Spectral Energy

“

People like us, we've gained properties normally reserved for apparitions. Producing the tinted vapor we call spectral energy, for example. It's like we're dead without being dead. — Richard Spender to Max Puckett (Chapter 1, Page 64)

”

Mr. Spender attempts to explain the mechanics of spectral energy with a yarn analogy. (Chapter 4, Page 74)

Spectral Energy is the supernatural gaslike substance that is emanated and manipulated by spectrals, and that makes up the bodies of spirits and ghosts. In its raw form, it manifests as a "tinted vapor" of some color along the visual spectrum, glowing with light. Spectral energy can only be perceived and interacted with by spirits, ghosts, spectral and monsters; it is usually invisible and intangible for all other living beings.

Spectrals spontaneously produce spectral energy in plumes on the surface of their body, and thus serve as an unlimited source of it; this can be exploited for power and restoration by injured spirits, who are able either possess them as mediums or lure them after possessing a tool, in order to get the energy necessary for healing. The fact that spectrals' bodies are infused with this energy means that spiritual powers can harm them just as if they were made out of spectral energy alone. Zack Morrison has described the state of being a spectral as "the parabiological process of your body producing a ghost BEFORE you die".

Spectral entities like ghosts and spirits, as they consist entirely of spectral energy not attached to a corporeal body, are liable to be preyed upon and consumed for their energy by stronger injured spirits. While they can regenerate their energy at a slow rate, it is not fast enough to avoid being absorbed by a spirit.

Color Spectrum

Spectral energy has a distinctive hue that varies depending on the specific individual that emitted it; it can come in any color across the spectrum, including grey and black. Each spectral produces a single energy color, as does each spirit. For a spirit to be able to feed on another's energy, thus for a spectral and a spirit to be compatible, their spectral energy colors must be a shade of the same color, with variations (such as light green vs. dark green vs. blue green, etc.) making it harder to harness the spirit's powers and slowing down its healing process. For example, Isabel Guerra and Eightfold share the same red hue of spectral energy, allowing Eightfold to easily heal and Isabel to access her powers. In contrast, Mina Zarei's color is chartreuse while the Ghost Train's is teal, causing the spirit to heal more slowly and making it harder for her to control it.

The exception to the limitation of compatibility is white spirit energy, the color reserved for wights, which acts as all other colors simultaneously. This allows any spirit or spectral who possesses it to act as an universal donor and recipient of energy (i.e. to draw energy from and give energy to any other spirit). In particular, spectrals with white energy can bond with any tool and can be possessed regardless of color; however, white is not a naturally-occurring color for a spectral to have, and can only be acquired via special circumstances. For instance, Ángel Guerra is able to turn his black spectral energy into a shade of white by harnessing the power of Polaris. It is currently unknown how Penny Spender acquired her white energy.

A spectral's energy color is random, unless they became a spectral because of the influence a specific supernatural source, in which case their spectral color matches the source's. Energy color is not genetic, and there is a separate reason why Isabel's color matches her grandfather's: indeed, Francisco Guerra "doted on her since birth", jumpstarting her spectral condition as early as six years old. The rarity of individual colors is generally unimportant, with one officially stated exception: though it was left unspecified, Zack described it as "pretty easy to figure out just from relative scarcity/process of elimination". It is heavily implied to be white, given that Ángel stresses the need for him and Penny to keep their white energy a secret for their own safety.

It does not appear that the color of spectral energy has any sort of necessary tie to the powers of the associated spirit. However, the powers seen in Paranatural frequently have some similar connotations to their associated colors (e.g. Spender's yellow light powers, Isaac's sky-blue weather powers), for narrative and aesthetic reasons if nothing else.

Usage

Combat

“

The manipulation of spectral energy for combat requires absolute mental precision. The slightest imperfection in your technique will limit its potential. Perfect your mind, and know limitless power! — Francisco Guerra to Isabel Guerra (Chapter 4, Page 5)

”

Lefty performing three different techniques. Clockwise from upper right: spec-shot, either a construct or spectral tempering, and will wisps. (Chapter 2, Page 23)

Spectrals can learn to shape their spectral energy through training and willpower. With this, even a spectral without a spirit partner can hold their own in a fight against a spectral being. Techniques range from the ability to deliver a concentrated shot of spectral energy at range to the ability to craft elaborate shapes and forms from one's energy. However, a spirit's powers are considered more convenient to use than spectral energy due to the former relying on impulse and requiring much less focus.

The most skilled practitioner of these arts in Mayview is Francisco Guerra, who teaches other spectrals (frequently Consortium members) in the style of the Spectral Fist, which he personally perfected. Weaponized spectral energy is not very effective on enemies whose durability exceed the user's strength, as evident when many of Spender's spectral techniques barely harmed Forge. Also, as Forge, being over a century old, had not known about weaponized spectral energy until his fight with Spender, it's assumed that the art of spectral combat is fairly recent or uncommon.

Shaping Spectral Energy

Chapter 4, Page 102

A key part of the Spectral Fist is its use of willpower to shape spectral energy into various forms, commonly referred to as constructs. These can be put to almost any use the creator can imagine to grant additional reach, size, or attack power. Spectral energy can also be made to hold an edge, giving it the ability to cut through and seriously injure spirits, ghosts, or other spectrals.

Spec Shot

Spectrals practicing "spec-shots". (Chapter 4, Page 4)

The more common name of the "spectral energy compression projectile burstshot" invented by Master Guerra, this technique concentrates spectral energy into the user's finger or hands and unleashes it as a projectile towards a target at high velocity. This is one of the Spectral Fist's basic techniques. It allows a skilled spectral to remain dangerous even at considerable range.

Spectral Tempering

Crush employing spectral tempering in his fight against Brother HogChapter 8, Page 39

A technique described as "having extra muscles made of steel", spectral tempering is a technique for forming durable armor of spectral energy. It involves not only focusing on the end result, but each individual layer, "fused but separate, firm but flexible". It provides increased offensive and defensive capabilities. However the armor is not unbreakable, as a strong enough attack has been shown to break it. The only people confirmed to be capable of using it are Ángel Guerra, Crush, Scabs, and Francisco Guerra.

Will Wisps

Crush making a boxing ring construct out of will wisps. Chapter 8, Page 41

The action of shaping spectral energy that is disconnected from your body. Next to tempering, it is the most advanced technique of Spectral Fist.

Other

Chapter 5, Page 46

Spectral energy can be shaped into almost any form, and its resultant shape is visible to other spectral-energy-using beings. This can be used to for entertainment, to discreetly communicate in the presence of non-spectrals, to try to achieve some psychological or intimidating edge in battle, or just to look cool.

Spectral energy can be extended away from the user's body while remaining "attached" to the spectral, and thus can be used to pull the spectral towards or push the spectral away from other objects or individuals made of spectral energy. This can grant the spectral an additional degree of motion or allow them to pull an opponent off-balance.

Though energy constructs that aren't attached to one's body are generally hard to create (see Spectral Energy#Will Wisps), they can be achieved more easily by stretching the energy into as fine a thread as possible.

Spectral energy can be rendered solid to non-supernatural materials through a very difficult feat of poltergeisting, although this is noted to require intense effort even for seasoned spectrals. Poltergeisting can be applied to the other techniques, such as spectral tempering.

Some powerful ghosts, like Francisco Guerra, Crush and Lefty, can manipulate spectral energy at will, but more often than not ghosts just manage to perform a simple specific trick; one example is the Faculty Ghost who is only able to make butterfly constructs.

Trivia

• Although Spender describes black spectral energy as "fairly common" on Chapter 1, Page 59, this was later described by Zack as "a joke than as any sort of important worldbuilding detail."
• Out of the current members of the Activity Club, Isaac O'Connor is the worst at handling spectral energy.
• Spectrals involuntarily emit spectral energy when they are stressed or surprised, as well. The misty gas flows up from them like smoke from a fire. This reflex can be suppressed, with enough training.
• The spectral energy radiating off spirits, ghost and spectrals disperses into the ambient, providing a fertile terrain for spirits to be born.
• While it is normally found in the gaseous state, highly concentrated spectral energy can condense into liquid state.