Ghouls

The basic definition of a ghoul is a beast or creature that eats corpses that have been dead for some time. 
This means that several creatures and beasts in the world qualify for the title. 
== Biology ==
While ghouls being beasts means that they vary considerably from species to species, ghouls share some common traits.
=== Diet ===
Ghouls are all obligate cannibals, due to lacking the ability to produce certain proteins and enzymes that stave off their bodies natural production of cadaverine. This forces them to eat corpses that have partially decomposed. In the wild ghouls will collect cadavers and store them for later consumption, much like crocodilians. Ghouls will eat "warm" meat if sufficiently starved, otherwise they will regurgitate.
=== Teeth ===
Ghoul teeth contain cadaverine, these strong teeth are useful for shattering bones. 
=== Tongue ===
Ghouls often have long, narrow tongues used to lick the decaying marrow from bones. 
=== Claws ===
Ghouls have short, thick claws ideal for digging out corpses. 
== Creatures ==
Ghouls are also found outside settlements and displaying more animalistic traits. These are classified as creatures, in order to distinguish them from zombies and the undead in general. 
Ghouls have their uses, as when they are well fed they can be tamed, and even attain sentience, and people can make use of their unparalleled noses. 
Ghouls in the wild typically stay near where members of their species's die (elephant graveyards, salmon spawning pools, ant hill rubbish piles, necropoli, etc). 
== Beasts ==
Ghouls, like vampires, can also be beasts that live amongst members of their species. The term ghoul as beasts refers to organisms who display the characteristic trait of cannibalizing members of their own species that have been dead for some time. Ghouls correspond to the definition of beasts in the sense that they are simply obligate cannibals, they otherwise live normally amongst their peers. Ghouls typically form cabals and corporations in settlements where they operate. 
== Culture ==
=== Society ===
Ghoul society is marred by its autophagic nature, they are generally affable when well fed and often terribly lonely, but contact between ghouls never lasts long as suspicion over who will eat who quickly dissolves any long lasting relationships.
They are however hospitable when they are well fed. Ghouls will often offer guests to join them for a meal, sometimes even offering marrow, their favorite part of a meal. They are also not against trading what little wares they craft by themselves.
=== Cuisine ===
Ghouls display a sophisticated culture centered around cuisine. They have an extensive palette and many, many recipes, which they trade amongst themselves, but the natural suspicion that comes with their cannibalistic nature stops them from other race status. 
Every once in a while, a coffin can be found with remains of a ghoul’s victims inside, known as a ghoul fridge. Ghouls like to cook, a typical dish is where the meat is shredded to pieces with fangs and claws, the corpse is then left to age in a "ghoul fridge". The more daring of culinary chefs take hints from ghoul traditions in their own preparations. 
== Notes ==
=== Sense of smell ===
Their nose for finding corpses is unmatched, making them a gruesome but useful addition to police forces. 
=== Alchemy ===
Ghouls are also a source for many useful alchemical ingredients, as they somehow naturally produce white vinegar, antibacterial lymph, and cadaverine while still alive. 
Ghoul blood, bones and marrow are all used extensively for their powerful immunity against most poisons linked to decomposition. 
=== Ghoul fridge ===
 Category:Ghouls
Category:Creature
Category:Beasts
Category:Cannibalism
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