D&D 5E Can a Ghost read thoughts after it has taken over?

[jasper]

Ok, Say you met up with the Ghost of Christmas past, and failed your Chr saving throw. Sure Mr. Past can make you open your current presents. But how much of your thoughts can it read? And how soon?
1. Know general thoughts? Friends names and likes.
2. Know alot of about you? So chocolate makes your break out in hives? Hello Starbucks and case of yoo-hoo.
3. It knows your password and what you did last summer?
4. That murderhoboing you did when you were 13? Why yes officer I would like to report a murder!

 

[Bedrockgames]

Ok, Say you met up with the Ghost of Christmas past, and failed your Chr saving throw. Sure Mr. Past can make you open your current presents. But how much of your thoughts can it read? And how soon?
1. Know general thoughts? Friends names and likes.
2. Know alot of about you? So chocolate makes your break out in hives? Hello Starbucks and case of yoo-hoo.
3. It knows your password and what you did last summer?
4. That murderhoboing you did when you were 13? Why yes officer I would like to report a murder!

I think this is something I would file under 'rulings'. But when I have seen it in movies, stories and folk tales, it usually doesn't appear that the ghost can read thoughts. It seems more like a new mind inhabiting the body. Obviously it varies. But I would say it is entirely up to you, just make sure you think through all the implications if you decide they can read the thoughts of the person they possess.

 

[MarkB]

The description of Possession specifically says that the ghost does not gain access to the host's knowledge. So no, no mind reading.

However, I'd personally say that it has the ability to communicate mentally with its host and could, for instance, say to them "hey, let me know about [x] or I'll just walk out into the street there and go play in traffic."

 

[jasper]

The description of Possession specifically says that the ghost does not gain access to the host's knowledge. So no, no mind reading.

However, I'd personally say that it has the ability to communicate mentally with its host and could, for instance, say to them "hey, let me know about [x] or I'll just walk out into the street there and go play in traffic."

thanks, I skipped over the host's knowledge but.
In ICEWIND DALE Janth's ghost takes over a kobold, A sage may or may not pick up Dragonic. Icewind dale is tweeking some monsters
So I going to rule this as special case and go with 1.

 

[Coroc]

in the Giantitp - comic, the vampire has to bargain for memories if he wants something from Durkon as he possesses him, so at least make it some competitive rolling, if you intend to use this for a game. Interesting enough Durkon tries to trick him by showing him extra Lawful Good memories from his childhood and youth and reasons why he became a cleric.

 

[MarkB]

thanks, I skipped over the host's knowledge but.
In ICEWIND DALE Janth's ghost takes over a kobold, A sage may or may not pick up Dragonic. Icewind dale is tweeking some monsters
So I going to rule this as special case and go with 1.

As I recall, his inability to speak Draconic is a plot point, a potential clue to his true nature.

 

[R_J_K75]

I think this is something I would file under 'rulings'.

Sounds right, this is how i approach 100% of questions regarding rule questions. IDC what the book says if I want to steer the game in a certain way as a DM I'll tweak stuff.

The description of Possession specifically says that the ghost does not gain access to the host's knowledge. So no, no mind reading.

In this case sounds like its pretty cut and dry. I suppose you could always give it other powers or swap out a few for some spells like ESP. The 2E Van Richtens Guides were good resources on modifying monsters and undead.