostwalk, you’ll note that these two ghost
classes don’t exist in this conversion.
Needing to switch up your entire character
every time you transition states is
awkward and consumes a ton of table
time, and so I’ve opted not to mess with
overall balance by omitting those two
“ghost classes” entirely. Ghosts now belong
to and gain levels in their chosen class.
If you want to introduce something like
those classes back into the running, you
can very easily use ghostly class options
available across the Internet. I won’t be
offended!
Cleric Faiths
The deities presented herein are those
common to Manifest and its implied setting
material. While the descriptions below may
call out particular domains as common to a
given deity, they are not the only ones that
might be chosen. Work with your GM to find
the domain and deity combination that fits
best for your character concept.
Additionally, domains belonging to books and
resources outside of the core rules are
referenced, but not replicated here. These are
noted with an asterisk where relevant.
Aluvan
Watcher of the Dead
Neutral Good
The benevolent Aluvan is lauded by the
people of Manifest as a gentle protector of the
departed. Aluvan’s faithful have great
influence in Manifest and the surrounding
regions, with worshipers both living and
ghost.
The only wrath Aluvan and his clerics show is
toward those who interfere with the peaceful
transition between life and death. Primary
among these foes are necromancers and
intelligent undead of any kind, for whom
Aluvan has no patience.
The symbol of Aluvan is a golden hand on a
white circle. Cleric domains sacred to Aluvan
include the Life and Grave* domains.
Chaniud
The Lawkeeper
Lawful Neutral
Some see Chaniud and his faithful as rigid and
needlessly stern, but the clergy is responsible
for the upholding of laws across the land.
Governments of numerous city-states
outsource their judicial systems to the
temples of Chaniud, with all of the risk
inherent in such an arrangement.
Chaniud’s doctrine makes both the deity and
his priests slow to act. This methodical pace
and attitude toward the world chafes more
chaotic societies, who see all of the
bureaucracy as pointless.
Chaniud’s symbol is three horizontal lines
below a circle which is open at the top. This
symbol adorns the top left portion of any
book or legal document for which the faith is
responsible. Clerics of Chaniud often select
the Knowledge or Order* domains.
Dracanish
Eater of the Dead
Lawful Neutral
Though most misunderstand Dracanish and
his priests due to their association with the
less pleasant aspects of death and dying, the
deity’s attitude is one of quiet solemnity
rather than heartless reaping. Dracanish
knows that all things die and that care for the
dead is often overlooked in favor of the
prolonging of life.
Dracanish’s faithful have a chilly relationship
with ghosts, as they are seen as an
unnecessary intermediate step between life
and death. Still, as they are nearer to true
death than others, ghosts are accorded a
measure of respect even if their existence
chafes.
Dracanish’s symbol is a bronze head in profile
on a black disk. His clerics tend toward the
Grave* domain, and never choose the Life
domain.
Durann
The True Guide
Lawful Good
A popular deity among dwarves, Durann’s
scriptures depict her as a caring deity whose
sphere of influence includes simple acts of
kindness and charity. Durann’s clerics are
found throughout the land tending to the sick,
staffing rural schools, or battling evil forces
wherever they rear their heads.
Durann is the sister of Chaniud, leading the
respective faiths to be charitable to one
another even if the latter is far more rigid and
contemplative than the former.
The symbol of Durann is a shining hammer.
Her clerics often choose the Light or Life
domains.
Eanius
Lord of Growth and Life
Neutral Good
Worship of Eanius is common, as he is
associated with many of the things regular
people wish for; fertility, healthy children,
and hale livestock. Birds are also beloved by
Eanius and his clerics, and the deity is known
in some lands as the Sky King.
Eanius’s clerics travel often and prefer to
wander beneath clear skies. The sight of a
white raven is seen as a good omen among
the faithful, who are rarely found without a
stout walking stick to help them on their way.
The symbol of Eanius is a human-like eye on
an extended bird’s wing. His priests prefer
the Life or Tempest domains.
Galaedros
The Sorrowful King
Neutral
An ancient deity, Galaedros is the patron of
the deep wilds and growing things. Beloved
among communities of elves, Galaedros’s
temples are simple, solemn affairs. Though he
was once considered king of the world’s
deities, Galaedros since withdrew from the
pantheon after the death of his brother at the
hands of his wife, Phaant.
Galadrean clerics work to preserve the
wilderness in the face of ever-expanding
civilization, though only his most zealous and
wrathful worshipers would propose
destroying cities outright. Many druids pay
homage to Galaedros even if they do not
worship him outright.
Galaedros uses a symbol of a tree with
sorrowful eyes. His clerics usually choose the
Life or Nature domains.
Khostren
The Scuttling Darkness
Neutral Evil
Khostren and its faithful are loathed
throughout all known lands. This maligning of
the faith leads Khostren’s followers to be little
more than a well-organized cult, but like the
vermin sacred to the vile god, these followers
hide in the darkness and emerge only during
times of sickness and fear.
Disease, rot, and parasites are the tools
through which Khostren’s clerics enact his
will in the world. Corpses in particular have
great use to Khostren’s priests, who use them
as incubators for sicknesses and the horrible
creatures that would feast upon them.
Khostren’s symbol is a bloated black fly. His
wretched priests are often mad and choose
the Madness* domain as a result. Others
devote themselves to the Trickery domain to
better hide in society.
Nessek
The Bright Flame
Neutral
Nessek is a popular fire deity that is also the
matron goddess of sorcery. Possessing
numerous aspects all related to fire and its
power, Nessek is worshiped by myriad
cultures and societies. Among the barbaric
orc and goblin societies, she is a deity of
destruction whose use of fire to ravage cities
is lauded. Conversely, humble blacksmiths
might offer a small prayer to Nessek to
ensure their forges light after a hard rain.
Like the fire she represents, Nessek herself is
mercurial and wild. Nessek’s clerics represent
any possible aspect of her as a result, using
fire to light hearths, smite enemies, and
cleanse sickness all in the same day.
Nessek is represented by a crown of flame.
Her clerics choose either the Light or Forge*
domains.
Orcus
Demon Prince of the Undead
Chaotic Evil
Bloated, vile Orcus has long plagued the
world with the curse of undeath. Orcus
himself is much like other demons, a wild and
untamed force of destruction that can
nevertheless be calculating and cunning when
the time calls for it. Orcus despises the living
above all else, calling upon his clerics to do
the same.
Few religions are more hated than that of
Orcus, whose temples manage to pop up like
festering boils throughout the land even after
determined crusades. Wherever the undead
are found, it is likely that the hand of Orcus is
not far from the budding infestation – if not
behind the plague, then at the very least
interested in its expansion.
The symbol of Orcus is that of his fabled rod, a
skull-headed mace. His clerics almost
invariably choose the Death domain, though
some choose War.
Orcus: Demon Prince or God?
In most D&D settings, Orcus is listed as the
demon prince of undeath – itself not a
pedestrian title. In Ghostwalk, this foul
entity has the powers of true godhood. Is it
due to some cosmological secret which
grants him greater influence in this world,
or is the line between demon prince and
lesser deity blurred? Can he be met in
battle and defeated by paragons of
heroism, or is his power so great that he
sweeps mortal challengers aside like so
much dust?
Phaant
The Dark Fate
Lawful Evil
Formerly a goddess of good fortune, Phaant
grew insular and resentful after her partner,
Galaedros, spurned her in favor of his godly
works. Bad luck and ill fate now dominate her
sphere of influence, and the people of
Manifest recognize her in their prayers if only
to ward her dire gaze away from their efforts.
Clerics of Phaant believe that the pendulum of
fortune inevitably swings to undesirable
outcomes. Bad luck is like a force of nature in
their doctrine, as one cannot blame a
hurricane for being what it is. Such clerics are
dark humored, cynical, and callous.
Phaant’s religious iconography is a trio of
overlapping diamonds, sometimes affixed
into a crown or other headdress. Her clerics
usually choose Trickery as their domain.
Soggelos
The Blue
Chaotic Good
Soggelos is a friendly and beloved ocean deity
worshiped by coastal communities near
Manifest. Deeply caring and attentive to his
worshipers, Soggelos watches over the
faithful as they ply the waters for fish, sail to
distant ports bearing trade goods, or battle
dark terrors that live beneath the waves.
Soggelos has no patience for those who abuse
the sea or its bounty. Even such irreverent
merchant princes leave offerings at a port’s
Soggelos shrine before a voyage, hoping it
will assuage the god’s wrath should they be
forced to dump something overboard.
The symbol of Soggelos is a blue octopus
stylized into an eight pointed star. His clerics
prefer the Life domain, but some of his more
fanatical avengers are known to choose the
Tempest domain.
Tephaneron
The Iron General
Chaotic Neutral
A callous and brutish deity, Tephaneron is the
lord of war. Even complex strategy is deemed
the pursuit of frail scholars who are too
fearful to lead from the front. In Tephaneron’s
doctrine, there is no challenge that cannot be
overcome through force of arms. If the
faithful fall in battle, then they simply were
not strong enough.
Tephaneron is naturally popular among
barbarians and warlike monster tribes.
Despite a disdain for military discipline,
Tephaneron’s clerics adhere to a hierarchy of
commanders, generals, and warlords. The
strongest of Tephaneron’s faithful is the
vessel of the god’s will, until another comes
along to displace them in battle.
The weapon and symbol of Tephaneron is the
axe, etched with four outward-pointing
triangles. As befits the god of battle, most of
his clerics choose the War domain.
Uhanam
The Master Strategist
Lawful Neutral
The complete antithesis to Tephaneron’s
brute confidence, Uhanam is the patron of
skill, magic, careful study, and caution. Hers is
a popular religion in civilized lands due to an
emphasis on education, with many schools
possessing a small shrine to Unaham
somewhere on the grounds.
Military academies also hold Unaham in high
regard due to her fondness for superior
strategies and careful planning. It is
somewhat common for a commander to
employ a cleric of Unaham as their chief
tactician.
A scroll and a woodcarving knife together are
the symbol of Unaham. Her clerics usually
select the Arcana* or Knowledge domains.
Wyst
The Wanderer
Chaotic Good
Superstitious travelers always provide an
offering to roadside shrines dedicated to
Wyst the Wanderer. With her eye always on
those who walk unfamiliar paths, Wyst’s
symbol hangs from the yoke of every caravan
ox and the neck of every merchant who has
seen more than their share of brigand raids.
Wyst maintains few temples in the world
aside from the occasional wilderness shrine.
Her clerics wander the roads between cities,
offering their services as guides and healers
to those injured on the path. The goddess is
particularly popular among halflings, whose
wanderlust is considered a holy purpose
among the priesthood.
The symbol of Wyst is a boot print in the
center of a compass rose. Her clerics favor the
spear not only for its defensive capabilities,
but also its use as a walking stick. Many
choose Nature as their domain.
Feats
Designer Notes
The 3rd Edition of Ghostwalk, as with
many splatbooks of its era, was crammed
full of feats. Since 5th Edition relies less
heavily on feats to affect individual
character balance, you will note that the
vast majority of these feats were not
converted.
Circle Magic
Prerequisite: Ritual Casting class ability or
Ritual Caster feat.
You may lead a coven, cabal, or congregation
in ritual magic. Each participating member of
the ritual must be capable of spellcasting,
even if they do not meet the prerequisites of
this feat. A circle may consist of any number
of participants.
Over the course of 10 minutes, your circle
joins their power and draws symbols and
sigils respective to your magical tradition.
While so joined, participants cannot move at
greater than half speed and must remain
within the outer boundaries of the joined
circle, which cannot be greater than 50 feet in
diameter.
During the joining, every member of the circle
may cast rituals known by any other member
of the circle, provided they are capable of
casting spells of the respective level. For
example, if a 1st level wizard joins a 9th level
cleric in a circle, the wizard cannot cast the
cleric’s commune spell, but the cleric may cast
the wizard’s find familiar ritual!
Such rituals require any material components
required by the spell and take the usual
amount of time to cast as rituals (10 minutes
longer than the normal casting time).
Corrupter (Ghost)
Prerequisites: Ghost, Constitution 13+.
A ghost classified as a corrupter creates
harmful disruptions in both ectoplasm and
living tissue. While possessing a creature, you
may treat it as poisoned at your discretion.
When you hit with a melee weapon attack,
you may use your bonus action to expel a
portion of your tainted ectoplasm onto the
injury. The creature must succeed on a
Constitution saving throw or be poisoned
until the end of your next turn. The DC for
this saving throw is equal to 8 + your
proficiency bonus + your Constitution
modifier.
The hands of your ghostly form have an
unwholesome blue, gray, or black aura and
you leave damp ectoplasmic prints on
whatever you touch. You cannot suppress this
effect.
Dominator (Ghost)
Prerequisites: Ghost, Charisma 13+.
Creatures have disadvantage on their saving
throws against your possession attempts, and
you may possess objects up to one size
smaller or larger than yourself. While
possessing a creature or object, you may use
your action to force it to make a single attack
against a creature you can see.
If you are possessing a creature, it uses its
attack bonus to resolve this attack. If you are
possessing an object, you make a melee spell
attacking using Charisma as your ability
modifier for attack and damage. The object
deals damage according to its size; a Tiny
object deals 1d4 damage, a Small object deals
1d8 damage, a Medium object deals 2d6
damage, a Large object deals 2d10 damage,
and a Huge object (should you become
capable of possessing it) deals 2d12 damage.
The head of your ghostly form adopts an
unwholesome dark halo and your voice
echoes with malevolence. You cannot
suppress this effect.
Haunt (Ghost)
Prerequisites: Ghost, Wisdom 13+.
Haunts are ghosts that specialize in
frightening victims or affecting emotions.
Whenever you are incorporeal and not
possessing a creature or object, you may use
your action to terrify creatures of your choice
that can see you and are within 60 feet. Such
creatures must succeed on a Wisdom saving
throw or be frightened. The DC for this saving
throw is equal to 8 + your proficiency bonus +
your Wisdom modifier. The creature may
repeat this saving throw at the end of each of
its turns to end the effect. Once you have used
this ability, you cannot do so again until you
have completed a short or long rest.
Furthermore, when you are possessing a
creature, you may elect to give the creature
advantage or disadvantage on Wisdom saving
throws. This does not use an action of any
kind.
Your eyes turn black or have a hollow,
frightful appearance. You cannot suppress
this effect.
Poltergeist (Ghost)
Prerequisite: Ghost, Strength 13+.
Poltergeists are those ghosts who affect the
material world in unexpected ways. You learn
the mage hand cantrip, though the hand itself
is invisible when you use this spell.
Furthermore, you inflict full damage to
creatures with melee weapon attacks while
incorporeal, provided your attack is
otherwise capable of penetrating resistances
or immunities.
There is a constant light movement of air in
your presence and unattended objects might
tremble in your vicinity. You cannot suppress
this effect.
Shaper (Ghost)
Prerequisites: Ghost, Intelligence 13+.
Shapers are masters of forming their
ectoplasm into unusual configurations. You
may use your action to polymorph into any
object of your size or smaller. You may
concentrate to remain in this state for up to
1 hour but may cease concentration on it at
any time. If you are incorporeal when you use
this feat, you become material for the
duration of your concentration. If you suffer
any damage while in this state, you
immediately return to your normal form. The
object you imitate must be familiar to you and
its true nature can only be discerned through
determined investigation. The DC for any
relevant Intelligence (Investigation) checks is
8 + your proficiency bonus + your Intelligence
modifier.
Furthermore, you may adjust your ectoplasm
to appear as though you died of natural
causes, masking the truth behind your
gruesome demise. This can be done as an
action and does not require concentration,
lasting as long as you desire.
Objects you handle or inhabit sometimes
experience unusual temperature or color
changes for a few moments. You cannot
suppress this effect.
Traveler (Ghost)
Prerequisite: Ghost, Dexterity 13+.
Your ectoplasm is slippery and moves with
unearthly speed. Your base walking speed
increases by 5 feet and you have advantage
on Strength (Athletics) or Dexterity
(Acrobatics) checks made to initiate or escape
a grapple.
When you use the Dash action, you ignore the
effects of difficult terrain imposed either by
environment, moving through objects, or
moving through creatures until the end of
your turn.
Your rapid movements sometimes leave
ghostly afterimages. These images are not
sufficient to fool onlookers to mislead them.
You cannot suppress this effect.
Equipment and Services
undead, such as wraiths and nightwalkers.
Goods
This ectoplasm costs ten times as much for a
The following items are available in most
similar quantity. Living creatures who handle
markets of Manifest, though their relatively
dark ectoplasm must succeed on a DC 13
high prices put them out of reach of the
Constitution saving throw for each round of
average consumer.
unprotected skin-to-skin contact or have
Ectoplasm their maximum hit points reduced by 1d6
until they complete a long rest.
Trade Good
25 gp, 1 lb. Dark ectoplasm is also a virulent poison to
ghosts, to which they are not resistant. A
Ectoplasm is a quasi-ethereal substance
ghost affected by dark ectoplasm, whether
created by exposure to ethereal sources. It is
splashed upon their bodies or coated upon a
the primary component of incorporeal
weapon, forces the ghost to make a DC 16
creatures and their semi-corporeal bodies,
Constitution saving throw or have their
though there are various types of ectoplasm
maximum hit points reduced by 4d6 until
reliant on the source itself. Ectoplasm has a
they complete a long rest. If a ghost is
peculiar, almost alcohol smell and has a slight
reduced to a maximum hit point value or zero
gel-like consistency. When subjected to
or fewer, they are destroyed and return as a
temperature gradients on the Material Plane,
wraith at midnight.
it can range from stringy and tough to
liquidous and runny. Ghost Touch Equipment
Raw ectoplasm is that left behind when ghosts Adventuring Gear, Armor, or Weapon
and similar incorporeal entities are Cost varies, weight varies
destroyed. It can also be harvested from
The industries and services developed in
places in the Ethereal Plane, though such
Manifest over the centuries required goods
ventures are extremely dangerous. Raw
that were useful to ghosts. Though in
ectoplasm is unstable and evaporates into
Manifest proper this is not a significant
nothingness when brought onto the Material
concern, ghosts venturing beyond the borders
Plane without an anchor, such as being part of
of the city might find themselves unable to
a ghost’s manifested body. Such evaporation
utilize their precious equipment. The
completes within 10 minutes, regardless of
development of ghost touch equipment was
the quantity.
an immediate success in Manifest’s markets,
Raw ectoplasm can be converted into stable though the process for creating such
ectoplasm through use of the preserve equipment is neither easy nor cheap.
ectoplasm spell. Such enchantment is
Ghost touch is a quality that can be applied to
permanent and allows the ectoplasm to be
any piece of equipment, from torches to
stored in containers long term without risk of
swords and armor. Typically, only durable
evaporation or spoilage. When purchasing or
goods and gear are worth the investment –
finding a quantity of ectoplasm in storage, it is
though there may be a situational use for a
always stable ectoplasm.
ghost touch lantern, it is much simpler to cast
Much rarer dark ectoplasm is created by the the humble light spell than invest in such a
passage or destruction of powerful evil luxury item.
Ghost touch equipment can be touched and
held by incorporeal ghosts and other such
entities (but not fully ethereal ones!). When
such equipment is worn or held, it counts as
either corporeal or incorporeal, whichever is
of greater use to the one carrying it at the
time.
For example, the ghost of a fallen knight
invests in a suit of ghost touch plate armor to
protect them when out searching for their
killer. The ghost is rendered incorporeal
through the rigors of their journey, but the
armor remains on their form and does not
drop to the ground. Further, when the ghost
attempts to pass through a door, the armor
will travel with them without inhibiting them.
Though this is a magical quality produced by
alchemical processes involving raw
ectoplasm and ritual incantations, ghost touch
equipment is not considered magical for
purposes of overcoming damage resistances
or immunities except when applied to
incorporeal creatures. Thus, the
aforementioned ghost touch longsword can
strike a wraith or incorporeal ghost character
and ignore its resistances accordingly, it does
not allow them to damage a golem unless the
longsword were also made of adamantine or
enchanted with magical bonuses.
The exact cost for a ghost touch item varies
based on the supplier. When in doubt, a
common mundane item is considered a
common magic item, a piece of combat
equipment such as a sword or suit of armor is
considered an uncommon magic item, and a
specialized tool or apparatus is considered a
rare magic item for purposes of determining
average cost.
Mortician’s Tools
Tools
50 gp, 2 lbs.
Available in a select few specialty stores in
Manifest and beyond, mortician’s tools are
used by undertakers throughout the land to
prepare a body for burial or conduct
autopsies. While there is some overlap with a
healer’s kit as it relates to the components of
the toolkit, an emphasis on less-than-savory
means makes a mortician an impromptu
savior at best.
When hard pressed, a set of mortician’s tools
allows a DC 10 Medicine check made with
disadvantage to stabilize or heal living
individuals. The tools may be used to perform
the same activities on ghost creatures
without disadvantage.
Components. A set of mortician’s tools
consists of a trio of heavy gauge needles, a
spool of tough thread, several bundles of
bandages, a bone saw, embalming fluids,
several sets of eye caps, and a sharp scalpel.
Arcana, Investigation. Your familiarity with
the dead allows forensic investigations of
corpses or undead to determine how they
died or what spell might be used to animate
the corpse.
History, Religion. Knowledge of various
cultures’ burial rites and superstitions
surrounding death may grant one insight on
preparing corpses without offending
members of that culture.
Medicine. Proficiency with mortician’s tools
grants you knowledge about preparing
corpses for display or burial in accordance
with traditions you know and understand.
You are also familiar with the various types of
rot and infection that are prevalent around
corpses and how to cleanse the body of them
after handling the dead.
Shellcraft Manikin
Adventuring Gear
250 gp, 40 to 80 lbs.
A specialized vessel for ghosts who wish to
travel beyond the Manifest Ward and still
maintain control over a physical form, the
shellcraft manikin is an object specially-
prepared to allow incorporeal habitation. As
an action, a ghost can enter the shellcraft
manikin and take control of it or leave a
manikin they are currently inhabiting. Only a
single ghost can inhabit a manikin at a time.
While controlling the manikin, the ghost is
considered manifested for purposes of
wearing or wielding equipment. The ghost
uses its own ability scores for purposes of
affecting the world around it through the
manikin, though the ghost suffers
disadvantage on Strength and Dexterity
ability checks due to the clumsy nature of the
shell. Damage inflicted upon the manikin is
directly transposed onto the ghost inhabiting
the body, affecting them as though they were
a corporeal entity.
If the inhabiting ghost is reduced to zero hit
points while inhabiting a manikin, the
manikin is damaged and must be repaired by
paying half of its cost in supplies or through a
successful tool proficiency check with tinker’s
tools over the course of a short rest. The
mending spell, similarly applied multiple
times throughout a short rest, can achieve the
same effect. While damaged in this way, a
ghost cannot inhabit the manikin.
The creator of a manikin crafts it in a manner
suitable to their clientele, ranging in size from
halfling to half-orc and with accompanying
stylizing and features.
Spirit Tree Resin
Adventuring Gear
250 gp, 1 lb.
The resin of the spirit trees that ring the city
of Manifest has many valuable properties, not
the least of which is the creation of ghost
touch equipment. Though it is possibly to
extract this substance safely and responsibly
for use, the elves who inhabit the Spirit Wood
fiercely guard the trees and there are
constant raids against illicit collectors.
Services
In a land with such an unusual proliferation
of ghosts, entire service industries are born
around the need to cater to the souls of the
deceased.
Body Housing
2 gp per day
Due to the mercurial fates of the adventuring
life, it may behoove one to put their body into
preserved storage for a time while their ghost
ventures elsewhere. This service pays for the
preservation and safe-keeping of a single
corpse for an allotted period of time.
Hosting, Typical
1 sp per hour
Certain pleasures are denied to ghosts, even
manifested ones. Flavors are dulled, thirst
cannot truly be quenched, and tactile
sensation feels as if experienced through a
thick blanket. There are services provided by
willing individuals to allow possession for a
predetermined frame of time, which then
allows the ghost to experience some of the
joys and sensations of life.
Hosting, Superior
1+ gp per hour
While a common host is generally easy to
locate in Manifest, some ghosts prefer host
bodies of a particular demeanor or
appearance that is not readily available. With
a superior host, a ghost might be able to
attend high society parties, enjoy exotic foods
and delights, or even indulge in licentious or
narcotic desires.
There also exist specialized mercenaries who
hire out to ghosts in order to act as hosts for
long journeys beyond Manifest or to act as a
very unusual manner of bodyguard. This
category of host is considered superior for
purposes of pricing.
Spells
Pleasant visage
New Magic
Preserve ectoplasm
The development of specialized magic for
dealing with or for use by ghosts was 2nd Level
inevitable after the founding of Manifest. Black lungs
Herein are contained a bevy of converted Delay manifestation
spells, grouped by the list on which they Stone bones
appear, followed by their individual
3rd Level
descriptions.
Blessing of the Snake Mother
Designer Notes Corporeal shift
Death lock
There are some spells that didn’t make the Dispel possession
conversion cut. In some cases, these spells Ghost touch enchantment
were rolled into the effects of others that
were converted, such as forced 4th Level
incorporeality and forced manifestation Ghost bane weapon
becoming the single spell corporeal shift. Iron bones
In other cases, such as with mass Proper state
camouflage, the effects of other 5th Edition
8th level
spells were simply better or more easily
Surelife
applied (as is the case with mass
camouflage and pass without trace). Druid Spells
1st Level
Spell Lists Camouflage
Bard Spells Painless death
Preserve ectoplasm
1st Level
Bonerattle 3rd Level
Pleasant visage Dispel possession
Ghost companion
2nd Level Ghost touch enchantment
Disguise undead
Inchoate disharmonics 4th Level
Proper state
3rd Level
Song of the Calling Paladin Spells
Cleric Spells 3rd Level
Ghost companion
Cantrip
Disrupt ectoplasm 4th Level
Ghost bane weapon
1st Level Irresistible force
Create ectoplasm Unmovable object
Painless death
Ranger Spells 2nd Level
Death armor
1st Level
Death lock
Camouflage
Stone bones
2nd Level
3rd Level
Bottomless hate
Corporeal shift
3rd Level Ghost companion
Ghost companion Undead torch
Wall of ectoplasm
4th Level
Ghost bane weapon 4th Level
Iron bones
Sorcerer Spells
Wizard Spells
Cantrip
Disrupt ectoplasm Cantrip
Disrupt ectoplasm
1st Level
Create ectoplasm 1st Level
Pleasant visage Create ectoplasm
Preserve ectoplasm Pleasant visage
Preserve ectoplasm
2nd Level
Death armor 2nd Level
Shroud of undeath Death armor
Stone bones Delay manifestation
Disguise undead
3rd Level Shroud of undeath
Corporeal shift Stone bones
Death lock
Ectoplasmic decay 3rd Level
Ghost companion Death lock
Undead torch Dispel possession
Wall of ectoplasm Ectoplasmic decay
Ghost companion
4th Level Ghost touch enchantment
Iron bones Undead torch
Wall of ectoplasm
Warlock Spells
Cantrip 4th Level
Ghost bane weapon
Disrupt ectoplasm
Iron bones
1st Level
Pleasant visage
Preserve ectoplasm
Black Lungs
2nd level transmutation
Casting Time: 1 action
Range: 30 feet
Components: V, S
Duration: Concentration, up to 1 minute
You choose one creature in range that you
can see, which then attempts a Constitution
saving throw. On a failure, the target is
poisoned, and their speed is halved.
When the target attempts to make a Strength,
Dexterity, or Constitution saving throw, they
suffer disadvantage as they endure a fit of
agonized coughing. A successful saving throw
ends the effect of this spell.
Blessing of the Snake Mother
3rd level transmutation
Casting Time: 1 action
Range: Touch
Components: V, S, M (a dram of yuan-ti
ichor)
Duration: Concentration, up to 10 minutes
The recipient of this prayer undergoes a mild
transformation to temporarily adopt the
qualities of the yuan-ti, complete with narrow
pupils, sharpened fangs, and slender limbs.
The target becomes immune to poison and
adds 1d6 to the result of Dexterity,
Constitution, or Wisdom saving throws or
ability checks for the duration.
Bonerattle
1st level evocation
Casting Time: 1 action
Range: 30 feet
Components: V, S, M (a tiny bell carved from
bone)
Duration: Instant
A low rattle is heard upon completion of the
spell. Choose one creature within range that
has bones. The target must succeed on a
Constitution saving throw or suffer 5d4
points of force damage.
At higher levels. When you cast this spell
using a spell slot of 2nd level or higher, the
damage increases by 1d4 for each slot level
above 1st.
Camouflage
1st level transmutation
Casting Time: 1 action
Range: Self
Components: V, S
Duration: Concentration, up to 10 minutes
Your skin, hair, clothing, and armor magically
change color to blend in with your
environment. You add your spellcasting
ability modifier to the result of Dexterity
(Stealth) checks made for the duration, and
you may attempt to Hide when lightly
obscured.
Corporeal Shift
3rd level transmutation
Casting Time: 1 action
Range: 120 feet
Components: V, S
Duration: Concentration, up to 1 minute
You wreath a target manifested ghost in an
amber glow, forcing it to make a Charisma
saving throw. On a failed saving throw, the
creature is forced into an incorporeal state for
the duration of the spell.
Alternately, you target a ghost or incorporeal
creature and cloak it in a purple mist, forcing
it to make a Charisma saving throw. On a
failed saving throw, the creature is forced into
a manifested state for the duration of the
spell.
Create Ectoplasm
1st level conjuration
Casting Time: 1 action
Range: 30 feet
Components: V, S
Duration: Concentration, up to 1 minute
You conjure up to 5 pounds of raw ectoplasm
to fill a vessel or coat a 5 foot square surface
or an individual of up to Large size. At the
time of the casting, you opt to make the
ectoplasm sticky or slippery. An unwilling
target is allowed a Dexterity saving throw to
avoid the effect.
An individual coated in sticky ectoplasm has
advantage on saving throws or skill checks
associated with keeping their balance or
resisting slippage.
Individuals coated in slippery ectoplasm must
succeed on a Dexterity saving throw at the
start of their turn or fall prone. A surface
covered in either sticky or slippery ectoplasm
is difficult terrain.
Ectoplasm created through a casting of this
spell vanishes when the duration expires and
cannot be made stable.
Death Armor
2nd level necromancy
Casting Time: 1 action
Range: Self
Components: V, S, M (a paste made of herbs,
bone meal, and powdered onyx worth 50 gp)
Duration: 10 minutes
You draw a rune on your body to invoke this
spell and wreath your form in ashen shadows.
Whenever a creature within 5 feet of you hits
you with a melee attack, the creature suffers
1d6 necrotic damage and you gain that value
in temporary hit points.
At higher levels. When you cast this spell
using a spell slot of 3rd level or higher, the
damage increases by 1d6 for each spell level
above 2nd.
Death Lock
3rd level necromancy
Casting Time: 1 action
Range: 30 feet
Components: V, S
Duration: Concentration, up to 1 minute
You seal the fate of a humanoid creature you
can see within range. The target must make a
Wisdom saving throw. On a failed save, the
creature is marked by your spell for as long as
you concentrate.
If the creature dies while under the effects of
this spell, they immediately pass to the True
Afterlife and cannot become a ghost. The
dead creature can be returned to life
normally through other means.
Delay Manifestation
2nd level necromancy
Casting Time: 1 action
Range: 10 feet
Components: V, S
Duration: 1 hour
You indicate a single creature that is either
alive or already a ghost. The victim makes a
Charisma saving throw; if successful, this
spell has no effect. On a failed saving throw,
the victim is prevented from manifesting or
becoming a ghost for the duration of the spell.
Disguise Undead
2nd level illusion
Casting Time: 1 action
Range: Touch
Components: V, S, M (the cocoon of a death’s
head moth)
Duration: 1 hour
You touch a single undead creature and cloak
its form in illusion. Though you cannot
change the creature’s general configuration of
limbs apart from its true undead form, you
can cloak its appearance to seem alive, gird it
in armor it does not possess, or otherwise
modify how it appears to others.
This spell cannot cause the cloaked undead to
adopt mannerisms or speak, nor can it mask
their possible stench or how their flesh or
bone feels should someone touch the
creature.
A successful Intelligence saving throw made
by someone inspecting the creature visually
reveals the illusion for what it is.
At higher levels. When you cast this spell
using a spell slot of 3rd level or higher, you can
affect one additional undead creature for each
spell level above 2nd.
Dispel Possession
4th level abjuration
Casting Time: 1 action
Range: 30 feet
Components: V, S, M (powdered silver worth
1 gp)
Duration: Instant or 1 hour (see below)
Your incantation drives out a possessing
spirit from a host creature or end the effects
of any spell that charms or dominates the
creature. If the creature is not yet possessed
or charmed when you cast this spell, the
subject is immune to such abilities for the
next hour.
Disrupt Ectoplasm
Evocation cantrip
Casting Time: 1 action
Range: 30 feet
Components: V, S
Duration: Instant
You target a ghost or incorporeal creature
within range. The target must succeed on a
Constitution saving throw or suffer 1d6 force
damage and is rendered briefly corporeal,
nullifying its resistance to non-magical
bludgeoning, piercing, and slashing damage
until the end of your next turn.
This spell’s damage increases by 1d6 when
you reach 5th level (2d6), 11th level (3d6), and
17th level (4d6).
Ectoplasmic Decay
3rd level necromancy
Casting Time: 1 action
Range: 120 feet
Components: V, S, M (a flat, sharpened disk
made of resin)
Duration: Instant
You detonate a 20 foot radius burst of
necromantic energy at a point within range.
All ectoplasmic, incorporeal, or ethereal
creatures (including ghosts) in the area of
effect must succeed on a Constitution saving
throw or suffer 6d6 points of force damage
and be driven out of any creature or object
they are possessing. A successful saving
throw halves the damage suffered and does
not drive out a possessing spirit.
At higher levels. When you cast this spell
using a spell slot of 3rd level or higher, the
damage increases by 1d6 for each slot level
above 2nd.
Ghost Bane Weapon
4th level transmutation
Casting Time: 1 action
Range: Touch
Components: V, S
Duration: Concentration, up to 1 hour
You touch a single weapon and imbue it with
power to discorporate ghosts and incorporeal
undead. For the duration of the spell, such
creatures are vulnerable to damage inflicted
by the enchanted weapon. In addition, the
weapon is capable of striking those creatures
regardless of their resistances or immunities
to bludgeoning, piercing, or slashing damage.
If you enchant ammunition, you can affect up
to 50 arrows, crossbow bolts, or sling bullets
with a single casting of this spell.
Ghost Companion
2nd level necromancy (ritual)
Casting Time: 1 action
Range: Touch
Components: V, S
Duration: 7 days
You touch a single willing beast. The creature
dies and sheds its material form, becoming a
ghost. This ghost follows all the same rules as
player character ghosts and is loyal to you.
If you recast this spell on the ghost before the
duration expires, the duration is refreshed. If
the spell expires before it can be recast, or if
the ghostly form of the beast is reduced to
zero hit points, the beast’s ghost passes
beyond the Veil of Souls.
Ghost Touch Enchantment
3rd level enchantment (ritual)
Casting Time: 1 hour
Range: Touch
Components: V, S, M (1 pound of ectoplasm
per 10 pounds of item weight plus polished
resin from a spirit tree worth 250 gp, both of
which the spell consumes)
Duration: Instant
You enchant a single object with the ghost
touch quality. The object can be carried by
ghosts or incorporeal creatures that are not
ethereal, counting as a corporeal or
incorporeal object as is most convenient.
Ghost touched armor and equipment can be
carried by incorporeal ghosts without falling
away from their bodies, and ghost touch
weapons can strike incorporeal entities as
though the weapon were enchanted. For
more information on ghost touch equipment,
see the entry in the Equipment and Items
chapter.
Inchoate Disharmonics
2nd level evocation
Casting Time: 1 action
Range: 30 feet
Components: V, S, M (a silver tuning fork)
Duration: Instant
You blast a creature you can see with a
discordant wave of sound. The target must
succeed on a Constitution saving throw or
suffer 3d6 points of thunder damage. Half of
this damage is suffered by every creature
within 5 feet of the target. On a successful
saving throw, the damage suffered by the
initial target is halved and there is no residual
damage to surrounding creatures.
At higher levels. When you cast this spell
using a spell slot of 3rd level or higher, the
damage increases by 1d6 for each slot level
above 2nd.
Iron Bones
4th level transmutation
Casting Time: 1 action
Range: Touch
Components: V, S, M (a small figurine made
of iron)
Duration: 1 hour
You touch a single corporeal undead creature.
Its base AC becomes 18 for the duration of the
spell, but it does not benefit from Dexterity
bonuses to its AC. In addition, it has
resistance to damage from non-magical
bludgeoning, piercing, or slashing attacks for
the duration.
Irresistible Force
4th level evocation
Casting Time: 1 action
Range: Self
Components: V, S
Duration: Concentration, up to 1 minute
For the duration of the spell, you may move
through enemies or spaces where you would
need to squeeze without having your
movement halted or reduced. Hostile
creatures are either pushed 5 feet in a
direction of your choosing as you pass
through their spaces or risk a Strength saving
throw. If they succeed, they may halt your
movement through their space, though you
may otherwise continue moving. On a failure,
they suffer 4d6 force damage and are
knocked prone.
Painless Death
1st level necromancy (ritual)
Casting Time: 1 action
Range: Touch
Components: V, S
Duration: Instant
A single willing creature you touch instantly
dies, suffering no pain or discomfort.
Pleasant Visage
1st level illusion (ritual)
Casting Time: 1 action
Range: Touch
Components: V, S, M (a thimble of
ectoplasm)
Duration: 24 hours
You touch a single ghost and mask its obvious
wounds for the duration. The ghost is treated
as having died from natural causes for
purposes of its disturbing appearance, as
described under Ghost Appearances. A
successful Intelligence saving throw made by
a determined onlooker can see through the
illusion.
Preserve Ectoplasm
1st level transmutation
Casting Time: 1 action
Range: 30 feet
Components: V, S, M (a small loop of gold
wire)
Duration: Instant
You magically preserve and stabilize a single
contiguous quantity of ectoplasm, up to 20
pounds’ worth, preventing it from
evaporating. If cast upon a ghost or other
incorporeal creature, you restore 1d6 lost hit
points to the target.
Proper State
4th level necromancy
Casting Time: 1 minute
Range: 30 feet
Components: V, S, M (a crucible of silver
filled with holy water worth 250 gp)
Duration: Instant
Choose a single willing incorporeal undead
creature that is not a ghost, such as a wraith
or specter. The creature becomes a ghost,
shedding its previous nature and allowing it a
path toward eventual redemption. When
transformed in this way, the creature regains
its previous identity, ancestry, and class
levels, if any (though it is still a ghost).
As only humanoids can become ghosts, the
incorporeal undead must have once been a
living humanoid to be affected by this spell.
Shroud of Undeath
2nd level necromancy
Casting Time: 1 action
Range: Self
Components: V, S, M (dust or bone fragments
from any destroyed undead creature)
Duration: Concentration, up to 1 hour
Cloaked in the raiment of death, undead with
an Intelligence score of less than 8 perceive
you as a fellow undead creature. More
intelligent undead are allowed an Intelligence
saving throw to see through your shroud,
though what they do with this knowledge is
contingent on circumstances. Attacking any
undead creature while the shroud is in effect
immediately ends the spell.
Song of the Calling
3rd level abjuration
Casting Time: 1 action
Range: 60 feet
Components: V, S
Duration: Instant
You target a single ghost you can see that can
hear you, forcing it to make a Wisdom saving
throw. On a failure, it advances a single step
on the Calling track. A successful saving
throw negates the effect of this spell.
Designer Note
The original incarnation of song of the
Calling spelled instant doom for any ghost
player character on a failed saving throw.
As that is not in 5th Edition’s style, this
spell now advances the target along the
Calling track, subjecting them to the same
potential fate (just not all at once).
Stone Bones
2nd level transmutation
Casting Time: 1 action
Range: Touch
Components: V, S, M (a tiny stone carving of
a skeleton)
Duration: 1 hour
You touch a single corporeal undead creature.
Its base AC becomes 15 for the duration of the
spell. In addition, the creature becomes very
resilient, gaining advantage on Strength and
Constitution saving throws and ability checks
for the duration.
Surelife
8th level abjuration
Casting Time: 1 action
Range: Self
Components: V, S, M (an ointment of peach
syrup and cinnabar)
Duration: 1 hour
You shield yourself against the inevitable
death caused by a single condition, such as
plunging to the bottom of a canyon or being
immersed in lava. On the first occurrence of
the triggering damage or event, you suffer no
damage at all from the effect. The spell then
immediately ends.
Should the effect continue, such as remaining
immersed in lava or suffocating at the bottom
of the sea, you are subject to the
consequences as normal.
Undead Torch
3rd level necromancy
Casting Time: 1 action
Range: 60 feet
Components: V, S, M (a living or dead firefly
or glowworm)
Duration: Concentration, up to 1 minute
You target a corporeal undead creature
within range and cause it to blaze with
necrotic flame. It sheds light as a torch and its
successful melee attacks inflict an additional
2d6 necrotic damage.
If the targeted undead is destroyed, it bursts
in a cloud of necrotic flame, forcing creatures
within 5 feet of it to succeed on a Dexterity
saving throw or suffer 2d6 necrotic damage.
A successful saving throw negates this
damage.
Unstoppable Force
4th level evocation
Casting Time: 1 action
Range: Self
Components: V, S
Duration: Concentration, up to 1 minute
You plant your feet and become a bastion of
defense. Your speed is reduced to zero and
you cannot be moved by any extrinsic means,
nor can you be knocked prone.
While rooted, you gain a +2 bonus to your AC
and advantage on Strength, Dexterity, and
Constitution saving throws. Should you wish
to move under your own power or go prone,
this spell immediately ends.

Wall of Ectoplasm
3rd level conjuration
Casting Time: 1 action
Range: 120 feet
Components: V, S, M (a cube of resin and a
drop of oil)
Duration: Concentration, up to 1 minute
A contiguous sheet of ectoplasm appears with
at least one edge upon a solid surface within
range. You can make the wall up to 60 feet
long, 20 feet high, and 1 foot thick, or a ringed
wall up to 20 feet in diameter, 20 feet high,
and 1 foot thick. The wall is opaque and lasts
for the duration.
The sheet of ectoplasm is impenetrable to
both corporeal and incorporeal entities, but it
can be attacked and destroyed. A single five
foot square section of ectoplasmic wall has an
AC of 8 and 30 hit points. Passing through a
destroyed section of wall counts as difficult
terrain due to the strands of clinging
ectoplasm that continue to inhibit passage
despite the torn barrier.