There is much to uncover and learn about ghosts, the paranormal, the Voritorvita, "Eaters of Life", but it is best to start from the beginning: their origin. Found throughout the world, paranormal beings are creatures that do not naturally reside on our earthly plane of existence; in fact, they only began popping up around 4,000 BC (but that is a whole other story to tell, set in ancient Babylon). Ghosts, poltergeists, and all other types of paranormal entities are actually a subset of cryptids known as Transdimensional Creatures, animals that can travel back and forth between two planes. They are not the returning souls of once living beings, but strange, often frightening beings that feed on us. They are one of Earth’s largest parasites, and unlike more mundane pests, they cannot be eradicated at the source.

Reality is composed of compressed layers; each slice has its own history, contains its own organisms and fundamental laws, though the closer one layer (or realm) is to another, the more they have in common. The only constant shared among all of these layers is the starting shape of the universe. Traveling from one layer to another is extremely difficult, as it typically happens randomly without forewarning. It is also very, very risky, as you never know where you will end up, or if you can survive there.

Like the Voritorvita, fae are not native to this plane of existence. Earth and Avalar, however, are extraordinarily similar, so lucky fae who were teleported here were comfortably able to make it a home. The Fae (or “Freefolk”) Realm is a layer that lies somewhere above the Prosaic (or "Earthly") Realm. Fae have been brought to this dimension several times, always unintentionally; in these instances, a tear opened between the boundaries that separate the two realms, creating a powerful force that sucked in all life on one side and spewed them out into the other. It is not yet known why these tears spontaneously develop, appear, or disappear, though there are clear signs of one to come, as well as one that is active. These places are called ‘window areas.”

Below the Prosaic Realm lies the Devouring Realm, where the Voritorvita reside. Unlike the fae, dimension-hopping is easier and usually done by their own choosing. First, their fluidic forms allow them to completely or partially phase into our earthly plane. Second, their bodies can withstand and recover from more trauma associated with realm hopping, permitting more frequent travel or the ability to live between realms. Additionally, the divider between the Prosaic and the Devouring is exceptionally thin. This not only causes unsuspecting creatures from both worlds to fall into developing or closing window areas, but acts as a steady stream of food for the Voritorvita. Communities of paranormal creatures gather around window areas, migrating to another once one begins to dry up and close. Certain types of paranormal entities spend more time in our world than in their own. Some can only eat the food they need to survive here, others grow stronger faster on Earth, or use our realm as a safer breeding ground.

Realm hopping is known to be a dangerous undertaking; outer planar beings sometimes cannot survive where they end up, such as the merfolk of the Middle Ages, who appeared suddenly in droughted forest. Yet, the Voritorvita have been fortunate; they thrive in the Prosaic Realm, face little danger, and are not limited by Earth’s habitats, atmospheres. Like the fae, paranormal entities do not follow the same laws of nature earthly beings must adhere to; thus, their lives little resemble those we are well acquainted with. The differences within their kind yield numerous innate advantages over those unfamiliar with their capabilities. Little is known of their needs, behaviors, and functioning - for now. Also, like the fae, while they are shapeshifters, their resting forms are believed to be different in appearance from those in their home plane. Currently, the natural or Prosaic resting form of any paranormal entity is unknown.

What is known is that the creatures imitate life or visions of life on Earth, often emulating the recent past of their arrival, building a knowledge base by reading the minds and memories of sentient creatures they come into contact with. Most entities keep the same guise for their entire stay in the Prosaic realm. More intelligent creatures, however, change their appearance and behavior to better survive. Almost all are tied to low points in history. Most feed on the emotions of sentient creatures, some on those of lesser beings, or their own kind; fewer feed on physical sources.

Attracted and deeply connected to death, darkness, misfortune, emotions, and deception, there is much to uncover on the Voritorvita.

Types of Paranormal Entities

Grumbler

paranormal entities that steal food from other living beings. Not only do they feed on prey’s response to them, but their own, actual food, requiring both to sustain themselves. Their namesake, Grumblers produce a growling sound while hunting or experiencing hunger. See: Arches Fork Skeleton

Kelpie

misty, foggy, or aqueous paranormal entities that appear near, within, or on top of water sources; they die if some part of them does not keep in contact with this binding agent. See: Stallion of the Mist