Ghoul's Create Spawn ability

[JChung2003]

A question about the ghoul's Create Spawn (Su) ability:

What effect would beheading the corpse of someone slain by a ghoul have on this ability's effect? It says in the Monster Manual that casting protection from evil on the body averts the transformation. Would beheading the corpse do the same? Can a ghoul exist without a head? If so, would it be blind (since it had no head), or would it reattach its head somehow during its transformation?

I apologize for such a morbid question, but this actually might happen in the campaign I am running. My players just killed a couple ghouls, but the druid died during the fight, and they have no way to cast protection from evil.

 

[AGGEMAM]

A question about the ghoul's Create Spawn (Su) ability:

What effect would beheading the corpse of someone slain by a ghoul have on this ability's effect? It says in the Monster Manual that casting protection from evil on the body averts the transformation. Would beheading the corpse do the same?

No.

Can a ghoul exist without a head? ... would it reattach its head somehow during its transformation?

Pressumably (to both questions).

I apologize for such a morbid question, but this actually might happen in the campaign I am running. My players just killed a couple ghouls, but the druid died during the fight, and they have no way to cast protection from evil.

Too bad.

 

[Grazzt]

It would still become a ghoul because even beheading a ghoul does not kill it (its immune to critical hits and stuff like that and can function without a head).

Now, would it be blinded? I would say yes.

As for reattaching its head, I would say no, and wouldnt let it (well, it could try, but the head wont stay on), simply because that ability seems to be covered in the realm of regeneration (and ghouls dont have regen).

 

[Mark Chance]

As for reattaching its head, I would say no, and wouldnt let it (well, it could try, but the head wont stay on), simply because that ability seems to be covered in the realm of regeneration (and ghouls dont have regen).

Seems reasonable. The ghoul could carry its head around on a stick. Adjust its attacks to remove the bite and one claw attack, but give the ghoul all-around sight like a beholder because it frequently twists the stick this way and that to keep an eye on things.

 

[Trickstergod]

Essentially just reiterating what everyone else has already said, but with some substance to back it up.

No, a corpse that is bound to become a ghoul cannot be prevented from becoming undead just because it has no head. A ghoul, while hindered without its head, still functions.

Go take a look under the Vorpal weapon special quality. It specifically states that the only undead creature that can't exist without its head is a vampire. Everything else can make do.

 

[Corinth]

The corpse doesn't become undead until the incubation period passes. Before that time, dismembering the corpse will suffice.

 

[JChung2003]

Thanks for your input, folks.

Coincidentally, I noticed that one of the prerequisites for the vorpal property of a weapon is death spell. I don't recall there being such a spell in the Player's Handbook. Does anyone know what that is or should be? I checked the DMG errata and D&D FAQ but had no luck on finding any clarifications or corrections there.

 

[Hypersmurf]

Circle of Death.

-Hyp.

 

[Grazzt]

The corpse doesn't become undead until the incubation period passes. Before that time, dismembering the corpse will suffice.

Dismembered or not, the corpse will still become a ghoul, although I am not sure a dismembered, hacked-to-pieces, ghoul will be very effective.

 

[maddman75]

You know, I just got a picture in my head of a ghoul carrying around its head by the hair. It is ravenously hungry, but can never eat. It would seek revenge on those who left its body in such a state.