Ghouls Fatal Addiction

By Ronni Radner and Ethan Skemp
Contents 1
Credits Word from the White Wolf
Authors: Ronni Radner and Ethan Skemp
Game Studio
Developer: Robert Hatch
Sneak preview time, boys and girls. We’ve got so much
Editor: Ed Hall cool stuff coming out in ‘97-‘98, I thought I’d replace this
Art Director: Lawrence Snelly month’s Special Thanks with a couple of hints.
Layout and Typesetting: Robby Poore
Interior Art: Guy Davis and Vince Locke The remainder of ‘97’s gonna be busy. Werewolf:
Front Cover Art: Guy Davis and Vince Locke The Wild West and Changeling 2nd will grace July and
Back Cover Art: Vince Locke August, respectively. In October, get ready to embark on
Front and Back Cover Design: Matt Millberger a tour of the Old Country, as we present Transylvania
by Night — a book detailing Eastern Europe in the Dark
Ages. Wanna be the voivode of Lesser Outer Wallachia
and impale a few peasants? Wait no longer! And in No-
vember, buckle up for the stars with ÆON, the first in
a line of science-fiction/people-with-superpowers RPGs.
Hong Kong’s imminent reversion to Chinese control

is already in the news, and that sets the stage for 1998,
White Wolf’s Year of the Lotus. In the grand tradition of
the “Year of the…” series, the Year of the Lotus will take a
comprehensive look at those long-ignored Asian territories
of the World of Darkness.
Opening up the year will be Kindred of the East,

a hardcover sourcebook detailing the Asian World of
Darkness and the mysterious Far Eastern vampires. These
Cathayans (as Western Kindred call them) do not believe
© 1997 White Wolf Publishing, Inc. All rights themselves to be descendants of Caine — and their bizarre
reserved. Reproduction without the written permission powers and physiology bear this theory out.
of the publisher is expressly forbidden, except for the
purposes of reviews, and blank character sheets, which Of course, these guys need a place to play, and so we
may be reproduced for personal use only. White Wolf, offer World of Darkness: Hong Kong. A truly universal
Vampire the Masquerade, Vampire the Dark Ages and citybook, Hong Kong will feature a post-Occupation
Mage the Ascension are registered trademarks of White landscape of Eastern and Western vampires (and Garou…
Wolf Publishing, Inc. All rights reserved. Æon, Werewolf and Bastet…and mages…and mummies…and Mokolé…
the Apocalypse, Wraith the Oblivion, Changeling the and Hatar Goblin Spiders…and Jade Kingdom ghosts…
Dreaming, Werewolf the Wild West, Ghouls Fatal Ad- hey, it’s in there!).
diction, Clanbook Nosferatu, Clanbook Tzimisce, and
The Storytellers Handbook to the Sabbat are trademarks And if your taste runs toward killing Asian supernatu-
of White Wolf Publishing, Inc. All rights reserved. All rals instead of roleplaying them, we offer Demon Hunter
characters, names, places and text herein are copyrighted X — a sourcebook detailing witch-hunters, Asian style.
by White Wolf Publishing, Inc. This anime-inspired volume features both the traditional
The mention of or reference to any company or wandering David Carradine types and their high-tech,
product in these pages is not a challenge to the trademark cyber-enhanced modern counterparts. These guys make
or copyright concerned. the Inquisition look like choir boys.
This book uses the supernatural for settings, charac-
ters and themes. All mystical and supernatural elements Of course, if Asia’s not your cup of sake, we’ll still
are fiction and intended for entertainment purposes only. have plenty of regular V: tM and V: tDA material, includ-
Reader discretion is advised. ing an ambitious crossover project spanning 800 years of
Check out White Wolf online at history. Join Lucita, Anatole and company as they (and
http://www.white-wolf.com, alt.games.whitewolf your characters) evolve from blood-dribbling neonates to
and rec.games.frp.storyteller movers and shakers in the Camarilla and Sabbat. Don’t
just read about history…make it!
PRINTED IN USA.
2 Ghouls: Fatal Addiction

TM
Fiction: Blood Is Thicker 4
Introduction: The First Taste 10
Chapter One: A Clockwork Crimson 14
Chapter Two: Masters and Servants? 34
Chapter Three: Character Creation 68
Chapter Four: Storytelling 86
Chapter Five: Templates 106
Contents 3
Blood Is
Thicker
He laid his troubles out to me like a deck of
playing cards
Well don’t you know that I can tell the kings
and jokers well apart
— Concrete Blonde, “Your Haunted Head”
I must have the worst job in all of New York. It’s going to be a long ride tonight. Usually Carlos takes
I ram the plunger into a commode overstuffed with the same train I do, so I have someone to chat with. Not
Nathan’s Famous Frankfurters napkins and Marlboro butts. this time. No — tonight I’m the only passenger. I close my
Thank God for union wages. I strip a stall wall of graffiti that eyes, knowing I can nap for awhile; the ride to Manhattan
proclaims that Jeanette has the biggest tits in Brooklyn. Time takes about 35 minutes, and there’s nobody on this train
for me to leave if I want to catch the B Train back home. for me to be scared of. My head bobs back and forth, and I
What a day it’s been. can barely doze off because the train is squeaking so loudly.
The park shut down about an hour ago, but as I exit the Damn MTA always runs the rickety trains to Brooklyn.
men’s room I can still hear the dull neon hiss of the Cyclone I force my eyelids open and fixate on the sign above the
sign. Carlos must be here still, doing some closing-time ride window advertising an abortion clinic where the nurses all
maintenance. I notice a Pepsi can on the cracked sidewalk. Habla Español.
It seems the more I clean this place, the scuzzier it gets. The train rattles into the next stop, and the doors
A humid August wind blows, choked with sausage, clack open, and I don’t know whether it’s the sight or the
urine, saltwater and diesel. I cross Stillwell Avenue by stink of the new passenger that draws my attention first. I
Katz’s Kandy Shoppe — Home of the World’s Greatest try not to stare, but he’s so gross that I can’t help it. Looks
Kotton Kandy — fumble in my jeans pocket for my token, like a homeless guy, judging by his piss-stained chinos and
and head to the dank subway station. A teenaged boy with Mondale for President T-shirt. I figure he’ll probably try to
greasy black hair and gold braces bums a quarter from me sell me a copy of The Street News, but he avoids my stare
by the turnstile and, other than him, it looks like I’m a and quietly takes a seat across from me.
lone soul in this station. I take my position on a piece of The train squeals louder than before, sending a knife
blackened gum that’s been squashed onto the platform, through my eardrums. The homeless guy sorta looks at me
glancing anxiously at my watch. and grins. “Loud train, huh?” he says.

“Mmmhmm,” I grunt, staring down at my shoes, not
wanting to look him straight in the eyes. I notice that the man
is barefoot, and his feet are covered by little reddish warts.
I’ve got a headache now, and the noise is becoming
louder and louder as we enter the tunnel beneath the East
River. And then I hear another ominous creak, and I look
up at a crack in the roof of the subway, from which small
droplets of the dirtiest river in America are slopping to
form puddles on scattered seats in the subway car. Odors
of mildew and fecal matter fill the air. Goddamn, I have
to smell it at work all goddamn day, and now the whole
train is exuding the stench of shit! My fellow passenger
just glances at me, gives me a yellow-toothed grin, and
says, “Yep, New York sure does have the world’s cleanest
subway system!”
I want to vomit. I can see the goosebumps crowding
the surface of my forearms, my face is covered in a cold
sweat, and…
The hyenalike squeal finally ceases, but a deluge of river
water begins to flood the train. There is a moment of rigid
calm, in which all I can hear is the steady drip-drip-drip of
water on the plastic orange seats. The homeless man just
sits across from me in the same oblivious position, kinda
twiddling his thumbs nervously. A sudden buzzing hum fills
the subway car, the greenish hue of the fluorescent lights
fades to black, and the subway stops dead on its tracks.
I can’t scream; what would that accomplish? But,
Mother of Jesus, what am I gonna do? I rub at my temples
as if that will help me come up with a solution, but my hand
slips on my own sweat. My stomach is tied in a Boy Scout’s
knot. Oh Jesus, I don’t want to die like a roach in a toilet!
I want to get up, walk to the next car, but the fear has me
in a viselike grip, and the remains of my dinnertime slice
of sausage pizza make their way to the back of my throat.
All I can do is cry. I can’t see a thing, but I feel the cuffs of
my jeans soaked with East River residue. I flinch in disgust
and put my knees to my chest, thinking I can prevent the
murky slime from covering the rest of me.
Something touches my right shoulder, and I nearly
jump out of my skin.
“There’s nothing to worry about, sweetie,” says the
stranger, now sitting beside me, his arm extended around
my shoulder. “I’ll take care of you,” he whispers, and I feel
his cold breath warming my lips, as he grabs me by the
back of my neck and forces a long and snaky tongue into
my mouth. I gag as he kisses me, my mouth still tasting
faintly of vomit, and then I bite his tongue so he’ll stop,
but he continues on with even more fervor, ignoring the
gobbet of his tongue floating on my saliva. A viscous, bit-
ter slime — his blood? — curdles with the chunky vomit
in my throat.
I try to reach for my purse, get my Swiss Army knife,
but he cuffs my wrists with his strong, knobby fingers, and
more of his blood oozes into my mouth. Then he finally

stops kissing me, picks me up, and aims me toward the
subway window. Shards of thick Plexiglas blanket my eyes,
and all I see is red.
I struggle to open my eyelids, feeling cold, damp ce-

ment beneath me. Something is squirming on me, and I
hear another squeaking sound…God, it sounds like the
train!! I shudder, finally able to get my eyes open, and it’s
just a rat…two rats…no, three rats…and they’re about
three feet long each! My heart races. Last night’s events
slowly enter my mind, in little Technicolor vignettes, and
I search my body for the blood and cuts, but nothing is
there! Not a scar! No fucking evidence! I must be going
out of my mind! How can I tell a half-baked story like
this to the NYPD? (A sudden shudder — what if the guy
had AIDS?)
I muster the strength to prop myself up, and I survey my
surroundings. I’m in the Stillwell Avenue station, and I can
see the orange sun coming up to greet a new day.
They say nothing’s new in the Big Apple. Well, I’ll tell
ya, after work tonight I’m not taking the subway home alone!
I somehow get through another Coney Island evening,

though my hands are shaking nervously even as I plunge
the last stinking toilet of the night. Carlos tells me he’s
going to escort me home, and he’ll be on the lookout
for my attacker. But just the thought of stepping off the
platform and onto the subway scares the living daylights
out of me, even with Carlos by my side.
I lock the bathroom door and head over to the Cyclone;
Carlos flicks his last switch of the evening, and the neon
buzz erodes into silence. He takes my hand and assures
me that everything is going to be okay. He gives me some
cotton candy to comfort me; he says he always ate it as a
kid, and nothing is more soothing than dandy candy, even
though it’s true that liquor is quicker.
We cross the avenue, and Carlos is all gentlemanly and
lets me through the turnstile first, paying my fare. I feel so
much better having him around.
So, everything seems all right now with a strong man

by my side. I doze off in his arms, slouching in my seat for
the long haul to Manhattan. Nobody else on the train, but
like Carlos said, everything’s gonna be okay.
About a half-hour into the ride, I open my saggy eye-
lids. I gotta get off soon, and then Carlos goes all the way
to Spanish Harlem.
When I lean over to give Carlos a hug good-bye, I shut
my eyes, aiming for his mouth to give him a friendly kiss
for being such a good protector. His lips are so soft and wet.
Then Carlos intertwines his tongue in mine, giving me
a wet, juicy soul kiss. I open my eyes, shocked.

“You looking for me?” he says, grinning slackly, the And then I feel something else entirely. I straddle his
blood dripping from his half-eaten tongue. chest and bend down to…lap up the blood from the collar
Jesus fucking Christ! I…didn’t think he…Carlos?! of his Cyclone T-shirt?
I feel a pounding in my temples, and…something isn’t Asshole just about raped me…why the hell should
right…oh, fuck! I think my goddamn head is gonna ex- I feel bad about this? This blood…I don’t know why I’m
plode. I…gotta do something…hurt…spill some blood! drinking it, but something about it just…wow! I guess it
I need it…NOW! just feels good to hurt him back — and this blood is slimy
I shove, and I’m 100 pounds sopping wet, but Carlos and bitter but does something better than a hundred bottles
goes crashing into the aisle three seats down. I rummage of bourbon. As it oozes like molasses down my throat, I
through my pocketbook for my knife before he has a feel like I could throw the motherfucker clean through
chance to stop me. the wall of the train.
“You sonofabitch! What the fuck is wrong with you? I remove the knife from his neck and lick it clean, then
Whattaya, in some cult or something? Why the fuck did polish it with his bloody shirt. Still nobody on the fucking
you attack me?” I plead with him for an answer, my voice train, so I just leave Carlos there to rot. When I get off the
cracking as I yell. “I thought you were my friend!” train, I give the knife to some drunken amputee who’s propped
He gets up, snarling, lunging. Before I’m even aware up against the Citibank building. “Use it for protection,” I
of it, my fingers flick open the knife to its sharpest serrated tell him, smirking, waiting for the light to change so I can
blade, my arm extends, and the steel edge pierces his jugu- cross the street to my third-floor studio. “Never know what
lar. It’s like stabbing a pillow. I don’t feel like I’m actually you’re gonna find out here on the street.”
hurting him. It’s someone else — I don’t hurt people — I
don’t freak out like this — I’m not Bernie Goetz! 4:33 a.m. and I wake myself up with my own shrill
I look into Carlos’s eyes, and he looks as if he’s already scream. My sheets are soaked with sweat. What the hell
dead — there’s just nothing there. He gasps, clenches his is wrong with me?! I can’t stop trembling. I dart out of
jaw, then falls to the subway floor. For a moment I actu- bed and pace the floor of my 600-square-foot hovel. What
ally feel remorse. have I done?! I’ve killed a man!! I was molested!! I run to

the bathroom and quickly start a hot shower. I strip naked “I…I…yes…I mean, wh-what’s going on?” I stammer.
and get in the stall, violently scrubbing my whole body like “Welcome to the Sabbat, dearie. Shit — no wonder
one of the characters in Silkwood. Ouch! Fuck — I scrubbed you’re nothing but a fucking janitor at Coney Island! You
too hard. My leg… haven’t figured out what I am?”
I watch the pink blood-and-water mixture seep into “No, I…I…just thought—”
the drain. My leg…I’m covered in boils! The thought of “That I was some sicko with a blood fetish who’s been
AIDS knots itself in my gut again. I’ve gotta figure out what wanting to get in your pants?” he winces. “Shit, I don’t want
the hell is going on! no piece of your working-class Irish-Catholic ass! And you’re
I dry myself off and get into some sweats and a tank the one with the blood fetish now!” He slices his own wrist
top. There’s an all-night clinic…no. I don’t care what and shoves his hand into my mouth. “This is what you’ve
time it is; I’m going to Harlem to get to the bottom of this been waiting for, isn’t it? Now drink up, junkie! Nothin’
shit. I’m gonna tell his family what he did to me the other like a little Nos blood when ya need a fix.…”
night — I’ll even tell ‘em what I did if I have to. I’m not Oh, God! Oh, God! I don’t want it! I want him to get his
gonna be arrested for something I did in self-defense. His wrist outta my mouth! I let out a muffled, half-assed, “Stop!”
family oughtta know. Mama Fernandez should know that But I cave in. God, it’s so fucking good! I feel a sudden
her son was a rapist! burst of energy, like I just sniffed a line of coke. I want more!
I dash to the subway station in record time. The amputee He jerks his — claw? — away. “Now, that’s enough.
is still propped up against the bricks of the bank, but he’s Don’t wanna spoil you or anything. After all, you gotta dis-
out cold, a bottle of white-grape MD20-20 lying beside his cipline your servants. Now, what I want you to do tomorrow
stumps. The knife I gave him is gone. Some bum must’ve at work is go down to—”
stolen it from him. God, I’d hate to be homeless in New York.
I don’t let him finish. I paw and claw at him, and kick
Back on this rickety old train again. It gives me the him in the balls till he’s down. Some adrenaline-type wave
creeps. At least I’m not in the same car as Carlos’s corpse. I comes over me, and I push him to the ground so hard that
get the chills thinking about it. Ugh! His tongue…the blood! his impact cracks the tiles, and then I pry my knife out of
But I’m not scared to ride the subway by myself anymore. his clenched fist. “Listen, you sonofabitch, and you listen
I can handle anything. My whole body trembles with energy, good! I’m not doing any favors for some rapist nutcase!” I
like I’m a rubber band waiting to snap at someone. God, I pin him down on the subway floor, waving the blade in front
can’t quite remember the Fernandez’s apartment number. of his face. I hold my breath for a second, then cut deeply
568B? — or is it 586B? — or— across his neck. A small thread of jaundiced skin still holds
I get a whiff of stale blood, and there’s Carlos, suddenly his head to his severed neck, and a geyser of blood spurts
in front of me like a stage magician’s trick, my Swiss Army out of his throat. And I drink and drink and drink to my
knife in hand. All the power I feel seems to evaporate, heart’s content, until I can no longer see his wart-covered
puddling onto the subway floor. little toes twitching. And this time I am not crying or gag-
“Tsk, tsk, tsk, Mary! Ya know, my kind doesn’t kick the ging as I exsanguinate the bastard. Nope. This time I’m
bucket too easily, and we sure don’t forget when some stupid laughing like a maniac!
ghoul tries to off us. But I knew you’d be back — betcha Yep, I must have the worst job in all of New York. But
you were gettin’ the shakes, huh, honey?” I think it’s about to get a little bit better.

Introduc-
tion: The First
Taste

Introduction:
The First Taste
They are neither man nor woman—

They are neither brute nor human—
They are Ghouls
— Edgar Allan Poe, “The Bells”
Ghouls. no more vulnerable to the noonday sun than the next

The very word conjures images of pale, malformed person, they hardly seem like the corpse-eating bogeymen
creatures skulking among headstones and crypts, scrab- from which they take their name. For some, it may seem
bling through graveyard dirt and scratching at coffin lids, like an attractive life: A ghoul never ages, can heal almost
ever seeking to unearth and devour the fetid remains of any wound, has twice the strength he once did — hey, that
humanity’s deceased. sounds great!
And yet, in the World of Darkness, the term “ghoul” It isn’t.
refers to a creature, usually an innocuous human or animal, A ghoul isn’t a watered-down version of a vampire.
made suddenly supernatural by a diet of vitae — the blood Ghouls may not be Damned, but in many ways their lot
of the vampire. Unhindered by the Kindred’s driving thirst, is worse. The Blood changes many things when it enters a

living being. The vampiric curse of frenzy haunts all ghouls, Second, the horror of Vampire becomes even sharper
driving them to extremes of anger and desire — extremes when you are not the vampire. As a ghoul, you are part
often focused on their still-present human needs. Other of Kindred society, but an expendable part. No sire is
taints can take root as well: deformity, madness or worse. obligated to instruct you; you know little of the clans,
Perhaps worst of all, most ghouls become shackled by friend or foe. Tremere sorcerers and Malkavian psychot-
the Blood Bond. These hapless addicts become obsessed ics are doubly frightening when you know they’re more
with their masters, or domitors. It becomes all too easy for powerful than you. Terrible powers like Obtenebration
a ghoul’s personality to be subsumed by the force of her and Protean are all the more horrifying to a ghoul’s eyes.
domitor’s will. You’re a slave — maybe initially by choice, Vampires are frightening beasts, especially when you know
but no longer. Once you’ve tasted the Blood, you don’t just enough about them to become truly afraid…and who
have any choice at all. says you’re going to know anything? There’s absolutely no
So why would you want to play a ghoul? reason that your domitor has to tell you anything about
First, tragedy is an inherent part of Vampire stories. vampire culture. You may not know what a clan is — or
The themes of alienation and inner struggle are not the even a vampire. All you know is that this fabulous person
exclusive provinces of the Kindred. If a Cainite is a tragic has come into your life, and she gives you this stuff that
figure, then doubly so his ghoul servant. Ghouls have no makes you feel like Samson, and maybe you have to do
biological dependence on vitae — at first. But once you some strange things for her every now and again, but it
taste those first few drops of sheer bliss and distilled power, is so worth it. All you have to do in return is survive in
it’s hard to go back. And soon enough the Blood Bond the World of Darkness while unseen, powerful figures
catches you, and your very existence revolves around move in the shadows around you. Not an easy task for a
this wonderful, horrible person without whom you’re sure Cainite; for a mortal, it’s all but impossible.
you couldn’t survive. Every day you may live the life of a Running a ghoul character in a coterie of vampires
normal human. You hunger, you thirst, you bleed — but can also be rewarding. You can travel during the daylight,
for all that, you’re not quite human anymore. You can and might even become a valued member of your group in
frenzy, and might unintentionally hurt someone close to this way. Yes, you’re the weak one in the group; whoever
you. Your biological processes are augmented — but so are said life was fair? But you can walk in the park on a sunny
your biological urges, and living beings have many more afternoon, enjoy a good white wine with your chicken
urges than the undead. You no longer age as humans do. Caesar salad, even raise a family. The vampires may wind
You’re walking directly on the edge of a deadly fall, and all up envying you more than you envy them. This is, of course,
it takes to push you over the edge is a single drop of blood. never a good thing.

Ghouls: Fatal Addiction is a supplement for Vampire: Chapter Three: Character Creation offers rules for
The Masquerade, meant to provide players and Storytellers running ghouls as player characters, as well as offering
with insights and ideas into what it is to be a ghoul — from specific Merits and Flaws to add more variety to the run-
aberrant psychologies to simple physical facts, from the of-the-mill vassal.
social games they play to what awaits a ghoul without a Chapter Four: Storytelling offers advice for working
master. Although the material herein can be used to flesh ghouls into a Vampire chronicle, ideas on running all-ghoul
out any Vampire chronicle, hopefully it’ll inspire you to chronicles, and details on some of the more notorious figures
try roleplaying a ghoul, hapless or headstrong, for a while. in ghoul society.
Chapter One: A Clockwork Crimson deals with the Chapter Five: Templates provides four ready-to-use
biological details of what exactly “ghouling” entails, and what ghoul templates, which can be dropped into a chronicle
changes it works on the body, as well as offering a glimpse as supporting cast, antagonists, or even quick-start player
into the mind of a ghoul. Also included here is most of the characters.
“rulespeak” concerning ghouls’ physiology. Enough said. The tenuous and fragile immortality of
Chapter Two: Masters and Servants? discusses the the Blood awaits.
manner in which ghouls fit into Kindred society, as well as Don’t drink it all at once, now.
the societies they form on their own.

Chapter One:
A Clockwork
Crimson
You were born into a society which spelled out
with brutal clarity, and in as many ways as possible,
that you were a worthless human being.
— James Baldwin, “My Dungeon Shook”
The Physiology of the Ghou

l
My noble and terrible liege,
greetings! Here as requested
vitae-fed servants. The pas is the summation of my res
t two years have been of esp earch into the biology of our
to satisfy all but the most ecial progress, and I feel tha
exacting of domitors. t my findings are complete
enough
I must reiterate how hono
red I was to receive your
further my experimentatio bequest, as well as the mo
n. I only hope that my stu st generous supplies of vit
It in fact surprises me tha dies prove of use to you. ae to
t so few vampires take any
their ghouls. Many Kindre more than a passing intere
d would simply water them, st in the biological aspect
the prudent Cainite know like houseplants, and then s of
s the importance of proper leave them to their tasks. Ho
productive resources. Centr ly managing one’s resources wever,
al to utilizing one’s ghouls , and ghouls are among our
and shortcomings. Such wa properly, of course, is precis most
s my reasoning before you e knowledge of their capabi
your bequest has furthered r offer, as well you remem liti es
my studies a hundredfold. ber, and I am pleased to rep
ort that
Here follows the synopsis
of my past two years of stu
that you will find them int dy, as well as my findings pre
riguing and informative, and vious to your request. I’m
, I dare to hope, perhaps eve sure
n surprising in places.

Considerations of the Blood
First and foremost, to explore fully the physiognom
most luckless Caitiff outcast soo y of the ghoul, one must discuss
n discovers that the seat of all the Blood itself. Even the
ciplines are nothing more tha his power lies within his vitae.
n quaint but impotent menta Without it, his Dis-
And yet, the vitality of the Blo l exercises; without it, his flap
od is not entirely predicated on pin g wou nds never close.
Human blood (and, to a lesser the uses our undead forms hav
extent, that of other animals) e for it.
metabolism of the animal tha has variable nutritional value,
t feeds upon it. But vitae is nou depending on the
cies. Even herbivorous anima rishing to its drinker, regardless
ls, once given a taste of vampiri of the ingestor’s spe-
becomes even more fascinating c blood, gladly drink as much
when produced in the most dom as is given. This thirst
docile as sheep rip at mundane esticated of animals; I have wit
flesh and lap up mortal blood nessed animals as
did they convert to a carnivoro in the hopes that vitae might
us diet, however. Ghouling ma be present. In no case
cannot alter them completely y override an herbivore’s inst
. incts somewhat, but
Through extensive observatio
n of ghoul servants, one can
transmitted through the Blood soon determine how much of
alone. For convenience, I wil Caine’s power is
First and foremost, a ghoul wit l list the pertinent details first, and elab
h a steady diet of vitae is capabl orate anon.
from sire to whelp among our e of learning the arcane powers
kind. Of course, the more “instin which are passed
learns the ways of superhuman ctive” abilities come most nat
strength almost instantly. Mo urally; a ghoul innately
blood from a particular clan. re specific arcana require inte
nse training, and often
Second, vitae has a preservativ
e effect on living tissue. Much
caying, it likewise inhibits cell as the Blood prevents our dea
ular breakdown in a living bod d tissue from de-
animal, it halts the process of y. While the vitae courses thr
cell division and decay. Conse ough a host, human or
as she is fed Cainite vitae. quently, a ghoul will not age
a biological day so long
Third, ghouls are still living bei
ngs, and heal themselves at the
course). However, they are also natural rate (given rest and nou
capable of utilizing their ingeste rishment, of
quickly than Nature would nor d vitae as we do, to regenerate
mally permit. This even extend wounds far more
enough vitae is available. s to the regeneration of severe
d limbs, provided
(As an interesting side note,
I have discovered superficial
and those found in invertebra similarities between enzymes
tes such as planarian flatworms; found in ghoul vitae
no identifiable biological catalys our own regenerative processes,
t, as our tissue is quite dead. Th however, stem from
may well be the culmination is leads me to speculate that the
of a sort of proto-Discipline, one ghouling process
perhaps similar to those eldritc allowing the sporadic augmenta
h arts displayed by the dreadf tion of living tissue,
Finally, the ghoul is able to me ul Tzimisce.)
tabolize the Blood in order to
boosting her strength, speed, quicken her physical capabilitie
stamina, endurance or agility s, temporarily
may already possess. The proces over and above any supernatu
s is already quite familiar to you ral enhancements she
(Again, this process demonstrab , I’m sure; I presume I need not
ly utilizes the ghoul’s natural hor elaborate further.
process distinct from our own monal secretions, mitochondrion
capabilities. Curious.) output, etc. — a
Of course, such capabilities com
e at a price; the maddeningly
capacity for berserk anger nea potent elixir we call vitae con
rly rivaling our own. (The lege fers on the ghoul a
rally strong “demigod” kill his nd of Heracles comes to mind;
own family in a fit of rage? On did not this preternatu-
seem to be purely psychological e wonders.…) However, the dra
in nature. They may be contain wbacks of ghoulhood
as the Blood-related psychoses ed through discipline and stre
of such clans as the Toreador ngth of will, much
These, then, are the characteri may be resisted for a space.
stics exhibited by the typical gho
fascinating data lie in the par ul. Common knowledge, I kno
ticulars. w. But the truly
Disciplines
The nature of our vampiric pow
ers is indisputable: They are the
those exotic talents which ma powers of the Blood. More spe
y be learned by any who possess cifically, they are
“learned”: These arts are not so vitae in their veins. The empha
instinctive as, for example, reg sis here is on the word
such as the arrest of cell decay. enerating lost limbs, nor are the
Science itself is still at a loss to y autonomic processes
work — it would take long cen define precisely the methods in
turies of study (uninterrupted which these talents
by the wars we nightly fight am
ong ourselves, of course)

given time,
e of ach iev ing ma ste ry of the arts of his clan or,
of each. But every Cainite
is cap abl and Toreador
to learn the exact nature ing of tha t art by wh ich such clans as the Brujah
I myself have learned som
eth d my ability.
even more foreign talents. re dif ficu lt at first, bu t the skill did not lie beyon
we
study and concentration each ghoul has an almost
evoke emotional auras; the se po we rs are concerned — though
a disadvantag e wh ere the instinct apparently stems
Ghouls are rather more at us for sup erhuman strength. (This
lf-physical, half-t ele kin eti c foc docrine system; the proof
instinctive grasp of the ha is ine xtr ica bly tied to a functional en m
n of the still-livin g bra in. It as I will gladly affirm fro
from a chemical stimulatio est thi s ins tin cti ve str ength upon the Embrace, psy ch oso ma tic
Cainites manif es of
lies in the fact that not all ced to discard any theori
is po we r ma nif est s in animals as well, so I am for or flig ht” adr en aline response, that
personal experience. Th pri mi tiv e in na tur e, suc h as the “fight
gical trigger is so
cause, unless the psycholo
animals.) ing capacity with
it exists even in invert ebr ate
ind ivi du al ma y more than double his lift
ough, and the newly gh ou led quickening and so
Strength comes easily en the ob vio us exc eptions of rapid healing,
y arcana beyond this lev el (w ith neonate (a rather
no training. However, an e, I beg an sim ult aneously training a local
for a ghoul to master. In
on e cas though the neonate
on) are intensely difficult the rud im en ts of clo aki ng oneself in shadow. Al
my ghoul assistant in half the time it took her.
dull-witted Gangrel) and age , he lea rned the trick in roughly forth —
was intellectually quite inf
eri or to Dr . Re
— the enh anc em ent of speed, endurance and so
arc ana has learned
more facility for physical My assistant, for example,
It seems that ghouls have r abi liti es are no t out of rea ch.
arts. She has
talents. However, the subtle and other, more complex
than for more specialized ics of ste alt h, hyp no tism
ny or walking
endurance, but also the bas re complex than aura scruti
not only great strength and ble of lea rni ng any thi ng mo
y attain — my
aptitude, but seems incapa on the powers a ghoul ma
demonstrated an adequate od has a dir ect infl uen ce
luckless ser-
potency of the domitor’s blo uls vampiric arts, but the
unseen. I believe that the ly bel iev ed in tea chi ng his gho
ine’s vigor!
not mention again) similar did not carry enough of Ca
late childe (whom I shall ike bas ics . Ce rta inl y, his vit ae
ther than the most childl uires blood from an ap-
vants could progress no fur rn cer tai n cla n-specific abilities, she req n
n that for a gh ou l to lea three ghouls (each chose
Finally, it is my contentio 19 -2, wh ere in I bad e a Gangrel lackey instruct rel ’s ow n vit ae;
s on Case Study Gang
propriate donor. I base thi oul was battened on the
nta l acu ity ) in the art of form-shifting. One gh vit ae. (I sho uld here note that I had
for similar levels of me thi rd dra nk of my own
that of a Toreado r ne on ate ; the ically slow, the Gangrel’s
another was nourished on ugh the per iod of instruction was typ
skill in this Protea n art .) Al tho in approximately 175%
at the time learned some on my ow n vitae learned the same
nightvision first. Th e gh ou l fed es are strong indeed!
ghoul learned the art of ver ma na ged to pic k up the art at all. Our bloodlin
dor-fed ghoul ne
of the time, and the Torea
n of the Ferlevitsh
Preservatilatoe the ae-borne age nt wh ich pre ven ts cell decay; perhaps I never
will. Caine’s
pic arrest is
enzyme or oth
I have yet to iso that the process of entro
t it is my theory
nsc en ds sci en ce as we know it, even today. Bu se div ision and decay. The energ
y necessary
very nature tra ogr am s” cel ls to cea
the metabolic
beings, where the vitae “pr the Blood. Apparently,
electrochemical in living qu an tifi abl e ele me nt in
override
ed by an innate, as yet un te. The conscious mind can
to maintain this is provid ent, bu t en erg y to fue l thi s sta
if the Blood
ae produce not nourishm heal a wound. However,
processes that work on vit cells to rep rod uce in ord er to
ce, commanding muscle ains tissue integrity.
this process — for instan atu ral effect, by default it maint
alized to pro du ce a sup ern ay indefinitely. In fact,
is not consciously cannib h, sta ves off the process of cell dec
ly diffused thr ou gh ou r fles us of agelessness. (A pos-
The Blood, once proper for yea rs — only Final Death robs
even when we ha ve no t dru nk e peculiar condition of the
our bodies do not decay ow n as Sa medi — apparently som of
that grotesque blo od lin e kn holds them at said state
sible exception would be int o the ir wr etc he d, ha lf-rotten state, but then en I ob ser ved
elerates decay spe cim
Embrace or their Blood acc nature; the single Samedi
ite ly. I bel iev e thi s def ormity to be cosmetic in a gru eso me ly per verse personality.)
decomposition indefin or me nta l prowess, short of
t deterioratio n of ph ysi cal ive effects are less
demonstrated no significan wo rki ng cir cul atory system, its preservat
red to living cel ls via a an them, and aging
However, if vitae is delive y ret ain the Blood in their veins; we
t age biologically so lon g as the ical age befitting
permanent. Ghouls do no an ex- gh ou l rap idly advances to the biolog
. Just as with a dead vam pir e, served an individual
resumes within the month gru eso me ly fat al when the Blood has pre
is can be traumatic an d oft en t begin aging in the
her chronological age. Th l’s bo dy (or a vampire’s corpse) does no
n. I am still unsure wh y a gh ou ely possibility is that
beyond her natural life spa ver sity ma y ste m fro m Caine’s curse; another lik
int of weaning. The per
usual fashion from the po last drops of vitae.
ic rea cti on tak es pla ce upon the purgation of the
an allerg

vitae is flushed from the
that a chem ical- or even energy-based carrier agent present in
A final theo ry sugg ests this duration is almost exactly
se of a mon th or so. (Again, experiments suggest that
system fully only over the cour detached from a living ghoul
e, the imp licat ions of which are quite interesting.) Tissue
equal to an actu al luna r cycl subject, putrefaction is indeed
tely ; whe n com pare d with tissue removed from a human
does not begin deca y imm edia ; at sizes of an ounce or so, the
renc e is min ima l, and hing es on the size of the severed portion of flesh
delayed. The diffe
ernaturally close observation.
difference can be noted only with pret y a ghoul of great
ben efice nce and puis sanc e hav e afforded me the opportunity to stud
On a related note, your er unlettered ac-
ated riva l’s batc h was an “hei rloom” of sorts. According to her rath
age — yes, one among your defe her psychological
Suc h prol ong ed exis tenc e had worked a number of curious effects on
count, she was 800 years old. ority of the Blood
ieve d para noia ; wha t’s mor e, she seemed to have overcome the maj
makeup, including rather aggr ous death that wean-
slav ishly subm issiv e to her dead domitor, fearing the sudden and hide
Bond’s power, but remaine d vitae. She seemed
t. Phy sica lly, her dige stive syste m had adapted quite nicely to ingesting
ing would undoubtedly gran a younger ghoul.
a mor e econ omi cal form , gran ting her a capacity for vitae 140% that of
able to process the Blood into
r bodily processes. Ghouls still manu-
ulho od, how ever, does not affect the glands or othe
The “imm orta lity” of gho menstruate unless impregnated (see
stive acid and the usual fluids. Females continue to
facture saliv a, phle gm, dige t, it is as if a ghoul relives the same day
thei r hair and fing ernails grow at the usual rate. In effec no
below for spec ifics ), and odoriferous, he becomes hungry, but
and over agai n: His bear d may grow , his body may become unpleasantly give n vita e and noth ing
over s. A ghoul who is
s place while the Blood runs in his vein
deterioration of the body or mind take som e supe rnat ural efficacy as his system metabolizes
feed upo n beco mes mal nou rish ed and weak, and may lose
else to
esses.
the Blood to run the most basic life proc
Pathology mortals. Vitae conveys no innate

to the rava ges of time , ghouls may take sick as do any other
Despite thei r imm unit y as HIV, transmitted by a careless
ul may well be stricken by a blood-borne ailment such
immunity to dise ase, and a gho sary attrition of one’s household!
hum bly advi se caut ion in feed ing, my lord, if only to prevent unneces
domitor. I wou ld heal themselves of the
defe nsel ess agai nst path olog ical threats. They may use the Blood to
Of course, ghouls are not , diseases that cause
ents , muc h as they mig ht heal lacerations or contusions. However
physical symptoms of man y ailm be undone by a judicious
prov e mor e diffi cult to resis t. For example, most cancers cannot
prolonged deterioration may g effectively benign. If the
is halt ed in its prog ressi on while its host is ghouled, becomin
use of vitae. Happily, a canc er ctable) rate as that of
ever , the canc er resu mes grow th at the same (often frustratingly unpredi
subject is weaned, how
e fatal.
renewed aging. Again, this may prov ensuring that one’s ghoul retains no bloo
d
Hemophilia and other inhe rited blood diseases are easily countered by es use of vita e ofte n, and can
ing if she mak
Of course, this requires constant feed
of her own in her circulatory system. part icul ar serv ant is worth the inconvenience.
bles ome . Each dom itor mus t judg e whether or not a
be trou
Bodily Requirements on more basic requirements, such

rally con ting ent not only on a diet of vitae, but also
Thi s “imm orta lity” is natu itself sufficient to fuel a living being!
d may sust ain our forms indefinitely, but it is not in
as food and drin k. The Bloo subject certainly seems distasteful to
muc h on the base needs of the human body; the
I’m cert ain I need not dwe ll over ands of biology, should take pains
ghti est Ven true, glad to be free of the onerous dem
many Kin dred . But even the hau e to us Cainites, naturally, and most
muc h from the human experience. Food matters littl
not to dista nce hers elf over they must. However, I recommend
gho uls to the business of feeding themselves however
vampire s pref er to leav e thei r , and a healthy body can make more
of one ’s serv ants — after all, nutrition is nutrition
taking an inte rest in the diet make a surprising assassin, but if the
Bloo d. A frail chil d with supe rnat urally enhanced physical prowess can
use of the vastly increased.
a nou rish ing diet and appropriate exercise, her potential is
same chil d is give n sexual desire (perhaps
uls of sexu al adul thoo d (and particularly adolescents) do indeed feel
On a similar note , gho t be considered by the wise
nnin g a diet of vita e). I feel this requirement should at leas
even more so than befo re begi k, so that they might ap-
ided gho uls with the occa sional incubus or succubus, so to spea
domitor. I myself hav e prov more satisfied the servant. Of
The clos er the part ner matches the ghoul’s fantasies, the
propriately slak e thei r lusts . se, there to serve the domi-
cate ring to a reta iner ’s every desire — the ghoul is, of cour
course, I by no mea ns advo cate the occasional carrot added
A spoi led gho ul is a useless ghoul, and best destroyed. But
tor’s wishes, and not vice vers a! nd even the Blood Bond.
iplin e obta ins mos t grat ifyin g resu lts, and reinforces a ghoul’s loyalty beyo
to a tradition of disc

Healing entl y at a loss to explain thoroughly the healing proc
esses the Blood makes possible. The
Scie nce, I beli eve, is curr — it fuels our activities, it preserves
quo te, “Th e bloo d is the life, ” seem s to sum it up best. Vitae is distilled life
biblical esses of healing.
and it even simulates the biological proc
our bodies in the semblance of health, at first identical to ours,
n is not nece ssary . The regenerative capabilities a ghoul seem
of
With the gho ul, simu latio rally repair all but the
. Rem emb er that a gho ul is still mortal, and as such, his body will natu
but such is not the case
most grievous wounds in time. in fact quickening his own healing proc
ess, much as he
vita e to heal an inju ry, he is
When a ghoul metabol izes usual, only at a
gth. The fam iliar proc esse s of clotting and cell repair take place as
might enhance his speed or stren edures, but much
e unli ke our own rege nera tive capa bilities, which imitate life’s healing proc
remarkable rate. This is quit unfortunate injury, only to discover that
question: You have never healed an
more loosely. As evidence, I proffer this y, hav e you? Of course not. Our dead flesh merely
regrows, reverts
nd and then fell awa
scab tissue formed on the wou
of the Embrace.
to the familiar shape it held at the time speed at which it takes place, with one
e in a gho ul’s improved healing process is the
The only mar ked diffe renc te lost organs or limbs. (Naturally,
supp ly of vita e and time, a ghoul may actually regenera
exceptio n. Giv en an adeq uate ger ghouls often prove incapable of
ires deli bera te concentration. Weaker-willed or youn
this is not auto mat ic, and requ ure; consider the amputated starfish,
this imp rove ment is not without precedent in Nat
such rege nera tion .) But even own flesh (which is at a much more
arka ble that vitae allows a ghoul to regenerate her
if you will . It is, of cour se, rem ’s), but this only further attests to
stru ctur e and biol ogical complexity than any invertebrate e
highly evol ved leve l of cell may all wax most poetic. I shall leav
mira culo us prop ertie s of the Bloo d, a subject upon which I’m sure we
the truly d.
ever, and return to the subject at han
such elaboration to the Toreador, how
Quickening izing vita e to augm ent one ’s phy sica l capabilities is rather instinctively fam
iliar. The nature
The process of metabol from
gy; to wit, the ability to draw energy
ke the metabolization of caloric ener
of this quickening is not entirely unli stion . We are able to comman d this extr a surg e of stren gth or
be ascr ibed to simp le dige
food. However, this cannot e, the atrophy of
ic func tion occu rrin g som e time after the intake of blood. What’s mor
speed at will, not as an auto mat
, of course.
s out that possibility — for us Kindred
our unused digestive systems quite rule ar to be mea surable by scientific instruments. Al-
ided by said quickening does not appe
The floo d of ener gy prov and reaction speed), the process
ble (see atta ched notes on progression of lifting capacity
though the resu lts are quan tifia by Caine’s legacy. Though loath to do
prov ed perc epti ble only through the enhanced senses granted
itself has thus far the origin of said power.
ntis t in me mus t give way to the vampire and cite the supernatural as
so, the scie
Blood Within the Veins

We vampires, of course, do not store our
blood within our circulatory systems;
there is little need for that. Our dead
their circulatory affairs in the usual way
.
abso rbs bloo d into itsel f of its own accord. But the living must conduct all, it satu rate s
tissu e ory system. Plasma and
quickly (like alcohol) into the circulat
Once vitae is ingested, it passes very the vein s, back to the heart, and from there
stive trac t and quickly finds its way into
the interior wall s of the dige ot feed a ghoul overmuch
ly, the hum an circ ulat ory system has a finite capacity; one cann
throughout the bod y. Nat ural vitae/blood ratio. If fed nightly
e of his own bloo d. Regular feeding, however, increases the
vitae without first letti ng som vitae that nothing remains of
ntia lly usef ul), a ghoul will eventually assimilate enough
(a cumbersome burd en, but pote ly metabolize the vitae (while
d; how ever , if such regu lar sust enan ce stops, then the body will eventual
the human bloo aging process.
ls at a steady whole) to stave off the
manufacturing more blood to keep leve vitae all the faster,
d to quic ken one ’s prow ess or to fuel one’s arcane abilities consumes
Naturally, using the Bloo gasping for breath like
bod y may repl ace it. Ove rexu berant ghouls often find themselves
even more quickly than the loss are familiar to any
why thei r stren gth has faile d them. The symptoms of rapid blood
beached salmon, wonderi ng last-ditch struggling to
one train mor e valu able gho uls to conserve their abilities, and leave the
Cainite; I recommend
more disposable servants.

month’s time.
ae in its sys tem wit h actual blood in about a
human body replaces the
vit some Philistines
I have observed that the ctl y the sam e tim e as a lunar cycle. While
d metabolism takes almost
exa something
In fact, it appears that sai n pro ces s, I thi nk thi s timing may in fact reflect
jokes apropos the menstrua
tio our own salty
may scoff and make crude edl y or no , wit h the mo on. The possibility that
re has been linked, deserv m all that far-fetched.
deeper. Much of supernatu e’s silvery face does not see
ise reg ula ted by He cat
tides are likew
Animal Ghootheuphlsysiognomy of animal ghouls has been less extensivinte.ainMys deg rees do not lie in the field
that human ghouls are far mo
of
re
My research int among Kindred ma
ine , an d reg ard less, the majority opinion the interim since your gra
nt.
veterina ry me dic
du cte d som e per fun cto ry zoological research in en trip lin g a songbird’s
useful. However, I have con als bel ow a cer tai n body weight. Ev
ouling is ineffective in an im r of weeks.
First, I must note that gh r, the an im al me tab olizes the Blood in a matte
practical application, an
d fur the te, I have dis-
strength affords very little kil ogr am s or gre ate r in weight. (As a side no
ly from ghouling a creatu
re fiv e jects. Nosferatu
True efficiency comes on am on g som e an im als, perhaps 5% of test sub
ouling effects an increase
in size mass over the
covered that repeated gh civ e to thi s inc rea se; a sample rat tripled its body
du
vitae seem to be most con
and [I am told] Tzimisce ing to research further.) se
period of about a year. Th
is is ass ure dly som eth cacy. They gain the increa
ma tes , are rat he r lim ite d in their supernatural effi rn to he al the ir
higher pri indeed lea
Ghouled animals, even the o un der go the req uis ite halt in aging. They may lize tha t suc h a
ghouls, and als domitor must come before
they rea
in strength common to all e ins tru cti on fro m the x tha n qu ick en ing
t apparently som l beast in arts more comple
wounds more rapidly, bu ssib le, ho wever, to instruct a ghou ber bu llet wounds, but
is fra nk ly im po du re hig h-c ali
thing is possible. It el wit h its jaws, or en
ae-fattened do g ma y ren d ste ue tric of the Blood.
k
its physical abilities. A vit you can con ver se with it via a Gangrelesq
more is futile , eve n if pires are an evo-
asking it to learn anything ion , an d pre sen t it as evidence that we vam
s to the nature of evo lut most likely owing
Personally, I attribute thi ate st gif ts of Ca ine are available only to us,
still-biological kine. Th e gre es not possess the
lutionary step above the ou l, eve n gra nte d the gift of the Blood, do
thought and perceptio n. A gh Lesser animals are
to our advanced states of r the po we rs ava ila ble to the weakest neonate.
histication to maste
mental, even spiritual, sop ights of mental
even more handicapped. ts pre sen ted he re an d further investigate the he
d to expand on the though I am happy to
In the future, I fully inten my the ori es of evo lut ion beyond the biological.
ilable to us, the better to exp
lor e invaluable.
acuity and perception ava s en dea vo r, an d I am cer tain that his insights will be
thi
to be of some assistance in
say that my sire has agreed
the
Blood of the Clan horrid disfigurements of
, of the ch ara cte rist ics shared by a clan? Of the tha t the se ma y be
may ask , I believ e
But what, I understand you tes of the Ve ntr ue? From what I have observed ate .
the rarefie d tas on str
Nosferatu and Samedi, or t that a Cainite might dem
l by reg ula r fee din g, alt hough never to the exten the ir vit ae. (Otherwise we would
passed to a ghou ual ly pas sed along with
each distinct cla n are no t cas t only his innate ten-
Obviously, the “flaws” of ina te cla n; a Brujah would display no
Cainite “lovers” of ind isc rim pair’s aptitudes for
have any number of paired rea do r com pan ion, to say nothing of the
ipsistic hedonism of his To of Caitiff — ah, but I beg
dency for rage, but the sol soo n dec ay into a seething cauldron .
h clan! Our soc iet y wo uld ge than the undead frame
the skills and arcana of eac rta l for m is som ew ha t more susceptible to chan are “lo cke d,” if
sion.) But the mo in the Embrace, our forms
your pardon for my digres irst yle an d fingernail-length we wore int o eve ry cell of our
y to the ha ha s see ped
Even as we revert nightl ns. Th e blood of our sires
o the characterist ics of ou r cla great disadv tage to the
an
you will, more tightly int rel an d so on. (Certainly this is a
lly Ventrue, Ma lka via n, Ga ng sires never attained!)
beings, and so we are eterna ive for the per fec tio n that their Antediluvian
imisce, who canno t str Cainite a steady
dreadful Lasombra and Tz l no t be so eas ily shackled. Feed a healthy
bility of living tiss ue wil as ever. Place a
But the remarkable adapta cal na use a) she wil l remain as fresh and fair
d (apart from a possible ph ysi ieve the same
diet of Nosferatu vitae, an wil l beg in to wo rse n. A ghoul may never ach
and eventually his comple
xio n but he may well
mortal on the same diet, sor ry luc k of the Sa me di if this were otherwise!),
his domitor (imagine the
physiological extremes as icted
cteristics of his “clan.” resistance to the vitae-infl
evince recognizable chara ays the cas e. So me mortals display a certain nit y to spe cific
gh, no t alw evinces such im mu
This is, interestingly enou that per ha ps on e gh ou l in sev en
humans
extended studies suggest sume that such resistant
“flaws” of many clans. My do no t ho ld me to thi s conjectural figure. I pre
but please
bloodline characteristics,

are more desirable as ghouls, and therefore more
likely to be kept on indefinitely. My studies sugge
primarily genetic in nature, and a recessive trait, st that this immunity is
I believe. However, it also seems possible, given
istics of clan vitae, that this immunity migh the variable character-
t be an acquired trait for some ghouls. The speci
I believe a prolonged study over some generatio fics elude me for the nonce.
ns of ghouls may be the only way to answer
Suffice to say that this immunity exists, and this question with certainty.
I encourage you to make what use of this infor
permits further clarification. mation you can, until time
Overdosing
While we are discussing diet-related quirks
of ghoul biology, I feel it necessary to provide
feeding. Yes, ghouls can drink too much vitae a word or three on over-
. This is logically an uncommon phenomenon
do not possess a surplus of vitae such that — the majority of Cainites
their ghouls are given opportunity to drink
Among those who possess the means, the inten to their gluttonous content.
t is rarely present. (Again, what use is there
If a ghoul happens to overdose — that is, to of spoiling one’s retainers?)
inject until his veins are thoroughly filled with
his belly to capacity — some peculiarities resul vitae and then to fill
t. First, the capacity for frenzy is heightened
now possesses a Beast akin to our own. Seco even further, as if the ghoul
nd, the oversaturation of vitae affects fluid
sweat, saliva, mucus, semen and other secre generation; the ghoul’s tears,
tions become permeated with vitae, displayin
of the Blood. Third, if the vitae is largely that g a reddish tint and faint odor
of a single clan, the ghoul will adopt in full
bloodline bears. Finally, his blood becomes any disfigurements that the
very oxygenated, which affects brain functions
tion speed becomes slightly heightened, allow . The benefit is that his reac-
ing for superior results in dangerous situations
ghoul also becomes subject to hallucinations . However, the overdosing
, and may prove dangerously erratic. In some
that overdosing causes a condition similar ghouls, I have also noticed
to caisson disease (or, less formally, the bend
and nitrogen in the Blood cause intense pain s). The transitions of oxygen
and paralysis in these wretches; those who lack
stamina) to immediately metabolize enough the presence of mind (or
vitae to undo the overdose may even die.
Withdrawal
An equally interesting phenomenon, of cour
se, is that of withdrawal: the state induced
holding of vitae. It is this state, the subject by the deliberate with-
of much lurid rumor but little concrete anal
that recalcitrant or inefficient ghouls are best ysis, that leads me to conclude
off simply destroyed, and that the majority
rewarded and punished by means other than of one’s servitors should be
the Blood.
The Blood is not, to the best of my understan
ding, physically addictive in the manner of
The psychological ramifications of withdraw nicotine and heroin.
al, however, can be deleterious, for the ghou
ity. Lacking the substance that has become l and for others in the vicin-
the crux of his existence, the erstwhile ghou
desperately cunning as a “dope fiend” denied l becomes as pathologically,
his fix; he will wheedle, demand and in some
his domitor or other known vampires. Such cases try to force vitae from
pathetic spectacles are, of course, generally
will nonetheless realize the expediency of takin laugh able, but the wise domitor
g precautions against a retainer spurned.
It is the extreme cases of withdrawal psychosis
that provoke such bemusement on the part
might well have led to the negative connotati of Kindred, and which
ons surrounding the word “ghoul.” The with
emptiness, a need, and denied the “legitima drawn mortal, sensing an
te” means of satisfying his craving, often subli
a lust for substances garnered in similar pred mates the lust for vitae into
atory fashion. Remembering the increased
Blood-permeated brain, the ghoul embarks carnal appetites stoked in his
on a wild and somewhat totemistic spree, desp
his emptiness on the bodies of his fellow mort erately attempting to “glut”
als. This phenomenon is, of course, reminisce
societies whose members ate their foes in orde nt of certain primitive tribal
r to siphon their courage or power. Fortunate
course, American society has grown inured, ly for our Masquerade, of
indeed somewhat blasé, to cases of “canniba
l rape fiends” and the like.
Ghoul Reproduction
As I mentioned before, the reproductive capa
bilities of the average ghoul are in no way stunt
vitae. In fact, evidence suggests that the stimu ed by a steady diet of
lation of blood flow during coitus enhances
always in a manner that the participants find suita the expe rience, although not
bly pleasurable (see Case Studies 33-1, 33-2, 33-3
However, orgasmic pleasure is hardly the most , 33-4 , 33-5, 33-6, 33-7).
relevant subject to a Cainite master. Of far more
of conception: specifically, the details of pregn interest are the particulars
ancy and childbearing. (Although male ghou
to make adequate stud animals, the vitae in ls are certainly virile enough
their veins does far less to influence the char
acteristics of their offspring.)

If a ghoul with regular access
to vitae is impregnated, her
terestingly, the positive infl child will almost certainly
uences of Kindred vitae are be ghouled as well. In-
the child takes place almost passed through the placental
immediately after the fertiliz tra nsf er, so the ghouling of
as I’ve mentioned before, the ed egg attaches to the wall
retardation of the aging pro and beg ins to develop. Now,
replication and decay. Yes, cess centers on the Blood, ham
this effect holds true for fetu pering the process of cell
supply of vitae, the embryo s as well as mother — so lon
cannot replicate its cells, can g as the mother is fed a steady
her diet of vitae, she cannot not grow, cannot age. Unless
bring the child to term. the mother is removed from
Naturally, this poses someth
ing of a problem when one
hope to use one’s oldest gho intends to breed one’s ghouls
ul servants as brood mares, esp . Certainly, one cannot
This complication leads ma eci ally when they have outlasted the
ny a vampire to prefer male ir natural life spans.
impediment to their regular ghouls exclusively, as they
duties. (If the ghoul is part of can be bred regularly withou
all the better. One’s pet bre a human culture that encour t
eding programs can be sociall ages having many children,
ing the Masquerade and pro y vie we d as the model of family vir
viding a delicious sense of iro tue — both maintain-
Ghouling a gravid female can ny.)
have other difficulties. The
affinity for superhuman stre fetus, for one, may well dev
ngth, often with gruesome res elop the typical ghoul’s
with supernatural endurance ults. The approach of ghoulin
during labor is another cha g the mother to imbue her
with gaining Potence, and dur ncy proposition. The mothe
ing the stress of labor she mig r’s affinities would lie first
and miscarry. ht well lose control of her new
ly supernatural strength
One option some domitors
exercise is that of reghoulin
labor shortly afterward. I con g a retainer during the eighth
sider this course risky as we month, then inducing
of relearning the ways of For ll; it often hinges on how qui
titude (as well as her self-co ckl y the mother is capable
give birth in the usual mann ntrol). I personally recomme
er, ghouling her before del nd allowing the mother to
miscarriage is a trivial thing; ivery only if labor proves int
better to save the cow and ensely difficult. The risk of
spill the milk than vice versa.
The Revenants
Naturally, no discussion of
ghoul reproduction would be
ribly misnamed revenants — complete without turning to
the ghoul families of the Sab the subject of the hor-
exemplify every inch the con bat. Certainly these cannibalis
notative meaning of “ghoul tic, necrophiliac wretches
physiological. Hence, I sha ,” but the observation is a psy
ll keep my opinions to myself chological one, rather than
behind the term “revenant” and proceed, pausing only
(the original meaning, “one to wonder at the reasoning
living being). However, for who returns,” seems to apply
the sake of continuity, I sha more to a Cainite than to a
From what I have learned to ll refer to these hell-kites as
date, at least three ghoul fam “revenants” hereafter.
of two, the Bratovitches and ilies serve the Sabbat. I have
Zantosas; the identity of the discovered the surnames
and often manifest the gen third eludes me. Many of the
etic deformities one would se ghouls are quite inbred,
centuries ago, the revenants expect. The result of an int
have lived so long with vit ensive breeding program beg
of manufacturing the Blood ae in their veins that they un
themselves, although it is cer have actually become capabl
tain ly of lesser potency. e
(Upon sampling blood from
several revenants of variou
Toreador vitae with which s breeds and ages, and com
you have thoughtfully provid paring the taste to the
inferior. If, metaphorically ed me, I can honestly say tha
speaking, vampiric vitae is t the revenant blood is far
akin to wine of varying qua nectar, and human blood me
lity. It cannot compare to vam re ale, then revenant blood
However, the blood of more piric blood, but has a definit is
inbred revenants tends to be e strength and character.
ping from those whose parent identifiable by a tannic afte
s were too closely related.) rtaste. Certainly, avoid sup-
Although revenants are stil
l reliant on ingested vitae to
fice to grant them many adv halt their aging processes, the
antages. Their Blood is suffici ir natural reserves suf-
usual. They may learn and use ently powerful to accelerate
the arts of the Blood with gre their healing processes, as
arcane mastery comparable at facility, and the subject I
to that of a fledgling Cainite. examined showed a level of
this practice may weaken the They may also use their Blo
m if they metabolize too mu od to fuel these arts, although
retarded, and I believe that ch of their own vitae. Their
a revenant, even without ing agi ng processes have been
of a normal person. esting Cainite vitae, ages at
roughly one-quarter the rat
e
I can anticipate your next que
stion. If their breeding years
Zantosa whelps? Simply put are so extended, why have we
, the retarded cell growth and not been overrun by
The gestation period I observ decay afforded by their vitae
ed in one Bratovitch mothe similarly affects their young.
It takes a revenant child alm r lasted for three years, rou
ost 50 years to reach pubert ghly one year per trimester.
y, from what I understand.
Obviously, such children are

may change the
a tim e. Pre sum abl y, a fleshcrafting patron
ools for more than a few
yea rs at system bestows
never reared in public sch d (gr aft ing on fles h if ne eded), but the endocrine
oo
metic appearance of adulth
outward form to give a cos re
e. e that my assistant is mo
true maturity at its own pac g ch ild ho od are equ all y fascinating, but I believ
s of such a lon
The psychological effect
h a con undrum.
qualified to explore suc
Ghouling yth e Prodigieousling magi, Lupines, or other supernatural creatures? I regssretintorecinfenorm

t
you
yea rs.
ask, what comes of gh
Finally, you ma I have made some progre te. However,
die s in thi s fiel d are still far from comple e subterfuge to experime
nt
that, at this tim e, my stu
e pri son ers ali ve, I wa s forced to resort to extrem an d suf fus ed wit h
taking Lupin d to oneself,
Owing to the difficulty of e of ha vin g on e of the se killing machines Boun vit ae, vo mi tin g im -
s. The advantag ergic to
with ghouling the wolve so eas y as tha t. Lu pin es seem to be violently all ps thi s all erg y is a
s, it is not to be ha
Potence besides — but ala the Lupines I observed; per
ion of the Blo od . At lea st such was the case with mo re, the ina cce ssibility of tractable
mediately upon ingest we rew olv es of dif fer en t ancestry. Once
t be present in
genetic trait and would no mentation.
ts, eve n to Ca ini tes of my resources, limits experi e than I have available.
Instead, I invested my
sub jec e mo re tim
y genetic studies wo uld req uir es.” The magicworker
Of course, continuing an ilit y of gh ouling one of the “wise on
allel endeavors, includ ing the po ssib l) responded much as
research time in other par ing of an epi curean, Dionysian schoo
a local Toreador, and fro m som eth than mortals, albeit
I observed (an associate of rei nfo rce d my op ini on of magi as nothing more
the Blood. This merel y
any other mortal would to to catch mist in
ane knowledge. e, much like attempting
ones possessed of some arc g a gh ost to be lau gh abl
for a short time,
d the concept of ghoulin s may take physical form
I had originally considere vin ce me tha t som e gh ost
es not possess the
di ancilla was able to con n a materialized spirit do
cheesecloth. But a Same to say , ho we ver , tha t eve
ng the digestive
nk as others do. Suffice it , and accurately reproduci
and might well eat and dri y mi mi c the fles h on ly so far
l realm, my pet
An ectoplasmic form ma tirely outside the biologica
biology of a living being. le. Gh ost s, it see ms , lie en
inefficient, if not impossib
system would seem to be
ll leave it at tha t. aid that with no real access
area of interest, and I sha lac key s of the Sa bbat Infernalists? I am afr
? Or the dem on ic confess ignorance.
And of the fae, you may ask suf fici en t pro of of the ir existence, I must simply
of such, or even
to identifiable specimens
instances, please inform
Postscript din gs. If you req uir e mo re specific examples and
my assistant, Dr. Nancy
sion of my fin a document composed by
Such is the abbreviated ver rtio ns of
m. I have hereafte r en clo sed po te in no small way), and
me and I shall provide the cti ve is qu ite refreshing (and accura r
ology of the ghou l. He r per spe rate, educated ghoul. He
Reage, detailing the psych ali fied to dis cus s gh ou l psychology than the lite
t none is more qu informative.
I believe you will find tha ke her work all the more
ity , I bel iev e, ma efficient results from
occasional lapses from ob
jec tiv
wil l he nc efo rth be able to elicit more
on is useful to you, an d tha t you s subject further
I hope that this informati me the res ou rce s an d opportunity to explore thi
, I thank you for granting
your own retainers. Again
r kind.
for the convenience of ou
d respectfully yours,
I remain most humbly an
Dr. Douglas Netchurch

Childe of Trimeggian
Childe of Addemar
Childe of Lamdiel
Childe of Malkav

An Excerpt from “Current Perspectives
on the Psychology of the Ghoul ”
by Nancy O. Reage, Ph. D. prior consent from the person involved. When a
…Psychological characteristics of individual human becomes a ghoul, he experiences a reac-
ghouls are largely determined by two discrete tion similar in some respects to an abbreviated
factors: the original personality of the ghoul prior version of puberty. Physiologically, the ghoul must
to the transformation, and the psychological traits cope with profound stresses related to a sudden
possessed by the ghoul’s domitor (“master”) when chemical imbalance, as the vampiric vitae bathes
the blood is initially transfused into the ghoul’s the endocrine system, spinal column and brain.
veins. These factors are further complicated by While all this takes place, the human must
new ghouls’ reactions to their “heredity” and contend with a purely psychological dilemma: His
“environment.” The heredity to which I refer is betrayer (the monster who tricked him into ser-
the blood that the ghoul inherits from the initial vitude) becomes his savior (the provider of “the
domitor, while the environment comprises the elixir of life”). A devil’s bargain of sorts has taken
social and emotional situations in which the ghoul place: great powers provided with little or no consent.
finds herself immediately after the transformation This mixed reaction to the transformation, coupled
takes place. with the aforementioned endocrinal stresses, often
The transformation into ghoulhood itself leads to dramatic emotional fluctuations similar to
plays an important role in a ghoul’s psychological those displayed in manic-depressives (see Case
makeup. Most vampires ghoul humans without Study 66-2).

Upon receiving a third dosage of blood from gift for which she owes him eternal devotion and
a single vampire, a ghoul demonstrates a tangible love, even if the domitor routinely punishes her
and profound emotional attachment to this vampire in exceedingly harsh corporal fashion (see Case
and sometimes to her domitor’s vampire family, Study 66-4).
or “clan.” (It is always the third dose, regardless Most domitors do not treat their ghouls with
of body weight, emotional makeup, or other fac- such negative reinforcement. They realize that in
tors; a 265-pound bouncer assumes this “Blood order to have a ghoul obey their orders, he must
Bond” no more or less readily than a 50-pound be consistently rewarded, or at least so addicted
child.) Although Blood Bond is characterized by to vampire vitae that he salivates with anticipation
such symptoms as increased heart rate, rapid at the mere hint of being assigned a tedious task.
breathing, sexual arousal and secretion of testos- This is the Pavlovian method of ghoul discipline
terone/estrogen, the catalyst for these symptoms and conditioning to which most domitors subscribe
seems to be a purely psychological trigger. In for general purposes.
other words, the Blood Bond is, strictly speaking, Certain domitors, however, employ sterner
psychosomatic. disciplinary procedures. Some of these vampiric
In persons who experienced difficulties with masters — usually themselves suffering from
compulsions or addictions in their mundane lives, neurological disorders or psychoses (compare
the effects of the Blood Bonding process can
prove emotionally traumatic. Upon receiving the
first and second doses of blood, a ghoul feels Derangements
what can best be classified as an amphetamine- Ghouls are just as prone to Derangements
like hysterical intoxication, caused wholly by the as are vampires — indeed, some are even
chemical interaction of his blood with his vampire more likely to flip, given their subservient
host’s. He displays extreme amounts of energy status and abusive masters. Ghouls can gain
and feels supernally vibrant and robust. However, Derangements in the same ways vampires
due to the dilution of the dosage in the human’s can — and the Storyteller can simply assign a
body, these effects dissipate within two to four Derangement by fiat if, for example, the ghoul
hours after transfusion. suffers particularly severe abuse, is forced to
After receiving the third dosage of blood from betray his loved ones, or kills his own child in
an individual vampire, the ghoul is rendered more or a frenzy.…
less “addicted” to the blood of his domitor; whether Derangements common among ghouls
this addiction is psychosomatic or otherwise is, include Obsession, Manic-depression (Renfield
in practical terms, irrelevant. He will go to great Syndrome), Regression, and Perfection. Ghouls
lengths in order to inject or ingest larger, more also suffer from Derangements unique to their
frequent and more concentrated doses of vampiric kind; these conditions are described below.
vitae. In laboratory testing, ghouled mice gave
up food pellets and water, needing only vampire
blood to sustain themselves. After ingesting three Case Studies 14-2 and 14-5) — use ghouls as
trace dosages of the Kindred blood, the mice also “human pincushions”: sentient beings whom they
gave up sleep and exercised on their wheels for can subject to physical and emotional tortures.
periods as much as 10 times longer than before Notwithstanding the distressing “supernatural”
they were Blood Bound. fixation common in the Kindred community, I have
In Blood Bound humans, the need for Kindred hypothesized that these domitors are most likely
blood becomes so urgent that the ghoul becomes cursed with chemical imbalances. They commit
absolutely obsessed with pleasing her domitor. such acts in order to release an overabundance
Often this dependency on the domitor’s approval of vitae-borne hormones such as testosterone,
and blood evolves into what many ghouls consider which can incite volatile behaviors when reacting
a love relationship, albeit a rather codependent negatively with neurotransmitters such as endor-
and often masochistic one. It is not uncommon phins, dopamine and serotonin. As indicated by
for a ghoul to disregard any flaws her domitor my research, this overabundance of hormones in
may have and “put him on a pedestal.” To the the domitor abusers nearly mirrors the hormonal
Blood Bound ghoul, her domitor can do no wrong; composition ordinarily found in human child abus-
he has gifted her with his transcendent vitae, a ers, serial killers, rapists, etc. In many cases where

a domitor suffers from such a chemical imbalance, transformation into ghoulhood. Aside from painful
it can be passed on to the newly created ghoul menstrual cramps, the victim suffers from bouts
through the transfusion of blood. of severe depression and paranoid delusions during
But Kindred psychosis is a topic for another her period. These episodes usually last from five
time. In any event, this succession of stimuli con- to seven days, depending on the average length
tributes to the rather dichotomous personality of of the ghoul’s menstrual cycle and the amount of
the typical ghoul; one moment she is submissive blood lost during the cycle. If a ghoul has not yet
and slavish, the next she has a violent tantrum and ingested her required monthly dose of vampire
feels a tremendous need for physical release of vitae by the time her menstrual cycle begins, the
some sort. (As most readers are doubtless aware, blood loss that occurs during her menstrual period
a ghoul who displays such outbursts must often has traumatic psychological effects. The ghoul
be locked away until her domitor sedates her or feels that she is about to die, and she becomes
the intensity of the transfused blood dissipates.) It extraordinarily paranoid about not being tended
can take anywhere from a few days to three weeks to by her domitor. During the onset of SDP, the
for the effects of freshly transfused vampire vitae ghoul bursts into hysterics at every perceived
to diminish in intensity. The ghoul often suffers slight, literally deathly afraid that her domitor will
from feelings of abandonment during this period, fail to replenish the dwindling supply of vampire
and when the outbursts subside, she commonly vitae in her bloodstream. There is no known cure
experiences a period of severe depression until she for Severe Dysmenorrheic Psychosis, although Dr.
is given another dosage of blood. Domitors must Netchurch has formulated a serum that alleviates
feed their ghouls blood at least once monthly; at some of the disorder’s symptoms. This drug has
the end of a third week with no proverbial “fix,” not been approved by the Food and Drug Admin-
the ghoul displays suicidal tendencies if he feels istration and is currently available only on the
he is in danger of not being tended to. black market or through the express permission
This manic-depressive cycle in ghouls, known of Dr. Netchurch.
colloquially as Renfield Syndrome, is not really very (As a Derangement: Whenever the appropri-
rare, as even domitors who do not have chemical ate conditions exist, the ghoul loses two points
imbalances seem to enjoy the feelings of power of temporary Willpower; these points return at
they possess when they treat their “bad” ghouls the end of the menstrual cycle.)
harshly. Obviously, Renfield Syndrome will never • Animalistic Hysteria — Animalistic Hysteria —
grace the pages of the DSM-IV; I will, however, the vaunted “frenzy” so often spoken of in Kindred
take the liberty of classifying the disorder as a circles — poses a constant threat to many ghouls,
form of biogenic psychosis (a psychosis associ- even those who seem to retain control of their
ated with known physical conditions). half-vampiric natures. This behavioral disorder can
Dr. Netchurch has informed me that vampires strike a ghoul at any time — often, embarrassingly
among the Camarilla’s rival sect, the Sabbat, have enough, when he is in the company of mortals. It
been known to espouse highly aberrant but unques- is thankfully only a temporary condition in most
tionably advanced theories concerning the study of ghouls, but it becomes much more difficult for the
ghouls. In particular, he makes mention of a Sabbat half-mortal ghoul to interact with humans when
vampire clan, the Tzimisce (zuh-MEE-see, d’ZY- he is in the throes of hysterical rage. The ghoul,
muh-zee), which has refined the study to a science often not realizing that his “Beast” (vampiric
unknown among its Camarilla enemies. Unfortunately, nature) is taking over, feels tremendous shame
hostilities between the sects, as well as the cultural and guilt when he succumbs to Hysteria in front
practices of this Tzimisce clan itself (which are by of humans. After such an episode occurs, he often
all accounts exceedingly antisocial), render the pos- grows fearful of punishment by his domitor, who
sibility of data exchange highly unlikely. may instinctively know that the attack occurred
even if she is not present (see Case Study 15-4,
involving myself and Dr. Netchurch).
Other Disorders Prevalent Animalistic Hysteria is triggered by sensory,
Among Ghouls environmental, physical or emotional stimuli that
the ghoul construes as negative: feelings of inferi-
• Severe Dysmenorrheic Psychosis (SDP) —
ority to his domitor; abandonment by his domitor;
This disorder manifests itself in approximately
his domitor becoming injured; overdose or lack of
30-40% of “healthy” female ghouls who con-
vampire blood; unrequited romantic feelings for his
tinue to have regular menstrual cycles after the

domitor; grave physical endangerment; or being
forced to commit acts in violation of his moral,
cultural, or ethical codes. Really, any stressful
situation may cause the ghoul to enter frenzy; the
triggers vary according to the individual ghoul’s
perceptions and past experiences.
Electroconvulsive therapy — ECT, more
commonly known as “shock treatment” — has
been utilized more effectively in the treatment
of severe frenzy attacks than have various drug
treatments. Because 80% of ghoul study subjects’
hysteria symptoms cease within five hours of the
initial attack, the best treatment may be none
at all. In cases where ghouls experience frenzy
for more than 48 consecutive hours, however,
they may prove unresponsive to anything short
of lobotomy or hypnosis. Drug treatment is often
to be avoided because many of the psychophar-
maceuticals presently available have adverse
effects when introduced into a vitae-permeated
bloodstream. These drugs can, in fact, increase
the intensity of the symptoms evident during
hysterical episodes.
(As a Derangement: All ghouls run the risk of
frenzy, but a ghoul who gains Animalistic Hysteria
as a specific Derangement must check against
difficulties equal to those of vampires. Bratovitch
revenants automatically suffer from similar afflic-
tions and thus may not gain Animalistic Hysteria.)
• Self-defeating Personality Disorder — More
commonly known as masochism, Self-defeating
Personality Disorder appears routinely in ghouls,
particularly those ghouls in vassalage to Cainite
“elders.” The servitors in question seem compul-
sively drawn into situations or relationships that
they know will cause them intense pain (often to
the detriment of their mortal liaisons). They make
numerous sacrifices, often needless ones, in the
names of their domitors. These disturbed ghouls
often have difficulty relating to other ghouls,
mortals or vampires who treat them with respect.
Contrary to common opinion, many ghouls
who display signs of Self-defeating Personality
Disorder do not necessarily enjoy pain and suffer-
ing; most sufferers of this disorder simply fear to
assert themselves to their domitors. Others were
abused or sexually molested as mortals, and do
not know how to be treated any differently. Still
others deny that they are being abused, as they
feel sacrifices must be made in exchange for the
eternal life provided by their domitors. Finally, a
few ghouls rationalize that they are being rightfully
punished for “sinning” against the God in which
they believed during mortal years.

Self-defeating Personality Disorder usually taking any actions that would ease his situation.
goes untreated, as many domitors prefer their Thus, this disorder often goes untreated as long
ghouls to be somewhat submissive. Often this as the dependent ghoul’s clingy behavior is rein-
disorder is accompanied by promiscuity in the forced by his domitor.
ghoul, who may receive sexual gratification from (As a Derangement: The victim must make a
pain, feeling that this is the only form of attention Willpower roll [usually difficulty 6] to refuse an
she gets from her domitor. order or suggestion from his domitor. The ghoul’s
(As a Derangement: The ghoul’s Nature Nature often changes to that of Sycophant.)
changes to that of Masochist or Martyr. Fulfilling
the conditions of the It should be noted
Nature is the only way Pick Your Poison that not all ghouls display
this ghoul can regain (Optional Rules) such erratic behaviors,
Willpower [i.e., he does The following rules for blood intake add nor do all ghouls have
not regain an automatic a highly desirable degree of realism to the personality or behavioral
point per story, etc.].) ghouling process, but add greater complex- disorders. Many ghouls
• Dependent Person- ity and bookkeeping. We recommend these maintain healthy relation-
ality Disorder — As the rules for chronicles in which the players run ships with their domitors,
name of this disorder im- ghoul characters, or in which ghouls play and many domitors show
plies, a ghoul possessing important roles. respect and admiration
it displays tremendous A ghoul has a potential Blood Pool of 10, for the work of their
dependence on others, just like a human or 13th-generation vampire, ghouls. I myself know of
namely the domitor or but this is normally presumed to be filled with a particular female ghoul
any remaining human human blood. A ghoul can’t simply ingest whose life was saved
contacts he may have five Blood Points in a single sitting. A human from mental and physical
after the transformation ghoul may comfortably drink two Blood Points deterioration because of
into ghoulhood takes of vitae (this is the amount that fits in the a humanitarian vampire
place. A ghoul affected digestive tract). This stomach-borne vitae domitor who ghouled
by this personality disor- suffices to empower the ghoul, but only two her before the onset of
der is usually extremely Blood Points may be absorbed through the a genetically inherited
indecisive — if it were stomach lining in this fashion. Further drink- disease.
up to him, his domitor ing does no good unless the ghoul wishes to Human-ghoul,
would tell him what to risk an overdose (see below). vampire-ghoul and ghoul-
wear, what to eat, whom If a ghoul wants to store more blood im- ghoul relationships are
to associate with, when mediately, she must give up some blood from as complex as relation-
to go to sleep and what her circulatory system. Usually the domitor ships among various
to enjoy. Most of this drains the ghoul appropriately (an automatic species of the animal
behavior is brought on feat); independents may need to make a trip kingdom. In order to
by excessive fear of to the Red Cross or do it themselves at home advance our knowl-
abandonment. Fearing (Intelligence + Medicine, difficulty 6). A suc- edge, more study and
disownment, the ghoul cessful roll allows the ghoul to drain her blood experimentation must
instead tolerates con- and replace it with the domitor’s blood in such be conducted. Funds
stant abuse. The more a manner that she loses no Health Levels from and support are greatly
the ghoul tolerates oth- the process; failure indicates that the ghoul needed if the Kindred
ers’ control over him, the loses one to three (Storyteller’s call) Health community wishes to
more he feels helpless Levels from blood loss before the transferal advance its insights into
and stupid, and so he is is effected. the mysterious nature of
further discouraged from the ghoul.

Blood Points beyond their 10, but at the rate of one
Hard-and-Fast Rules per two centuries of life (so an 850-year-old ghoul has
The following alphabetized list gives pertinent game a Blood Pool of 14, 10 of which can be drunk without
mechanics for ghouls’ powers and suggests how to handle bloodletting).
various situations that arise in play. Additionally, the difficulty to effect regeneration de-
creases by one per century.
Aging and Elder Ghouls Animal Ghouls

A ghoul’s immunity to aging is naturally contin- See the Storytelling Chapter, pp. 103-105.
gent on her supply of vitae. If she misses her monthly
feeding, she could be in real trouble. As long as she is Blood
still within her natural life span, she resumes normal Ghouls are much more limited in their use of the
aging. But if she’s lived from 100 to 250 years, then Blood than are vampires. They can burn vitae to en-
she begins aging at 10 times the normal rate — a year hance Physical Attributes (up to a maximum of twice the
becomes a decade, and so on. Ghouls who have lived original Attribute) and heal wounds, just like vampires.
more than 250 years crumble instantly to dust if their Aggravated damage affects ghouls in the same manner it
supply of vitae falters. affects vampires.
On the other hand, elder ghouls gain some benefits Once vitae is spent, it is gone until replaced (the
— in many ways, such prolonged exposure to vitae exceptions being revenants, who manufacture their own
metamorphoses them into something not quite human. quasi-Blood). Without any vitae in their systems, ghouls
Elder ghouls and revenants gain additional “storage heal as do mortals (see the chart on p. 191 of Vampire:
capacity”: For each century of life, an elder revenant The Masquerade). Ghouls may learn the basics of Dis-
gains one extra point in his Blood Pool, while an elder ciplines, but are limited in their mastery of such.
ghoul can comfortably drink one extra Blood Point (i.e., No ghoul can spend more than one Blood Point
a 150-year-old ghoul can hold three Blood Points in the per turn. In addition, ghouls suffer if they lose too much
stomach, a 210-year-old ghoul can hold four, etc.). Elder blood, just as humans do. If a ghoul loses more than five
ghouls who are not revenants may also gain additional Blood Points (whether vitae or his own blood) at any

time, he grows weak — each additional Blood Point lost Ghouls with Willpower scores of 5 and below may have to
is treated as a Health Level of damage, although this is make Self-Control rolls to avoid taking a third drink, and
instantly cured as soon as he gets more blood in his system. even ghouls with high Willpower scores may have to roll if (in
If he loses more than seven, he must make a Stamina + the Storyteller’s opinion) the temptation to drink is strong.
Fortitude roll against a difficulty equaling the number of Unlike vampires, ghouls may actually “wean” them-
Blood Points lost (8 or 9); if he fails this roll, he dies. A selves of a Blood Bond by refusing to accept blood from
ghoul who is completely drained of blood dies, but can the domitor. Kindred folklore claims that a year is required
become a vampire if fed vitae within a minute or so. An to become fully “eman-
Embraced ghoul keeps cipated”; in actuality, the
whatever Disciplines Provocation Difficulty time required depends on
he already knew, but Scent of domitor’s vitae (when hungry) 3 the ghoul. After a “dry”
progresses as a vam- Sight of domitor’s vitae (when hungry) 3 period of (12 months mi-
pire thereafter. Taste of blood 3 nus Willpower), a ghoul
If fed nightly for Threatened verbally by domitor 3 drops one level on the
longer than a month, Use of narcotics or hallucinogens 3 Blood Bond chart (i.e.,
a ghoul will begin to a ghoul who was fully
Beaten by domitor 4
assimilate vitae into Bound is considered to
Domitor endangered 4
her bloodstream. After be two steps toward being
the first month of such Domitor showing favor to another ghoul 4 Bound, etc.). Each such
feeding, assume that Not administered dosage of vitae 4 interval of withdrawal
one Blood Point of hu- Sight, smell or taste of human family member’s blood 4 reduces the Bond by one
man blood transforms Attacked by a Lupine 5 level, until the ghoul is
into vitae per additional Overdose of domitor’s vitae 5 “clean.”
night of continuous Humiliation in front of mortals 5 However, it is by no
feeding. This vitae os- Humiliation in front of domitor 6 means easy to refuse the
motically permeates the Abandonment 6 “stuff”: At the Storytell-
body without the need er’s option, a ghoul may
for draining the ghoul’s have to spend Willpower
human blood. This conversion process continues at the rate points to avoid the enticement of an ex-domitor’s vitae
of one Blood Point per night, until the ghoul holds a full 10 until she is completely free of the Bond. If the ghoul has an
points of vitae. However, a ghoul who wishes to maintain this addiction-prone personality (a Conformist or Child Nature,
state must continue to feed nightly. If she misses more than for example), she may never completely shake the craving.
three nights of feeding, her body begins to reconvert its vitae
to blood at the rate of one Blood Point per three nights. Once Derangements
the reversal has started, the ghoul may halt it by resuming Ghouls are certainly susceptible to Derangements, and
nightly feeding, but it takes a full month of nightly feeding there are Derangements specific to ghouls. Ghouls’ Derange-
for the body to begin the conversion process once more. ments are covered as an addendum to the psychology notes
No matter what, though, the body always retains one earlier in this chapter (pp. 26-28).
Blood Point (the minimum required to power the ghoul).
This last Blood Point is lost only after a full month. Disciplines
Ghouls have much more difficulty learning Disciplines
Blood Bond than Kindred do. The powers passed down from Caine reach
Ghouls are still biological entities, and so the mechan- their full potency only in his childer; they are practically
ics of Blood Bonding them differ from those used to govern alien to the human system.
vampires. For a ghoul, a Blood Bond is not a sudden plunge As a general rule, a ghoul may learn only those Disci-
into love, but a gradual slide into an emotional abyss. plines known by her most recent “donor.” (The exceptions
After the first drink, a ghoul displays strong feelings are the “physical” arts of Potence, Fortitude and Celerity,
toward the donor (no mechanical effects, but the feelings which are instinctive enough to be accessible to any ghoul.)
or battle to suppress them should be roleplayed). Most inde- An independent wishing to learn Obtenebration must spend
pendent ghouls, especially ones dealing with charismatic or some time feasting on Lasombra vitae; similarly, a Malkavian’s
attractive Kindred, prefer to take one drink and move on. vassal is unlikely to pick up Necromancy. However, once
After the second drink, things aren’t so simple; the ghoul she’s learned a Discipline, any form of vitae will allow her
is considered to be under an effect equivalent to a Vinculum to use it; revenants may even use their own vitae to fuel
score of 5 (see The Players Guide to the Sabbat, pg. 47). foreign arts such as Serpentis.

Once a ghoul has learned a Discipline, the knowledge Storyteller’s discretion; a chart showing (adjusted) difficul-
will likely stay with her even if she doesn’t practice for a ties for some more common provocations is provided on the
while (if her vitae supply is cut off, for instance). Once her previous page. (More on frenzy is found in Vampire: The
diet is restored, she may typically use her Disciplines as usual. Masquerade, pp. 195-198.)
Of course, any unused talent will eventually atrophy — after These difficulties take into account ghouls’ three-point
six months without drinking vitae, a ghoul loses a dot in a bonus to avoid frenzy. Ghouls suffering from advanced
Discipline. Each month after that, she loses another dot in a Animalistic Hysteria increase these numbers by three (3
Discipline until all are gone. If the ghoul has any Discipline becomes 6, etc.).
levels above 1, due to drinking vitae from low-generation
vampires, these are lost first. What’s more, if she has multiple Overdosing
Disciplines at the same level, the more unfamiliar ones are Ghouls can intake more vitae than their stomachs
lost first; the instinctive Disciplines of Potence, Fortitude or veins can comfortably handle — but this often causes
and Celerity are retained the longest. No matter what, the dangerous side effects. For each point of Stamina a ghoul
beginning dot in Potence is always the last to go. has, she can “cram” an extra Blood Point into her gullet or
(This rule also applies to ghouls who have a steady supply veins. If a ghoul imbibes more vitae than she can contain,
of vitae, but don’t have access to the vitae of low-generation she must make a Stamina check (difficulty 8). If she suc-
vampires to sustain their more powerful talents. A ghoul ceeds, she may use the excess blood normally. If she fails,
with Fortitude 2 who has been restricted to feeding from though, she suffers a Health Level of damage per Blood Point
11th-generation Cainites will eventually drop to Fortitude 1.) above her maximum. Moreover, the excess blood can’t be
For instance, Raoul’s sixth-generation domitor was used to increase Attributes or heal wounds. It takes a full
slain six months ago, and Raoul hasn’t had a drop since. He scene of nausea and purgation to burn off such “useless”
had gradually mastered Potence 2, Fortitude 1 and Auspex Blood Points; until this takes place, the ghoul cannot use
1 in his domitor’s service, but the glory days are at an end any Blood Points whatsoever.
now. First, Raoul loses a dot of Potence as his highest-rated While a ghoul is overdosed, her chance to frenzy
Discipline. A dry month later, he loses his meager control of becomes equal to that of a vampire’s (though certainly the
Auspex. Two weeks later, Raoul finally gets a drink of vitae. ghoul will not hunger at this point). Reaction time increases
He is now considered to have Potence 1 and Fortitude 1; to (the ghoul temporarily gains a dot in Dexterity), but the
regain his lost Discipline levels, he must learn them anew overdosed ghoul must make a Perception + Self-Control
through long study and experience-point expenditure. He roll each scene or suffer from violent hallucinations (effects
cannot relearn Potence 2 unless he has a steady diet of vitae up to the Storyteller’s discretion). Finally, ghouls who OD
from a vampire of at least seventh generation. on the vitae of one particular clan automatically suffer the
No ghoul may use any Disciplines without at least a full side effects (if any) of that vitae.
Blood Point of vitae in her system. Although she may retain
knowledge of how to utilize the Blood, this does little good Regeneration
for a mere human. Ghouls can regenerate limbs, though not automatically.
To make a regeneration attempt, a ghoul must spend a Will-
Frenzy power point, spend an appropriate number of Blood Points
It is the Storyteller’s duty to decide what situations might (one for a finger or eye, two for a foot or forearm, three for
provoke frenzy in a ghoul character. While any individual an entire limb) and make a Stamina roll (difficulty 8). If
stimulus is relatively unlikely to send a ghoul into frenzy (on the roll fails or is botched, the ghoul may never regrow the
average, ghouls’ frenzy difficulties are three less than vam- limb. Elder ghouls find regeneration easier; for each century
pires’), ghouls experience provocation much more commonly of age, the difficulty of the roll decreases by one.
than vampires do. Ghouls’ human natures battle constantly
with their Beasts, and most are not given instruction in how Revenants, Vitae and Blood Pools
to prevent their vampiric natures from taking over. Therefore, Revenants manufacture their own vitae, though they
in a chronicle involving ghouls, many more frenzy rolls must may drink vampire vitae as well. (If using the optional “Pick
be made than in a chronicle involving only vampires. Your Poison” rules for blood intake, a revenant may hold
In order for a ghoul character to resist frenzy, the ghoul’s only a finite amount of blood in the stomach and must drain
player must make a Self-Control roll, the difficulty of which himself normally to intake more.)
varies. The player must score five successes before frenzy is A revenant begins with a Blood Pool of 10, gaining +1
overcome completely. With each success rolled, frenzy is to the Pool per century of existence. Revenants may spend
prevented from taking effect for one turn. The player may their vitae normally and replenish their vitae supplies at the
not roll more dice than there are points available in her rate of one Blood Point per day. This renewal presupposes that
character’s Blood Pool. Difficulties are determined at the the revenant in question is healthy and properly nourished.

So long as revenants maintain themselves with vampire
vitae, they are as ageless as any other ghouls. Even without
such enhancement, they are exceptionally long-lived;
revenants live to ripe old ages of (150 years + 50 years per
dot of Stamina).
Vitae of the Clans

A few clans’ vitae possesses contagious properties.
Ghouls imbibing/injecting five or more Blood Points from
certain clans must make a Stamina roll (difficulty 5) or
“inherit” a lesser form of the domitor’s weakness; this lasts
until the vitae has been purged (i.e., the ghoul holds fewer
than five Blood Points from one clan).
The clans for which this rule most commonly applies
are: Brujah (a ghoul “pumped” on Brujah blood frenzies
at difficulties equal to those of a non-Brujah vampire);
Malkavian (ghoul gains a mild Derangement); Nosferatu
(Appearance drops by one or two points, but no lower than
1); Ventrue (ghoul gains a marked preference for Ventrue
blood — possibly endangering the domitor); Setite (ghoul

develops painful [-1 to Dice Pools] rashes when in direct
sunlight; furthermore, many Setites have the Addictive
Blood Merit); and any Sabbat (no mandatory effect, but
remember the possibility of contracting disease via the
Vaulderie). At the Storyteller’s discretion, vitae from other
clans may cause similar effects.
Withdrawal
Withdrawn ghouls suffer symptoms for a period of
weeks equal to six minus the ghoul’s Stamina. Whenever
the opportunity to gain vitae arises, the ghoul must make a
Self-Control roll (difficulty 7) or attempt to “score” however
possible. Additionally, each week of withdrawal requires the
ghoul to make an Intelligence + Self-Control roll (difficulty
6); if this roll fails, the ghoul begins to sublimate her crav-
ings for vitae into a desire for human blood, flesh or sex. A
Willpower point may be spent to resist these cravings. If the
roll is botched, no Willpower may be spent, and the victim
must act on her urges.

Chapter Two:
Masters and
Servants?
Those who inflict must suffer, for they see
The work of their own hearts, and this must be
Our chastisement or recompense.
— Percy Bysshe Shelley, “Julian and Maddalo”
Relationships between Kindred and ghouls are as

complex as interactions among the Kindred themselves.
This chapter details some of the myriad ways ghouls deal
with vampires, mortals, and each other.
he
n ’ t q uite t may be
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tape’s ably part o an “undergr ope it intr
presum mastered — mitors. I h
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Lucita

Ghouls vs. the Rest
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[Tape begins. Some clicking; heavy sigh.]

So. You’re free.
I don’t care how it happened — everybody’s got a different story. Most of you come to us
wailing and pleading because your Dearly Beloved Master’s recently taken the Long Sunbath
and you don’t know what to do. Or maybe she kicked you out — hard to believe, huh? You knew
she was ruthless, but you always thought she’d care about you... Ha. A few of you actually
broke on your own, gradually mustering the strength to run. And a very few were never
lapdogs at all.
Well, none of that matters anymore. If we’re all lucky, none of you is going to see your
precious benefactor ever again.
Now don’t get me wrong, we need to find vampires if we’re going to support ourselves
in “the style to which we are accustomed.” And you’ll be taking part in a few hunts if you
want to keep the vitae coming in. But it’s never as if a Lick’s a pushover, and we have to
go after the weak ones if we want to see the next sunrise.
On Vampires
[slow release of breath] The first thing I traditionally say to you new applicants is a
few words on vampires. Every time, back when I was still stupid enough to meet you people
in person, someone would always give me this look when I started talking. You’re probably
wearing it now. It’s the look that says, “I know vampires. I’ve been enslaved to one for
some time. Nobody understands vampires better than I do.”
Wrong.
You don’t understand vampires. If you had understood the Kindred [emphasis mine; the
word is pronounced bitterly/sarcastically?] back when you made your devil’s deal, you’d
never have signed on the dotted line. If you understood vampires and were okay with what
they were like, you wouldn’t have left their society; better the evil you know than whatever
is on the outside, right? If you left voluntarily because the abuse was just getting to be
too much — okay, now you’re starting to get it.
There’s a reason that I’m the one doing this. Yeah, I’m not recording this because of
my golden tones. You see, I’ve played Renfield since before Bram Stoker was an itch in his
daddy’s knickers, and I’ve seen a lot during that time. Fact is, I probably know more about
vampires than your average neonate Lick, and I damn well know more about them than you do —
if I didn’t, you wouldn’t be coming to my group for help. We’d be coming to you.
So first off, assume I know what I’m talking about, and this recording’ll be a lot easier
to take. [clears throat] Right. Now the first piece of advice I have for you isn’t real
reassuring. It’s simple enough, though: Be afraid.
Fear is a very healthy instinct. I can’t count the number of times that flesh-crawling
terror has kept my skin intact. Of course, it’s always good to be able to act on your fear,
or even to act in spite of it. But if you aren’t afraid of what’s out there, you’re going
to die. Or worse, depending on who you cross. We are talking about vampires here: virtual

, sharper and meaner
s. Th ey ar e fo r damn sure stronger gry vampire
demigods who’ve live
d for cent ur ie
by th e th ou gh t of being caught by an an
who isn’t terrified
than you, and anyone
[minor pause]
is out of his mind. getting it —
But they can be kill
ed.
ar e a bu nch of ways to go about
to survive, and th er e out the Licks:
We need their blood e we le ar n as much as we can ab
All of those meth od s requ ir mention a name you
violent or otherwise. w li sten up, even when I
, and where th ey ’r e we ak . No be tests sure enough.
where they’re strong tly be a wr itte n exam later, but there’ll
n’t exac
already know. There wo
Sects[cle ar in g th ro at ; so un ds indicating drinki
ng from a glass]
va mp ir es , and I’m pretty sure
you know the
major political gr ou ps of that advocates
Okay, there are two , th e Ca marilla is the party
e two. For the un ed uc at ed are the savages who
difference between th al st ructure. The Sabbat m
ones with th e fe ud al so ci don’t presume to clai
secrecy; they’re the nd in th ei r en vi ro nment. Of course, I va mp ir ic po li ti cs
direct ha es. I saw a bit more
of
want to take a more be -all of their purpos at was really going on.
is th e en d- al l, da mn li tt le of wh
that this ar e th at I sa w
lly do, but I’m aw
than most ghouls usua
The Camarilla on is be tt er ? Ne it he r, re ally — vampires are
vampires, regardless
k leather or custom
-fit
So which organizati ry sh ro ud s, Vi ct or ian ballgowns, blac
funera
of whether they wear s on what you’re looking for. r one, they
Armani. “B et te r” de pe nd
is be tt er in some ways, sure. Fo
are more subtle. Th is tes sarcasm]
Camarilla vampires sq ue ra de . [tone of voice indica
lves, to preserve th ei r Ma unlifestyle that
try to behave themse be mo re in te re st ed in maintaining an en. They dabble
mps tend to the theatre now and
th
For another, Cam va , a li festyle. They go to uc h wi th what it is to
mb le s, we ll e st il l in to
actually rese en d th at th ey ’r
mind you, and can
least seem to pret ’re still inhuman,
in politics. They at su it s th em . Th ey
nsive therapy. But
r as long as it r a few years of expe
be human — well, fo ly fi gu re ou t af te
, and violating this
ys you’d on s their little secret
be subtly cruel in wa th at en da ng er smile while
they don’t go batshi
t as ofte n, as
mp ir e a de ath sentence. So they
ing that usually ea rn s a va All this leaves
Masquerade is someth ck s, an d ma in ta in a feeling of control. and therefore
ers or other Li the civilized ones,
they’re around outsid pr es si on th at the Camarilla are
in ct im
one with the dist s
to be around. uerade. We’re mortal
far more beneficial ar e au to ma ti c vi olations of the Masq de fi an ce , th ey ar e
ouls of
Here’s the catch: Gh erefore, if we show the slightest amount od-c hi pp er
who know about vampir
es. Th w the corpses in a wo
r va mp ir ic ri gh ts to drain us dry, thro
perfectly within thei
beds.
and mulch their rose u knew that already.
od chance some of yo
[cough] There’s a go
The Sabbat
g
e themselves on bein
wi th th e Sa bb at . These bastards prid th e gr av e, so go d-
tches yond
There’s no hidden ca honestly? Bloodsucking monsters from be
d wh at ar e th ey ,
honest. An rts of the
well act like it! d sorority sweethea
dammit, they’ll damn st ic fr at bo ys an
s up really well,
drunken, sadi of mine, but it hold
The Sabbat are the ma de by a fr ie nd
and get wasted. On
y was actually t to have a good time ile, they make a
Kindred. That analog th em ar e si mp ly ou
e, most of r keggers. All the wh y and standing
so I stole it. You se real playful at thei
an d th ey ge t right to part
blood, of co ur se ,
br ot he rh oo d, fighting for your knows exactly
lot of noise about fr
ee do m an d
yb od y wh o’ s ev er li ved in a college town
or sisters. An
up for your brothers
m talking about. s another who makes
the kind of pers on I’
st re et-thug level, there’ t
t who neve r ge ts be yo nd mpires end up. I won’
But for every washou za ti on , an d th at ’s where all the smart va th e Sa bb at ha s th e
good. Hell, they’ve go
t organi
ng ma st er mi nds, ev ery one, but ou tf it ,
s are world-dominati there were some brai
ns in the
say that their leader yo u ha d to gu es s ege Gree ks .
rried. But hey, . Just like the coll
Camarilla good and wo ve la st ed as long as they have
ne ve r ha
otherwise they’d

those
be aware that not one of
/gr owl ] Now lis ten ver y carefully: You better cer ned . You ’re dog shit
[low rumble
a fuc kin g thi ng, as far as you’re con the time
lofty political ideals
means most of
cer ned — you mig ht get thrown at an enemy, but Sab bat cla ns
con all of the
as far as the Sabbat is ape d off the ir damn boots. Just about the y hav e
to be scr dy unl ess
you’re just something y don ’t bot her to ghoul somebo
good vit ae; the I’ll men ntio
look at us as a waste of d. The re’ s one exc ept ion, but… [minor pause]
in min
a very explicit purpose es up, either. It isn’t
good news.
’t get you r hop need an excuse to
them lat er. Don
the Sab bat stinks. They don’t even e
So there you have it. Lif e amo ng do it whenever they lik
fee d you to Ger man shepherds. They’ll just
chop you to bits and
fun yet? ng to be in for a lot
— wahoo, are we having e whe re the Sabbat do, you’re goi if you’re more the
h] If you liv
[low growling sig less with them. So
Diplomacy is all but use local Licks,
of fighting and hunting. wan t a pra yer of pea cef ully coexisting with the
you
intellectual type, or if
wan t to hea d for Cam country.
you may
Know Thin e Enemygeneral level. Now let’s talk about family values. Theylinaseaganye
politics on the
So much for ds just as readil ns get into feu
ul damn lot, and their cla itics — hell,
of a vampire means an awf anc est ry inf lue nces her powers, her pol
human families ever did.
A vam pir e’s , too. Right. Enough
a cer tai n ext ent . And it can influence her ghouls
even her personality to ’s get to it.
clans is important — let . It’s amazing what happen
s
about why knowledge of the the re are other bloodlines, too ’t
13 cla ns. I kno w e or thr ee who won
I know there are books from a vampir
and talk…and borrow a few and work our way through the alphabet.
when ghouls get together ing
Let’s start at the beginn
be needing them anymore.
[sound of rustling paper]
Assamite w a damn thing about the
bri efi ng on a sou r note, but we don’t kno paid only in
Hate to start thi s
dow y cla n of vam pire assassins who get
Assamites. They’re allege
dly thi s sha e ever get away.
to has eve r met one . If they keep ghouls, non
blood, but nobody I’ve tal
ked you ever see
how to hun t the m, but don’t worry about it. If
ut
This leaves us cold abo defenses anyway.
you pro bab ly won ’t be at leisure to analyze his
one,
Brujah ut. There are a few in
[so ft chu ckl e] The Brujah we know plenty abo
The Brujah, now … moment’s notice.
’t min d recruiting ghouls at a ely to
every city, and the y don e the vampires most lik
min ds abo ut the Bru jah. For one, they includ lit ari an bun ch — at least
I’m of two n an equ al. The y’r e a pretty ega mor es.
ll, eve about soc ial
treat you like a person…he — and the y don ’t really give a rat’s ass all ies in
are g for
some of the younger folks with a ghoul buddy, and they’re always lookin cla n.
ng see n a Cam ari lla
They don’t mind bei w what that means from
e Man.” Damned if I kno tempers damned easily. I
their fight against “Th is it: The Brujah lose their
a cat ch. Thi s there yourself.
You knew there was
ng ber ser k is like; you may have been
don’t have to tell most
of you wha t goi Somebody tries to
ut any thi ng. Hell, you name it.
But a Brujah can be set
off by jus t abo asking for a nickel? A
bum is jus t a bit too persistent t’s
card ‘em when they go clu bbi ng? A ort, rising whistle] Tha
es on the box and the y don’t like his tie? [sh som ebo dy’ s arm s off and
televangelist com bas eme nt, and the Bru jah is tearing fre nzi ed
in the see. A
it. Reason goes to hide p box . Thi s may be their weakest point, you a min dle ss
Ex dro g one int o
stuffing them in a Fed hea vy gun s acr oss the street, but baitin . The pla n
ice the d it into an amb ush
Brujah may well not not a bea r in the nuts so you can lea the end .
lik e kic kin g y par ts at
frenzy is a bit all your vital bod
lucky if you still have e to offer —
may work okay, but you’re pos sib ly the mos t ferocious the clans hav
They’re damned scary fig
hters — decided they’d
jah lea rne d about our sect once and
e Hou sto n Bru y back to the
and they fight a lot. Som Houston cell closed down and didn’t send anybod ut
like to help us. I had
the serious the sounded abo
y
rs. I jus t did n’t tru st them, no matter how
city for three yea rchs.
cause and that of the ana
the kinship between our

The anarchs, for those of
you who’ve been completely
who don’t care much for the left in the dark, are the
secret government and want Kindred
replace it with, I’m not sur to tear it down. What they
e; their name suggests ana want to
take a vampire’s word at fac rchy, but I’m too old and
e value. They know a thing scarred to
some of them are actually or three about terrorist tac
fairly decent to our kind tics, and
may not be as rarefied or del — but
iberate, but never assume tha again, read the fine print. They
t chaotic behavior equals stu
Caitiff pidity.
Which leads us nicely int
o the Caitiff.
Just to set the record straig
a clan. They’re more of a ht for those of you who’re
social group, a sect within a bit confused, the Caitiff
sects. That’s where you fin aren’t
cluster of vampires from all d a random
the clans who are tired of
not real organized, and the following the party line.
y allow a lot more indivi They’re
really have anything to say dualism among themselves,
about “Clan Caitiff,” exc so I don’t
makes them easier pickings ept that their lack of org
than most. anization
Followers of Set
Somebody once told me the
Followers of Set were a big
worshipping some dead god fat joke, a cult of bloods
who’s got PBS picking at uckers
That’s not what I saw. his bones.
[slow release of breath]
The Followers of Set are rea
other vampires don’t like l trouble — I think. You see
them, but for some reason , the
Most figure the Snakes are don’t treat them as much of
antiquated relics, fanati a threat.
headed gods went out of fas cs who haven’t realized tha
hion some millennia ago. Yea t animal-
But when you aren’t talkin h, it sounds pretty easy to
g to Licks, but to people dismiss.
different. Yeah, the Follow on the streets, you hear som
ers are into organized crime, ething
seem to inspire respect and drug trafficking, all that.
loyalty something fierce. You But they
what you want, all the better know how most Licks like den
to keep you lean and hungry ying you
of Set. They let you go aft like a prize falcon? Not the
er whatever you like; hell, Followers
well. You don’t even have to they give it to you if you’ve
be one of their ghouls to mer been doing
one’ll notice if you’re hav it treatment like this. I hea
ing trouble with the local r sometimes
talk to them for you. Maybe loan sharks, and send somebo
they’ll float you a little dy over to
All this without even asking extra cash to keep your kid
you for any favors. How do in daycare.
And that’s something the you refuse something like
other vampires don’t seem that?
they don’t have the worm’s to realize. I guess it’s
-eye view we do. But your because
ghouls, and a lot of human average Follower of Set has
friends who are so damn loy a lot of
To most of these people, al you’d swear they were Blo
their new friend is the bes od Bound.
They’d kill and die for the t thing that ever happened
ir benefactor. [pause] to them.
The Followers of Set are
pretty easy to dismiss whe
sitting in your penthouse n you’re a rich, powerful
, reading Forbes or someth vampire
they’re usually the main ing. But in the worst are
power — often the only pow as of town,
keeping to the slums, eit er. And they’re not satisf
her. [pause] ied with
They’ve offered their hel
p to our group before. No
we take it, our lot’s goi strings attached. And you
ng to get better, and tho know, if
have a much worse time of se vampires that cross us
it. [long pause] are going to
We’re going to refuse their
help for now, so that’s the
any free lunches from anybod official word. Don’t agree
y. [soft cough] I think tha to accept
t about covers the Followers
Gangrel of Set.
The Gangrel, now, are a har
thing. I understand that’s d clan to pin down. They run
usually suicide for any oth around between cities, for
invisible. Furthermore, the er clan, even the ones who one
re honestly aren’t a lot can turn
Gangrel’s service. From wha of ghouls who join us aft
t I’ve heard tell, the Gangre er leaving a
There’d be a good vulgar jok l prefer the company of animal
e there, if there was anythi s. [snort]
They don’t tend to run in ng left in a vampire’s gen
the cities too much, and the italia.
in the wilds. They avoid pol y’re near impossible to tra
iticking, and they don’t car ck down
I’d say they aren’t worth e much for making deals. All
dealing with. They sure as in all,
hell aren’t usually worth
the effort

of stalking; no othe
r va
riled up. The only sa mpire, not even a Brujah, turns into su
ving grace is that yo ch a savage animal wh
friends — they’re al u don’t have to worr en it’s
most exclusively soli y about them having
Mean, stubborn and ha tary, which works ou a lot of
lf-animal. I’ve only t fine for us.
ever met a few Gangre
Giovanni l, and that suits me
fine.
The Giovanni, on the
inbreeding. These It other hand, have the
alians keep vampiris clan unity going so
m in the family, so strong they’re prac
heard of any of thes
e Licks who didn’t ha to speak — I don’t re tically
guess they keep thei ve the last name Giov ckon I’ve
r ghouls in the fami anni on their credit
They’re the vampire ly, too — or at leas cards. I
Mafi t I’ve never heard
from the local Giovan a, pretty much. Scorsese could take le different.
ni capo. ssons on how it’s re
[rhythmic sound, pr ally done
creepy bastards are es um ab ly drumming fingers] An
nicknamed “Necromanc d as if it couldn’t
mean they raise the ers” by those vampir get worse, these
dead? I don’t know. es who know of ‘em.
Don’t try to take on I don’t want to. Does that
they’re interested in e in hi s ha ve n. They’r
information nobody el e interested in wealth, but more import
be drawn out if you se has. So, like a lo antly,
pick the right bait t of other clans, th
you do, don’t get up . Just watch out fo ey can
close with them. [cle r their servants, and
distance, or he’ll ta aring throat] You ha whatever
ke you apart. And yo ve to drop a Giovanni
u have to make sure
gets word to his clan
, they’ll come down he’s yours — if he es from a
not the people to id on you like the wrat capes or
ly piss off. h of Heaven itself.
These are
Lasombra
And on that note, we
them. The second-bes get to the Lasombra
t way to recognize on . They seem to be Sa
e of these freaks is bbat-only; the sect
That’s right — they to check him out with suits
don’t cast reflection a mirror.
that business about s. I used to think th
runn at was just a folkta
they didn’t have soul ing water; after all, people figured va le, like
s. That sums up the mpires didn’t reflec
But that’s the seco Lasombra pretty nice t ‘cause
ly. Cold, cold bastar
don’t like mirrors an nd-best way to recognize a Lasombra; it ds.
d might pull your fa ’s only second beca
them. The best way is ce off if you flashe use they
to find out whether yo d any sort of reflec
what vampires don’t u’re in Sabbat territ tor around
have much in way of ory or not, and then
ghouls they keep take ghouls. The Lasombra find out
a lot of abuse. Hypers hate us, God knows wh
and quotation marks ensitive bastards, th y. The few
mine; tone indicates ose “Shadows.” [capit
nobility; the younge bitterness/contempt] alization
r kids could be Bruj The old boys dress li
I’d tell you to wa ah, with all the leat ke Spanish
tch yourself around her ‘n’ metal they fa
close. They like to them, but frankly, vor.
play games, and they you should never ge
get too cocky for th love edible game piec t that
eir own good, but th es. Some of the youn
else. If you want to e elders are always ger ones
trap one dead to righ three steps ahead of
I’m not kidding. It ts, set up a place an everybody
may not be stealthy, d fill it with floodl
direction, eliminatin but when you hit a La ights.
g all shadows, he wi sombra with light fr
rifles. Don’t get to nds up at a loss. Th om every
o close until he’s no en drop him with high
longer twitching; th -p
to keep him captive,
rig a cell with the en he’s yours. But if owered
on this. It’ll probab same bright lights. you want
ly save your lives. No shadows. Got it?
[pen scribbling on Trust me
Malkavian paper]
[Sound of page turn
Malkavians. ing; speaker releases
a deep breath] Now
you may have heard
God, they’re terrifyi of the
ng.
One of my employers on
to play stupid pranks ce told me that they’r
on everyone. She was e harmless, that they
last one of the Malk wronger than anyone just fool around, tr
avians is crazy in so I’ve ever listened to ying
like Daffy Duck; I me me way or another. I’ . Every
an “psycho crazy,” li m not talking “funny
ke Charlie Manson or
bums you see on the
street yelling at an Jeffrey Dahmer or thos crazy,”
sane-seeming, either invisible Jesus. Does e homeless
. They like to preten n’t help if they’re
d they’re harmless. polite and
Abso-fucking-lutely
love it.

tics, they start in. Maybe they cut your
And once you turn your back on these luna the
also heard of them driving people around
best friend to bits just for giggles. I’ve l your boyf rien d.” Gues s
“God hates you” or “Kil
bend by invisibly whispering things like too — just abou t all the ghou ls
they get it,
they like company. I know for a fact that it?
up goin g just as insa ne as they are. So watch what you drink, got
they create wind a hole ,
Malkavian, identify his madness. Find
Identify your target. If you know he’s -per sona lity
he’s depressive, or nail a multiple
and exploit it. Hit a manic-depressive when hand
a weak pers onality. They aren’t great in hand-to-
Malk when she’s in transition or t enou gh. Hit fast and hit
if it isn’t tigh
combat, but they can slip almost any trap ve prob ably just lost then and ther e.
react, you’
hard — if you give a Malkavian time to
Nosferatu for
er, but at least you can usually tell one
[coughs] The Nosferatu aren’t a lot bett ards , and it’s usua lly
is. They’re stealthy bast
what it is. When you can see one, that ve seen a Nosf erat u “unp lugg ed”
thing. Once you’
easier to smell one than to see him. Good r forg et it. They look like muta nt lepe rs
ll neve
[presumably meaning sans Obfuscate], you’ live . The firs t
enough, ‘cause that’s where they
and smell like a sewer — appropriately . I was.
ed out of your wits
time you meet one, you’ll probably be scar to
ing with one of these, especially if you happen
You’ve got to be careful when deal side is that many Nosf erat u are
ty. The bright
be the pretty sort. Lots of ‘em resent beau mean
r vamp iric brethren down the river for the right price. This can
willing to sell thei word , too — but
’re usually…creatures of their
favors, information, or what-have-you. They
dealing with them.
not often enough that I recommend newbies ess
is: Is their vitae worth the revolting proc
[soft chuckle] So the real question who says it’s good , pote nt
I’ve got a friend
of getting it? Hmm. That’s a real toughie. year s his look s have been runn ing
these past few
stuff. Swears by it, he does. Of course, coked
ndin g on whether or not he’s had his leper-juice recently. If he’s
hot and cold, depe a case of diap er
s like a mandrill’s butt with
to the gills on Nosferatu vitae, he look acqu ired tast e, but hey, if
guess it’s mostly an
rash. Otherwise he ain’t that bad. So I t seem all that bad.
a boils don’
it’s Nosferatu blood or nothing, a few extr in a
trap as Malk avia ns: just about as sneaky and a lot fiercer
Nosferatu are as hard to most , so they ’re hard to lure out. Go
networks than
brawl. They also have better information h them selv es.
n’t had much of a chance to establis
for the young and dumb, the ones who have bastards,
ies — it’s easy to resent the ugly, intelligent
What’s more, every Nosferatu has enem for you. With any luck , the Nos
against the leper
so maybe you can get some allies to work while you slip up behi nd with the stake.
his back
will be trying to get your Lick buddy off
Ravnos talked about the Ravnos when I mentioned
the
[pause, turning page] I guess I could’ve team play ers, they wand er
in common. They aren’t
Gangrel, because the two clans have a lot that much .
with ghouls all
around a lot, and neither group bothers stretch.
But the Ravnos are paria hs for a diffe rent reason, and they aren’t Gangrel by any
them long befor e you meet one — some wild
hear about
I think no matter who you are, you always favor ite toy.
to town and stealing away the prince’s
rumors about the Gypsy-kin Cainites coming Ravno s from his domai n.
sire who had to drive the
Or maybe a friend has a domitor who has a meet them . They come
r quite ready when you
Whether you’re warned or not, you’re neve
on the frin ges of the prince’s territory and teasing the
whirling into the city, dancing normal
g about your errands at night. She seems
locals. Maybe you meet one while you’re goin Wall s bend,
the world drops out from under you.
enough, although a bit exotic — and then you star ted, grab bing
then — bam! You’re back where
your body melts, the sky splits open, and ing, and then she smil es and
the world’s still work
whatever’s handy to reassure yourself that get your atte ntio n firs t. And, mind
just had to
maybe gives you a message to pass on. She king]
ming she decided she need ed a reason to play with you. [sounds of drin
you, that’s assu them .
s sense. Nobody could keep pace with
I understand they rarely keep ghouls. Make like the “wor ld’s
ed quite nicely, though. Sort of
[faint scratching, pause] They can be bait and is
rumo rs of something that sounds interesting
best thief” syndrome — spread some on your door step .
os lining up
“impossible to steal,” and you’ll have Ravn s.
k when they get ther e, or else they’ll walk away with your lung
Better deal with them quic

Toreador famous
the Toreador have got to be one of the most
[sounds of drinking; clears throat] Now the ones you see acro ss the room
cated; these are
clans there is. Very pretty, very sophisti h out, ‘cau se
tiful can possibly exist. But you watc
and swear to God that nothing that beau
.
these lovelies have a sharp edge to them if you’ve
[soft sigh ] I don’ t know if we have a unified opinion on the Toreador, because
They usua lly pick pretty
to be objective about them.
ever met one, you know how hard it is en comp anio ns. The endi ng can
affairs with their chos
ghouls, and sometimes they have sweeping ther e are vows of eter nal love , and the
wood?] Maybe
be good or bad. [tapping sound: metal on shre ds the ghou l
vampire way. Or maybe the Toreador
ghoul gets the gift of immortality — the er of ways .
ayal. It can happen any numb
to weeping gobbets, shrieking about betr oppable.
dry] They’re decent fighters, but not unst
[clears throat; voice is deliberately(?) ct of thos e oh-s o-sh arpened
most — must be a side effe
They’re also more easily distracted than e.
you could do wors
senses. Not my first pick for game, but
Tremere up the Camarilla. Two of those are very
hard to
[cough; moderate pause] Seven clans make alre ady. The other’s
Gangrel; I talked about them
get any solid information on. One’s the
the Tremere. word you
Lick, and you mention the Tremere, the
When you play word association with a , anyw ay.
the G-rated word
usually get is “warlocks.” Well, that’s They seem
py neo- Maso nic lodge of a clan, for what I can tell.
The Tremere are this cree a. No othe r clan like s them , appa rently
al and dogm
to be big on formality and tradition, ritu they make up for
ide of their own blood. Of course,
— they don’t even have informal allies outs to come to a clan mate ’s
gets. Most of ‘em are willing
that by being about as tight-knit as it oath s of secr ecy and aren ’t seen
take triple-layered
assistance pretty readily. Their servants
that ofte n. Tigh t, very tight.
away from the haven all mysticism
that the Tremere have mysticism on their side, and I mean
But the real kicker is what they call
, Great Magick — I don’t know for sure
that works. Voodoo, mojo, juju, medicine hexe s, call up storms,
lts are the same; they can lay
it and I don’t think it matters. The resu time you pass one of those
Think about that the next
make cows’ milk go sour, all of that. hang out. Some of that magi c stuf f is
friendless kids
occult bookstores where all those pale, r try to catch
ary of spells than Clan Tremere. Neve
real, and I guess nobody has a better libr and tryi ng to grab one
your hand in a rattlesnake pit
one at home; that’s pretty much sticking you can
Trem ere, try to draw them out to neutral ground, if
safely. If you have to deal with the s, and thei r magi c can kill you dead.
in their lair
make such a thing exist. They’re powerful
Just so you know. [sounds of drinking]
Tzimisce e follows,
s, are the Tzimisce. [Here a long paus
Next in line, according to the ol’ note , the narr ativ e cont inue s:]
r an eventual sigh
punctuated by faint background noise. Afte wors t. You can be serving
these are the absolute
From everything I’ve ever seen and heard, strapped to a lab tabl e, bein g pulled
next night you’re
them aperitifs one evening and the very en to like
reassembled into something that they happ
apart by their flesh-shaping talons and or fed to the late st
monster or radiation accident,
better. Mutated like some Frankenstein ing you apar t nerv e by nerv e
tively delight in pull
creations. They like torture, too — posi t. The wors t part is that they don’ t
that’s not righ
just to hear what pitch you scream in. No, hing the raw
some doctor or something, curiously watc
delight in it. They just hang back like riment.
twit ch, like they’re running some goddamn expe
mass of manflesh on the table squirm and they say. “Mak e me
willingly. “Make me beautiful,”
I’ve heard that some people go to them resu mes in a chok ed tone :]
[Shorter pause. The speaker
muscular.” “Teach me to do what you do.” arou nd, run. Try to
one, or even hear there’s one
Never go to the Fiends. If you ever see
get away, even if it kills you.
Ventrue mes, his
of papers rustling. When the speaker resu
[Here again is a pause, and the sound
voice is clearer.]

Finally, we have th
Lasombra; the two ha e Ventrue. They’re
te each other, probab the Camarilla’s opposite number to th
can say for the Vent ly because they’re bo e
rue is that they’re th control freaks. Th Sabbat’s
act the part of the better about the no e most you
civilized aristocrat blesse oblige, and
keep their brutality . Well, not always, always try to
“in the family,” so but they’re fashiona
Anyway, the Ventrue to speak. ble enough to
princes, apparently ar e to al l ap pe arances complete cont
because they have mo rol freaks. They’re
lot of shots, and ar re contacts and such the archetypal
e very big on protoc than anybody else.
endangering the Masq ol. If a Ventrue prin They call a
uerade, pfft! [sic] ce even suspects that
and try not to spil Good-bye ghoul, than a ghoul is
l any blood on the k you for your year
their servants like carpet. But they ke s of service,
proper lords and ladi ep a lot of ghouls,
themselves, they’ve es of the manor shou and they boss
got quite an organi ld. As long as everyb
mortal descendants an zation going. In fa ody behaves
d family, effectivel ct, a
Talk about your “Old y becoming the patria Ventrue will often ghoul his
Money” families.… rch of his own little
The Ventrue also offe miniclan.
useful to let go. It r liquid immortality
’s to a nu mber of old and powe
don’t have much to lo a hell of an offer, particularly when rful pawns who are to
o
ok forward to. Not al you’re getting on in
household staff, so l of a Ventrue’s ghou years and
be careful! The desk ls are necessarily pa
a Ventrue’s pocket, se rt of her
he may also have lear rgeant at the local precinct might not
[coughs] The one go ne d a fe w supernatural tricks on ly be in
od thing about dealin of his own.
have, there’s a lot of g with Ventrue is th
jo at with as many ghou
know them pretty well ckeying for attention. Those games for th ls as they
already, right? Thos e master’s favor — yo
And not everybody ca e games are pretty co u probably
n share the domitor’ mmon among Ventrue ho
malcontents out from s good graces at on useholds.
under the Ventrue’s ce, so we recruit mo
household ghoul or tw noses. What’s more, re than a few
o, you can even wind with the help of a
But that’s tricky wo up with a fair amount mistreated
rk, and I really don’ of Ventrue blood to
you’re doing. t recommend trying it boot.
Others[soft thump, presum
until you know exactl
y what
vampires. But althou ably notebook set as

gh they’ve been the ide] That covers mo
be — they aren’t the focus of our lives fo st of what we know about the
on r a while — and will
hardly boogiemen comp ly creatures with power out there. Real cont
ared to some of the power, I mean: Politi inue to
getting any younger urban legends I’ve he cians are
‘cause the tall tale ard. And since we’re
stories are worth a of vampires happened none of us
listen. And I know fo to be true, I figure
Werewolves r a fact some of ‘em
are true.
these other
All right, the most

doubt any of you have obvious place to be
gin is the Lupines.
fought them — you’re You might’ve heard
some Licks create gh st ill alive, right? Bu of them. I
ouls like us: as cann t they’re one of the
the cities. From what on fodder. You see, reasons
I’ve heard, they’re were
in the first place. one of the reasons va wolves are out there, between
Lupines hate vampir mpires hang around in
the day. So a lot of es, and they’re just the cities
Licks create a small fine with walking ar
set ‘em out there to army of ghouls, hand ound during
keep away the Lupine ‘e
Why don’t they do th s. Some even force th m guns with silver bullets and
e work themselves? Su eir ghouls to hunt th
most vampires are af re, we’re more expend e dogs down.
raid of the Lupines. able. But from what
So if the Licks are af Th is fr om undead who can rip sh I’ve seen,
to my hide to go look raid of the Lupines, eet metal like cloth!
ing for them. Sure, if wh at do es that make us? In my
arrangement going. Bu th case, too damn attach
t nobody’s yet volunt ey hate the vampires, maybe we could get ed
terms. A couple of eered to be the one a positive
my associates who’ve to find the Lupines
about trying…but they lear and offer ‘em
’re taking their time ned the Gangrel way of animalspeak ar
Like I blame them. ab ou t getting started. e thinking
Witches and Warlocks

Somehow or another,
to supernatural stre normal people can ge
ngth and weird talent t power, too. We’re used to the Blood
I mentioned the Trem s; seems that there’ as a ticket
er e ea rl ie s another way.
of some old Egyptian r. We ll , they aren’t the on
curse-manual and actu ly ones who can take
out there have actual ally make it work. Yo a spell out
power. No, I’m not ta u see, some witches
lking about those Ne and warlocks
w Age neopagans who
hang around

k
oils. I mean sorcerers who wor
ais san ce fes tiv als , sel lin g flower wreaths and massage as and cha nts on com put er;
Ren mul
ways. Some of them keep their for
magic in all sorts of freakish e som e blo od to be spi lle d. [low chuckle] I didn’t press
use rit ual s tha t req uir
some of them
n their thinking.
those last too hard to explai to answer, is whether or
sti on, the one that we’re still looking I
Well, the obv iou s que e met get real dodgy whenever
the se fol ks can tea ch us magic, too. Those few that I’v ir car ds clo se to the ir
not p the
ction. I guess they want to kee
bring up the subject of instru eve r run int o a rea l wit ch or warlock — and it’s hard
t thi ng to do if you share the edge of real
chests. The bes real easy, though. If they’d
t. It’ s not
to tell — is to be pat ien don’t have the time to start
lot better chance of survival. We
mag ic wit h us, we’ d hav e a the genuine article. We have
lly old bookstores looking for
from scratch and hit all the sme
to convince them to help us.
Ghosts use ; pre sum ed sou nd of drumming fingers] Hmm. Do
you believe in ghosts yet?
Wha t els e? [pa ghosts than in vampires.
t peo ple see m to find it easier to believe in m
Funny eno ugh , but mos for a while, ghosts don’t see
at lea st so I’v e gat her ed. But after you’ve been a ghoul
Or
all that scary, do they?
Yes and no. stise a ghoul by shedding
’ve seen one go berserk, or cha
Vampires are monsters. Once you n twitching an eyelid, it doesn’t tak
e that much
e wit hou t eve
her blood, or kill som eon you have to use your
by a vam pir e. Gho sts, on the other hand… Well,
imagination to be sca red No matter how scary the
on a lit tle mor e to pic tur e a ghost doing you serious harm.
imaginati
ht?
spirit, the Licks are worse. Rig n bursts of St. Elmo’s Fire
re of col d flashes in my day, and I’ve see
Wel l, I’v e fel t my sha close by my cheek that I knew,
any. I’ve felt flashes of warmth
where there shouldn’t have been som eth ing I couldn’t see. This usually hap
pened when I was
sts of ang er fro m g thought came to me.
just knew, were bur aft er thinking about it, this naggin
old dom ito r. And
on my rounds for my think of themselves
l a lot of peo ple . And a lot of those people probably didn’t
Vampires kil
as ready to die.
eful.
I’d say ghosts exist. So be car
The Rest these others exist, then who’s to say what else is out there? I don ’t know
ugh, with
Yeah, if all Studios tour, tho
it was just like some Universal
for sure. I wouldn’t say that the Mum my, all that bullsh no. Elv
it… is and Bigfoot are
m the Bla ck Lag oon ,
the Creature fro
ce aliens in Area 51.
not necessarily living with spa grave, and I heard these
s of cor pse s dragging themselves out of the
But I’v e hea rd sto rie like. So maybe zombies are
kne w ful l well what vampires are really
storie s fro m peo ple who are creatures out there that are
about. And some say that there
something else we have to worry hum ans , the better to walk among us and
kill us for food.
but can cha nge int o
born as animals, last we heard
isi ana cel l dis app ear ed completely once, and the
[muffled cough] A Lou dragon, or something,
and I am not lyi ng — som ething about a dinosaur, or a
from them was — of them afterward.
swa mp to kil l them. We never found a scrap
coming out of the rp, and don’t dismiss
It mea ns kee p your ears open, your eyes sha
What doe s all thi s mea n? t can save your life from
han d. How can you tell the rumor tha
everyt hin g you hea r out of , the thing that’ll save your
le] You’ve got me. In the end
the deliberate con-job? [chuck
ore it.
ass most is instinct. Don’t ign
Finis ers the bas ics of life among the creatures
of the night. You’ll
[pause ; sig h] Tha t cov n check with the senior member
ely lea rn mor e as you go. If you need more specifics, the
lik
of your cell. in the next three days.
say. You’ll be contacted again
I don’t have anything more to cou gh]
get us all killed. [soft thump;
Welcome aboard, and…try not to
[Here the recording ends.]

Among the Damned
Although vampires’ opinions of ghouls vary widely by
Brujah Ghouls
Brujah ghouls are as diverse as individual Brujah, but
there are some basic commonalties. In urban areas, Brujah
clan, they generally think of ghouls as subservient, indebted ghoul society tends to be composed largely of street people
creatures. Of course, Kindred believe themselves to be of and gang members, with a radical activist or poli-sci scholar
“preferred stock,” and therefore morally, physically and thrown in for good measure. The latter are often considered
mentally superior to ghouls, but the limitations placed on for the Embrace, while the former are considered little more
vampires struggling to maintain the Masquerade give ghouls than extensions of the domitor. Ghouls typically serve in
the upper hand in many situations. Often the relationship combat capacities; while agitators and leaders are useful,
between a ghoul and his domitor becomes a power struggle. Brujah prefer to fill these roles themselves or with childer.
For example, a ghoul who does not get sufficient attention Therefore, the life of a Brujah ghoul commonly centers on
or vitae from her domitor may make veiled threats about such activities as “beat up X” and “blow up Y.”
going to the authorities or a rival sect if she does not get Notable exceptions are mortals whom the domitor
her blood or love or sex now. To avoid such conflicts and befriends; Brujah tend to be generous with their Blood, at
fully exploit a ghoul’s power, an intelligent vampire treats least at first, so a Brujah often supports one or more ghouled
her ghoul with equal doses of respect and discipline. cronies or “drinking buddies.” As the years drag on and the
Not surprisingly, the Camarilla and Sabbat have extremely idiosyncrasies start to annoy, though, these ghouls tend to end
different outlooks on their ghouls’ roles. Unaffiliated clans up in either the “lackey” or the “tattered corpse” category.
also have their own unique perceptions of the value of these Brujah are generally charismatic, and their ghouls tend
creatures. Though each domitor-ghoul relationship is unique, to be people drawn toward strong, magnetic leaders, who
over the course of centuries the various clans have evolved then subsume their lives into “the cause.” (With regard to
strategies for employing ghouls — and ghouls ghouls, Brujah seem to use the words “free
have learned exactly what sorts of mas- will” to mean the free acceptance of
ters they have allied themselves with. whatever propaganda the domitor dishes
out.) Relatively few ghouls are coerced
or tricked into ghouldom — the “rush”
The of super strength and endless life
Camarilla’s generally proves irresistible for the
young, headstrong and powerless.
Two Cents Such fervor often leads to violent
First I taught them outbursts between groups of Brujah
that they could not unseat ghouls, whose individual domitors
me, and even rapped them may subscribe to diametrically
sharply between the opposed ideologies.
ears to impress upon Brujah ghouls are
them my authority typically young and
and mastery. temperamental —
— Edgar Rice relatively few survive
Burroughs, A Princess of Mars to become old and
restrained. Brujah vitae is as heady
Camarilla vampires si- and dangerous as PCP, and ghouls
multaneously rule and fear the rabidly fight for the clan until their
actions of their ghouls. Ghouls bodies are tattooed in black and
are useful, but their manic- blue — they are fully aware that
depressive moodiness can instill a cowards will not be considered for
great deal of anxiety in Camarilla the Embrace. Those ghouls who do
Kindred. While a ghoul can pry survive to “maturity” seem superficially
information from local mortals more controlled than their fledgling
and take care of a Kindred’s nine- counterparts. Having wised up to the
to-five business, she can also spill fact that they’re simply being used,
the beans about the Masquerade. these oldsters forego the hope of Em-
brace in favor of their own ambitions
in mortal society. This disparity in

attitudes can lead to friction between “gullible” younger friends, often abandoning them just as their craving for vitae
ghouls and “complacent” centenarians-plus. reaches its peak. On the other hand, such ghouls often prove
Brujah ghouls, particularly those recruited from street capable of satiating this craving, having learned a bit about
gangs, maintain contact with mortals after their transforma- hunting from their erstwhile masters — a disproportionate
tion into ghoulhood, often becoming subjects of gruesome number of independent “stalker” ghouls come from the
urban legends. Such ghouls tend to dominate mortal gang ranks of displaced Gangrel “mistakes.”
hierarchies, usually due to the uncanny muscle power the As Gangrel tend to be loners, Gangrel ghouls have little
ghouls can supply for the gangs. or no contact with other ghouls or vampires. Those who try
to return to their mortal lives are often left destitute, home-
Brujah Domitors less and sick, unable to cope with “normal” mortal society;
As domitors, Brujah generally sway their ghouls with they usually die or are killed, unless a vampire of another
liberal amounts of rhetoric and Presence; ghouls cynical or clan snatches them up. But only a handful of survivors wish
intelligent enough to question the Fearless Leader seldom to remain ghouls after their horrible experience with the
survive the subsequent frenzy. Neo-Carthaginian rhetoric Gangrel, and these ghouls usually buy vampiric vitae from
aside, few Brujah actually Embrace their ghouls, thinking ghoul blood dealers, or simply steal it.
them unworthy of such a high honor. The ghouls most likely to remain loyal to Gangrel
As a rule, Brujah tend to ghoul only loyal humans and domitors (and receive reciprocal loyalty) are animal ghouls.
animals with great physical strength. Particularly in more Animal ghouls typically stay faithful to their domitors
isolated or turbulent regions, Brujah sometimes recruit until the night the domitor decides he needs a snack and
entire armies of ghouls, forming their own private militias can’t find a sentient being to sate that hunger; the animals
and bringing more mortals into the Brujah purview. More must suffice, and they are usually drained to death by the
mortals means more potential ghouls and, at the very least, remorseful Gangrel.
more people on whom to feed. (Ironically enough, this last
“perk” becomes a dire necessity — the more ghouls a Brujah Gangrel Domitors
creates, the more blood she must ingest in order to feed her Natural wanderers, Gangrel don’t want
hungry servitors.) too many ghoul servants tying them
Idealist Brujah value intelligence more than brutality down. Most of the time, if they need
when deciding whom to ghoul. They believe that something, they’re not afraid to
ghouls are best used to infiltrate the Camarilla in venture into the Barrens to claim
subtle ways; therefore, elders look for humans it for themselves. Frankly, Out-
with superior Social and Mental At- landers find few uses for ghouls
tributes: charismatic union leaders, — and Gangrel rarely ghoul
outspoken agitators and brilliant, frivolously, as do the Brujah
charming philosophical revo- and Toreador.
lutionaries. Overthrowing When a Gangrel does
a prince is not easily done decide to ghoul a mortal, the
with fists; it takes a lot of ghoul is often abandoned
mental prep work, and the after her domitor realizes
wiser Brujah see ghouls’ the tremendous responsi-
potential to help with bility inherent in tending
such matters. to the vitae-craving
servant. Occasionally
Gangrel a Gangrel ghouls
Ghouls someone just be-
fore a long journey,
Gangrel ghouls,
thereby providing
what few there are,
himself with “extra
tend to be a very un-
food in his ruck-
happy, lonely lot.
sack,” but Gangrel
Their masters
generally prefer to
treat them like
“fair-blooded”

travel light. A Gangrel is therefore much more likely to A Malkavian ghoul’s loyalty to her domitor may
ghoul an animal, as they make great traveling companions prove particularly perilous, since the object of affection is
and enjoy venturing into the wild woods. The clan’s Animal- psychotic. The ghoul may allow herself to be partially dis-
ism Discipline allows a Gangrel domitor to communicate sected by her domitor to prove her loyalty, and then find
with his animal ghoul better than he can communicate herself abandoned, rapidly deteriorating and not knowing
with a human. Elder Gangrel often have centuries-old (and quite why. Smarter ghouls, though, may con their domitors
correspondingly powerful) animal ghouls, whom they love into becoming dependent on them for research assistance
better than any “sentient” being. or affection. These ghouls remain closest to the vampires’
Occasionally, a rural Gangrel takes on the role of “protec- hearts, so to speak, and the other servitors are usually too
tor” (i.e., supreme predator) of an isolated village or territory, insane to be jealous of them.
sporadically creating ghouls over the centuries to “administer”
(i.e., terrorize) the locals. Such fiefdoms are exceedingly rare Malkavian Domitors
in modern times; what few remain are often the subjects of Malkavian vampires create ghouls frequently: on
grisly legend, shunned by their neighbors, who whisper of the whims, to advance their pet projects, and to enact what-
“strange goings-on in the village in the hollow.” ever bizarre tableaux their Derangements dictate. Showing
While Gangrel have a sort of empathetic respect for ghouls, neither preference nor dislike for ghouls, Malkavians see
they do not treat any ghouls save animal ghouls particularly ghouls as fun and interesting guinea pigs on whom to
well. Perhaps this is due to the presence of the Beast or the experiment. Ghouls are treated as three-dimensional,
clan’s association with the Lupines, perhaps to the Outlanders’ breathing Malkavian playthings — and some Malkavian
general lack of regard for humans who are not of Gypsy descent. ghouls are nothing more than human shot-puts to hurl
gleefully at rival vampires.
Malkavian Ghouls Kooks’ attitudes toward ghouls change as much as
Malkavian ghouls can be anyone and anything, except the moods of individual clan members. Malkavians often
forgettable. The vitae in their systems knocks them around like f o r - get that they’ve created particular ghouls, leaving
mice in a cat’s paws; they change moods con- the poor victims deranged,
stantly and unpredictably, often becoming yearning, utterly disori-
more and more manic as they ented, and wondering
drink more and more blood. Of where they’ll get their
course, the ghouls are not to next blood fixes (if they
blame; having a Malkavian as even remember that
a domitor definitely takes its toll. it is Kindred blood
Some of these ghouls are even they crave). Further-
abducted from institutions or more, each individual
hospitals, and their preexisting domitor’s treatment
mental conditions are only ex- depends significantly
acerbated by the “care” of their on the type of Derange-
equally psychotic masters. ment the Malkavian in
Some Malkavian ghouls question has. For example,
retain relations with humans; a domitor with Delusions
others do not. It all depends of Grandeur treats her
on the domitor’s whims. Kooks ghoul as either an incon-
sometimes commit their sequential underling or a
ghouls to asylums, where they protégé, depending on her
can find more mentally aber- mood. And a ghoul can
rant human playthings for become something of a
their masters — either among babysitter to a Malka-
the patients or (after a little vian with a Regression
tweaking) in the ranks of Derangement. Talk
institution administrators.

about role-reversals.... (For more information on Derange- put into creating progeny, and Nosferatu ghoul only those
ments, see Vampire: The Masquerade, p. 201.) whom they would consider for the Embrace.
After a ghoul is Bound to his Malkavian domitor, a Accordingly, this tight-knit clan treats newly initiated
rather classic model of a dysfunctional relationship devel- ghouls as the “new childer” in the Nosferatu warren. The
ops — one in which the vampire is obsessed with mental vampires train their ghouls to become bold, resolute and,
and physical game-playing, and the ghoul is awestruck by above all, competent, nourishing them and teaching them
the mental powers and charisma of his Kindred slaver. A the clan’s history in the process. Very often, Nosferatu war-
Malkavian can become addicted to this sense of power, rens resemble “communes”: Each ghoul works for the good of
just as the ghoul becomes addicted to the domitor’s blood. all Nosferatu, not just her domitor; and the Nosferatu treat
Long-term Malkavian-ghoul relationships exemplify the all ghouls, animal or human, with equal amounts of esteem.
word “codependency.” Contrarily, short-term Malkavian- Animal ghouls are common among the clan. They are
ghoul relationships are intense, melodramatic and often easily created, and they communicate well with their domi-
fatal for one or both parties. tors, for clan members possess the Animalism Discipline.
Malkavians don’t necessarily seek to make ghouls of people The clan’s animal ghouls consist mostly of slimy, unsanitary
with similar mental conditions; how would a human with urban critters. Most of these ghouls are lured in to serve
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder benefit a vampire who has the clan after tasting the luscious vitae of a Nosferatu who
this problem himself, aside from making sure the vampire locks shed her blood to fill up a Spawning Pool (see Clanbook:
the door to his haven by checking it 17 times? (Much to the Nosferatu, p. 38). After just one taste, the animals have to
Malk’s chagrin, however, the ghoul usually inherits her domi- come back for more and more of the scrumptious vampiric
tor’s Derangement anyway.) Kooks tend to ghoul humans who blood; potent Nosferatu blood is allegedly harder to kick
display qualities that they themselves lack, only occasionally than heroin or nicotine. After becoming
transforming those people who “feed” their Derangements. But Blood Bound, the Nosferatu’s animal
if a vampire has the Obsession Derangement, for example, he ghouls take on many of the
may ghoul someone who has a similar fetish or obsession in order clan’s characteristics,
to validate his Derangement. After all, lunacy loves company. growing to extreme
sizes and develop-
Nosferatu Ghouls ing freakish
Sewer Rat ghouls are recipients of a classic mixed blessing. deformities.
At least Clan Nosferatu gives its ghouls a bit of respect and
consideration for their good work. Unfortunately, Nosferatu
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 hu-
mans 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 wel-
come 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

Despite their “perks,” Nosferatu ghouls had best not in service to the domitor are the creme de la creme — and
grow complacent, no matter how well they are treated by naturally, ghouls in service to those other…leeches are too
the clan. And Heaven help the Nosferatu ghoul who sells gauche for words.
out her benefactors for, say, the sweet blood of a beautiful But pity the poor waif ghoul model when thin is no
Toreador. Laziness and rebellion alike are noticed and longer in and the Rubenesque look is back in style. Status
dealt with in poetic fashion. Ghouls who betray the clan disintegrates in a tidal wave of humiliation, and the former
are strapped to subway tracks to meet their deaths, or else beloved is tossed to the wayside by her fickle Toreador
immersed in pools of sewage to drown. domitor. After all, Toreador don’t like to show off ghouls
who aren’t in vogue!
Nosferatu Domitors Even ghouls in favor with their domitors walk on eggshells
The Sewer Rats are big fans of ghouls — animal most of the time, knowing full well that they could be thrown
ghouls, that is. Human ghouls can be of great help to Clan away like last season’s evening gowns at any given moment.
Nosferatu, but they are much more difficult to create; after Compounding this fear is the constant internecine feuds en-
all, to ghoul a mortal, a Nosferatu must coax or coerce the demic to Toreador cliques, as rival servitors use innuendo, nails,
mortal to remain in the vicinity. and whatever else it takes to maintain “Ghoul Number One”
Nosferatu find reliable human ghouls by looking on status. This catty competition often leads to violent frenzies and
the subways. The vampire uses Obfuscate to stand among stalkerlike behavior among the ghouls — anything to please
the after-hours crowds, searching for professionals in the the master, and anything to knock the competition down.
construction, urban planning, sanitation, transportation Most Toreador ghouls still keep in touch with mortals.
and city maintenance fields who are heading home after They have to in order to advance their domitors’ careers.
their exhausting second- and third-shift jobs. Overheard And, for those ghouls who have fallen out of favor,
snippets of conversations with other passengers usually mortals are the only remaining erotic outlets.
clue the Nosferatu in on the potential ghoul’s profes-
Outcast Toreador ghouls commonly seek (and oc-
sion. Only humans who can benefit the clan in some
casionally find) service in the ranks of another
manner are ghouled; many Nosferatu have neither the
“respectable” clan, such as the Ventrue; the new
patience nor the desire to associate with the mortals
domitor is delighted to take in the beautiful,
who shunned them so during their own lives.
wounded ghoul, providing affection and vitae
in exchange for a few trifles of information on
Toreador Ghouls the cruel ex-domitor. Naturally, the ghoul is
Toreador keep cliques of suave, sophisti- only too happy to oblige.…
cated ghouls; some of these ghouls actually prove
useful, and all cater to the domitor’s ego. Tore- Toreador Domitors
ador tend to select their ghouls from among the
The suave and beautiful Toreador
mortals they socialize with at parties, art openings,
have little trouble surrounding them-
theatrical productions, musical performances and
selves with throngs of willing servants
poetry readings, picking and choosing for “artistic”
— humans only, though; animals make
(i.e., no particularly logical) reasons.
good stoles and that’s about it.
Like the Brujah, Toreador
Some Toreador think of ghouls as
ghoul often and frivolously. A To-
pathetic-but-useful sycophants. Ghouls
reador might ghoul someone just to
are just nice to have around as whipping
have an eternally adoring fan of his
boys. They’re so much fun to taunt; they
work. It’s nice to be worshipped,
take the whole Blood Bond thing way
after all.
too seriously. Many Degenerates
Being a Toreador ghoul is look for extremely submis-
far from easy, but lavish rewards sive, introverted mortals,
await those whom the domitors entrapping them in erotic
favor — for exactly as long as relationships. For a cou-
the favor lasts. “In” ghouls are ple of wickedly fun
showered with designer cloth- 15-minute B&D
ing, invitations to high-society
parties and, most importantly
of all, adulation and respect
in cliquish Toreador cir-
cles. Naturally, ghouls

sessions and a few drops of blood per month, a Toreador what will happen to them should they divulge secrets to
has a loyal servant who idolizes her domitor, drives him newer initiates.
everywhere, acts as a bodyguard, serves drinks at parties, And once a Tremere consor is fully recruited, life is far
and works as his booking agent. from easy. The Tremere have even more enemies than most
Not all Toreador are so cruel to their ghouls. Some clans do, and while a consor’s introduction to the Tremere
actually feel a semblance of love for their Blood Bound may be gradual and mysterious, his introduction to the
slaves. Other clan members love the adoration they get from Assamites, Gangrel and Tzimisce is usually sudden indeed.
their special fans, and so they coddle their ghouls. Devoted Tremere ghouls perform a variety of functions. A dis-
ghouls stay forever by their Toreador lovers’ sides, trying to proportionate number serve merely as chum to be thrown
be more and more helpful with each passing year in hopes to the clan’s numerous foes. Many other ghouls are used
of eventually being Embraced by their lithe, creative-genius as research assistants, keeping the clan up to date on such
masters. Requests for the Embrace are usually futile, how- arcana as the Internet. Finally, Tremere ghouls make effective
ever; a Toreador would much rather have a parasitic little “living scrolls”: They have rituals of various sorts placed on
helper (whom she can let age if he acts up) than another them (often without their knowledge) and are sent about
annoying vampiric “friend” who’ll compete against her in their business; this business often takes them into the fold
all the art shows. of a rival or enemy, where the “inscribed” spell takes effect.
Tremere Ghouls Tremere Domitors

Ironically enough, many Tremere ghouls do not even Because the clan already employs numerous Gargoyles,
realize they are ghouls. Their masters shroud the truth from homunculi, demon-bound, and corpse minions as servants
them until absolutely positive that the ghouls will not leak and guards (see Clanbook: Tremere, pp. 33-35), Tremere
arcane secrets to rival clans or break the sacred Masquerade. are quite hesitant to create ghouls, who could conceivably
This deception, like so break the Masquerade, disrupt the clan’s order, and leak
much about the Tremere, is closely guarded secrets to mortal and Kindred alike. A
practiced under a guise of vampire must obtain permission from a superior before a
ingenuousness. Tremere ghoul can be initiated into the clan.
ghouls are often recruited Any Tremere wishing to create ghouls must abide by strict
from religious orders, Freemason criteria during ghoul selection and creation. Ghouls must either
groups — even fraternities and be obvious “one-shot” weapons (i.e., a cell of ghouls created to
sororities — and the initiation be thrown at the szlachta of an oncoming Sabbat siege) or po-
rites into Clan Tremere do tential neonates. The former must be demonstrably liquidated
not differ much from a cult’s at the end of use, while the latter must be carefully evaluated
or secret society’s. Typically, and made to swear all manner of secret and binding oaths.
initiates are not informed that Because they are under extreme pres-
each sip of vampire’s blood (or, sure from the highest clan authorities,
more likely, several vampires’ Tremere domitors are not, in
blood) from the ceremonial general, a very pleasant lot. In
chalice draws them closer to particular, younger domi-
being Blood Bound to the clan. tors who have personal
The Warlocks subscribe to the gripes with their el-
“ignorance-is-bliss” theory of ders often take out
enlightening their ghouls, their frustrations on
and share only half-truths obsequious ghoul
about the transformation. students. The
Only after a ghoul demon- ghouls, sworn not to defy
strates complete loyalty their domitors, often receive hu-
to “the order” does he mility lessons in the form of canings,
learn the truth — and whippings, razor cuts, bruises, and
even these lucky “con- severe verbal abuse. The Tremere
sors” receive ample Embrace only those ghouls who
demonstration of persevere against all odds, and
these leechlike students must be
kept in line somehow.

Ventrue Ghouls children...er...ghouls; the ghouls are the doers rather than
On first impression, Ventrue ghouls often seem suave the dreamers, and unlike other Kindred, they always fol-
and in control; as any Ventrue knows, however, it is the low their orders. Or else they get what’s coming to them....
domitor who exercises complete control over her ghouls. Generally speaking, though, the Ventrue clan gives a
Much of this control stems from the fact that Ventrue lot of credit to its ghouls; ghouls put up a very believable
recruit many ghouls from their mortal families. Certainly, facade for the mortals, and the clan seeks beyond all other
a Ventrue who ghouls her own grandfather expects noth- goals to maintain the Masquerade.
ing less than obedient gratitude for saving the old bastard’s In addition to ghouling sycophantic worker-types,
life. Many Ventrue ghouls are transformed in their late Ventrue often seek to ghoul mortals of political, legal or
mortal years — often just before succumbing to cancer or professional importance. The Ventrue are natural infiltrators,
the like — and Ventrue domitors constantly remind these and many clan members gain control over mortal affairs
older ghouls of the long, painful deaths they’ve been spared. through clever use of influential ghouls. Judges, minters,
Ventrue ghoulhood is a rather hierarchical existence. bankers, accountants, lawyers, mayors, newspaper publish-
Indeed, some elder Ventrue maintain “castes” or “ranks” of ers — these are the types of mortals many Ventrue wish to
servitors, complete with titles and insignia. These strictures recruit as ghouls.
make for some vampire-pleasing ghouls; ghouls who win their Particularly noteworthy is the Ventrue’s predilection
domitor’s favor are given a higher “ranking” than ghouls who for creating ghouls in their rivals’ organizations. These are
don’t bend as far for their masters, and many who perform often lower-echelon employees, as upper management is usu-
well become (or think they become) probable Embrace ally closely watched by the rival vampire and lower-level
candidates. Needless to say, ghouls commonly “rat” workers are the employees most likely to be disgruntled
on one another in attempts to gain status. by the “crappy working conditions” (often the result
Because many Ventrue of the rival vampire’s corporate piracy
ghouls negotiate important clan or what have you). It is laughably
business deals, they maintain a easy for the domitor-to-be to
great deal of contact with the approach such a potential ghoul
mortal populace. Many servitors and, through a combination of
continue to hold the same jobs Presence and promises, mold
they had in mortal years, him into a walking virus to
as their masters like to use against her rival.
have allies who can serve Ventrue frequently
as spies. ghoul their loved ones
Only the most naive in order to protect the
Ventrue ghoul dares to Masquerade and maintain
show allegiance to another open, “honest” relations
vampire domitor, especially with their relatives. Some-
one of a rival clan. The Ventrue times this leads to an almost
do not take kindly to sharing. paternal relationship between
Ghouls who are aware of this the domitor and his ghouled
rule know to stick with their family members. However,
own kind, so a Ventrue ghoul familial ghouls who abuse
is rarely seen conversing with their privileges or shirk their
another clan’s ghouls, save at the duties are often punished much
business end of a 9mm. more severely than nonfamilial
ghouls (how dare your own flesh
and blood betray you after all
the strength and life you have
Ventrue Domitors given her?). On the flip side of
Jaunty and controlling, the
the coin, preferential treatment of
Ventrue prefer to surround them-
a domitor’s family members often
selves with ghouls who aren’t afraid to
leads to vicious squabbles among
do a little dirty work for their domitors.
ghouls. After all, it’s not so far a
It is perhaps Clan Ventrue that has
step from “who gets the biggest
the most respect for its workers...er...

slice of pie” to “who gets the most vitae” — and though Lasombra Ghouls
blood may be thicker than water, it is hopelessly tepid Mortals unfortunate enough to be ghouled by a La-
compared to Ventrue vitae.… sombra vampire are in for serious abuse. The leaders of the
Sabbat tolerate ghouls only because their fellow Sabbat
The Sabbat’s Perspective members in Clan Tzimisce find them to be interesting
If the objects who serve us feel ecstasy, they are much diversions. Lasombra have no time or patience for interest-
more concerned with themselves than with us, and our own ing diversions, and so they make their ghouls work brutally
enjoyment is consequently impaired. The idea of seeing hard for every drop of blood. Even so, few survive for long;
another person experience the same pleasure reduces one to a the only diversion the Lasombra really enjoy is chess, and
kind of equality which spoils the unutterable charms that come ghouls serve as disposable pawns.
from despotism. Few Lasombra ghouls are given a choice about whether
— Marquis de Sade, 120 Days of Sodom 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
While the Sabbat hate mortals, they love to hate sufficiently useful to be worth the bother, yet sufficiently menial
ghouls. Many Sabbat consider ghouls to be something of a that the vampire would never consider the ghoul for Embrace.
joke, like a poodle wearing a pink dress and trying to walk Squadrons of suicide shock troops and staffs of personal groom-
upright; still, some Tzimisce and Lasombra would be ing assistants are most common among the Keepers; it is
bored if they didn’t have the little action figures to difficult to say which job is the more dangerous one.
bend and play with. Long-time Lasombra ghouls are rare. What few
The Lasombra and Tzimisce have very dif- exist tend to be timid, nervous creatures. They’ve
ferent opinions of ghouls, while most antitribu become so used to taking the blame for wrongs
superficially treat ghouls much as their Camarilla they have not committed, they just wince and
clan counterparts do. It should be noted, however, bear the pain, for they are dependent on domitors
that antitribu rarely succumb to emotional bond- who casually withhold vitae.
ing with their ghouls; that codependent bullshit Most Lasombra ghouls are not permitted to
is for mortals and wimpy Cam vampires only. associate with any other vampires, ghouls or
Most antitribu think ghouls are trash, and refuse mortals. Those who dare to disobey this stricture
should be disposed of properly after use. are mercilessly and inventively slain. Then,
Being a Sabbat ghoul is like walking a too, many Lasombra ghouls are rendered
razor-wire tightrope over a bottomless pit. All physically incapable of such interaction;
manner of draconian punishments await ghouls while the Lasombra do not equal the
who step out of line: A ghoul who is disrespect- Tzimisce in the fine art of disfigurement,
ful to a Sabbat, or who divulges sect secrets, they do an admirable job for beings not
faces such “disciplinary” tactics as drawing and blessed with Vicissitude. The psycho-
quartering or death by fire. Sabbat domitors are logical side effects of the Lasombra clan
also punished if their ghouls betray the Sabbat, weakness often manifest themselves in
so ghouls are subject to all manner of preventative this process, as squadrons of ghouls are
abuses heaped on them by paranoid domitors. all forced to wear the same featureless
Then, too, some Tzimisce adopt the approach masks or have their faces reduced to
that betrayal is impossible if a ghoul is rendered identical spiderwebs of scar tissue.
too unsightly to interact with anyone, or if its
tongue is reshaped into something more
Lasombra
aesthetically pleasing than functional.… Domitors
The mere thought of
ghouls makes any self-
respecting member of
Clan Lasombra

wince with disdain. Ghouls are nothing more than abhor- sequential than the choice between red or blue Play-Doh.
rent sub-Kindred who can’t do much more than comb Ghouls are useful for war and menial tasks; anything requir-
hair without having emotional breakdowns. Accordingly, ing skill or intellect can be delegated to a power-hungry,
Lasombra probably employ the fewest ghouls of any clan sycophantic revenant.
— Camarilla, independent, or Sabbat. Those few ghouls left in an approximation of human
Though they cannot stand ghouls, the Lasombra also shape live in constant fear — not only that the master will
cannot stand the fact that they are unable to admire their use them for spare parts, but also that a bored or hungry
own beautiful Caine-given features in the mirror. Some szlachta will attack them without any provocation while
Lasombra employ ghouls as personal-hygiene assistants for the master looks on and titters. Ironically enough, it is
this reason. But that hair must be brushed for at least 100 this very paranoia that often leads them to make that one
strokes, or 100 bruises will decorate the inattentive ghoul’s self-defeating and painfully fatal mistake.
body. And should the servant fail to apply the skin lotion
properly, the outraged Lasombra may well apply a “moistur- Tzimisce Domitors
izer” of muriatic acid to the ghoul’s skin.… Though not exactly respectful or tolerant of the sad little
Although some Lasombra are rumored to make ghouls of krevni oddats (blood addicts), the Tzimisce despise ghouls to
number-crunching mortals to help with clan finances, most a lesser degree than do Lasombra and other antitribu. After
clan members do not feel that they can trust ghouls with all, more than a few Tzimisce vampires were created from
matters of such import. Besides, it’s more fun to manipulate the revenant families’ offspring.
some gullible Ventrue — or, better yet, a sniveling Ventrue The masters of Vicissitude relish having large
ghoul — into doing one’s books. numbers of ghouls at their service for both busi-
ness and pleasure. While other clans employ
Tzimisce Ghouls ghouls almost strictly in servile capacities,
And you thought Lasombra ghouls had it rough.… Tzi- Tzimisce know how to be quite resourceful
misce ghouls often understand quite literally the meaning with their ghouls.
of the words “spineless toady.” Mercifully, many of these Ghouls make excellent “clay”
ghouls don’t realize how miserable they actually with which a neonate Tzi-
are, having been toyed with to such an extent misce can master the fine
that they aren’t even conscious of their art of Vicissitude. Prac-
own existences. By far the most wretched ticing on ghouls means
Tzimisce ghouls are those whose brains learning Vicissitude by
and psyches are left intact. the trial-and-error
About the only thing Tzi-
misce ghouls have going for
them is sheer power. Anti-
tribu who actually give a
damn warn their servi-
tors to steer clear of the
brutal Tzimisce ghouls.
Mortals Blood Bound
to the Fiends seldom
use their power for self-
advancement, though.
Tzimisce ghouls live, eat,
breathe, fight and kill for
their domitors, and their
domitors only.
For a clan so de-
pendent on ghouls,
Tzimisce are surprisingly
indiscriminate in whom
they choose to ghoul; on
the other hand, Tzimisce
reason that their choice of
subjects is little more con-

Clan Tzimisce’s Revenant
Szlachta (Guardian Ghouls)
In addition to their use of “normal” ghouls and rev-
Connections
Blood alone moves the wheels of history.
enants, Tzimisce also employ ghouls known as szlachta.
Combinations of scarecrows and combat machines, — Benito Mussolini
szlachta are bred and trained to serve as bodyguards,
soldiers and sentries. Most guardian ghouls’ bodies are Not quite kine, not quite ghouls, and most definitely not
altered through Vicissitude, to strengthen their fighting vampires, revenants are a rare breed in this age. Originally
skills and make them as fearsome as possible; szlachta created by the Tzimisce, revenant families have histori-
often scare the fight out of their enemies with just the cally served as guards, spies and sources of childer for the
wink of a pus-filled eye. Many szlachta are protected by Fiends. These nights, they are little more relevant than
bone armor, and most are armed-and-dangerous war dodoes — and would be just as extinct were the Tzimisce
machines complete with such ingeniously bonecrafted not so heritage-conscious.
features as Ginsu-sharp razors for teeth. Revenants differ from ghouls in a few ways; first of all,
More on szlachta can be found in Clanbook: Tzi- and perhaps most importantly, revenants do not need a steady
misce, p. 40; The Storytellers Handbook to the Sabbat, diet of Kindred vitae to maintain their powers, as revenants
pp. 80-81; and September ‘97’s Libellus Sanguinus: manufacture their own internal supplies of vampirelike blood.
Masters of the State, for Vampire: The Dark Ages. Revenants also practice hereditary vampiric Dis-
ciplines. And these Disciplines are indeed
“hereditary”: Revenants can reproduce,
although it takes about three years to
method. Mistakes can be killed and/or carry a revenant child to full term,
sucked dry of blood, which makes for a and the offspring
quick and zesty midnight snack; minor
blunders can also be (quite literally)
tossed onto the pile to be later used in the
creation of a vozhd (war ghoul). In many
Tzimisce manses, promising Vicissitude
students display their creations in the forms
of porous skin wallpaper, internal-organ
tapestries, intestinal lamps and breathing,
bone-constructed bric-a-brac. (The Fiends
inhabit only the most aesthetically pleasing
environments possible, as they usually spend
eternity in one place.)
Of course, Tzimisce don’t restrict the use of
Vicissitude on ghouls to neonate students of the Disci-
pline. Judicious disfigurement ensures that ghouls cannot
betray the clan to live normally among mortals. Tzimisce
domitors also use the threat of further bodily modification
as a deterrent, ensuring that ghouls behave properly and
obey all commands without question. More than one ghoul
has had her legs amputated after a mere utterance of the
word “but.”
On occasion, a more sympathetic Tzimisce
domitor will reshape a Vicissitude-worked ghoul
body part if his servitor performs every duty per-
fectly for a set period of time, maybe 10 years or
so. Such mercy is rare, though; some Tzimisce
don’t even think they themselves are perfect.
And ghouls had best not even dream of getting
Embraced — not unless they are descendants of
one of the revenant families.

Vozhd (Tzimisce War Ghouls)
Leave it to the Fiends — if an exquisite ghoul is The Domitors and Ghouls
to be created, it will be created by the Tzimisce. One
particularly monstrous Tzimisce creation is known as
of the Independent Clans
That special someone. The jack of diamonds. The king of
the vozhd (war ghoul).
hearts. The grave digger. He who possesses an elixir not unlike
Each vozhd is composed of approximately 15 to 20 that of a paregoric or a soothsayer. One night he came over.
individual ghouls (humans, animals, or combinations) He was beautiful. He was a mess. He stept outa the gutter
soldered together through Vicissitude into one colossal, and into my arms....
terrifying monstrosity. Vozhd are created in a variety of
— Lydia Lunch, The Right Side of My Brain
sizes to fit their domitors’ needs; the largest vozhd on record
measured approximately the size of a tyrannosaurus rex.
In centuries past, Clan Tzimisce used the beasts to If the Camarilla — or, for that matter, the Sabbat
attack rival vampires and mortals. Vozhd are notoriously — knew how frequently the independent clans use ghouls,
intractable, however, and the rituals used to “ensure” they would undoubtedly grow alarmed. The relatively spe-
control are unreliable; the creatures are more trouble cialized vampires of the independent clans rely on extensive
than they’re worth, and dangerous to boot. Few have networks of ghouls to administer their herds and holdings
been created since the 17th century. — and these, particularly for the Assamites, Setites and
Giovanni, are considerable.
Some younger Tzimisce have been exploring new ways
to create vozhd, ones that would make the creatures easier to
control; however, fledgling attempts to implant computer
Assamite Ghouls
Ghouls inducted into this clan don’t suffer nearly so much
microchips into lobotomized ghouls before melding them
as their counterparts in rival clans — at least they don’t think
together have caused more chaos than good. Then, too,
so. Brainwashed into believing their work is of paramount
the Sabbat tells horror stories of one Briareus, a vozhd that
importance, many Assamite ghouls fanatically serve the clan
retained its sentience and learned vampiric Disciplines from
in any way possible. After all, they figure, they’re going to be
the Fiends it devoured. Supposedly, this Briareus stalks the
Embraced after seven years, right? (Not always.)
world’s wastelands, cloaked by Obfuscate and consumed with
hate for the vampires who gave it its present hideous form. Surprisingly enough, many Assamite ghouls are employed
in “civilian” capacities, as spies and religious recruiters. Though
often display numerous deformities and birth defects from Assamites, as a rule, lack their rivals’ more direct powers of
centuries of inbreeding. (See Chapter One for more informa- mind control, over the millennia they have woven an intricate
tion on ghoul childbirth.) tapestry of influence in their home regions. Wealthy Bombay
Though revenants do not need Kindred blood to sustain gem merchants, imams, ambassadors, urchins, and ordinary
their powers, they do need it if they desire eternal life. While families: All have their purpose, all have their place. Seldom
their own blood contains trace amounts of Kindred vitae, are these ghouls ever bestowed the Embrace. The Assamites
it does not have enough to sustain the revenants’ systems need for them simply to continue with their mundane services,
agelessly. But revenants do have greatly extended life spans; and the ghouls do so with alacrity. Camarilla and Sabbat,
many live for centuries. stereotypically viewing the Assamites as a homogenous mob
Originally, there were many different revenant families; of scimitar-and-Uzi-wielding murderers, often overlook the
most of those families are now extinct. Witch-hunters, non- humble rug dealer or glamorous film star. This proves their
Tzimisce Sabbat, independent clans and Camarilla Kindred undoing when the Assassins themselves, alerted to their
wiped out the majority of the revenant population long ago. enemies’ havens, come calling at midnight.…
The four remaining families — the Grimaldis, the Zantosas, Mortals chosen as potential Assamites have a finite
the Obertuses and the Bratovitches — are closely guarded by “life span.” Selected primarily for combat expertise, they are
paternalistic Tzimisce. The Tzimisce feel that the families are rigorously trained for seven years. They become ghouls in
integral parts of the clan’s culture and reminders of the clan’s the process and learn how to tap the power of the Blood. At
origins, and the Tzimisce are very proud of their heritage. the end of the training process, all such ghouls must undergo
Unbeknownst even to Clan Tzimisce, certain revenant a test of merit. If they pass, they are turned into vampires;
families, namely the Bratovitches and Zantosas, have formed if they fail, they are turned into dinner.
rapidly growing cultist societies among the human under- As recruiters and spies, many Assamite ghouls continue
ground. Revenants barter with mortals and other ghouls, to maintain relations with mortals, though elder ghouls
and administer their blood in exchange for sexual favors, often demonstrate distressingly reactionary attitudes toward
drugs and protection. Westerners and “upstart” women. Even among the already
For more information on the revenant families, see the Blood Bound ghouls, women and those of neither Hindu nor
Character Chapter, pp. 76-81. Muslim lineage can be treated with thinly veiled disdain.

Recently, it seems, some sort of internal upheaval or purge in the kinks by presenting an angelic child, ripe for viola-
has gripped the clan. Though no stories come back from Alamut, tion, then watching the perverts’ horror as the “victim”
Assamite recruitment activity seems to have increased in the stuns them with a hypnotizing stare and lunges at them
past few years. How this affects the ghouls remains to be seen. with superhuman strength.…
Of course, Setites need more traditional followers as
Assamite Domitors well. Like Nosferatu, they recruit in lower-income areas,
Before being Embraced into the clan, all Assamites go preying on individuals with little to lose. Indeed, some
through rigorous seven-year “training periods” as ghouls, per- enterprising Setites market their devil’s elixir so seductively
forming numerous chores for the clan while they learn the fine that mortals actually perform favors merely for the privilege
art of assassination. Because of this enforced period of ghouldom, of obtaining “the juice.” Naturally, Setites refrain from men-
the Assamites — as former ghouls themselves — are more tioning the side effect of the Blood Bond until it’s too late.
empathetic to their ghouls than are many other clan masters. Like Assamite ghouls, Setite ghouls are often ma-
Now, empathetic certainly does not mean lenient. To nipulated into thinking that their work is of utmost
the contrary, serving as a ghoul for the Assassins is strikingly religious significance. Most Setite ghouls band together in
akin to going through basic training in the Marine Corps...for underground cults. Setite ghouls are administered bizarre
seven years. And after those seven faithful years, there is no ritualistic tinctures as well as blood when Bound to the
guarantee that ghouls will be granted the gift of im- clan. Then they are told to Recruit! Recruit! Recruit!
mortality. Assamites who rule over dutiful In addition to these human ghouls, the Followers
ghouls sometimes get a bit possessive and often find snakes to be loyal servitors, as well as status
insecure — why should one Embrace a symbols within the clan. However, the Setites are
ghoul and lose a devoted assistant? careful not to “wear their hearts on their sleeves,”
When seeking ghouls, clan mem- so to speak, so oftentimes clan members have their
bers tend to select Semitic males, human ghouls care for the serpentine ghouls.
although recently more females The life of a Setite ghoul is an ecstatically
and men from areas other than agonizing slide into depravity, but most learn to
the Middle East have been chosen enjoy it. Particularly competent, centuries-old
as potential Assassins. Assamites ghouls are pampered, permitted to wallow
demand honor, honesty and in vice, and generally treated with amused
pride from all their ghouls, and indulgence. Such ghouls often spearhead
in return the ghouls have a Setite incursions into Camarilla territory,
chance to live forever among establishing a daylight beachhead among
a superior clan. mortals before their masters close in for
the kill.
Setite Ghouls
The Followers’ ghouls Setite Domitors
come from a variety of sources. To spread their message of
Usefulness is the only criterion, corruption as far and as wide as pos-
and even this can be waived if sible, the Setites need some help
the domitor-to-be is in a par- from mortals, who do not live in
ticularly good (or bad) mood. constant fear of light. It’s quite
Setites use ghouls extensively, simple for the average
for business, pleasure or (most (so to speak — the
commonly) both. Followers are all far
Surprisingly, Setite from average beings)
ghouls are often people Setite to find qualified
considered morally upstand- candidates for ghouling;
ing or innocent in life. both pure and wicked
The clan’s work requires mortals make faithful,
numerous mortal ties, and obedient Setite ghouls.
while drug dealers and the The Followers’ blood is a
like have their uses, it is far highly addictive nectar, and
less obtrusive to work through clan members are masters of
politicians, priests and social the Blood Bond, especially
workers. Then, too, it is so easy to lure

vampires who possess the Addictive Blood Merit (See Many Giovanni disregard or are unaware of the trouble this
Clanbook: Setites, p. 39). causes in ghoul circles, however. It’s not uncommon for a
For most vampires, the ghouling process is simple child to murder her own mother if the competition for the
routine; for Setites, it is art. Some Setites gleefully spend Embrace is keen enough.
years setting up the degradation of a particularly uptight From birth, many Giovanni are steeped in the politics of
or righteous slave-to-be — perhaps even secretly guiding the supernatural, hungering for the endless life of their Kin-
him to the heights of financial and romantic success, then dred relatives. Accordingly, Necromancer ghouls constantly
stripping it all away in one fell swoop. The Setites are well fight battles of one-upmanship in often-futile attempts
aware of the story of Job. Then, too, there are few more to be Embraced. This competition pleases the vampires:
effective ways of demoralizing a slave than making him Drop a mere hint of the possibility of the Embrace, and
aware that all his previous worldly success was given to the youngsters’ll do all the shit work one could ever want.
him at a Setite’s whim. More than one ghoul has sought out and killed innocent
Setite ghouling practices are perverse, as befits victims merely to guarantee the domitor a steady supply
the clan. Clan members gain status for of blood or bodies. Others get involved in petty
recruiting new ghouls into the (and not so petty) crimes in order to bring
clan’s coils, particularly ghouls in the most money or information to
who were considered prudes their masters. Some of these unfor-
among the human populace. tunate ghouls are caught, however,
Such ghouls rarely re- so they either perish bloodless in
main prudish for long, as prison or are forced to strangle
Setites abuse the Blood the cops and informants to
Bond at whim and death.
out of sheer perver- Although Giovanni
sity. Forcing one’s ghouls are mostly fam-
ghouls to commit ily members, sometimes
degrading acts and a Necromancer Blood
violate loved ones Bonds other people to
is not only fun, but advance the clan’s inter-
respected among ests — medical students,
the Followers of morticians, priests, nuns,
Set. Ghouls also financial wizards, spiritual-
make ideal “test sub- ist psychics, coroners and
jects” for new forms stockbrokers all prove ex-
of pleasure; a ghoul’s traordinarily useful to the
superhuman vital- Giovanni.
ity enables him to
withstand chemical Giovanni
or erotic titillation Domitors
that would kill a
The Necroman-
normal mortal.
cers love their ghouls.
And they love plen-
Giovanni ty of them, too.
Ghouls The Giovanni want
If you can’t power above any-
keep it in your thing else, and how
veins, keep it better to achieve
in the family. that power than
That’s what the by using pawns? It
Giovanni say. becomes even easier
The family unit for a vampire to at-
is the best recruit- tain high status when
ing ground for new the vast majority of his
Giovanni ghouls. ghouls are members

of his own mortal family; with throngs of subservient schiavos Ravnos Ghouls
(slaves) indebted by blood and family ties, it’s not a difficult Ravnos ghouls don’t really have it all that bad, but they
chore to act superior. are often insecure, knowing full well that if their capricious
Approximately 60% of the clan’s ghouls are members domitors piss off the wrong monster or get annoyed at some
of the Giovanni family itself — while an astounding 100% minor misstep, the patshiv’s over. Ravnos vampires make
of Giovanni are former ghouls. Uncles, grandchildren, sure not to get too attached to their hired help, and getting
second cousins, brothers, sisters, mothers — all have a rid of extra baggage is considered to be good housekeeping.
shot at being Embraced later if they perform adequately as Besides, Ravnos who need to replace dead ghouls have no
ghouls. It’s not easy for them, of course; it’s never easy for trouble stealing them from other clans. Other than that,
a father, stubborn and domineering in life, to take orders ghouldom is mostly merry and simple for the Ravnos’ ser-
from his own Embraced son. But even if these ghouls are vants — just do your work, divert angry enemies away from
family, they must learn to be obedient, especially if they’d your domitor’s fleeing butt, and line up to get your red soup.
like to be candidates for Embrace. And perhaps it is more Rom, particularly members of the mortal Ravnos fam-
difficult to serve a loved one than just “any old vampire.” ily, are the most commonly created ghouls. Such ghouls are
Family pressure often rises to above the boiling point when generally mistrusted by their
money and power are involved. The Giovanni are familiar mortal kin, but grudgingly
with the old proverb, It’s better to allowed to participate in the
swallow pride than blood. The rituals of the kumpania. Gypsy
Giovanni want their ghouls ghouls prove especially useful,
to swallow both. And nobody for they often know tricks of
should respect you more than their own in addition
your own flesh and blood, to the powers of the
right? Blood. Such servants
It is wise for make a Ravnos’
Giovanni ghouls daylight hours far
to remember one more secure.
rule: Respect above Georgio
all else. If a ghoul also create
should forget this ghouls, but
adage, her domi- few of these
tor is capable of are Embraced.
reminding her Their masters
with a few broken merrily con them
bones or ampu- into believing
tated appendages. it’ll happen “one

night” — and might even believe it themselves from time too particular about whom they choose as recipients of their
to time — but as a rule, georgio ghouls either die from their mongrel blood. Anybody is good enough to be a friend, and
domitors’ negligence or act as second bananas until their a friend in need (of blood) is a friend indeed.
domitors find them unnecessary. Caitiff and Pander ghouls may have more difficult
Because the clan possesses the Animalism Discipline, obstacles to overcome when working for their domitors, but
it is common for Ravnos to create animal ghouls, such as in general the Clanless empathize with their ghouls; accord-
mules, camels, horses and dogs. Not only can animal ghouls ingly, ghouls are treated with much more respect by Panders
facilitate travel — as is the case with horses — but they or Caitiff than by, say, the Lasombra. This can, of course, be
can often perform tricks for mortals and vampires, diverting taken to extremes: Ghouls are sometimes deluded by Caitiff
attention from their conniving domitors who are looting domitors into roles as worshippers in elite blood cults.
the local boutiques, banks and back pockets. Regrettably, some
Ravnos ghouls have minimal contact with other clans’ Caitiff feel that the
ghouls, but maintain ties with mortals of quality and char- only power they have
acter (i.e., wealthy people with jewels or other valuables). is over ghouls, so they
Many ghouls also engage in a little daytime thievery for abuse them severely
their masters. — the age-old abused-
turning-into-the-abuser
Ravnos Domitors syndrome plagues many
Ravnos do not have many uses for ghouls. (What a drag of the Clanless. Caitiff
to have the annoying little things around cramping one’s
lifestyle.) Sometimes ghouls make good patsies, though,
and they’re gullible as can be.
While the freedom-loving Ravnos do not like to
have “babies” around to tie them down, it is com-
mon practice for Ravnos to ghoul members
of their own mortal families. Ravnos never
forget their roots, and many share the gift
of eternal life with their loved ones, in hopes
of eventually Embracing them into the clan.
Ravnos do not hate or systematically
mistreat ghouls, especially those who were
previously members of their mortal families.
When a ghoul is Bound to a Ravnos, though,
he’d better watch his step; if he makes a
mistake or otherwise displeases, he may find
himself the butt of a killing joke. The Ravnos
just love a good laugh....
The Clanless and

Their Ghouls
The Caitiff and their Sabbat counterparts, the
Panders, often have trouble coaxing 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 outcasts 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

domitors may abandon their ghouls or refuse to Embrace comes from ancient tomes and their domitors’ lips. It is
them even after years of continued service. Some even common for them to abuse “lowly” ghouls without feeling
drain their ghouls completely during the long dry seasons an ounce of remorse or pity — after all, this is how they’ve
between feedings. been treated forever.
Nonetheless, ghouls of this age are lucky, relatively
speaking. By this age, the master has had countless oppor-
The Age of Reason or the tunities to kill them and has decided against it, so many
Methuselah ghouls are treated with leniency and allowed
Age of Innocence? to do as they please so long as they carry out their duties.
After all, at this point, servitude is so ingrained that the
Just as a human being’s grandparents treat their grand-
son differently than his parents treat him, ghouls tend to be thought of freedom is quite alien to them.
viewed differently by domitors of different ages and genera- • Elders — Elders can make the most sadistic or the
tions. Age has a bearing on how a vampire sees the world most lenient domitors, depending on personal experiences
around her, and on how she treats those who serve her. 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
• Methuselahs — In order to sustain their immortality,
servants should not attempt to rise above their stations.
many Methuselahs retreat from vampiric society and keep
Some elders, though, have kept the same ghouls for centu-
their noses out of the Jyhad, much like members of the In-
ries. Such “heirloom” ghouls are usually given preferential
connu do. But sometimes a guy’s got to eat, so Methuselahs
treatment, serving their domitors as chambermaids and
often retain a few ancient ghouls who can procure tasty
personal servants. (For more information on elders, see
mortal and Kindred treats for their masters.
Elysium: The Elder War.)
Many Methuselahs, after multiple centuries of unlife,
• Elder Ghouls — To sum it up in one word, elder ghouls
have little desire or need to discipline their ghouls. At this
are “extreme”: extremely submissive, extremely conservative,
point, having performed the same rituals since the rule of
extremely codependent and extremely unfortunate. Elder
Charlemagne, the ghouls know exactly what the master wants
vampires rarely Embrace their loyal ghouls, and elder ghouls
and when he wants it. Indeed, Methuselahs often become
came to terms with this fact long ago. Most are content to
somewhat emotionally attached to their ghouls, welcoming
be blood addicts forever, destined to an immortality serving
ghouls into their unlives in order to feel a bit of warmth
a tyrannical vampire. Of course, these ghouls typically have
in their later years. It greatly saddens a Methuselah ghoul
little choice in the matter, as they’ve passed the point at
when her domitor asks her to kill him; it happens, though,
which they can survive without vitae.
because some Methuselahs can no longer bear immortality
after they reach a certain age. Strangely enough, many elder ghouls treat their domi-
tors’ childer like their own flesh and blood, acting like
A few suicidal Methuselahs Embrace their ghouls, then
hideously indebted nannies. Most elder ghouls don’t have
have them commit mercy killings. After the Methuselah’s
much contact with humans, and caring for their domitors’
Final Death, the newly Embraced vampire then takes over
childer is one of the few things that keeps them in touch
his former master’s role.
with their neglected human sides.
• Methuselah Ghouls — Older and more powerful than
• Inconnu — Most Inconnu are fourth- and fifth-
many vampires, these centuries-old ghouls have survived
generation vampires who want nothing to do with “lesser”
the turbulence of the ages. Many of these ghouls, having
Kindred. As Inconnu believe they can escape the Jyhad by
served multiple domitors during their existences, know more
hiding away from the world, they don’t tend to create many
about Kindred society than most Kindred do. Ghouls “in
ghouls. Still, Inconnu Monitors must occasionally meddle
the know” view Methuselah ghouls with as much awe as
in the affairs of their inferiors, so, like Methuselahs, they
vampires display toward their clans’ Antediluvians — yet
use powerful ghouls as agents provocateurs.
they are equally afraid of these enigmatic creatures, who are
rumored to stalk Kindred and lesser ghouls. Inconnu ghoul humans who, though competent, are
deemed unlikely to maintain emotional ties with mortals
Kindred also fear these cunning, survivalist ghouls.
or vampires. All Inconnu ghouls are immediately Blood
Methuselah ghouls’ vast knowledge, ability to move in
Bound, and Inconnu prefer to ghoul mute humans who
daylight and skill at masquerading as mortals make them
cannot leak a word of the sect’s secrets.
nightmarish foes.
• Inconnu Ghouls — Inconnu ghouls are feared by
Despite their often chilly facades, Methuselah ghouls
vampires and fellow ghouls alike. This is partly because of
are among the most emotionally erratic ghouls around. Their
the mystery that surrounds their hermitlike domitors, and
outlooks are more alien than many Kindred of tender years.
partly because they are not swayed by human emotion like
Their awareness of philosophy and the “ghoul” condition

most other ghouls. Of course, mute ghouls (approximately
70% of Inconnu ghouls) can’t express their dissatisfaction
or angst even if they want 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 con-
sists mainly of hunting for Golconda lore and fresh blood.
Inconnu ghouls often leave their masters’ sides for extended
periods, 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 fifth-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 useful 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 lesser and greater
Kindred alike.
• Ancilla Ghouls — The main difference between elder
ghouls 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 disaf-
fected 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 un-
lucky; 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 Disci-
plines as Dominate, Vicissitude, Potence and Thaumaturgy.

Though many ghouls suffer harsh treatment at the hands • Specialists — Brainier vassals with special talents and
of the neonates, a lot of these servitors were seduced skills are used as specialists. Vampires rely heavily on such
into servitude by these suave and still humanlike young ghouls to conduct business practices with which they are
Kindred, and so “puppy love” is still common among this unfamiliar, such as accounting, computer hacking, mortal
set. Neonates love the power they wield over their ghouls, investigation, stock trading and drawing up (often bogus)
and the ghouls generally love serving their domitors, as it contracts. Sometimes these duties include killing off a few
gives their lives purpose and meaning. nosy mortals or rival ghouls, but the specialists aren’t too
• Neonate Ghouls — Neonate ghouls must constantly concerned as long as they get their vitae.
contend with their angst-filled, recently Embraced domitors’ • Paramours — Paramours consider themselves the
troubles. Many don’t mind, however; the Blood Bond is still luckiest ghouls of all; after all, they reason, they don’t have
a novelty, and so these ghouls tend to be hopelessly devoted to fight or otherwise endanger themselves for their masters.
to their hip young domitors. Still, ghouls who serve neonates How wrong they are.
have to learn (often the hard way) how to be versatile; those Paramours are chosen purely for their companionship.
who can’t cope with their masters’ fickleness and emotional On good nights, they are showered with affection and
tribulations don’t tend to last long. Then, too, many neonate dosed up with enough scrumptious vitae for a whole cadre
ghouls serve as guinea pigs for their domitors’ “Discipline of ghouls. On bad nights, however, paramours are beaten
experiments”; such physical and mental violation often nearly to death, mentally raped, and casually drained of
drives vassals into shrieking frenzies. blood — and they are expected to smile through the intol-
Neonate ghouls are more technologically savvy than erable abuse, because, of course, they are their domitors’
other ghouls, giving their masters an unexpected edge in best buddies, and that means constantly reaffirming their
Kindred machinations. Neonate ghouls also tend to be better loyalty to their masters.
at interaction with mortals, as they still retain a good deal A different sort of paramour is the lure. Lures are ghouls
of their natural human empathy. This usefulness, however, chosen for physical attractiveness and charm; these vassals
can be a double-edged sword; older ghouls often become are sent out to cruise the Rack, picking up likely victims
jealous of their younger brethren, doing everything they and bringing them back to their domitors’ havens.
can to frame or ruin them.
Independents
The polar opposites of their vassal counterparts, in-
Ghouls’ Roles in the dependent ghouls are exactly what their moniker implies:
independent. Independent ghouls roam the streets, working
World of Darkness “freelance” for various vampires or finding their own blood
through unsavory methods.
While ghouls differ according to clan affiliation and
age, they also take on specific societal roles in the World • Stalkers — Fed up with vampiric rules, and far
of Darkness. Ghoul vassals, independents and revenants all from submissive, these ghouls hunt Kindred to attain
serve different functions in their collective society. Some their own stocks of blood. Successful stalkers also act as
more common functions are described below. blood dealers, selling or trading Kindred blood to other
ghouls in exchange for money and favors. Such a lifestyle
is exceedingly difficult to maintain; few stalkers survive
Vassals more than a year or two, but those who do are among the
These ghouls are the most loyal to their domitors, for toughest mortals around.
most of them are Blood Bound. Vassals readily perform any • Brokers — Brokers serve as freelance contractors
and all tasks for their domitors, even if they must humiliate for many vampires, but are careful never to become bound
or hurt themselves in the process. to any particular domitor. Vampires typically use brokers
• Bodyguards — The strongest, ugliest vassals are when they and their servants are under foes’ scrutiny and
chosen to be bodyguards for their vampiric masters, guarding cannot act directly. They carry out orders and do lots of
their domitors at all times and acting as bouncers and door behind-the-scenes dirty work in exchange for vampiric vitae.
staff at havens. Most of these ghouls are happy performing Smart businesspeople, brokers typically become stronger
their duties; their domitors usually feed them more blood and more well-rounded than other ghouls; after ingestion of
than other ghouls, in order for them to maintain high levels many different clans’ vitae, they can inherit more Discipline
of physical prowess. knowledge than other ghouls can.

A particularly repulsive type of broker is the slaver. The games test a ghoul’s willpower and strength the
Slavers conduct a thriving underground trade in human old-fashioned Darwinian way: Survival of the fittest. Ghouls
flesh, abducting mortals and selling them to vampires. A who perform consistently well are usually rewarded with
few slavers (those with enough influence in mortal society higher status, extra doses of Kindred blood, decreased du-
to cover up missing-persons cases and provide victims “to ties, and a better chance of being picked for the Embrace.
order”) have become extremely wealthy and powerful. Conversely, ghouls who fail to perform up to par during the
• Cultists — The World of Darkness fosters many heated competitions risk Derangements, abandonment,
strange practices, and so a number of fringe religious cults brutalization, increased duties, and even execution by other
based on blood worship exist in the societal underground. ghouls or shamed domitors.
Ghoul cultists worship Kindred for their blood, yet are lucky • The Main Event — One of the most popular games
enough not to be Bound to any particular vampire. Such is a variant of cockfighting, known in vampiric circles as
cults often maintain a symbiosis with their “gods,” taking “The Main Event.” Generally speaking, such bloodsports
“sacrament” in exchange for favors. are limited to Nosferatu, Brujah and independent clans,
Vampires treat the cults as they would shrubbery: oc- though the occasional Toreador-serving fencer or szlachta
casionally nurturing them, but pruning them to the roots pit fighter participates.
when necessary (for example, when the cultists’ peripheral Main Event tourneys can involve weapons or bare hands,
activities threaten to violate the Masquerade). but they are generally lethal; the vampiric spectators find
• Pedants — Few and far between, ghoul pedants are the bloodshed erotic. Nosferatu often enter masked ghouls
occasionally hired by Camarilla vampires as “obedience reminiscent of lucha libre fighters, while more brutal clans
instructors” to train more defiant, troublesome ghouls. prefer their ghouls to fight with spiked cesti or other weapons.
Fewer than a dozen such ghouls exist in the United States; In any event, gladiators’ Potence and healing capabilities
most are former servants of the Inconnu who were allowed make for lengthy, interesting fights.
to leave. They are prized by Camarilla vampires, for they A few enterprising vampires have even entered their
show no mercy toward their ghoul pupils. fighters in pro wrestling circuits or Ultimate Fighting Cham-
pionships, though various unfortunate accidents usually
curtail the careers of such rising stars.
Revenants • Pin the Tail on the Lackey — Only Tzimisce domi-
Loyal to the Sabbat, yet not serving any particular tors commonly participate in this Sabbat mainstay, for it
vampire, revenants are not so useful as they were in less tests a vampire’s skill with Vicissitude. Generally speak-
civilized times. Still, many serve Clan Tzimisce as spies, and ing, this game is played by younger, “adolescent” Fiends;
revenant families are spawning grounds for potential neonate Tzimisce elders find the competition somewhat undigni-
Tzimisce. A growing number of revenants are becoming fied. Still, Panders, Brujah and Nosferatu antitribu love to
much like their cultist ghoul counterparts, worshipping watch, and so the ad hoc contests will likely continue for
nomadic packs and fleshcrafted Tzimisce “icons.” nights to come.
Prior to the actual competition, each Tzimisce master
selects five newly ghouled humans, then proceeds to alter
Stupid Ghoul Tricks, them in a fast-paced body-reconstruction showdown. The
domitor is given 15 minutes to make each member of his
ghoul quintet look as inhuman as possible, using only his
Or, Games Vampires Play mastery and knowledge of various Vicissitude techniques.
The winning Fiend is determined by a panel of Tzimisce
The dark horse will bring glory to the jailer and his men.
judges as the vampire unveils her new Vicissitude-worked
It’s always much more sporting when there’s families in
“animal” creations.
the pit and the madness of the crowd is an epileptic fit.
In the colosseum tonight. • The Frenetic Frenzy — In this event, ghouls
compete with each other to resist frenzy for as long as
— Tom Waits, “In the Colosseum”
possible while faced with horrifying situations. There
are different categories in this event, each relating to a
Aside from serving vampires in a multitude of capacities,
different ghoul weakness.
ghouls appeal to more playful vampires as well. One must
treat oneself to a little recreation now and then, and it’s no Past categories have included the following: pumping up
longer a challenge to be evil when everyone is already afraid the ghoul with 10 times as much vitae as he is given normally;
of you. To combat apathy, Kindred have, over the centuries, forcing the ghoul to watch the torturous exsanguination of
used ghouls as gamepieces in the deadliest of contests. a mortal child; strapping the ghoul to an operating table

and forcing an IV into his veins, slowly but steadily draining
blood from his system; and force-feeding the ghoul bits of
flesh from his mortal loved ones’ bodies.
Winners of this event — those ghouls who resist frenzy
for the longest amount of time, or those who resist it com-
pletely — are deemed more powerful than their fellows, and
they are often marked for possible Embrace.
• Sex Tableaux — This game is a particular favorite
among Toreador domitors, but elders from most Camarilla
clans have been known to force their ghouls’ participation
in this humiliating spectacle. It’s simple — whether or not
it’s feeding time, a defiant ghoul is forced to overdose on
vitae, then directed to a “stage” with several other pumped-
up ghouls. It usually takes only minutes for the ghouls to
frenzy, libidinously clawing at each other and sampling each
other’s blood. The domitors sit at the sidelines, cackling
like hyenas, as their ghouls go about the pornographic yet
interesting process of satisfying their base biological needs.
• Twisted Trysts — This particular game requires
much more forethought and planning than the others, but
bored Elysium vampires who set up the Trysts get ample
satisfaction from witnessing their ghouls’ pain and heartache.
Basically, Camarilla Harpies subtly steer their ghouls toward
nervous breakdowns, then make it look as if things are the
ghouls’ own fault. The Trysts always involve fellow ghouls
or domitors on whom the ghouls have developed crushes.
The vampires orchestrate grandiose gestures, attribute them
to the pining ghouls, then watch from behind the scenes
as the ghouls fail in their attempts to find happiness and
romance. This “Melrose Place” of a ghoulish game is the
soap opera of choice for crafty domitors who have extra
time on their hands...what’s a few months’ planning to an
immortal, anyway?
Stuck in the Mortal Coil:

The Human Side of the
Ghoul Equation
Ghouls are still mortal. This simple statement embodies
a host of relationships and responsibilities — from babies
to bosses — that the alienated Kindred simply don’t think
about. The inevitable dichotomy that occurs within each
ghoul can metamorphose into a devastating battle.
Some ghouls deny the presence of their supernatural
abilities, fearing that they will be labeled witches, lunatics or
addicts. A few ghouls, suffering from the nocturnal visitations
of Cauchemars, treat the whole incident as a recurring dream
or nightmare. Indeed, domitors with Obfuscate and/or Psychic
Projection sometimes deliberately foster this delusion; they
visit their drowsy servitors in the guise of “visions,” ordering
them to commit various acts over the succeeding days.

Other ghouls, particularly those who suffered from Since the nights of the First City, vampires have struggled
emotional handicaps in their mortal lifestyles, revel in to deal with their ghouls’ overeager libidos. Many Kindred
their status. These ghouls quickly (and often violently) ask their ghouls to find people whom they consider attractive,
lift themselves up in the mortal pecking order, becoming then bring them home to the vampire’s haven to be ghouled
abusive bullies (behavior often reinforced by the domitor). as communal concubines. This doesn’t always work out, as
Such ghouls swiftly become dependent on vitae to maintain each ghoul has different tastes and desires, and many ghouls’
their Potence and power over mortals, who may have abused predilections are seen as “perverse” by other servitors.
them previous to their transformations. Vampires, no longer understanding sexuality but ab-
Most ghouls, however, wind up as alienated as their stractly realizing its usefulness as a carrot/stick, often use
masters. As they move deeper into their weird nocturnal sex as a motivator. Typically, a vampire finds a pleasing
world, they find themselves unable to confide in their victim and Blood Bonds him, offering this ghoul’s services
mundane friends, out of fear of the Masquerade or fear of as reward for the more productive members of his entourage.
ridicule. As a ghoul grows more and more distant from his Star performers may even be granted a half-hour or so of
daylight world, friends, loved ones and relatives disappear sanguinary pleasure with the master, though such ecstasy is
— not in one fell swoop, as with the Embrace, but with typically limited to oral pursuits. And for those ghouls who
heartbreaking slowness. A date broken in favor of some are not so productive…well, there are always the hellhounds.
errand for the domitor; a friendship cast aside, as the ghoul Ghouls who enjoy sadomasochistic activity tend to
refuses to reveal why she’s “been acting so weird” lately; a be the luckiest of the lot. Although vampires don’t enjoy
child suffering the wrath of a Potence-boosted frenzy…all intercourse, many find that beating and whipping their
too often, ghouls find suicide to be the only way out. ghouls into shape is an excellent catharsis for the Beast,
An especially troublesome phenomenon is that of the and sexually submissive ghouls experience the orgasms of
abandoned ghoul, a mortal who was fed vitae but subsequently their lives when their domitors “punish” them for pleasure.
neglected. These wretched ghouls often have no idea what is And healing their own wounds is half the fun.
happening to their bodies and minds; they crave something,
but can’t quite put their fingers on it. Many such ghouls,
feeling odd sensations in their blood, seek out drugs from
A Confederacy of Ghouls:
street gangs and dealers, thinking they need injections of
some sort. Coupled with the recent resurgence of heroin’s
Secret Societies and
popularity, this longing has led numerous ghouls to messy Ghoul Cults
deaths from overdose, as they inject more and more smack After too much time spent as victims, many ghouls
in a desperate attempt to quiet the craving. Some ghouls decide to seek enlightenment and tranquillity in religion
share needles with humans, spreading their vampire-tainted — or to seek vengeance on the monsters who created them.
blood to mortals, while others contract AIDS and other Some younger ghouls, sick of being bossed around by older
potentially fatal viruses from the unsterilized needles. In the vampires, escape the clans and seek refuge in ghoul cultist
last few years, this phenomenon has ravaged lower-income compounds or underground ghoul societies, where they can
communities. Indeed, the Setites have taken notice and are call the shots. Ghoul societies and religious cults existed
considering using similar tactics as part of subversive wars during the Dark Ages (the Priests of Set and the Order of
of attrition against Camarilla vampires’ herds. the Sable Rose being two examples), but modern-era ghouls
have formed numerous new underground societies and cults,
Sex and the Single Ghoul some of which are detailed below.
Even after their transformations, ghouls retain the
desire to give and receive affection. Not surprisingly, many The Sanguinaries
ghouls, physically and psychologically traumatized by the This extremely secretive society was set up by an angry
transformation, become obsessed with sexual activity as a Caitiff ghoul known only by the code name “Adam.” Frus-
way to feel human (and to work off all that Potence they’ve trated by his fellow ghouls’ dependence on cruel domitors,
inherited from Kindred vitae). In some ways, vampire blood Adam teamed up with an influential Zantosa revenant, who
can be looked at as a gateway drug, one that leads the ghouls managed to get enough Tzimisce blood to “set up shop” with
to obsess about matters such as sexuality. the Caitiff ghoul. The pair began selling vials of blood to
More often than not, ghouls want only their beloved other defiant ghouls, in exchange for favors of various sorts.
domitors. Unfortunately, though vampires may be sensual The Sanguinaries exists primarily in the United States,
creatures, they are far from being sexual creatures, and though a few cells extend into Canada and Central America.
ghouls want more than quick kisses or emotionless romps It is a small sect, and most of its power is concentrated in
in the coffin. the hands of Adam and the Zantosa — which is exactly the

way they like it. Though Sanguinaries doctrine espouses The Young Bloods
the lofty ideals of liberation and enlightenment, the sect is
This gang of vicious mercenaries was formed in 1994,
basically a business, and thrives on the desperation of the
when a group of werewolf fomori attacked a Nosferatu
ghouls who come to it.
antitribu who was dumb enough to explore the ugly
Rumor has it that an escaped Tremere ghoul has recently landscape surrounding the East River one cold night.
joined the sect — one who knows enough about Thauma- The fomori ripped the vampire apart with their sharp
turgy to transform mortal blood into vampire vitae. If so, talons, but captured the dead Nosferatu’s ghoul, Judas.
the Sanguinaries may well face summary extermination by The ghoul and the fomori came to an arrangement:
a wrathful Clan Tremere. The Wyrm-spawn would provide Judas with his fix, and
in return Judas would help the fomori hunt down and
The Disciples of Set destroy other vampires.
The Disciples of Set was initially formed in 1989 by
Judas leaked word of the deal to his friend Dave, a
two disillusioned Setite ghouls: Aziza Mohareb of Egypt,
Malkavian antitribu’s ghoul who suffered from Multiple
and Steven O’Malley of San Francisco. Aziza had been
Personality Disorder. Judas figured his new Bane allies
turned into a ghoul by Farouk, a Setite elder who, in typical
would welcome a fellow ghoul who had 26 different
Setite fashion, forced Aziza to sexually entice mortals into
personalities (13 of them psychotic); Judas was right.
the Setites’ clutches. Aziza was disgusted by his orders, but
For his part, Dave was elated at the chance to escape
could do little against the power of the Blood Bond.
his vicious domitor, who abused him on a nightly basis.
Farouk and Aziza traveled to San Francisco, where the Dave informed the fomori of his domitor’s whereabouts,
Followers thought they could find easy converts. Farouk met and they messily destroyed the Malkavian. This pattern
O’Malley at a gay bar in the Castro District. Steven was continued, and Judas and Dave recruited more and more
a bouncer there and had numerous contacts in the local fed-up ghouls into the renegade group’s fold, luring them
leather community. Seeing great potential in the young in with promises of vitae and revenge on their domitors.
man, Farouk decided to ghoul Steven and take him back
Eventually, the Young Bloods (as the ghoul gang
to Egypt, in preparation for Embracing the young man.
dubbed itself) became such a powerful force that the
Unfortunately for the Setite, Steven’s enraged lover Timo- Wyrm-corrupted corporation Pentex took the group
thy heard through the grapevine what had happened to Steven, under its wing. Pentex provided the Young Bloods with
and he and his biker friends set out to kill the vampire. Much motorcycles; now the ghouls roam from city to city,
to the bikers’ dismay, they were unable to find Farouk, who had destroying Lupines and vampires alike. Packs of Young
fled town after a horrifying run-in with an Asian vampire. But Bloods travel throughout the U.S., and rumor has it that
in his haste, Farouk had abandoned both Aziza and Steven. some of them have even migrated to Europe.
The two ghouls banded together with the bikers to search For more information on the Young Bloods, see
for Farouk. The group caught up with the erstwhile domitor World of Darkness: Midnight Circus.
in Seattle, where he had established a ramshackle temple and
created a few new ghouls. Armed with stakes and razor blades, The Sacrament of the Reborn
Aziza, Steven, and their biker allies stormed the temple. Farouk’s This faction of abandoned ghouls believes that by
ghouls went into frenzy, and, in the chaos, Farouk was slashed worshipping the Kindred and chanting from The Book
and staked into torpor. Aziza and Steven drained him of most of Nod, a new, messianic domitor will appear to give
of his vitae, then fed the leftovers to the bikers and the worship- its members the precious blood they desire. Primarily
ping ghouls. The various factions united into a group known composed of former Gangrel, Ravnos and Caitiff ghouls,
as the Disciples of Set, a society formed to worship Aziza and the Sacrament zealously adheres to the teachings of its
Steven as the true prophets of the Dark God Set. leader, the mysterious Reverend Kam. Kam and his close
The Setites, of course, find this extremely amusing. followers dwell on an expansive private compound in
For now, they are willing to let the “Disciples” run their Brazil; from here, the charismatic Kam broadcasts his
course, realizing the group’s usefulness as a red herring. In messages of salvation and prayer to all members of the
a few years, after they have evaluated the usefulness of the Sacrament.
organization, they will decide whether to bring it into their In reality, Reverend Kam is a Setite ghoul. He adminis-
coils or simply strike it down. ters blood to the ignorant ghouls from his own private stock
of addictive Setite blood, and after three prayer sessions, the
ghouls are effectively Blood Bound to the Setites. Reverend
The Unmastered Kam is being considered for the Embrace, and the ghouls are
This society is covered in depth in the Storytelling blissfully happy to have new domitors and steady supplies
Chapter of this book, pp. 94-98. of blood. Prayer really works miracles.

Chapter Three:
Character Creation
Jody: Shit. Why you think we gave you such a hard time
growin’ up here, boy? Trynna toughen you up.
— Garth Ennis, Preacher
Ghoul characters are built in a fashion similar to (Revenants only) Select ghoul family:
vampires, but there are a number of key differences. The Bratovitch: Monstrous and bizarre hunters and
most important, of course, is that ghouls get fewer dots to deviants.
distribute among their Traits. However, although they may Grimaldi: The most human of revenants, they
be weaker than the average beginning Vampire character, live among mortals.
ghouls have a number of advantages all their own. Obertus: Reclusive scholars who seek forbidden
knowledge.
This chapter presents full rules for creating ghoul
Zantosa: Hedonist dilettantes who serve them-
characters usable in a Vampire chronicle, in an all-ghoul
selves.
chronicle, or even in other Storyteller System games such
• Step Two: Select Attributes
as Werewolf: The Apocalypse. A ghoul’s Traits will for the
Prioritize categories: Physical, Social, Mental (6/4/3)
most part be identical to those presented in the Vampire:
Choose Physical Traits: Strength, Dexterity, Stamina
The Masquerade rulebook. However, to properly play Sabbat
Choose Social Traits: Charisma, Manipulation, Appearance
ghouls or revenants and their inhuman Virtues, the Players
Guide to the Sabbat may be useful. If you don’t have this Choose Mental Traits: Perception, Intelligence, Wits
rulebook, go ahead and wing it. • Step Three: Select Abilities
Of course, the rules presented here are optional. They’ve Prioritize categories: Talents, Skills, Knowledges (11/7/4)
been chosen to maintain the spirit of the World of Darkness Choose Talents: Your natural aptitudes
while keeping play fairly balanced, but if you have difficulty Choose Skills: What you’ve been trained to do
with a certain ruling, change it. Nobody knows your game Choose Knowledges: What you’ve studied
better than you do, and your group is always the final arbiter • Step Four: Select Advantages
of what works best around its table. Choose Backgrounds (5), Disciplines (Potence 1, + 1 other
Note: In some chronicles, being a ghoul may require a Discipline) and Virtues (7, or 5 for Sabbat ghouls and revenants)
five-point Merit. If so, any player who pays the point cost Vassals: Choose a Discipline known to your domitor
for the Merit may generate a character per the rules below. Revenants: Choose a family Discipline
Independents: Choose any Discipline
Character Creation • Step Five: Finishing Touches

Record Virtues, Humanity/Path of Enlightenment, Will-
• Step One: Character Concept power and Blood Pool
Choose concept: Vassal, Revenant or Independent Spend “freebie points” (21)

about the Sabbat? Were you immersed in Sabbat politics early
Step One: Concept on? Have you been abused by the ghoul-hating members of
Character concepts cover a lot of ground. A ghoul can the sect? Why are you active away from home? Will you ever
be anybody, who’s been ghouled for any reason. Let’s face it; if go back, and if so, how do you think you will be received?
a Toreador catches sight of a pretty face in a crowd, ghouling • Independents: How did you receive your first taste
said darling is far less risky than giving her the Embrace. If you of vitae? Did you know about vampires before you became a
grow tired of her, no one will complain if you neatly dispose of ghoul? How do you maintain your supply of the Blood? Do
her. A childe is forever — a ghoul is only for as long as it suits you interact with Kindred on their own terms, or do you de-
you. What’s more, anybody who’s good at anything, whether liberately avoid becoming entangled in their politics? Do you
it’s car maintenance, secretarial skills or street combat, might know anything about the clans? Are you an escaped ghoul?
be ghouled by a Cainite who has use for that particular skill. If so, what was your role: paramour, szlachta, aide? Have you
So what if a Brujah is only interested in Embracing someone as been contacted by the Unmastered? Do you know about any
sexy as she is — hell, her ghouls could look like Mr. Whipple other denizens of the World of Darkness? Do you want to?
and Martha Raye. Since the standards for ghouldom are less
exacting, your basic concept could range anywhere from an
Indiana Jonesish archaeologist to “that quiet guy next door.”
Step Two: Attributes
Mortals begin play with less raw potential than vampire
Your concept includes your basic image (and self-
characters do. A ghoul has fewer dots to divide among her
image), Nature and Demeanor. It also defines your role in
Attributes, as her capabilities are more mundane — at the
the chronicle. Generally speaking, your character begins the
start. You begin play with one free dot in each Attribute,
game either as a vassal under the Blood Bond to a domitor,
of course. After prioritizing your Attributes, you may then
as a member of a revenant family, or as an independent with
spend six dots among your primary Attributes, four among
alternate means of obtaining vitae to preserve her powers.
your secondary, and three among your tertiary.
Whichever way, you should at least think about the following
Your concept helps define how you arrange your At-
questions, the better to flesh out your character.
tributes; for more information, see the two-page spreads
• In General: How did you first find out you were twice
on ghoul types.
as strong as before, and what did you do with your newfound
power? What’s your day job; do you have trouble there these
days? Have you ever been driven into a frenzy, and how? Do Step Three: Abilities
you know you’re an addict, or do you fool even yourself? How Again, ghouls start with fewer dots than do Kindred
do you rationalize your “habit”? What sorts of problems do characters. After prioritizing your Abilities, you have 11 dots
you have in your everyday life — your boss, significant other, to divide among your primary Abilities, seven for secondary,
relatives? Do you hate anybody enough that you now feel like and four for your tertiary Abilities. As usual, you may not
doing something about it — or have you done it already? spend more than three dots in any Ability during this stage
Do you know that you can heal yourself from near-mortal of character creation.
wounds, and how does that knowledge affect your behavior?
How would you describe the Blood; what metaphors best
sum up that incredible rush? Do you know that other ghouls
Step Four: Advantages
Although far weaker than Cainites, ghouls still have an
exist; how do you feel about them? Would you let a loved one
edge over ordinary men and women. All ghouls begin play
become a ghoul; would you encourage her or try to prevent it?
with one dot of Potence, which is instinctively learned almost
• Vassals: What sort of person were you before you
immediately. Each ghoul also has one dot in another Discipline,
became a ghoul? How have you felt your personality change
which should be chosen according to the character concept.
since you began your service? Do you define yourself solely
If you’re playing a vassal, you must pick a Discipline that your
in terms of your relation to your master? Why were you
domitor knows. Check with your Storyteller; your domitor’s
chosen; what do you have to offer your domitor? Were you
clan will usually be a guide. If you’re playing a revenant, you
tricked into becoming a ghoul, or did you go willingly? Are
should choose your second Discipline from the traditional
you treated fairly, or is your liege abusive? What clan is your
Disciplines of your family. Independent ghouls have no “clan”
master, and what role does she play among the city’s Kindred?
restrictions, but if you are creating an independent character,
Is she of high status, an outcast, or something else? Are you
the Storyteller may require you to choose your second dot
szlachta; if so, do you ever go out in public? Have you ever
from among the “instinctive” physical Disciplines (Celerity,
felt anything as powerful as the Blood Bond?
Fortitude and Potence).
• Revenants: What family do you belong to? How strong
Two exceptions to this rule are Protean and Thauma-
is your loyalty to your family? How did your extremely pro-
turgy; these highly specific Disciplines are available only to
longed childhood affect you? Were you abused by your family?
Gangrel and Tremere vassals, respectively. And while the
Do you have any sibling rivalries? How much do you know

independent and Sabbat clans’ Disciplines are not “off limits” not blossom into friendship except in the most extraordinary
as such, ghouls who know Quietus or Obtenebration (for cases. Similarly, domitors do not usually permit their vassals
example) had better have a good reason for their knowledge. to keep retainers — that is the role of the ghoul, and servants
Ghouls (and revenants) are typically limited to learning
Sponsor’s Maximum Optional
only the first level of any Discipline; their borrowed vitae Generation Discipline Maximum
simply isn’t potent enough to bestow more powerful abilities. Level Discipline Level
However, they can exceed this limit by consuming blood 13th-11th 1 1
from more powerful vampires. The potency of said blood is 10th-9th 1 2
directly connected to the donor’s generation — the closer 8th 1 3
the vitae to Caine, the more powerful the Disciplines a ghoul 7th 2 3
may learn. The ghoul must drink this blood for a consider- 6th 3 4
able period of time (i.e., long enough to gain the requisite
5th 4 4
experience points to buy such advanced Disciplines).
4th 5 5
The chart below gives the standard correlation between
a donor’s generation and the level of Disciplines a ghoul may are not in need of servants. Finally, ghouls possess no Status
attain. What’s more, there is an optional rate of progression among Kindred; they are considered chaff at best. A character
for Storytellers who wish ghouls to be more immediately may earn the respect of the local Cainites, but such a thing
powerful. Unless your Storyteller tells you otherwise, assume is rare, and must always happen in play.
that this option is not being used. However, vassals may purchase the new Background of
Virtues are a little more complicated and depend on Domitor, to represent their relationship with their master.
whether your character follows the code of Humanity or one For details, see p. 82.
of the Sabbat Paths of Enlightenment. Most ghouls should
have Humanity by default, and should therefore possess the
Virtues of Conscience, Self-Control and Courage. Ghouls
Step Five:
are human, after all, and their instinctive virtues are hard
to set aside. Although the Blood can drive a person into
Finishing Touches
The finishing touches are pretty much the same for ghoul
madness and depravity, few ghouls bother to rationalize and vampire characters. Your beginning Willpower rating
their dark impulses via a customized system of morality. If equals your Courage or Morale. Your Humanity is equal to
this makes them poor examples of humans, then so be it. the sum of your Conscience + Self-Control ratings, unless
Only revenants and Sabbat ghouls who are being groomed you currently follow a Path of Enlightenment. In that case,
for the Embrace should follow Paths of Enlightenment. The generate your Path score as usual (maximum 5).
revenant families teach alternate morality as part of their Your beginning Blood Pool is usually at the standard
grotesque domestic customs, and most of them care little level; roll a die to determine how many Blood Points you
for “weak” human virtues. Only those Sabbat ghouls with possess. (Storytellers may allow vassals to reroll a result
true promise would be instructed in the ways of vampiric of a “1,” as they should logically begin play with a decent
enlightenment. Even this is quite rare — as most Sabbat see supply of vitae.) The exception here is the independent
it, enlightenment begins only after the Creation Rites, and ghoul, who must halve the result (beginning play with one
teaching vampire morality to living beings is a waste of time. to five Blood Points).
Until they experience the dehumanization of the Creation
Finally, ghouls get 21 freebie points to spend as they
Rites, they just won’t get it. No ghoul, revenant or not, may
choose. You may use these points to raise any Trait you
begin the game with a Path of Enlightenment rating above 5.
like, or to purchase Merits. You may also take up to seven
Those rare ghouls who follow Paths of Enlightenment points of Flaws to add to your freebie point total (which
possess the Virtues of Callousness, Instincts and Morale. cannot exceed 28).
No matter what the Virtues, ghouls receive one free dot
in each; ghouls practicing Humanity receive seven dots to
assign as they please, while characters practicing Paths of Freebie Point Purchases
Enlightenment receive five dots to assign to their Virtues. Disciplines/Paths: 10 per dot
Ghouls may choose many of the same Backgrounds as Attributes: 5 per dot
vampires, but there are some marked differences. Obviously, Abilities: 2 per dot
ghouls cannot take Generation and have no need of Herd.
Virtues: 2 per dot
The Mentor Background is normally restricted to independent
or revenant ghouls. A domitor usually does not permit an Willpower: 1 per dot
outsider to become close to her servitors, and almost never Humanity/Path: 1 per dot
acts as a mentor herself. The master/servant relationship does Backgrounds: 1 per dot

Vassals
When most vampires think of ghouls, by default they many domitors enjoy selecting vassals for whom the choice
picture the vassal. Many Cainites find it inconceivable to is unbearably difficult; they see this as proof that their ghouls
create ghouls for any other purpose; indeed, to most Kindred, take the relationship seriously.
any ghouls other than vassals are blasphemies. Role: By definition, vassals play a role in Kindred society,
By and large, vassals are the “normal people” among whether they know it or not. Why else create them? Many
ghouls. Most of them didn’t ask for their new power or im- are chosen as simple guards, either to protect the master’s
mortality, although few complain too much once the Bond haven during the day or to make sure that there’s always
takes effect. Scant few of them know even one-quarter what someone to cover his exit. The more versatile bodyguards
a neonate does about Kindred society. Somewhere along usually see better treatment, while those with few skills other
the line, they were just singled out by something old and than fighting ability wind up as szlachta or cannon fodder.
powerful, something that wanted another pair of hands. Other vassals may be chosen for particular skills. Certainly,
Although a vassal’s supply of vitae is pretty much assured, this includes the computer whiz and the chauffeur who lend
that’s really all she has to look forward to. In fact, she’d better their 20th-century know-how to the tragically anachronistic
be on her very best behavior if she wants to keep her liquid Cainite. But it can also include the starving yet talented artist
strength coming regularly. She also has to come to terms whose work is passed off as a Toreador’s own, or the prince’s
with the fact that she’s in love — truly, passionately, in a diplomat to the Brujah (“About time he sent somebody who
way she didn’t think she’d ever feel again after her first love understands us!”). Finally, a vassal may serve no purpose save
left — with a person who treats her with passing kindness window dressing — and why should it be otherwise? Mediter-
at best and draconian cruelty at worst. ranean “concubines” may be all the rage this season.…
And the sad thing is that the great majority of vassals Character Creation: A vassal’s Abilities and Attributes
really have no idea what’s going on. They don’t know why should reflect the reason she was chosen to become a ghoul.
they feel the way they do; they don’t know what’s in that A Toreador consort, for example, will usually have high
miracle drink their new friend gives them. But they’re loyal, Social Traits but not quite as much mental facility. Szlachta,
if for no other reason than they don’t want the magic to stop. bodyguards, stalkers and other fighting ghouls usually have
They don’t want to go back to the monochromatic, tasteless primary Physical Attributes, while scholars, pet scientists
lives they knew before. And you know what? They’re the and hackers would more likely have primary Mental. Vas-
lucky ones. Because once a ghoul’s been dragged to the other sals with primary Social Attributes are typically negotiators,
side of that mystery, once the Masquerade’s been broken, politicians, concubines or showpieces.
she exists entirely at the sufferance of her domitor. Weaknesses: Vassals begin play Blood Bound to a
Vampires often select vassals with families, particu- domitor of the Storyteller’s design. The player may purchase
larly when they choose to ghoul the servant clandestinely. the Domitor background to represent a more amiable rela-
Domitors prefer ghouls who can handle responsibility, and tionship with her character’s master, but in no case is this
what better choice than a reliable parent? The conflicting relationship wine and roses.
loyalties of family and the Blood Bond usually end in the Quote: No, you listen to me. I don’t care who you are or
same way — the vassal chooses the domitor and the in- who you’re with; the lady asked not to be disturbed. And she
comparable passion she feels for the Cainite. Interestingly, isn’t going to be. Capisce?

Stereotypes
Independents — Better them than me. I wouldn’t
mind…no, but I couldn’t leave. She needs
me. And you know what? It feels really good,
being needed.
Revenants — Rev-what?
Vampires — I…love her. No, really, I do. The
rest of those freaks can take the 5:15 straight
to Hell, but I love her. And I always will.
Lupines — Werewolves? (gulp) I’m…sure the
mistress has things well in hand.
Mortals — What, like I’m going to leave my
wife and kids? No. I wouldn’t do that. Not
unless she asked me to…but she won’t. She
wouldn’t do that sort of thing.

Independents
You think being an addict is rough? Try doing it when Other independents may barter their services to vam-
the dealers want to shoot you on sight. pires, acting as daylight assassins or worse in exchange for
An independent’s road is a hard one. Kindred view these a modest supply of the Blood. These ghouls tend to run the
masterless ghouls as dangerous and uncontrollable — and a vam- fringes, dealing mostly with anarchs and neonates. A rare few
pire very much resents what he doesn’t control. Usually, the only might go deeper into Camarilla society as freelance tutors,
recourse is to trap and kill vampires in order to gain their blood. teaching vassals how to use their abilities (for what domitor
And sure, you can always rationalize it to yourself —vampires are has time to waste instructing ghouls?) or even how to obey
unnatural, blood-drinking parasites, after all — but the fact remains orders properly. After all, if a Malkavian has never picked
that now you kill for your fix. But hey, it’s not like you’re the first up a gun in her life, a little blood might be a small price to
addict to do so, right? And it isn’t like you’re killing people.… pay to have her new bodyguards fully trained.
Independent ghouls come from all places, but they put Character Creation: To eke out a living on the fringes
a bit of distance between themselves and ordinary people. of vampiric society, a ghoul needs to be pretty quick on her
They aren’t pawns; they do what they do deliberately. Usu- feet. Most independent ghouls have primary Mental At-
ally, they’re orphans — a domitor dies, and his enemies are tributes, to reflect the lore and low cunning they rely on to
careless enough to let a servant or two get away. Sometimes scrape by. Skills also tend to be primary, as actual hands-on
the orphan’s been a ghoul for so long that he knows he’ll training is pretty vital to most independents. Independents
wither away to old age in a month if he doesn’t get some vitae. often maintain extensive Allies and Contacts, the better
Desperation gets a lot of independents started down this road. to keep up a reliable information network. Many times, an
Of course, some independents have more complicated independent’s Humanity isn’t quite as high as it could be,
stories. Some may have stumbled across Cainite society ac- depending on what he has to do to get his monthly drink.
cidentally, and eventually discovered the power that vitae Weaknesses: Independents pay a price for their freedom:
contains. Others may have been cultists who discovered They don’t get vitae as reliably as do vassals or revenants.
that there was a variety of blood that worked much better in An independent ghoul’s less-than-certain blood supply
rituals. Some few might even have been cannibalistic killers means that he begins play with a much smaller Blood Pool.
who picked an unusually strong victim — and learned the To reflect this lack, an independent ghoul’s player should
source of that strength. But even without the Blood Bond, roll a die as usual and halve the result, rounding up (giving
the addiction remains, and only a handful of those who’ve a result from one to five Blood Points). What’s more, the
tasted vitae never try to taste it again. ghoul may have to ration his vitae carefully, as he can never
Role: Independent ghouls play at least some sort of role in be quite sure where his next fix is coming from. Needless to
Kindred society — they have no choice. They have to get their say, such thrift is never easy.
vitae from somewhere. Independents may serve as low-rank Quote: You know just as well as I do that you can’t do
predators, weeding out the stupid and careless among neonates. everything yourself — or have you forgotten that you’re exclu-
(Certainly, some vampires are of the opinion that any Cainite sively nocturnal? Trust me, I’m reliable help, and my price isn’t
foolish enough to fall prey to ghouls deserved exactly what he got.) hard to pay at all.

Stereotypes
Vassals — Been there, done that. Never again.
Revenants — Everything that’s rotten and loathsome
in a vampire, without even the saving grace of the
Blood. No sense wasting time on them.
Vampires — I hate them, but I need them, too. I’d have
quit by now — no, really — but I got in over my
head a while back. Might as well see it through.
Lupines — I’ve got enough to worry about. I don’t
want to have to start carrying silver bullets, too.
Mortals — You can never go home again.

Revenants
Although the perverse and often inbred revenants aren’t priscus needs a certain tidbit of lore, but doesn’t have the
the most heroic of characters, they may prove interesting to time or inclination to do the research herself, a reliable
roleplay over the course of a chronicle. These long-lived, Obertus proves sufficient.
decadent ghouls are almost always found in service to the The Zantosas are rich, and that’s about all they have to
Sabbat, but there are exceptions. offer. The Tzimisce dip into Zantosa funds when necessary,
All the perverse urges and dark drives that boil up in and ignore these decadent hedonists the rest of the time.
the average ghoul are magnified in the revenant. Revenants Character Creation: Revenants generally follow
hold curious family revels, typically of the sort that involve their family’s lead when it comes to picking a profession.
debauchery, drugs or victims (or all three). They see them- Bratovitch trackers and brawlers typically have primary
selves as superior to humanity, and therefore exempt from Physical Attributes and Talents; Grimaldis usually specialize
society’s mores. Some worship vampires as virtual gods, in Mental Attributes and Skills. Obertuses almost always
while others aspire to vampirism themselves. Humanity, take primary Mental Attributes and Knowledges; Zantosas
on the other hand, receives nothing but contempt from prefer primary Social Attributes (particularly Vicissitude-
loyal revenant scions. enhanced Appearance) and Talents.
Revenants are a clannish, insular lot, and different Unlike ghouls with domitors, each revenant gains
families are unlikely to trust one another very much. In par- Disciplines according to her family. The “specialty” family
ticular, the Grimaldis and Zantosas have feuded too often to Disciplines are treated like clan Disciplines for purposes of
consider each other friends. Although revenants work with learning them with experience points. Similarly, revenants
ghouls from rival families when necessary, they rarely like it. suffer a family weakness, much as clan vampires do — this
Role: The revenant families were bred to serve the Sab- is often the result of their intense inbreeding or depraved
bat in general and the Tzimisce in particular. However, the family practices.
Sabbat’s loathing of ghouls on general principle means that Revenants produce their own vitae, at the rate of one
revenants don’t actively serve vampires all that much (with Blood Point per day. This is fairly weak stuff compared to
the exception of the Grimaldis). Mostly, the revenants keep vampire blood, and cannot be used to create Blood Bonds
to themselves, although the Tzimisce (and, very rarely, other or to give a drained corpse the Embrace. A revenant’s Blood
Sabbat clans) call them in for special tasks from time to time. Pool maximum rises by one point with every century she
When the Bratovitches are called off their family es- survives (a 240-year-old Zantosa would have a Blood Pool
tates, it’s typically because a Tzimisce wants some talented, maximum of 12, but would appear to be about 60 years
low-maintenance trackers and hunters. They also breed old). However, the rules given in this book are meant to
powerful hunting dogs and freakish, fleshcrafted hounds simulate revenants no more than a century in age; older
for their patrons’ use. revenants would likely have more freebie points to reflect
The Grimaldis are much more active, however. They their increased experience.
use their myriad connections among mortal society to cover Weaknesses: Each revenant has a family weakness,
up Sabbat activity, maintaining a lesser Masquerade of sorts due to intense inbreeding. Revenant blood has taken on
for the sect. Grimaldis can also often be found blackmailing strange qualities over the centuries, a trait that has piqued
local figures or running daylight errands for bishops. the curiosity of more than one Sabbat scientist.
The Sabbat calls on the Obertuses infrequently, and Quote: What? What’s wrong? You look…disconcerted.
then only to take advantage of the lore these revenants have Please, don’t be. Come inside. I want you to…meet the family. I
compiled. They are useful mainly as loyal scholars; when a think they’ll like you. You have such a wonderful…spirit.

Stereotypes
Vassals — Poor things. They must feel so…unap-
preciated. Perhaps they and we, sometime, might
reach an…arrangement.
Independents — They’re deluding themselves. If the
Kindred cared about them at all, they’d be dead.
As is, their days are…numbered.
Vampires — We owe everything to our masters the
Tzimisce. Without them, we would be…human.
The very thought…
Lupines — The enemies of our lords are our enemies
as well. Of course, I am a bit…frail, and shall
leave the physical combat to those more…suited.
Mortals — As persons, contemptible; as playthings…
delicious.

Bratovitch
The depraved Bratovitches spend most of their time
breeding ghoul-hounds for the Sabbat and pursuing their
own hobbies. Although no other revenant family or vampire
clan cares for their company, they tend to receive a grudg-
ing respect for their stalking and fighting abilities. They
constantly seek to better themselves; this desire typically
translates into excessive Vicissitude body modifications and
the devouring of fallen enemies to gain a measure of their
foes’ strength. Some have dabbled in dark rituals, trying to
find a way to siphon some of their Lupine foes’ power. The
Bratovitches have always been a bestial breed, but this trait
serves them well on their hunts.
Bratovitch player characters are likely to be young ghouls
out for a taste of the real world. They tend to be brutish,
perverse monsters who delight in torture, self-mutilation
and strange little “games.” They have little grasp of subtlety,
and are usually uninterested in any politics apart from the
struggles for power inside their own family. Living among
humans for too long reflects badly on a Bratovitch, and a
social creature who does so is usually in for a bad time when
he returns home. Some Bratovitches leave the household
on prolonged Lupine hunts, but very few of them return
successful — if at all.
Humanity is an unfamiliar thing to the Bratovitches. Stereotypes
All are raised on various Paths of Enlightenment, although Grimaldi — What the hell? Those pussies ain’t
no one path is dominant throughout the family. In their revenants, not by a long shot. Can’t hunt, can’t
practice of alternative moralities, the Bratovitches have fight, can’t howl — what good are they?
even preserved some of the ancient Roads of morality, and Obertus — Goddamn know-it-alls think they’re
may follow the more debased of these codes of conduct so goddamn superior. ‘Least they know enough
(for more information on Roads, see Vampire: The Dark to leave us alone.
Ages). Naturally, as revenants, they can never attain the Zantosa — Why the hell are they even still alive?
pinnacle of vampiric enlightenment. But the Bratovitches If my boy was that layabout useless, I’da fed him
really don’t care about true enlightenment, anyway — rules to the dogs a long while back!
were meant to be broken, after all. Vassals — Sorry-ass fuckers. Bend over and squeal
Disciplines: Animalism, Potence, Vicissitude for Daddy, little ghoul.
Weakness: Bratovitches are easily angered, and frenzy Independents — They got balls, yeah. But without
as if they were Brujah. Their terrible tempers prevent them family, they’re nothing. Some of ‘em put up a
from interacting often with humanity. good last fight, though.
Quote: Smell that? Smell ‘im, boys? Yeah! He went down Vampires — Yeah… That’s the way to be. Old,
thisaways! C’mon, boys! Sic ‘im! Go get ‘im! Let’s go get that powerful, and meaner than Grandpa. I could
dinner! get used to that kind of power.
Lupines — Any one critter that can tear apart half a
family before goin’ down is worth some respect.
Its heart makes for potent eatin’, too.

Grimaldi
The ever-devious Grimaldis take great delight in their
facade of normalcy. They act as go-betweens for the Sabbat,
quietly carrying out the sect’s goals in mortal society. They
are horribly wealthy, and possess influence almost rivaling
that of the Giovanni or Ventrue. Many Grimaldis grow up
in human society, being quietly moved from private school
to private school before anybody notices how slowly they’re
growing up.
Actually, the Grimaldis have a secondary agenda, one
that the Sabbat is unaware of: survival. The family knows
full well that its members exist only at the sufferance of the
Tzimisce, and should the Fiends withdraw their support, the
Sabbat would surely exterminate them to the last cousin.
Therefore, the Grimaldis work for a twofold goal: to humbly
convince the Sabbat of their utility, and to find a possible
escape route should things turn sour. Some Grimaldi elders
have even gone so far to suggest offering their services to
the Camarilla should the Tzimisce withdraw their support,
but this motion has met with little approval. If the family
did indeed turn its allegiances, the vengeance of the Fiends
would be sure and slow.…
Grimaldis can come from almost any walk of life, but Stereotypes
most often are contributing members of society. They usu- Bratovitch — Primitive, crass, unsubtle and fool-
ally have extensive influence within their home city, with ish; too long bred for war, and it shows.
Backgrounds as appropriate. Some Grimaldis may have
Obertus — Their penchant for crypticism is annoy-
broken ranks with their family in order to pursue the elusive
ing, but one can’t fault their scholarly capabilities. A
goal of Humanity; these tragic self-exiles usually end up
shame they know so little about living in the real world.
with more than their share of enemies, but can make for
interesting characters. Zantosa — Disgusting! These parasitic tramps
haven’t been of any use in centuries. Why does anybody
Most Grimaldis prefer to walk the Path of Honorable
still tolerate them? Perhaps a subtle hint or two to the
Accord, although some prefer the Path of Harmony or the
bishops is in order.…
Path of Caine. A surprising number of Grimaldis have
developed more sociable morals, upholding the virtues of Vassals — Had the Sabbat more sufferance for
Humanity; however, these revenants do so extremely quietly. ghouls, we might be as they are. Still, I doubt one of
these isolated wretches could do my job half as well.
Disciplines: Celerity, Dominate, Fortitude
Independents — These fools endanger us all. How
Weakness: All Grimaldis are Blood Bound to Sabbat
long before their antics drive the Kindred to rise up and
bishops and archbishops. Their covert talents and penchant
put an end to ghouls en masse? I must work doubly hard
for dallying in mortal society bother the Sabbat, who fear
to prove myself useful, thanks to them.…
that the Grimaldis might become irresistibly tempted to
defect. Ranking Sabbat members rarely call upon their Vampires — Only an idiot cannot see that their
Bonded Grimaldis; the Bond is mostly a formality signifying tolerance for us is wearing thin. I hope it doesn’t run
fealty and respect. out in my lifetime — for the life of me, I can’t think of
anywhere I could hide.
Quote: Another missing-person case in Southside? No, I’m
sorry, Jimmy, but that just isn’t news. I’ll have to bump your Lupines — No, thank you; I think I’ll avoid the
piece in favor of covering the parade. You understand. national parks, if it’s all the same to you.

Obertus
The Obertuses tend to distance themselves from Sab-
bat affairs, preferring to spend their time absorbing as much
arcane knowledge as they can. The heads of the family are
almost always great scholars or researchers who have spent
the better part of their long years accumulating wisdom
from ancient sources. The small New England villages the
family founded centuries ago still stand, and people who
come to visit such places often leave with a feeling of grave
unease — if they leave at all.
An Obertus character will usually be pursuing further
knowledge, whether occult, scientific or even trivial. Many
are the very models of the Lovecraftian scholar, obsessively
seeking knowledge that they subconsciously dread. To this
end, Obertuses often attempt to research Lupines, magi,
the Underworld, history, demons, Kindred and Caine
himself. This quest for learning may take the revenant to
places where ghouls are unwelcome, but an Obertus pays
little heed to personal safety when a tidbit of undiscovered
information is at stake.
Although ostensibly researchers for the Sabbat, the
Obertuses actually have another, very secret purpose in
mind. Convinced that their revenant status is the next step
Stereotypes in human evolution, the Obertuses want to find a way to
progress one step beyond, becoming something greater than
Bratovitch — Little more than szlachta. They may
human, vampire or ghoul. So far, they have found only the
have their uses, but not to me.
vaguest hints of something more.
Grimaldi — They play at being human, but they
Obertuses tend to prefer the Path of Death and the Soul,
really aren’t fooling anybody but themselves.
the Path of Harmony and the Path of Honorable Accord.
At some point, the Grimaldis will snap, and
These codes of morality best reflect the family’s intellectual
then they will be devoured.
concerns and the introspection so common to the bloodline.
Zantosa — Yet more proof that material wealth means
Disciplines: Auspex, Obfuscate, Vicissitude
nothing. I suppose the Tzimisce must be fond of
their old toys, no matter how worn and outdated. Weakness: The Obertus family is known for its single-
minded dedication, and each Obertus tends to become
Vassals — I suppose the Camarilla must pine for
obsessed with a specific goal or aspect of her life. All possess
the days of feudalism. Perhaps keeping a serf
the Obsession or Perfection Derangement. An Obertus may
or four about boosts the ego.
become obsessed with multiple things during her many years,
Independents — I don’t see how the comings and go-
but tends to focus on only one item at a time.
ings of a few orphaned ghouls should concern me.
Quote: Yes, I was fortunate enough to obtain a transcript
Vampires — There is much to be learned from the
of the Book of Nod. Look here, under this passage dealing with
ongoing war between Camarilla and Sabbat.
Lilith. I’ve found a clue to something even greater than I had
Perhaps in their struggles, we shall find the key
hoped for.…
to our own ascension.
Lupines — Fascinating creatures, with a remarkably
unsullied form of primitive goddess-worship.
Like sharks, they have managed to survive
without adapting. So far, that is.…

Zantosa
The Sabbat tolerates the presence of these decadents,
and that is about all that can be said for the Zantosas. Al-
though still disgustingly rich, this family has squandered what
was left of its once-proud reputation. These nights, it is a
desperate Sabbat vampire indeed who relies on the dilettante
Zantosas. Sabbat archbishops often question whether or not
the Zantosas should simply be cleared away and their assets
seized once and for all, but the consensus they always reach
is that the Zantosas just aren’t worth the effort.
Zantosa characters are almost always dilettantes out
for some illicit thrills, or criminals indulging themselves
in the pleasures of the underworld. Despite their “rarefied
tastes,” they rarely insinuate themselves into the upper crust
of human society. Their depravity is difficult to hide for
long, and the Zantosas confess they understand very little
about humanity anyway. Many set out on long, dangerous
ventures, the better to have stories with which to regale
their family. If a Zantosa crosses paths with a Grimaldi, then
the Zantosa will feel obligated to honor the family grudge
in some fashion. At best, an unfriendly rivalry develops; at
worst, the Zantosa makes plans to dispose of the annoying
Grimaldi when convenient.
Almost all Zantosas follow the Path of Cathari, which
complements their debased nature quite nicely. Some are
reputed to follow the Path of Caine, but given the tempera-
ment of the family, this seems unlikely.
Disciplines: Auspex, Presence, Vicissitude
Stereotypes Weakness: The hedonistic Zantosas are easily addicted
Bratovitch — Ucchh. What’s the point of excess if to the pleasures they seek. Whenever a Zantosa experiences
you don’t have the taste to appreciate it? Mouth- extreme pleasure (such as from sex, drugs, indulging in sa-
breathing, slack-jawed yokels, all of them. dism, being fed on, or even a really good steak), she must
Grimaldi — Brown-nosing assholes! I’d come over make a Willpower roll (difficulty varies with the intensity
there and kick all your flabby human asses, but of the pleasure) or become obsessed with or addicted to the
you aren’t worth the trouble. sensation. An obsessed Zantosa will do almost anything to
Obertus — Come on, man, you’re a revenant, aren’t re-create the experience, and many have drifted away to
you? Come down off Mount Big-Stick-up-My-Ass their deaths as a result.
and join the party! Quote: Pah! Next week, next month, next year…whatever!
Vassals — Really? Blood Bound, you say? Gee, what Always time for shop talk. Right now, though, I want another
a shame. Must be tough to be them. drink. Care to join me?
Independents — These poor bastards are too caught
up in getting their vitae to enjoy it. Sad.
Vampires — Why, I plan on being Embraced one day
myself, but I think I’ll wait until I’m bored with
sex and food. Hmm…this could take a while.
Lupines — What? Where?!?

•••• Doctorate: You keep the manor running
New Abilities
The following Abilities add to those in the main rule-
smoothly and remind the master of his
appointments with the prince.
••••• Scholar: Alfred Pennyworth
book and The Vampire Players Guide. They are intended
for ghouls, but Storytellers may approve them for other
sorts of characters. As always, let common sense guide you.
Vampire Lore
Unlike Kindred Lore (The Vampire Players Guide,
p. 63), this Knowledge can be taken at character creation.
Talents It represents the amount of lore you know about vampiric
society. Without this Ability, you may not even know your
Masquerade domitor’s clan. This Knowledge covers most of the basics
Vampires manage to feign mortality; this Ability allows that a sire teaches a fledgling childe, as well as any local
you to turn the tables on them by pretending to be a vampire. political tidbits that the Storyteller wishes to impart.
Most ghouls have little reason to learn this Talent, but there • Student: You know roughly what vampires
are exceptions. Certain domitors may call upon their more and clans are.
subtle servants to indulge in a little espionage. Independent •• College: You know most of the Traditions.
ghouls may find that posing as vampires can lengthen their
••• Masters: You know the name of the
lives. The masters of this talent are the bizarre and ancient
prince.
ghouls of the Methuselahs; these servitors are often as powerful
as (or more powerful than) younger Kindred, and they move •••• Doctorate: You know that the Malkavians
among the lesser vampires in search of prey for their masters. are named after Malkav.
The only ghouls who may not purchase this Talent ••••• Scholar: You can name all 13 clans and
at character creation are revenants; aping one’s masters is give their nicknames.
viewed poorly in the Sabbat, and those who try are quickly
(or not so quickly) disposed of. New Background
• Novice: “Ruddy? Oh, I fed recently. That
must be it.” Domitor
•• Practiced: Another vampire’s ghouls You are Bound to a vampire who provides you with
would recognize you as Kindred. blood and may offer you protection. Of course, you cannot
••• Competent: You receive invitations to think to abuse your domitor’s generosity. The purchase of this
Elysium. Background does imply, though, that your master has at least
•••• Expert: You can just about fool the ancil- a passing interest in your continued well-being. The level of
lae who have Auspex. this Background implies two things: the general generation
and power of your domitor (which influences the level of
••••• Master: You can sup with the prince
Disciplines you may learn), and how well he favors you. The
without raising suspicion.
more ancient and powerful the domitor, the less likely he is
to care about the welfare of an all-too-replaceable servant.
Knowledges Conversely, less powerful vampires tend to take better care
of their ghouls, as they possess fewer resources and usually
Steward value what they have.
You have studied the art of managing a household and • Your domitor is 11th generation or lower,
mastered the various intricacies of such a task. You make a and considers you a valued confidant.
serviceable butler, valet, seneschal or major-domo for your •• Your master is ninth or 10th generation,
domitor. What’s more, you keep up with her affairs among and is passing fond of you.
the local Kindred, the better to serve her. You can run ev- ••• Your domitor is eighth generation, and will
ery aspect of your master’s haven if need be, and might be sometimes let you get a word in edgewise.
targeted by enemies who would appreciate your knowledge.
•••• Your domitor is seventh generation, and
Of course, should you ever defect, your master will almost
expects you to do your job — nothing
certainly make your death or recapture top priority.
more.
• Student: You can keep an apartment in
••••• Your master is sixth generation, and
order.
remarkably has not yet grown sick of the
•• College: You’re considered reliable if not sight of your face.
sparkling.
••• Masters: Practically one of the family

Recommended Merits and Flaws
The Vampire Players Guide provides numerous
Merits and Flaws
The following Merits and Flaws are meant for use with
Merits and Flaws for Vampire characters, and it would be ghoul characters only. Some duplicate certain Merits or Flaws
a shame to ignore the possibilities they offer. However, found in The Vampire Players Guide; in all cases, this book
not all of them are appropriate for ghoul characters. is assumed to take precedence. Ghouls are not subject to
The following is a list of recommended and prohibited all the limitations or prerequisites Kindred may be, and the
Merits and Flaws for ghouls. rules governing ghouls should be appropriately different.
Recommended Merits and Flaws are generally those that
provide insight into why a Cainite chose a retainer or reflect
Pale Aura (1 pt. Merit)
Due to some quirk of fate or your reaction to the Blood,
the changes that the Blood worked in the hapless ghoul. your aura is naturally pale. Vampires reading your aura via
(Some are listed simply because they make for particularly Auspex assume you to be Kindred unless they have strong
interesting characteristics in a ghoul!) Disallowed Merits reason to suspect otherwise. This Merit can be of great use
and Flaws are just that: They cannot be taken by ghouls, if you wish to impersonate a vampire, but can also cause
only by vampires. The Storyteller is free to override this list some very dangerous misunderstandings.
if she sees fit, but should make exceptions with good reason.
Psychological
Blood Flaw Immunity (3 pt. Merit)
For some reason, you are resistant to the bloodline
• Recommended: Berserker, Dual Nature, Compul- flaws of any vampire from whom you drink. You can guzzle
sion, Short Fuse Nosferatu vitae until your stomach bursts, and your com-
• Disallowed: Prey Exclusion plexion won’t suffer a whit.
Mental Benevolent Domitor (3 pt. Merit)
• Recommended: Lightning Calculator, Eidetic You must purchase the Domitor Background to buy this
Memory, Weak-Willed Merit. For whatever reason, your domitor is actually rather fond
• Disallowed: Deep Sleeper of you. Perhaps your service has been exemplary, or perhaps
Awareness you simply remind him of someone in his past — given the
• Recommended: Acute Hearing, Acute Vision alien nature of the vampire mind, you may never know for
sure. Your domitor treats you with some measure of compas-
• Disallowed: None sion and does not casually endanger your life. Of course, he
Aptitudes still expects you to give your life for his if need be, but until
• Recommended: Computer Aptitude, Pitiable, that night, the two of you are something akin to friends.
Natural Linguist
Kinfolk (4 pt. Merit or 4 pt. Flaw)
• Disallowed: Eat Food Whether you know it or not, you are kin to a werewolf
Supernatural tribe. You carry the blood of the Garou in your veins, and
• Recommended: True Love, Medium your own children may be Garou.
• Disallowed: Inoffensive to Animals, Taint of For ghouls, being Kinfolk can be an advantage or a
Corruption, Repulsed by Garlic, Repelled by hindrance. If purchased as a Merit, then you are still on
Crosses, Can’t Cross Running Water, Light- amicable terms with your relatives (Garou and Kinfolk
Sensitive alike). Although they will never allow you to bring any
vampire “friends” into their territory (and may well use
Kindred Ties lethal means to enforce their privacy), they have an interest
• Recommended: Enemy, Twisted Upbringing in your well-being and give you aid so long as this doesn’t
• Disallowed: All Others (Ghouls are not Kindred, compromise their principles. Of course, your kin do not want
and are treated accordingly.) you to be a ghoul forever, as they would like you to return
Mortal Society to their society and raise a family of your own. Typically,
only independent ghouls may purchase Kinfolk as a Merit.
• Recommended: Most Ties Merits
However, it’s more likely that the Garou consider a ghoul
• Disallowed: Anachronism (not appropriate for Kinfolk to be a serious threat. If bought as a Flaw, then your
player characters, but possibly for supporting extended family believes you may compromise their security.
cast), Hunted They seek either to remove you entirely from your diet and/or
Physical domitor’s influence, or to kill you as a favor to your corrupted
• Recommended: Double-Jointed, Efficient Diges- soul. This Flaw earns you dangerous enemies, one from whom
tion, Huge Size, Allergic, Short, Disfigured, your domitor (if any) is very unlikely to intercede and rescue you.
This Flaw is more appropriate for vassal ghouls, as no werewolf
Child, Monstrous
would agree to let one of their precious Kin be sworn to a vampire.
• Disallowed: Selective Digestion, Permanent Revenants cannot be Kinfolk, either as a Merit or as a Flaw.
Wound, Thin-Blooded

Supernatural Companion (4 pt. Merit) • Digestive Modifications (2 pts.): You are able to digest
You are allied with a supernatural being, but not a vampire. any organic material that you can break up and swallow.
This may be a werewolf comrade, the ghost of a relative, or even Your Stamina is treated as two points higher for purposes
a friendly mage. You may ask for her help in times of need, but of resisting ingested poisons.
she may not always be able to help. She may also require your • Spurs (2 pts.): Long bone spurs protrude from your
help at inconvenient times (such is the cost of friendship). It is forearms, back and/or legs. You may slash with these for Str
highly improbable that your allegiance is looked on favorably + 2 damage; however, they are hard to conceal, and you
by her kind, and any Kindred who discovered your relationship must subtract three dice from any Social Dice Pools save
would almost certainly disapprove. The Storyteller will create those involving intimidation.
your companion, be it werewolf, wraith, mage or something • Carapace (3 pts.): You are covered with bony or horny
else entirely, and won’t reveal her full capabilities. plates that protect you from attack. You may add two soak
(Note: This Merit supersedes those of Werewolf Com- dice to your pool, but you must take the Monstrous Flaw.
panion and Spirit Mentor in The Vampire Players Guide.) • Patagia (4 pts.): Your bones have been hollowed, and
flaps of skin (from yourself or another hapless soul) have been
True Gypsy (5 pt. Merit) grafted onto your arms, giving you the appearance of a human
The blood of the Rom runs true in your veins. Perhaps pterodactyl. You may use these flaps to glide, though you may not
you have a Ravnos domitor who chose you for your potential, actually fly. While gliding, you may not use your arms. Further-
or perhaps you simply acquired a taste for Kindred blood in more, you subtract one from all soak pools to resist strikes from
your travels. You may purchase Blood Affinities, or other fists and blunt weapons, or any other forms of concussive damage
Gypsy-only abilities from World of Darkness: Gypsies. (your bones are hollow). You must take the Monstrous Flaw.
Your relatives may or may not approve, depending on the Note: Ghouls may never heal Vicissitude modifications, not
whys and wherefores of your ghouling. even with vampire blood. In this respect they are as helpless as
Revenants may not purchase this Merit under any mortals. The exceptions are ghouls who themselves possess Vicis-
circumstances. situde, though a lowly Zantosa may well find herself helpless to
repair the mutilation inflicted by a seventh-generation Tzimisce
Unbondable (6 pt. Merit) (to repair Vicissitude alterations, a ghoul must have a level of Vicis-
You cannot be Blood Bound to a vampire, no matter situde superior to that of the vampire who inflicted the mutilation).
how often you drink from his veins. This Merit is obviously
very useful for one whose powers depend on vitae, and its
cost is accordingly high for ghoul characters.
Virulent Strike (7 pt. Merit)
Through strange Thaumaturgical sorcery, unknown
Vicissitude Modifications (Variable pt. Merit) rituals or even an odd quirk of your ghoul physiognomy, you
Although you may not be talented at the Tzimisce forms of have been imbued with the power of the supernatural. You
fleshcrafting and boneshaping, at some point you have been… can cause aggravated damage to supernatural creatures by
modified into a more warlike form. Generally speaking, you’re striking them, biting them, raking them with bonecrafted
a szlachta, and most modifications necessitate the purchase spurs — whatever. This is considered standard Brawl dam-
of the Flaw: Monstrous (The Vampire Players Guide, p. age against mortals, and should normally apply to only one
19). As a rule, the Tzimisce make sufficient cosmetic altera- attack form (bite, bone claws, etc.). You should work with
tions to ruin the looks of all their battle-ghouls, even those the Storyteller to find an explanation for this Merit, and the
whose modifications are not in and of themselves hideous. Storyteller may disallow this Merit entirely if she so chooses.
These modifications are permanent unless shaped away
by further Vicissitude. Although dangerous, any weaponry Artificially Aged (2 pt. Revenant Flaw)
causes normal damage only; despite its horrid appearance, You have been fleshcrafted to look like an adult, although
your arsenal is still only mortal flesh and bone. You may true maturity is still some time in your future. Although you
purchase as many modifications as you can afford, but your can pass as older than you actually feel, you have difficulty
social abilities are probably doomed. dealing with complex situations. Your difficulty to resist
• Circular Vision (1 pt.): One of your eyes has been frenzy is only one less than that of a vampire (or one more
moved to the back of your head, granting you the ability to than normal, in the case of Bratovitches); tantrums come
see at a wider angle. This is a difficult operation and can be easily to you. You must also subtract one die from all Social
performed only by masters of medicine and Vicissitude. In Dice Pools that involve subtlety or sophistication.
addition, your depth perception is poor at any angle, and
you suffer a two-die penalty to any rolls that involve gauging
Domitor Pariah (2 pt. Flaw)
distance, including use of missile weapons. You must take You are Bound to a vampire who, for whatever reason,
the Monstrous Flaw. is unwelcome among or even hated by the other Kindred of
the chronicle area. Without Cainite allies, she finds herself
• Fangs (1 pt.): Your teeth have been lengthened and
relying on her human and ghoul associates to get by. You will
sharpened; your smile may resemble a shark’s or cat’s, or
likely find yourself given additional responsibilities, which may
may be unlike anything found in nature. You may use the
present opportunities for you to further ingratiate yourself with
Bite maneuver, but lose two dice from any Manipulation
the master. However, if other Kindred discover whom you
Dice Pools that do not involve intimidation or causing fear.
serve, your life might well be in danger. The Storyteller will

determine why your domitor is so despised; you are welcome Ghouling the Supernatural
to offer suggestions, but the Storyteller is under no obligation
In the constant quest for bigger and more effective servitors,
to tell you the cause of such antipathy. You might not even
know that your beloved liege is hated at all; after all, who a vampire may decide to try transforming other supernatural
could dislike such a wonderful creature as she…? creatures into ghoul servants. Players may also be interested in
crossing over characters, using a ghouled werewolf or changeling
Romantic Notions (2 pt. Flaw) with the rest of the group. This doesn’t work in all cases, however.
You believe your entire existence as a ghoul to be head • Werewolves: Garou are unlikely to be willingly
and shoulders above your previous life. You feel that your ghouled. Most of them suffer allergic reactions to vampiric
domitor needs you, and that every feeding is nothing short
blood, and cannot stomach it for long. Only a few can drink
of an act of purest love. Revenants with this Flaw want
nothing more than to serve the glorious ideals of the Sabbat, vitae without vomiting immediately, and even they tend to
and leap to indulge any Sabbat vampire’s whim. avoid putting themselves in debt to their traditional enemies.
Your Willpower is considered to be two points lower when Perhaps the only reliable way to ghoul a Garou (or
the object of your romanticism attempts to use Dominate or other werecreature) is to do so before her First Change,
Presence on you. For a vassal, the domitor triggers this penalty; before the allergies reach their peak. The main difficulty
for revenants, any vampire known to be Sabbat may easily influ- with this method, however, is that an unaging ghoul will
ence a ghoul with this Flaw. Independents may not take this never reach adolescence, and thus may never Change. Add
Flaw unless the Storyteller approves a common sort of vampire to this the difficulty of detecting a pre-Change Garou at all,
whom the ghoul idolizes, and with whom the ghoul puts herself and it’s easy to see why so very few ghouled werewolves exist.
at a disadvantage in dealings, due to her romanticized ideas.
• Mages: Being ordinary mortals in almost every way,
Vitae Sink (3 pt. Flaw) mages can be ghouled normally. A mage may break the Blood
For whatever reason, you metabolize vitae more quickly Bond through a judicious use of Mind magick, although
than other ghouls do. You must be fed every two weeks, rather she wouldn’t be likely to try unless she knew she was be-
than every month, or lose all supernatural traits and revert to a ing supernaturally controlled. Similarly, Life magick can
human once more. Few ghouls with this Flaw last beyond their be used to transmute the vitae in the system into ordinary
natural life spans; at this rate, missed feedings do happen.… human blood. Both cases are relatively tricky, however, and
shouldn’t be attempted by novices.
• Wraiths: The Restless have passed beyond the need
Experience Points Chart for biology, and therefore have no metabolisms to process
Trait Cost
vitae. Even when Embodied, wraiths do not digest food
New Ability 3 or drink as usual, and cannot benefit from being ghouled.
New Thaumaturgy Path 20(Tremere ghouls only) This is just as true for the Risen, whose lurching cadavers
New Discipline 20 are bereft of anything vaguely resembling life. Pouring vitae
Willpower current rating into a Risen’s mouth is wasting good Blood.
Humanity current rating x 2 • Changelings: Vampires are generally unable to per-
Virtue current rating x 2 ceive changelings as anything other than mortals, although
Ability current rating x 2 some Malkavians and Ravnos find themselves strangely
Attribute current rating x 5 drawn to the dreamers. Although a changeling can be suc-
Thaumaturgy Path current level x 15 cessfully ghouled, he gains a point of Banality each time he
(Tremere ghouls only) drinks a vampire’s blood. Worse, extended ghouldom tends
Clan/Family Discipline* current level x 15 to lead to permanent Bedlam.
Other Discipline current level x 25 • Mummies: For some reason, vampiric blood has no
* As a general rule, a vassal gets a cost break on the actual effect whatsoever on the Reborn. They cannot be ghouled,
Disciplines of her first domitor’s clan (so, while a Toreador and would generally find the process distasteful to begin with.
may know Dominate, it is not considered a clan Discipline for • Fomori: These twisted hybrids of Bane and human
purposes of experience points). A revenant gets a cost break are as easy to ghoul as anyone else. In fact, most make very
on the Disciplines of her family, while an independent gets serviceable vassals, gladly performing atrocities for their
a cost break on Potence, Celerity and Fortitude. domitors in exchange for heady vitae. However, vampires
A vassal who leaves a vampire’s service is treated as an who know of fomori are usually reluctant to ghoul them. For
independent from that point on, while an independent who one, a fomor is often a deteriorating creature, and the spiri-
becomes Blood Bound to a domitor is treated as a vassal. tual decay fomori suffer cannot be halted by the temporary
So, yes, it is possible for an enterprising player to “minimax” immortality of ghoulhood. Also, one can never tell exactly
this system — but the dire ramifications of dealing with whether a fomor’s loyalty to his domitor is total, or whether
the Kindred in this fashion should make the point moot. it will be countermanded by a darker, previous pledge.…

Chapter Four:
Storytelling
Let those who serve be named greatest of the Chil-
dren of Seth, and most privileged.
— The Book of Nod, “Of Those Who Serve”
This chapter provides information on running chroni- into their lives. Once a person takes her first pull of vitae,
cles for ghouls, or incorporating ghouls into Vampire games. her old life goes away and a new one takes over. Now she
It is intended primarily for the Storyteller’s use. A few can do anything. Anything.
surprises lurk here, so players should avoid reading further. But she still needs the juice. She can’t risk displeasing
the Master, or he may cut her off. And then it’s back to be-
Theme ing weak, defenseless, mortal. Back to the old, miserable,
useless wretch she once was. So maybe the Master asks her
As stated in the Vampire: The Masquerade rulebook,
to do strange things now and again. Maybe she has to kill
a good chronicle benefits unreservedly from the presence
some little old man running a corner bookstore. She doesn’t
of a unifying theme. Although the themes provided there
want to — but she needs the stuff. There’s really no contest.
work equally well for vampire or ghoul stories, the following
There never is. She may not like living with herself, but the
concepts are especially appropriate for stories and chronicles
alternative is not really living at all.
that focus on ghouls.
• Manipulation: Vassals are never in full control of their
• Dependence: In a ghoul chronicle, the theme of
lives, and revenants only rarely are. Independents allegedly
dependence is almost inescapable. Vitae is better than drugs:
walk their own road, but they cannot prey on the Kindred
It’s eternal youth, super strength and unadulterated love
and hope to avoid Cainite politics completely. Can the
all in one. The rush of liquid perfection coursing through
players ever be sure that they aren’t some elder’s catspaws?
a ghoul’s veins is not physically addictive, but it certainly
Even if they have domitors, can they be certain that they
shackles the psyche. The question of dependence and
aren’t being manipulated by an unseen hand to achieve
independence certainly comes up in every game involving
goals even their domitors don’t understand?
ghouls. Exploring what it’s like to be at the mercy of the
Blood can make for some intense roleplaying. Hell, will they even know the truth about their situa-
tion — or what they are? The hands that create the ghouls
In the words of addicts everywhere, “I can always
may be unseen from the very beginning. If the sponsors are
quit when I really want to.” Yeah. Right. Ghouls are as
subtle enough, the characters may simply find themselves
adept at fooling themselves as are ordinary people bound
suddenly host to unbidden urges, flooded with unasked-for
by mundane drugs. Most ghouls don’t even know they’re
power. As their sponsors quietly nudge them in the proper
trapped — they know they’re in love, and they know they
directions, the players’ flesh may crawl with paranoia. True,
can do amazing things ever since this wonderful stuff came

the characters have gained power and immortality — but beginning. The attempts on the characters’ lives (or their
what have they lost in return, and who is going to call the domitors’ or friends’ lives) gradually escalate, and each bullet
debt due? or bomb could have the characters’ names on it. The group will
• War: Face it: Ghouls are the quintessential cannon probably have the nailbiting time of their lives as the war heats
fodder. Almost all clans readily create numbers of competent up. Finally, they’ll be pressed to go on the offensive and start
ghouls when they’re expecting trouble. The common ghoul doing some damage of their own. The plot’s seen a thousand
is typically the first line of defense, and so a war chronicle incarnations, but it still makes for a good story.
can provide several tense stories. Alternatively, the characters may be the aggressors from
Like the protagonists in most good war movies, the the very beginning. Being the ones who kick the anthill can
ghouls are rarely the ones who start the conflict (although be deliciously satisfying, especially if you’re so subtle that
they may be, depending on the nature of the chronicle). your enemies don’t know who’s hitting them. Even better,
Typically, they find themselves in the midst of a violent when a character gets to count coup on something higher
struggle, and have to start fighting or be eradicated them- up on the food chain than herself, the sense of accomplish-
selves. There’s no real time for hesitation in a chronicle of ment can be exhilarating. Of course, this is an extremely
this sort — move quickly, or you’re fertilizer. And it’s much dangerous game to play, but the adrenaline rush should be
easier for a ghoul to die than a vampire — with maybe one nothing short of intoxicating.
die of Fortitude at most, and the danger of killing themselves When running war chronicles, remember the ghouls’
from blood loss if they try to heal their own wounds, ghouls major advantage: their ability to operate in daylight. A frantic
tend to be closer to the “eggshells with hammers” archetype race through an enemy elder’s haven, battling desperately to
than vampires are. There is no torpor to save a ghoul — once reach and stake the monster before sundown, can provide
his Health Levels run out, he’s history. An “unfortunate but a nerve-wracking and thrilling story.
unavoidable” casualty to his masters, if even that. War chronicles have an almost endless supply of varia-
War stories can range from blatant series of gun battles tions: clan vs. clan, Sabbat vs. Camarilla, ghouls vs. vampires,
against Sabbat thugs in abandoned wrecks of buildings, to subtle ghouls vs. Lupines, rebels vs. the prince…the list goes on
campaigns of assassination, rumormongering and sabotage. If and on. If the players are ready for some visceral roleplaying,
you prefer, you can begin the chronicle with an explosion or then it shouldn’t be too much trouble to design a conflict
an attack, putting the players on the defensive from the very in which the characters have a strong stake.

• Romance: Vampires lose touch with their feelings just what are those revenant courtships like, anyway?
more easily than ghouls do; the urgency of hormones fades The answers may prove tender or foul, warm or cold.
with the death of the flesh. Although still capable of strong, Although the ghoul may hope for a happy ending, the
often distorted passions, the childer of Caine often seem grim reality of the World of Darkness is a nigh-impossible
detached or blasé in comparison to their ghoul servants. obstacle to surmount.
Ghouls feel a natural obsession with vitae, an obsession that • Mortality: Yes, ghouls are unaging creatures. But
can easily transfer to the vampiric source of their beloved they’re still mortal, something that is easy to overlook. A
elixir. What’s more, the charged, enhanced feelings of being person pumped up on the Blood is like a PCP addict with
alive tend to stir lusts in a ghoul that can’t be easily slaked. Herculean strength, but all the vitae in the world can’t save
These lusts can easily push a chronicle in horrific direc- a ghoul from AIDS. If a ghoul and her domitor are shot to
tions — but what if a ghoul focuses his powerful emotions bits by machine-gun fire, the domitor goes into torpor —
in a more idealized way? What if a ghoul falls in love (or at but the ghoul is dead.
least what he thinks is love), over and above Blood Bond- Some ghouls, naturally, tend to think of themselves
ing? The Blood Oath becomes all the more intense when as immortals; revenants, thanks to their long life spans,
coupled with the biological urge to take a mate, and many are already a step in that direction. But all it takes is a car
ghouls languish in a state of “love” they know full well will wreck to remind a ghoul how fragile she really is. Sure, she
never be requited. can regenerate most wounds — if she has a full Blood Pool,
But what if a vampire actually returns that affection? and if she hasn’t suffered significant blood loss from the
True, this is hardly likely, but an…affectionate…domitor wounds themselves. And remember, she has to burn the
can lead to many possibilities, including the Embrace. Blood in her veins to do so — she may repair the structural
What if another ghoul, or even a mortal, falls in love damage, but she won’t be in much shape to defend herself.
with a Blood Bound character? Or what if the player’s To an independent, this becomes especially frightening.
character, an independent, falls hard for the vassal of Say a ghoul’s been carefully rationing his vitae until his
a enemy? What happens if a ghoul becomes involved next hunt, and then right out of nowhere, a car mauls
with a mortal he really cares about? Will he kill her in a him. He uses what’s left of his hard-earned vitae to keep
violent fit, or will his domitor see her as a threat to the himself going, but now he’s got to get some more doubly
ghoul’s loyalty? What if a revenant finds herself drawn fast. And if he loses a leg? Ghouls can regenerate limbs
to someone outside the family (a definite no-no!)? And with enough vitae, but the characters don’t have to know

that. Even if he manages to regrow the limb, he may never
look at himself the same way again.
Combat is the obvious way to play on ghouls’ mor-
tality, but it’s by no means the best or only way. Disease,
particularly a slow, wasting disease such as AIDS or cancer,
can’t be permanently excised with vitae. For some ghouls,
their Blood-fueled power may be their way of going out in
a blaze of glory.
Finally, nothing plays up the fragility of a ghoul’s
existence more than withdrawal. Without Disciplines,
special healing powers or eternal youth, a character be-
comes all too human — even more so because she knows
what she’s missing.
Mood
Ghouls are very emotional beings, much more so than
Cainites. Immerse your players in the mood you select for
your story. Appeal to their every sense. Because the players
are less powerful than the vampires from whom they feed,
their survival is a tenuous thing. This can sharpen the
senses, allowing an experience possibly more vivid than
one vampire characters might offer.
• Horror: First and foremost, Vampire is a horror
game. The terrifying inhumanity of the Kindred is thrown
into even sharper relief in a ghoul chronicle. The characters
are part of a deadly world — and not a terribly important
part at that — and they are constantly in danger of being
casually slain by an indifferent Cainite. The power they
gain has a terrible price: loss of control. Vassals must fight
to retain their individuality in the all-consuming tide of
the Blood Bond. Revenants are slaves to their dark desires,
if not directly to their families. Even independent ghouls
must resist their urge to frenzy, and all ghouls have to cope
with their dependence on vitae. Indeed, the Blood is the
only thing keeping older ghouls alive — but it also prevents
them from being truly human.
More importantly, vampires become far more frighten-
ing when the characters are inferior in power — and both
sides know it. The Toreador assassin who might have been
a mere rival for a coterie of vampires becomes a terrible,
implacable monster in a ghoul chronicle. As natural preda-
tors, vampires tend to become far more sadistic with those
who don’t threaten them; the obvious analog is the cat
toying with its frightened, injured prey. Ghouls’ knowledge
of Kindred is imperfect and subjective; the less they know,
the more they have to fear. Even finding out specifics, such
as linking the Samedi with the walking dead, is unlikely to
lessen the dread.
Finally, the deepest horror should always come from
within, not from without. Picture the ghoul who wakes up
after a drunken binge, with only hazy memories of shouting
and flashes of color, his hands soaked in blood…and gradu-
ally he remembers that his son was crying, but the house is
very quiet now.…

• Ambition: Many ghouls join a vampire’s service do? However, a clever ghoul is capable of surviving
in hopes that one night they will be elevated to Kindred (often by avoiding) situations like these. Lacking that
themselves. They view their domitors with longing alternative, another recourse is to make oneself less of
and envy, dreaming of the night that they too will be a target; it takes some doing to divert an elder’s atten-
masters. A chronicle might recount the aspirations of a tion to a more convenient victim, but it’s possible. It
group of ghouls: Will they eventually attain what they certainly won’t be easy, but what else is new? At the very
seek, or will their quest for power end in tragedy? Will least, the character may earn extra experience points
they sacrifice too much to attain their ends, and, if so, for enduring such adverse conditions.
will they ever realize their mistake? Will they throw
one another to the wolves as they struggle to the top?
“There can be only one” is a catchy sound bite until
Troupe Play
Another option is to have each player generate two
you think about the implications — better not get too
characters, one ghoul and one vampire. Each player’s char-
close to anybody.
acters may simply be linked to each other (such as a domitor
Even if a ghoul cares nothing for the Embrace, she
and vassal), or the group may choose to interconnect one
may still aspire to be her domitor’s favorite. Trapped by the
another’s characters in a more complicated web. As the
obsession of the Blood Bond, vassals often struggle to outdo
chronicle progresses, the players take turns roleplaying the
their rival servitors, risking their status, their ghouldom,
band of ghouls (during daylight hours) and the coterie of
even their lives and sanity to gain the master’s favor.
vampires (after the sun sets). There’s ample room for switch-
Ambition can also serve as a vital element in rev- ing between characters, even if the vampires are stuck with
enant and independent chronicles. Most revenants wish the night shift.
to gain respect from their Sabbat masters and distinguish
One of the more rewarding facets of such a chronicle
themselves in the sect’s eyes. Their pursuits may lead them
is the shift in mindset. As the sun sets in the game,
to act as efficient agents for the Sabbat, or may tempt
each player moves from roleplaying an emotionally
them to clandestinely destroy or discredit sect members,
supercharged mortal to taking on the personality of a
thereby making themselves shine all the brighter. Politics
true predator. Few other combinations allow a troupe to
among the Sabbat is a gruesome business, but who’s to
explore two personalities at nearly the same time with
say a clever revenant can’t go all the way to the top?
such a natural transition.
Of course, the Sabbat and its associated families are a
The difference in perception is equally admirable. Here,
hungry lot, just waiting to devour those who step a touch
the coterie’s Kindred rivals take on the form of frighten-
too carelessly. Similarly, independent ghoul characters
ingly powerful adversaries when seen through the eyes of
should usually have goals more far-reaching than nightly
the ghouls. Conversely, the players may not be so cavalier
survival. Do the characters crave revenge? Power? A
about having their vampire characters offhandedly tear apart
nobler goal, such as peace with the Kindred? Whatever
a rival’s vassals; the fact that these retainers have feelings
the characters’ intentions, pursuit of ambitions can lead
as well may haunt them after having walked for a time in
to several good stories.
the ghouls’ shoes.
Ghoul Characters in All-Ghoul Chronicles

Vampire: The Masquerade Of course, it’s equally possible to run an entertaining
Although a ghoul character in a coterie of vampires Vampire game in which not a single player roleplays a
appears to be at a serious disadvantage, this isn’t always vampire. Kindred society is just as Byzantine and sinister
true. To be sure, the ghoul has far less physical prowess to from a ghoul’s worm’s-eye perspective, if not more so.
begin with, and cannot as readily increase her supernatural In fact, you may want to run a Vampire chronicle in
skills. However, a ghoul can go abroad in daylight, which which all the characters start as ghouls. At the climax of
offers a tremendous advantage. She can operate as usual a certain story, or perhaps at various times throughout the
during normal business hours, making deals and purchasing run, the characters are Embraced and step into Kindred
special equipment. If the other characters locate an enemy’s society as full members. Such an “initiation” can be far
haven, the ghoul is a perfect choice to slip past the guards more satisfying than ordinary preludes. In fact, this form
and decapitate the Cainite by day. of two-step chronicle produces savvier, stronger Cainites;
The imbalance of power between Kindred and they have already seen how vampiric society works, and
mortal may affect the game most during combat or have the edge of experience. They’ve spilled blood and
similarly flamboyant shows of strength. If a ghoul’s had their own spilled as well. Although still neonates,
vampire companions have trouble resisting an elder’s they are more formidable than fledgling vampires who
centuries-honed Disciplines, what can a near-mortal didn’t know about the Kindred until they were Embraced.

Of course, you should keep a careful eye on group conclusion, or let the story go where it will and see what
dynamics when designing a ghoul chronicle. Just as a happens. The results can be fascinating.
mix of Camarilla and Sabbat vampires usually leads to • Servants of the Master: The characters are all
a disastrous end, the difficulties arising between vassals, retainers of the same domitor. Although they might
revenants and independent ghouls can strain the game. have been chosen for different reasons or to perform
You may want to guide the characters away from setting different tasks, the group is (usually) expected to work
up too many conflicts of interest. Certainly, it can be fun together to achieve the master’s ends. These ends may
having some players secretly working at cross-purposes, range from covert espionage (in the interests of further-
but too much of this activity causes the story to devolve ing the domitor’s status in Kindred society) to acting as
into a petty show of one-upsmanship. It might be best to a daylight hit squad. The characters can readily develop
have the players be all of one sort — independent, vassal, powerful emotional ties with one another; if all are in
or revenant — or encourage them to develop emotional love with the same abusive, playful or generous domi-
ties between characters. There’s nothing like the Blood tor, they have a strong emotional common ground. The
Bond for breaking up a friendship, though, so be warned. chronicle can also take an interesting turn if the domitor
It may be tempting to set up a chronicle in which is killed, forcing the characters to either take service with
one player runs a vampire and the rest play her ghoul another vampire or go independent. This is probably the
servants. However, this should be tried only by practiced most basic form of ghoul chronicle, and is hard to beat
troupes. It’s all too easy for the chronicle to focus entirely for simplicity.
on the vampire, treating her servants as extensions of • Brothers in Arms: Although not vassals to the
her. Also, with all the characters technically subservient same domitor, the characters serve the same ends. They
to one player, the temptation to abuse that power can might be vassals to a coterie of allied vampires, or pos-
become irresistible. sibly even independent ghouls who seek the same goals.
The following are just a few possible ideas for ghoul The ties between characters are not as inherently strong
chronicles. Bear in mind that these chronicles can shift in this sort of chronicle, but a common purpose can do
dramatically with just a little effort: A domitor is killed, much to unite the group. An additional bonus is that of
an independent ghoul is Blood Bound, or a revenant flees variety; in serving different domitors, the characters are
the Sabbat. Orchestrate matters to a fittingly exciting likely to have more diversified skills and Disciplines.

• Sabbat Demipack: The characters are an assorted Many Unmastered stories deal with day-to-day sur-
group of revenants and vassals who report to the sect rather vival. Are the characters lucky enough to have a regular
than to a single master. They probably have a sponsor of source of vitae? Probably not. Just acquiring monthly
some sort (whether a pack, a bishop or something else), who nourishment will be a real struggle. In addition, the group
has overcome the natural Sabbat hatred of ghouls to try a must be exceptionally careful to avoid compromising the
new band of servants. The ghouls exist only at this sponsor’s organization’s secrecy. The characters may choose to dabble
whim, so they must justify his in politics or may attempt to
faith in them or be messily exterminate the vampires of a
disposed of. Unfortunately, Ghouls in Vampire: The Dark Ages given city — the possibilities
it’s very unlikely that the rest Ghoul characters offer as many new possibilities for a are, if not endless, certainly
of the Sabbat will be so open- Dark Ages troupe as they do for a modern-day chronicle. considerable.
minded as their sponsor. The Since almost no humans do business at night, ghouls are • Wild Children: One
characters will often have to invaluable to the clever coterie. This is doubly true when of the trickier chronicles, this
defend themselves from abu- the group needs to travel; on the road, the presence of game assumes that the char-
sive vampires — not an easy a clever ghoul can easily mean the difference between acters are all independent,
task in a sect where killing unlife and Final Death. If one or more of the ghouls in with no allegiance to anyone
other Sabbat is taboo. Some the group are run by players, then the fate of the coterie but themselves. What’s more,
of the ghouls may aspire to doesn’t lie entirely with Storyteller characters. The they may well have discov-
being Embraced, but for now king’s guardsmen may want to know what’s in the long, ered the remarkable qualities
they must serve the Sabbat’s canvas-covered boxes on those wagons, after all. And it’s of vitae on their own. How
needs. Whether social climb- more satisfying for a player to distract, bribe, threaten or did such a group encounter
ers or not, the group must fast-talk the guardsmen out of a quick search than for the its first vampire? What made
strive for victory on all its Storyteller simply to say, “Some guards threaten to open the characters think to drink
missions, and may pursue the boxes you’re in, but your ghouls talk them out of it.” its blood? Merely answering
other projects on members’ In addition, a mortal character is in for a far more these two questions can pro-
free time. dramatic time during the Long Night. Here, vampires are vide the beginning of a truly
A Sabbat ghouls game terrible and frightening figures; they are the undisputed unique chronicle. The Wild
usually centers on violence masters of the night. When the sun sets, and the only Children may be a crass biker
and assassination, although light comes from a guttering lamp, the ever-present threat gang like the Young Bloods,
the Sabbat is certainly ca- of Cainite marauders becomes even more grim. Here, or a secretive, neo-Masonic
pable of subtlety. If they ghouldom is a Faustian pact struck with deadly fiends; cult. They may guzzle vitae
distinguish themselves, the the characters are damned for their deals with the devil, from the slashed wrists of
characters may well find and they know it. They have strength, health, eternal their prey, or ritualistically
themselves as part of the first youth — the soul is a small price to pay. share the Blood in a perverted
or second wave of a siege. For information on how ghouls of the clans were communion. It all depends on
This stage of the chronicle treated during the 12th and 13th centuries, we heartily the mood.
is as “do or die” as any other, recommend the Dark Ages supplement Book of Sto- Naturally, most stories
if not more so. Success may ryteller Secrets. The dirty tricks concealed therein can in this chronicle revolve
bring rewards enough to only improve a chronicle set in the Long Night. A ghoul around gaining vitae. More
satisfy even the highest am- character is in for a rough time, to be sure, but she can than that, stories should also
bitions; failure is certain to prove immeasurably valuable to her Cainite companions. center on the group’s pursuit
be punished. of vampire lore. Without any
• Unmastered: In this “in” to Kindred society, the
chronicle, the players generate a cell of the Unmastered band will have to learn the hard way who’s easy prey and
(see p. 94). Each ghoul may have a different reason for who should just be left alone.
joining, but all are united by the organization. Obviously, • Test Group Alpha: An even more bizarre approach
independent ghouls are the most likely characters, but a is the idea of ghouls who gained their power in a “scientific”
few revenants may enter into the mix. It’s even possible procedure. A Kindred is caught by a small research facility,
that a character or two are still vassals, but have resisted and the nature of her blood is discovered; the characters,
the power of the Bond long enough to contact the Un- then, begin as volunteers in a peculiar experiment. It’s
mastered. Their extraction may make an excellent first most advisable that one of the characters be the scientist
story. By the story’s end, the characters may have had in charge of the project; otherwise, the group may never
to kill several of their fellow vassals, and even betray or leave the lab. But once Test Group Alpha begins to look for
destroy their domitor. other vampires in order to prolong their powers…look out.

The characters are at a severe disadvantage from the very
beginning, as many or even all of them might not believe in the
supernatural. As they gradually practice their new capabilities,
they should simultaneously begin to gather hints concerning the
true nature of the Kindred. Of course, their ties to the scientific
community make them attractive targets — they present a dire
threat to the Masquerade. If the local Cainites learn of their
existence, life could become very dangerous indeed.
An interesting variant on this chronicle might be to
make the characters unwitting test subjects, quietly ghouled
by Pentex or a similar group. Once the characters learn the
nature of the experiments run on them, they may well cut
their ties and flee their sponsor — only to find themselves
compelled to learn more about these “vampires” in order to
preserve their powers. Or maybe they don’t run at all, but
willingly take up arms for Pentex.…
The Unmastered
The Unmastered was formed in the 1950s as a sort
of underground railroad for newly orphaned or escaped
ghouls. Although the fledgling group numbered perhaps 20
at its start, the four pivotal founders were Gregory Winter,
Ginevra Salamanca (Obertus), Enrico Sagunto and Philip
Marshall. Each had extensive experience in dealing with
the Kindred, and each was willing to share knowledge with
less fortunate members. Within a period of two years, the
cellular structure of the Unmastered was formed and the
Core was established.
Sagunto, a former member of the Society of St. Leo-
pold’s Gladius Dei, was never a ghoul. He had gone rogue
from the Inquisition some years earlier over a methodology
dispute, and devoted himself to assisting the victims of
Kindred manipulation. Although he acquired at least 12
confirmed vampire kills to his name during his time with
the Unmastered, he was finally slain by a Malkavian in the
Anarch Free States.
Philip Marshall was an independent ghoul who’d run
into his first vampire while working as a photojournalist. He
soon learned of the beneficial properties of Kindred blood, and
began hiring himself out as a sort of mercenary investigator,
paid in vitae. He learned about the Blood Bond the hard way,
but was freed when Sagunto slew his domitor at the climax of
an auto-da-fé. Marshall continued to uncover Kindred secrets
for the Unmastered, but vanished sometime in the late ‘60s
while tracking down information on the Inconnu. A few
rumored sightings trickle in every year, but none seems to be
anything significant.
The remaining two, Salamanca and Winter, are still
an integral part of the Core, and have gradually increased
their influence across the world. They’ve learned from their
mistakes, and are largely responsible for the present efficiency
of the organization.

Today the Unmastered is a fairly large sect. Its methods has been heard from Russian vampires in years disturbs the
of recruitment are often very convincing, but its numbers Core greatly.
are kept in check, both by the available vitae supply and The Middle East is a volatile place, and to date only two
by attrition at the hands of more powerful supernaturals. cells have proved strong enough to survive there. Australia
It is secretive enough that neither the Camarilla nor the is a similarly low priority; apart from two or three cities, it
Sabbat has learned of the Unmastered’s existence, although hasn’t enough Kindred to spare.
certain princes have begun to piece together the rumors of The sect has little influence in most areas of the Third
the “ghoul underground railroad.” World, and little reason to go there. The only real excep-
tion is the vampiric paradise of the Caribbean; with so
Goals many vampires jockeying among themselves for control of
The sect’s goals are simple enough: to serve as a safe the region, the Unmastered realizes it would be foolish to
place where renegade or orphaned ghouls can flee; to preserve overlook such an opportunity.
its own existence by acquiring vitae however possible; to The Unmastered has tried to establish cells in Asia
maintain its members’ independence and freedom; and to twice. Both times, a few reports of the hideous and power-
keep its existence a secret from vampires in general (which ful Cathayan vampires filtered back to the Core before the
also helps in preserving its members’ existence and freedom). Asian cells vanished completely. With the reversion of
Of course, individuals often pursue their own agendas Hong Kong to China’s control, the Core has abandoned
in addition to these goals. The sect tolerates this so long plans for a third attempt. The sect simply knows too little
as nobody threatens to compromise Unmastered security. of the vampires of the East, and considers it too risky to try
Those who (knowingly or not) betray the sect are not given learning more.
a second warning.
Methods
Global Influence Although Unmastered methodology is still evolving, the
The Unmastered operates mainly in the United States; Core has established a few basic tactics that hold up well in
the combination of personal freedoms and lax criminal practice. Part of the reeducation given to recruits involves
investigation allows it to operate comfortably from the teaching them to think on their feet; members are expected
shadows. It tends to set up equally large cells in Sabbat and to be able to abandon a failing plan and improvise ways to
Camarilla territory. The Unmastered steps up its activities in salvage a situation. However, the Unmastered usually goes
areas contested by Camarilla and Sabbat; the war between by the playbook first, making things up only in times of crisis.
sects gives it ample opportunity to pick off stragglers on When the sect has gathered enough new recruits to
both sides. The Anarch Free States serve as an excellent justify a new cell, the Core picks a target city based on in-
staging ground for Unmastered activities; in this war zone, telligence reports. Obviously, the preferred cities are those
one more missing vampire tends to attract little attention. with high Kindred populations, and it’s all the better if the
One or two Unmastered ghouls have been careless enough vampires there are fighting among themselves. Then the
to attract FBI attention (in particular, the SAD; for more Core assigns a base cell of four or so operatives, split evenly
information, see Project Twilight). The Core’s official policy between seasoned hunters (reassigned from their previous
is to bury the offender in deep cover for some time — or, locales and replaced with fresh recruits) and newcomers.
if the wayward ghoul has been flamboyant enough, simply
The cell is armed with as much information as possible
to bury her.
about its new home, and given a small backup supply of vitae.
Canada is a slightly different story; generally speaking, Once the cell moves in, its members immediately set to work
the Unmastered has a minimal presence there. Although the verifying their information and gathering new data. Some
Sabbat territories make for interesting hunting grounds, the cells send members directly into Kindred society, either under
low crime rate does tend to mean that bodies get noticed. the guise of mercenary ghouls or (less commonly) disguised
Some cells have moved into South and Central America, as vampires themselves. Their goal is not to earn the local
but the Unmastered finds it slow, dangerous going there. Mexico Cainites’ trust (which would be practically impossible), but
City swarms with Kindred who enjoy the easy prey, and the to learn the local Cainites’ names and habits.
fat and lazy among them often find themselves hunted in turn. Generally, the Unmastered hunts only when it is well
The Unmastered has spread into Europe, where it has informed. True, once the cell’s vitae supply runs low, it
established cells in London, Paris, Berlin and Barcelona. It may seek targets with abandon; for the most part, however,
avoids Italy for the time being, based mostly on the advice it prefers picking fights as carefully as possible. Hunting
of the deceased Sagunto; the stronghold of Giovanni, La- parties (or individuals, if skilled enough) try to capture
sombra and the overzealous Society of St. Leopold makes for prey, either by using compound bows or crossbows to stake
dangerous hunting grounds. What’s more, the Unmastered their target, or by gunning a vampire into torpor and let-
has yet to send anyone into Russia; the fact that nothing ting her heal herself only in captivity. Captured vampires

are blindfolded, fed enough to replenish their blood sup- Sagunto’s passion for fighting the good fight was un-
plies, and drained of their vitae. The most experienced like anything Ginevra had seen from revenant or mortal.
cell member may interrogate the captive in order to learn At first, she couldn’t have cared less for his cause. But his
more about the city’s Kindred, but this is usually done only emotion enticed her, flooding her with sympathy and a
when the cell is sure the prisoner is quite secure. The cell passion of her own. The two eventually became lovers,
typically drains enough from the vampire for all members and soon after joined with Winter and Marshall to form
to drink their fill twice, then destroys the captive with fire the Unmastered.
or sunlight. The fewer loose ends, the less chance the cell Ginevra’s revenant-born predilections, however,
will be compromised. eventually drove Sagunto away from her. When he
died, she never mourned him. But the passion he’d
The Core kindled within her was the strongest emotion she’d
ever felt. To keep it alive (and, some might say, to
Almost all Unmastered activity traces back to the
keep her feeling alive), she has redoubled her activities
Core, the founders of the group. There are only three active
in the Unmastered, living vicariously by making the
members of the Core (though there are plenty of rumors
impossible happen.
about shadowy figures who drift in and out of Unmastered
politics, none of these individuals have made themselves Salamanca is a beautiful young woman, having been
known). These three — Ginevra Salamanca, Gregory fleshcrafted into an almost faelike, exotic appearance.
Winter, and the mysteriously mutable Carter — share a Like the other members of her family, she is reclusive,
command of Cainite lore that would make many Obertus single-minded and mildly perverse. She finds it hard to
elders envious, although it is far from perfect. trust Carter, particularly whenever the enigmatic being
changes faces again.
Although the Core cannot govern every facet of Un-
mastered activity, it does call a lot of the shots. The three Recently, Salamanca has been tempted by the allure
direct many cells and constantly coordinate information of the Embrace. The thought of true immortality, of a
on Kindred from cities around the globe. In recent times, life span long enough to see every other Cainite either
they have learned of the existence of something called the dead or subdued, dances in her subconscious. Naturally,
Black Hand and have begun to filter through rumors of the she is carefully considering the issue, and may not act
sect called Inconnu. Their combination of vast experience, on it for another 50 years or so. She also finds herself
unmatched espionage skills and remarkable intelligence attracted to the strength of Winter’s character, and is
makes the three a dangerous group to cross, and a more coolly contemplating whether or not any good would
than adequate authority for the Unmastered. come of a carnal relationship with the veteran ghoul.
Again, nothing may come of this notion for some years,
Ginevra Salamanca but the thought is something else with which to occupy
Ginevra Salamanca was in fact born Ginevra Obertus, her busy mind.
to the Obertuses of Haverhill, Massachusetts. She was
subjected to her parents’ demented experimentation at an
early age — the two were trying out alternate methods of
speeding a revenant’s mental and physical maturity. The
process worked fairly well on Ginevra, possibly better than
her parents had expected. She developed an astonishing
intelligence at an early age, and became aware of their
manipulations long before they expected her to do so.
This knowledge filled her with contempt, and once she
had biologically aged to adolescence, she left.
Ginevra’s increased intelligence served her well in
the outside world, allowing her to evade the pursuers
sent to drag her back home. Eventually, she found herself
living with a small band of Zantosas. She was growing
quite bored with them when the Zantosas began dropping
left and right, killed off one by one by the ex-Society of
Leopold hunter, Enrico Sagunto. Ginevra picked this
time to betray her companions, siding with the mortal
and quickly gaining his confidence. She never told him
her real name.

Gregory Winter Winter seems to be a man in his late 40s, with short-cut
Winter is perhaps the archetypal Unmastered. He has gray hair and nondescript brown eyes. He has a very dense
been vassal to a cruel domitor, and he has scrabbled after build; his musculature isn’t so much defined as rough-carved.
vitae to maintain his powers. In the process, he has become His knowledge of Disciplines is quite extraordinary for a
one of the most skilled ghouls ever to draw breath. Without ghoul, but he prefers to rely on more mundane methods to
his experience, it’s possible that the Unmastered might never fulfill his tasks; he needs no Obfuscate to pull off a disguise,
have survived as long as they have. and his hunches rival his skill at Auspex. Winter has made
the most of his extended life span, and has mastered many
skills, all practical. He now spends most of his days sharing
this knowledge, tutoring Unmastered recruits in the fine
arts of lies, hunting and sabotage.
The other Core members are beginning to worry about
Winter’s extended age. They know that he’s nearing the
age when missing even one month of vitae might kill him.
Although Winter has been the model of steadfast loyalty to
date, it’s hard to dismiss the possibility that desperation might
one night drive him to sell out the Unmastered if there is no
other way to save his life. Consequently, they have seen to
it that the sect regularly sends portions of vitae his way, and
try to coerce Winter away from any field projects in which
he feels like getting involved.
Carter
Carter is perhaps the most enigmatic Core member,
even to her fellow founders. She joined soon after Sagunto’s
death, following a meeting with Winter and Salamanca in
which she convinced them that she would be invaluable to
their efforts. When tested, Carter demonstrated a grasp of
Nobody knows who his first domitor was, or even what Kindred lore that rivaled even Winter’s, handing the sect
clan. From listening closely to Winter’s occasional sardonic secret information about the princes of three major cities.
anecdotes, the other Core members have guessed that he Soon after, Carter was inducted to the Core, the better to
served as a powerful Camarilla vampire’s right hand for some tap her uncanny reservoir of knowledge.
time, probably on the American East Coast during the 19th Although Carter’s loyalty was demonstrated time and
century. He severed his ties sometime after the Civil War again, in 1960 she shocked the other Core members by
and managed to survive as an independent for a few years. appearing after an extended absence — with a completely
Eventually he was forced to join another Cainite’s retinue, different face and build. Intensive questioning revealed that
but during World War I he swapped domitors almost as often
as a Toreador changes outfits. Nobody’s quite sure how he
managed it, but the other two Core members have their
guesses. For one, Winter is amazingly skilled at personal
subterfuge; he may not be a Machiavellian schemer on a
grandiose level, but he can fool almost anyone almost all
of the time. For another, his long years as a ghoul seem to
have built in him an innate resistance to the Blood Bond.
He’s destroyed more than one Cainite who staked her unlife
on her servant’s blind devotion.
At the close of World War II, Winter found himself
fleeing England with the orphaned retinue of a powerful
Ventrue. In his efforts to provide for his inexperienced
companions, he wound up making a slew of contacts that
soon blossomed into a full-fledged support network. When
he met Philip Marshall, they discovered a common purpose
and, more out of enlightened self-interest than anything
else, they formed the Unmastered.

this was indeed the same person who’d aided in the capture
of a fledgling Sabbat pack mere weeks before. Gradually, the
others came to accept Carter’s change of form, which was
good: A year later, she did it again. Carter has now changed
her physical form no fewer than 15 times, often changing
race and — on at least three occasions — gender as well.
In actuality, Carter is not a living being at all. She is
actually a wraith, one who uses her powers to inhabit the
bodies of living humans in order to communicate with her
physical allies. Her voluminous store of information comes
from her practice of abandoning her physical host to spy invis-
ibly on her targets, who seldom have any reason to suspect a
wraith’s presence. Only Salamanca and Winter know of her
true nature; her odd tendencies to leave her body behind
are explained to lower-ranking Unmastered as a talent for
out-of-body experiences.
The mortal who was Carter died in the Depression, the
victim of a jaded Toreador prince who sought to lighten his
spirits with a bit of gameplay. After running the young girl
through a series of emotional hurdles, he casually had her
executed to suit his decadent pleasure. The furious girl’s spirit
refused to pass on and was trapped in the Underworld seek-
ing revenge. She spent years mastering the arcane powers of
her new form, and further years learning all she could about
the Kindred. (Part of her education was the practical lesson
that some vampires can indeed deal with wraiths; to this
night, Carter avoids Giovanni and Samedi with a passion.)
Once she learned of the Unmastered, Carter im-
mediately resolved to join them. Her hated Toreador was
overthrown but not slain several years ago, and she has thus
far been unable to locate him again. Therefore, she uses
the Unmastered as a means for her ultimate goal — utterly
humiliating and then destroying the creature that had her
degraded and slain. Along the way, she takes a certain
amount of pleasure from getting revenge on any vampires
she may, but also enjoys helping ghouls battle free from
their sick masters.
These days, Carter uses her expertise in Puppetry to
leave a trail of false identities. She does so by repeatedly
possessing a person until the host’s personality is completely
submerged, then utterly taking control of the body. However,
Carter can only maintain a given body for a short period of
time before she must abandon it and return to the Under-
world, for reasons she refuses to discuss. (As near as Winter
can figure, this has something to do with “working off her
karmic debt one piece at a time.”) She typically leaves her
comatose host in the hands of an Unmastered underling
with orders to care for it, but accidents can happen, and
often Carter finds herself in search of a new face. At such
times, she usually tries to pick someone as vile as her original
tormentor, but she is sometimes less discerning when ruled
by her passion for revenge.

Conflict
Ghouls come in many varieties, and they can find
themselves in the midst of all sorts of possible conflicts. A
chronicle may involve several of the following ideas, par-
ticularly if the characters defect to or from multiple sides
in the course of their careers.
• Independents vs. Kindred: There are two basic ways
to get vitae: trapping or killing vampires and hiring oneself
out to them. Of course, the latter usually involves the former
to some degree. Independent ghouls seeking to sustain their
power without becoming Blood Bound are going to have to
pick their targets and employers carefully, or else the city’s
entire Kindred population may be at their throats. But you
do what you must to survive.…
• Vassals vs. Kindred: A servant often has to do quite
a bit of dirty work for her domitor. The pawn may not be as
powerful as the knight or rook, but she’s certainly expected
to do her part to win the game. If that involves sacrificing
herself, so be it. If not, she’s proved she can handle tough
situations. The characters may be pivotal agents in their
domitors’ political maneuverings, completing vital tasks
while their masters chat in Elysium. This sort of conflict can
offer a high-stakes edge to campaign espionage. After all, if
caught, their domitors will almost certainly deny knowledge
of the ghouls’ activities, and their captors will be free to do
as they like with the upstart mortals.
• Camarilla vs. Sabbat: Perhaps the archetypal conflict
of many Vampire games, the war between sects is just as
immediate for the ghoul servants on both sides. The char-
acters may find themselves defending their domitors against
vampire and ghoul invaders from the other side, or under
orders to attack their sect’s rivals. What’s more, the group
may find ample opportunity to switch sides if the induce-
ments are strong enough to overcome the Blood Bond. And
if the other side wins, but the characters are still alive, it
may be time to start over in a new city, where the whole
process may begin again.…
• Vassals vs. the Unmastered: The Unmastered is, all
told, a reasonably benevolent organization, but try telling
that to vampires. Furthermore, there’s usually only so much
vitae to go around, so an Unmastered cell may well feel the
need to eliminate any local ghouls who don’t look like easy
recruits. The characters may find themselves in the ironic
position of battling their would-be saviors, all in the name
of protecting their beloved domitors. This is a particularly
good conflict in that the opposition is roughly the same
power level as the player characters, but is usually clever,
better armed and well trained. The players will certainly
have to use their brains and a bit of luck to score a victory
against these veteran vampire-hunters.

• Ghouls vs. Lupines: It’s dangerous work, which is get into the same fix, too, although their natural vitae
why most domitors feel that their ghouls are the ones to reserves tend to keep them from relying on outside elixir.
do it. Hunting Lupines can be a good way for an entire Love and lust are troublesome that way.
group of ghouls to get killed. But if they succeed, the local • Ghouls vs. Mortals: No ghoul should dismiss
Cainites may offer them a bit more respect — or notice the local police as harmless. Even the most careful
them as potential upstarts. Vassals and revenants don’t character can leave enough evidence behind on an
have to hog all the fun, either; independents may well “errand” to become a suspect. What’s more, Sabbat
wonder if werewolf blood has the same potency as vitae. ghouls and revenants are often murderers on the level
And, of course, there’s no reason that the Lupines can’t of serial killers, and may attract the attention of the
come to the characters — werewolves have a definite FBI. A properly run story with the law as the antagonist
bias against corruption, and a ghoul smells of the corrupt can impress a very real respect for law enforcement in
in no small way. the ghouls’ minds.
• Ghouls vs. Blood Bond: Nobody asks to fall in Of course, anyone who’s ever been part of a family
love. Vassals get asked to do some dirty things, and even knows that not all conflicts are solved by flying bullets on
the loyalty of the Blood Bond can only go so far. What either side. A ghoul with any sort of normal life (which
would it take to make a vassal start straining against the is to say, most vassals) is accountable to more than just
greatest passion he’s ever felt? What if he was in love the civil authorities. What about parents? Children?
before he was chosen by his domitor? Cautious domitors A spouse? How does a vassal explain where she’s been
often toss the occasional carrot to their vassals, just to for the last few days? The problem is only worsened by
keep the Bond reinforced — what if a ghoul sees such a the Blood — if the pressure gets too high, or the baby
conciliatory gesture for what it is? just doesn’t stop screaming, the ghoul may go berserk.
Don’t think this is a vassal-only source of conflict, A ghoul’s family may somehow sense that something’s
either. An independent may have to choose between changed with Mommy — they may fear her, cringing,
drinking three times from one vampire or losing her recoiling and being nervously silent whenever she comes
Blood-engendered abilities. If she’s been a ghoul for any home after one of those “business trips.” If the ghoul
length of time, this choice can be a difficult one. What has any love left for her family at all, this distance can
if the Bond is accidental? Revenants can conceivably be heartbreaking.

• Revenants vs. Revenants: Family feuds are no laugh- • Vassals vs. Vassals: Few people like to share a loved
ing matter where the depraved revenants are concerned. one. Bitter rivalries fester in the households of most domi-
Although the Sabbat frowns on internal disruption and is tors, and the players may become involved in a fight for
likely to punish warring revenants, there are reasons aplenty their domitor’s affections. To complicate matters further,
for a local family to try to eliminate their rivals. They’ll just their rivals may have seniority, greater charisma, or any
have to be subtle about it, is all. The players may be loyal sons number of advantages to make the contest more challeng-
and daughters of their family, ready and willing to do some ing. This sort of conflict can also erupt when two rival
damage to their hated enemies, or they may be reluctantly Cainites seek to upstage one another in the prince’s eyes,
dragged into a war that threatens to extinguish both sides. and the ghouls become their main tools. The characters
They may even have friends on the opposite side — which will probably gladly leap to defend their domitor’s honor
typically leads to tragedy. Capulets and Montagues, anyone? (“Undo Hugo’s little plot for me, darlings, and I’ll be ever
• Ghouls vs. the Inquisition: The Society of St. so grateful.…”).
Leopold knows little of the differences between vampire For a really disturbing plot, have the characters run
and ghoul. Anyone who draws power from blood makes a into an ancient, terrifying ghoul servitor of a Methuselah
likely target in their eyes, and a character may find herself or Inconnu. Such a being will not only present a formi-
the target of an auto-da-fé. The characters may also find dable challenge for an entire troupe, but also graphically
themselves defending an ally or domitor against the hunt- demonstrate the fate that awaits the characters should they
ers; after all, the Society knows that it’s best to hunt by survive their centuries of servitude. Some ghouls might even
day, and the group may be the only ones awake when the be “scared straight” after an encounter with one of these
Inquisition comes calling. hoary, inhuman slaves.

Templates
Ghouls may end up facing many sorts of opponents,
from vampires to Lupines. However, their ability to op-
erate unhindered in daylight means that many of their
opponents will be ghouls. The following ghoul templates
are designed as quick-start rivals, enemies or even allies
for the troupe.
Vitae Hunter
This is the sort of hunter who has been surviving for
some time by her wits, and who has more than one vampire
kill to her name. She has lost much of her compassion over
the years, but the constant fight for survival has given her
a razor’s edge.
Physical: Strength 3, Dexterity 3, Stamina 4
Social: Charisma 3, Manipulation 3, Appearance 2
Mental: Perception 4, Intelligence 3, Wits 4
Talents: Acting 1, Alertness 4, Athletics 2, Brawl 3,
Dodge 3, Intimidation 3, Streetwise 3, Subterfuge 2
Skills: Drive 3, Firearms 4, Melee 3, Repair 2, Security Revenant Agent
3, Stealth 4, Survival 3 These revenants are typical Sabbat agents who serve
Knowledges: Computer 3, Investigation 4, Law 2, as daylight muscle for the sect. They tend to travel in small
Linguistics 1, Medicine 2, Occult 3, Politics 1, packs, and can be a real threat for ghoul characters. However,
Science 2 at least ghoul enemies have a chance of being awake when
Disciplines: Auspex 1, Fortitude 1, Obfuscate 1, they come calling.…
Potence 1 Physical: Strength 4, Dexterity 3, Stamina 4
Backgrounds: Allies 1, Contacts 4, Resources 2 Social: Charisma 2, Manipulation 1, Appearance 1
Virtues: Conscience 2, Self-Control 4, Courage 5 Mental: Perception 3, Intelligence 2, Wits 3
Humanity: 5 Talents: Alertness 3, Athletics 2, Brawl 3, Dodge 2,
Willpower: 9 Intimidation 3, Streetwise 2, Subterfuge 1
Skills: Drive 2, Firearms 3, Melee 2, Repair 1, Security
2, Stealth 3, Survival 1
Knowledges: Computer 1, Investigation 3, Law 1,
Linguistics 1, Occult 1
Disciplines: Fortitude 1, Potence 1; Dominate, Vicis-
situde or Auspex 1
Backgrounds: Contacts 2, Resources 1
Virtues: Callousness 3, Instincts 3, Morale 3
Path of Enlightenment (varies): 4
Willpower: 6
Szlachta
These horrible creatures are the fleshcrafted minions
of the Tzimisce. Many szlachta are lobotomized as part of
the process, making them bestial creatures who understand
only how best to obey. Szlachta may possess any or all of the
Vicissitude Modifications listed on p. 84, and are typically
twisted into nightmarish caricatures of living creatures (all
possess the Flaw: Monstrous). The appalling alterations they
undergo serve two purposes: They become more frighten-
ing, often a crucial edge in battle; and no szlachta may ever

enter human society again. Without the temptation of Willpower: 10
flight, szlachta are among the most brutally loyal ghouls an Blood Pool: 20/2
unfortunate intruder may encounter. Health Levels: OK (x5), -1 (x5), -2 (x5), -5 (x3), Incap.
Physical: Strength 5, Dexterity 4, Stamina 5 Attack: Strike/8 dice + Potence; Bite/8 dice, automatic
Social: Charisma 1, Manipulation 1, Appearance 0 on the turn after a grab; Palp/6 dice + Potence,
Mental: Perception 5, Intelligence 2, Wits 3 constrict thereafter
Talents: Alertness 3, Athletics 1, Brawl 4, Dodge 2 Multiple Attacks: 10 extra dice, usable only to simulate
Skills: Melee 1, Stealth 3, Tracking 2 multiple attacks
Knowledges: Any three at 2 Abilities: Alertness 5, Brawl 2, Intimidation 6
Disciplines: Fortitude 1, Potence 1
Backgrounds: None Animals
Virtues: Conscience 1, Self-Control 3, Courage 5 Almost every vampire with Animalism will at
Humanity: 2 some point make a ghoul of an animal. Ghouled beasts
Willpower: 4 have many advantages over human servitors: They lack
dangerous ambition, they are less likely to misinterpret
Vozhd orders, and they are readily predictable. If a ghouled lion
Run. These nightmarish leviathans are hybrids created pride tends to be a bit more trouble to feed than humans,
from 15+ ghouls who have been grafted together through what of it? At the very least, a domitor doesn’t have to
Vicissitude, Thaumaturgy and Sabbat sadism. A lobotomized deal with fawning flattery and pleas for attention every
vozhd is immune to Animalism, Dominate and Presence; a hour of the night.
sentient one (if the rumors are true) would be even worse. The following statistics are for base animals. To
Vozhd are rarely used in this age of media and Masquer- represent ghouled versions, add a dot in Potence, plus
ade. When they are deployed, they are treated as walking either Fortitude 1, Celerity 1, or both, as desired. Some
tacnukes: Sabbat point them at their targets, then run for particularly ancient animals, or those warped by Nosferatu
cover. Vozhd are omnivorous, eating anything in their path blood, might have additional Health Levels.
— ghouls are as tasty as mortals or vampires.
Physical: Strength 8, Dexterity 2, Stamina 6 Alligator/Crocodile
Social: All Attributes 0 Strength: 5, Dexterity: 2, Stamina: 5
Mental: Perception 1, Intelligence 1 (or higher?), Wits Willpower: 5, Health Levels: OK, OK, OK, -1, -1,
2 (or higher?) -3, -5, Incap.
Virtues: Irrelevant Attack: Bite/6 dice; Tail/5 dice
Humanity: Irrelevant Abilities: Alertness 3, Brawl 3, Intimidation 4, Stealth 3
Disciplines: Fortitude 4, Potence 6

Ape/Gorilla Lion/Jaguar
Strength: 4, Dexterity: 3, Stamina: 4 Strength: 4, Dexterity: 3, Stamina: 3
Willpower: 4, Health Levels: OK, OK, -1, -1, -1, Willpower: 5, Health Levels: OK, OK, -1, -1, -1, -2,
-3, -5, Incap. -2, -5, Incap.
Attack: Bite/4 dice; Rend/6 dice Attack: Claw/5 dice; Bite/6 dice
Abilities: Alertness 2, Athletics 3, Brawl 3, Intimi- Abilities: Alertness 3, Athletics 2, Brawl 3, Dodge 2,
dation 3, Stealth 2 Intimidation 4, Stealth 3
Leopard/Mountain Lion
Strength: 4, Dexterity: 4, Stamina: 4
Willpower: 4, Health Levels: OK, OK, -1, -1, -3,
Wolf/Large Dog
-5, Incap.
Willpower: 3, Health Levels: OK, OK, -1, -1, -3, -5,
Attack: Claw/5 dice; Bite/5 dice
Incap.
Abilities: Alertness 3, Athletics 3, Brawl 3, Climbing
Attack: Bite/4 dice; Claw/2 dice
4, Dodge 3, Intimidation 3, Stealth 3
Abilities: Alertness 3, Athletics 1, Brawl 3, Dodge 3,
Stealth 2, Tracking 3

Oversized Rat The following plots provide some ideas of where
to take a chronicle, or serve as interesting stories to be
played on the side, between major events. Adapt, discard,
Willpower: 3, Health Levels: OK, -1, -1, -3, -5, Incap. modify or ignore them as you will.
Attack: Bite/3 dice • One of the characters gets careless in procuring
Abilities: Alertness 2, Athletics 2, Brawl 3, Dodge 3, blood, or perhaps is tricked by a benefactor or supplier.
Stealth 3 Whatever the reasons, she becomes Blood Bound to a
strange vampire, most likely without her knowledge.
When she realizes the depths of her affection, she may
well be unaware that she is even Bound, particularly if
the Storyteller is careful to remain subtle (the vampire
actually seems gentle and affectionate toward her) or if
the player agrees beforehand to such a story.
The rest of the troupe must certainly take action,
or their errant friend could easily compromise them
all. How can they extricate her with as little trouble as
possible? And what if the vampire has the potential to
be an invaluable ally — do they allow her to continue
spending time with him, the better to coax him over
to their side?
• One of the characters is sent on a lengthy errand
by his domitor. Upon his return, he finds his master’s
haven demolished and his master torn to shreds. The
deceased vampire had no shortage of Kindred enemies,
and the ghoul has no desire to be slain offhandedly by
the murderer. Worse, he is now without a patron in the
midst of Kindred politics; another vampire, perhaps even
Blood Pools for Animal Ghouls the prince, may well see fit to dispose of him in the name
An animal ghoul may never have more than 10 Blood
of expediency. The ghoul will be in for a few sleepless
Points in its system. Most animals prefer to drink only until
nights as the local Cainites argue over his fate; he and
they gorge; a ghoul crocodile, for example, doesn’t take kindly
his friends may attempt to solve the murder in hopes of
to the idea of someone draining its blood and replacing it
gaining leniency from the prince. After all, vampires are
with vitae.
forbidden by tradition to destroy one another. Finding
A human-sized or larger ghoul can hold 10 Blood Points; the culprit would be a service to the local Kindred, and
smaller animals can hold correspondingly less. A table showing a neat means of revenge.
rates for all possible animals is impractical; assume a large dog
However, investigation reveals that it was in fact not
can hold six Blood Points, a cat-sized creature can hold four,
a vampire who slew the domitor, but a number of city-
and a rat-sized critter can hold two. These estimates assume
dwelling Lupines. Depending on the characters involved,
that the vampire goes through the trouble of “bleeding” the
they may try to destroy the werewolves in retribution
ghoul; should he simply let the animal feed, the maximum Blood
(potential suicide), or they may try to negotiate with
Pools are halved (so a crocodile can “eat” five Blood Points, a
the Lupines in hopes of ridding the city of a few of their
St. Bernard three, etc.).
enemies. Unless they decide to leave the werewolves be,
they are in for a very tense, dangerous time.…
Sample Plots
Every story needs a jumping-off point. Preferably, this
• For the space of a story, the characters face no
threats from a supernatural venue. Instead, they must
keep their own houses in order, trying to maintain
point of departure is one that hooks the players from the their mortal lives. Relatives come to visit, bills arrive
very beginning, presumably by offering their characters a past due, a job is threatened or a character gets in a
very personal stake in the story. Although a ghoul chronicle car accident. The characters are confronted with a
can certainly borrow plot ideas that would be just as ap- number of mundane tribulations, and should feel the
propriate for Vampire, some stories should emphasize that need to smooth these things over without too much
the characters are ghouls, and address their ghoul-specific undue fuss.
goals and concerns.

This gets difficult when their ghoul natures are called the perfect venue for exploring underused facets of the
into play. Perhaps a character is forced to make a frenzy characters’ personalities and normal lives. Just how do
check when that screaming baby just won’t shut up. A you feel about your sister, anyway?
freak accident may require a ghoul to heal herself using • In the interest of trying something different, two
the Blood, but she doesn’t have that much to spare. One domitors agree to swap vassals for a time, including one
or two of the group may go on a drinking spree to drown or more of the characters. Of course, the characters aren’t
their troubles, but find themselves craving blood far more told that the arrangement is only temporary — their
than beer. beloved domitor simply tells them that it’s time for a
The tension escalates when some of their other “du- change, and that they’ll be staying with someone else
ties” are called into play. A Ventrue domitor may order now. With a final admonishment to behave themselves
a vassal to sabotage the factory where the ghoul’s cousin and do as they’re told, the vassals are traded into the
works. An independent may have to shelter a fellow service of a local Toreador.
comrade in his house. A Grimaldi may have to discredit The characters should have a difficult time adjusting;
her journalist lover on her family’s orders. their new domitor may be exacting, cruel or eccentric.
Also, who’s to say that the ghouls won’t try to take What’s more, their original Blood Bond still holds true.
advantage of their supernatural powers, gaining an edge As the characters pine away for their “true” domitor, their
in mortal society via Disciplines and such? A Vicissitude- new master may send them on errands that inconvenience
beautified concubine might try to land a modeling career or thwart their beloved mistress. Any attempt to flee or
— she’s not getting any older, after all. A cocky, drunken warn her will earn the ghouls a sharp scolding for their
ghoul may decide to settle his bar tab with his newfound disobedience (and possibly a more serious punishment),
Potence. Criminal ghouls may try getting a leg up on their and a return to the Toreador’s service.
enemies in a satisfyingly violent manner; drive-bys mean Eventually, both domitors grow tired of their ex-
a bit less when you have Fortitude 1 and can regenerate changed vassals, and swap back. However, the joy the
your wounds! characters feel at being reunited with their mistress
Ghouls are quite mortal, but not precisely human, is short-lived. The Toreador discovers that a valuable
and this story might be an excellent way to call this fact piece of artwork has gone missing from her collection,
into sharp relief. In addition, this change of pace can be and naturally blames the characters. Can the characters

convince their domitor of their innocence? Can they Camarilla guerrillas). Both sides have access to plenty
uncover the real thief in time to save their hides? Even of firepower, and are ready to achieve their goals by any
if they’re successful, will their domitor ever really trust means necessary.
them again? The characters may be drafted as hounds for the
• An experienced cell of the Unmastered moves hunt, or they may have their own agendas threatened
into a Sabbat-held city, with the sole purpose of gather- by Sabbat war parties. Whatever side they end up on,
ing vitae from young and careless locals. The characters there’s going to be some real trouble. Depending on the
may be associated with the Unmastered, may be thralls prevailing mood of the troupe, everybody should have
of the local Sabbat, or may even be in the city for their plenty of opportunity to work out their aggressions on
own purposes. their enemies or desperately scramble for their lives.
The Unmastered cell is well armed, and in no time If the Storyteller feels ambitious enough, the story
manages to disable two of the more reckless packs of could have long-term effects on the political struc-
young pups. However, the Sabbat doesn’t take kindly ture of the city in question. Just what happens when
to a taste of its own violence, and begins combing the there’s a vacancy or two for new bishops (or even the
city for the intruders (whom they likely believe to be archbishop), anyway?

Chapter Five:
Templates
The more infamous a man is, the more we are

inclined to endow him with intellectual force and moral
courage.
— Octave Mirbeau, The Torture Garden
Ghouls are as unique as the vampires who create

them — perhaps more so, for they are still capable
of experiencing (and being shaped by) the mortal
world. The following templates provide examples of
vassal, independent and revenant characters; they
also show how Camarilla, Sabbat and independent
clans shape their servitors.

Patron of the Artist
Quote: Damned right, I shot Andy Warhol! But I was just following orders!
Prelude: After art school, your dream came true. All the finagling with realtors
and loan officers paid off; you bought your own gallery in a quaint loft downtown.
Now you could host gallery openings, spoken-word performances, film festivals —
the possibilities were endless. And all the rich and famous people you’d be able
to hobnob with…you could discover the next Dalí or Jack Kerouac or Laurie
Anderson!
Unfortunately, you didn’t quite have the contacts yet, aside from a few of
your old RISD buddies, a handful of professors, and the geeky guy who worked
behind the counter at the local frame shop.
So you started frequenting The Jumping Bean, a hip coffeehouse where
you knew the elite would hang out and name-drop. That’s where you met one
particularly intriguing young waif known as Corrinne. You were enthralled by
her yellow-green, catlike eyes. It was strange; you’d known lots of girls back at
school who experimented with bisexuality, and until the moment you saw Cor-
rinne, you couldn’t quite relate to them.
Corrinne was a real Renaissance woman; she sang sweetly, played guitar,
recited poetry and was a hell of an Impressionist painter. But she was new in
town, and hadn’t met many important art-world folks yet, either. Maybe you
could help each other out, she hinted. You could exhibit her work.
That night you invited her home with you to “take a look at your etch-
ings”; you ended up in bed. It was certainly more passionate than you’d
expected. After making love for three hours, you sat in bed talking for four.
She told you that she felt as though she had known you forever, and that she
wanted to be your “blood sister”; she said it was some kind of goddess-worship
ritual that women who love women usually perform. Enraptured by her beauty,
you obliged wholeheartedly her request that you lightly bite at her nipple and
drink her blood. Her blood was sweet as honey, and wow, did you feel good
after a sip! Hell, you’d give her your new gallery for a little more of that elixir!
Concept: No pain, no gain! Corrinne has you in the palm of her taloned
hand, ordering you around like a gofer to further her art career. You’re happy
to be a lackey to Her Majesty, and you’ve also benefited from your newfound
Presence by attracting the jetset to your ritzy new gallery, where Corrinne
ghouls the prettiest and most influential patrons.
Roleplaying Tips: You are hopelessly devoted to Corrinne, and the sight
of her kissing or showing favor to her other ghouls nearly drives you to frenzy.
You tolerate it while Corrinne is looking, but during the day, you are bitchier
than Joan Crawford to the other ghouls, hoping to drive them away with your
callousness. After all, you saw Corrinne first!
Equipment: Black velvet beret, pack of clove cigarettes, antique silver
handgun, easel

™
VAMPIRE: The Masquerade®

Name: Patron of the Artist Nature: Gallant Domitor: Corrinne
Player: Demeanor: Avant-Garde Duties:
Chronicle: Concept: Vassal Revenant Family: N/A
Attributes
Physical Social Mental
oooooooo
Strength_____________ Charisma____________
oooooooo oooooooo
Perception___________
oooooooo
Dexterity____________ oooooooo
Manipulation________ oooooooo
Intelligence___________
oooooooo
Stamina_____________ oooooooo
Appearance__________ oooooooo
Wits_________________
Abilities
Talents Skills Knowledges
oooooooo
Acting_______________ oooooooo
Animal Ken___________ oooooooo
Bureaucracy_________
oooooooo
Alertness____________ oooooooo
Drive________________ Computer___________oooooooo
oooooooo
Athletics____________ oooooooo
Etiquette____________ oooooooo
Finance_____________
oooooooo
Brawl_______________ oooooooo
Firearms____________ oooooooo
Investigation_________
oooooooo
Dodge_______________ oooooooo
Melee_______________ oooooooo
Law_________________
Empathy____________oooooooo oooooooo
Music_______________ oooooooo
Linguistics___________
oooooooo
Intimidation_________ oooooooo
Repair______________ oooooooo
Medicine____________
oooooooo
Leadership___________ oooooooo
Security_____________ oooooooo
Occult_______________
oooooooo
Streetwise____________ oooooooo
Stealth______________ oooooooo
Politics______________
oooooooo
Subterfuge___________ oooooooo
Survival_____________ oooooooo
Science______________
Advantages
Disciplines Backgrounds Virtues
Potence________oooooooo ______________
Contacts oooooooo Conscience/Callousness_ ooooo
_________________
Presence oooooooo ______________
Domitor oooooooo
_________________
oooooooo ______________
Influence oooooooo
_________________
oooooooo ______________
Resources oooooooo Self-Control/Instincts__ ooooo
_________________
oooooooo ______________
Allies oooooooo
_________________
oooooooo ______________ oooooooo
_________________ ______________ oooooooo Courage/Morale_________ ooooo
oooooooo
Other Traits Humanity/Path Health

______________
Art History oooooooo ______________ Bruised
______________ oooooooo oooooooooo Hurt -1
______________ oooooooo Willpower Injured
______________ oooooooo -1
______________ oooooooo oooooooooo Wounded -2
______________ oooooooo Mauled -2
______________ oooooooo Crippled -5
______________ oooooooo Incapacitated
______________ oooooooo Blood Pool
______________ oooooooo Weakness/Blood Bond
______________ oooooooo
Blood Bond
Overdosing?

The Revolting Revenant
Quote: Never kiss a gift horse on the mouth....
Prelude: Mama and Papa always told you that you were their most specialest daughter.
You were prettier than most of your siblings, and you seemed to have quite a way with ani-
mals. The dogs and horses on the estate just loved you; indeed, all the animals were your
best friends, and you expressed your appreciation for them in no uncertain terms. For your
services, they rewarded you with their utter adoration...and an advanced case of brucellosis,
a virus which causes spontaneous abortion in animals and remittent fever in human beings.
As a ghoul, the infection has affected you in both ways. More than once you’ve had sex
with male dogs, hoping to be impregnated, but whenever you think you’re expecting, you
miscarry spontaneously. You get fevers whenever there’s a chill in
the air, but your revenant blood sustains you so that you don’t
perish from illness. Of course, all of the animal ghouls on
your family’s estate are now diseased, but you wanted
to share everything with them.
Concept: A semiautistic Bratovitch beauty, you’ve
been raised by a bunch of inbred revenants who in no
way find your behavior or condition abnormal. You are
as strong as the oxen you love so dearly, and better at
communicating with animals than Dr. Doolittle. You
occasionally get drafted into service by Sabbat packs
seeking guides in the werewolf-infested outdoors. Still,
sometimes you dream of running away and living with
a Gangrel pack or the Lupines you understand so well.
Roleplaying Tips: You have complete control
of nearly every animal you come into contact with.
Sometimes the animals won’t listen to or play with
you, so you hurt them to teach them a lesson. Dissec-
tion is actually kinda fun; you never knew that large
intestines were so much fun to skip rope with.
Equipment: Studded dog collars and metal leashes,
flea-infested doghouse (your “bedroom”), cattle prod,
leather bullwhip

™

Name: The Revolting Revenant Nature: Child Domitor: N/A
Player: Demeanor: Deviant Duties:
Chronicle: Concept: Revenant Revenant Family:Bratovitch
Attributes
oooooooo
oooooooo oooooooo
oooooooo
oooooooo
Wits_________________
Abilities
oooooooo
oooooooo
oooooooo
Finance_____________
oooooooo
oooooooo
Law_________________
oooooooo
oooooooo
Occult_______________
oooooooo
Politics______________
oooooooo
Science______________
Advantages
Allies oooooooo Conscience/Callousness_ ooooo
_________________
Animalism oooooooo ______________ oooooooo
_________________
Vicissitude oooooooo ______________ oooooooo
_________________
oooooooo ______________ oooooooo Self-Control/Instincts__ ooooo
_________________
_________________
oooooooo

______________ oooooooo ______________
Harmony Bruised
______________ oooooooo -1
______________ oooooooo Frenzy as Brujah
Overdosing?

Rebel Without a Regnant
Quote: The first time it’s on the house; then ya gotta pay, okay? This is some good shit,
man....
Prelude: High school wasn’t exactly a piece of cake for you. Pockmarked from a bad
case of acne and thinner than a dime, you weren’t really the prom-king type. The
chicks at West Baker High weren’t worth your time, anyway; it was much more
fun to hang out with the other “scum” on the weekends, getting high and
operating an Anarchist Cookbook test kitchen in Jeff’s parents’ basement.
Then you met Sheila. She was a friend of an acquaintance. Sheila
wasn’t like any girl you’d ever met before; she’d read the entire Communist
Manifesto while tripping on acid. She was really hot, too, and didn’t seem
to mind your lanky frame and zit remnants.
After you’d been seeing each other for a few weeks, Sheila admitted
to you that she was actually “Kindred.” It kinda freaked you out, but it
seemed really intriguing, too. Hell, you’d read Interview with the Vampire
back in sixth grade; you knew all about vampires. So Sheila turned you
into a ghoul while you were really high. What a buzzkill it was when
you found out what she’d done. Pot and methedrine were hard enough
to quit; now you had blood to contend with.
What Sheila did really pissed you off. You broke up with her, but
shortly thereafter you realized you were really Jonesin’ for some good V-tay.
Concept: You were Jonesin’ all right, but there was no way in hell
you were gonna be some vampire bitch’s slave in order to get your fix.
You quit high school and now hang out on the streets at night, looking
for vampires to beat up and feed on. Your increased Potence works most
of the time, but now and then it fails you against particularly strong
vampires, leaving you bloodied, bruised and running for your life. When you
have a surplus of potent blood, you sell it to other addicted ghouls. You don’t
think ghouls should just sit back and do whatever their domitors say when you
can supply ‘em with better vitae and not fuck ‘em over. It’s time for a revolution!!
Roleplaying Tips: You display all the stereotypical Brujah clan mannerisms.
Stand up for what you believe in! You are embittered by your experience with
women, and you hate vampires. Vampires, ghouls and kine alike are surprised
when they see a 100-pound weakling like you rearranging faces and breaking legs.
You’ve got power; abuse it.
Equipment: Swiss Army knife, The Anarchist Cookbook, syringes stolen from
the diabetics’ section at Revco, plastique (for bomb making), portable CD player,
feathered roach clips

™

Name: Rebel w/o a Regnant Nature: Gallant Domitor: N/A
Player: Demeanor: Rebel Duties:
Chronicle: Concept: Independent Revenant Family: N/A
Attributes
oooooooo
oooooooo oooooooo
oooooooo
oooooooo
Wits_________________
Abilities
oooooooo
oooooooo
oooooooo
Finance_____________
oooooooo
oooooooo
Law_________________
oooooooo
oooooooo
Occult_______________
oooooooo
Politics______________
oooooooo
Science______________
Advantages
Allies oooooooo Conscience/Callousness_ ooooo
_________________
Fortitude oooooooo ______________
Contacts oooooooo
_________________
Celerity oooooooo ______________
Resources oooooooo
_________________
Obfuscate oooooooo ______________ oooooooo Self-Control/Instincts__ ooooo
_________________
_________________
oooooooo

______________
Area Knowledge oooooooo ______________ Bruised
______________ oooooooo -1
______________ oooooooo No steady supply of
Overdosing? blood

Le Femme Serpentina
Quote: On your belly — like a snake!
Prelude: As a teenager on South Beach, you did it all — sniffed a lot of coke,
smoked a little weed, made a few nickel-and-dime deals, did the whole Timothy Leary
tune-in-turn-on-drop-out thing. Until you got busted selling to some damn Miami
Vice-wannabe narcs. It was only a dime bag! For a dime bag, you had to go to the
juvenile detention center, and then your mother and father sent you to Shady
Oaks — a rehab center far away from your friends and connections in Miami.
When you “graduated” from rehab, you were a different person. You’d fol-
lowed the 12 steps faithfully — you’d even become a born-again Christian.
The only drugs you did anymore were aspirin and caffeine. You decided that
you wanted to spend the rest of your life fighting crime and keeping drugs
off the street; it was a mission from God.
As soon as you got out of high school, you enrolled in the Criminal
Justice program at the local college; after you graduated with honors, you
went straight to the police academy.
Fresh out of school, you were assigned to the South Beach beat. Your
superiors thought you were the woman for the job; you were so familiar with
the drug scene there, they reasoned, the dealers would probably sell to you without
thinking twice. They were right; your old connections came out of the woodwork,
congratulating you on getting back with the “fun crowd.”
You did some buying and had to do your share of drugs to convince the deal-
ers you were still trustworthy before you made the big busts. You weren’t gonna get
hooked, though. You’d seen Rush, and what happened to Jennifer Jason Leigh and
Jason Patric wasn’t gonna happen to you.
It didn’t. Instead, a crafty Setite acid dealer gave you a kind of trip you’d never
experienced before — a drug that made you feel as though you possessed superhu-
man strength — a drug that you later found out was potent vampire blood. The
Followers roped you into their world, luring you with more power and hoping
that you’d recruit members into their clan; if you’d done a 180 in your life, they
reasoned, you could easily persuade others to do the same for the Setites. Those
who didn’t cooperate would simply have to deal with the fact that you were a damn
good shot after your police training.
Concept: You’re one part persuasive religious freak, another part hired killer, with
enough Potence and Charisma to either convert or kill half the population of Miami.
Roleplaying Tips: Rope people into the clan with your goody-two-shoes act;
then, if they don’t listen to you, it’s time to whip out the ol’ .45 and show ‘em some
tough love. Don’t let anybody get away with anything! People gotta have some respect
for authority.
Equipment: .45, nightstick, police uniform, Cult of Sekhmet religious pamphlets,
handcuffs

™

Name: La Femme Serpentina Nature: Fanatic Domitor: Setites
Player: Demeanor: Conniver Duties:
Chronicle: Concept: Vassal Revenant Family: N/A
Attributes
oooooooo
oooooooo oooooooo
oooooooo
oooooooo
Wits_________________
Abilities
oooooooo
oooooooo
oooooooo
Finance_____________
oooooooo
oooooooo
Law_________________
oooooooo
oooooooo
Occult_______________
oooooooo
Politics______________
oooooooo
Science______________
Advantages
Domitor oooooooo Conscience/Callousness_ ooooo
_________________
Presence oooooooo ______________
Contacts oooooooo
_________________
oooooooo ______________
Resources oooooooo
_________________
_________________
_________________
oooooooo

______________ oooooooo ______________ Bruised
______________ oooooooo -1
______________ oooooooo Blood Bond
Overdosing?

™

Name: Nature: Domitor:
Player: Demeanor: Duties:
Chronicle: Concept: Revenant Family:
Attributes
oooooooo
oooooooo oooooooo
oooooooo
oooooooo
Wits_________________
Abilities
oooooooo
oooooooo
oooooooo
Finance_____________
oooooooo
oooooooo
Law_________________
oooooooo
oooooooo
Occult_______________
oooooooo
Politics______________
oooooooo
Science______________
Advantages
Potence________oooooooo ______________ oooooooo Conscience/Callousness_ ooooo
_________________
_________________
_________________
_________________
_________________
oooooooo

______________ oooooooo ______________ Bruised
______________ oooooooo -1
______________ oooooooo
Overdosing?

Ghouls Fatal Addiction

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By Ronni Radner and Ethan Skemp

Hong Kong’s imminent reversion to Chinese control

Opening up the year will be Kindred of the East,

2 Ghouls: Fatal Addiction

Fiction: Blood Is Thicker 4

Introduction: The First Taste 10

Chapter One: A Clockwork Crimson 14

Chapter Two: Masters and Servants? 34

Chapter Three: Character Creation 68

Chapter Four: Storytelling 86

Chapter Five: Templates 106

Fiction: Blood Is Thicker 5

6 Ghouls: Fatal Addiction

I struggle to open my eyelids, feeling cold, damp ce-

I somehow get through another Coney Island evening,

So, everything seems all right now with a strong man

Fiction: Blood Is Thicker 7

8 Ghouls: Fatal Addiction

Fiction: Blood Is Thicker 9

10 Ghouls: Fatal Addiction

They are neither man nor woman—

Ghouls. no more vulnerable to the noonday sun than the next

Introduction: The First Taste 11

12 Ghouls: Fatal Addiction

Introduction: The First Taste 13

The Physiology of the Ghou

Chapter One: A Clockwork Crimson 15

16 Ghouls: Fatal Addiction

Chapter One: A Clockwork Crimson 17

Pathology mortals. Vitae conveys no innate

Bodily Requirements on more basic requirements, such

18 Ghouls: Fatal Addiction

Blood Within the Veins

Chapter One: A Clockwork Crimson 19

20 Ghouls: Fatal Addiction

Chapter One: A Clockwork Crimson 21

22 Ghouls: Fatal Addiction

Ghouling yth e Prodigieousling magi, Lupines, or other supernatural creatures? I regssretintorecinfenorm

Dr. Douglas Netchurch

Chapter One: A Clockwork Crimson 23

24 Ghouls: Fatal Addiction

Chapter One: A Clockwork Crimson 25

26 Ghouls: Fatal Addiction

Chapter One: A Clockwork Crimson 27

28 Ghouls: Fatal Addiction

Aging and Elder Ghouls Animal Ghouls

Chapter One: A Clockwork Crimson 29

30 Ghouls: Fatal Addiction

Chapter One: A Clockwork Crimson 31

Vitae of the Clans

32 Ghouls: Fatal Addiction

Chapter One: A Clockwork Crimson 33

Relationships between Kindred and ghouls are as

Chapter Two: Masters and Servants? 35

[Tape begins. Some clicking; heavy sigh.]

36 Ghouls: Fatal Addiction

Chapter Two: Masters and Servants? 37

38 Ghouls: Fatal Addiction

Chapter Two: Masters and Servants? 39