You are the apprentice of a famous ghost hunter, on a mission to clear a large manor house of a sudden paranormal infestation. Dressed completely in black, with a broad-brimmed hat, velvet cape, festooned with all manner of charms, gourds of holy water at his belt and silver rapier and flintlock pistol, he cuts a striking figure.

The lord, Francis Ashbourne, is waiting for you outside. "Thank the gods you've come!" He exclaims, rushing towards you, out of breath and looking panicked. "Your demeanour tells me things are worse since your letter." Your master replies smoothly, as he removes a black glove to shake the lord's hand. "Sadly yes. Dire and dreadful abominations are wreaking havoc all through the house! It’s terrible!” "Then there's no time to waste." Your master strides towards the doors of the manor. "We'll need lodgings and a workspace set up. I want reports of everything paranormal. Nothing's too small. Have your people report to me, or leave letters at the workstation for us.” "Of course. House Ashbourne is at your disposal." "Good man. Now, let me explain the tools of my trade. My enchanted silver rapier, the pride of my family, passed down for generations, and the blessed silver bullets from my flintlock pistol will hurt ghosts as easily as men. This large silver crucifix and this holy talisman ward off certain evil spirits or vampires. This holy water is like acid to ghosts. Spirit Traps are like silver beartraps that my apprentice carries in his bag and will deploy at opportune times to trap ghosts. Then he hands me one of the silver flasks so I can use the incantation passed down through my family to seal the ghosts inside. He also has spare regular ammunition, for threats which don't require silver bullets, holy water, my paperwork and will store any paranormal items I see fit in there."

You enter the building and he removes his glove and runs his hand through the air. "The air is thick with phantasmal energy." He puts his glove back on. "Tell me what's changed. Be concise and thorough."

The lord’s staff in the entrance hall draw closer, looking at you with nervous but curious expressions, as their lord begins his tale. “First, we had to evacuate the library. There's a terrible new ghost there. It attacks on sight and has teeth like you wouldn't believe. Poor Perkins had his throat torn clean out just like that." The lord snaps his fingers and shudders. "Also, those two pedestals at the side of the main gate? They used to have stone lions on them. Those are alive now and on the prowl. They've already killed at least once. Same for the gargoyles, they're alive too and wreaking havoc on the roof. I've got people up there right now fighting them. At least we can hit those. Oh and the same for the skulls. They came crashing through the windows and fly screaming through the corridors and bite at you. The other ghosts are appearing more regularly, and are more aggressive." "This is worse than I thought.” Your master replies grimly. “Such a sudden, escalating nexus of paranormal activity can only have a powerful guiding hand behind it. Tell your people to destroy any remaining statues in the house." A look of sadness passes over the lord’s face as he answers. “We took sledgehammers to the rest of the statues as soon as the gargoyles animated, though it pained me to destroy the likenesses of my great ancestors, they wouldn’t have wanted them twisted into the service of such evil. Unfortunately, the lions were already off their pedestals by then.”

Then, ever the clinical professional, Drake's attention is drawn to the fireplace in the hall. Drake beckons a servant over to the mantle and points out a thick mass of sickly pink sludge on it. Wisps of smoke are rising from it. "Ectoplasmic slime. And pretty potent too. It'll eat through there if left alone. Pour dirt on it to neutralise the acidic effect. You still won't want to touch it though. Wear thick gloves, gather it up and bury it beneath the ground, where dead things belong. Pass the word around." He turns to you. "Time to get to work. Follow me."