Mayview Barrier

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You're just going to have to trust me when I say it's a necessary inconvenience. — Richard Spender to Maxwell Puckett regarding the Mayview Barrier (Chapter 4, Page 73)

”

Chapter 4, Page 75

The Mayview Barrier is a large spherical dome encompassing the entire town of Mayview. It is normally invisible unless it is actively blocking entry or it is being bypassed.

Background

According to Richard Spender, a colleague of his (revealed to be Texas Walker) put the barrier in place at some unspecified point in time using the power of a spirit. The reasons for the barrier's placement are currently unknown.

Functions

The barrier blocks the following from passing through it:

• Spirits (whether spirits near-death are allowed to enter is unknown, but unlikely)
• Spectrals
• Some of the abilities used by spectrals and/or spirits
• Member of the Cousinhood of Man

The barrier is also selectively permeable and allows the following to pass through it freely:

• Normal humans, animals and/or objects
• Ghosts
• Tools

A normal human that is possessed but has not yet developed spectral energy is also able to freely pass through the barrier.

Exceptions

There are a few spirits that can get around the barrier's restriction:

• The Ghost Train's powers warp the barrier away from itself, allowing it to enter and leave town. This is utilized by the Activity Consortium to allow its members passage into and out of Mayview.
• Doorman's powers allow him to use a key to bring spirits and spectrals to different locations by going through him. Since the jump from one area to another appears to be instantaneous, this effectively allows the spirit/spectral to bypass the barrier. This was the original plan to get Forge inside Mayview.

Trivia

• The barrier tends to make noises when interacted with; Forge placing his hand on it causes it to emit a "zoop zoop" sound effect, and it makes a "V...orp" noise as RJ walks through it.

Gallery

The barrier prevents Forge's fire attack from reaching the Vile Spirits. (Chapter 4, Page 44)

The barrier prevents Forge from entering Mayview normally, and makes a noise when touched. (Chapter 4, Page 44)

The barrier would prevent Max from leaving town in a normal vehicle, as he'd be crushed between the barrier and the car. (Chapter 4, Page 72)

The Ghost Train uses its power to warp the barrier out of its way. (Chapter 4, Page 75)

The barrier is visible during the Ghost Train's Grudge-induced rampage. (Chapter 4, Page 106)

The Ghost Train approaches the barrier from the outside. (Chapter 4, Page 141)

Johnny's gang is able to pass through the barrier without issue. None of them notice it, although it makes noise as they pass through. (Chapter 4, Page 142)

Just after being possessed, Johnny still counts as a normal human to the barrier, and he is allowed back into Mayview. (Chapter 4, Page 143)