Visions of a Dark Horizon

Hello, new investigator, and welcome to Omniplex Paranormal Exterminations, also known as OPE. Your safety and satisfaction are our top priorities. As part of your orientation, we would like you to familiarize yourself with eleven ten threats you are most likely to face in the performance of your duties. While all paranormal investigations and exterminations pose some risk, as long as you follow these simple guidelines and keep safety in mind, these paranormal pests should pose little threat.*

Lead Investigators’ Note: Hey newbie, this is Jim Rawlins, Southeast Regional Manager for OPE. I’ve got eleven years on this job, and I can tell you most of this guide is garbage, and some of it can – and will – get you killed. The lawyers cooked this up for you to sign so your next of kin can’t sue them, since they added that little liability clause at the bottom. Go ahead and read it all, but pay attention to my notes if you want to survive your orientation week. 

One: Shrieking Phantasm – The Shrieking Phantasm is considered a nuisance entity that primarily manifests within older estates, typically those with a dark family history of some kind. The research team should be able to alert you to that in the job order. A Shrieking Phantasm typically appears as a vaporous, ghostly silver form with defined forelimbs and a wide, shadowy mouth. When confronted, it only has one severe attack, the shriek that inspired its name, but don’t worry – as long as you are wearing your OPE-approved hearing protection, that shriek should pose no problems to the careful investigator! 

Lead Investigators’ Note: Shriekers are nasty, yeah – their scream can burst your eardrums and send you running, crazy with fear, but that’s not their only attack. The writeup tells you about the forelimbs, but neglects to mention that they are tipped with razor-sharp claws that can tear through canvas, leather, and flesh without much effort. I’ve seen a Shrieking Phantasm disembowel an investigator in an instant, then tear into the next one without slowing down. Hearing protection is crucial, but maintaining a safe distance is equally important. The guys in suits frown upon it, but for Shriekers, your combat shotgun loaded with iron filings is your best bet. 

Two: Dimensional Crawler – This paranormal pest is a dog-sized creature that typically appears in the aftermath of various unsanctioned scientific experiments, and is therefore common in abandoned research facilities, old barns in remote areas, and occasionally in castles. It has the annoying ability to disappear into, or appear from, the corners of rooms where two walls meet the ceiling. They can bite with considerable strength, but they prefer to escape rather than engage in confrontation. They do have the ability to chew through our level one and two netting, so OPE recommends a level three mesh net or level four electrically charged net for capture and disposal. 

Lead Investigators’ Note: ‘Dog Sized’ is probably meant to conjure up images of the family Golden Retriever frolicking around, but for Crawlers, think ‘Dire Wolf’ – they are big, they are fast, and they do not ‘prefer to escape’. They use their little ‘disappear into the corner’ trick so they can pop out from another corner behind you, and then you’re done; when they say ‘bite with considerable strength’, think ‘bite through plate steel’, and their head is mostly mouth. Do not try to capture a Dimensional Crawler, no matter what the job order says – it’s just not worth it. You’re gonna want to shoot it as soon as you see it, shotguns or pistols both hurt them enough to slow them down at least, but when you think they’re dead, put another three or four rounds into them, just to be sure. 

Three: Blood Thief – These rarely seen entities are found in areas where there have been mass casualties and large amounts of blood spilled. Old battlefields and abandoned hospitals or asylums are its preferred habitat. They are tall, with some individuals recorded at over eight feet in height. As the name suggests, the Blood Thief is a hemovore, known for draining the blood of its victims using needle-like appendages at the ends of its fingers. The Blood Thief is an ambush predator that has been known to mimic the sounds of more innocent creatures, such as cats or small children. The Blood Thief is not strong, but they can be very fast when cornered. It is imperative that investigators not come into close quarters with this creature and avoid the finger-needles. 

Lead Investigators’ Note: They tell you that Blood Thieves are tall, but they leave out the best part – they appear as a humanoid set of muscles and bones with no skin. They glisten in your flashlight beam, and their body writhes unnaturally as they move. It’s both horrifying and mesmerizing, and investigators have just stared at them as they walked right up and drained them dry. Do not underestimate the sounds they can make, either; it’s more than cats meowing, believe me. Hearing a little girl sobbing and begging mommy for help in an abandoned warehouse, then seeing eight feet of shambling, bloody horror stalking towards you… It’s not something you’ll ever forget. 

Four: Hag – The Hag is your typical storybook creature, with the appearance of an elderly woman dressed in ragged robes and typically found living in a hut in a forested or swampy area. The hag is relatively harmless on its own. Still, it can occasionally be accompanied by forest creatures such as wolves or bears, and may release a pheromone that can disorient an investigator. The investigator should first attempt to capture the Hag for compassionate relocation; however, if it refuses, other opinions, up to and including elimination, are authorized. As a special note, the investigator should NEVER enter into any kind of agreement or bargain with the Hag, and do not under any circumstances give the Hag your name, or a lock of your hair, or other bodily material. 

Lead Investigators’ Note: The most dangerous target is the one that looks completely harmless. Hags might appear to be cute little old ladies who want to invite you in for tea, but they are neither cute nor ladies. Seeing what is under their ragged clothes has caused more than one investigator to either lose their lunch or run in terror, and their abilities are significant, making them extremely dangerous. No relocation of a hag has ever been successful, so don’t even try that – if you’re faced with a Hag and her weird forest minions, shoot for the head, shoot to kill, and just check off the ‘Compassionate Relocation Refused’ box on the work order when you get back to the office.  

Five: Shambling Mass – This amorphous mass of gelatinous, pale, fleshy material can sometimes be mistaken for congealed grease in its natural habitat, which is typically sewers and other large drainage systems. The Shambling Mass is slow-moving, but it can react quickly with pseudopods that it can form out of its larger bulk. It doesn’t have a mouth, but envelops prey in its fleshy form and dissolves it internally. Be aware that the Shambling Mass is difficult to contain, as it is capable of squeezing itself through cracks as small as one-half inch. 

Lead Investigators’ Note: Ignore ‘slow moving’ – these things can move fast, and they are nearly silent. A larger Shambling Mass can surround an investigator before he even knows it’s there. They’re strong, too – if one of those pseudopods grabs you, cut it or shoot it immediately, because you’re not going to be able to wrestle it off. If it grabs both hands, you’d better hope you have backup, because death by Shambling Mass is slow, and very, very painful as you are digested alive. 

Six: Deadly Poltergeist – Much like the movie version, the Deadly Poltergeist is an amalgam of psychokinetic energy that will haunt a place or a person. If it is haunting a person, you will need to escalate to OPE exorcism services. For standard hauntings, the Deadly Poltergeist is not considered intelligent and therefore is not likely to target the investigator directly. However, it can still cause significant damage or injury due to its chaotic nature as it hurls objects around or affects electrical devices. 

Lead Investigators’ Note: I think the suits in the main office learned everything they know about the Deadly Poltergeist from that damn movie, and it’s all wrong. These entities are highly intelligent and will definitely target you. The problem with a Deadly Poltergeist is that there’s nothing to shoot at – they are noncorporeal balls of hate and love the sight of blood – if you get cut, back off and regroup, before it sends the thing into a frenzy. The dispatch of a Deadly Poltergeist is by electrical disruption, but the ED rigs the company provides are almost as hazardous to the investigator as they are to the target, so don’t forget to pack your linemen’s gloves and wear good, thick, rubber-soled shoes to these jobs.  

Seven: Shadow People – Shadow people are one of the most common entities we are hired to investigate or eliminate. They pose little danger to the public or the investigator, but due to their typically incorporeal nature, they are a challenge to contain or eradicate.

Lead Investigators’ Note: Shadow people are pretty straightforward and are typically non-threatening, as long as you stay away from stairs – they have a nasty habit of pushing people, and more than one investigator has learned that the hard way. Eliminating them is often not even required; we simply document the information, and then the main office sends it to one of the ‘paranormal investigator’ TV shows, allowing them to book their Halloween special or other event. 

Eight: Threshold Lurker – These bizarre entities are typically found in closets, basements, or even caves, anywhere that has a defined and distinct threshold that a person would cross voluntarily. The lurker itself is a human-sized entity with mottled, pale gray skin and elongated limbs. Its head is also elongated and features huge, amber eyes that give it exceptional night vision. It is extremely stealthy and has been known to lurk on ceilings above thresholds, where it can drop down and subdue its prey. They aren’t powerful, which is why they tend to surprise their prey. However, they are carnivorous and have a maw filled with very sharp, needle-like teeth, which is their biggest threat. 

Lead Investigators’ Note: ALWAYS look up when entering caves, basements, whatever – trust me, after a few encounters with these creatures, it will become second nature. Be advised, they can and will show up on other jobs that don’t even mention the presence of a Threshold Lurker – areas with high paranormal or extra-dimensional energies can attract them. 

The description above is accurate, but it doesn’t convey the horror of seeing these creatures clinging to the ceiling, their huge, inhuman eyes staring down at you with insatiable hunger, ready to strike. A bright light will freeze them momentarily, but as soon as they get their bearings, they’re going to attack, so having the light in one hand and your pistol in the other is your best bet against a lurker.  

Nine: Fire Cat – These small, cat-sized creatures have been confused with will-o’-the-wisp due to the blue-white glow that accompanies them in the deep forests where they dwell. The Fire Cat does hunt in packs, so ensure that you are aware of your surroundings when encountering this small but fearsome predator. A fireproof suit is recommended for any Fire Cat-related job order. 

Lead Investigators’ Note: This one always made me laugh – they’re SO CLOSE to giving the investigator the information they need to stay alive, but they just can’t bring themselves to do it. They even mention the fireproof suit, I give them credit there, but somehow the guys in the office conveniently forget to mention that these creatures are some kind of extra-dimensional fire elementals that are literally made of sentient blue-white flames – FIRE Cat – it’s right there in the name! These creatures are so hot they melt through plate steel, and your OPE-issued fireproof suit will last about eight seconds if one of these little nasties decides you’re a threat. They completely ignore standard weapons, so to eliminate a Fire Cat, you need to get creative. We find that liquid nitrogen is the most effective weapon against them, but you have to get close and spray them quite a bit for it to be effective. Good luck.  

Ten: Basement Dweller – As the name indicates, this is a standard basement-dwelling creature that inhabits older homes. Early indications of a Basement Dweller include unusual sounds, sometimes loud, emanating from the basement area, as well as flickering lights and slamming doors. Basement Dwellers do grow in strength, so it is essential to catch these infestations early. Allowed to grow, a Basement Dweller can become strong enough to pose a threat to even seasoned investigators, but caught early enough, they pose minimal danger. 

Lead Investigators’ Note: A juvenile Basement Dweller is a minimal threat, that’s true. What the book fails to mention, however, is that NOBODY reports a juvenile Dweller. Nobody even knows they have an infestation until the creature is mature enough to start throwing boxes around, or the family dog goes missing, and they find the bloody collar under the furnace. By the time we’re called in, the Basement Dweller is well established in its lair and is the supernatural equivalent of a grizzly bear preparing for winter. They are strong, they will have long claws on fore and hind legs, and several rows of teeth perfectly suited to tearing flesh and crushing bone. 

For elimination, you want a heavy caliber, so make sure you have your combat shotgun with slug ammo and bring extra reloads, because a mature Basement Dweller does not go down easily. 

Eleven: [REDACTED] – This entity is no longer cataloged, and it is not considered a risk for investigators. 

Lead Investigators’ Note: The suits in the office won’t talk about this one, for a bunch of reasons, but don’t believe for a second that it’s ‘not a risk’; it’s the most dangerous thing you will ever face, and most investigators that have encountered it are dead – that’s why it’s no longer cataloged. It’s OPE’s dirty little secret. 

I don’t know what it looks like, and I don’t think anyone who has seen it is still alive, but the old timers – older than me – still talk about it. If you hear a strange, discordant piping or whistling, if the shadows suddenly seem TOO dark, TOO solid, if you hear something whispering your name from the darkness, just RUN. Drop everything and run, because if you stick around to figure out what it is, you’re dead. Trust me – no job order is worth it, just run.  

*OPE makes no certifications or guarantees regarding the safety of paranormal investigations or exterminations, and OPE and its subsidiaries are not liable for any injury, loss of sanity, or loss of life associated with these activities.