Whispering Mahuika

Whispering Mahuika - sometimes known as the static ghost, the wireless ghost, or just "the voice in the dark" - is an urban legend originating from the Republic of Nikia which tells the story an Ohoulian girl who died under tragic circumstances and is trying to reach out to the living via the radio. Mauhika is variously portrayed as either a childish spirit who plays pranks or a vengeful ghost who torments those who summon her.

Summary

To hear whispering Mahuika, the summoner begins by sitting in a dark room with a radio. Between the hours of midnight and one AM, they must tune the radio to a specific frequency and listen to the static. Eventually, the listener will be able to make out a voice just on the edge of hearing, whispering something unintelligable. The voice slowly gets louder until the radio is shut off or retuned to a valid signal.

Historical Basis

The relative novelty of the legend, and the fact that Mahuika is a Palehupo name, suggest that its origin may lie in the 5.920 border skirmish between the Ohoulian Republic and Nikia, an event that displaced thousands of ethnic Palehupoa. This coincides with the first wireless sets being commercially avaialable in Nikia, which may have been able to pick up transmissions from the southern tip of Ohoulia.

Variations & Mutation

Now found throughout Eastern Aeho'ai, there are multiple variations on the legend. Some require the listener to be alone, while others permit a small group. The frequency is occasionally specified, but most simply say 'tune the radio between stations'. The main difference between legends is what happens when the radio is turned off.
If the the listeners are too slow to shut the radio down, Mahuika will be possess the radio and randomly turn it on or retune it while people are listening. Other variations of the story have Mauhika telling the listeners how they will die, while others have the listeners afflicted with permanently hearing radio static wherever they go.