Ghoul

Name	Ghoul
Race	Undead
Type	Physical
Faction	Nightbred
Premiere	Desideratum: Blood Bonds
Relative(s)	None Applicable

A Ghoul (Arabic: غول‎, ghūl) is a demon-like being or monstrous humanoid originating in pre-Islamic Arabian religion, associated with graveyards and consuming human flesh. However, these tales are actually about the gaunts, ghouls that no longer have access to Nightbred blood. Ghouls are undead that are still extremely close to the living. Some stories even say that ghouls can be cured through magical means and returned to their humanity- though it may just be a myth. If a Nightbred shares its blood with a human, the mortal that drinks it will become addicted to the unholy substance and their minds will be enslaved to the vampire that feeds them. This is usually rather instant or takes place over a few days, however exceptions exist.

One such exception is Clover Riley. Ivor had fed her his tainted blood for years, and while her body succumbed quickly to the poison, and she became undead, her mind remained free. It did not even give her the euphoria or addiction. This was due to the true love that she and Walter shared. Like an astral shield, that bond, so long as it remained intact, would keep her soul whole. Still, her body changed to that of a ghoul, pale and tragic, her eyes losing a bright gleam, and her heart wallowing in loneliness. Until, suddenly, one night after Ivor fed her- she felt different.

A new darkness crept into her, and she did not understand why. At first, Brone thought it might be heartsickness, but the effect continued to grow worse nightly. This was due to the fact that a thousand miles away the succubus, Dionyza, was corrupting Walter with her magic, amplified by her artifact, the ring known as Lilith’s Love. As she eroded Walter’s true love, the Nightbred curse in Ivor’s blood began to corrupt Clover’s heart. Soon, she was deeply in lust with Ivor, desiring to be his slave and eternal bride. Brone refused to give up on her, but was repaid by being shackled and held for the summoning of Nuit, where he would be forced to watch Clover marry Ivor and witness Absinthe Van Gothen become slain or converted.