Ghoul

The ghoul is the agile exception among undead. Where skeletons and zombies are stiff, it leaps, claws, and bites with ferocious speed. Its bite paralyzes the living, and it hunts in packs, surrounding prey before devouring it. This is the undead creature that cannot be outrun.

A Medium creature, the ghoul becomes available with Raise Undead at Level 7.

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Ghoul (Raise Undead Template)

In this template, “DC” means the necromancer's spell DC. Values marked XX are variable: multiply the table value by caster level. The columns are indexed by the level of the Raise Undead spell.

Ghoul, Medium undead
Speed: XX ft
HP: XX
DR: XX
Saves: Reflex DC (agile—no penalty), Fortitude—none, Will—no mind (body magic opposes the DC)

Attacks:

• Rending Claws: Base damage 1d6+XX
• Paralyzing Bite: Base damage 1d8+XX, then paralysis (see Ghoul Paralysis)

Undead Nature An undead; see 3.

Standing Orders A ghoul follows only the simple, permanent orders of its necromancer (see Raise Undead).

Agile but Dead Unlike other undead, a ghoul dodges and parries normally, with no penalty to its Reflex DC. It is a hunter, not a puppet. It still has no attack roll or AC: its blows land unless dodged or parried, and it defends itself with its Reflex Save + DR.

Ghoul Paralysis When a claw or bite lands, the living creature struck must make a Fortitude Save against the spell DC or become paralyzed for 1d3 rounds (see conditions in 3). The same body cannot be paralyzed again while the effect lasts.

Pack Hunting When two or more ghouls threaten the same target, they harry it from every side. The GM gives their attacks a favorable rating, and the target cannot dodge them through movement. It can still parry.

Flesh Frenzy By devouring a fresh corpse, the ghoul recovers HP. The GM determines the amount.

Variable Stats by Spell Level

Variable	Level 7	Level 9	Level 10
HP per caster level	24	48	96
Attack Damage	40+CL	80+CL	160+CL
Number of attacks per turn	3	3	3
Speed	40ft	50ft	60ft
DR	4	8	16