Ghouls touch.

[Dragon Vindaloo]

If you make skin to skin contack with a ghoul/ghast do you think you would possibly suffer the effects of its paralysis? Does it have to scratch or bite you in order for this ability to work?

Some novels (like when Danica fights one in RA Salvatore's Cleric series) seem to suggest just touching one is so unbearable and deathly supernaturally cold that it saps your vital energy and 'freezes' you etc.

What do you think, how do you interpret the rules here? And how about the elven resistance to it, how would you roleplay that?

 

[wingsandsword]

Since it is possible to have a Natural Armor bonus, representing tough hide or the like, that could stop the attack, it is probably not automatic that any skin-to-skin contact would result in full paralysis, only enough contact to count as an actual attack that would leave damage. Hitting against toughened hide, slight brushing of skin-to-skin or other lesser contacts would probably feel distinctly bad and might have some roleplaying description by the DM of leaving the area numb for a little while, but not the distinctive total paralysis.

As for the elven resistance, IMC it's a part of the fact that Elves have a slightly more "advanced" physiology than other races, like their lack of need to sleep and much longer life. They still sense the attempted paralysis, but it's something that just doesn't actually affect them.

 

[Geron Raveneye]

I don't know if my memory is flawed on that, but I distinctly recall ghouls and ghasts paralyzing their victims by inducing fear of death in them, ghasts stronger than ghouls. Elves, as very long-lived beings, fear death much less than other creatures, and as such are not affected by the weaker paralysis of the ghoul's touch. Going from there, I'd say accidental contact doesn't really do anything except annoy the victim.

But that's the same as everything else in D&D...up for interpretation.

 

[MarauderX]

I would rule that a mere touch would cause paralysis, being undead.

 

[Dragon Vindaloo]

Interesting.

If I recall correctly Danica (a monk) has a real hard time fighting the creature. As she suffers its life draining coldness each time she strikes with her unarmed attacks.

Yes it is all very open to interpretation but its fun to talk about and come up with nifty theories.

 

[Trickstergod]

By the rules, a mere touch won't do anything. Otherwise ghouls and ghasts would mention in their stat blocks that unarmed attacks against them causes paralysis and their attack would likely just be a touch attack instead of a normal attack.

I always figured the paralysis was caused by something exuded through the nails and teeth that acted as a paralytic. A mix of filth, saliva and rigor mortis getting into the veins.

Flavor-wise, I'd say touching a ghoul is nothing worse than touching a corpse. Not exactly pleasant, perhaps, but not particularly harmful.

 

[howandwhy99]

The rules are screwy on this. When it comes to touch or gaze attacks they are always purposeful. There is no chance of turning to stone while viewing a medusa from over 30' away; nor is there any casual turn to stone effect.

In your case I would rule according to how you're comfortable. Casual ghuol touch contact makes the creature more powerful.

Elves are immune to ghoul paralysis for a old D&D setting reason. They are not immune to Ghasts. What this means in your world is up to you.