Homebrew Ghoul (fixed) Species Details

"The future. Survival anywhere. We surpass the norms."   - Set

"There ain't any ghouls but old ghouls. We're all sterile, see, but we're incredibly long-lived. We're the first and last generation of ghouls." — Typhon

 

Ghouls are mutated humans or animals affected by the phenomenon of ghoulification. In the case of humans, ghouls are sometimes referred to as necrotic post-humans in the Capital Wasteland, but this term does not seem to have been adopted outside of it whatsoever. Despite their zombie-like appearance, the flesh of ghouls is not actually rotten. Intense and prolonged radiation has ravaged their skin, much of their flesh, and in some cases many of their ligaments. Despite their infertility and in some cases mental deterioration, they have greatly extended overall lifespans and are immune to (and sometimes even healed by) background radiation and/or nuclear fallout.

A Broad Spectrum

Since Ghouls can technically be any humanoid, or fey race before ghoulification there are many types of ghouls from Human ghouls,, to even sometimes Orc ghouls.

Discrimination

The attitude towards ghouls in the wasteland varies from acceptance, through apathy, to outright hostility. This is predicated on a variety of factors – for example, in New California of the mid-22nd century, ghouls were almost legendary creatures, as their population had isolated itself within Necropolis, leading to the rise of rumors about terrifying zombies living within its borders. The fact that patrols that entered the city rarely returned alive (as was the case with two patrols Killian Darkwater sent into it) did not help. Of course, some daring souls (like Keri Lee of Crimson Caravan) managed to make inroads and secure lucrative trade relationships with the ghouls of the city (or skags, as the Hubbers referred to them).

Vault City is a textbook example of racial prejudice at work. Since the atomic reactor in Gecko did not operate properly, waste from the power plant started leaking into the local groundwater around 2239 and it eventually led to serious poisoning of the whole reservoir. Harold learned that a hydroelectric magnetosphere regulator was needed for the repair job, but no such part could be found in Gecko, so attempts were made to contact Vault City but the messengers were shot on sight by the Vault City Guard, marking the beginning of an official policy to shoot all ghouls on sight. The situation became worse, when Vault City residents started to believe that the ghouls had deliberately poisoned the groundwater, accusing them of terrorism against Vault City and demanding that they should be punished. The First Citizen of Vault City, Joanne Lynette, even tried to hire someone who was willing to help stopping the Gecko problem by any means necessary.

In regions away from New California, ghouls likewise experience a variety of attitudes. For example, in the Mojave Wasteland, ghouls are generally seen as equals and share both the misery of poverty and the prominence of the stage on equal terms with humans. Of course, not everyone is as egalitarian as the people of Freeside and New Vegas. The New Vegas Strip doesn't permit the entrance of ghouls or other mutants unless under the supervision of a human visitor, or with permission from a higher-up. The Bright Brotherhood is a cult centered around Jason Bright, formed in response to suffering its members experienced at the hands of humans. In some areas, ghoul lynchings also happen, while in others ghouls are considered a possible threat and are fired upon – like in Washington, D.C., where Lyons' Brotherhood of Steel members will routinely open fire on ghouls sighted in the city.

A lot of anti-ghoul sentiment is caused by inexperience and ignorance. For example, some believe ghouls to be carriers of disease, without ever having examined one, while others believe that all ghouls are inevitably bound to become feral and pose a threat to people around them, a sentiment with a lot of truth to it. This was the basis for the eviction of ghouls from Diamond City, based on prejudice.

Sometimes, the situation is not helped by the ghouls themselves. Of particular note was the cause of Roy Phillips, a disgruntled ghoul from the Capital Wasteland, obsessed about seizing Tenpenny Tower for himself. His increasingly threatening behavior, when refused entry by Chief Gustavo, led to suspicions that he might attack the Tower directly, only confirming the security chief's belief that all ghouls are walking ticking bombs.

That said, misconceptions and prejudice are not unique to humans. Apart from the hateful Roy Phillips, even the seemingly tolerant inhabitants of the Underworld have shown a racist side when some of them threatened Doctor Barrows over his research into ghoulification and its causes, claiming that "ghouls are ghouls and humans are humans." Fortunately, not all ghouls are like that and many long for their pre-mutation life and seek ways to reverse the changes, no matter how unlikely the means.

Some polities take steps to protect ghouls and other mutants, like the New California Republic, which extended legal protection to them in 2205 and allowed a significant number of ghouls of both genders to serve in the ranks of the New California Republic Rangers, with the bulk of them being accorded veteran status due to their resilience and experience in combat.

Major Factions opinions

Brotherhood of Steel : The Brotherhood hates ghouls due to them being non humanoids, and thinks of them all as ferals that need to be put down, forcefully...

NCR  : Allows them to be equal citizens but indivisual opinion varies from hate to love

Enclave : Same as Brotherhood but even more brutal in their methods

Minutemen : Sees them as equals and most civilians respect them

Institute: Doesn't care much for them on either side

Raiders: Depends

Railroad: Sees them as equals but generally dont care

Welcoming, to secrecy?

Ghoul cities and villages range from acceoting non-ghouls to ONLY accepting Ghouls to be safe. But most villages vie for secrecy due to fear of Brotherhood and Enclave soldiers infiltrating them.

And they are not wrong to assume this due to the vast amounts of Ghoul massacres at the hands of inflitrating soldiers or even serial killers at times

 

 

Ghoul (fixed) Traits

Most fit these general terms, but not all....

Ability Score Increase

Your ability scores each increase by 1. (except Wisdom and constitution which increase by 2)

Age

ranges of 280 to 20 years old

Size

Humans vary widely in height and build, from barely 5 feet to well over 6 feet tall. Regardless of your position in that range, your size is Medium.

Speed

Your base walking speed is 35 feet.

Languages

You can speak, read, and write Common and one extra language of your choice. Humans typically learn the languages of other peoples they deal with, including obscure dialects. They are fond of sprinkling their speech with words borrowed from other tongues: Orc curses, Elvish musical expressions, Dwarvish military phrases, and so on.