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:''For other uses of the term, see [[Wraith (disambiguation)]].''
[[File:Avenging_Wraith.jpg|thumb|[[Rage (card game)|Rage]] card depicting an avenging wraith.]]
 
A '''Wraith''' is the soul of a person who has died unfulfilled and now haunts the [[Shadowlands (cWOD)|Shadowlands]].
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A '''wraith''' is a ghost, the soul of a person who has died unfulfilled and now haunts the [[Shadowlands (WOD)|Shadowlands]].
   
 
==Overview==
 
==Overview==
   
For some reason, known or unknown to the wraith, they are still tied to the living world (the [[Skinlands]]) and cannot pass on to the ineffable afterworld. They are the subject of the ''[[Wraith: The Oblivion]]'' roleplaying line. Wraiths are confined to the [[Underworld (cWOD)|Underworld]], a parallel reality which is tangentially connected to the living world, but distinct with its own laws and physics.
+
For some reason, known or unknown to the wraith, they are still tied to the living world (the [[Skinlands]]) and cannot pass on to the ineffable afterworld. They are the subject of the ''[[Wraith: The Oblivion]]'' roleplaying line. Wraiths are confined to the [[Underworld (WOD)|Underworld]], a parallel reality which is tangentially connected to the living world, but distinct with its own laws and physics.
   
About 5% of people becomes wraiths after death in time of relative calm. Far more in times of great calamity and suffering. For example, there were about one million active wraiths in [[London (cWoD)|London]] [[Necropolis (WTO)|Necropolis]] before the [[Great Maelstrom]]. In the World of Darkness, it is plausible a sizable percentage instantly becomes [[Spectre]]s at the time of their death.
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About 5% of people becomes wraiths after death in time of relative calm.''<sup>[<nowiki/>[[citation needed]]]</sup>'' Far more in times of great calamity and suffering. For example, there were about one million active wraiths in [[London (WOD)|London]] [[Necropolis (WTO)|Necropolis]] before the [[Great Maelstrom]]. In the World of Darkness, it is plausible a sizable percentage instantly becomes [[Spectre (WTO)|Spectres]] at the time of their death.
   
== Attributes ==
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=== Attributes ===
   
Physically, a wraith is a coherent "body" of [[plasm (WTO)|plasm]], the substance that makes up the majority of the Underworld. Plasm is a nonmaterial "stuff" that houses the wraith's soul and which the wraith unconsciously shapes into a form resembling their living body (often somewhat exaggerated, and incorporating [[Deathmark]]s). The wraith's [[Corpus]], their body-equivalent, can be changed by [[Moliate]] or through [[soulforging]] and has only a loose relationship to what the living would think of as a body. Most wraiths are solid plasm - which is to say that if a wraith were chopped in two, there would be no internal organs, just a consistent mass of "stuff" throughout the body.
+
Physically, a wraith is a coherent "body" of [[plasm (WTO)|plasm]], the substance that makes up the majority of the Underworld. Plasm is a non-material "stuff" that houses the wraith's soul and which the wraith unconsciously shapes into a form resembling their living body (often somewhat exaggerated, and incorporating [[Deathmark]]s). The wraith's [[Corpus]], their body-equivalent, can be changed by [[Moliate]] or through [[soulforging]] and has only a loose relationship to what the living would think of as a body. Most wraiths are solid plasm - which is to say that if a wraith were chopped in two, there would be no internal organs, just a consistent mass of "stuff" throughout the body.
   
 
Wraithly bodies are subject to their own distinct metaphysics; in the Shadowlands and [[Tempest]], they obey local rules of gravity, but under certain conditions can pass through material things (informally called the [[rule of ouch]]). Plasm can also be used to manufacture objects and many of the items in wraithly society are comprised of other wraiths.
 
Wraithly bodies are subject to their own distinct metaphysics; in the Shadowlands and [[Tempest]], they obey local rules of gravity, but under certain conditions can pass through material things (informally called the [[rule of ouch]]). Plasm can also be used to manufacture objects and many of the items in wraithly society are comprised of other wraiths.
   
The wraithly mind is divided into two parts, the [[Psyche]] and the [[Shadow (WTO)|Shadow]]. After death, the negative, self-loathing and self-defeating parts of a wraith's personality form a distinct archetypal personality of their own. This personality, the Shadow, is in communion with the darker forces of the [[Labyrinth (WTO)|Labyrinth]] and serves as a constant foil and antagonist to the Psyche. The Psyche, in turn, is the wraith's original personality, or at least the parts of its personality that retains its humanity and sense of survival or will to live. Wraiths have a higher, positive personality as well, usually termed the [[Eidolon]]. In the modern era, the Eidolon is generally fairly weak due to the severe suffering and cynicism in the world and most wraiths are only marginally aware that they have one.
+
The wraithly mind is divided into two parts, the [[Psyche]] and the [[Shadow (WTO)|Shadow]]. After death, the negative, self-loathing and self-defeating parts of a wraith's personality form a distinct archetypal personality of their own. This personality, the Shadow, is in communion with the darker forces of the [[Labyrinth (WTO)|Labyrinth]] and serves as a constant foil and antagonist to the Psyche. The Psyche, in turn, is the wraith's original personality, or at least the parts of its personality that retains its humanity and sense of survival or will to live. Wraiths have a higher, positive personality as well, usually termed the [[Eidolon (WTO)|Eidolon]]. In the modern era, the Eidolon is generally fairly weak due to the severe suffering and cynicism in the world and most wraiths are only marginally aware that they have one.
   
 
For a wraith to exist in the first place, it must be bound to the living world by one or more [[Fetter (WTO)|Fetters]]. Fetters are objects (or creatures) in the living world to which the wraith is connected and that keep it from passing on. Fetters are a mixed blessing for wraiths - allowing them to interact with the living world, but also binding them to it.
 
For a wraith to exist in the first place, it must be bound to the living world by one or more [[Fetter (WTO)|Fetters]]. Fetters are objects (or creatures) in the living world to which the wraith is connected and that keep it from passing on. Fetters are a mixed blessing for wraiths - allowing them to interact with the living world, but also binding them to it.
   
== Pathos and Angst ==
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=== Pathos and Angst ===
   
 
A wraith's psyche feeds on [[Pathos]], the energy of emotion. Each wraith has several [[Passion (WTO)|Passions]], the emotions which are most tightly connected to its personality. Experiencing these emotions, even vicariously, provides the psyche with energy that the wraith can then use for various purposes.
 
A wraith's psyche feeds on [[Pathos]], the energy of emotion. Each wraith has several [[Passion (WTO)|Passions]], the emotions which are most tightly connected to its personality. Experiencing these emotions, even vicariously, provides the psyche with energy that the wraith can then use for various purposes.
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The Shadow also has energy, called [[Angst]], which it can acquire by fulfilling its own passions. These [[Dark Passion]]s are generally contrary to the wraith's own goals.
 
The Shadow also has energy, called [[Angst]], which it can acquire by fulfilling its own passions. These [[Dark Passion]]s are generally contrary to the wraith's own goals.
   
== Lifecycle and Types of Wraiths ==
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=== Lifecycle and Types of Wraiths ===
   
Wraithly status is defined by a combination of age, maintenance of one's Fetters and Willpower. The lowest form of wraith is a [[Drone (WTO)|Drone]], a wraith that does not have any Willpower or personal identity, drones are condemened to eternally act out their personal tragedies and are tightly bound to their Passions and Fetters. Having no personality or self-will, they are usually converted into raw materials as soon as they are found.
+
Wraithly status is defined by a combination of age, maintenance of one's Fetters and Willpower. The lowest form of wraith is a [[Drone (WTO)|Drone]], a wraith that does not have any Willpower or personal identity, drones are condemned to eternally act out their personal tragedies and are tightly bound to their Passions and Fetters. Having no personality or self-will, they are usually converted into raw materials as soon as they are found.
   
 
Self-aware wraiths begin as [[Enfant]]s; when a person dies, its soul is reborn in the Underworld covered in a layer of plasm called a [[caul (WTO)|caul]]. The caul acts as a cocoon that keeps the wraith docile until it is removed, a few wraiths remove their cauls themselves, but the majority of cauls are removed by another wraith, traditionally called a [[Reaper (WTO)|Reaper]].
 
Self-aware wraiths begin as [[Enfant]]s; when a person dies, its soul is reborn in the Underworld covered in a layer of plasm called a [[caul (WTO)|caul]]. The caul acts as a cocoon that keeps the wraith docile until it is removed, a few wraiths remove their cauls themselves, but the majority of cauls are removed by another wraith, traditionally called a [[Reaper (WTO)|Reaper]].
   
Young wraiths are called [[Lemure]]s, with the distinction between a young and an older wraith primarily being Fetters. A [[Domem]] is a wraith whose Fetters are all destroyed, preventing them from staying in the Shadowlands for any period of time - while Domemhood generally implies age, a wraith can become a Domem while still very young, all it requires is that their Fetters be destroyed. A [[Gaunt]] is an older wraith who has [[Fetter resolution|resolved]] one or more of its Fetters and still maintains them. Gaunts are significantly more powerful (and generally more canny) than Domems and are consequently more respected in wraithly society, though there are rare exceptions, such as the [[Deathlord (WTO)|Deathlords]].
+
Young wraiths are called [[Lemure]]s, with the distinction between a young and an older wraith primarily being Fetters. A [[Domem]] is a wraith whose Fetters are all destroyed, preventing them from staying in the Shadowlands for any period of time - while Domemhood generally implies age, a wraith can become a Domem while still very young, all it requires is that their Fetters be destroyed. A [[Gaunt]] is an older wraith who has resolved one or more of its [[Fetter]]s and still maintains them. Gaunts are significantly more powerful (and generally more canny) than Domems and are consequently more respected in wraithly society, though there are rare exceptions, such as the [[Deathlord (WTO)|Deathlords]].
   
 
The final distinct class of wraiths are [[Spectre (WTO)|Spectres]], which are wraiths who have been absorbed by [[Oblivion (WTO)|Oblivion]]. Spectres have their own society and from the wraithly perspective are mostly hostile entities out to destroy all other wraiths.
 
The final distinct class of wraiths are [[Spectre (WTO)|Spectres]], which are wraiths who have been absorbed by [[Oblivion (WTO)|Oblivion]]. Spectres have their own society and from the wraithly perspective are mostly hostile entities out to destroy all other wraiths.
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  +
==Gallery==
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<gallery>
 
Avenging_Wraith.jpg|Rage Card of an avenging wraith
  +
</gallery>
 
==References==
 
==References==
 
* [[Wraith: The Oblivion Rulebook]]
 
* [[Wraith: The Oblivion Rulebook]]
 
 
* [[Ends of Empire]]
 
* [[Ends of Empire]]
 
[[Category:Wraith: The Oblivion glossary]]
 
[[Category:Wraith: The Oblivion glossary]]
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[[Category:Underworld residents]]
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[[Category:Creatures (WOD)]]
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[[Category:Wraith: The Oblivion]]

Revision as of 12:43, 16 December 2021

For other uses of the term, see Wraith (disambiguation).

A wraith is a ghost, the soul of a person who has died unfulfilled and now haunts the Shadowlands.

Overview

For some reason, known or unknown to the wraith, they are still tied to the living world (the Skinlands) and cannot pass on to the ineffable afterworld. They are the subject of the Wraith: The Oblivion roleplaying line. Wraiths are confined to the Underworld, a parallel reality which is tangentially connected to the living world, but distinct with its own laws and physics.

About 5% of people becomes wraiths after death in time of relative calm.[citation needed] Far more in times of great calamity and suffering. For example, there were about one million active wraiths in London Necropolis before the Great Maelstrom. In the World of Darkness, it is plausible a sizable percentage instantly becomes Spectres at the time of their death.

Attributes

Physically, a wraith is a coherent "body" of plasm, the substance that makes up the majority of the Underworld. Plasm is a non-material "stuff" that houses the wraith's soul and which the wraith unconsciously shapes into a form resembling their living body (often somewhat exaggerated, and incorporating Deathmarks). The wraith's Corpus, their body-equivalent, can be changed by Moliate or through soulforging and has only a loose relationship to what the living would think of as a body. Most wraiths are solid plasm - which is to say that if a wraith were chopped in two, there would be no internal organs, just a consistent mass of "stuff" throughout the body.

Wraithly bodies are subject to their own distinct metaphysics; in the Shadowlands and Tempest, they obey local rules of gravity, but under certain conditions can pass through material things (informally called the rule of ouch). Plasm can also be used to manufacture objects and many of the items in wraithly society are comprised of other wraiths.

The wraithly mind is divided into two parts, the Psyche and the Shadow. After death, the negative, self-loathing and self-defeating parts of a wraith's personality form a distinct archetypal personality of their own. This personality, the Shadow, is in communion with the darker forces of the Labyrinth and serves as a constant foil and antagonist to the Psyche. The Psyche, in turn, is the wraith's original personality, or at least the parts of its personality that retains its humanity and sense of survival or will to live. Wraiths have a higher, positive personality as well, usually termed the Eidolon. In the modern era, the Eidolon is generally fairly weak due to the severe suffering and cynicism in the world and most wraiths are only marginally aware that they have one.

For a wraith to exist in the first place, it must be bound to the living world by one or more Fetters. Fetters are objects (or creatures) in the living world to which the wraith is connected and that keep it from passing on. Fetters are a mixed blessing for wraiths - allowing them to interact with the living world, but also binding them to it.

Pathos and Angst

A wraith's psyche feeds on Pathos, the energy of emotion. Each wraith has several Passions, the emotions which are most tightly connected to its personality. Experiencing these emotions, even vicariously, provides the psyche with energy that the wraith can then use for various purposes.

The Shadow also has energy, called Angst, which it can acquire by fulfilling its own passions. These Dark Passions are generally contrary to the wraith's own goals.

Lifecycle and Types of Wraiths

Wraithly status is defined by a combination of age, maintenance of one's Fetters and Willpower. The lowest form of wraith is a Drone, a wraith that does not have any Willpower or personal identity, drones are condemned to eternally act out their personal tragedies and are tightly bound to their Passions and Fetters. Having no personality or self-will, they are usually converted into raw materials as soon as they are found.

Self-aware wraiths begin as Enfants; when a person dies, its soul is reborn in the Underworld covered in a layer of plasm called a caul. The caul acts as a cocoon that keeps the wraith docile until it is removed, a few wraiths remove their cauls themselves, but the majority of cauls are removed by another wraith, traditionally called a Reaper.

Young wraiths are called Lemures, with the distinction between a young and an older wraith primarily being Fetters. A Domem is a wraith whose Fetters are all destroyed, preventing them from staying in the Shadowlands for any period of time - while Domemhood generally implies age, a wraith can become a Domem while still very young, all it requires is that their Fetters be destroyed. A Gaunt is an older wraith who has resolved one or more of its Fetters and still maintains them. Gaunts are significantly more powerful (and generally more canny) than Domems and are consequently more respected in wraithly society, though there are rare exceptions, such as the Deathlords.

The final distinct class of wraiths are Spectres, which are wraiths who have been absorbed by Oblivion. Spectres have their own society and from the wraithly perspective are mostly hostile entities out to destroy all other wraiths.

Gallery

References