Ghostwalk

Ghostwalk is a Dungeons & Dragons sourcebook that introduces a unique campaign setting centered on the city of Manifest, a mausoleum metropolis built above the Veil of Souls. The book contains all necessary material for the setting in a single volume, making it distinct from multi-book D&D settings like Forgotten Realms. The setting's core premise revolves around the intersection between life and death, where ghosts can physically manifest and interact with the living world near the city of Manifest. Characters who die can return as ectoplasmic beings and potentially be resurrected, though they must resist "the Calling" - an irresistible force that eventually draws spirits to the True Afterlife. The rules establish that only humans and demihumans can manifest as ghosts, creating political and social tensions with other races who cannot access this ability. The setting includes detailed information about Manifest's locations, factions, and the supernatural mechanics that govern its unique relationship with death. The world of Ghostwalk explores themes of mortality, the nature of existence, and the complex relationships between the living and the dead. Its structure challenges traditional fantasy RPG assumptions about death and creates opportunities for stories that bridge the physical and spiritual realms.

Readers commend the integration of ghost-themed mechanics with d20 rules and the haunted city setting of Manifest. Many note the book offers unique character options and spells that enhance supernatural storytelling. Liked: - Rules for playing ghost characters - Gothic atmosphere and city details - New prestige classes and feats - Ghost-specific spells and magic items - Mix of horror and fantasy elements Disliked: - Some rules feel overcomplicated - Limited non-ghost content - Price high for page count - Layout and organization issues - Some mechanics don't balance well with core rules Ratings: Goodreads: 4.05/5 (38 ratings) RPGGeek: 7.31/10 (13 ratings) Common review notes: "Great for ghost campaigns but less useful for regular play" - RPGnet user "Rules needed more testing" - Goodreads reviewer "Best ghost mechanics in any d20 book" - ENWorld forum post "City of Manifest alone worth the price" - Amazon review

Ravenloft: City of Ravens The gothic setting of Necropolis explores undead politics and dark urban mysteries in ways that mirror Manifest's blend of supernatural and mundane life.

The Book of Lost Things by John Connolly This novel delves into a parallel world where the boundaries between life and death blur, creating a setting that shares Ghostwalk's metaphysical exploration of mortality.

Neverwhere by Neil Gaiman The hidden city of London Below presents a parallel world with its own rules and supernatural inhabitants similar to Manifest's unique metaphysical structure.

Death Gate Cycle: Fire Sea by Margaret Weis, Tracy Hickman The world of Fire Sea features a society where necromancy and death magic form the foundation of civilization, comparable to Ghostwalk's integration of death-based mechanics.

The Ghost Bride by Yangsze Choo The story takes place in a setting where the world of the dead intersects with the living, featuring cultural systems and social structures built around this supernatural coexistence.

🔮 Monte Cook was one of the lead designers of Dungeons & Dragons 3rd Edition before writing Ghostwalk, bringing his extensive game design expertise to this unique setting. ⚰️ The concept of ectoplasm as a ghostly substance originated in 19th century spiritualism, where mediums claimed it was a physical manifestation of spirit energy. 🏛️ The city of Manifest was inspired by various "necropolis" cities throughout history, particularly the ancient Egyptian city of Memphis which was known as the "City of the Dead." 🎲 Ghostwalk was one of the first RPG settings to allow players to continue using their characters after death as fully playable ghost characters with unique abilities. 🌟 The "True Afterlife" concept in the book draws from multiple mythological sources, including the Greek Fields of Elysium and the Norse Valhalla, where souls find their final rest.