Dread Ghoul - Revision history

August at 10:18, 15 November 2025

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	''O hunger, o hunger.''</blockquote>There are few members of the so-described Living Dead more canny and cruel than the dread ghoul, a creature unique to the demiplane above that of ghasts and even ghoul lords. They alone may suppress their ''ghoulish mien'' to transform into a form “alive”—for a time. Though this may grant the dread ghoul unprecedented ability in infiltrating humanoid societies, no dark gift is without consequence beyond the Misty Border and these beasts bear no exception. While transformed their hunger simmers just under the surface; latent, watching and never satisfied. Should the dread ghoul ever fail to fulfill their appetites, the monster formerly lurking shall burst from them though as easy as ripping away a second skin, no less ravenous than the starving carrion feeders they would have decried as “lesser” kin.		''O' hunger, o' hunger.''</blockquote>There are few members of the so-described Living Dead more canny and cruel than the dread ghoul, a creature unique to the demiplane above that of ghasts and even ghoul lords. They alone may suppress their ''ghoulish mien'' to transform into a form “alive”—for a time. Though this may grant the dread ghoul unprecedented ability in infiltrating humanoid societies, no dark gift is without consequence beyond the Misty Border and these beasts bear no exception. While transformed their hunger simmers just under the surface; latent, watching and never satisfied. Should the dread ghoul ever fail to fulfill their appetites, the monster formerly lurking shall burst from them though as easy as ripping away a second skin, no less ravenous than the starving carrion feeders they would have decried as “lesser” kin.

	=== Description ===		=== Description ===

August at 01:21, 14 November 2025

2025-11-14T01:21:41Z

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	''<code>Devour flesh (Ex)</code>'': The dread ghoul abandons all other actions to partake in the bloody feeding of a corpse or downed target. If the target is not sentient, they will satiate their basic hunger for 24 hours IRT; if sentient, they satiate their complex hunger for 1 week IRT.		''<code>Devour flesh (Ex)</code>'': The dread ghoul abandons all other actions to partake in the bloody feeding of a corpse or downed target. If the target is not sentient, they will satiate their basic hunger for 24 hours IRT; if sentient, they satiate their complex hunger for 1 week IRT.

	''Devour flesh'' may be performed on corpses that dread ghoul spawns, but will generate a descriptive bloodstain at site of the act. If the victim is a downed player, after 90 seconds IRT they will be maimed per [[Death, Dying and Maiming]]. The dread ghoul restores 20% of their maximum HP every round while feeding.		''Devour flesh'' may be performed on corpses that dread ghoul spawns, but will generate a descriptive bloodstain at site of the act. If the victim is a downed player character, after 90 seconds IRT they will be maimed per [[Death, Dying and Maiming]]. The dread ghoul restores 20% of their maximum HP every round while feeding.
	''Hungry frenzy (Ex)'': As a free action the dread ghoul enters a berserk state, dealing an additional 1d4 negative energy damage on their claw attacks and restoring their health for the negative energy damage dealt. They gain +2 STR and DEX while frenzied, increasing to +4 should they or an ally kill or incapacitate a living target. This state persists for a ''quick'' duration, refreshing per successful kill or incapacitation (once per target).		''Hungry frenzy (Ex)'': As a free action the dread ghoul enters a berserk state, dealing an additional 1d4 negative energy damage on their claw attacks and restoring their health for the negative energy damage dealt. They gain +2 STR and DEX while frenzied, increasing to +4 should they or an ally kill or incapacitate a living target. This state persists for a ''quick'' duration, refreshing per successful kill or incapacitation (once per target).

	The dread ghoul cannot cast spells unless they lack somatic components while in ''hungry frenzy'' and should it or its allies fail to refresh ''hungry frenzy'' at least once, all will suffer -2 STR and DEX for another ''quick'' duration. The dread ghoul cannot transform while in any phase of ''hungry frenzy.''		The dread ghoul cannot cast spells unless they lack somatic components while in ''hungry frenzy'' and should it or its allies fail to refresh ''hungry frenzy'' at least once, all will suffer -2 STR and DEX for another ''quick'' duration. The dread ghoul cannot transform while in any phase of ''hungry frenzy.''

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	15% fire damage vulnerability (ghoul)		15% fire damage vulnerability (ghoul)
	5/+2 DR (ghoul)		5/+2 DR (ghoul)
			3 fast healing (ghoul)
	Hostile [[Notoriety\|NR]] if uncovered in all major domains unless transformed		Hostile [[Notoriety\|NR]] if uncovered in all major domains unless transformed
	Dominates lesser ghouls and ghasts, will not be attacked by other AI-controlled undead unless transformed		Dominates lesser ghouls and ghasts, will not be attacked by other AI-controlled undead unless transformed

August: /* Creation */

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Creation

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	=== Creation ===		=== Creation ===
	The mechanism by way a dread ghoul occurs is consistent and simple—they ~~are the~~ result whenever a soul sufficiently strong or interesting to the Mists succumbs to ''ghoul fever'', the same terrible disease ~~which~~ creates the common ghoul and ghast. How an individual may contract ''ghoul fever'' changes—most often, it incubates in victims who ~~survive~~ a ghoul attack ~~and~~ are bitten, yet may also ~~spontaneously~~ manifest an individual who ~~begins feasting~~ on the dead in a dishonorable way, typical of cannibals or, more tragic, desperate survival.		The mechanism by way a dread ghoul occurs is consistent and simple—they result whenever a soul sufficiently strong or interesting to the Mists succumbs to ''ghoul fever'', the same terrible disease that creates the common ghoul and ghast. How an individual may contract ''ghoul fever'' changes—most often, it incubates in victims who survives a ghoul attack but are bitten, yet may also manifest an individual who feasts on the dead in a dishonorable way, typical of cannibals or, more tragic, desperate survival.

	Nevertheless once contracted ''ghoul fever'' is terminal until the sufferer dies or is cured. The primary symptom of this disease other than bloodshot eyes and the fever itself is the wasting hunger precipitated from it—a sufferer is doomed to feel ever starving for red meat until they perish from this imagined “starvation”, no matter their actual intake of food and any physically full belly.		Nevertheless once contracted ''ghoul fever'' is terminal until the sufferer dies or is cured. The primary symptom of this disease other than bloodshot eyes and the fever itself is the wasting hunger precipitated from it—a sufferer is doomed to feel ever starving for red meat until they perish from this imagined “starvation”, no matter their actual intake of food and any physically full belly.

	''Ghoul fever'' is a supernatural disease and cannot be cured other than ~~with~~ ''[[restoration]]''; even upon receipt of ''restoration'', the sufferer must succeed at a <code>DC 17</code> Will save as they smother the dark urges bubbling up from within ~~themselves~~ or else their symptoms will only be staved away than the disease cured. Further ''restoration'' attempts will not roll to cure for 48 hours [[Date and Time\|IRT]].		''Ghoul fever'' is a supernatural disease and cannot be cured other than from ''[[restoration]]''; even upon receipt of ''restoration'', the sufferer must succeed at a <code>DC 17</code> Will save as they smother the dark urges bubbling up from within or else their symptoms will only be staved away than the disease cured. Further ''restoration'' attempts will not roll to cure for 48 hours [[Date and Time\|IRT]].

	Strong willed suffers may survive ''ghoul fever'' for weeks, even a few months, but none ever defeat this pox without intervention. Assuming their body is not destroyed, they will rise as a dread ghoul 3 days later IRT. The dual natures of such creatures work to ensure they rise transformed—stories of spontaneous, miraculous “resurrections” are not uncommon in the Realms of Terror, often framed that way by the nascent dread ghoul themselves, but the Craving is never long behind.		Strong willed suffers may survive ''ghoul fever'' for weeks, even a few months, but none ever defeat this pox without intervention. Assuming their body is not destroyed, they will rise as a dread ghoul 3 days later IRT. The dual natures of such creatures work to ensure they rise transformed—stories of spontaneous, miraculous “resurrections” are not uncommon in the Realms of Terror and are often framed that way by the nascent dread ghoul themselves, but the Craving is never long behind.

	=== Feeding ===		=== Feeding ===
	A dread ghoul, unlike the common ghoul and ghast, cannot sustain themselves solely on carrion. Their simplest hunger persists in needing 20lbs of red meat be it dead, alive or rotting per day. Diligent dread ghouls are able to fulfill this requirement while transformed, though there is always an element of palpable excitement around food which makes maintaining appearances difficult, as they must produce ~~the~~ patience to wait until such food is prepared in a manner polite as opposed to raw and still bleeding.		A dread ghoul, unlike the common ghoul and ghast, cannot sustain themselves solely on carrion. Their simplest hunger persists in needing 20lbs of red meat be it dead, alive or rotting per day. Diligent dread ghouls are able to fulfill this requirement while transformed, though there is always an element of palpable excitement around food which makes maintaining appearances difficult, as they must produce patience to wait until such food is prepared in a manner polite as opposed to raw and still bleeding.

	More troublesome is their need for complex, sentient flesh—a dread ghoul must again eat 20lbs of this meat once a week or the ghoul will be forced out and sent into a ''hungry frenzy'' until satiated. ~~Unlike~~ vampires, their quarries need not be alive to honor the Craving, but many dread ghouls find their palates ever-shifting such that rationing victims to last is not effective—evidence, perhaps, that the dread ghoul requires thrill in the kill for it to pass muster.		More troublesome is their need for complex, sentient flesh—a dread ghoul must again eat 20lbs of this meat once a week or the ghoul will be forced out and sent into a ''hungry frenzy'' until satiated. Conversely to vampires, their quarries need not be alive to honor the Craving, but many dread ghouls find their palates ever-shifting such that rationing victims to last is not effective—evidence, perhaps, that the dread ghoul requires thrill in the kill for it to pass muster.

	Should the dread ghoul be denied in excess of their ''hungry frenzy'' and its immediate fallout, they will enter stasis until food of any kind presents itself, whereupon they will immediately “awaken” and attack until it is eaten or the dread ghoul destroyed. Ironically, once dead these creatures may never actually starve, though the Craving in them forever urges otherwise.		Should the dread ghoul be denied in excess of their ''hungry frenzy'' and its immediate fallout, they will enter stasis until food of any kind presents itself, whereupon they will immediately “awaken” and attack until it is eaten or the dread ghoul destroyed. Ironically, once dead these creatures may never actually starve, though the Craving in them forever urges otherwise.

August: /* Description */

2025-11-02T00:12:16Z

Description

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	As the ghoul, their complexion becomes pale, gaunt and severe, with enormous, keratinous claws launching from every fingertip. These beasts are built lean, even emaciated; most identifiable are the white, hateful state of their eyes, burning like bright coals in the dark. Their teeth are inhumanly sharp, designed to rip through flesh though each its own butcher’s blade. Their tongues are likewise long, lashed things, latching on to suck away ichor and marrow.		As the ghoul, their complexion becomes pale, gaunt and severe, with enormous, keratinous claws launching from every fingertip. These beasts are built lean, even emaciated; most identifiable are the white, hateful state of their eyes, burning like bright coals in the dark. Their teeth are inhumanly sharp, designed to rip through flesh though each its own butcher’s blade. Their tongues are likewise long, lashed things, latching on to suck away ichor and marrow.

	There is a distinct, malodorous stench about these monsters, no doubt consequence from their kills' savage character, and never does this come clean. Even when transformed, though the dread ghoul ceases to emit any peculiar odor for others, worrying after them anyway, they are likely to wear heavy perfumes or colognes in an effort to mask this for themselves, only ever to middling effect.		There is a distinct, malodorous stench about these monsters, no doubt consequence from their kills' savage character, and never does this come clean. Even when transformed, though the dread ghoul ceases to emit any peculiar odor for others, worrying after them anyway, they are likely to wear heavy perfumes or colognes in an effort to mask this for themselves and only ever to middling effect.

	=== Creation ===		=== Creation ===

August: /* Description */

2025-11-02T00:11:59Z

Description

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	As the ghoul, their complexion becomes pale, gaunt and severe, with enormous, keratinous claws launching from every fingertip. These beasts are built lean, even emaciated; most identifiable are the white, hateful state of their eyes, burning like bright coals in the dark. Their teeth are inhumanly sharp, designed to rip through flesh though each its own butcher’s blade. Their tongues are likewise long, lashed things, latching on to suck away ichor and marrow.		As the ghoul, their complexion becomes pale, gaunt and severe, with enormous, keratinous claws launching from every fingertip. These beasts are built lean, even emaciated; most identifiable are the white, hateful state of their eyes, burning like bright coals in the dark. Their teeth are inhumanly sharp, designed to rip through flesh though each its own butcher’s blade. Their tongues are likewise long, lashed things, latching on to suck away ichor and marrow.

	There is a distinct, malodorous stench about these monsters, no doubt consequence from their kills' savage ~~natures~~, and never does this come clean. Even when transformed, though the dread ghoul ceases to emit any peculiar odor for others, worrying after them anyway, they are likely to wear heavy perfumes or colognes in an effort to mask this for themselves, only ever to middling effect.		There is a distinct, malodorous stench about these monsters, no doubt consequence from their kills' savage character, and never does this come clean. Even when transformed, though the dread ghoul ceases to emit any peculiar odor for others, worrying after them anyway, they are likely to wear heavy perfumes or colognes in an effort to mask this for themselves, only ever to middling effect.

	=== Creation ===		=== Creation ===

August: /* Dread Ghouls in The Domains of Dread */

2025-11-02T00:10:29Z

Dread Ghouls in The Domains of Dread

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	== Dread Ghouls in ''[[The Domains of Dread]]'' ==		== Dread Ghouls in ''[[The Domains of Dread]]'' ==
	Dread ghoul is an applied template with no associated [[Mist Tokens\|MT]] cost, nor special considerations in the application process. It may be applied to existing player characters who were bitten and are dying or have died of ''ghoul fever'', or as the ~~result of~~ spontaneous manifest in dishonorable cannibals.		Dread ghoul is an applied template with no associated [[Mist Tokens\|MT]] cost, nor special considerations in the application process. It may be applied to existing player characters who were bitten and are dying or have died of ''ghoul fever'', or from the spontaneous manifest in dishonorable cannibals.

	=== Template Adjustments ===		=== Template Adjustments ===

August at 00:02, 2 November 2025

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	They are destroyed through annihilation, as their undeath will restore them however slowly unless utter and total, aided by fire. A dread ghoul who lacks a head or otherwise cannot feed will enter stasis until the first ability and opportunity presents itself. Regeneration from a torso takes weeks; if they are only missing a head, then days.		They are destroyed through annihilation, as their undeath will restore them however slowly unless utter and total, aided by fire. A dread ghoul who lacks a head or otherwise cannot feed will enter stasis until the first ability and opportunity presents itself. Regeneration from a torso takes weeks; if they are only missing a head, then days.

			=== Suggested Reading ===

			* ''[https://en.wikisource.org/wiki/Strange_Case_of_Dr_Jekyll_and_Mr_Hyde Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde]'' (1886)'','' Robert Louis Stevenson
			* ''[https://en.wikisource.org/wiki/The_Picture_of_Dorian_Gray_(1891) The Picture of Dorian Gray]'' (1891), Oscar Wilde

	== Dread Ghouls in ''[[The Domains of Dread]]'' ==		== Dread Ghouls in ''[[The Domains of Dread]]'' ==

August: /* Template Adjustments */

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	Hostile [[Notoriety\|NR]] if uncovered in all major domains unless transformed		Hostile [[Notoriety\|NR]] if uncovered in all major domains unless transformed
	Dominates lesser ghouls and ghasts, will not be attacked by other AI-controlled undead unless transformed		Dominates lesser ghouls and ghasts, will not be attacked by other AI-controlled undead unless transformed
	''<code>Ghoul claws (Ex)</code>'': Replaces natural weapon with 2d4+2 slashing damage, 1d6 necrotic damage claws; the dread ghoul cannot wield weapons or shields unless transformed, but may use ~~other~~ off-hand equipment ~~as normal~~. Provokes DC level+PRS Will save against ''[[Status Effects\|daze]]'' per attack. These claws behave as though under ''[[Keen Weapon\|keen weapon]]'' with 18-20/x2 threat range'','' and have an additional 1d8 slashing damage explosion die on critical.		''<code>Ghoul claws (Ex)</code>'': Replaces natural weapon with 2d4+2 slashing damage, 1d6 necrotic damage claws; the dread ghoul cannot wield weapons or shields unless transformed, but may use off-hand equipment. Provokes DC level+PRS Will save against ''[[Status Effects\|daze]]'' per attack. These claws behave as though under ''[[Keen Weapon\|keen weapon]]'' with 18-20/x2 threat range'','' and have an additional 1d8 slashing damage explosion die on critical.
	''<code>Ghoul bite (Ex)</code>'': Activate to replace next attack with a 2d6+2 crushing damage, 2d6 necrotic damage bite. This attack replaces all others which would have occurred in a flurry, but uses the highest available AB. Provokes DC 12+PRS Fortitude save ~~against contracting~~ ''ghoul fever.''		''<code>Ghoul bite (Ex)</code>'': Activate to replace next attack with a 2d6+2 crushing damage, 2d6 necrotic damage bite. This attack replaces all others which would have occurred in a flurry, but uses the highest available AB. Provokes DC 12+PRS Fortitude save versus disease to not contract ''ghoul fever.''

	'''<code>Non-Salient Abilities</code>'''		'''<code>Non-Salient Abilities</code>'''
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	Dread ghouls benefit from all abilities, salient or otherwise, as they would normally while transformed other than ''hungry frenzy,'' which if activated will automatically force the ghoul out.		Dread ghouls benefit from all abilities, salient or otherwise, as they would normally while transformed other than ''hungry frenzy,'' which if activated will automatically force the ghoul out.
	''<code>Ghoul gaze (Su)</code>'': At will, the dread ghoul takes an action to attempt to ''paralyze'' a living target with a look, provoking a DC 2+level+PRS Will save ~~against~~ mind-affecting as a gaze attack. If the target fails, they are ''paralyzed'' for 1d4 rounds plus half the dread ghoul's level, rounded down. If the target saves, they are immune to any further ''ghoul gaze'' attempts for the next hour IGT and are notified that a hostile action was performed on them.		''<code>Ghoul gaze (Su)</code>'': At will, the dread ghoul takes an action to attempt to ''paralyze'' a living target with a look, provoking a DC 2+level+PRS Will save versus mind-affecting as a gaze attack. If the target fails, they are ''paralyzed'' for 1d4 rounds plus half the dread ghoul's level, rounded down. If the target saves, they are immune to any further ''ghoul gaze'' attempts for the next hour IGT and are notified that a hostile action was performed on them.
	''<code>Devour flesh (Ex)</code>'': The dread ghoul abandons all other actions to partake in the bloody feeding of a corpse or downed target. If the target is not sentient, they will satiate their basic hunger for 24 hours IRT; if sentient, they satiate their complex hunger for 1 week IRT.		''<code>Devour flesh (Ex)</code>'': The dread ghoul abandons all other actions to partake in the bloody feeding of a corpse or downed target. If the target is not sentient, they will satiate their basic hunger for 24 hours IRT; if sentient, they satiate their complex hunger for 1 week IRT.