| Kindred in need of powerful servitors often cultivate ghouls. Created by giving a mortal or animal a sip of vampiric vitae without first draining their blood, ghouls most commonly serve as minions of their vampiric masters, known as domitors. Although not so powerful as a Kindred, ghouls may use the ingested vitae to become preternaturally strong and resilient. Most ghouls are fanatically loyal to their masters, for ghouls are just as susceptible to the blood bond as Kindred are. As the ghoul requires the blood of her domitor to maintain her status, she often has cause to drink repeatedly from the same vampire. A vampires blood has great power, power that can be passed on. Long ago, the Kindred discovered that mortals who drank vampiric blood would become possessed of supernatural abilities and dark appetites. Soon is became common practice for vampires to keep certain favored servants, battening them on vitae -- and blood bonding them in the process -- all the better to have undying, hellishly loyal servitors -- ghouls. Most ghouls exist at the whim of their domitors, serving loyally in exchange for vitae. As they are as susceptible to the blood bond as anyone, ghouls are almost without exception unfailingly devoted to their masters -- and if the domitor has more than one ghoul servant, the result may be a jealous struggle between them for the domitor's favor. A ghoul's emotions run to extremes with the heady drug of vitae in his veins -- such a creature often falls prey to great rages and disturbing cravings. The name "ghouls" was not chosen at random. The following characteristics are shared by all ghouls: |
| A ghoul does not age as long as he has Kindred blood in his system. However, once the ghoul has passed his natural lifespan, he must always have vitae in his body, or he will swiftly age to the point of death and decomposition. This decomposition might occur within days or (for very old ghouls) within minutes. |
| Ghouls may use the vitae in their systems to heal themselves, as vampires do. |
| All ghouls learn Potence 1 within minutes of ingesting blood for the first time, and can also learn Fortitude. Most ghouls can progress no farther than the first level in a Discipline, but some can learn higher levels of Disciplines; the upper limit of a ghoul's Discipline levels is usually decreed by his domitor's generation. |
| A ghoul might be capable of learning other Disciplines that his domitor knows, but the learning process is very long and arduous. |
| The vampiric blood in their system affects ghouls psychologically as well as physically. They are capable of entering frenzy, although it is easier for them to resist. |
| Some long-term ghouls eventually develop side effects resembling their domitor's clan weakness. For instance, a ghoul who drinks too much Nosferatu vitae may begin sprouting unsightly boils and buboes, while a Ventrue's vassal might find his dark appetites even more demanding than before. |
This section was brought to you by Vampire: the Masquerade pages 53, and 275-276. |
From Ghouls: The Fatal Addiction |
| THE PHYSIOLOGY OF THE GHOUL My noble and terrible liege, greetings! Here as requested is the summation of my research into the biology of our vitae-fed servants. The past two years have been of especial progress, and I feel that my findings are complete enough to satisfy all but the most exacting of domitors. I must reiterate how honored I was to recieve your request, as well as the most generous supplies of vitae to further my experimentation. I only hope that my studies prove of use to you. It in fact surprises me that so few vampires take any more than a passing interest in the biological aspects of their ghouls. Many Kindred would simply water then, like houseplants, and then leave them to their tasks. However, the prudent Cainite knows the importance of properly managing one's resources, and ghouls are among our most productive resources. Central to utilizing one's ghouls properly, of course, is precise knowledge of their capabilities and shortcomings. Such as my reasoning before your offer, as well you remember, and I am pleased to report that your request has furthered my studies a hundredfold. Here follows the synopsis of my past two years of study, as well as my findings previous to your request. I'm sure that you will find them intriguing and informative, and, I dare to hope, perhaps even surprising in places. CONSIDERATIONS OF THE BLOOD First and foremost, to explore fully the physiognomy of the ghoul, one must discuss the Blood itself. Even the most luckless Caitiff outcast soon discovers that the seat of all his power lies within his vitae. Without it, his Disciplines are nothing more than quaint but impotent mental exercises; without it, his flapping wounds never close. And yet, the vitality of the Blood is not entirely predicated on the uses our undead forms have for it. Human blood (and, to a lesser extent, that of other animals) has variable nutritional value, depending on the metabolism of the animal that feeds upon it. But vittae is nourishing to its drinker, regardless of the ingestor's species. Even herbivorous animals, once given a taste of vampiric blood, gladly drink as much as is given. This thirst becomes even more more fascinating when produced in the most domesticated of animals; I have witnessed animals as docile as sheep rip at mundane flesh and lap up mortal blood in the hopes that vitae might be present. In no case did they convert to a carnivorous diet, however. Ghouling may override an herbivore's instincts somewhat, but cannot alter them completely. Through extensive observation of ghoul servants, one can soon determine how much of Caine's power is transmitted through the Blood alone. For convenience, I will list the pertinent details first, and elaborate anon. First and foremost, a ghoul with a steady diet of vitae is capable of learning the arcane powers which are passed from sire to whelp among our kind. Of course, the more "instinctive" abilities come most naturally; a ghoul innately learns the ways of superhuman strength almost instantly. More specific arcana require intense training, and often blood from a particular clan. Second, vitae has a preservative effect on living tissue. Much as the Blood prevents our dead tissue from decaying, it likewise inhibits cellular breakdown in a living body. While the vitae courses through a host, human or animal, it halts the process of cell division and decay. Consequentially, a ghoul will not age a biological day so long as she is fed Cainite vitae. Third, ghouls are still living beings, and heal themselves at the natural rate (given rest and nourishment, of course). However, they are also capable of utilizing their ingested vitae as we do, to regenerate wounds far more quickly than Nature would normally permit. This even extends to the regeneration of severed limbs, provided enough vitae is available. (As an interestin side note, I have discovered superficial similarities between enzymes found in ghoul vitae and those found in invertebrates such as lanarian flatworms; our own regeneration process, however, stem from no indentifiable biological catalyst, as our tissue is quite dead. This leads me to speculate that the ghouling process may well be the culmination of a sort of proto-Discipline, one allowing the sporadic augmentation of living tissue, perhaps similar to those eldritch arts displayed by the dreadful Tzimisce. Finally, the ghoul is able to metabolize the Blood in order to quicken her physical capabilities, temporarily boosting her strength, speed, stamina, endurance or agility over and above any supernatural enhancements she may already possess. The process is already quite familiar to you, I'm sure; I presume I need not elaborate further. (again this process demonstrably utilizes the ghoul's natural hormonal secretions, mitochondrion output, etc -- a process distinct from our own capabilities. Curious.) Of course, such capabilities come at a price; the maddeningly potent elixir we call vitae confers on the ghoul a capacity for beserk anger nearly rivaling our own. (The legend of Heracles comes to mind; did not this preternaturally strong "demigod" kill his own family in a fit of rage? One wonders...) However, the drawbacks of ghoulhood seem to be purely psychological in nature. They may be contained through discipline and strength of will, much as the Blood-related psychosis of such clans as the Toreador may be resisted for a space. These, then, are the characteristics exhibited by the typical ghoul. Common knowledge, I know. But the truly fascinating data lie in the particulars. |
| DISCIPLINES The nature of our vampiric powers is indisputable: They are the powers of the Blood. More specifically, they are those exotic talents which may be learned by any who possess vitae in their veins. The emphasis here is on the word "learned": These arts are not so instinctive as, for example, regenerating a lost limbs, nor are they autonomic processes such as the arrest of cell decay. Science itself is still at a loss to define precisely the methods in which these talents work -- it would take long centuries of study (uninterrupted by the wars we nightly fight among ourselves, of course) to learn the exact nature of each. But every Cainite is bapable of achieving mastery of the arts of his clan or, given time, even more foreign talents. I myself have learned something of that art by which such clans as the Brujah and Toreador evoke emotional auras; the study and concentration were difficult at first, but the skill did not lie beyond my ability. Ghouls are rather more at a disadvantage where these powers are concerned -- though each ghoul has an almost insticintive grasp of the half-physical, half-telekinetic focus for superhuman strength. (This instinct apparently stems from a chemical stimulation of the still-living brain. It is inextricably tied to a functional endocrine system; the proof lies in the fact that not all Cainites manifest this instinctive strength upon the Embrace, as I will gladly affirm from personal experience. This power manifests in animals as well, so I am forced to discard any theories of psychosomatic cause, unless the psychological trigger is so primitive in nature, such as the "fight or flight" adrenaline responce, that it exists even in the invertebrate animals.) Strength comes easily enough, and the newly ghouled individual may more than double his lifting capacity with no training. However, any arcana beyond this level (with the obvious exceptions of rapid healing, quickening and so on) are intensely difficult for a ghoul to master. In one case, I began simultaneously training a local neonate (a rather dull-witted Gangrel) and my ghoul assistant in the rudiments of cloaking oneself in shadow. Although the neonate was intellectually quite inferior to Dr. Reage, he learned the trick in roughly half the time it took her. It seems that ghouls have more facility for physical arcana -- the enhancement of speed, endurance and so forth -- than for me specialized talents. However, the subtler abilities are not out of reach. My assistant, for example, has learned not only great strength and endurance, but also the basics of stealth, hypnotism and other, more complex arts. She has demonstrated an adequate aptitude, but seems incapable of learning anything more complex than aura scrutiny or walking unseen. I believe that the potency of the domitor's blood has a direct influence on the powers a ghoul may attain -- my late childe (whim I shall not mention again) similarly believed in teaching his ghouls vampiric arts, but the luckless servants could progress no further than the most childlike basics. Certainly, his vitae did not carry enough of Caine's vigor! Finally, it is my contention that for a ghoul to learn certain clan-specific abilities, she requires blood from an appropriate donor. I base this on Case Study 19-2, wherein I bade a Gangrel lackey instruct three ghouls (each chosen for similar levels of mental acuity) in the art of form-shifting. One ghoul was battened on the Gangrel's own vitae; another as nourish on that of a Toreador neonate; the third drank of my own vitae. (I should here note that I had at the time learned some skill in this Protean art.) Although the period of instruction was typically slow, the Gangrel's ghoul learned the art of nightvision first. The ghoul fed on my own vitae learned the same in approximately 175% of the time, and the Toreador-fed ghoul never manages to pick up the art at all. Our bloodlines are strong indeed! |
| PRESERVATION OF THE FLESH I have yet to isolate the enzyme or other vitae-borne agent which prevents cell-decay; perhaps I never will. Caine's very nature trandscends science as we knot it, even today. But is i my theory that the process of entropic arrest is electrochemical in living beings, where the vitae "programs" cells to cease division and decay. The energy necessary to maintain this is provided by an innate, as yet unquantifiable element in the Blood. Apparently, the metabolic processes that work on vitae produce not nourishment, but energy to fuel this state, The conscious mind can override this process -- for instance, commanding muscle cells to reproduce in order to heal a wound. However, if the Bloos is not consciously cannibalized to produce a supernatural effect, by default it maintains tissue integrity. The Blood, once properly diffused through our flesh, staves off the process of cell decay indefinitely. In fact, our bodies do not decay even when we have not drunk for years -- only Final Death robs us of agelessness. (A possible exception would be that grotesque bloodline known as Samedi -- apparently some pecular condition of the Embrace or their Blood accelerates decay into their wretched, half-rotten state, but then holds them at said state of decomposition indefinitely. I believe this deformity to be cosmetic in nature; the single Samedi specimen I observed demonstrated no significant deterioration of physical or mental prowess, short of a gruesomely perverse personality.) However, if vitae is delivered to living cells ia a working circulator system, its preservation effects are less permanent. Ghouls do no age biologically so long as they retain the Blood in their veins; wean them, and aging resumes within the month. Just as with a dead vampire, an ex-ghoul rapidly advances to the chronological age befitting her natural life-span. This can be traumatic and often gruesomely fatal when the Blood has preserved an individual beyond her natural life span. I am still unsure why a ghoul's body (or a vampire's corpse) does not begin aging in the usual fashion from the point of weaning. The perversity may stem from Caine's curse; another likely possibility is that an allergic reaction takes place upon the purgation of the last drops of vitae. A final theory suggests that a chemical -or even energy-based carrier agent present in vitae is flushed from the system fully only over the course of a month or so. (Again, experiments suggest that this duration is almost exactly ewual to an actual lunar cycle, the implications of which are quite interesting.) Tissue detached from a living ghoul does not begin to decay immediately; when compared with tissue removed from a human subject, putrefecation is indeed delayed. The difference is minimal, and hinges on the side of the severed portion of flesh; at sizes of an ounce or so, the difference can be noted only with preternaturally close observation. On a related note, your beneficence and puissance have afforded me the opportunity to study a ghoul of great age -- yes, one among your defeated rival's batch was an "heirloom" of sorts. According to her rather unlettered account, she was 800 years old. Such prolonged existence had worked a number of curious effects on her psychological makeup, including rather aggrieved paranoia; what's more, she seemed to have overcome the majority of the Blood Bond's power, but remain slavishly submissive to her dead domitor, fearing the sudden and hideous death that weaning would undoubtedly grant. Physically, her digestive system had adapted quite nicely to ingesting vitae. She seemed able to process the Blood into a more economical form, granting her a capacity for vitae 140% that of a younger ghoul. The "immortality" of ghoulhood, however, does not affect the glands or other bodily processes. Ghouls still manufacture saliva, phlegm, digestive acid and the usual fluids. Females continue to menstruate unless impregnated (see below for specifics), and their hair and fingernails grow at the usual rate. In effect, it is as if a ghoul relives the same day over and over again: His beard may grow, his body may become unpleasantly odoriferous, he becomes hungry, but no deterioration of the body or mind takes place while the Blood runs in his veins. A ghoul who is given vitae and nothing else to feed upon becomes malnourished and weak, and may lose some supernatural efficacy as his system metabolizes the Blood to run the most basic life processes. PATHOLOGY Despite their immunity to the ravages of time, ghouls may take sick as do any other mortals. Vitae conveys no innate immunity to disaease, and a ghoul may well be stricken by a blood-borne ailment such as HIV, transmitted by a careless domitor. I would humbly advise caution in feeding, my lord, if only to prevent unnecessary attrition of one's household! Of course, ghouls are not defenseless against pathological threats. They may use the Blood to heal themselves of the physical symptoms of many ailments, much as they might heal lacerations or contusions. However, diseases that cause prolonged deterioration may prove more difficult to resist. For example, most cancers cannot be undone by a judicious use of vitae. Happily, a cancer is halted in its progression while its host is ghouled, becoming effectively benign. If the subject is weaned, however, the cancer resumes growth at the same (often frsutratingly unpredictable) rate as that of renewed aging. Again, this may prove fatal. Hemophilia and other inherited blood diseases are easily countered by ensuring one's ghoul retains no blood of her own in her circulatory system. Of course, this requires constant feeding if she makes use of vitae often, and can be troublesome. Each domitor must judge whether or not a particular servant is worth the inconvenience. |
| BODILY REQUIREMENTS This "immortality" in naturally contingent not only on a diet of vitae, but also on more basic requirements, such as food and drink. The Bllod may sustain our forms indefinitely, but it is not in itself sufficient to fuel a living being! I'm certain I need not dwell overmuch on the base needs of the human body; the subject certainly seems distasteful to many Kindred. But even the haughtiest Ventrue, glad to be dree of the onerous demands of biology, should take pains not to distance herself overmuch from the human experience. Food matters little to us Cainites, narually, and most vampires prefer to leave their ghouls to the business of feeding themselves however they must. However, I recommend taking an interest in the diet of one's servants -- after all, nutrition is nutrition, and a healthy body can make more use of the Blood. A frail child with supernaturally enhanced physical prowess can make a surprising assassin, but if the same child is given a bourishing diet and appropriate exercise, her potential is vastly increased. One a similar note, ghouls of sexual adulthood (and particularly adolescents) do indeed feel sexual desire (perhaps even more so than before beginning a diet of vitae). I feel this requirement should at least be considered by the wise domitor. I myself have provided ghouls with the occasional incubus or succubus, so to speak, so that they might appropriately slake their lusts. The closer the partner matches the ghoul's fantasies, the more satisfied the servant. Of course, I by no means advocate catering to a retainer's every desire -- the ghoul is, of course, there to serve the domitor's wishes, and no vice versa! A spoiled ghoul is a useless ghoul, and best destroyed. But the occasional carrot added to a tradition of discipline obtains most gratifying results, and reinforces a ghoul's loyalty beyond even the Blood Bond. HEALING Science, I believe, is currently at a loss to explain thoroughly the healing processes the Blood makes possible. The biblical quote, "The blood is the life," seems to sum it up best. Vitae is distilled life -- it fuels our activities, it preserves our bodies in the semblance of health, and it even simulates the biological processes of healing. With the ghoul, simulation is not necessary. The regenerative capabilities of a ghoul seem at first indentical to ours, but such is not the case. Remember that a ghoul is still mortal, and as such, his body will naturally repair all but the most grevious wounds in time. When a ghoul metabolizes vitae to heal an injury, he is in fact quickening his own healing process, much as he might enhance his speed or strength. The familiar processes of clotting and cell repair take place as usual, only at a remarkable rate. This is quite unlike our own regenerative capabilities, which imitate life's healing procedures, but much more loosely. As evidence, I proffer this question: You have never healed an unfrotunate injury, only to discover that scar tissue formed on the wound and then feel away, have you? Of course not. Our dead flesh merely regrows, reverts to the familiar shape it held at the time of the Embrace. The only marked difference in a ghoul's improved healing process is the speed at which it takes place, with one exception. Given an adequate supplu of vitae and time, a ghoul may actually regenerate lost organs or limbs. (naturally, such this is not automatic, and require deliberate concentration. Weaker-willed or younger ghouls often prove incapable of such regeneration.) But even this improvement is not without precedent in Nature; consider the amputated starfish, if you will. It is, of course, remarkable that vitae allows a ghoul to regernate her own flesh (which is at a much more highly evolved level of cell structure and biological complexity than any invertebrates's), but this only further attests to the truly miraculous properties of the Blood, a subject upon which I'm sure we may all wax most poetic. I shall leave such elaboration to the Toreador, however, and return to the subject at hand. QUICKENING The process of metabolizing vitae to augment one's physical capabilities is rather instinctively familiar. The nature of this quickening is not entirely unlike the metabolization of caloric energy; to wit, the ability to draw energy from food. However, this cannot be ascribed to simple digestion. We are able to command this extra surge of strength or speed at will, not as an automatic function occuring some time after the intake of blood. What's more, the atrophy of our unused digestive systems quite rules our that possibility -- for us Kindred, of course. The flood of evergy provided by said quickening does not appear to be measurable by scientific instruments. Although the results are quantifiable (see attached notes on progression of lifting capacity and reaction speed), the process itself has thus far proves perceptible only through the enhanced senses granted by Caine's legacy. Though loath to do so, the scientist in me must give way to the vampire and cite the supernatural as the origin of said power. BLOOD WITHIN THE VEINS We vampires, of course, do not store our blood within our circulatory systems; thee is little need for that. Our dead tissue absorbs blood into itself of its own accord. But the living must conduct their circulatory affairs in the usual way. Once vitae is ingested, it passes very quickly (like alcohol) into the circulatory system. Plasma and all, it saturates the interior walls of the digestive tract and quickly finds its way into the veins, back to the heart, and from there throughout the body. Naturally, the human circulatory system has a finite capacity; one cannot feed a ghoul overmuch vitae without first letting some of his own blood. Regular feeding, however, increases the vitae/blood ratio. If fed nightly the human blood; however, if such regular sustenance stops, then the body will eventually metabolize the vitae (while manufacturing more blood to keep levels at a steady whole) to stave off the aging process. Naturally, using the Blood to quicken one's prowess or to fuel one's arcane abilities consumes vitae all the faster, even more quickly that the body may replace it. Overexuberant ghouls often find themselves gasping for breath like beached salman, wondering why their strength has failed them. The symptons of rapid blood loss are familiar to any Cainite; I recommend one train more valuable ghouls to conserve their abilities, and leave the last-ditch struggling to more disposable servants. I have observed that the human body replaces the vitae in its system with actual blood in about a month's time. In fact, it appears that said metabolism takes almost exactly the same time as a lunar cycle. While some Philistines may scoff and make crude jokes apropos the munstruation process, I think this timing may in fact reflect something deeper. Much of supernature has been linked, deservedly or no, with the moon. The possibility that our own salty tides are likewaise regulated by Hecate's silver face does not seem all that far-fetched. ANIMAL GHOULS My research into the physiognomy of animal ghouls has been less extensive. My degrees do not lie in the gield of veterinary medicine, and regardless, the majority opinion among Kindred maintains that human ghouls are far more useful. However, I have conducted some perfunctory zoological research in the interim since your grant. First, I must note that ghouling is ineffective in animals below a certain body weight. Even tripling a songbird's strength affords very little practical application, and further, the animal metabolizes the Blood in a matter of weeks. True efficiency comes only from ghouling a creature five kilograms or greater in weight. (as a side note, I have doscivered that repeated ghouling effects an increase in size among some animals, perhaps 5% of test subjects. Nosferatur and [I am told] Tzimisce vitae seem to be most conducive to this increase; a sample rat tripled its body mass over the period of about a year. This is assuredly something to research further.) Ghouled animals, even the higher primates, are rather limited in their supernatural efficacy. They gain the increase in strength common to all ghouls, and also undergo the requisite halt in agin. They may indeed learn to heal their wounds more repidly, but apparently some instruction from the domitor must come before they realize that such a thing is possible. It is frankly impossible, however, to instruct a ghoul beast in arts more complex than quickening its physical abilities. A vitae-fattened dog may rend steel with its jaws, or endure high-caliber bullet wounds, but asking it to learn anything more is futile, even if you can converse with it via a Gangrel-esque trick of the Blood. Personally, I attribute this to the nature of evolution, and present it as evidence that we vampires are an evolutionary step above the still-biological kine. The greatest gifts of Caine are available only to us, most likely owing to our advanced states of thought and perception. A ghoul, even granted the gift of the Blood, does not possess the mental, even spiritual, sophistication to master the powers abailable to the weakest neonate. Lesser animals are even more handicapped. In the future, I full intend to expand on the thoughts presented here and further investigate the heights of mental acuity and perception available to us, the better to explore my theories of evolution beyond the biological. I am happy to say that my sire has agreed to be of some assistant in this endeavor, and I am certain that his insights will be invaluable. |
| BLOOD OF THE CLAN But what, I understand you may ask, of the characteristics share by a clan? Of the horrid disfigurements of the Nosferatu and Samedi, or the rarefied tastes of the Ventrue? From what I have observed, I believe that these may be passed to a ghoul by regular feeding, although never to the extent that a Cainite might demonstrate. Obviously, the "flaws" of each distinct clan are not casually passed along with their vitae. (Otherwise we would have any number of paired Cainite "lovers" of indescriminate clan; a Brujah would display not only his innate tendency for rage, but the solipsistic hedonism of his Toreador companion, to say nothing of the pair's aptitudes for the skills and arcana of each clan! Our society would soon decay into a seething cauldron of Caitiff -- ah, but I beg your pardon for my digression.) But the mortal form is somewhat more susceptible to change than the undead frame. Even as we revert nightly to the hairstyle and fingernail-length we wore in the Embrace, our forms are "locked," if you will, more tightly into the characteristics of our clans. The blood of our sires has seeped into every cell of our beings, and so we are eternally Ventrue, Malkavian, Gangrel, and so on. (Certainly this is a great disadvanatage to the dreadful Lasombra and Tzimisce, who cannot strive for perfection that their Antediluvian sires never attained!) But the remarkable adaptability of living tissue will not be so easily shackled. Feed a healthy Cainite a steady diet of Nosferatu vitae, and (apart from a possible physical nausea) she will remain as fresh and fair as ever. Place a mortal on the same diet, and eventually his complexion will begin to worsen. A ghoul may never achieve the same physiological extremes as his domitor (imagine the sorry luck of the Samedi if this were otherwise!), but he may well evince recognizable characteristics of his "clan." This is, interestingly enough, not always the case. Some mortals display a certain resistance to the vitae-inflicted "flaws" of many clans. My extended studies suggest tht perhaps one ghoul in seven envinces such immunity to specific bloodline characteristics, but please do not hold me to this conjectural figure. I presume that such resistant humans are more desirable as ghouls, and therefore more likely to be kept on definitely. My studies suggest that this immunity is primarily genetix in nature, and a recessive trait, I believe. Howecer, it also seems possible, give the variable characteristics of clan vitae, that this immunity might be an acquired trait for some ghouls. The specifics elude me for the nonce. I believe a prolonged study over some generations of ghouls may be the only way to answer this question with certainty. Suffice it to say that this immunity exists, and I encourage your to make what use of this information you can, until time permits further clarification. OVERDOSING While we are discussing diet-related quirks of ghoul biology, I feel it is necessary to provide a word or three on overfeeding. Yes, ghouls can drink too much vitae. This is logically an uncommon phenomenon -- the majority of Cainites do not possess a surplus of vitae such that their ghouls are given opportunity to drink to their gluttonous content. Among those who possess the means, the intent is rarely present. (again, what use is there of spoiling one's retainers?) If a ghoul happens to overdose -- that is, to inject until his veins are thoroughly filled with vitae and then to fill his belly to capacity -- some peculiarities result. First, the capacity for frenzy is heightened even further, as if the ghoul now possesses a Beast akin to our own. Second, the oversaturation of vitae affects fluid generation; the ghoul's tears, sweat, saliva, mucus, semend and other secretions become permeated with vitae, displaying a reddish tint and faint odor of the Blood. Third, if the vitae is lagely that of a single clan, the ghoul will adopt in full any disfigurements that the bloodline bears. Finally,his blood becoms very oxygenated, which affects brain functions. The benfit is that his reaction speed becomes slightly heightened, allowing for superior results in dangerous situations. However, the overdosing ghoul also becomes subject to hallucinations, and may prove dangerously erratic. In some ghouls, I have also noticed that overdosing causes a condition similar to caisson disease (or, less formally, the bends). The transitions of oxygen and nitrogen in the Blood cause intense pain and paralysis in these wretches; those who lack the presence of mind (or stamina) to immediately metabolize enough bitae to undo the overdose may even die. WITHDRAWAL An equally interesting phenomenon, of course, is that of withdrawal: the state induced by the deliberate withholding of vitae. It is this state, the subject of much lurid rumor but little concrete analysis, that leads me to conclude that recalcitrant or inefficient ghouls are best off simply destroyed, and that the majority of one's servitors should be rewarded and punished by means other than the Blood. The Blood is not, to the best of my udnerstanding, physically addictive in the manner of nicotine and heroin. The psychological ramifications of withdrawal, however, can be deleterious, for the ghoul and for others in the vicinity. Lacking the substance that has become the crux of his existance, the erstwhile ghoul becomes as pathologically, desperately cunning as a "dope fiend" denied his fix; he will wheedle, demand and in some cases try to force vitae from his domitor or other known vampires. Such pathetic spectacles are, of course, generally laughable, but the wise domitor will nonetheless realize the expediancy of taking precautions against a retainer spurned. It is the extreme cases of withdrawal psychosis that provoke such bemusement on the part of Kindred, and which might well have led to the negative connotations surrounidng the word "ghoul." The withdrawn mortal, sensing an emptiness, a need, and denied the "legitimate" means of satisfying his craving, often sublimates the lust for vitae into a lust for substances garnered in similar predatory fashiong. Remembering the increased carnal appetites stoke in his Blood-permeated brain, the ghoul embarks on a wild and somewhat totemistic spree, desperately attempting to "glut" his emptiness on the bodies of his fellow mortals. The phenomenon is, of course, reminiscent of certain primitive tribal societies whose members ate their foes in order to siphon their courage or power. Fortunately for our Masquerade, of course, American society has grown inured, indeed somewhae blase, to cases of "cannibal rape fiends" and the like. GHOUL REPRODUCTION As I mentioned before, the reproductive capabilities of the average ghoul is no way stunted by a steady diet of vitae. In fact, evidence suggests that the stimulation of blood flow during coitus enhances the experience, although not always in a manner that the participants find suitably pleasurable. However, orgasmic pleasure is hardly the most relevant subject to a Cainite master. Of far more interest are the particulars of conception: specifically, the details of pregnancy and childbearing. (Although male ghouls are certainly virile enough to make adequate stuf animals, the vitae in their veins does far less to influence the characteristics of their offspring.) If a ghoul with regular access to vitae is impregnantes, her child will almost certainly be ghouled as well. Interestingly, the positive influences of Kindred vitae are passed through the placental transfer, so the ghouling of the child takes place almost immediately after the fertilized egg attaches to the wall and begins to develop. Now, as I've mentioned before, the retardation of the agin process centers on the Blood, hampering the process of cell replication and decay. Yes, this effect holds true for fetus as well as mother -- so long as the mother is fed a steady supply of vitae, the embryo cannot replicate its cells, cannot grow, cannot age. Unless the mother is removed from her diet of vitae, she cannot bring the child to term. Naturally, this poses something of a problems when one intends to breed one's ghouls. Certainly, one cannot hope to use one's oldest ghoul servants as brood mares, especially when they have outlasted their natural life span. This cimplication leads many a vampire to prefer male ghouls exclusively, as they can be bred regularly without impediment of their regular duties. (If the ghoul is part of a human culture that encourages having many children, all the better. One's pet breeding programs can be socially viewed as the model of family virtue -- both maintaining the Masquerade and providing a delicious sense of irony.) Ghouling a gravid female can have other difficulties. The fetus, for one, may well develop the typical ghoul's affinity for superhuman strength, often with gruesome results. The approach of ghouling the mother to inbue her with supernatural endruance during labor is another chancy proposition. The mother's affinities would lie first with gaining Potence, and during the stress of labor she might well lose control of her newly supernatural strength and miscarry. One option some domitors exercise is that of reghouling a retainer during the eight month, then inducing labor shortly afterward. I consider this course risky as well; it often hinges on how quickly the mother is capable of relearning the ways of fortitude (as well as her self-control). I personally recommend allowing the mother to give birth in the usual manner, ghouling her before delivery only if labor proves intensely difficult. The risk of miscarriage is a trivial thing; better to save the cow and spill the milk than vice versa. |
| THE REVENANTS Naturally, no discussion of ghoul reproduction would be complete without turning to the subject of the horribly misnamed revenants -- the ghoul families of the Sabbat. Certainly these cannibalistic, necrophiliac wretches exemplify ever inch the connotative meaning of "ghoul," but the observation is a psychological one, rather than physiological. Hence, I shall keep my opinions to myself and proceed, pausing only to wonder at the reasoning behind the term "revenant" (the original meaning, "one who returns," seems to apply more to a Cainite than to a living being.) However, for the sake of continuity, I shall refer to these hell-kites as "revenants" hereafter. From what I lave learned to date, at least three ghoul families serve the Sabbat. I have discovered the surnames of two, te Bratovitches and Zantosas; the indentity of the third eludes me. Many of these ghouls are quite inbred, and often manifest the genetic deformities one would expect. The result of an intensive breeding program begun centuries ago, the revenants have lived so long with vitae in their veins that they have actually become capable of manufacturing the Blood themselves, although it is certainly of lesser potency. (Upon sampling blood from several revenants of various breeds and ages, and comparing the taste to the Toreador vitae with which you have thoughtfully provided me, I can honestly say that the revenant blood is far inferior. If, metaphorically speaking, vampiric vitae is nectar, and huma blood mere ale, then revenant blood is akin to wine of varying quality. It cannot compare to vampiric blood, but has a definite strength and character. However, the blood of more inbred revenants tends to be identifiable by a tannic aftertaste. Certainly, avoid supping from those whose parents were too closely related.) Although revenants are still reliant n ingested vitae to halt their agin processes, their natural reserves suffice to grant them many advantages. Their Blood is sufficiently powerful to acceulerate their healing processes, as usual. They may learn and use the arts of the Blood with great facility, and the subject I examined showed a level of arcane mastery comparable to that of a fledgling Cainite. They may also use their Blood to fuel these arts, although the practice may weaken them if hey metabolize too much of their own vitae. Their aging processes have been retarded, and I believe that a revenant, even without ingesting Cainite vitae, ages at roughly one-quarter the rate of a normal person. I can anticipate your next question. If their breeding years are so extended, why have we not been overrun by Zantosa whelps? Simply put, the retarded cell growth and decay afforded by their vitae similarly adffect their young. The gestation period I observed in one Bratovitch mother laster for three years, roughly one year per trimester. It takes a revenant child almost 50 years to reach puberty, from what I understand. Obviously, such children are never reared in public schools for more than a few years at a time. Presumably, a fleshcrafting patron may change the outward form to give a cosmetic appearance of adulthood (grafting on flesh if needed), but the endocrine system bestows true maturity at its own pace. The psychological effects of such a long childhood are equally fascinating, but I believe that my assitant is more qualified to explore such a conundrum. GHOULING THE PRODIGIES Finally, you may ask, what comes of ghouling magi, Lupines, or other supernatural creatures? I regret to inform you that, at this time, my studies in this field are still far from completely. However, I have made some progress in recent years. Owing to the difficulty of taking Lupine prisoners alibe, I was forced to resort to extreme subterfuge to experiment with ghouling the wolves. The advantage of having one of these killing machines Bound to oneself, and suffused with Potence besides -- but alwas, it is not to be so easy as that. Lupines seem to be violently allergic to vitae, vomiting immediately upon ingestion of the Bllod. At least such was the case with the Lupines I observed; perhaps this allergy is a genetic trait and would not be present in werewolves of different ancestry. Once more, the inaccessability of tractable subjects, even to Cainites of my resources, limits experimentation. Of course, continuing any genetic studies would require more time than I have available. Instead, I invested my research time in other parallel endeavors, including the possibility of ghouling one of the "wise ones." The magicworker I observed (an associate of a local Toreador, and from something of an epicurean, Dionysian school) responded much as any other mortal would to the Blood. This merely reinforced my opinion of magi as nothing more than mortals, albeit ones possessed of some arcane knowledge. I had originally considered the concept of ghouling a ghost to be laughable, much like attempting to catch mist in cheesecloth. But a Samedi ancilla was able to convince me that some ghosts may take physical form for a short time, and might well eat and drink as other do. Suffice to say, however, that even a materialized spirit does not possess the biology of a living being. An ectoplasmic form may mimic the flesh only so far, and accurately reproducing the digestive system would seem to be inefficient, if not impossible. Ghosts, it seems, lie entirely outside the biological realm, my pet area of interest, and I shall leave it at that. And of the fae, you may ask? Or the demonic lackeys of the Sabbat infernalists? I am afraid that with no real access to identifiable specimens of such, or even sufficient proof of their existance, I must simply confess ignorance. I remain most humbly and respectfully yours, Dr. Douglas Netchurch Although vampires' opinions of ghouls vary widely by clan, they generally think of ghouls as subserviant, indebted creatures. Of course, Kindred believe themselves to be of "preferred stock," and there morally, physically an mentally superior to ghouls, but the limitations placed on vampires struggling to maintain the Masquerade give ghouls the upper hand in many situations. Often the relationship between a ghoul and his domitor becomes a power struggle. For example, a ghoul who does not get sufficient attention or vitae from her domitor may make veiled threats about going to the authorities or a rival sect if she does not get her blood or love or sex now. To avoid such conflicts and fully exploit a ghoul's power, and intelligent vampire treats her ghoul with equal doses of respect and discipline. Not surprisingly, the Camarila and Sabbat have extremely different outlooks on their ghouls' roles. Unaffiliated clans also have their own unique perceptions of the value of these creatures. Though each domitor-ghoul relationship is unique, over the course of centuries the various clans have evolved strategies for employing ghouls -- and ghouls have learned exactly what sorts of masters they have allied themselves with. The Camarilla's Two Cents Camarilla vampires simultaneously rule and fear the actions of their ghouls. Ghouls are useful, but their manic-depressive moodiness can instill a great deal of anxiety in Camarilla Kindred. While a ghoul can pry information from local mortals and take care of a Kindred's nine-to-five business, she can also spill the beans about the Masquerade. Brujah Ghouls Brujah ghouls are as diverse as individual Brujah, but there are some basic commonalties. In urban areas, Burjah ghoul scoiety tends to be composed largely of street people and gang members, with a radical activist or poli-sci scholar thrown in for good measure. The latter are often considered for the Embrace, whil the former are considered littel more than extensions of the domitor. Ghouls typically serve in combat capacities; while agitators and leaders are useful, Brujah prefer to fill these roles themselves or with childer. Therefore, the life of a Brujah ghoul commonly centers on such activities as "beat up X" and "blow up Y." Notable exceptions are mortals whom the domitor befriends; Brujah tend to be generous with their Blood, at least at first, so a Brujah often supports one or more ghouled cronies or "dirnking buddies." As the years drag on and the idiosyncrasies start to annoy, though, these ghouls tend to end up in either the "lackey" or the "tattered corpse" category. Brujah are generally charismatic, and their ghouls tend to be people drawn towards strong, magnetic leaders, who then subsume their lives into "the cause." (With regard to ghouls, Brujah seem to use the words "free will" to mean the free acceptance of whatever propaganda the domitor dishes out.) Relatively few ghouls are coerced or tricked into ghouldom -- the "rush" of super strength and the endless life generally proves irresistable for the young, headstrong and powerless. Such fervor often leads to violet outbursts between groups of Brujah ghouls, whose individual domitors may subscribe to diametrically opposed ideologies. Brujah ghouls are typically young and temperamental -- relatively few survive to become old and restrained. Brujah vitae is as heady and dangerous as PCP, and ghouls rabidly fight for the clan until their bodies are tattooed in black and blue -- they are fully aware that cowards will not be considered for the Embrace. Those ghouls who do survive to "maturity" seem superficially more controlled than their fledgling counterparts. Having wised up to the fact they they're simply being used, these oldsters forego the hope of Embrace in favor of their own ambitions in mortal society. This disparity in attitudes can lead to friction between "gullible" younger ghouls and "complacent" centenarians-plus. Brujah ghouls, particularly those recruited from street gangs, maintain contact with mortals after their transformation into ghoulhood, often becoming subjects of gruesome urban legends. Such ghouls tend to dominate mortal gang hierarchies, usually due to the uncanny muscle power the ghouls can supply for the gang. Brujah Domitors As domitors, Brujah generally sway their ghouls with liberal amounts of rhetoric and Presence; ghouls cynical or intelligent enough to question the Fearless Leader seldom survive the subsequent frenzy. Neo-Carthaginian rhetoric aside, few Brujah actually Embrace their ghouls, thinking them unworthy of such a high honor. As a rule, Brujah tend to ghoul only loyal humans and animals with great physical strength. Particularly in more isolated or turbulent regions, Burjah sometimes recruit entire armies of ghouls, forming their own private militias and bringing more mortals into the Brujah purview. More mortals means more potential ghouls and, at the very least, more people whom to feed. (Ironically enough, this last "perk" becomes a dire necessity -- the more ghouls a Brujah creates, the more blood she must ingest to feed her hungry servitors.) Idealist Brujah value intelligence more than brutality when deciding whom to ghoul. They believe that ghouls are best used to infiltrate the Camarilla in subtle ways; therefore, elders look for humans with superior Social and Mental attributes: charismatic union leaders, outspoken agitators and brilliant, charming philosophical revolutionaries. Overthrowing a prince is not easily done with fists; it takes a lot of mental prep work, and the wiser Brujah see ghouls' potential to help with such matters. |
| Gangrel Ghouls Gangrel ghouls, what few there are, tend to be a very unhappy, lonely lot. Their masters treat them like "fair-blooded" friends, often abandoning them just as their craving for vitae reaches its peak. On the other hand, such ghouls often prove capable of satiating their craving, having learned a bit about hunting from their erstwhile masters -- a disproportionate number of independent "stalker" ghouls come from the ranks of displaced Gangrel "mistakes." As Gangrel tend to be londers, Gangrel ghouls have little or no contact with other ghouls or vampires. Those who try to return to their mortal lives are often left destitute, homeless and sick, unable to cope with "normal" mortal society; they usually die or are killed, unless a vampire of another clan snatches them up. But only a handful of survivors wish to remain ghouls after their horrible experience with the Gangrel, and these ghouls usually buy vampiric vitae from ghoul blood dealers, or simply steal it. The ghouls most likely to remain loyal to Gangrel domitors (and receive reciprocal loyalty) are animal ghouls. Animal ghouls typically stay faithful to their domitors until the night the domitor decides he needs a snack and can't find a sentient being to sate that hunger; the animals must suffice, and they are usually drained to death by the remorseful Gangrel. Gangrel Domitors Natural wanderers, Gangrels don't want too many ghouls servants tying them down. Most of the time, if they need something, they're not afraid to venture into the Barrens to claim it for themselves. Frankly, Outlanders find few uses for ghouls -- and Gangrel rarely ghoul frivolously, as do the Brujah and Toreador When a Gangrel does decide to ghoul a mortal, the ghoul is often abandoned after her domitor realizes the tremendous responsibility inherent in tending to the vitae-craving servant. Occasionally a Gangrel ghouls someone just before a long journey, thereby providing himself with "extra food in his rucksack," but Gangrel generally prefer to travel light. A Gangrel is therefore much more likely to ghoul an animal, as they make great traveling companions and enjoy venturing into the wild woods. The clan's Animalism Discipline allows a Gangrel domitor to communicate with his animal ghoul better than he can communicate with a human. Elder Gangrel often have centuries-old (and correspondingly powerful) animal ghouls, whom they love better than any "sentient" being. Occasionally, a rural Gangrel takes on the role of "protector" (i.e., supreme predator) of an isolated village or territory, sporadically creating ghouls over the centuries to "administer" (i.e., terrorize) the locals. Such fiefdoms are exceedingly rare in modern times; what few remain are often the subjects of grisly legend, shunned by their neighbors, who whisper of the "strange goings-on in the village in the hollow." While Gangrel have a sort of empathetic respect for ghouls, they do not treat any ghouls save animal ghouls particularly well. Pehaps this is due to the presence of the Beast or the clan's association with the Lupines, perhaps to the Outlanders' general lack of regard for humans who are not of Gypsy descent. Malkavian Ghouls Malkavian ghouls can be anyone and anything, except forgettable. The vitae in their systems knocks them around like mice in a cat's paws; they change moods constantly and unpredictably, often becoming more and more manic as they drink more and more blood. Of course, the ghouls are not to blame; having a Mlkavian as a domitor definitely takes its toll. Some of these ghouls are even abducted from institutions or hospitals, and their reexisting mental conditions are only exacerbated by the "care" of their equally psychotic masters. Some Malkavian ghouls retain relations with humans; other do not. It all depends on the domitor's whims. Kooks sometimes commit their ghouls to asylums, where they can find more mentally aberrant human playthings for their masters -- either among the patients or (after a little tweaking) in the ranks of institution administrators. A Mlkavian ghoul's loyalty to her domitor may prove particularly perilous, since the object of affection is psychotic. The ghoul may allow herself to be partially dissected by her domitor to prove her loyalty, and then find herself abandones, rapidly deteriorating and not knowing quite why. Smarter ghouls, though, may con their dimotirs into becoming dependant on them for research assistance or affection. These ghols remain closest to the vampires' hearts, so to speak, and the other servitors are usually too insane to be jealous of them. Malkavian Domitors Malkavian vampires create ghouls frequently; on whims, to advance their pet projects, and to enact whatever bizarre tableaux their Derangements dictate. Showing neither preference nor dislike for ghouls, Malkavians see ghouls as fun and interesting guinea pigs on whom to experiement. Ghouls are treated as three-dimensional, breathing Malkavian playthings -- and some Malkavian ghouls are nothing more than human shot-puts to hurl gleefully at rival vampires. Kooks' attitudes toward ghouls change as much as the moods of individual clan members. Malkacians often forget that they've created particular ghouls, leaving the poor victims deranged, yearning, utterly disoriented, and wondering where they'll get their next blood fixes (if they even remember that it is Kindred blood they crave). Furthermore, each individual domitor's treatment depends significantly on the type of Derangement the Malkavian in question has. For example, a domitor with Delusions of Grandeur treats her ghoul as either an inconsequential underling or protege, depending on her mood. And a ghoul can become something of a babysitter to a Malkavian with a Regression Derangement. Talk about role-reversals.... After a ghoul is Bound to his Malkavian domitor, a rather classic model of a dysfunctional relationship develops -- one in which the vampire is obsessed with mental and physical game-playing; and the ghoul is awestruck by the metal powers and charisma of his Kindred slaver. A Malkavian can become addicted to this sense of power, just as the ghoul becomes addicted to the domitor's blood. Longterm Malkavian-ghoul relationships exemplify the word "codependency." Contrarily, short -term Malkavian-ghoul relationships are intense, melodramatic and often fatal for one or both parties. Malkavians don't necessarily seek to make ghouls of people with similar mental conditions; how would a human with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder benefit a vampire who has this problem himself, aside from making sure the vampire locks the door to his haven by checking it 17 times? (Much to the Malk's chagrin, however, the ghoul usually inherits her domitor's Derangement anyway.) Kooks tend to ghoul humans who display qualities that they themselves lack, only occasionally transforming those people who "feed" their Derangements. But if a vampire has the Obsession Derangement, for example, he may ghoul someone who has a similar fetish or obsession in order to validatre his Derangement. After all, lunacy loves company. Nosferatu Ghouls Sewer Rat ghouls are recipients of a classic mixed blessing. At least Clan Nosfertu gives its ghouls a bit of respect and consideration for their good work. Unfortunately, Nosfertu vitae tends to produce similar, though lesser, deformities in its ghouls. By and large, mortals ghouled by the clan tend not to be the most popular people in their old circles anyway. Still, many Nosferatu ghouls, forced into isolation by the transmogrifications of the Blood, wind up becoming very lonely and tormented souls. Nosferatu prefer to ghoul humans who don't quite fit in with the corporate milieu. While professional types benefit the clan tremendously, Nosferatu prefer those professionals to be the peons of their respective workplaces. Diligent workers who are never praised, sexual harassment victims, wage slaves who go years without raises, and workers who are mocked because of physical disabilities often welcome the feelings of belonging they get from service to the Nosferatu. Ghouling, to a Nosferatu, should be performed with the same amount of forethought one would put into creating progeny, and Nosfertu ghoul only those whom they would consider for the Embrace. Accordingly, this tight-knit clan treats newly initiated ghouls as the "new childer" in the Nosferatu warren. The vampires train their ghouls to become bold, resolute and, above all, competent, nourishing them and teaching them the clan's history in the process. Very often, Nosferatu warrens resemble "communes"; Each ghoul works for the good of all Nosferatu, not just her domitor; and the Nosferatu treat all ghouls, animal or human, with equal amounts of esteem. Animal ghouls are common among the clan. They are easily created, and they communicate well with their domitors, for clan members possess the Animalism Discipline. The clan's animal ghouls consist mostly of slimy, unsanitary urban critters. Most of these ghouls are lured in to serve the clan after tasting the luscious vitae of a Nosferatu who shed her blood to fill up a Spawning Pool. After just one taste, the animals have to come back for more and more of the scrumptious vampiric blood; potent Nosferatu blood is allegedly harder to kick than heroin or nicotine. After becoming Blood Bound, the Nosferatu's animal ghouls take on many of the clan's characteristics, growing to extreme sizes and developing freakish deformities. Despite their "perks," Nosferatu ghouls had best not grow complacent, no matter how well they are treated by the clan. And Heaven help the Nosferatu ghoul who sells out her benefactors for, say, the sweet blood of a beautiful Toreador. Laziness and rebellion alike are noticed and dealth with in poetic fashion. Ghouls who betray the clan are strapped to subway tracks to meet their deaths, or else immersed in pools of sewage to drown. Nosferatu Domitors The Sewer Rats are big fans of ghouls -- animal ghouls, that is. Human ghouls can be of great help to Clan Nosferatu, but they are much more difficult to create; after all, to ghoul a mortal, a Nosferatu must coax or coerce the ortal to remain in the vicinity. Nosferatu find reliable human ghouls by looking on the subways. The vampire uses Obfuscate to stand among the after-hours crowds, searching for professionals in the construction, urban planning, sanitation, transportation and city maintenance fields who are heading home after their exhausting second- and third-shift jobs. Overheard snippets of conversations with other passengers usually clue the Nosferatu in on the potential ghoul's profession. Only humans who can benefit the clan in some manner are ghouled; many Nosferatu have neither the patience nor the desire to associate with the mortals who shunned them so during their mortal lives. Toreador Ghouls Toreador keep cliques of suave, sophisticated ghouls; come of thse ghouls actually prove useul, and all cater to the domitor's ego. Toreador tend to select their ghouls from among the mortals they socialize with at parties, art openings, theatrical productions, musicl performances and poetry readings, picking and chooseing for "artistic"(i.e., no particular logical) reasons. Like the Brujah, Toreador ghoul often and frivolously. A Toreador might ghoul someone just to have an eternally adoring fan of his work. It's nice to be worshipped, after all. Being a Toreador ghoul is far from easy, but lavish rewards await those whom the domitors favor -- for exactly as long as the favor lasts. "In" ghouls are showered with designer clothing, invitations to high-society parties and, most importantly of all, adulation and respect in the cliquish Toreador circles. Naturally, ghouls in service to the domitor are the creme de la creme -- and naturally, ghouls in service to those other...leeches are too gauche for words. But pity the poor waif ghoul model when thin is no longer in and the Rubenesque look is back in style. Status disintegrates in a tidal wave of humiliation, and the former beloved is tossed to the wayside by her fickle Toreador domitor. After all, Toreador don't like to show off ghouls who aren't in vogue! Even ghouls in favor with their domitors walk on eggshells most of the time, knowing full well that they could be thrown away like last season's evening gowns at any given moment. Compounding this fear is the constant internecine fueds endemic to Toreador cliques, as rival servitors use innuendo, nails, and whatever else it takes to maintain "Ghoul Number One" status. This catty competition often leads to violent frenzies and stalkerlike behavior among the ghouls -- anything to please the master, and anything to know the competition down. Most Toreador ghouls still keep in touch with mortals. They have to in order to advance their domitors' careers. And, for those ghouls who have fallen out of favor, mortals are the only remaining erotic outlets. Outcast Toreador ghouls commonly seek (and occasionally find) service in the ranks of another "respectable" clan, such as the Ventrue; the new domitor is delighted to take in the beautiful, wounded ghoul, providing affection and vitae in exchange for a few trifles of information on the cruel ex-domitor. Naturally, the ghoul is only too happy to oblige.... |
| Toreador Domitors The suave and beautiful Toreador have little trouble surrounding themselves with throngs of willing servants -- humans only, though; animals make good stoles and that's about it. Some Toreador think of ghouls as pathetic-but-useful sycophants. Ghouls are just nice to have around as whipping boys. They're so much fun to taunt; they take the whole Blood Bond thing way too seriously. Many Degenerates look for extremely submissive, introverted mortals, entrapping them in erotic relationships. For a couple of wickedly fun 15-minute B&D sessions and a few drops of blood per month, a Toreador has a loyal servant who idolizes her domitor, drives him everywhere, acts as a bodyguard, serves drinks at parties, an works as his booking agent. Not all Toreador are so cruel to their ghouls. Some actually feel a semblance of love for their Blood Bound slaves. Other clan members love the adoration they get from their special fans, and so they coddle their ghouls. Devoted ghouls stay forever by their Toreador lovers' sides, trying to be more and more helpfulwith each passing year in hopes of eventually being Embraced by their lithe creative-genius masters. Requests for the Embrace are usually futile, however; a Toreador would much rather have a parasitic little helper (whom she can let age is he acts up) than another annoying vampiric "friend" who'll compete against her in all the art shows. Tremere Ghouls Ironically enough, many Tremere ghouls do not even realize they are ghouls. Their masters shroud the truth from them until absolutely positive that the ghouls will not leak arcane secrets to rival clans or break the sacred Masquerade. This deception, like so much about the Tremere, is practiced under a guise of ingenuousness. Tremere ghouls are often recruited from religious orders, Freemason groups --even fraternities and sororities -- and the initiation of rites into Clan Tremere do nt differ much from a cult's or secret society's. Typically, initiates are not informed that each sip of vampire's blood (or, more likely, several vampire's blood) from the ceremonial chalice draws them closer to being Blood Bound by the clan. The Warlocks subscrive to the "ignorance-is-bliss" theory of enlightening their ghouls, and share only half-truths about the transformation. Only after a ghoul demonstrates complete loyalty to "the order" does he learn the truth -- and even then these lucky "consors" receive ample demonstration of what will happen to them should they divulge secrets to newer initiates. And once a Tremere consor is fully recruited, life is far from easy. The Tremere have even more enemies than most clans do, an while a consor's introduction to the Tremere may be gradula and mysterious, his introduction to the Assamites, Gangrel and Tzimisce is usually sudden indeed. Tremere ghouls perform a variety of functions. A disproportionate number serve merely as chum to be thrown to the clan's numerous foes. Many other ghouls are used as research assistants, keeping the clan up to date on such arcana as the Internet. Finally, Tremere ghouls make effective "living scrolls": They have rituals of various sorts placed on them (often without their knowledge) and are sent about their business; this business often takes them into the fold of a rival or enemy, where the "inscribed" spell takes effect. Tremere Domitors Because the clan already employs numerous Gargoyles, homunculi, demon-bound, and corpse minions as servants and guards, Tremere are quite hesitant to create ghouls, who could conceivably break the Masquerade, disrupt the clan's order, and leak closely guarded secrets to mortal and Kindred alike. A vampire must obtain permission from a superior before a ghoul can be intiated into the clan. Any Tremere wishing to create ghouls must abide by strict criteria during ghoul selection and creation. Ghouls must either be obvious "one-shot" weapons (i.e., a cell of ghouls created to be thrown at the szlachta of an oncoming Sabbat siege) or potential neonates. The former must be demonstrably liquidated at the end of use, while the latter must be carefully evaluated and made to swear all manner of secret and binding oaths. Because they are under extreme pressure from the highest clan authorities, Tremere domitors are not, in general, a very pleasant lot. In particular, younger domitors who have personal gripes with their elders often take out their frustrations on obsequious ghoul students. The ghouls sworn not to defy their domitors often receive humility lessons in the form of canings, whippings, razor cuts, bruised and severe verbal abuse. The Tremere Embrace only those ghouls who persevere against all odds, and these leechlike students must be kept in line somehow. Ventrue Ghouls On first impression, Ventrue ghouls often seem suave and in control; as any Ventrue knows, however, it is the domitor who exercises complete control over her ghouls. Much of this control stems from the fact that Ventrue recruit many ghouls from their mortal families. Certainly, a Ventrue who ghouls her own grandfather expects nothing less than obedient gratitude for saving the old bastard's life. Many Ventrue ghouls are transformed in their late mortal years -- often just before succumbing to cancer or the like -- and Ventrue domitors constantly remind these older ghouls of the long, painful deaths they have been spared. Ventrue ghoulhood is a rather hierarchical existence. Indeed, some elder Ventrue maintain "castes" or "ranks" of servitors, complete with titles and insignia. These strictures make for some vampire-pleasing ghouls; ghouls who wing their domitor's favor are given a higher "ranking" than ghouls who don't bend as far for their masters, and many who perform well become (or think they become) probable Embrace candidates. Needless to say, ghouls commonly "rat" on one another in attempts to gain status. Because many Ventrue ghouls negotiate important clan business deals, they maintain a great deal of contact with the mortal populace. May servitors continue to hold the same jobs they had in mortal years, as their masters like to have allies who can serve as spies. Only the most naive Ventrue ghoul dares to show allegiance to another vampire domitor, especially one of a rival clan. The Ventrue do not take kindly to sharing. Ghouls are aware of this rule know to stick with their own kind, so a Ventrue ghoul is rarely seen conversing with another clan's ghouls, save at the business end of a 9mm. Ventrue Domitors Jaunty and controlling, the Ventrue prefer to surround themselves with ghouls whoa ren't afraid to do a little dirty work for their domitors. It is perhaps Clan Ventrue that has the most respect for its workers...er...children...er...ghouls; the ghouls are the doers rather than the dreamers, and unlike other Kindred, they always follow their orders. Or else they get what's coming to them. Generally speaking, though, the Ventrue clan gives a lot of credit to its ghouls; ghouls put up a very believable facade for the mortals, and the clan seeks beyond all other goals to maintain the Masquerade. In additions to ghouling sycophantic worker-types, Ventrue often seek to ghoul mortals of political, legal or professional important. The Ventrue are natural infiltrators, and many clan memberrs gain control over mortal affairs through clever use of influential ghouls. Judges, minters, bankers, accountants, lawyers, mayors, newspaper publishers -- these are the types of mortals many Ventrue wish to recruit as ghouls. Particularly noteworthy is the Ventrue's predilection for creating ghouls in their rivals' organizations. These are often lower-echelon emplyees, as upper management is usually losely watched by the rival vampire and lowerlevel workers are the employees most likely to be disgruntled by the "crappy working conditions" (often the result of the rival vampire's corporate piracy or what have you). It is laughably easy for the domitor-to-be to approach such a potential ghoul and, through a combinations of Presence and promises, mold him into a walking virus to use against her rival. Ventrue frequently ghoul their loved ones in order to protect the Masquerade and maintain open, "honest" relations with their relatives. Sometimes this leads to an almost paternal relationship between the domitor and his ghouled family members. However, familial ghouls who abuse their priveleges or shirk their duties are often punished much more severealy than nonfamilial ghouls (how dare your own flesh and blood betray you after all the strength and life you have given her?). On the flip side of the coin, preferential treatment of the domitor's family members often leads to vicious squabbles among ghouls. After all, it's not so far a astep from "who gets the biggest slice of pie" to "who gets the most vitae" -- and though blood may be thicker than water, it is hoeplessly tepid compared to Ventrue vitae. The Sabbat's Perspective While the Sabbat hate mortals, they love to hate ghouls. Many Sabbat consider ghouls to be something of a joke, like a poodle wearing a pink dress and trying to walk upright; still, some Tzimisce and Lasombra would be bored if they didn't have the little action figures to bend and play with. The Lasombra and Tzimisce have very different opinions of ghouls, while most antitribu superficially treat ghouls must as their Camarilla clan counterparts do. It should be noted, however, that antitribu rarely succumb to emotional bonding with thier ghouls, that codependent bullshit is for mortals an wimpy Cam vampires only. Most antitribu think ghouls are trash, and refuse should be disposed of properly after use. Being a Sabbat ghoul is like walking a razorwire tightrope over a bottomless pit. All manner of draconian punishments await ghouls who step out of line: A ghoul who is disrespectful to a Sabbat, or who divulges sect secrets, faces such "disciplinary" tactics as drawing and quartering or death by fire. Sabbat domitors are also punished if their ghouls betray the Sabbat, so ghouls are subject to all manner of preventative abuses heaped on them by paranoid domitors. Then, too, some Tzimisce adopt the approach that betrayal is impossible if a ghoul is rendered too unsightly to interact with anyone, or if its tongue is reshaped something more aesthetically pleasing than functional. Lasombra Ghouls Mortals unfortunate enough to be ghouled by a Lasombra campire are in for serious abuse. The Leaders of the Sabbat tolerate ghouls only because their fellow Sabbat members in Clan Tzimisce find them to be interesting diversions. Lasombra have no time or patience for interesting diversions, and so they make their ghouls work brutally hard for every drop of blood. Even so, few survive for long; the only diversion the Lasombra really enjoy is chess, and ghouls serve as disposable pawns. Few Lasombra ghouls are given a choice about whether to accept the domitor-to-be's "gift." A Lasombra will ghoul anyone or anything, so long as the creature has a skill or talent sufficiently useful to be worth the bother, yet sufficiently menial that the vampire would never consider the ghoul for Embrace. Squandrons of suicide shock troops and staffs of personal grooming assistants are most commong among the Keepers; it is difficult to say which is the more dangerous one. Long-time Lasombra ghouls are rare. What few exist tend to be timid, nervous creatures. They've become so used to taking the blame for wrongs they have not committed, they just wince and bear the pain, for they are dependent on domitors who actually withhold vitae. Most Lasombra ghouls are not permitted to assicate with any other vampires, ghouls, or mortals. Those who dare to disobey this stricture are mercilessly and inventively slain. Then, too, many Lasombra ghouls are rendered physically incapable of such interactions; while the Lasombra do not equal the Tzimisce in the fine art of disfigurement, they do an admirable job for beings not blessed with Vicissitude. The psychological side effects of the Lasombra clan weakness often manifest themselves in this process, as squandrons of ghouls are all forced to wear the same featureless masks or have their faces reduced to identical spider webs of scar tissue. Lasombra Domitors The mere though of ghouls makes any self-respecting member of Clan Lasombra wince with disdain. Ghouls are nothing more than abhorrent sub-Kindred who can't do much more than comb hair without having emotional breakdowns. Accordingly, Lasombra probably employ the fewest ghouls of any clan -- Camarilla, independent, or Sabbat. Though they cannot stand ghouls, the Lasombra also cannot stand the fact that they are unable to admire their own beautiful Caine-given features in the mirror. Some Lasombra employ ghouls as personal-hygiene assistants for this reason. But that hair must be brushed for at least 100 strokes, or 100 bruises will decorate the inattentive ghoul's body. And should the servant fails to apply the skin lotion properly, the outraged Lasombra may well apply a "moisturizer" of muriatic acid to the ghoul's skin... Although some Lasombra are rumored to make ghouls of number-crunching mortals to help with clan finances, most clan members do not feel they they can trust ghouls with matters of such import. Besides, it's more fun to manipulate some gullible Ventrue -- or, better yet, a sniveling Ventrue ghoul -- into doing one's books. |
Tzimisce Ghouls |
| The Clanless and Their Ghouls The Caitiff and their Sabbat counterparts, the Panders, often have trouble coazing mortals to be their ghouls -- and when they do, the ghouls in question are in for a bumpy ride. Caitiff and Panders employ ghouls to spy on Camarilla and Sabbat Kindred and to act as lures to Caitiff havens, where the outcast can then attempt to diablerize their Kindred foes. Some Caitiff and Panders find ghouling to be simple. Many don't even know they're creating ghouls when they feed their blood to others. And the Clanless aren't too particular about whom they choose as recipients of their mongrel blood. Anybody is good enough to be a friend, and a friend in need (of blood) is a friend indeed. Caitiff and Pander ghouls may have more difficult obstacles to overcome when working for their domitors, but in general the Clanless empathize with their ghouls; accordingly, ghouls are treated with much more respect by Panders and Caitiff than by, say, the Lasombra. This can, of course, be taken to extremes: Ghouls are somtimes delided by Caitiff domitoes into roles as worshippers in elite blood cults. Regrettably, some Caitiff feel that they only power they have is over ghouls, so they abuse them severely -- the age-old abused-turning-into-the-abuser syndrome plagues many of the Clanless. Caitiff domitors may abandon their ghouls or refuse to Embrace them even after years of continued service. Some even drain their ghouls completely during the long dry seasons between feedings. The Age of Reason or the Age of Innocence? Just as human being's grandpaernts treat their grandson differently than his parents treat him, ghouls tend to be viewed differently by domitors of different ages and generations. Age has a bearing how a vampire sees the world around her, and on how she treats those who serve her. Methuselahs --- In order to sustain their immortality, many Methuselahs retreat from vampiric society and keep their noses out of the Jyhad, must like members of the Inconnu do. But somtimes a guy's got to eat, so Methuselahs often retain a few ancient ghouls who can procure tasty mortal and Kindred treats for their masters. Many Methuselahs, after multiple centuries of unlife, have little desire or need to discipline their ghouls. At thsi point, having performed the same rituals since the rule of Charlemagne, the ghouls know exactly what the master wants and when he wants it. Indeed, Methuselahs often become somewhat emotionally attached to their ghouls, welcoming ghouls into their unlives in order to feel a bit of warmth in their later years. It greatly saddens a Methuselah ghoul when her domitor asks her to kill him; it happens, though, because some Methuselahs can no longer bear immortality after they reach a certain age. A few suicidal Methuselahs Embrace their ghouls, then have them commit mercy killings. After the Methuselah's Final Death, the newly Embraced vampire then takes over his former master's role. Methuselah Ghouls --- Older and more powerful than many vampires, these centuries-old ghouls have survived the turblence of the ages. many of thse ghouls, having served mutiple domitors during their existences, know more about Kindred society than most Kindred do. Ghouls "in the know" view Methuselah ghouls with as much awe as vampires display toward their clans' Antediluvians -- yet they are equally afraid of these enigmatic creatures, who are rumored to stalk Kindred and lesser ghouls. Kindred also fear these cunning, survivalist ghouls. Methuselah ghouls' vast knowledge, ability to move in daylight and skill at masquerading as mortals make them nightmarish foes. Despite their often chilly facades, Methuselah ghouls are among the most emotionally erratic ghouls around. Their outlooks are more alience than many Kindred of tender years. Their awareness of philosophy and the "ghoul" condition comes from ancient tomes and their domitors' lips. It is common for them to abuse "lowly" ghouls without feeling an ounce of remorse or pity -- after all, this is how they've been treated forever. Nonetheless, ghouls of this age are lucky, relatively speaking. By this age, the master has had countless opportunies to kill them and has decided against it, so many Methuselah ghouls are treated with leniency and allowed to do as they please so long as they carry out their duties. After all, at this point, servitude is so ingrained that the thought of freedom is quite alien to them. Elders --- Elders can make the most sadistic or the most lenient domitors, depending on persona experience and clan affiliations. Toughened and jaded by centuries of unlife, most elders couldn't give a human's backside about their ghouls. Ghouls were made to be servants, and servants should not attempt to rise above their stations. Some elders, though, have kept the same ghouls for centuries. Such "heirloom" ghouls are usally given preferential treatment, serving their domitors as chambermaids and personal servants. Elder Ghouls --- To sum it up in one word, elder ghouls are "extreme": extremely submissive, extremely conservative, extremely codependent and extremely unfortunate. Elder vampires rarely Embrace their loyal ghouls, and elder ghouls came to terms with this fact long ago. Most are content to be blood addicts forever, destine to an immortality sercing a tyrannical vampoire. Of course, these ghouls typically have little choice in the matter, as they've passed the point at which they can survive without vitae. Stangely enough, many elder ghouls treat their domitors' childer like they own flesh and blood, acting like hideously indebted nannies. Most elder ghouls don't have much contact with humans, and caring for their domitors' childer is one of the few things that keeps them in touch with their neglected human sides. Inconnu --- Most Inconnu are fourth- and fifth-generation vampires who want nothing to do with "lesser" Kindred. As Inconnu beliee they can escape the Juhad by hiding away from the world, they don't tend to create many ghouls. Still, Inconnu Monitors must occasionally meddle in the affairs of their inferios, so, like Methuselahs, they use powerful ghouls as agents provocateurs. Inconnu ghoul humans who, though competent, are deeme dunliekly to maintain emotional ties with mortals or vampires. All Inconnu ghouls are immediately Blood Bound, and Inconnu prefer to ghoul mute humans who cannot leak a word of the sect's secrets. Inconnu Ghouls -- Inconnu ghouls are feared by vampires and fellow ghouls alike. This is partly because of the mystery that surrounds their hermitlike domitors, and partly because they are swayed by human emotion like most other ghouls. Of course, muste ghouls (approximately 70% of Inconnu ghouls) can't express their dissatisfaction or anger even if they wanted to. These Blood Bound recluses exist solely to serve their vampire masters, and their masters treat them well, for the ghouls conduct all of the domitors "business," which consists mainly of hunting for Golconda lore and fresh blood. Inconnu ghouls often leave their masters' sides for extended perios, traveling on one errand or another, and this lack of supervision makes them quite dangerous. The heady status of being a "noble" Inconnu ghoul, combined with the power inherent to serving a fight-generation Cainite, often results in a cold-hearted, snobbish killing machine. Vampires and ghouls who know anything about Inconnu ghouls know to keep the hell away...or die. Mortals, unfortunately, die anyway, due to their ignorance. Ancillae --- Ancilla vampires can be the cruelest vampires of the lot. After all, they're at that awkward age -- Embraced before World War II, the Civil Rights Movement, Vietnam and the Equal Rights Movement. Furthermore, their reactionary attitudes are stoked by the frustration of not being powerful enough to throw their weight around as they please. This disappointment often vents itself on an unsuspecting ghoul. In ancillae's eyes, ghouls are usely couriers, servants, pawns, cannon fodder, and bits of glue to cement a power structure; certainly eternal life and the power of the Blood are enough for such creatures. Ghouls should be seen and not heard, except when offering flattery. On the other hand, wiser ancillae realize that a few loyal ghouls can make the difference between a weak power base and one strong enough to challenge the lesser elders. These ancillae often form cadres of organized, fanatical ghouls, deploying them expertly against leasser and greater Kindred alike. Ancilla Ghouls -- The main difference between elder ghols and ancilla ghouls is that elder ghouls are resigned to serving their domitors; ancilla ghouls do the same dirty work for their masters, but are more resentful and prone to rebellion when mistreated, which is quite often. While ancilla vampires are generally too powerful to worry about an open rebellion, they must keep their ghouls close at hand, lest their ghouls form secret cliques with other disaffected servitors. Of course, not all ancilla ghouls know how to express their anger through the usual human channels; many kiss undead ass until they're Embraced, then turn completely on the vampires who Embraced them. Neonates -- Depending on the circumstances, neonate ghouls might consider themselves lucky or unlucky; domitor behavior among this bunch can be quite unpredictable. Many neonates are still learning to master their vampiric Disciplines, and ghouls often become the most convenient practice tools for students of such Disciplines as Dominate, Vicissitude, Potence, and Thaumaturgy. Though many ghouls suffer harsh reament at the hands of the neonates, a lot of these servitors were seduced into servitude by the suave and still humanlike young Kindred, and so "puppy love" is still common among this set. Neonates love the power they wield over their ghouls, and the ghouls generall love serving their domitors, as it gives their lives purpose and meaning. Neonate Ghouls -- Neonate ghouls must constantly contend with their angst-filled, recently Embraced domitors' troubles. Many don't mind, however; the Blood Bond is still a novelty, and so these ghouls tend to be hopelessly devoted to their hip young domitors. Still, ghouls who serve neonates have to learn (often the hard way) how to be versatile; those who can't cope with their masters' fickleness and emotional tribulations don't tend to last long. Then, too, many neonate ghouls serve as guinea pigs for their domitors' "Discipline experiments"; such physical and mental violation often drives vassals into shrieking frenzies. Neonate ghouls are more technologically savvy than other ghouls, giving their masters an unespected edge in Kindred machinations. Neonate ghols also tend to be better at interaction with mortals, as they still retain a good deal of their natural human empathy. This usefulness, however, can be a double-edged sword; older ghouls often become jealous of their younger brethren, doing everything they can to frame or ruin them. |
