Lifeless Estate

""And so, Inspector Blanberry found himself, shook with shock and wet of sock. Indeed, it had been raining something stupid. He took one last look about the place and swore never to be found in the Lifeless Estate - again!" Ah, another classic if I do say so myself, but did you know that I based my latest mystery on a real place? Ah yes, just awful. I didn't even change the name! What are they going to do? Nothing. Yes, hope so!""

- Nigel Bickleworth

The Lifeless Estate is the sole Career Mode Campus of the School Spirits DLC. Two new Student Archetypes, Ghost Detectors and Free Spirits, will bridge the existential divide, with two new Courses, Paranormal Detection and School Spirits taking place in the Detection Office and Ghost Storage.

Lady Lifeless, the deceased owner of the estate, has enlisted the help of the player in ridding the grounds of a ghost infestation, led by Humphrey and Hester Hellhole. Paranormal Detection Students will need to raise their skills in order to take on each member of the Hellhole Gang and free up space to expand. All of this will be overseen by a new, but strangely familiar, VIP Inspector, Deadly Jobsworth.

There is a Challenge Mode counterpart to this Campus in Gradeyard Shift.

Expulsion-Ceremony.png Expulsion Ceremonies
Each plot in the Lifeless Estate is haunted by a member of the Hellhole gang, headed up by siblings Hester and Humphrey. Expulsion Ceremonies are undertaken by Paranormal Detection Students, with the intention of expelling the ghost haunting each one, thus freeing it for the player's use. The members of the Hellhole gang each have an HP value, which the Students must be able to overcome within one month. The Damage Bonus panel on the Plot's inspector window displays the range of damage the Students can do (which increases as they raise their Assessment Scores, and by increasing the number of Students on the Course). If the HP value is below the lower limit, success is guaranteed; if it is above the upper limit, the ghost cannot be beaten. When the HP value falls within the limit, the Students may succeed or fail. To alleviate this task, each plot has an objective associated with it, such as 'Capture 2 Ghosts' for Plot 2. These objectives can be pinned to the Objectives panel by pressing. When each objective is fulfilled, the damage output of the Students is doubled (or tripled). This bonus is still granted even if it achieved after scheduling the ceremony.

In the example given here, the ghost has 800 HP, where the lower limit of the Students' damage is 792. This means they have a very small chance of failure, but will very likely succeed. When the objective is achieved, the Students' damage output is doubled. With the lower limit now at 1584, well above the 800 HP, success has become a certainty. Pressing the green button for 'Expulsion Ceremony' will take the player to the timetable where the Ceremony can be scheduled. Following a successful expulsion, the Students will return enjoying the High Spirits Feeling, a failure will result in the Low Spirits Feeling. In addition to these, any given Student may suffer the Scared Witless Pastoral Issue or Duster Busted or Shock Horror Medical Issues during battle. If the ghost is not defeated during a ceremony, their HP is fully restored.

It is important to avoid scheduling Expulsion Ceremonies while the Paranormal Detection Students have classes, as it will cause them to miss out on important teaching time. December and April are both good options.