Unholy Ghosts
Unholy Magic
Chapter 1
The penalty for summoning the dead back to earth is death; if the summoned spirit does not kill its summoner, be assured the Church will.
The Book of Truths, Laws, Article 3
Chapter 2
Never fear to call the Church if you have any questions, or stumble upon signs of magic that frighten you. The Church’s job is to protect humanity from such things.
The Church and You, a pamphlet by Elder Barrett
Chapter 3
Violence is the worst of humanity’s foibles, and the least necessary. The Church protects you from the need to perform such acts; there is no excuse for violent behavior in modern society.
The Book of Truth, Laws, Article 347
Chapter 4
You must always be vigilant in guarding against the desires of the flesh. Even those acts not deemed illegal can stain the soul in some situations.
The Book of Truth, Rules, Article 278
Chapter 5
The dead do not offer forgiveness. They do not feel. They do not advance or grow. They remain frozen as they were, save for the replacement of love with hate.
The Book of Truth, Veraxis, Article 329
Chapter 6
Not every family situation will be pleasant; not every home is happy. Your job will be to determine whether that displeasure has drifted into dishonesty.
Careers in the Church: A Guide for Teens, by Praxis Turpin
Chapter 7
Worse still are those who commit the ultimate evil, who bind themselves unto the dead. No good can come of such an act; at the end of it lies only misery.
The Book of Truth, Rules, Article 37
Chapter 8
Punishment of both crime and sin is the exclusive dominion of the Church. That punishment begins before death. Be assured it continues after it.
The Book of Truth, Veraxis, Article 220
Chapter 9
Being married, being joined by love and blood and magic in the eyes of the Church and society, is a sacred trust. We cleave ourselves unto our spouses in hope, in love, and in obligation.
Mrs. Increase’s Advice for Ladies, by Mrs. Increase; from the Foreword by Elder Thomas
Chapter 10
A further note: The spells within contain common, legal ingredients. You may be told you can gain greater results by using herbs or symbols forbidden to the public. Don’t believe it! Forbidden herbs are forbidden for a reason.
You Can Do This! A Guide for Beginners, by Molly Brooks-Cahill
Chapter 11
The body is a vessel for the soul, and nothing more. Once the soul has departed, the body is merely a cast-off shell, and we destroy it as all useless items are destroyed. With fire.
The Book of Truth, Laws, Article 801
Chapter 12
The Church has trained you. The Church has put its trust in you. The people have put their trust in you. It surrounds you like an aura wherever you go; and you must never forget it.
The Example Is You, the guidebook for Church employees
Chapter 13
Dangerous magic exists; it will tempt you. This is why a Church employee must be honorable first and foremost.
Careers in the Church: A Guide for Teens, by Praxis Turpin
Chapter 14
The wild psychopomp is dangerous and unpredictable. What they do is given to them by instinct, by energy and magic itself; their wisdom surpasses ours and is cruel and unfeeling when manipulated.
Psychopomps: The Key to Church Ritual and Mystery, by Elder Brisson
Chapter 15
A good Debunker is ready for anything, never surprised, never caught off guard.
Careers in the Church: A Guide for Teens, by Praxis Turpin
Chapter 16
So much fear and misery, so much anger, made humankind vulnerable to the dead, for they ceased to remember the danger posed by the unseen.
But the unseen never forgets. It never stops looking for its chance to destroy.
The Book of Truth, Origins, Article 459
Chapter 17
For a human to work with a ghost is a grievous error, a crime against humanity so severe it cannot be fully expressed. For above all acts it is one with no gain; nothing good can come of it.
The Book of Truth, Rules, Article 178
Chapter 18
You are of course encouraged to speak to children, to answer their questions with the kind of Truth appropriate to their age and situation. Never forget they are not yet mature; they are children.
The Example Is You, the guidebook for Church employees
Chapter 19
This was when the Truth finally came out; this was the moment when the eyes of humanity saw it.
The Book of Truth, Origins, Article 1520
Chapter 20
You represent Truth. You are Truth. This should be your highest goal, above all others; Church employees do not lie, even to themselves.
The Example Is You, the guidebook for Church employees
Chapter 21
The choice is yours, to live a life in the light of Truth, or to skulk in darkness outside it.
The Book of Truth, Veraxis, Article 71
Chapter 22
And the Church sealed the cemeteries, the mortuaries, and places where the dead were stored. These are places of darkness, where no one living belongs.
The Book of Truth, Origins, Article 1631
Chapter 23
Secrets are never to be recommended, not amongst families or those you love. Again, we look to the Church for advice, and the Church tells us Truth is always best.
Families and Truth, a Church pamphlet by Elder Barrett
Chapter 24
Magic is neither benevolent nor malevolent; it is not good or evil. The motives of the practitioner are important, but that does not mean magic is safe if your heart is pure. Quite the opposite can be True…
The Book of Truth, Rules, Article 980
Chapter 25
For it is Truth that things are not always as they appear. It is also Truth that things are as the Church tells you they are.
The Book of Truth, Veraxis, Article 5
Chapter 26
Times are hard for young girls these days. It’s not like when we were young! But if you keep the lines of communication open, you’ll be amazed at how willing your child is to open up. The occasional reminder that the Church expects them to obey never hurts either…
Raising Girls in Truth, by Lana Hunnicutt
Chapter 27
It’s always good to keep some basic first-aid treatments in the home. You never know when you might need them, and helping others is the best and surest way to feel good about ourselves.
Mrs. Increase’s Advice for Ladies, by Mrs. Increase
Chapter 28
Minds and mouths lie. Souls do not.
Families and Truth, a Church pamphlet by Elder barrett
Chapter 29
To use a wild psychopomp is a serious crime; to cause the death of a psychopomp is a grave one, and puts both the life and soul of the murderer in jeopardy.
Psychopomp: The Key to Church Ritual and Mystery, by Elder Brisson
Chapter 30
What is right is Moral, because the Church decrees it so. What is Immoral is Abomination.
The Book of Truth, Veraxis, Article 336
Chapter 31
Physical death is but a pathway to the City of Eternity; the psychopomp is an escort to a life of freedom and peace.
The Book of Truth, Veraxis, Article 66
City of Ghosts
Chapter 1
Not all of your duties will be pleasant. But that is the sacrifice you make, for as a Church employee you must always remember that you are privileged above all others.
The Example Is You, the guidebook for Church employees
Chapter 2
The most sacred vows are those given to the Church, and overseen by the Church, for those involve not just the heart and mind but the soul.
The Book of Truth, Laws, Article 331
Chapter 3
And we honor those first Elders above all others, for they were the Founders of our Church and thus the saviors of mankind.
The Book of Truth, Origins, Article 1256
Chapter 4
Be proud of the wrinkles and lines that life has given you! They’re a symbol of the promises you’ve made to your family and of your achievements. All important events leave scars.
Mrs. Increase’s Advice for Ladies by Mrs. Increase
Chapter 5
The soul should not leave the body until the moment of death. To do otherwise is to court disaster.
The Book of Truth, Laws, Article 449
Chapter 6
Be aware that when you work for the Church you belong to the Church, body and soul. You cannot serve two masters.
Careers in the Church: A Guide for Teens, by Praxis Turpin
Chapter 7
Don’t be afraid to admit to yourself what results you’re looking for, or to ask your friends for help.
You Can Do This! A Guide for Beginners, by Molly Brooks-Cahill
Chapter 8
Only through penitence and pain is forgiveness possible.
The Book of Truth, Veraxis, Article 72
Chapter 9
Remember the power inherent in blood. I recommend burning anything it touches. This may seem like an extreme measure, but better safe than sorry!
Mrs. Increase’s Advice for Ladies, by Mrs. Increase
Chapter 10
They performed all manner of experiments on both living and dead flesh, for they did not know the Truth.
A History of the Old Government, Volume VI: 1975-1997
Chapter 11
We all know there’s safety in numbers. But what about fun? An apartment in Cuesta Verde guarantees you a a lovely modern home, friendly neighbors who share your interests, and proximity to the Church!
Advertising pamphlet for Cuesta Verde Apartment Homes
Chapter 12
Of course, no home is complete without a copy of The Book of Truth, and the Church provides these in colors to match any décor.
Your Home, Your Sanctuary, by Delilah Ross
Chapter 13
The Church has a hand in every aspect of your daily life, from food production to education to transportation. It watches you, so you can relax and live a safe and happy life.
The Church Guides You, a pamphlet by Elder Warren
Chapter 14
Family is the most important thing there is, and you should encourage your beloved spouse to be close to your children.
Mrs. Increase’s Advice for Ladies, by Mrs. Increase
Chapter 15
Their roads are marvels of technology, which the Church has only improved upon over time.
A History of the Old Government, Volume V: 1930-1974
Chapter 16
Laws are made for our safety and should be followed. Don’t think that just because you want to do something, you should. Leave complicated magic to the Church.
You Can Do This! A Guide for Beginners, by Molly Brooks-Cahill
Chapter 17
The dead never cease in their quest to harm; the Church never ceases its vigilance agianst the dead.
The Book of Truth, Veraxis, Article 77
Chapter 18
The creation of a psychopomp is a complex process, one only designated Church employees may perform. It is to them we entrust the safety of all humanity.
Careers in the Church: A Guide for Teens, by Praxis Turpin
Chapter 19
Don’t forget the Church. They’re always willing to help, and should be the first place you turn when there’s trouble, whether it’s ghosts or fights with your beloved husband.
Mrs. Increase’s Advice for Ladies, by Mrs. Increase
Chapter 20
A promise to the Church is far more important than any other promise. Not just because the Church protects you, but because the Church is always watching you.
The Book of Truth, Veraxis, Article 1340
Chapter 21
Remember you are known not simply by what you say, but by what you do. The Church requires Truth; your fellow man requires no less.
The Church and You, a pamphlet by Elder Barrett
Chapter 22
They ordered the underground spaces be filled, for venturing beneath the surface of the earth can only lead to danger and destruction. There the dead have more strength; there does energy increase.
The Book of Truth, Origins, Article 355
Chapter 23
We must not simply atone for our sins, our crimes against Truth, with words. We must atone for them physically as well.
The Book of Truth, Laws, Article 323
Chapter 24
A Church employee does not get distracted. Does not lose sight of the goal. Does not waver in his or her objective, which is to defend the Church and to protect humanity, whatever the cost.
The Example Is You, the guidebook for Church employees
Chapter 25
There are those who seek to hide from the Church, to keep unsavory secrets. They do not succeed. The Church and Truth see all.
The Book of Truth, Veraxis, Article 728
Chapter 26
We know anything can be possible through the use of magic. But just because it is possible does not mean it is acceptable; the possible and the moral do not always intersect, and that is Truth.
The Book of Truth, Veraxis, Article 873
Chapter 27
The Church’s blessing did not come without conditions, for nothing ever does, but the condition was thus: That the people know and accept Truth, and live in it, and be guided by the Church.
The Book of Truth, Origins, Article 700
Chapter 28