DFRPG Ghosts:Revenants

REVENANTS

Revenants, also known as Dybbuk and Wiedergänger, are ghosts that can -- indeed, must -- occupy a physical body. Generally, this is either their original body, restored to function via ectoplasmic "patching", or more rarely by possessing another, living body.

In terms of ability to learn and grow, they are most similar to Phantoms. However, Revenants nearly always know their names, don't bear Death Marks, don't suffer Isolation stress, have corporeal existence and no difficulty interacting with the mortal world, and rarely Haunt places or objects. They are effectively people returned to life. They are almost always the victims of violent murder and mainly seem to be on a quest for revenge or justice against those who are responsible.

Revenants are usually ferried back from death by psychopomp spirits known as Totems, with which the Revenant usually shares a mental connection. The Revenant can often borrow the Totem's senses, and sometimes the Totem speaks to the Revenant as a voice in their head. These spirits tend to take the form of (or possess) a natural animal, but Totems have also appeared as humans or even stranger things, such as tattoos, shadows, vehicles, and snippets of music. Revenants are all but immune to harm as long as their Totem remains uninjured and the Revenant remains reasonably "on mission"; the entity will regenerate any damage to the Revenant's body. But if the Totem dies, so will the Revenant.

Like Bob when he's in a vessel like his skull or in Mister, Revenants are protected from sunlight (at least more than a disembodied spirit). They are frequently nocturnal, however, mostly out of preference. They must be invited across a Threshold, like most supernatural creatures.

Media Note: Yes, Eric Draven from the film version of The Crow is the prototypical Revenant.