Ghoul

Ghouls

Ghoul or Crypt Ghouls are the degenerate descendants of humans who were reduced to cannibalism. Generation after generation they descended deeper into inhumanity, the acts of each generation leading to even graver acts of depravity.^[1a]

Appearance

Ghouls are utterly inhuman in their behavior, living off only the flesh of the dead. In form they are stooping and bestial with blotchy foul-colored skin. They have no real need of weapons as they have developed long claws which are encrusted with filth and disease. Long slavering tongues protrude from snarling lips which also reveal their sharpened teeth. ^[1a]

History

Ghoul kind first arose on the shores of the Sour Sea, a primitive people called the Yaghur who began to worship the growing power of the Great Necromancer, Nagash and dwelt in the shadow his citadel of Nagashizzar. Ritual slaughter of enemies, criminals and captives ended in a feast and slowly they devolved to become Ghouls. ^{[3a] [9a]}

In Araby, they were part of the Cult of Mordig and were relatively civilized, some even wearing armor and using weapons in service to the cult. In -1150 IC Neferata used them in her battle to take the city of Bel Aliad ^[6a][6a]

Ghouls have arisen throughout the world. In the Old World in times of famine, the most ignoble of souls might turn to cannibalism to survive. The most isolated farms and villages have sometimes degenerated through this practice into ghouls. Entire hamlets of inbred folk have been put to the sword and the torch by The Empire's forces when their abhorrent curse was uncovered. As a result, Ghouls have literally been driven underground and make their abodes in catacombs, mausoleums and graveyards, where they can readily find food. The priests of Morr are dedicated to protecting the dead and often use witch hunters to purge the colonies of ghouls which have taken root.^[3a]

Around 2510 IC, the packs that worshiped Omdra the Dread joined her war against Tamurkhan and Lord Drazhoath inflicting heavy losses before they were defeated. ^[8a]

2512 IC (Imperial Calander) saw the so called Ghoul Swarms arise as crops failed for a third year running and large battle were fought between the Knights of Stirland and ravenous packs of starving villagers. ^[4a]

Locations

Many Ghouls lurk beneath the streets of Araby. ^[6a][6a]

Ghouls are found beneath the the city-state of Tobaro with its large catacombs under the acropolis; Mordheim, the ruined former capital of Ostermark; and Marienburg where a villain dedicated to Khaine sold human flesh in a butchers shop, creating a growing population of Ghouls in the poorest quarters of the city.

The Ghoul King Rametep is served and defended by a court of Ghouls, rising to assist them if the threat is beyond them. They dwell beneath a cemetery in Miragliano. ^[2a] The great burial crypts in the hills near Mousillon are plagued by a small army of ghouls. ^[3a]

The ghoul packs that inhabit the Plain of Bones worship the ancient Nightmare Dragon Omdra the Dread as a Goddess. ^[8a]

Nature

The Ghouls are not undead creatures, but are often attracted to the armies of the Vampire Counts. Instinctively sensing the dark magic surrounding undead lords, they are drawn to vampires like moths to a flame. In particular the so called Strigoi Ghoul Kings often forming twisted courts around them. After a battle they will flock to the scene at night and make the battlefield a dining field. ^[2a]

As long as they outnumber a foe they are fearless. ^[1a]

Non-human Ghouls

Strigoi horses were fed on a mixture of abn-i-khat and blood to produce red-eyed dangerous mounts for their vampires to ride. ^[10a]

Weapons and Equipment

They are armed with filth-encrusted claws that are as effective as Poisoned Hand Weapons, but some also wield scavenged weapons or crudely shaped and sharpened bones. ^[4a] They are often led by a Crypt Ghast. ^[3b] Some Strigoi Ghoul Kings are served by faster, more effective and reliable ghoul fighters - their Charnel Guard.^[2c]

• 2nd Edition: Poison. May have Musician, Standard Bearer. ^[7a]
• 3rd Edition: Bite, Claw or Club. May have Musician, Standard Bearer. ^[5a]
• 4th Edition: Hand Weapon. ^[4b]
• 5th Edition: Claws. ^[1b]
• 6th Edition: Poison. May have Ghast. ^[2c]
• 8th Edition: Poison. May have Crypt Ghast. ^[4b]

Gallery

Miniatures

See Also

• Crypt Horror: Ghouls who have drunk the blood of a vampire and grown hugely in strength, prowess and hunger.

Sources

• 1: Warhammer Armies: Vampire Counts (5th Edition)
  • 1a: Liber Mortis, pg. 53
  • 1b: Army of the Vampire Counts, pg. 65
• 2:Warhammer Armies: Vampire Counts (6th Edition),
  • 2a: The Strigoi, pg. 21-22
  • 2b: Armies of Darkness, pg. 64
  • 2c: Legions of the Dead: Strigoi, pg. 79
• 3:Warhammer Armies: Vampire Counts (7th Edition)
  • 3a: Vampire Counts Bestiary, pg. 41
  • 3b: Vampire Counts Army List, pg. 92
• 4:Warhammer Armies: Vampire Counts (8th Edition)
  • 4a: Undying Hordes, pg. 33
  • 4b: Undead Army List, pg. 91
• 5:Warhammer Armies (3rd Edition)
  • 5a: Undead, pg. 122
• 6: Neferata (novel) by Josh Reynolds
  • 6a: Chapter Eight, pg. 184-186
  • 6b: Chapter Nine, pg. 221
• 7: Ravening Hordes (2nd Edition)
  • 7a: Undead Army List, pg. 23
• 8: Tamurkhan: The Throne of Chaos
  • 8a: Death in payment of Death, pg. 45
• 9: Rise of Nagash (anthology) by Mike Lee: Nagash the Unbroken
  • 9a: Chapter Sixteen: The Glory of Nagash, pg. 575-580
• 10: Master of Death (novel)
  • 10a: Chapter Ten, pg, 247

• Mordheim Rulebook, ^{Needs Citation}