[2E] Ghost Shaman?

[wyrdhamster]

So I'm preparing to run my 'small town zombie apocalypse' scenario. Focal point of it's that 'zombie plague' is summoned as curse from Indian Shaman's ghosts, for disrespecting his tribes holy treasure. ( Note: We play in Poland and I do not think I will disrespect any one on this premise, with using that trope. )

On final confrontation I want mortal ( starting ) PCs to fight him. So here are some question for you can help me with this antagonists.

1. CoD Rulebook rules says ghosts do not have higher than Rank 2 outside of Underworld. But Rank 2 is only 'aware mortal ghost' level of ephemera. Should not this 'ghost shaman' being have like Rank 3 on him? When he is 'casting magic' all around?
2. Easiest to build any 'undead sorcerer' are Ghost Mage rules from Mage 2E. However, I think this kind of being can be too much for mortal PCs. If not using Ghost Mage rules, what would be you advises on Numina and Influances in normal ghost variant of antagonist?
3. Maybe you have ideas on Ban and Bane of being? Or just go with trick from Supernatural - find the bones, salt and burn them?

[Griautis]

So what's the problem with the ghost returning from Underworld?

[wyrdhamster]

Next one question:
4. PCs will surely get their hands on mundane weapons. ( It's zombie apocalypse game, yeah. ) How does normal weaponry and firearms do to the ghost beings? They scratch them even a bit or they just fly them through?

[malonkey1]

Next one question:
4. PCs will surely get their hands on mundane weapons. ( It's zombie apocalypse game, yeah. ) How does normal weaponry and firearms do to the ghost beings? They scratch them even a bit or they just fly them through?

They'll only hurt them if they're materialized. Banes always work, though, even on non-material ghosts.

[Griautis]

right through them in most cases. So more or less, they're gonna be fighting zombies with mundane weapons, while looking for the bane/ban of how to kill the Ghost.There's no way they can short circuit the game by going immediatly after the big bad

[Malus]

Have the ghost possess a vessel, which is what (actually whom) summoned him from the underworld, kill the vessel and the ghost goes back screaming to hell, or whatever.

[wyrdhamster]

Have the ghost possess a vessel, which is what (actually whom) summoned him from the underworld, kill the vessel and the ghost goes back screaming to hell, or whatever.

I was rather thinking that Shaman becomes automatic Materialized near the 'holy treasure' - it will lead to nice finale scene of plot and have more sense. Possessing guy that brought curse on the town is weird for Shaman to do, as he totally hates him.

[malonkey1]

I was rather thinking that Shaman becomes automatic Materialized near the 'holy treasure' - it will lead to nice finale scene of plot and have more sense. Possessing guy that brought curse on the town is weird for Shaman to do, as he totally hates him.

Possession doesn't really have anything to do with liking the vessel. I mean, if you're stuck in the desert, miles from society, and you see a car you just hate, you're still probably gonna drive it if there are no alternatives.

When you're a ghost intent on possession, bodies are more like cars than people.

[wyrdhamster]

5. What is difference between Manifested and Image Manifestations? Does Image can look like ghost as he was living, only translucent like classical popculture ghost?

[Tessie]

Do you mean Materialized when you write Manifested? There is no Manifested Manifestation. Materialized means the entity becomes physical. Image only makes the entity visible, but it is still completely in Twilight.
How a ghost looks when Manifested (Materialized or through Image) is completely up to you. Choose what you think will have the most desired effect on your players.

[Seidmadr]

I was rather thinking that Shaman becomes automatic Materialized near the 'holy treasure' - it will lead to nice finale scene of plot and have more sense. Possessing guy that brought curse on the town is weird for Shaman to do, as he totally hates him.

Why would he have to like someone to possess them? If I were a vengeful ghost, I'd find the one I disliked the most and possess that fucker, and have THEM ruin everything.
Also, whenever someone were to bring reprisal at you, they'll just harm the bastard you hate.

Also, you might want to look up the numen Transmogrify Victim in 1e Ghost Stories, it allows the ghost to mutate his host for various benefits and inceased weirdness.