Groaning Spirit (T1-4, Temple of Elemental Evil)
In an opulent bedchamber in one of the lowest dungeon levels of the Temple of Elemental Evil is the mumified remains of a regally dressed elven woman with a dagger in her back, who is now a Groaning Spirit (Banshee). The mere sight of this banshee instills fear and her wail causes instant death. It is inferred this unnamed woman was once an adventurous sort because her elven gear is stashed somewhere in the level. She also must have been an evil agent of demon-queen Zuggtmoy because this level of the dungeon was dedicated to her followers. Indeed she was treated well, adjoining her bedchamber is a personal kitchen and dining room. Eventually she met her end to someone else from the Temple and they didn't even bother to loot her room so you know it was personal.
Wat the Assassin (Return to the Temple of Elemental Evil)
The man known as Wat was once a barman in the shady town of Nulb, but secretly he was an assassin employed by the Temple of Elemental Evil. Following his death and the closing of the Waterside Hostel his spirit remained to haunt the deserted place where he lived and worked. The ghost of Wat has a horrific appearance that drains physical stats. The worst part however, is Wat still retains his assassin abilites in undeath, using weapons he once owned in life. The only way to put the deadly ghost to rest is to burn this den of evil to the ground.
Senshock was once the Lord Wizard of the Greater Temple dedicated to Zuggtmoy in the Temple of Elemental Evil. Senshock haunts the ruins of his residence in the dungeons where he still has full use of his arcane spells in addition to the standard powers of a ghost. Curiously his only "friend" is a purple worm that he once trapped. The ghost of Senshock is dangerous like he was in life, and he can be laid to rest if Zuggtmoy herself is banished back to the Abyss. Piece of cake, right?
Aliar Daraan (Treasures of Greyhawk, Bladestar)
The haunt named Aliar Daraan was once a half-elven
assassin working for the Spurned Cult of Iuz in the city of Greyhawk. Tall and wearing elegant
clothing the ghost of Aliar Daraan only manifests after dark. He is unique in that he haunts the the magic dagger, Bladestar. The haunt tries to possess the weilder and its goal is to break up
a treacherous gang of spies in Greyhawk. Only then will the spirit of Aliar Daraan be laid to rest.
Aegwareth, Shade of
Vengeance (Return to White Plume Mountain)
The infamous Keraptis slew the elder druid Aegwareth,
who had inhabited White Plume Mountain before the wizard. However, the druid's spirit
lingered on within a magma pool. The shade of Aegwareth seeks
vengeance on Keraptis for his murder. He appears as a ghostly human, though his
eyes, hair, limbs, and garments blaze with ethereal
flame. Aegwareth's touch can age someone 5-14 years and he can summon an epic fire elemental called the Leviathan, which lives within
the same magma pool. The shade will only be laid to rest when Keraptis is eliminated.
Guillaume the Steadfast (Child's Play)
Guillaume is a ghost who has been guarding the king's tomb for 300
years and became so bored he now believes he is the former king of Rhesdain. Guillaume's potent touch ages 10-40 years and just the sight of him can add 10 years to one's life. The ghost can possess people (magic jar) and he controls three mummies in the tomb. Interestingly, Guillaume can only be slain for good if he is convinced he’s not really the king. Child's play indeed.
The ruins of the star-shaped castle named Starhaunt are located in the Celadon Forest. Originally built by Oeridians the occupants are said to have succumbed to madness and still haunt the place. Its eerie walls glow at night thanks to phosphorescent moss and any monsters that lair within the ruins become affected by a displacement magic which gradually causes them to fade, turning into wraiths and specters. There are also ghosts and banshees of the original occupants still lurking in Starhaunt. This is definitely not a place for adventurers to stay the night!
Elven Ghost (Greyhawk Ruins)
Underneath the ruins of Castle Greyhawk, specifically Zagig's Tower, there is a haunted tomb whose background is mysterious. An inscription in elvish runes reads: "Though the fallen have taken with them that
which shone in their eyes. And have left us only what we look upon and
touch. It is through their lifeless bodies that we honor
them. A temple to their memory, a shrine to our
friendship." On a stone pedestal is a cold, unopened black coffin. Inside is the body of an elven mage that was evidently a personal friend of Zagig Yragerne in his mortal life. Of course, if the coffin is disturbed, the ghost of the elf (not a banshee, inferring its alignment) rises and attacks with all the powers you'd expect of a ghost. Who was this friend of Zagig that warranted such a poetic epitaph? This is a tomb best left alone if adventurers are wise.
On a certain whimsical demiplane is the magic mirror house of one Dr. D.R. Murlynd F.K.O., M.L.G.T.S.A. While the house is cozy and has modern conveniences, the attic is haunted by a "witch-ghost". The witch-ghost can possess someone or age them 10 years with the slightest look. Failing that it also has a hideous banshee groan that brings death. Thus a witch-ghost must be a banshee that also has the power of magic jar. Murlynd (a powerful quasi-deity paladin) is definitely able to banish this ghost but some unexplained reason he has allowed it to remain in the attic to guard his stuff. How Murlynd's witch-ghost came to be in this very remote residence has story possibilities.
Horn of the Azure Sea (Greyhawk Adventures)
Created by an evil high priest who wanted more undead to control, this magic horn is an Azure Sea ghost story in its own right. At night on the open sea, blowing the Horn summons an unnamed ghost ship right out of the Ethereal Plane. It usually appears as a white, transparent, multi-decked vessel with three masts and tattered sails. Any character who sees the ghost ship, except the summoner, has a chance to be struck with fear (disastrous for a ship at sea). The ghost ship of course is haunted by nasty undead such as apparitions, shadows, spectres or a ghost. The summoner then has a 75% chance of securing the service of one of these ghostly crewmen for the rest of his life. No captain in his right mind would want a person with this horn to get on his ship.
A former member of the Circle of Eight, Balakarde (aka Bucknard of everful purse fame) was obsessed with researching the Age of Worms prophecy, tracking the Ebon Triad cult and uncovering the Kyuss connection before he eventually he perished leaving behind a trail of journal entries. Now a ghost with unfinished business, he has three personal items that contain a fragment of his soul. If collected they summon his spirit which provides much needed information to the heroes as well as grants boons to those attuned to his soul fragments. When the deadly dracolich Dragotha is destroyed, Balakarde can finally pass on.
