Many iconic monsters of legends, literature, and gaming vary in implementation. I like to codify my preferred the precise variants, for my preferred game system(s). Here is my version of the Ghoul for the Mythras rules, along with their paranormal ability to access the memories and powers of their victims by consuming their flesh, Necrophagy (stat block HERE).
In the days when mighty ziggurats of mud-brick rose to challenge the heavens, unspeakable cults in the howling wastes invoked unclean spirits through cannibalistic rites, giving rise to the first ghouls. These cultists, possessed by ravenous demonic entities, gradually degenerated into something less than human.
Though they may appear outwardly normal, ghouls develop an irresistible craving for human flesh. In the presence of the dead, their bodies instinctively undergo grotesque and nearly uncontrollable transformations: tongues elongate for licking marrow, teeth sharpen, nails harden into claws, and eyes turn feral and bloodshot. With each indulgence, a ghoul’s sanity slips further away, and their humanity erodes until they devolve into a permanent bestial state.
Ghouls are sustained by a dark and unnatural vitality, allowing them to endure far beyond the lifespan of ordinary men. Yet they are not immortal. When their bodies finally succumb to death, the ravenous demon bound to their flesh refuses to release them. Instead, the ghoul rises as an undead monstrosity, a decaying vessel driven solely by primal hunger.
Attributes – +3 to Strength, Dexterity, & Constitution
Skills – Endurance +50%, Perception +30%, Ravenous Hunger = 100% - (Int + Pow)
Claws – The ghoul's nails lengthen and harden into claws that can be used to inflict 1d4 + Damage Modifier points of damage.
Fangs – The ghoul's teeth elongate and sharpen into fangs that can be used to inflict 1d3 + Damage Modifier points of damage.
Ghastly Hunger – When a ghoul is hungry, the sight or smell of a corpse can trigger an uncontrollable frenzy. To resist the urge to feed, the ghoul must succeed in an opposed roll of Willpower vs. Ravenous Hunger. On a failure, the ghoul immediately undergoes a bestial transformation, succumbing to his primal instincts. For the next 2d6 rounds, he gorges uncontrollably, tearing into the corpse until his frenzy subsides and he regains control.
Necrophagy – Necrophagy is an occult art practiced by certain ghouls, allowing them to absorb the memories and abilities of those they consume.
Night Sight – This allows the ghoul to see in partial darkness as if it were illuminated and in darkness as in partial darkness.
Regeneration – The ghoul may regenerate 1 Hit Point per hour to each Hit Location provided it has eaten recently.
Undead – The ghoul is immune to fatigue and severe injuries, suffering no penalties from Serious Wounds, and not subject to incapacitation from Serious Wounds. Only decapitation or total destruction of the body is guaranteed to kill a ghoul outright.
Vulnerable – Ghouls are vulnerable to fire, and are burned by holy water as if it were acid, healing such damage at a rate of 1 Hit Point per day to each Hit Location. Additionally a successful exorcism will either cleanse them of their condition (if they still live) or destroy them (if they are undead).
Necrophagy
Necrophagy (Con + Pow) – Necrophagy is a dark, mystical discipline through which ghouls access the memories and powers of their victims by consuming their flesh. Each use of this ability costs 1 Magic Point.
Base Ability: Consume Flesh - By eating a bit of dead flesh, the ghoul is able to sense the final moments of the corpse's life.
40% Rating: Consume Heart - By eating a heart, the ghoul is able to gain insight into the feelings and emotions the corpse held in life.
60% Rating: Consume Brain - By eating a bit of brain matter, the ghoul can search the memory of the deceased for a specific piece of information, though actual abilities cannot be gained through use of this power.
80% Rating: Consume Life - This allows the ghoul to gain access to nearly any ability the deceased possessed in life, albeit temporarily. Eating different body parts confers different benefits.
Brain – Intelligence, Literacy, Lores, memories
Eyes – Perception
Hands – Dexterity, Crafts, Lockpicking, Muscicianship, Sleight
Heart – Power, Combat Styles, Endurance, Insight, Willpower, courage, emotions
Intestines – Constitution
Muscles – Strength, Athletics, Brawn
Tongue – Charisma, Deceit, Influence, Languages, Native Tongue, Oratory
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