OWod The True Ghoul

7/29/2019 OWod The True Ghoul

1/6

The True GhoulBy Marc Johnson-Potts ([email protected])

The Ecology of the True GhoulThe ghouls of today, those humans granted some glimpse of immortality via theirmaster's blood, are not the creatures they seem to be. In fact, they are a mere vestige

of the race they once were up until a few thousand years ago, before the superstitious

race of Man depopulated them through arcane ritual and brutal warfare.

The ghouls of old, the true ghouls, were those creatures who gained sustenance from

the flesh of the dead, and many religious and arcane texts document their existance in

obscure and enigmatic passages, (see bibliographical reference RSC-1). Legendsspeak of their ability to reconstruct the memories and psychies of the dead they

consume, and to perhaps even gain some of the abilities that person possessed. Of

actual note, however, is that true ghouls needed the flesh of dead humans to survive,and in consuming that flesh, gained at least a shade of immortality.

This treatise is far from complete, but my investigation of this matter has led me tobelieve that the race of ghouls referred to here is far from extinct. This is not to say

that they are open or numerous in any case, but simply that their existence definitely

warrants investigation. On the advice and behest of my Master, Regent Schneller of

the Straussberg Chantry, I have compiled what pittance of information I have gleanedfor those of the Blood to read and absorb should they so wish. This treatise and the

majority of my research is originally archived at the mobile Chantry the

Constantinople, under the direct auspices of Regent Davis and Lord Jackson of the

greater New York metropolitan Realm.

True ghouls are organized into Families, but these families are not the flesh and bloodfamilies of their mortal counterparts, nor are they the supernatural ties that bind the

Kindred to their brethren. Instead, these true ghouls develop into their nature as they

pass out of adolescence and into adulthood. According to legend, some true ghouls

are able to sense the mark of death upon ghouls-to-be and attempt to guide them intotheir new existence. However, it seems far more likely that the majority of the true

ghouls entering their adulthood either manage to come to terms with their new nature,

(seemingly rare, given their numbers and relative secrecy within the modern world),or are slowly driven insane by their new existence, (see related works: Dahmer,

Jeffrey, Case Study 3A, bibliographical reference RSC-3).

At this point, much gratitude must be given to Regent Qataran of the Chantry at Cairo

for his endless patience and forbearance in the matter of my research at his Chantry

and the nearby archaeological sites. Were it not for the hospitality of the CairoChantry in dealing with the mortal governments of the area, the following

information would have remained sealed in crypts far beneath the Northern African

deserts.


2/6

According to journals, texts, and religious treatises uncovered in Northern Africa,

dating back to pre-Hellenistic eras, true ghoul families do not count their numbers by

the blood that flows through their veins -- that is the custom of mortals and theKindred. Instead, true ghouls classify themselves by the powers that course through

their beings -- by the particular affinities their connections with the grave exhibit.

Each true ghoul Family shows particular talent for a specific ghoul ability, and thisability generally shapes and defines their personality, mannerisms, and opinions, both

personally and as a Family. The power of the grave seems to run stronger and deeper

in these creatures than even in the Kindred . . .

The following names and details are somewhat sparse, pieced together from journal

fragments, deteriorated texts, and the like. However, it represents the sum of my

knowledge of true ghoul families at this time and I beg my Masters' forgiveness at theincompleteness of the work.

Delshae: (Del-Shay): Referred to as "Vir-ashar" in Aramaic.

Vamrell-Atar: (Vam-Rehl-ah-tahr): Referred to as "Sorcere" in Aramaic.

Escladius: (Es-clay-dee-us): Referred to as "Shelliac" in Aramaic, possibly

Hellenistic in origin due to the common name.

Atol-Ti`er": (Ay-tole-tee-ayr): Referred to as "Ti`er-Seyla" in Aramaic.

In the current age, with the vastly depopulated numbers of true ghouls, it seems only

logical that the Families have disintegrated into mere legend within even the trueghoul culture, remembered by only a few of the older and more experienced of their

line. This is highly unfortunate, as the Families were rumoured to possess unique

rituals tailored to enhancing their blood capabilities, some of which were rumoured to

be compatible with Kindred supernatural powers, (see bibliographical reference RSC-9, 10, and 13).

Lastly, before continuing on to a treatise of their unique gifts, there is a haunting

rumour in the research I have compiled about a phenomenon known as Converges. In

the days of antiquity, when true ghouls were far more numerous than today, (perhaps

fartoo numerous, leading to their eventual downfall by the other races, first of whichwas man), legends would have one believe that true ghouls met in large numbers,

much like human nomadic clans or perhaps even the first rudimentary cities. From

fragments of texts and ancient scrolls almost dust from the ages, it is my belief thatages ago, true ghouls converged upon human cities to congregate for religious,

political, and perhaps military concerns. I have little evidence to support these claims,

as true ghouls exhibit no outward manifestations of their race as do the Kindred, andtherefore were able to well shield their movements and even their existence from the

unwary and uneducated. Nevertheless, passages exist in texts leading me to believe

that there may have been large gatherings in Mesotpotamia, Rome, and perhaps evenin Egypt, near the Valley of Kings. I have taken the liberty to name such gatherings

Converges for lack of a better reference. Other information on this matter may be

forthcoming as research proves fruitful, but the translation and research is plodding at


3/6

best. Most apologies to my elders for this delay.

-- Riordan St. Claire, 4th Circle Apprentice

True Ghoul Abilities

Necromancy

This power represents the ghouls natural connection to the dead and his or her abilityto draw upon that link for information, aid, and solace.

* Taste of Death: By consuming a bit of dead flesh, the True Ghoul is able to sensethe final moments of the corpse's life from a third person point of view. An

Intelligence + Occult roll must be made, with a difficulty depending on the age of the

flesh at hand. The more successes gained, the longer and clearer the vision will be.

** Well of Emotion: By consuming a specific body part associated with a particular

emotion, the True Ghoul is able to gain insight into the feelings and emotions thecorpse held in life. A Perception + Empathy roll must be made, with a target again

dependent on the age of the flesh at hand. The more successes gained, the deeper the

understanding of the emotion goes.

*** Secrets from Beyond: By consuming a bit of dead flesh, the True Ghoul can

search the memory of the deceased for a specific piece of information, of any nature.

Note that actual abilities cannot be gained through use of this power. An Intelligence+ Occult roll must be made, again with the target dependent upon the age of the flesh

at hand.

**** Call of the Grave: Similar to Secrets from Beyond, but the True Ghoul is now

able to gain access to any Abilities the deceased possessed in life. More than mereknowledge, both style and personality will be evident in the Ability's usage by the

True Ghoul. Again, an Intelligence + Occult roll must be made, with a targetdependent on the age of the flesh.

***** Ancestral Recall: Similar to Secrets from Beyond, but this power allows theTrue Ghoul to call forth a portion of the deceased's psyche from beyond and allow it

into his or her own mind, able to beseech it for aid and information when called for.

The True Ghoul is able to utilize any Abilities or powers the deceased possessed inlife by allowing the deceased some small modicum of control over his or her own

psyche and body. Do note that the True Ghoul is always in control of his or her

actions during such. An Intelligence + Empathy roll must be made, with the targetnumber dependent on the local Shroud level. (As per the Wraith: The Oblivion rules)

Resilience

Due to their unnaturally strong connection to the grave, True Ghouls often exhibit

immense tolerance for pain and phycisal damage, far beyond that of their mortal ken.

* Toughen: The strength of the grave runs strong through the ghoul, strengthening


4/6

skin and muscle, as well as reinforcing bone and cartiledge. Reduce all Soak

difficulties to 5. Note that this applies to all levels of Resilience as well.

** Shroud of the Tomb: The power of death enshrouds the ghoul at this point, paling

her aura as a vampire and granting them the ability to Soak Aggravated damage with

their Stamina -- something mortals cannot do.

*** Strength from Beyond: At this level, the resilience of death has made the True

Ghoul a powerhouse of resolve and toughness. The True Ghoul gains another HealthLevel, treated as another Bruised level with no penalties, as well as being able to

ignore all Wound Penalties for one scene with the expenditure of but one (1)

Willpower point.

**** Gravemight: This level of Resilience allows the True Ghoul to actively draw

upon the power of death to increase his or her already substantial fortitude. For each

Willpower point spent, the ghoul gains a two (2) point increase to his or her Stamina,for the duration of the scene. In direct relation to the Willpower spent, the True Ghoul

appears closer and closer to the wizened husk of a long-dead corpse.

***** Indominability: At this level, the True Ghoul is almost impossible to destroy.

After any alterations to his or her Stamina by Gravemight, the True Ghoul rolls

double his or her adjusted Stamina to soak damage of any sort.

Elementalism

For time eternal, mankind has interred its deceased into the gentle womb of the earthfor the final transcendence unto the afterlife. Inexorably linked to this practice, many

True Ghouls find themselves drawing close affinity to the earth and stone about them.

* Sensitivity: This power allows the True Ghoul to sense the composition or contentsof any area of dirt, stone, worked stone, or asphalt. An Intelligence + Science roll

must be made, with the target depending upon the substance scanned, (*target 6 forloose dirt, target 8 for asphalt*), contents within the substance, and proximity to the

surface of the contents.

** Earthen Passage: This level of Elementalism allows the True Ghoul to move

aside quantities of dirt, stone, or asphalt, usually in search of a grave or corpse

beneath. Each success on a Strength + Science, (*target 6 for loose dirt, target 8 for

asphalt*), moves aside approximately three (3) square feet of material. Note thatwhen moving stone or asphalt, the material takes on a claylike form, hardening when

the True Ghoul ceases concentration or removes his or her hands from the substance.

*** Stoneshape: Similar to Earthen Passage, but this power allows fine manipulation

of the material at hand. Arches and doors are able to be molded, tunnels finished, and

walls formed. Use of this power requires a Dexterity + Science (or Architecture at areduced target number), with the target again depending on the substance molded.

**** Meld with the Earth: This power is identical to the power Earth Meld, Protean

Level Three (3), except that the True Ghoul must spend one (1) Willpower point to


5/6

activate it.

***** Call Elemental: The ultimate mastery of Elementalism allows the True Ghoulto call forth the elemental powers of the earth in a tangible shape to aid him or her.

Earth Elementals are generally of quite low intelligence, but quite strong and resilient

-- able to traverse the earth quickly, with automatic successes for effects similar toEarthen Passage and Stoneshape. A Charisma + Occult roll must be made, at a target

of eight (8), with the number of successes being the number of services the Elemental

will perform for the True Ghoul. Use of this power also requires the expenditure ofone (1) Willpower point.

Chill of the Grave

The power of death comes in many forms, but all have a certain chilling effect on

those still of the living plane. Many True Ghouls are able to channel this power to aid

them in combat against their foes.

* Numb: By touch, the True Ghoul is able to cause temporary paralysis in a singlebody part of a living being. The True Ghoul must roll a Stamina + Medicine versusthe victim's Stamina + Fortitude + 3, with the number of successes equalling the

duration of paralysis in tens of minutes. Note that use of this and all other levels of

Chill of the Grave may require a successful Grapple first, if the victim is unwilling tobe touched. Also know that if the head of the victim is Numbed , the entire body is

effectively paralyzed, although this should be treated as a Called Shot should a

Grapple be necessary.

** Paralyze: Similar to Numb, this power allows the True Ghoul to render the living

victim paralyzed with a simple touch on any body location. The True Ghoul must roll

a Stamina + Medicine, at a target of the victim's Stamina + Fortitude + 4, again with

the duration being in tens of minutes per success.

*** Withering Grasp: This power allows the True Ghoul to accelerate the agingprocess of a living being's tissue tremendously, causing greatly painful damage and

atrophy upon the effected body part. The True Ghoul must roll an Intelligence +

Occult at a target number of six (6) to determine the Health Levels of damage done.This damage is Soakable by Stamina + Fortitude, but at a target of seven (7). This

damage heals, and the effected body part regains youth and vigour, at a base rate of

one (1) Health Level per day, or two (2) Health Levels per day with a successful

Stamina + Fortitude roll, target nine (9), for that day.

**** Antiquity: Similar to Withering Grasp, this power allows the True Ghoul torapidly age inaminate objects. Assume roughly a ten (10) to twenty (20) year span persuccess on an Intelligence + Occult at a target of eight (8). Generally, the object will

regain that ten (10) to twenty (20) years of resilience and age per hour of time's

passage. Of course, objects that are broken while aged remain broken after the effectswear off, perhaps baffling subsequent visitors.

***** Dust to Dust: Similar to Antiquity, this level of Chill of the Grave allows the


6/6

True Ghoul to channel tremendously destructive power through a specific body part

or inanimate object, causing it to crumble to dust as if it had just aged centuries in the

blink of an eye. The damage done via this power does not heal normally -- if used onmortals, it causes permanent loss of limb or life, assuming the initial effect does not

kill the mortal instantly. Do note that this level of Chill of the Grave is the onlyO

level able to effect vampires in any fashion. Also, the more successes on a Stamina +Occult roll, target eight (8), the True Ghoul gets, the larger and more widespread th

effect is. (Example: One (1) success is sufficient to cause a small object such as a

pistol or hand to crumble to dust, but a full five (5) successes are needed to crumblean entire body or steel security door.) Also note that use of this power requires the

expenditure of two (2) Willpower points, and requires a Soak roll at a target of nine

(9), superceding the power of Resilience, to avoid taking five (5) dice of non-

aggravated damage due to the tremendousely dangerous energy the True Ghouls ischanneling.

OWod The True Ghoul

Documents

Transcript of OWod The True Ghoul