Bhoot

Any death that is unclean — suicide, murder, accident, dying far from home, dying without the last rites — may produce a bhoot. The soul, unable to complete its passage, remains attached to the place or person who caused it unfinished business.

Unlike more classified supernatural beings, bhoot is the generic term — many regional variants (chudail, pret, pishacha, mumiai) are specific bhoots given names, much as ghost is used across traditions in English.

Feet typically do not touch the ground. Shadows that fall in the wrong direction. Eyes that reflect differently from living eyes. Can appear fully human to those they wish to deceive.

Haunts specific locations or persons connected to their death. Can possess the weak-willed, the unprotected, or those at liminal moments. Causes nightmares, illness, bad luck. Voice of the bhoot may be heard without sighting.