Empire of the Ghouls for 5th Edition
5e
Cursed Multitude: A great kingdom of reaver dwarves fell during a terrible winter. No one knows how, but it is certain the kingdom was felled from the inside. Many blame the frost giants, winter gods, wily fey, and even demons from the endless Void. Whatever the truth, its people remain in the fallen kingdom, cursed to wander between life and death in the forest and ruins of their ancient home.
Emperor's Hyena: As their name implies, emperor’s hyenas are undead hyenas that have been magically enhanced and tied to the emperor of the ghouls.
The method of creation of Emperor’s hyenas was a gift given directly to the Ghoul Emperor by Anu-Akma and has been entrusted to only a few necrophages. Emperor’s hyenas can be created only from hyenas that were anointed protectors of the god’s holy places when they were alive.
Ghoul Beggar: While some beggar ghouls spend their entire existence in undeath as this weak strain, at least a few were once stronger ghouls who withered when they were trapped far from sources of flesh. Others were exiled from the empire without the resources to fend for themselves.
More commonly, darakhul are created by the ghoulish legions when their ranks are thin. After a successful battle where prisoners are taken, the strongest and healthiest among the prisoners are deliberately infected with darakhul fever, in hopes of creating new soldiers to serve in the Legion. This is often referred to as “recruiting from the field.”
The survivors are kept starving and shackled until such time as they swear an oath to the Emperor, their legion, and their officers. Those who swear this oath are released as free darakhul soldiers, given their first flesh, then added to a company of fellow soldiers, mostly veterans, who can be counted on to help the recruit adjust to a new life as an undead, as a citizen of the empire, and as part of a powerful military machine.
Those who refuse to swear the oath grow weaker and weaker. Most die of starvation and become fodder for the troops. A few gnaw through their limbs to escape the shackles or are released in a weakened state by a generous officer. These unfortunates either become beggar ghouls (in the Imperium) or lone ghouls, ghasts, or darakhul on the surface, making their way as hunger-driven monsters or mercenaries, bandits, and graverobbers.
While some darakhul arise from those who survive darakhul fever after being infected by raiders from the Imperium, this rarely results in a long-lived citizen of the Imperium. Instead, these lone darakhul, if unable to join the ranks of the People, generally starve and fall into the ranks of the beggar ghouls (if they are created in the Underworld), or they may thrive as relatively powerful undead on the surface, leading bands of ordinary ghouls or serving a necromancer, vampire, or cult of the dark gods.
Some were once strong ghouls exiled and cast out from the empire’s largess.
Ghoul Bloated: Bloated ghouls are ghouls who have engaged in ritual gorging on the flesh of hundreds of humanoids.
Some ghouls step out of the normal path of politics, war, and imperial expansion, seeking a path of corruption or transcendence using the power of necrotic energy. Those whose hunger grows ever greater, unchecked, and who become filled with masses of undigested meat and bone are the bloated ghouls.
Bas relief carvings line the walls of this hallway. Embellished with actual bones, they depict the teachings of the Bloated Path, which is the unchecked consumption of flesh until the undead body swells with undigested meat and bone and the practitioner becomes a bloated ghoul.
Ghoul Bonepowder: Ghouls can achieve this powdery form through long starvation. The process invariably takes decades, which is why so few bonepowder ghouls exist—few ghouls can show such self-restraint. Even among imperial ghouls, using hunger as a form of torture is considered offensive and is quite rare. A bonepowder ghoul may rise from the remnants of a starved prisoner or a ghoul trapped in a sealed-off cavern, leaving behind its remnant flesh and becoming animated almost purely by hunger, hatred, and the bitter wisdom of long centuries.
The ancient kings decided they would grind their rivals to dust at the Millstone, an enormous block of stone in the depths of the old Rift Kingdom. They thought they were condemning their foes to a slow and agonizing death, but in fact their demise led to the inadvertent creation of the first bonepowder ghouls. These ghouls were still animated by hate and determined to end the rule of the petty kings once and for all.
Sometimes a ghoul stops eating, either voluntarily, or more likely as a result of cruel torture. After decades of starvation, the ghoul takes on a new powdery form. This pile of dust and bone fragments animated by hunger, hatred, and bitter wisdom is a bonepowder ghoul. Not all ghouls who starve become bonepowder ghouls as many lesser ghouls who starve instead waste away into nothing—only the more powerful ghouls or those driven by a strong hatred become bonepowder ghouls.
and becomes the first bonepowder ghoul.
Ghoul Darakhul, The People: The darakhul were born of strange magic. Some say the first of them became undead through sheer will and boundless depravity. Others say the darakhul are the children of a mythical ghoul-dragon named Darrakh, who still roams the grey wastelands between life and death.
All darakhul were once living creatures. Their arrival as undead is sometimes a matter of deliberate choice, but just as often an accident of defeat at the claws and weaponry of the ghoul legions.
The darakhul call the change from life to unlife the Crossing, often combining this term with the “curtain” term for darakhul fever in phrases such as “she’s crossing the curtain” or “the slave failed to cross the curtain.” Most such transitions fall into three categories, depending on how a particular darakhul is created: by the temples, by the legions, or by happenstance.
CREATION BY THE TEMPLES
The rarest origins are those darakhul created by priests of the cults of Anu-Akma or Vardesain, or, more rarely, by another dark god such as the Red Goddess, Charun, or Mot. These are cases where living members of the faith, such as priests, paladins, or especially devout and often wealthy followers, are chosen to be infected with darakhul fever. Those who survive are welcomed into a new life in the temples or in the Underworld, carrying on their dark faith in a second life. They are introduced to other members of their congregations and welcomed into the fold as powerful, respected, and even titled darakhul, serving a dark god and the Imperium itself. These are those born to rule.
CREATION BY THE LEGIONS
More commonly, darakhul are created by the ghoulish legions when their ranks are thin. After a successful battle where prisoners are taken, the strongest and healthiest among the prisoners are deliberately infected with darakhul fever, in hopes of creating new soldiers to serve in the Legion. This is often referred to as “recruiting from the field.”
The survivors are kept starving and shackled until such time as they swear an oath to the Emperor, their legion, and their officers. Those who swear this oath are released as free darakhul soldiers, given their first flesh, then added to a company of fellow soldiers, mostly veterans, who can be counted on to help the recruit adjust to a new life as an undead, as a citizen of the empire, and as part of a powerful military machine.
Those who refuse to swear the oath grow weaker and weaker. Most die of starvation and become fodder for the troops. A few gnaw through their limbs to escape the shackles or are released in a weakened state by a generous officer. These unfortunates either become beggar ghouls (in the Imperium) or lone ghouls, ghasts, or darakhul on the surface, making their way as hunger-driven monsters or mercenaries, bandits, and graverobbers.
CREATION BY HAPPENSTANCE
While some darakhul arise from those who survive darakhul fever after being infected by raiders from the Imperium, this rarely results in a long-lived citizen of the Imperium. Instead, these lone darakhul, if unable to join the ranks of the People, generally starve and fall into the ranks of the beggar ghouls (if they are created in the Underworld), or they may thrive as relatively powerful undead on the surface, leading bands of ordinary ghouls or serving a necromancer, vampire, or cult of the dark gods.
Many believe the Hunger Cults or the Necrophagi know the secret of transforming ghasts into darakhul.
Once paid in noble blood, the Hunger God promises to reveal the secret of creating new darakhul faster and more reliably to Radomir.
Radomir Marrowblight, darakhul high priest of Vardesain and close ally of the scheming Duke Morreto Lichmark of the Pure City of Vandekhul, has received a vision from the Hunger God, demanding the capture and sacrifice of Archduke Avgost. In return for the offering of royal blood, the god has promised to reveal the secret of creating darakhul faster and more reliably to Radomir.
The Archduke’s sacrifice to Vardesain will gain Duke Morreto and High Priest Marrowblight the secret of efficiently creating darakhul which the pair will use to strengthen their army.
Avgost is destined to suffer a slow and painful death in the Hunger God’s name, followed by agonizing transformation into a darakhul. Once his royal blood has been spilled, Vardesain has promised to reveal the dark lore Radomir and Duke Morreto both crave—the true secret of creating more darakhul.
As the characters arrive in Vandekhul, the pair are making the final preparations for the ritual sacrifice of Archduke Avgost. Once the archduke’s royal blood has been spilled, the Hunger God reveals the dark knowledge Morreto and Radomir crave—the true secret of creating new darakhul.
First, though, Radomir must give the Hunger God what he wants and spill the royal blood of the hated Archduke Avgost. By doing so, Radomir hopes to learn the secret of creating new darakhul from Vardesain.
Darakhul Fever disease.
Ghoul Darakhul Captain: ?
Ghoul Darakhul Shadowmancer: ?
Ghoul Darakhul Spy: ?
The Dread and Eternal Emperor Nicoforus the Pale, Emperor of Ghouls, Lord of All the Ghouls, Lord Subterranean of Morgau and Doresh, Prince of Darakhan, The Pale Emperor, Viceroy of Vandekul, Ghoul Emperor: ?
Duke Nicoforus: ?
Ghoul Imperial: ?
Ghoul Iron: Many believe that the hunger cults or the necrophagi know some secret of transforming imperial ghouls into iron ghouls.
Ghoul Necrophage Ghast: ?
Ghoul Tar: Bored while under the service of a necromancer, an efreeti prince toyed with his master’s creations to give them an edge against fiery spellcasters.
Created by an efreeti prince bound into a necromancer’s service, these feral, flammable ghouls roam the Underworld in packs, hunting for fresh meat.
Ghoulsteed: The ghouls create horrific, intelligent, undead mounts for their most worthy soldiers and priests.
Although they’re large, run on all fours, and can be ridden as mounts, ghoulsteeds are the undead remains of humanoids. They’re created when a humanoid is killed by massive amounts of necrotic energy.
The ghouls create horrific, intelligent undead creatures called ghoulsteeds to serve as mounts for their high-ranking military officers and priests. Although they are large and run on all fours, ghoulsteeds are the undead remains of humanoids, created when a humanoid is killed by massive amounts of negative energy.
Ghul: When an undead with the ability to raise more of their kind, such as a vampire, wight, or wraith, slays a geniekin or other lesser elemental, the risen creature is a ghul instead.
Greater Ghul, Ghul King: Ghuls evolve over the centuries, gaining power and a semblance of their original personality, now twisted by centuries of evil acts. Their slow personal growth leads most ghuls to a craven existence, striking from the shadows and using their magic to flee if their prey puts up too much of a fight. If a ghul survives long enough, it gains enough power to be grudgingly acknowledged by lesser ghuls. These greater ghuls are often called “ghul kings” by those who encounter them, as the greater ghuls often create a semblance of a “royal court” out of lesser ghuls and other undead.
Lesser Ghul: ?
Graveyard Dragon: Graveyard dragons form out of the remains of evil dragons killed as part of a cataclysm that claimed the lives of several dragons at the same time, or when their remains are exposed to heavy concentrations of necrotic energy.
Overshadow: A creation of great misery and of hope dying in the dark, an overshadow forms when travelers become lost underground. As their supplies dwindle and their lives slowly extinguish in the cold bowels of the earth, an overshadow rises from the bodies. The collective psychic trauma of mass deaths in the dark draws energy from each casualty, seeding a portion of the darkness with undead energies, a collective intelligence, and a sinister intent.
Ghoul Darakhul Servant of the Unsated God: ?
Skeleton Swordbreaker: Tougher than a typical animated skeleton, these undead are raised from skeletal remains that have fossilized. Some are long dead beasts of a forgotten age, dug from the stone which encases them and reanimated. Others are more recent, raised from remains that were buried in areas where fossilization commonly occurs, such as near areas of mineral-rich water.
Any creature that has been dead for more than 100 years and that has a skeletal structure can be animated as a swordbreaker skeleton.
Veteran Swordbreaker Skeleton: ?
Zombie Cavefish: The cavefish zombie is an unusual type of undead that occurs when dark magic permeates a lightless, watery environment, such as in an underground lake or the depths of the ocean. Rather than retain the bodily form it possessed in life, the creature’s skin sloughs off from parts of its body as aquatic features burst through its flesh. Its fingers and toes become webbed, and fins form on its back and down its legs.
Undead: Ingvald Horun enjoys his work here, creating and tinkering with undead.
Undead Soldier: ?
Undead Citizen: ?
Undead Priest: ?
Powerful Undead: ?
Undead Follower: ?
Undead Purple Worm: ?
Small Useful Undead Servant: ?
Undead Messenger Bat: ?
Undead Mount: ?
Undead Beast: ?
Horrific Intelligent Undead Creature: ?
Mindless Undead: ?
Devoted Undead Servant: ?
Undead Invader: ?
Undead Warrior: ?
Undead Assailant: ?
Undead Master: ?
Undead Warhorse: ?
Undead Dog: ?
Undead Mount: ?
Walking Dwarven Corpse, Restless Undead, Undead Dwarf, Calm Undead ?
Moaning and Shuffling Undead Dwarf: If soothed, a cursed multitude separates back into dozens of moaning and shuffling undead dwarves.
Walking Dwarven Corpse, Implacable Dead, Undead Body: ?
Organized Undead: ?
Cursed Undead: ?
Restless Undead: ?
Sajeel, Undead Gypsosphinx: ?
Undead Servant: Free of his imprisonment inside an urn, the Ghul King is amassing an army of undead, bringing any who are buried in the Necropolis back as his undead servants, attempting to enlist those who have already returned, and otherwise violating the laws of the Necropolis.
Undead Denizen: ?
Undead Dragon: ?
Undead Guardian: ?
Undead Merchant: ?
Undead Patron: ?
Undead Sea Creature: ?
Massive Undead Eel: ?
Undead Shark: ?
Incorporeal Undead: ?
Undead Horse: ?
Undead Bat Familiar: ?
Lesser Undead: ?
Intelligent Undead: ?
Undead Spellcaster: ?
Undead Entity: ?
Undead Entity of Great Evil: ?
Undead Hyena: ?
Simple Undead Beast: ?
Pot-Bellied Undead Maddened With Hunger: ?
Horrific Intelligent Undead Mount: The ghouls create horrific, intelligent, undead mounts for their most worthy soldiers and priests.
Undead With the Ability to Raise More of Their Kind: ?
Vindictive Undead: ?
Fearsome Undead: ?
Undead Assistant: ?
Cursed Dead Dwarf, Cursed Dwarf, Dead Citizen, Dead Dwarf of Nordheim, Dwarven Citizen, Dwarven Corpse, Lost Citizen of Nordheim, The Dead, Undead Body, Unquiet Dead, Walking Corpse, Wandering Dead, Wandering Dead Dwarf: These former citizens of Nordheim, cursed with undeath, have been released from the underground tunnels of their former home.
She is clearly uncomfortable with the presence of the dwarves who are uniquely cursed in their undeath.
Kraki, Unquiet Dead: ?
Helga, Unquiet Dead: ?
Sigmar, Unquiet Dead: ?
Ingmar, Unquiet Dead: ?
Hreidmar, Unquiet Dead: ?
Floki, Unquiet Dead: ?
Poor and Starving Beggar Ghoul: ?
Hungry Beggar Ghoul: ?
Milos Guttersnipe, Beggar Ghoul: ?
Plucky Beggar Ghoul: ?
Emaciated Beggar Ghoul: ?
The Hissing King, Bonepowder Ghoul: 22 BI The Hissing King is crushed to death by his rivals at the Millstone.
Makani Elia, Bonepowder Ghoul: The bonepowder ghoul is the remains of Makani Elia, one of the brothers who attempted to trap the Ghul King in the complex. Murdered by his companions and abandoned by his family, Makani’s body lay dormant for decades until the Ghul King was released. Unbeknownst to much of the family, including Makani, his mother was unfaithful to her husband, and Makani is not a blood descendant of the Elia family. As such, the Ghul King was able to raise his body, but his dedication to his family has prevented the Ghul King from being able to control him.
Gorkos Winterwight, Bonepowder Ghoul: Gorkos Winterwight was the high priest of the Bone Cathedral before Radomir Marrowblight. After centuries of deliberate starvation following the Path of Hungry Dust, he became a bonepowder ghoul.
Emperor Tonderil the Bonebreaker, Emperor of the Ghouls, Ghoul: ?
Yigosain, Derro Darakhul: ?
Yigosain, Derro Darakhul Captain: ?
Yigosain, Derro Darakhul Shadowdancer: ?
Darakhul Necromancer: ?
Empress Haresha Winterblood: Second to sit the throne was one of Tonderil’s spawn.
Emperor Vermesail the Gravedancer: ?
Voxpopulous, Voice of the People, The Beggar King of the Boneheaps, Gaki Hungry Ghost, Emaciated Ghoul: ?
Emperor Vilmos Marquering, The Black Fang, The Twilight Emperor, Human Darakhul: ?
Sandor Greyskin, Master of the Necrophagi: ?
Necrophage Antovian Surmidus: ?
Duke Sergival of the Shackles: ?
Lucretia Tideblood, Darakhul High Priestess: ?
High Priest Cimbrai Grimscribe, Cimbrai the Sated, Human Darakhul, Sated, Bald Undead: ?
High Priestess Doina Doresh, Human Darakhul High Priestess, Ancient Ghoul: She claims to be the spawn of the Empress Haresha herself.
Darakhul Mercenary: ?
Duke Iago Estorban, Iago Estaban, Iago Estarban, Field Marshall of the Iron Legion, Human Darakhul: ?
Captain-General of the Ivory Legion Branko Charonson, Human Darakhul: ?
Necrophage Lazar Crowsroad, Necrophagus, Dwarf Darakhul Archmage: ?
Captain-General Dusan Rattlebone: ?
Amanita Skullcap, Human Darakhul Spore Druid: ?
Captain-General Talmurez Widdergut, Drow Darakhul: ?
Spymaster-General Remigia Rottooth: ?
Wizard-General of the Harvester Legion Smiling Magerette, Drow Darakhul: ?
Darenko Gallowsborn, Shadowmancer: ?
Eril Gravewalker, War Cleric: ?
Captain-General Vasilis Thanatar: ?
Jana Zoric, Roguish Duelist: ?
Captain-General, Powerful Darakhul Fighter: ?
Darakhul Officer: ?
Darakhul Noble: ?
Older Darakhul: ?
Loremaster Eressar Candlewright, Darakhul Archmage, Darakhul Wizard: ?
Duchess Orsolla Stritt of Gnawbone, The Hunger Duchess, Human Darakhul: ?
Duchess Erzsebet Tar Josa of the Black Tower, The Sorcerer's Duchess, The Sorcerer's Harpy, Elf Darakhul: ?
Duke Wilmer Corpsefinger of Westbrook, Halfling Darakhul: ?
Duke Drago Blackfly of Fretlock, Human Darakhul: ?
Duke Imre Stritt of the Glowing Forest, Human Darakhul: ?
Duke Radu Kopecs of Gonderiff, Dwarf Darakhul: ?
Duke Jaroslav Krakenau of Spiderfall, Drow Darakhul: ?
Duke Morreto Lichmark of Vandekhul, Human Darakhul: ?
Leander Stross, Human Darakhul: ?
Honored Darakhul Smith: ?
Lord Fandorin: ?
Powerful Darakhul Noble: ?
Shepherd, Elfmarked Darakhul Druid: ?
Vonder Gallowglass, Captain of the Gate, Elfmarked Darakhul Captain: ?
Darakhul Priest: ?
Coreade Whisper, Duergar Darakhul: ?
Atilla Nethergrip, Darakhul Captain: ?
Coltus Witherpock, Darakhul High Priest: ?
Darakhul Attendant: ?
Hjortyr Gorehide, Bearfolk Darakhul Captain: ?
First Imperial Batspeaker Stemli Stonli Underhill, Dwarf Darakhul Druid: ?
Lich-Magister Olja Chornovoi, Elfmarked Darakhul: ?
Arno Underland, Human Darakhul: ?
Chief Librarian Renato the Binder, Human Darakhul Archmage: ?
Marquis Crumbcoat, Human Darakhul: ?
Rutil Ebernacht, Major, Boss, Human Darakhul Captain: ?
Serious Darakhul Guard: ?
Baroness Jasna Braintree, Human Darakhul: ?
Beetle Baron Milorad Mudmouth, Gnome Darakhul: ?
Silver Baron Vukas Crowsroad, Human Darakhul: ?
Lord of Tears Marius Cipic, Human Darakhul: ?
Sable Niklos, Mad Lady of Tears, Derro Darakhul: ?
Master of the Necrophagi Sevtozar Zoric, Darakhul Archmage: ?
Anica Rivermute, Mistress of Monuments, Human Darakhul: ?
Lord Hunter Illeno Crypthand, Trollkin Darakhul: ?
Darakhul Underpriest: ?
Radomir Marrowblight, Human Darakhul High Priest: ?
Vukas Shroudson, Darakhul Shadowmancer Spymaster Spy, Ghoul Agent: ?
Silas Gristlemaw, Human Darakhul: ?
Darakhul Agent: ?
Dejana Fleshound, Human Darakhul Spy, Ghoulish Stalker: ?
Ungred Milkeye, Human Darakhul: ?
Crackbone, Human Darakhul: ?
Goran Malik, Human Darakhul Shadowdancer: ?
Selvyn, Shadow Fey Darakhul: ?
Darakhul Soldier: ?
Last King Narosain, The Last King, The Prince of Vermin, King of the Underworld, Human Darakhul, Ghoul Lord, Ghoul Noble: ?
Sated Fang, Darakhul: ?
Dorain Nalka, Darakhul High Priestess: ?
Ingvald Horun, Darakhul Necromancer: ?
Influential Darakhul Noble: ?
Darakhul Villain: ?
Vermigia Wormfood, Human Darakhul High Priestess, Darakhul Priestess: ?
Officious Darakhul: ?
Darakhul Customs Officer: ?
Well-Connected Darakhul: ?
Alessus Rotheart, Necrophage Ghast, Well-Connected Darakhul: ?
High Priest Valeric Icevein, Human Darakhul High Priest, Well-Connected Darakhul: ?
Darakhul Overseer: ?
Roald Bonesplitter, Human Darakhul: ?
Wealthy Darakhul: ?
Darakhul Merchant: ?
Vuzmyn Bloodtide, Drow Darakhul Acolyte: ?
Yavor Wormsong, Dwarf Darakhul: ?
Newly Created Human Darakhul: ?
Newly Created Elfmarked Darakhul: ?
Newly Created Darakhul: ?
Darakhul Patron: ?
Marquis Lazlo Dimas, Human Darakhul: ?
Marquess Dorva Graysuture, Human Darakhul: ?
Baroness Anikka Graveskin, Human Darakhul, Darakhul Noble: ?
Zsolt Styxdeep, Human Darakhul Captain: ?
Marius Mourncloak, Elfmarked Darakhul Spy, Impeccably Dressed Darakhul: ?
Kazimir Ernis, Gnome Darakhul: ?
Viridian Lethe, Mad Darakhul: ?
Stoic and Steely Darakhul: ?
Vespyr Mir'Dethain, Drow Darakhul: ?
Sinewy and Sultry Darakhul: ?
Darakhul Leader: ?
Scheming Noble Darakhul: ?
Archduke Avgost Walerska of Krakova, Darakhul: Archduke Avgost Walerska, the Krakovan noble who cheated death itself, is in their clutches, and preparations for his ritual sacrifice at the Bone Cathedral in the Pure City are nearing completion. Avgost is destined to suffer a slow and painful death in the Hunger God’s name, followed by agonizing transformation into a darakhul.
The characters need to stop the villains’ ritual and save Avgost from a painful death and agonizing transformation into a darakhul.
Though Radomir needs Avgost to die to gain the Hunger God’s knowledge, the death must come from the Vardesain-blessed worms in the pit for the ritual to be successful. Radomir avoids putting Avgost in the range of his spells that affect an area, and he and the other ghouls don’t target Avgost with attacks or spells. Avgost has three-quarters cover while in the cage and full cover from attacks outside the pit while submerged in the worms. On the round after he dies in the pit, Avgost transforms into a darakhul, unleashing a terrible wail of agony as he becomes a ghoul.
Imperial Ghoul Sergeant: ?
Imperial Ghoul Overseer: ?
Imperial Ghoul Guard: ?
Florica Zoric, Imperial Ghoul: ?
Master-at-Arms Carrionmaw, Imperial Ghoul, Armored Ghoul: ?
Adra Rotclaw, Imperial Ghoul: ?
Bored Imperial Ghoul: ?
Imperial Ghoul Bodyguard: ?
Iron Ghoul Lieutenant: ?
Borjana Shadewalker, Iron Ghoul: ?
Martius Ralgruz, Iron Ghoul, Eccentric Foppish Ghoul: ?
Stitchface, Iron Ghoul: ?
Iron Ghoul Sentry: ?
Iron Ghoul Guard: ?
Iron Ghoul Officer: ?
Cassian Blackwater, Iron Ghoul: ?
Gahib Temuuri, The Ghul King, Ancient Ghul: ?
Gahib Temuuri, The Ghul King Weakened, Ancient Ghul: The Ghul King’s urn has AC 17, 27 hp, and a damage threshold of 10. If the urn is broken, the Ghul King is blasted with magical energies, shrinks, and appears drained of color and vigor.
Red Graveyard Dragon: ?
Black Graveyard Dragon: ?
Green Graveyard dragon: ?
Tozar Hungerbrood, Servant of the Unsated God: ?
Ghost: ?
Dobriz, Ghost, Ghostly Creature: ?
Dwarven Ghost, Ghost of the Dwarven Dead: ?
Ghostly Warrior: ?
Ghost of Formerly Living Creature That Drowned in the Sulphur Sea: ?
Ghoul, Common Ghoul, Mere Ghoul, Ordinary Ghoul, Rank-and-File Ghoul, Typical Ghoul, Undead Ghoul, Unnatural Ghoul: Not all ghouls are powerful masters of the Underworld. Many are condemned from the date of their creation to scrabble after scraps. What makes the difference is the highly variable course of the disease that creates ghouls, best known as darakhul fever to the surface world. Among ghouls, it is called “the curtain” or “the strengthening,” as in “after I passed through the curtain” or “after my strengthening.” Only greater ghouls, such as darakhul and imperial and iron ghouls, can afflict a humanoid with darakhul fever and create new ghouls.
More commonly, darakhul are created by the ghoulish legions when their ranks are thin. After a successful battle where prisoners are taken, the strongest and healthiest among the prisoners are deliberately infected with darakhul fever, in hopes of creating new soldiers to serve in the Legion. This is often referred to as “recruiting from the field.”
The survivors are kept starving and shackled until such time as they swear an oath to the Emperor, their legion, and their officers. Those who swear this oath are released as free darakhul soldiers, given their first flesh, then added to a company of fellow soldiers, mostly veterans, who can be counted on to help the recruit adjust to a new life as an undead, as a citizen of the empire, and as part of a powerful military machine.
Those who refuse to swear the oath grow weaker and weaker. Most die of starvation and become fodder for the troops. A few gnaw through their limbs to escape the shackles or are released in a weakened state by a generous officer. These unfortunates either become beggar ghouls (in the Imperium) or lone ghouls, ghasts, or darakhul on the surface, making their way as hunger-driven monsters or mercenaries, bandits, and graverobbers.
Though zealots exist, most ghoul faith reflects devotion to their own interests. They make a show of piety before the Emperor Cults for political reasons, before Mavros for greed and imperial glory, or Anu-Akma for his role in creating the ghoul race.
Darakhul Fever disease.
Darrakh, Ghoul-Dragon: ?
Ghoul Mercenary: ?
Ghoul King: ?
Darkness-Touched Ghoul: ?
Renegade Ghoul: ?
Wealthier Ghoul: ?
Ghoul Adherent: ?
Ghoul Guard: ?
Frenzied Ghoul: ?
Ghoul Runner: ?
Ghoul Acolyte: ?
City Ghoul: ?
Ghoulish Necromancer: ?
Strong Ghoul: ?
Lesser Ghoul: ?
Feral Flammable Ghoul: ?
Ghoul Lord: ?
Ghoul Merchant: ?
Starving Ghoul: ?
Hungry Ghoul: ?
Prominent Ghoul: ?
Noble Ghoul: ?
Military Ghoul: ?
Sated: ?
Borys Kreul, Ghoul Assassin, Ghoul Spy: ?
Ghoulish Minion: ?
Ogre Ghoul, Ghoulish Ogre: ?
Large Ghoul: ?
Ghoul Minion: ?
Ghoul Henchman: ?
Slavering Ghoul: ?
Feral Ghoul: ?
Scratchpox, Ghoul Castellan: ?
Sister Ylva, Feral Ghoul: Resentful of his current lowly status, Grimslade is determined to win back the Grand Marshal’s favor by wiping out the Spear Maidens of Hope, who have been a thorn in Hristina’s side for the past ten years.
But Grimslade doesn’t want to create more martyrs like Sister Adelind. Instead, he plans to corrupt the knights of Sif by capturing them and transforming them into Ghost Knights. To this end, he has purchased a powerful elixir from a gnomish merchant of Niemheim, named Chapman Bogun. This foul brew, said to contain water from the River Styx among its rare ingredients, removes the divine blessing that protects the Spear Maidens of Hope from darakhul fever. Once removed, he plans to infect the captured knights with the disease then ritually kill them in the castle’s Blood Chapel to complete their passage to undeath.
The ledger is written in Darakhul. An entry about ten days ago records the capture of five knights belonging to the so-called Spear Maidens of Hope, noting that they are being held in the cells below ground. A few days after they were imprisoned, the first subject was given the “gnome’s elixir” before being bitten by someone called Stitchface to see if she could be infected with darakhul fever. The test appeared to work and now all five knights have been successfully infected and await the “transformation ritual.”
A rack stands in the middle of the room—the rack that held each Spear Maiden as Stitchface the gaoler force-fed her the elixir of corruption. After the elixir had taken effect, the iron ghoul bit each Spear Maiden to infect her with darakhul fever.
The characters and their Spear Maiden allies arrive just as the evil ritual killing of one of the Spear Maidens, designed to trigger her transformation into a darakhul, is taking place.
On initiative count 1 of the second round of combat, Sister Ylva, the dead Spear Maiden, rises as a feral ghoul and attacks the nearest creature. The general’s hopes that she would be transformed into a more sophisticated darakhul have been dashed, and he is furious, attacking recklessly until the end of his next turn.
Tireless Ghoul Messenger: ?
Sarastra-Worshipping Ghoul: ?
Ghoul Assassin: ?
Ghoul Slaver: ?
Off-Duty Ghoul: ?
Gossiping Ghoul: ?
Ghoulish Patron, Ghoul Patron: ?
Ghoul Invader: ?
Ghoul Sailor: ?
Ghoul With Distended Belly: ?
Ghoul Dockworker: ?
Ghoulish Stevedore: ?
Ghoulish Nobility: ?
Ghoul Bodyguard: ?
Very Persistent Ghoul Street Seller: ?
Ghoul Witness: ?
Sadistic Gleeful Ghoul: ?
Deranged Ghoul Slaughter-Man: ?
Emaciated Ghoul: ?
Ghoul Craftsman: ?
Ghoul Servant: ?
Ghoulish Customer: ?
Armored Ghoul: ?
Ghoul Legionnaire: ?
Emaciated-Looking Ghoul: ?
Ghoul Priest: ?
Inspired Ghoul: ?
Ghoul Bat: ?
Civilized Ghoul: ?
Elite Ghoul Warrior: ?
Vicious-Looking Ghoul: ?
Grinning Ghoul: ?
Intelligent and Civilized Ghoul: ?
Indella, Drider Ghoul: ?
Ghast: Eminently disposable, the uncivilized masses of the common ghouls are largely ignored. They are not fed from the slave pens guarded by the darakhul, and they must forage for themselves. The strongest grow into ghasts with a place in the legions when an assault is planned.
A humanoid slain by [a darakhul captain's imperial conscription] attack rises as a ghast 1d4 hours later under the darakhul captain’s control, unless the humanoid is restored to life or its body is destroyed.
A pair of ghasts created by the [neophron] demons hide behind the stalagmites to the east.
Darakhul Fever disease.
Ghast Legionnaire: ?
Ghast Runner: ?
Ghast Acolyte: ?
Ghast Miner: ?
Ghast Sergeant: ?
Toufic, Ghast: ?
Eqbal, Ghast: ?
Gerta Stoneye, Ghast Merchant: ?
Kozma, Magically Inclined Ghast: ?
Lich: ?
Augrimm, Lich: ?
Galanthantes, The Deathless Oracle, Hierophant Lich: ?
Mummy: ?
Shadow, Common Shadow, Undead Shadow: ?
Burning Skeleton: ?
Fire Skeleton: ?
Skeleton: The bone collectives respond to noise from Areas 5 and 7 or to the sound of the boomer’s shriek by first spending 1 minute to cast animate dead to create four skeletons each, before investigating.
Dead bodies within 1 mile of the [Emperor Ghoul's] lair have an 80 percent chance to reanimate as skeletons or zombies 24 hours after their deaths. These undead never attack ghouls or darakhul but instinctively obey their commands.
Skeletal Creature: ?
Skeletal Rider: ?
Warhorse Skeleton: ?
Skeletal Figure: ?
Unliving Skeleton of Dragon Slain in the Graveyard: ?
Draconic Skeleton: ?
Animated Skeleton: ?
Typical Animated Skeleton: ?
Specter: A creature who dies while in the waters of the River Lethe rises as a specter 1 hour later.
Rod of Ghastly Might, magic item.
King Lucan, Prince Lucan, Lord of the Shroud-Eaters, Vampire Ruler: ?
Vampire: Marena is a destructive and vengeful goddess whose sphere of influence includes sickness, death, and decay. She promotes life in twisted forms, from the second existence as vampires that she bestows upon her favored children to her deft use of lust as a tool of manipulation and ruin.
Cosmina travels in metropolitan areas, seeking out each city’s dark underbelly. She uses her charm and magical abilities to rapidly rise in influence in the shadows. Once she has gained a foothold, she typically founds or takes over a brothel or similar establishment. The lustful activities in such places are pleasing to Marena, and they serve as useful fronts for secret temples. She lures some of the most debauched clientele to participate in the cult’s orgiastic blood rites. Once the temple has grown in influence and worshipers, she chooses the most loyal servants to be her successors, granting them the gift of vampirism before departing for a new city.
When an undead with the ability to raise more of their kind, such as a vampire, wight, or wraith, slays a geniekin or other lesser elemental, the risen creature is a ghul instead.
Vampire Priestess: ?
Mother Ludmilla Janova, Vampire Priestess: ?
Vampire Wizard: ?
Surface Vampire: ?
Otmar the Sallow, Notorious Vampire Lord: ?
Princess Hristina, Protector and Duchess of Krakovar and Grand Marshal of the Ghost Knights, Vampire: ?
Vampire Spawn: A humanoid slain [by Kaya the vampiric owl harpy's bite] and then buried in the ground rises the following night as a vampire spawn under Kaya’s control.
Count Warin, Sadistic Vampire Lord: ?
Chessa Iancu, Vampire Spawn, Vampire Priestess, Vampire Proxy: ?
Kaya, Vampiric Owl Harpy, Vampire Owl Harpy: ?
Countess, Vampire: ?
Vampire Spawn Captain: ?
Grigore, Vampire Spawn: ?
Vampire Lord: ?
Cosmina Holruso, Vampire: ?
Wight: When an undead with the ability to raise more of their kind, such as a vampire, wight, or wraith, slays a geniekin or other lesser elemental, the risen creature is a ghul instead.
Witch of Wallenbirg, Infamous Red Hag Wight: ?
Will-o-Wisp: ?
Tybalt, Will-o'-Wisp: ?
Wraith: When an undead with the ability to raise more of their kind, such as a vampire, wight, or wraith, slays a geniekin or other lesser elemental, the risen creature is a ghul instead.
Masudi Elia, Wraith: ?
Wraith Lieutenant: ?
Liquid Zombie: ?
Zombie: Dead bodies within 1 mile of the [Emperor Ghoul's] lair have an 80 percent chance to reanimate as skeletons or zombies 24 hours after their deaths. These undead never attack ghouls or darakhul but instinctively obey their commands.
Zombie Ram, Zombie-Legged Ram: ?
Undead Drow Priestess, Drow Zombie: ?
Corpsecandle, Zombie Stablehand: ?
Bita, Zombie: ?
Bloody Zombie: ?
Fey-Touched Zombie: ?
Wallenbirg Zombie: A humanoid slain by [the Witch of Wallenbirg's life drain] attack rises 24 hours later as a Wallenbirg zombie under the Witch of Wallenbirg’s control, unless the humanoid is restored to life or its body is destroyed.
These shambling undead servitors of the Witch of Wallenbirg have been darkly gifted by the Goat of the Woods with uncanny magical resilience. Although the majority of these creatures have been culled from humanoids who trespassed in Wallenbirg’s darkest sanctums without trepidation, variants of Wallenbirg zombies derived from fey creatures and other woodland denizens are known to exist.
Zombie Dwarf: ?
Ogre Zombie: ?
Zombie Lord: ?
Ghost Dwarf: ?
Clacking Skeleton: ?
Skeleton Monarch: ?
Goreling: ?
Rotten Goreling: ?
Corrupted Dwarf Graveslayer: ?
Tveirherjar: ?
Shadow Skeleton: ?
Flesh Reaver: ?
Crimson Mist: ?
Skull Lantern: ?
Nachzerer: ?
Spirit Lamp: ?
Vampiric Knight: ?
Bone Collective: Vermasail’s terror tactics and spy network kept him in power for 58 long years, as did his development of the bone collectives, the rise of the Emperor Cults, and the writing of the first ghoul work of theology, the Annals of Divine Strength and Sustenance.
Low-ranking members of the order are often necrophage ghasts, who work on small useful undead servants such as skeletons and zombies, while the senior necromancers create bone collectives or develop powerful war machines, such as zombie rams and ether towers.
38 IY Sandor Greyskin, Master of the Necrophagi, creates the first bone collective.
Skeletons are often reduced in size and turned into bone collectives by the incantations of the Necrophagi.
Lich Hound: Lich hounds are undead creatures created from murdered celestials with perverse ritual magic.
Flutterflesh: ?
Wolf Spirit Swarm: ?
Ghost Knight: ?
Captain-of-Arms Romek Mazur, Ghost Knight: ?
General Grimslade, Ghost Knight: ?
Skin Bat: ?
Captain-at-Arms Dhahak Bloodsworn, Ghost Knight: ?
Deathwisp: ?
Rotting Wind: ?
Edimmu: ?
Bone Swarm: ?
Spectral Guardian: ?
Arcane Guardian: ?
Magenthus Quickborn, Master of the Necrophagi, Ancient Bone Collective: ?
Hungry Spirit: ?
Restless Spirit: ?
Spirit: ?
Elia Family Member Spirit: ?
Ancient Necromancer Spirit: ?
ROD OF GHASTLY MIGHT
Rod, legendary (requires attunement)
The knobbed head of this tarnished silver rod resembles the top half of a jawless, syphilitic skull, and it functions as a magic mace that grants a +2 bonus to attack and damage rolls made with it. The rod has properties associated with five different buttons that are set erratically along the haft. It has three other properties as well, detailed below.
Five Buttons. You can press one of the rod’s five buttons as a bonus action. A button’s effect lasts until you push a different button or until you push the same button again, which causes the rod to revert to its normal form.
If you press button 1, the rod’s head erupts in a fiery nimbus of abyssal energy that sheds dim light in a 5-foot radius. While the rod is ablaze, it deals an extra 1d6 fire damage and 1d6 necrotic damage to any target it hits.
If you press button 2, the rod’s head becomes enveloped in a black aura of enervating energy. When you hit a target with the rod while it is enveloped in this energy, the target must succeed on a DC 17 Constitution saving throw or deal only half damage with weapon attacks that use Strength until the end of its next turn.
If you press button 3, a 2-foot blade springs from the tip of the rod’s handle as the handle lengthens into a 5-foot haft, transforming the rod into a magic glaive that grants a +2 bonus to attack and damage rolls made with it.
If you press button 4, a 3-pronged, bladed grappling hook affixed to a long chain springs from the tip of the rod’s handle. The bladed grappling hook counts as a magic sickle with reach that grants a +2 bonus to attack and damage rolls made with it. When you hit a target with the bladed grappling hook, the target must succeed on an opposed Strength check or fall prone.
If you press button 5, the rod assumes or remains in its normal form and you can extinguish all nonmagical flames within 30 feet of you.
Turning Defiance. While holding the rod, you and any undead allies within 30 feet of you have advantage on saving throws against effects that turn undead.
Contagion. When you hit a creature with a melee attack using the rod, you can force the target to make a DC 17 Constitution saving throw. On a failure, the target is afflicted with a disease. This feature works like the contagion spell. Once used, this property can’t be used again until the next dusk.
Create Specter. As an action, you can target a humanoid within 10 feet of you that was killed by the rod or one of its effects and has been dead for no longer than 1 minute. The target’s spirit rises as a specter under your control in the space of its corpse or in the nearest unoccupied space. You can have no more than one specter under your control at one time. Once used, this property can’t be used again until the next dusk.
DARAKHUL FEVER
Spread mainly through bite wounds, this disease makes itself known within 24 hours by swiftly debilitating the infected. An infected creature must make a DC 17 Constitution saving throw after every long rest. On a failed save, the victim takes 14 (4d6) necrotic damage, and its hp maximum is reduced by an amount equal to the damage taken. This reduction lasts until the victim finishes a long rest after the disease is cured. The victim recovers from the disease by making two consecutive successful saving throws. Greater restoration cures the disease, while lesser restoration gives the victim advantage on the next saving throw.
Primarily spread among humanoids, the disease can affect ogres, and therefore other giants may be susceptible. If a creature dies while infected with darakhul fever, roll a d20, add the character’s Constitution modifier, and find the result on the Adjustment Table below to determine what undead form the victim’s body rises in.
Roll
Result
1–9
None; victim is simply dead
10–16
Ghoul
17–20
Ghast
21+
Darakhul
