Burning of haunted house

[Kraken(rpgworld)]

At VRG does not answer many important questions about the monsters.
we can try together to answer them.

Question 1 - Burning of haunted house

Annie: Why do not you just burn the haunted house?
Marie: Do you think that the evil spirits burn in the fire? You're overreading of Steven King
"Evil Presence"

The reason is simple.
If after the burning house haunting disappear, then burning the house - it's too easy way to get rid of ghosts.

[ewancummins]

What if burning the house frees the ghosts , who will then seek revenge on the arsonist PCs?

[Joël of the FoS]

The site itself, i.e. tha land, can still be haunted, but in a more terrifying way as the ghost was robbed of his home and is very angry / mad.

Joël

[Jack the Reaper]

What if it is your house, which you have purchased with your best money, and you have got no insurance against fires?..

[alhoon]

IMO in some cases it should be possible.

But what about a stone mansion? Leaving a burned hunch wouldn't drive away the ghost.
What about cellars? (We all know the dead body is usually connected to the cellar)
What about a wooden hut that's haunted because a woman saw her children die there and then died of grief?
She would return to the empty lot and weep over her children's resting place house or no house.

[Jack the Reaper]

And even it it works, there is always the possibility that many years later, somebody else will possess the empty lot, and re-construct some other building over it. And suddenly strange phenomena will begin...

[Gonzoron of the FoS]

Then there's always the old "you burned the house to the ground yesterday, but today it's back and in pristine condition" gag.

[alhoon]

That's for the house on Gryphon hill, not the average haunted house IMO.

[Brandi]

What about a wooden hut that's haunted because a woman saw her children die there and then died of grief?
She would return to the empty lot and weep over her children's resting place house or no house.

Or she becomes enraged over the cruel people who would destroy her children's resting place. Burning with fury, even. Modified Pyre Elemental, anyone?

[High Priest Mikhal]

What if the house just won't burn (House of Lament)? Talk about throwing a bucket of cold water on the players' plans--metaphorically speaking.

[HuManBing]

That's for the house on Gryphon hill, not the average haunted house IMO.

Why not? If it works, it works.

That's like saying a normal lich can't have a dragon ally .. because Azalin has one and it's only for him.

[Joël of the FoS]

What about a wooden hut that's haunted because a woman saw her children die there and then died of grief?
She would return to the empty lot and weep over her children's resting place house or no house.

Or she becomes enraged over the cruel people who would destroy her children's resting place. Burning with fury, even. Modified Pyre Elemental, anyone?

My earlier point, more elaborated.

Yes, or a mad ghost. The PCs won't be sure they made the right decision

Joël

[ewancummins]

Perhaps the ghost/s of the house become bound the the person or persons who burned down the house? They haunt you now arsonist PC!

[alhoon]

Personally I'm not fond of ghosts "evolving" in anyway. I.e. It's a very rare ghost IMC that becomes un-anchored or develops/changes an ability.
Not that I would never use it, but certainly not often and not when I can work around it.

IMO in some cases burning down the house... should work.

[ewancummins]

Personally I'm not fond of ghosts "evolving" in anyway. I.e. It's a very rare ghost IMC that becomes un-anchored or develops/changes an ability.
Not that I would never use it, but certainly not often and not when I can work around it.

IMO in some cases burning down the house... should work.

IMO, it is kind of lame to just torch a house, and thus avoid an adventure. I don't think burning a house should get rid of/destroy/lay to rest the ghost, except in rare cases. A shadowy impression of the original haunted house still exists on the Border Ethereal, I would imagine. Think of the old 'Indian burial ground' trope. Build a house over it, plow it, pave it- the ghosts remain present until properly laid to rest.

Another poster has a signature line about ghosts haunting not places, but memories. I think that's good stuff. The ethereal resonance (essentially memories/impresssions) remain even if the house is destroyed or changed.

In some cases, it may make sense for the ghost to become unmoored (or attached to the arsonist) by the shock of the house being destroyed, though.