Ghost Boy of Kirinal

The Last Ghost of Kirinal

The Ghost Boy was an orphan who died along with half a million other mortals in the Disintegration of Kirinal. He has been haunting the area around the Kirinal Pit since then and is unique among the "Dead of Kirinal" for his ability to leave the Pit itself.

He seeks out people with interesting occupations and joins their adventures whether they want him to or not. His stories have been told in the "& Ghost Boy" Series of copper chronicles. Sergeant, weren't you the subject of one of those series?

I knew this would come up one day, so I'll say my piece and I'll be done. Yeah, I'm the same "Watchman Kill Flayer" from the books. Nope, I won't sign your copy. The publishing company exaggerated exactly what went on with Ghost Boy and me. There will be no reprints while I'm alive.

As to the Boy himself? He's a great kid. Yes, I know what really happened. That's not my story to tell.

At night the Kirinal Concordance Zone comes alive with spirits of all kinds: friendly, malevolent, mischievous, and everything in between. Despite the wards in the walls, and whatever agimat you're wearing, it's dangerous to walk in the dark alone. Even on the street just outside your home, you can get turned around. Direction can lose its meaning when reality changes every day.

It's common knowledge that if you're lost in the mists, you should close your eyes, hold out your hand, and say this rhyme. The Ghost Boy of Kirinal will sometimes take it and lead you home.

"Ghost Boy come and take my hand,

I am lost, my steps unplanned.

The aswang want my flesh and bone,

Here in the dark, please guide me home."

There are hundreds of reports over the years that he has led people home. However, no one has once reported that they've opened their eyes.

Ghost Boy of Kirinal Lends a Helping Hand by Chris L - Heroforge

The Smiling Orphan

The Ghost Boy is the smiling spirit of a boy in archaic clothing. He plays tricks and performs silly good deeds for those who call on "Ghost Boy."

Nothing is known about the child who became the famous ghost. He was not important enough to have his name recorded anywhere. His death wasn't even a footnote in the tragedy of the Disintegration of Kirinal.

Mediums and spiritualists who have made contact with him know that he was a twelve-year-old orphan when he died. He's dressed in a school-boy uniform from two centuries ago: short pants, shirt, tie, jacket, and a pageboy cap.

He won't tell anyone any details about his life or even give anyone his name. They know that he had a miserable life and is actually much happier now that he's dead.

The Ghost Boy, he come to me when those ghost hunters keep bothering him. I make them leave him alone. That poor boy had such a hard life, I won't blame him if he were a bad spirit. But now he's so good! He only want to help!

Haunting Helper

Over the centuries since his death, the Ghost Boy of Kirinal has appeared to hundreds of people all over the Zone. He especially loves to haunt adventuring parties, joining them on grand quests in the Zone and helping out however he can. The Ghost Boy can only appear within the borders of his haunting, which is the entirety of the Zone.

The fact that he can even manifest outside of the Pit itself is unusual for one of the "Dead of Kirinal." The Smiling Orphan is the only one of their number known to appear outside of the Pit itself. No one knows why he can do this, least of all the Boy himself.


I think I've seen the Ghost Boy more than most. I feel like he would've made a good police officer if he had been able to grow up.

He loves to show up and point out clues that I've missed. He especially dislikes the Soul Stealer Gangsters. When I spot the Orphan while I'm on patrol, he's usually pointing out one of their hideouts.

I warn him to be careful, they might catch him in a ghost trap! But he's dead! He does not listen to me!

Detective Lim & Ghost Boy in the Woods by Chris L

Legend of the Last Ghost

A legend has risen up around the Ghost Boy identifying him as the "Last Ghost." It has been prophesized that when the last of the "Dead of Kirinal" are transformed into soulforged the hole in reality, the Kirinal Pit, will finally close. Lost Kirinal will return to its rightful place where the Pit is now and the soulforged will all become "real" people again.

All the clerics, wizards, and arcane scientists who study the Pit deny that this is even possible. But soothsayers and fortune tellers insist that it is true. It's a favorite story run in the Aleph Zero Revelations.

Last Ghost is Last Hope for Soul Stealing Robots!

Experts in the fields of futurology and fortune-casting confirm exclusively to the AZ Revelations that the only hope for the so-called "soulforged" would be the transformation of the Last Ghost into a ghost-bot! Such an event would close the cancerous Pit and restore the robot-men to their rightful mortal forms! We demand that the Church of Anam skip the middleman and convert that Ghost Boy toot sweet!

-AZ Revelations

Entry for the Treasured Companions Challenge.

Use Ghost Boy and his friends in your own campaign with these fun adventure hooks and Ghost Boy's 5E statblock!

Adventuring With Ghost Boy
Plot | Sep 21, 2023

What adventures await Ghost Boy and his friends! It'll only cost a copper to find out!

Alignment
Chaotic Good
Current Status
Dead, but he's watching out for you.
Current Location
Ethnicity
Age
Forever 12
Date of Death
6/27/3005
Life
2993 FA 3005 FA 12 years old
Circumstances of Death
Died in the Disintegration of Kirinal
Birthplace
Place of Death
Children
Pronouns
he/him
Sex
Male
Gender
Boy
Eyes
Milky white
Hair
Cloudy white
Skin Tone/Pigmentation
Transparent
Height
4'11"
Weight
Weightless
Other Affiliations

& Ghost Boy Series

The Ghost Boy has participated in many famous adventures over the centuries of his existence. He's been dead for more than 200 years and has had a very active afterlife.

Billy Lim is only his most recent mentor. He's been the sidekick to many swashbucklers, mercenaries, and daredevils over the years. His known adventures have been recounted in the "copper chronicles" known as the "& Ghost Boy Series".

Detective Lim & Ghost Boy Casebook

Most recently he has teamed up with the reluctant Detective Lim of the Zone Authority Police. Despite his initial reservations, Ghost Boy has become Detective Lim's trusted companion and lucky charm.

After seeing what was done to Kill Flayer in his series, he keeps tight control of what is and isn't published.

Detective Lim and Ghost Boy Casebook #1, The Kirinal Connection by Chris L

Kill Flayer & Ghost Boy Chronicles

The famous Sgt. Kill Flayer was a zap himself before his current job and had a brief partnership with Ghost Boy. At the time, Watchman Kill Flayer was involuntarily led into undead adventures that he didn't want to participate in. This series has been out of print for decades and is a highly sought collectible.

Kill Flayer & Ghost Boy Chronicles #1, Spectral Secrets of the Concordance by Chris L - Heroforge

Moon Breeze & Ghost Boy's Mysteries

The ki-rin Moon Breeze sees the Smiling Orphan as a stark reminder of what could happen if she fails in her duty. Only great tragedy can create a ghost and the Ghost Boy is a reminder of her greatest failure.

The protectress of innocents knows that the Ghost Boy's safety is beyond her purview. She struggles to keep living children safe, much less undead ones! Moon Breeze has discovered that distracting him with mysteries and missions can lead him away from adventures that are too dangerous even for a dead boy.

Intro to MB&GB Mysteries
Moon Breeze & Ghost Boy Chronicles #1, The Lost Souls Expedition by Chris L

Tito Corbin & Ghost Boy's Folly of Fun

Tito Corbin's Taverns Incorporated published a series of children's books featuring their own ghostly figurehead Tito Corbin tutoring Ghost Boy in the ways of post-life trickery.

I teach that Ghost Boy some of his best tricks! He can't change to his scary form before he meet me! But I teach him to become expert at showing his bones! Now we working on take off skin and ectoplasm!

Tito Corbin & Ghost Boy Folly of Fun #1, The Haunting of Silvergate Manor
Tito Corbin & Ghost Boy Folly of Fun #1, The Haunting of Silvergate Manor by Chris L
Tito Corbin & Ghost Boy Follies #1, Haunting of Silvergate Manor (Scary Alt) by Chris L

The Dusk Patrol & Ghost Boy Adventures

Ghost Boy sometimes spends time with the Dusk Patrol, an elite squad of Tridenser Knights who take on some of the toughest conflicts on the Pit Wall. Written for a slightly older audience, these tales feature some actual danger for Ghost Boy.

When the regular soldiers of the Kirinal Defenders can't face the challenge, they call in the Dusk Patrol. Led by the enigmatic Sir Bekezela Shange, this elite squad relies on the indestructible Ghost Boy to scout out their foes!

DP&GB Adventures flap copy
The Dusk Patrol & Ghost Boy Adventures #1, Cursed Relics and Ethereal Allies by Chris L


Cover image: Ghost Boy Header 2nd Printing by Chris L
Character Portrait image: Ghost Boy of Kirinal Portrait by Chris L - Heroforge

Comments

Author's Notes

I definitely based the covers for the different Ghost Boy series on different comic book covers and movie posters. Let me know if you figure out which ones I homaged!


Please Login in order to comment!
Sep 4, 2023 03:03 by RandoScorpio

What a gem. The ghost boy sounds sweet and wonderful. Your little rhyme is fantastic and I will say you never disappoint Kitty. I hope to make articles as lovely as yours.

Sep 5, 2023 00:53 by Chris L

Thank you and good luck to you for the challenge!


Take a look at my Institutions of Learning challenge article.

Learn about the World of Wizard's Peak and check out my award winning article about the Ghost Boy of Kirinal!

Sep 4, 2023 17:47 by Tlcassis Polgara | Arrhynsia

Very fun! He's seems like a very nice young man... :-)

Follow my worlds: Arrhynsia and Compendium and check out my author website at tlcassis.com to see my latest work!
Sep 5, 2023 00:53 by Chris L

He's honestly a really good boy!


Take a look at my Institutions of Learning challenge article.

Learn about the World of Wizard's Peak and check out my award winning article about the Ghost Boy of Kirinal!

Sep 5, 2023 13:12 by Dr Emily Vair-Turnbull

I love Ghost Boy. He sounds like he gets up to a lot of interesting adventures!   I'm so curious as to what they wrote about Kill-Flayer now though. XD

Emy x
Explore Etrea
Sep 5, 2023 14:26 by Chris L

Now that I've written the main article, I'm building out the supporting info and my favorite is making the book covers! I'm also curious what they did to piss him off so much!


Take a look at my Institutions of Learning challenge article.

Learn about the World of Wizard's Peak and check out my award winning article about the Ghost Boy of Kirinal!

Sep 7, 2023 15:41 by Dani

Nice! :D He's great!! I'm glad he gets to help people from beyond and has been able to keep doing so for so long. I can tell you had fun playing with this one--the comic covers are hilarious and I can't stop setting off the animation XD Love that Detective Lim is taking narrative control of the illustrated accounting of events because previous "elaborations" on Ghost Boy adventures went awry. Poor Flayer, it must've been terrible XD (Also Tito sounds like a terrible influence lol)


You are doing a great job! Keep creating; I believe in you!
Luridity: Where love is love and life is lived. Contains NSFW content.
Now with serialized fiction on Ream!!
Sep 7, 2023 16:02 by Chris L

Thanks for reading and commenting! I'm definitely having a blast playing with this article! Detective Lim is no dummy! There's not a lot of world-building about him, but he features pretty heavily in my actual games!


Take a look at my Institutions of Learning challenge article.

Learn about the World of Wizard's Peak and check out my award winning article about the Ghost Boy of Kirinal!

Sep 10, 2023 11:48 by LexiCon (WordiGirl)

Very interesting concept and character! Loved the use of css. Bless the lil boy. <3

Sep 10, 2023 14:23 by Chris L

Thank you! I can't stop thinking about him! I'm getting so many little ideas in my head about him.


Take a look at my Institutions of Learning challenge article.

Learn about the World of Wizard's Peak and check out my award winning article about the Ghost Boy of Kirinal!

Sep 29, 2023 03:48 by George Sanders

Whew, if Ghost Boy is holding his own against aswang then I will keep my eyes closed too.   "When there are so many bad things in the mists there must be something good too. And, I didn't know there was a whole library of stories included. What a treasure!" ~Lavani

Read about the great items submitted for the Summer Camp Prompt I sponsored "A personal item that keeps you safe".
Share your articles on Lavani's Reading List!
Sep 29, 2023 11:42 by Chris L

He's a tough kid! Thanks for reading my article and showcasing it on your Reading List.


Take a look at my Institutions of Learning challenge article.

Learn about the World of Wizard's Peak and check out my award winning article about the Ghost Boy of Kirinal!

Sep 29, 2023 07:34

Another absolutely amazing competition article Kit, great job. I particularly liked the comic covers, but the whole thing was well crafted.

Check out some of my summer camp articles, like the dangerous flying jackalope or dragon wasps. Or, for something more light-hearted, there is the whimsical language Gobbledygook and Jaden's interesting job as a guano polisher.
Sep 29, 2023 11:43 by Chris L

Thank you! I put a lot of thought and work into this one!


Take a look at my Institutions of Learning challenge article.

Learn about the World of Wizard's Peak and check out my award winning article about the Ghost Boy of Kirinal!

Oct 22, 2023 10:35 by Annie Stein

Big congrats on the win! I love how fun and indulgent this article is, I think you set up ghost boy as an excellent mascot for the setting. I've said this before, but I do always appreciate the heart in your writing. You remind the reader that a ghost kid is a tragedy in and of itself. I think those empathic touches are what really makes your world come to (un)life.

Creator of Solaris -— Come Explore!
Oct 22, 2023 12:44 by Chris L

Thanks for reading the article, I've been trying to win a challenge outright, and I'm glad that it finally happened. This is definitely one of my favorite articles that I've ever written. I definitely feel like I've unlocked a lot of potential worldbuilding with him as a new POV. Even though I came up with it, his story makes me very very sad. I just want him to have the best afterlife ever.


Take a look at my Institutions of Learning challenge article.

Learn about the World of Wizard's Peak and check out my award winning article about the Ghost Boy of Kirinal!

Nov 30, 2023 09:31 by Hayley Gross

This is a great article! I a sucker for friendly and helpful ghosts, so Ghost Boy is just my drop. The bittersweet nature of his story is really enjoyable to read, and I really like that he has a mythos that's built up around him over the years. The comics are a great idea, I could definitely see that as a way the story would spread. Your coding on the article is fantastic too, little sprites of Ghost Boy and the intricate images, I'm super impressed.   Hayley ^_^

Nov 30, 2023 12:36 by Chris L

Thanks for reading it, I'm glad you liked him! He definitely took over my brain for a long time in October. I'm definitely considering making him one of my POV characters that I use in my wordl.


Take a look at my Institutions of Learning challenge article.

Learn about the World of Wizard's Peak and check out my award winning article about the Ghost Boy of Kirinal!

Mar 2, 2024 17:45 by Marjorie Ariel

I think it's really interesting how Ghost Boy is better known in death than in life, and I love how he's not only known for helping people out, but that there's a whole series of a comics about him!! And to add to that all the CSS. This really is an outstanding article. I also like how you've encounraged people to use him in their own campaigns. Given your setting, it feels very appropriate for a character to run around in other people's worlds.

Mar 2, 2024 19:42 by Chris L

Thank you! He's definitely one of my favorite characters and he lives in my head rent free!


Take a look at my Institutions of Learning challenge article.

Learn about the World of Wizard's Peak and check out my award winning article about the Ghost Boy of Kirinal!

Powered by World Anvil