Page 74 - Hunter the Vigil - Mortal Remains

A SHROudEd PAST

is the key to understanding them. After all, the
haunted tend to be much more closed-mouthed THE TWILIGHT NETW ORK
about the ghost over their shoulder than any other
aspect of their existence.
While some hunters see these entities as the key While ghostwalkers lack any sort of formalized government
to understanding ghostwalkers, others believe their or organization, they do have a number of ways they
ability to rise from the dead may be a sign that the communicate with each other over long distances. Graffiti,
haunted is a type of mummy. A ghostwalker’s abil- scratched symbols into pavement, and messages written on
ity to resurrect is one of his defining characteristics the backs of protest signs have been shared by ghostwalkers
— but he’s not the only monster to have this power. for hundreds of years. Today, that method of communication
Tragically, the haunted aren’t the only creatures that has expanded online, where ghostwalkers frequent any
can return from the grave, but are they monsters? number of message boards to exchange information.
Ghostwalkers are fairly unique in the sense that they Though Ghostwalkers don’t have anything that resembles
seem to live again. a unifying purpose, word does get out if they feel threatened,
Unlike vampires who cannot stand up to intense or if they’ve identified a dangerous target. Hunters who are
scrutiny for more than a few moments, ghostwalkers used to dealing with more isolated and distrustful monsters
always do. Rising from the dead is usually a one-time may be in for a surprise should they manage to find out how
deal, but the majority of hunters don’t know that. well-connected the haunted really are.
Even so, information about this type of resurrection
isn’t something ghostwalkers offer freely, as they
aren’t willing to spill all of their secrets. After all, dividually, as opposed to stereotyping them. If they don’t, they
ghostwalkers have no discernable weakness. For all that they may find they’re not equipped to deal with the consequences
are, some hunters think they’re a force of nature; a spirit — or their powers. Worse, hunters who don’t approach a group
elemental that has control over the invisible world of the dead. of ghostwalkers carefully may have a hard time dealing with the
So what are these amalgams, exactly? Are ghostwalkers fact that they’re either making a situation worse than it could
simply people who have been infected by ectoplasm somehow? be — or that they’re hurting other human beings who want the
Mediums? Something else entirely? Based on interviews with same thing they do.
ghostwalkers, their revelations make them sound like mediums
who act like ghosts. Hunters know, however, that ghosts and Systems
mediums can’t raise people from the dead. Ghosts can possess,
certainly, but all attempts to banish a haunted’s spirit results in All ghostwalkers possess certain innate supernatural
total failure. Not only does the ritual fail, anyone who tries to powers that suggest they’re part-ghost or part-undead. Despite
separate a ghost from a ghostwalker will quickly find out just the possession and use of these powers, the haunted are living
how angry she can get. Attempts by the Long Night in Arkansas beings. Their abilities follow:
to deal with the Jack o’ Lanterns, for example, weren’t just a Resistance to drugs and poison. Ghostwalkers have
“miss”— they were disastrous. an easier time resisting drugs and poison than normal
Unfortunately for hunters, direct communication with humans, and apply an additional five dice to any rolls
a ghostwalker’s spirit will seem impossible because it is; the to fight off the effects. Should they suffer from either, a
haunted are often very touchy about their personal ghosts. This ghostwalker can’t slip into unconsciousness as a result.
has led some cells to assume that demons — not ghosts — lend
these people their power. At least one cell claims ghostwalkers Resilience to unconscious states. They cannot be
are not out to help ghosts, they are out to ensure those who be- forced into unconsciousness under any circumstances.
long in hell wind up there, and are acting on a demon’s orders. Ghostwalkers do not fall unconscious unless their last
To what end? Most hunters haven’t figured out why a ghost- health level is filled with aggravated damage, at which
walker does what he does. Perhaps he’s making amends for all point they die. Briefly.
the sins he committed in his former life, or he’s hoping to earn
a coveted place in whatever afterlife he may be destined for. Ability to resurrect. Ghostwalkers who die can come
Scientifically-minded hunters, like those of the Null back from the dead. This happens at dawn or dusk,
Mysteriis, point out that a ghostwalker’s behavior seems to be but doesn’t happen on a precise clock. Upon their
religiously motivated. Others argue that ghostwalkers signed resurrection, a ghostwalker is badly hurt, and her
a pact with demons or may be suffering from a supernatural wound track is filled with lethal damage; her return will
obsession that, when resolved, will restore a ghostwalker’s cause the death of a nearby non-supernatural human.
humanity in full. None, however, will dispute that ghostwalkers Her animating force determines who the victim will be,
who have such fixations tend to follow them rigidly, and and some coincidence (or accident) causes the victim’s
without exception. death. A haunted can rise up to five times in this
Regardless of the reasons behind a ghostwalker’s existence, manner. Unlike mummies, ghostwalkers retain their
it’s important for hunters to think of (and treat) each one in- memories upon their return.

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