Destroying a Ghost?

[cmhbob]

I've been writing this paranormal story, 1st person POV of a ghost who was wrongfully executed. He's tracking down the guy who really killed the girl he was wrongfully convicted of killing, and he's going after a guy who perjured himself to get my MC convicted. I need to raise the stakes a bit though. I've already loosely established that he'll "cross over" once he's accomplished whatever kept him from crossing over. But I need a threat to his ghostly existence, and I'm drawing a blank. Short of something like Ghostbusters, how do you destroy a ghost?

 

[Brigid Barry]

They manifest by drawing energy from the environment (thermal, electric)...could they get trapped in an energy vacuum?

 

[Nether]

Popular lore has them connected to certain objects that bind them to this world, like former possessions, etc.

Otherwise, you could go supernatural with it -- either magic book, an exorcism, etc.

And there are various things you might be able to do to delay/escape a ghost, like consecrated ground, heavy use of electricity (or another thing they're weak against), etc. Or restrictions on their power. Or limits on how far they can travel, etc.

You could also add creatures that eat ghosts or something.

 

[DeleyanLee]

Well, if Supernatural is something to consider, the answer is: Dig up the body, salt then burn.

 

[Janine R]

Something that makes the ghost question his own existence? Maybe someone who doesn't believe in ghosts.

 

[Brightdreamer]

Do some research into supernatural/paranormal lore, then come up with your "house rules". Salt's generally a big disruptor. So is running water, and some herbs and smokes (incense). Sometimes ghosts need to feed on living energy, either passively or actively; perhaps isolating them can weaken them to the point of dissipation. Maybe the mortal world is inhospitable to ghosts and causes them to break down and dissipate if they don't cross over, like a sand castle washing away, so there's something the ghost has to do regularly to stay themselves long enough to finish their task. If there is a Heaven or Hell or Some Place You Are Supposed To Go, maybe there are sentries or entities ("hell hounds" or some such) that track down lingering spirits in the earthly realm... or other ghosts, if they linger too long, lose their humanity and become predators of their own kind, sort of like a ghost cannibal...

 

[dickson]

Something that makes the ghost question his own existence? Maybe someone who doesn't believe in ghosts.

How do you gaslight a ghost? That could be fun to play with!

 

[Nether]

How do you gaslight a ghost? That could be fun to play with!

Pretend to ignore it until it goes away.

 

[Janine R]

Pretend to ignore it until it goes away.

Walk right through it

 

[NickyRainbow]

Popular lore has them connected to certain objects that bind them to this world, like former possessions, etc.

Seems like there's a lot of potential in this, particularly if the ghost's continued existence is dependant on the object until they cross over. What if he were bound to a place, such as the building where he died, and it was due to be demolished?

 

[Brigid Barry]

Seems like there's a lot of potential in this, particularly if the ghost's continued existence is dependant on the object until they cross over. What if he were bound to a place, such as the building where he died, and it was due to be demolished?

Wouldn't it be attached to the land then?

There was an episode of Unsolved Mysteries where the bunk bed was the supposed cause of the haunting so they sent it to the dump and bulldozed it. A lot of times they give the object away or sell it because hauntings gotta haunt.

 

[NickyRainbow]

Wouldn't it be attached to the land then?

There was an episode of Unsolved Mysteries where the bunk bed was the supposed cause of the haunting so they sent it to the dump and bulldozed it. A lot of times they give the object away or sell it because hauntings gotta haunt.

Perhaps you're right, yeah. I suppose that depends on the rules OP decides upon! I guess it doesn't matter what the object is, but if that object is what's binding the ghost to our material plane, it's certainly easier to threaten an object with destruction than a ghost!

 

[cmhbob]

Plenty of ideas, and all appreciated!

 

[jjosuminded]

Spirit vs. Spirit.

Invoke a demon who’s hungry for souls and your ghost is gonna be in dire straits.

 

[jjosuminded]

Spirit vs. Spirit.

Invoke a demon who’s hungry for souls and your ghost is gonna be in dire straits.

 

[DeleyanLee]

On a more serious note, the question you really need to answer is: What are ghosts in your world?

Depending on what they are, that might give you some clues as to what might threaten them.

For instance, in ancient Egypt, a person was alive as long as their name was remembered and spoken. If this is true in your world, if he has no family, no friends who go to remember him, he'll start fading away. He's only as strong while the news is still talking about his case.

Some people believe that when good people die, they become angels. Is he an angel? Would he be aware of this? Does he have powers? Are there others there who are opposed to him righting that wrong and trying to get him to focus on something else? Is he constantly being sucked up into heaven and having to get out?

Depending on what "ghost" means in your world, what might be fun to conflict him with.

Good luck.

 

[Gramps]

If the ghost had a strong physical connection to the girl, perhaps a locket or necklace..something that she never removed but wasn't buried with her?

 

[Phantom F]

I guess this comes down to the world you've created for your story, but perhaps something like a paranormal investigator or a priest who specialises in exorcism catches wind of the ghost and starts hunting him down to exorcise him-however, they could be unaware of what the ghost is trying to accomplish and just be trying to exorcise him because it's their job. Could create a secondary plot line that can impact the main story.