Ghula

## Overview

Ghula are the demons of decay and pestilence. They wield the most dreaded and destructive powers, being able to bring their enemies low with spells of plague, curses or pure rot. Where the Ediakara represent pure life and stagnation, the Ghula embody change and regrowth that inevitably follows the death of every living thing. There exist many types and philosophies of decay-demons but all persue their goals with uttermost dedication and resolve. Despite their often horrific appereance and esthetic; the Ghula display an honest care the world and its inhabintants; and Ghula are only ones that do not suffer from the types of over-inflated egos other immortals develop. The Ghula often appear cynical, cruel and overly direct; but they also display honesty, humor and a calming poise no matter the circumstances.

## Culture

It is a very common belief among the Ghula that the world itself, especially the material one, can be regarded as a dead god; a rotting carcass upon which countless lifeforms grow and feast. They believe that the only way to create is to die, to leave a sentient state and ascend into something higher that can give life to those around it. In their eyes death and decay are gateways into divinity and necessairy if they themselves would wish to create a new world.

There is an uncanny sense of hope and cheerfulness that comes with this philosophy, making them calm and appreciative in the sense of the greatest terror; being able to laugh their way through even the worst adversities.

Aspects: Humor

## Factions

### Forsaken- *Crae Bok*

Forsaken have aligned themselves with everything modern humanity considers to be forbidden, disgusting or inhuman. They always desire to bring fourth humanities (and demonkinds) true self, as disgusting and direct as it may be. Ghula do so through shattering false self-perceptionss and disillusioning their flock about the strict rules and conventions of soceity. Forsaken revel in the concept of uglyness and disgust for the purpose of shock and subversion; embracing things commonly considered evil or forbidden to point out how arbitrary their ideas can be. Forsaken also engage in a stylised form of self-depricating humor that is unique among the Neverborn and the reason others associate them with jesters that should not be taken seriously.

Forsaken often enjoy taking a twisted version of anothers appereance; parodying them through displaying their errors, vices and true self in a most repulsive and direct form. This is done to show their target who they really are, pushing them to accept themselves or change for the better. Forsaken are the most invested in the future of humanity, granting them the truest insight into their minds and sins.

### Harbingers- *Morath Ur*

Harbingers have the deepest understanding of Ghula philosophy and are possibly the most distanced from humans. They see the world and universe as a constant shift of systems and (Gesetzmäßigkeiten), be they physical, natural or soceital. Although all of these systems bear meaning they are ulitamtly subjective and arbitrary, and possible to change. In a world they describe as shizophernic the only way of escaping endless cycles of shitting systems is to step between them and create something beyond the subjectivity that is present in every Innovation of men and demiurge alike. They seek true creation

post structuralism

### Corruptors- *Arath Asgur*

The destroyers, a radical minority within the Ghula, have forsaken any hope or care for the mortal world. Instead they desire its destruction above anything else; conjuring plagues, curses and decay. The Destroyers believe the world to be doomed and the only way to safe it is to put an end to it. After their apocalyptic goal has been reached (...), Archdemon of the End, shall consume the remnants of the lifeless world to remake it in its own image.

Should more powerful Destroyers find a way into the mortal world they will usually resort to direct destruction, raging out in a pestilent storm to bring about as much decay as possible before enevitably being struck down. The weaker Demons and Incarnates usually resort to much

## Unique Rules

Ghula have access to the Road of Pestilence.

### Celestial Gifts

* **Twisted Mirror-** *Many Ghula specifically use symbols of filth, decay and odium to parody those they despise; taking on a distorted form that brings their targets true self to light.* After a Full Round of *Absolute Focus* the Ghula may appear as a twisted version of a targets worst vices (at the Ghulas discretion); inspiring great discomfort in them when observed. The Ghula may spend [two successes] to have this image appear as the targets reflection when cursing them using a Demonic Hex.
* **Life from Death-** *The Ghula sow decay so life can bloom again; sometimes in a very violent and direct way. Some Ghula have adopted the praxis of swallowing fith and dead flesh to vomit out fresh life.* After consuming large amounts of rot the Ghula may vomit out a swarm of lifeforms of roughly the same mass. They use their highest Road Rating as their dicepool and are under the Ghulas direct controll.

### Advantages

* **Rat in the Walls-** *Allows the Ghula to connect their mind with filth and decay around them, developing a sixth sense that allows them to use its presence as an Inner Compass.* Once per session the Ghula may choose a nearby place of heavy decay, allowing them to finding their way inside, through and out of it.

### Corruptions

* **Ghula Marks-** *The Host has developed typical Ghula marks such as rotting flesh, sunken or blistered skin, an emaciated or wrinkled body, maggots crawling through their insides, bloated pockets of flesh, infectious slime instead of blood or an aura of dazing stink.* The character may gain any amount of cosmetic marks. They reduce their Appereance to 0 but grant them three additional dice when trying to intimidate someone with it. In addition anyone observing them can find out they are supernatural with a successful Insight + Occult Roll.
* **Cloud of Flies-** *The Hosts flesh is swarming with winged vermin such as flies, cockroaches, locusts or mosquitos imbued with demonic energies. Should their skin be breached a thick cloud of flying filth will emerge and swarm the area, seeking untainted flesh to infect and burry their eggs in.* Whenever the character is sufficiently damaged anyone around them is covered in a swarm of vermin that automatically infect them with any plague inside the characters Host and suffer D6 points of *Physical Damage*.
* **Gluttony-** *Although Neverborn do not require food to sustain themselves, this Ghula has a strong desire for it. Not only will they constantly feel a desire to feast; their appetites go well beyond mortal meals; foccussing more on living animals or humans which they can devour with their extended jaws.* Should the Ghula come across a source of food they must invest *Faint Focus* not to consume it until either doing so or moving away from it. Should they consume large amounts of living thing this may provide them with a point of **Might** however.