http://www.theworldofchinese.com/2014/10/a-chinese-ghosts-primer/https://forum.lowyat.net/topic/1415592/allhttps://web.archive.org/web/20150512153616/http://hellyeacreepyshit.com/post/20950511681/chinese-ghostshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_supernatural_beings_in_Chinese_folklorehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ghosts_in_Chinese_culturehttp://www.echinacities.com/expat-corner/The-Bewitching-World-of-Chinas-Ghost-Storieshttps://www.ancient.eu/article/892/ghosts-in-ancient-china/https://china-underground.com/2016/04/09/demons-monsters-ghosts-of-the-chinese-folklore/https://radiichina.com/long-list-chinese-ghost-stories/With special thanks to Veekie, who was much help with this.
GuiGui (also calle Kuei) is an Acquired Template that can be applied to any Humanoid (and anything that has already taken the Jing Template). Gui is the generic Chinese term for 'ghost'. In most cases this refers to the spirit of someone denied reincarnation and sentenced to Buddhist Hell for punishments, or who had no one to carry out the proper funerary rites for them, leaving them to be stuck in this world. They spend their time causing misfortune, or trying to right whatever circumstance cause them to become a Gui in the first place. Most are somewhat corporeal entities, with a surprisingly finite lifespan. Their appearance varies greatly, but most are skeletal beings who wear red kerchiefs around their face to hide that they have no chin.
Size and Type: Size is unchanged, Type changes to Undead with the Incorporeal Subtype. Unlike other creatures with incorporeality, a Gui can only enter through ways in which it came and went in life. For example it could enter windows and doors even if they are closed and barred shut, but walls, floors, and ceilings block them.
Hit Dice: All current and future Hit Dice become D12's, and hit points must be recalculated.
Speed: Unchanged. Ghosts generally levitate up to 5 ft off the ground, but they cannot fly. They ignore any terrain feature that fails to project more than 5 feet above the ground, such as difficult terrain, burning lava, water, and so forth. In addition, they ignore the standard penalties on Hide and Move Silently checks for moving quickly.
Armor Class: The Gui gains a Bonus to it's AC equal to it's Charisma Modifier (minimum +1). When they are corporeal this is an increase to it's Natural Armor Bonus, when they are incorporeal it's a Deflection Bonus.
Attacks: Unchanged (but see Special Attacks).
Damage: Unchanged (but see Special Attacks).
Special Attacks: Retains all Special Attacks of the Base Creature, Plus gains Manifestation, Spellcasting and 1 Special Attack from the following list, plus one additional Special Attack for every 4 Hit Dice it possesses:
Manifestation (Su): The Gui are normally Incorporeal and Invisible (as per the Superior Invisibility spell from the Spell Compendium, Caster Level is equal to Hit Dice). Gui of 2 Hit Dice or less have very weak abilities to manifest, relying on either the Deceit or Mischief abilities to interact with the living. They cannot turn off their Incorporeal Subtype or Invisibility at all. Gui of 3-4 Hit Dice can become visible, but not corporeal. They can manifest a number of rounds equal to their Charisma Score. Gui of 5-6 Hit Dice can become visible or corporeal for a number of rounds equal to their Charisma Score. Gui of 7-8 Hit Dice can become both corporeal and visible for a number of rounds equal to their Charisma Score. At 9 Hit Dice or more the Gui can switch between invisible and visible, corporeal and incorporeal at will. They may also suppress it to select individuals, i.e. becoming visible to only one person in the room, or to every person but one in the room. Regardless of Hit Dice the Gui may switch once per round as a Free Action.
Spellcasting: All Gui may cast the following as Spell-Like Abilities (Caster Level is equal to Ht Dice, Save DC's are Cha based): At Will: Animate Rope, Arcane Lock, Dancing Lights, Doom, Ghost Sound, Launch Item (Spell Compendium), Mage Hand, Message, Mimicry (Complete Scoundrel), No Light (Book of Vile Darkness), Open/Close, Prestidigitation, Silent Portal (Spell Compendium), Stick (Spell Compendium), Telekinesis, Unnerving Gaze (Book of Vile Darkness). They do not need to be corporeal to affect the physical world with these Spell-Like Abilities or their spells. The Gui may cast spells as a Sorcerer whose Level equals it's Hit Dice, with spells restricted to Enchantment and Illusion schools. Unless the base creature is already a spellcaster, in which case it may switch out one spell per level for a spell of equal level from the Enchantment or Illusion schools.
Animate Tree (Su): Most likely this is bamboo, but other trees are possible (this ability is normally only possessed by Gui Bound to trees). During the day this is limited to maybe dropping fruits on the heads of passers by, or animating a root to make a Trip attack (this is a Standard Action that provokes no Attack of Opportunity, and if it fails the victim cannot make a Trip in return. Use the Size Modifier for the Tree, and instead of the Gui's Str Modifier use it's Cha modifier). Night time is different. Then they can can often impale or strangle their victims with a bamboo stalk they leave lying in the path nearby. As an Attack this is a Standard Action doing 1d6 piercing damage to any opponent within 10 feet of the tree, or instead it can be used to make a Grapple Check (same Modifiers as the Trip Check mentioned earlier). If used in a Grapple, the bamboo stalk gives a +2 Bonus to Grapple Checks meant to maintain the Grapple. While the Grapple is maintained, the victim must begin making Constitution Checks to avoid suffocation (see DMG for suffocation rules). The Gui may add it's Charisma Modifier to damage rolls with this attack.
Bad Omen: The Gui adds the following spells to it's spell list, if their caster level would allow then access to that spell: Bestow Curse, Mass Curse of Ill Fortune (Spell Compendium), Bestow Greater Curse (Spell Compendium), Eyebite, Seed of Undeath (Complete Mage, unlike normal the victim rises as a Gui).
Curse of Revenge (Su): (Prerequisite: 16+ HD) The Gui may cast Finger of Death at will as a Supernatural Ability, but is limited in it's targets. It may only use this to take revenge on those who have wronged it in life, or against those that the Gods have turned their backs upon, or if directed to do so by Lord Yama or another member of the afterlife bureaucracy. It is a very rare ability, and limited to powerful ghosts who are animated by revenge, or the Ba jiao gui. They do not need to be corporeal to affect the physical world with this Ability.
Deadly Laugh (Su): (Prerequisite: 10+ HD) The Gui may injure or kill someone with a laugh. The Gui may cast Cacophonic Burst (Spell Compendium) 3/day as a Supernatural Ability.
Drain (Su): Once per day, whenever the Gui is 'intimate' with a mortal Humanoid, the victim gains 1 Negative Level per session. This can be as little as simply touching the victim for a Minute, to more physical relations. Sleeping victims do not even realize the Drain is occurring. The victim is Fatigued for 24 hours, and once his Con is Drained below half his maximum value he becomes Exhausted instead. Until the Gui is slain or driven off for at least 24 hours the victim cannot remove these negative levels through normal means (though spells will still work). Once the Gui is dead, or hasn't Drained the victim for at least 24 hours he sheds one negative level per day until he has recovered. Additionally, instead of healing itself of 5 damage for a successful Drain as per normal, the Gui has one of several other options it can pursue instead: It can boost the Save DC's of it's Special Attacks by 2 for 24 hours, it can become immune to Turning for 24 hours, or it can ignore the effects of Yang for 24 hours (see below for Yin and Yang). If the Gui is 9 or more Hit Dice, it can bestow a negative level with a touch attack at will (or via natural weapons if it has any), and if it criticals it can use one of the above options for 48 hours instead. Some will bite to drink blood as opposed to draining life force, but this has the same effects mechanically. Gui must be corporeal to use this ability.
Frightful Moan (Su): A gui can emit a Frightful Moan as a Standard Action. All living creatures within a 30-foot spread must succeed on a Will save or become Panicked for 2d4 rounds. This is a Sonic Necromantic Mind-Affecting Fear effect. A creature that successfully saves against the moan cannot be affected by the same gui’s moan for 24 hours. They do not need to be corporeal to affect the physical world with this Ability.
Ghost Magic: The Gui adds one of the following spells to it's spell list, if their caster level would allow then access to that spell: Assassin's Darkness (Complete Scoundrel), Control Winds, Crown of Brilliance (Book of Exalted Deeds), Elemental Body (Air only, Spell Compendium), Miasma of Entropy (Spell Compendium), Polymorph Any Object (can only be used to turn yourself into objects) or Stinking Cloud.
Horrific Appearance (Su): Any living creature within 60 feet that views a gui must succeed on a Fortitude save or immediately take 1d4 points of Strength damage, 1d4 points of Dexterity damage, and 1d4 points of Constitution damage. A creature that successfully saves against this effect cannot be affected by the same gui’s horrific appearance for 24 hours. They do not need to be corporeal to affect the physical world with this Ability.
Improved Grab (Ex): The Gui can make a Grapple Check without provoking an Attack of Opportunity. In addition, if the Gui has the Drain Special Attack it may use it with a successful Grapple Check. They must be corporeal to use this ability.
Madness: The Gui may add the following spells to it's spell list, if their caster level would allow then access to that spell: Confusion, Crushing Despair, Insanity, Maddening Whispers (Spell Compendium).
Memento Mori (Su): (Prerequisite: Bound Vulnerability) The Gui is Bound to it's grave goods, consisting of the place of death, anything on their person at the time of death, anything it was buried with, and the things it owned (this includes things the ghost gifted, traded or sold in life, but has since lost, but not usually things it coveted but did not own) that it had a powerful attachment to. The Gui may Manifest anywhere these goods are, and may switch between locations as a Swift Action. Even if all it's grave goods are destroyed, it can still Manifest at it's place of death. As usual it cannot Manifest more than 60 feet away from it's grave goods.
Parasitic Rope (Su): Unique to the Diao si gui, they may use the rope they were hanged with as a means of convincing someone to kill himself in order for the Gui to be free. Using it the Gui can make a melee touch attack with a range of 10 ft. If it touches the bare flesh of a Humanoid creature it will immediately bond to the flesh unless the victim makes a Fortitude Save (DC is 10 plus 1/2 Hit Dice plus Charisma Modifier). To rip it back out in the first round it is attached requires a DC 20 Str Check and does 1d6 plus Str modifier to the victim. It should be noted this cannot be done barehanded as the rope will try attaching to the victims would be savior. After that round there are only two ways to remove the rope: painful surgery, or the victim must commit suicide via hanging. Each day the rope remains buried within the victim he takes one point of Constitution Drain and must make a DC 15 Willpower Check (the Save DC increases by a cumulative +1 with each passing day). If he fails the Save, he hangs himself. If he makes it, he is okay for 24 hours. Once he reaches a Constitution of 1, he gets no Save and immediately hangs himself if able. If the surgery option is taken (make sure the doctors are wearing gloves) then the surgeon must make a DC 20 Heal Check over the span of 20 Minutes. If the surgery succeeds, then the subject takes 1d6 damage, and his Con Drain converts to temporary Ability damage, healing normally at the rate of one point per day. If it fails, he takes 2d6 damage, and if it fails by 5 or more he must make a DC 20 Fortitude Save or die. A successfully cast Heal or Panacea (see Spell Compendium) spell will also remove the rope. The Gui sometimes gives this rope to a human pawn it has some sort of leverage over (usually fear based) to use on it's behalf as it cannot leave the place of it's hanging. Anyone can make an attack with the rope so long as the Gui wishes it to. At any time the Gui may recall the rope to it's hand as a Swift Action regardless of the distance separating the two. They do not need to be corporeal to affect the physical world with this Ability.
Physical Power (Sp): (Prerequisite: 12+ HD) The Gui may cast Tenser's Transformation as a Spell-Like Ability 3/day (Caster Level is equal to Ht Dice). Instead of the usual +4 Con, the Gui instead gains a Primary Claw Attack (1d6 plus Str modifier) and a Secondary Bite Attack (1d6 plus 1/2 Str modifier). The Gui's natural weapons are considered magic for purposes of overcoming DR. They must be corporeal to use this Ability, and it is usually restricted to particularly insane or angry ghosts. Usually paired with Damage Reduction, Fast Healing, Unnatural Vitality, etc.
Plague Spreader (Su): The Gui is infectious, and carries some form of disease. When making the Gui you can pick any disease known or even make one (many have a supernatural disease unique to them). First choose a form of infection (Contact, Inhaled, Ingested or Injury, see DMG for disease rules). Choose whether it will be a Fortitude or Willpower Save (Save DC is Charisma based). Incubation is always 1 day. Damage is 1d4 ability damage (choose which ability when creating). This ability may be taken a second time. If so, whenever the victim takes damage from the disease he must make another saving throw or suffer one of the following additional effects: Permanently blinded or deafened, ability damage becomes ability Drain instead, Confused until next successful Save vs, Disease, Exhausted until next successful Save vs, Disease, Fascinated until next successful Save vs, Disease, Nauseated until next successful Save vs, Disease, or Paralyzed until next successful Save vs, Disease.
Possessor (Su): (Prerequisite 9+ HD) Once per round, an Incorporeal gui can merge its body with another creature. This ability is similar to a Magic Jar spell (caster level is equal to 10 or the Gui's Hit Dice, whichever is higher), except that it does not require a receptacle. To use this ability, the gui must try to move into the target’s space (moving into the target’s space to use the Possessor ability does not provoke Attacks of Opportunity). The target can resist the attack with a successful Will save (DC 15 + gui’s Cha modifier). A creature that successfully saves is immune to that same gui's possession ability for 24 hours, and the gui cannot enter the target’s space. If the save fails, the gui vanishes into the target’s body. It then has one of two options: the first is standard possession where the Gui gains control of the subjects body. In the second the Gui does not gain control of the body, but the Possessed victim does not get Spell Resistance or Saving Throws against the Gui's Special Attacks.
Shapeshifter (Su): The Gui may add Polymorph to it's spell list, if their caster level would allow then access to that spell, except you can only use it to assume one of the following Types of Creatures: Animals, Humanoids or Vermin. You may only use it to Polymorph yourself.
Spirit Weapon (Su): The Gui continues to wield a weapon it used in life. The weapon is now magic for the purposes of overcoming Damage Reduction, and is considered to have the Ghost Touch property. Ammunition is in unlimited supply, and if taken or broken, the weapon reappears with the Gui the next sundown.
Strike Dumb (Su): The Gui may psychically assault victims to render them speechless. As a Full Round Action it may choose 1 opponent within 30 feet, and that victim must make a Willpower Save or be rendered incapable of revealing anything it knows about the Gui, as well as being mute. This is a fairly rare ability, and limited to unusual ghosts.
Suicide: The Gui may add Dominate Person to it's spell list, if their caster level would allow then access to that spell, and can only use it to command someone to commit suicide. This is unique to ghosts who have committed suicide, and if it is successful they are no longer Bound.
Terracotta Servant: (Prerequisite: 8+ HD) A Terracotta soldier was made to follow you into the afterlife (see below for stats). This may be taken more than once, you gain one additional Servant each time it is taken. Maximum Hit Dice for the Servant is the same as a Cohort if you had taken the Leadership Feat.
Ti Shen (Su): (Prerequisite: Possessor) This ability allows the Gui to permanently possess a corpse. Unique to the Shui Gui, they possess the body of a victim they have drowned and are thus freed from their Bound Vulnerability. The victim remains in place as a new Shui Gui. This form of possession requires a DC 20 Level Check as it does not always work (the victim still becomes a new Shui Gui however). Some Gui can possess corpses for other purposes, but they will be covered by the Jiangshi template.
Zhi Ren (also called Jin tong yu nu): A pair of male and female dolls made from paper and burned as an offering to a dead relative, these paper spirits sometimes serve them in the afterlife. They function much like a pair of Familiars (see below for stats).
Special Qualities: Retains all Special Qualities of the Base Creature, plus gains Gui Limitations, Rejuvenation, and any one Vulnerability from the following list. It also gains one other Special Quality from the following list for every 4 Hit Dice (at 16+ Hit Dice it may opt to lose a Vulnerability instead). It may choose to gain one additional Vulnerability to choose an extra Special Quality or Special Attack.
Gui Limitations: Most Gui look human, unless they are particularly violent or insane . There is always a tell however. Some cast no shadow, or have no chin, or are skeletal beneath their clothing, are cold, have no feet, or smell of flowers or incense. Using their supernatural powers causes flames in their presence to burn phosphorescent green. They are vulnerable to various Buddhist Sutras, and various other Taoist Talismans or Wards which act against the Gui in a similar manner to a Magic Circle against Evil. They cannot pass them or enter buildings upon which they're inscribed. Gui are also watched by the Yen-lo-hwang, or celestial police. They are allowed to be only so disruptive, else the afterlife will come for them. Gui are heavily influenced by Yin and Yang energies (See below) and all but the strongest are powerless in full daylight.
Rejuvenation (Su): In most cases, it’s difficult to destroy a Gui through simple combat (if you are a mortal): The "destroyed" spirit will often restore itself in 2d4 days. Even the most powerful spells are usually only temporary solutions. A Gui that would otherwise be destroyed returns to its old haunts with a successful level check (1d20 + Gui’s HD) against DC 16. As a rule, the only way to get rid of a ghost for sure is to determine the reason for its existence and set right whatever prevents it from resting in peace. The exact means varies with each spirit and may require a good deal of research. You can also petition the Infernal Court to imprison or execute it by burning legal documents and Hell Money. Or get a Buddhist Priest to seal it away. Or get a Supernatural being to kill it. Even if destroyed, a God can still be petitioned to resurrect them.
Bound Vulnerability: Gui who are Bound cannot leave a finite area. Ba jiao gui and Bamboo ghosts cannot leave the area immediately surrounding their tree. Diao si gui cannot leave the area of their execution. Gui Po cannot leave the estate of the family under their protection, unless the family is traveling as well. Shui gui cannot leave the body of water they drowned in. Those who are forced to wander cannot leave the mortal realm, not even the Yen-lo-hwang can compel them. Those bound to a specific site cannot move more than 60 ft from it. Some ghosts have specific abilities to allow them to remove this vulnerability via the successful use of one of their powers.
Compulsion Vulnerability: The Gui has an odd compulsion. For many Gui the most common Compulsion is that they are always required to move in a straight line, because they find crossroads and sudden changes in direction. For the Er Gui, or Hungry Ghosts, the most common is hunger. They will eat anything, even corpses and feces, and never get enough to satisfy their hunger, no matter how much they eat. So long as there is food available they will pursue it to the exclusion of all else. Gui with the Compulsion Vulnerability must make a DC 20 Willpower Save to ignore the effects of that Compulsion.
Red String Vulnerability: This may only be taken by Gui who also have the Bound Vulnerability. If someone ties red thread about the location the Gui is bound to (usually the tree they haunt, or were hung from) before pinning the thread down with needles and tying the other end to their bedpost they may temporarily enslave the Gui. Red is a powerful Yang color, and ghosts bound by this VUlnerability have some problems (see Yin and Yang below). Binders may ask of the Gui any one task it can conceivably carry out (usually it's for winning lottery numbers). If the ghost does so successfully within 30 days you must let it free, otherwise you permanently lose the ability to make Saving Throws against it's Special Attacks. Traditionally the ghost cannot interfere with righteous men and must restrict itself to Yin businesses (crime, gambling, or stuff that somehow causes harm). They cannot interfere with police or military or the priesthood. Potential exploiters of this vulnerability must be wary as the Gui is allowed an Opposed Level Check every 24 hours to escape, and particularly powerful Gui will have no repercussions about killing a mortal who asks them to violate afterlife law by haunting the living on their behalf.
Slave Vulnerability: The Gui is a slave to another being. For the Ch'ang kuei this is the tiger responsible for killing and eating them, and only lasts until they assist the tiger in killing another man. Usually a Gui is the slave of a Taoist priest, who keeps them as a servant or weapon. This technically lasts until the priest frees them, which he will never willingly do as the ghost will seek revenge. So having a ghostly servant is a double edged sword, especially since ghosts haunting someone on behalf of the living is a violation of afterlife law. Buddhist exorcists sometimes make use of the Gui as aides, as do the Taoist Immortals, but such a thing is very rare. Gui with this Vulnerability obey their master as if under the influence of a Dominate Monster spell.
Alternative Movement Mode: The Gui gains either a Flight or Swim speed equal to it's Land speed (Maneuverability is Perfect in the case of Flight). Flight is limited to Ghosts of 12+ Hit Dice.
Damage Reduction: The Gui has Damage Reduction 10/Magic.
Enhanced Ability Score: Increase any one Ability Score by +4, or any two Ability Scores by +2..
Fast Healing: The Gui gains Fast Healing 5.
Good Omen: (Prerequisite: Cannot be Evil) The Gui adds the following spells to his spell list, if their caster level would allow then access to that spell: Bastion of Good (Book of Exalted Deeds), Break Enchantment, Divination, Mass Conviction (Spell Compendium), Superior Resistance (Spell Compendium). It goes without saying that this is rare.
I Return What I Have Stolen (Su): (Prerequisite: 16+ HD) The Gui may cast True Resurrection at will as a Supernatural Ability, but only to return the soul of someone whose life it has taken within the last day, and only a life it has taken via one of it's Special Attacks listed above. This is very rare, and the Gui must be compelled, as it will never do this willingly without duress.
Painted Skin (Su): Whenever you kill a member of the same gender and species you used to be, you may flay their skin and prepare it as a bodysuit with a 4 hour magical ritual. Donning or removing it is a Move Action, and while it is on you appear as the individual the skin came from. 5 or more points of slashing or piercing damage opens the suit, and will require clothing to hide the tear. 10 points or more destroys it. You may only have one suit at a time.
Planar Travel (Su): The Gui adds Plane Shift to it's spell list. It may only Plane Shift itself or other Ghosts (or any Terracotta Servants/Zhi Ren it may have), and even then only to Planes it has been to, or knows of a way to get to. Otherwise Gui are stuck in either this world or the next, and only leave under the orders of Yama or another member of the afterlife bureaucracy to catch something that has escaped Diyu, or because such a grave injustice has been committed that the ghost gets permission to return to the mortal world to deliver punishment). Gui with the Bound Vulnerability cannot have this Ability. Those with the Slave Vulnerability may only use it with the permission of their Master. Gui with ranks in Knowledge (The Planes) can learn the ways to travel to other Planes with a sufficient Check (Check DC is up to DM but should be at least 20+, and knowing the way there doesn't necessarily mean that it's possible for the Gui to get there. For instance, knowing the way to the Realm of the Gods doesn't mean you know the way past the Guards, who are probably far stronger than you.).
Spell Resistance (Ex): The Gui gains Spell Resistance equal to 10 plus half its hit Dice plus its Charisma modifier.
Spiritual Scent (Su): This is identical to the Scent ability, with a few key differences (the obvious one being that this is a Supernatural ability). The ghost can't smell you so much as 'smell' the Qi flowing in and out of your body as you breathe. As long as you hold your breath you are effectively invisible to this ability. Spells or effects that effect the normal Scent ability do not effect Spiritual Scent.
Supernatural Skill: The Gui gains a +8 Enhancement Bonus to a single skill.
Turn Resistance (Ex): A Gui gains +4 Turn Resistance.
Unholy Grace (Su): The Gui adds a Profane Bonus to her AC and Saving Throws equal to her Charisma modifier.
Unnatural Vitality (Ex): The Gui gains Maximum hit points per hit die.
Walk Unseen: The Gui can add the following spells to it's spell list, if their caster level would allow then access to that spell: Dimension Door, Tree Stride.
Saves: Unchanged (but see Special Qualities).
Abilities: -6 Int and -6 Wis, plus as an Undead Con is now -. Powers, Attacks or Abilities that normally used it's Constitution Modifier now use it's Charisma Modifier instead.
Skills: Gui have a +8 racial bonus on Hide, Listen, Move Silently, Search, and Spot checks.
Feats: Unchanged.
Environment: Unchanged (though some may have certain restrictions)
Organization: Usually Solitary
Challenge Rating: CR is equal to Hit Dice plus one for each four Hit Dice.
Treasure: Varies a great deal, but usually none
Alignment: Gui Alignment varies considerably, with many being Neutral, Chaotic Neutral, Neutral Evil or Chaotic Evil. Other Alignments are possible, just usually considerably rare (the Gui Po being a notable exception).
Advancement: Unchanged. Older Gui also likely have additional Templates.
Level Adjustment: N/A, Gui are not meant to be PC's.
Examples of Different Ghost Types:Ba jiao gui: Known far more throughout Southeast Asia than China proper, the Ba Jiao Gui are the ghosts of women who lives in banana trees. At night they appear at the base of the tree wailing, sometimes with an infant. Supposedly blessed with minor powers of prophecy, it is said that if you tie a red string to the tree before driving needles into it, and then tie the other end to your bedpost, that they will give you winning lottery numbers or assist in gambling. They will promise you anything in exchange for being freed once you win. If you don't set them free, you die a horrible death. Ba jiao gui have the Bad Omen, Curse of Revenge, and Red String Vulnerability abilities. This also refers to the ghosts of gamblers who died as a consequence of an inability to pay (even if by suicide).
Bamboo Ghost: A crossover from Malaysia and Taiwan, this is the spirit of someone who has committed suicide in the bamboo groves. They seek to kill another to take their place so they can move on to the afterlife, and can animate stalks of Bamboo to kill their victims. They have the Animate Tree and Bound Vulnerability abilities. This one may be more urban myth than folklore.
Ch'ang kuei: The ghosts of men killed by tigers, who must remain as their servants in the afterlife (or at least until the tiger kills it's next victim). Invisible spirits, they strip victims so the tiger can proceed to eating them without delay, and guard the tiger while it sleeps. They have the Slave Vulnerability.
Di fu ling: Di fu ling is a generic term for a ghost bound to it's burial site, or some other place it had a strong attachment to in life. Di fu ling have the Bound Vulnerability.
Diao si gui: Diao si gui are the ghosts of those who have been executed or committed suicide via hanging. They cannot leave this world (or the site of their hanging) until they "convince" someone to take their place (i.e. execute them by hanging or drive them to suicide). They will try using illusion to convince him, or bind him with the rope they were hanged with This rope will grow into the victim causing them great pain and hampering their movement, and can only be removed via dangerous surgery or by killing oneself. Diao si gui have the Parasitic Rope, Suicide, and Bound Vulnerability abilities. Usually pictures with long red tongues hanging from their mouths.
Diao Xue Gui: Diao Xue Gui is a ghostly prankster who follows people at night.
E gui: The Chinese name for the Buddhist Preta, or Hungry Ghost Every year during the Ghost Festival they are free to roam (though some escape Hell at other times) and ask for food. They are the ghosts of truly awful, greedy people, and if approached by one for food, you will be cursed if you refuse. People who offend or strike them may also find illness, madness or misfortune. Hungry ghosts who were destitute in life can eat but a little food, and suffer from anorexia. Those with some wealth are divided into three groups: those whose food is burned to ash by the fires in their mouths, those whose throats are needle thin and will not allow food to pass, and those whose mouths are too rotten to eat anything. Those with great wealth become the ghost of sacrifices, who live off human sacrifices given to them by the living. Other become the ghosts of losses, who live off lost objects from the human world, and the ghosts of great powers, who are rulers of the ghosts and semi-divine in power. The common portrayal of them is a grey or green skinned man who is invisible by day, but an night can be seen to have a small mouth, pot belly, and needle thin throat. Some are capable of possession. People who refuse to give others food or aid, or who do not get the proper funerary rites yearly can become hungry ghosts as well. All of them have the Compulsion Vulnerability. Most also have one of the following: Possessor, Plague Spreader, Drain or Bad Omen.
Fu Gui: A ghost that lives in the abdomen whispering to victims, and causing them extreme pain and death. Usually has Possessor and Plague Spreader.
Gao Huang Gui: A ghost who lives between the heart and diaphragm, inspiring ill thoughts and illness. Usually has Possessor and Plague Spreader.
Gū Hún Yě Guǐ (aka You hun ye gui): These are the ghosts of those who died with no one to give them the proper funerary rites, whether because they were far from home or because their family didn't care. They wonder until someone performs the proper rites for them to move on to the Underworld. Some of them are merely mischievous, others are rampaging monsters. Some settle down and become minor Gods, worshiped in order to placate them so they will provide protection. They are referred to as You Ying Gong (Wang Ye in Taiwan), and best represented via another template. The Manifestation ability is usually used to draw attention to evidence that will clear their name.
Gui po: Gui Po are the Ghosts of elderly domestic servants who have returned to look out for and watch over the family they served in life. They have the Protective Spirit and Bound Vulnerability abilities. Some also have horrific Appearance.
Gui Zhai (aka Toyol) Ghui Zhai is the Chinese name for the Toyol, which is best represented by it's own template.
Huang Fu Gui: Huang Fu Gui is a lecherous spirit who eats other ghosts. He has the Deadly Laugh, Ghost Magic (Elemental Body) and Shapeshifter (Animals, Humanoids) abilities.
Hua Pi Gui: The ghosts of women who were horribly wronged in life, and then trapped in their skeletons for hundreds of years. They are now green, demonic anthropophagi, who wear the skins of their victims to walk around in by day. Usually have Hideous Appearance, Painted Skin and Physical Power abilities. May also have the Bound Vulnerability.
Hu Gui or Hu Xian: Ghosts of benevolent foxes, raccoons or weasels with the Jing template that possess plates, bowls and other objects of the home.
Jian A ghost who dies becomes a Jiian, best represented by it's own template.
Mao Gui: A Cat with the Jing template who is a ghost. Often raised via magic ceremonies as an instrument of revenge. Usually has some combo of Bad Omen, Curse of Revenge, Madness, Possessor or Plague Spreader.
Nü gui/Nan gui: Women who have been horribly wronged (murder or sexual abuse is strongly implied) can find a measure of revenge by committing suicide in a red dress They return as pale, long-haired women in white dresses seeking revenge on those who wronged them. Nan Gui is the male version of the Nu Gui. Note that they can be rather indiscriminate in their revenge, and in addition to their abuser they can take "revenge" on just about everything in their path. There is a subset of the Nu Gui sometimes called Yao Nien, who are ghostly succubi who drain men of their Yang energy during lovemaking, or who murder them for their blood. These have the Drain ability. Some few of them take men as husbands instead, and even bear them children. Many have the Bound Vulnerability.
Re Bin Gui Bin: Ghosts of foreign soldiers (usually Japanese) who roam the land murdering people. Technically they didn't come about till WWII, but there were wars with China before then. They usually have some ability to cause fear or otherwise impose morale penalties, such as Horrific Appearance or Madness. They usually have a Spirit Weapon they carried in life as well..
Shu gui: Shu gui are haunted trees which confuse travelers by reappearing at random in the forest, causing them to be lost. They are also known for sowing terror. They usually have the Horrifying Appearance and Walk Unseen abilities.
Shui gui: Shui gui are the ghosts of the drowned whose bodies were never found, cursed to haunt the body of water that killed them until they get a replacement. They do this by pulling travelers into the water, and then possessing their body, while leaving the bodies soul behind to become a new Shui gui. They have the Possessor, Ti Shen and Bound Vulnerability abilities.
Thou-tzu Kuei: The ghosts of women who died without child, who try to steal infants. They can be repelled by fetish swords hung from the babies cots. They have the Compulsion Vulnerability.
Wutou gui: Wutou gui are the wandering ghosts of those executed via beheading. Some carry their own head, some have no head at all.
Yen-lo-hwang: Ghostly constables and magistrates who act as the law of the afterlife. They punish the living who harm or enslave ghosts, enforce the laws of the afterlife on the deceased, and are sent to return escaped Ghosts or Demons. They are best represented by a separate template.
Yuan gui: Yuan gui are the ghosts of those who died wronged, or had their reputations smeared. Denied reincarnation they are doomed to wonder the world until they can get someone to clear their name or avenge them.
Ying ling: The ghosts of dead fetuses, inspired by similar tales of Japanese ghosts. If a woman has a miscarriage or an abortion, the child cannot reincarnate, an will become vengeful. Priests are called in to lure the Ying Ling to reside in a tablet shaped like a baby doll, and then take it to a temple where rites are conducted to appease it and keep it calm.
Zhong yin shen: Generic term for the recently deceased who have yet to move on to the afterlife and reincarnation, who wander the Earth for 49 days.
Zhou You Ling : Ghosts of the drowned who appear at the crests of waves when disaster looms. Mostly harmless otherwise, they are given gifts by the people at Hainan as thanks.
Chinese Afterlife: Author's Note: This was as best as I could piece together, English sources are rife with bad translations and misinformation. When mortals die they wander the mortal realm for an additional 49 days, being watched over by the infernal bureaucracy (many don't realize they're dead yet). After this they drift towards the afterlife, or are rounded up by Hebai Wuchang once Diyu notices they're missing, They are presented to a Judge (some say it's Yama or one of the other Kings of the Underworld, some say it's the God Cheng Huang), or cross a bridge determining their fate If the person has been particularly vile during life they are sentenced to Diyu (Chinese Hell). Once there Lord Yama (or one of the Kings of Hell) decides what their punishment will be, and for how long. Mortals who have been indescribably foul become permanent residents of Diyu. Mortals who haven't been bad enough for Diyu, or who have been there for some time then go to the Underworld of the Yellow Springs (or in the case of Buddhists the Realm of the Hungry Ghosts). This is a cheerless afterlife in which they live a miserable existence, save for during the yearly Hungry Ghost Festival when their relatives burn 'hell money' and other paper items that become real in the afterlife. Once their time there is over, another God gives them a potion (or soup) that removes their memories so they can be reincarnated. This time is rigidly scheduled, so they may reincarnate before their punishment in Hell is over. This can lead to bad things.
The torturers and guards of Hell can be bribed with Hell Money, but this still leaves you with leftover karmic debt. They can also be beaten if you are powerful enough, but eventually they will catch up to you, and then you're in deep trouble. You can also jump the queue when waiting to be reincarnated so as to keep your memories, or trick the deity handing it out, but you just get punished more when you inevitably return. After time in Hell you are released into the general ghost population for processing if you haven't been reincarnated yet. What you become depends on your karmic debt once you do reincarnate.
Animals are those with bad karma left over. They expiate their sins by getting killed and eaten, or worked hard, often in rapid succession. Animals don't accrue much bad karma, so spending a few incarnations as an animal earns you a place back in humanity.
Humans are the neutral slate, if your sins are worked off as a ghost, but you're only moderately virtuous, you end up as a human. You have even odds of gaining or losing karma and accumulating sins.
Asuras/Demons are powerful, but born with less restraint than power. Almost all of them eventually get killed at some point and end up in a much lower realm, as they revel in violence and selfish pleasures. You reincarnate to this if you have a lot of positive karma, but also many sins and indulgences. The guards of hell are often under this category, when they are not of the heroic dead.
Gods are born divine, have enormously long lives, great powers, but because of their long lives and great powers they tend to accrue bad karma, so that when they die they usually reincarnate into a lower realm. You reincarnate to this if you entered the afterlife with a great deal of positive karma and no sins. Most eat Celestial Peaches, each one of which extends their life another hundred years.
Taoist Immortals have achieved permanent life, and no longer participate in reincarnation, and neither do those who have achieved Enlightenment such as the Buddhas. Taoist have either used an elixir that granted them 'permanent' immortality, or via a lesser potion that must be repeated every so often. Injury, exertion, extremes of emotion, indulgence, exhaustion of magical powers and other disruptions to the body can reduce the effects of the elixirs.
There is also a book that records the death of every living thing in Hell. If it says your time is up, then your time is up, even if you're Immortal. Sun Wukong achieved truly permanent immortality by storming hell and ripping out his page (or erased his name according to some versions), but this method of immortality is definitely not for the faint of heart.