Cursed Spirit

Biodata

Origins and Classification

Cursed spirits can arise from human fear and resentment. Belief in an urban legend can give its subject a real spiritual form; the Slit-Mouthed Woman is one such imaginary vengeful spirit. Humans and animals may also leave vengeful spirits after death. Because fear persists, exorcising existing spirits cannot eliminate them permanently 69 102 114 117 134.

A spirit's size alone does not establish its rank: Meimei notes that a human-sized spirit can be Special Grade, while a spirit several metres tall may be Level 3 or 4 83.

Behaviour

• Seeking observers — Spirits can vaguely sense Psionic Users and instinctively gather around them. Those with Spiritual Sight are especially attractive prey; people who cannot see a spirit may pass unnoticed 39.
• Territory — Strong spirits can deter weaker ones. The former Lake God beneath Shuchiin Academy kept wandering spirits away, devouring those that entered its territory 39 47.
• Deception — Some resemble ordinary people or harmless animals. A spirit at Shuchiin appeared to be a market-stall auntie before expanding into a four-metre mass of flesh 39 40 114.
• Intelligence — Behaviour varies. The spirit suspected in the Ota Ward disappearances appeared to target delinquents and conceal its residual traces, suggesting deliberate action 183.

Abilities and Limits

• Recovery — Cursed spirits can heal physical injuries by replenishing Curse Power. Soul damage cannot be repaired in the same way 216.
• Domains — Some possess domain abilities; the Special Grade Slit-Mouthed Woman had a Simple Domain 117.
• Recurring manifestations — Exorcising a spirit born from an urban legend does not erase the fear that created it. The Slit-Mouthed Woman had been exorcised repeatedly and could reappear while the legend remained feared 117.
• Exorcism — Curse Power can destroy a spirit's power structure. Cursed spirits leave no body when they die, though residual stains may remain 152 187.

Notable Examples