Editing DFRPG Ghosts:Echoes and Phantoms (section)

==Phantoms and their relationship with the Mortal World==

If Echoes are like the Minor Talents of ghostly existence, then Phantoms would be more like Sorcerers and Wizards.  This is not so much due to increased potency or a greater number of abilities (though these ghosts often do tend toward that end of the scale eventually).  Rather, it's mainly due to the simple fact that Phantoms remain capable of learning and growth, and can build their power and skill over time, be creative, etc.

Whether they are the actual souls of the deceased, or merely much higher-fidelity recordings than Echoes really doesn't matter to most who interact with them.  When it comes right down to it, Phantoms are apparently as sentient as anyone alive.  They retain the same instincts that the living do; for example they have the same survival instincts, ability to become depressed, impetus to self-sacrifice, and so forth.

Perhaps because of their similarity to the Living, Phantoms also differ from Echoes in that they are much more strongly tied to the mortal plane than they are to the NeverNever.  They don't automatically drift across the border or create realms of their own there, unless they have learned some power to enable this.  They have to find (or learn how to open) portals, like most creatures.  "Draw a door," so to speak.

'''Media Note:''' In terms of personality and feel, The Maitlands from ''Beetlejuice'' could be considered typical Phantoms (though technically, they'd be Haunts).  So would Dr. Crowe from ''The Sixth Sense''.  Just ordinary people in an extraordinary situation, who either aren't aware of the change, or are trying to make the best of it.  Mind you, they aren't ''entirely'' normal; they often look spooky and have a tendency to behave a bit weirdly at times, especially at times and around things relevant to their deaths.