Haunting 101

Chapter 2: Haunting 101 - The Basics

Atmospherics & Ambiance

Your goal is to create a pervasive sense of unease. Subtlety is key:

Unexplained Cold Spots: Concentrate your existential dread and feelings of unfinished business into a single area, such as the top of the stairs. Hold it for 15-20 seconds. The living will feel a sudden chill. It's the spiritual equivalent of leaving the fridge door open.
Disembodied Sounds: Tip! Start small.
- Level 1 (Beginner): A single floorboard creak. A faint sigh. The sound of footsteps in an empty attic.
- Level 2 (Intermediate): Muffled whispering. The distinct sound of a cupboard door opening in the kitchen. A single, poignant musical note from a dusty piano.
- Level 3 (Advanced): A bloodcurdling scream. (Use sparingly! This is a showstopper and can cause residents to move out prematurely, leaving you with no one to bother).

Object Manipulation (OM)

Interacting with the physical world is the cornerstone of a classic haunting.

Doors: The easiest object to start with due to their hinges. A gentle push of energy is all it takes to make one creak slowly open or slam shut in a breeze.

Books & Knick-Knacks: Causing an object to fall from a shelf is a guaranteed startle. Choose an object with personal meaning for maximum psychological impact (e.g., the "Live, Laugh, Love" sign they just hung up).

Advanced OM: Stacking dining chairs on the table is considered the final exam for this course. Do not attempt until you can confidently rattle a set of keys.

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