All right, let me start with the one I hear (and think) all the time: If
Beetlejuice is a "ghost" (i.e. dead), then why are there episodes that
show him to have been born and raised in the Neitherworld?
Ok, I have an explaination (take it or leave it). But first I have to
present some definitions.
There are three major groupings of beings in the Neitherworld:
- Ghosts
- A ghost is the "leftover" part of a person who has died; it parts
itself from the body once all life functions have ceased. Ghosts are
subject to a lot of strict rules and regulations while they still inhabit
the living world (see the movie). When and if a ghost reaches the
Neitherworld, they either remain a ghost or become a ghoul (see below).
- Ghouls
- Ghoul is the term to describe any generic (humanoid) undead being,
including but not limited to vampires, poltergeists, spectres, even
ghosts. Note: all ghosts are ghouls but not all ghouls are ghosts!
Let me explain, if you don't understand/hate it/have a better idea, feel
free to spam me (addy below
:^).
Okay, the Neitherworld is older than the Earth, older than any living
world. Some of the beings that exist there have been around literally
forever. Most have always been ghouls, but some started out as ghosts.
The Neitherworld extends into several dimensions, so infinate population
growth over time is not a problem. Now, ghouls are born, of other ghouls,
just like living beings are born in the living world of other living
beings. Again, most of these ghouls are just ghouls, but some of them were
once ghosts. That is, it's a sort of reincarnation (hey, I can't see any
other way to explain this!). When a ghost "crosses over" from the living
world to the Neitherworld, a series of paperwork decides whether they
remain as they are (most cases), or if they "qualify" for reincarnation
(they make it sound good, but most don't care for it). Reincarnated ghosts
are born with fuzzy memories but recall their lives (and deaths) soon
enough. Therefore, these "children" are generally very mature from
toddlerhood. These beings are common enough so that no one treats them
specially or are discriminated against in any way. This is just another
little thing that makes the Neitherworld so weird...
- Monsters
- Monster is the generic term for any nonhumanoid undead creature in the
Neitherworld. No monster ever existed in the living world, unless they
escaped from the Neitherworld to get there (in other words, Earthly
monsters such as Bigfoot and Nessie are really just escaped Neitherworld
monsters).
*whew*
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