Ghoulism Artwork by Korraiko

Ghoulism

Often mistaken for a mild form of Vampirism, ghoulism takes hold in those who regularly handle or consume dead flesh. Unlike vampires, ghouls have no particular charisma and no supernatural abilities beyond enhanced strength and resilience. They stay mortal, though with extended lifespans, and can reproduce naturally, which accounts for the small enclaves of born ghouls found in the forgotten corners of major cities. Early cases can be treated through purification rituals dedicated to Ophia (2d4 days after development), but advanced ghoulism resists all known treatments. Most ghouls eventually stop fighting their nature and build underground communities. The most organized have struck uneasy arrangements with local authorities, offering discreet disposal of unclaimed bodies in exchange for being left alone.

Carrion Affliction

When a character becomes a ghoul, they gain CARRION AFFLICTION. Those afflicted must select two gifts and two curses from below:

Gifts

  • You can see in total darkness. When making Awareness rolls in low light or darkness, count both 5s and 6s as successes.
  • You are immune to disease and poison.
  • You have uncanny strength when digging or climbing: +1 to Might rolls for these activities.
  • You have an instinct for the dead. You can locate the nearest unburied body within Far without rolling Awareness.

Curses

  • You must consume decomposing flesh at least once every 1d6 days. Skip it and you lose all Gifts until you feed. After three days without feeding, you gain the Enfeebled Tribulation.
  • Your skin has gone grey-green, your eyes sunken, your fingers elongated. You must set aside two successes from Charm rolls whenever interacting with non-ghouls.
  • Anything blessed by a deity burns you, dealing 1 damage per round of direct exposure. Sunlight doesn't harm you outright but is uncomfortable enough to impose -1 to all rolls while you're in it.

The Hunger's Call

When you encounter a fresh corpse after going without feeding for more than two days, make an Endurance roll. Fail, and you immediately attempt to feed regardless of who is watching. Freshly dead bodies (less than a day old) sustain you for 2d6 days, while older flesh (a decād or more) might only last 1d6. With each year of the affliction the transformation continues. Talk with your GM about what new changes surface: a hunched posture, clawed hands, jagged teeth, etc.

Merciful Release

For freshly turned ghouls, a ceremony must take place at dawn in a consecrated space, ideally a temple or shrine to Ophia, though a temporary altar works if properly blessed. The afflicted must fast for 1d6 days beforehand, consuming only spring water and bread blessed by Ophia's clergy.

The Ceremony: The supplicant kneels before Ophia's altar while a priest speaks prayers acknowledging death as natural and asking for release from unnatural hunger. The afflicted confesses how they came to consume dead flesh and expresses genuine remorse for disturbing the natural order. The priest anoints the supplicant's forehead, hands, and lips with the blessed spring water while reciting:

"Gentle Ophia, keeper of the final rest, your servant seeks release from the hunger that corrupts. Grant them peace with the living and respect for the dead."

The person drinks the remaining water and is wrapped briefly in burial shrouds before they're cast into a purifying fire with the flowers. The ritual ends with the afflicted planting something living, a flower or small tree, as an offering to life. Afterward, they must abstain from handling dead flesh for 1d6 days while performing daily prayers to Ophia.