Ghuul

**Ghuul**, often to as the **Pallid Knight**, is the Realms god of death, justice, time, cycles, and travel. They are a member of the Triad of Death along with their siblings Marlfax and Urboch. As the eldest child of Thanatos and Verthae, Ghuul takes their role of upholding the cosmic cycle of life and death gravely seriously. Ghuul is seen as a patron for the dead and those mourning the recently deceased. He is also a patron of judges and other law-keepers and his lone wanderer form is often shown depicted accompanying lost travelers to safety. Her devotion to her cause often makes Ghuul the target of prayers of those hoping to uphold promises they intend to keep.

She is the keeper of the realm of Khazav, and she resides in the Clocktower of Nirvana. The shades serve her in tending to the graveyard as well as many fiends undergoing covenants of service.

## Ghuul

### Titles & names

* Ghuul
* Grim Wanderer
* Pallid Knight
* Timekeeper

### Symbols

* A skull
* The Clocktower of Nirvana

## Worship

### Associated domains

* Cycles
* Death
* Justice
* Time
* Travel

## Description

### Appearance

Ghuul, like death itself, is said to come in many forms. The grim wanderer is a form often associated with the god of the dead, dressed in black bearing a skull for a head. Their other form is the noble, duty bound Pallid Knight, a hauntingly beautiful figure in bleak steel armor with death becoming them. This knight often is depicted wielding a scythe named Soul Reaper. Ghuul may also be depicted as the Timekeeper, a figure similar to the Pallid Knight, but a divine clockmaker, shrouded in deathly robes.

## Worship

Although death may be deemed a macabre domain by main, it is still afforded the proper reverence it deserves with many paying homage to Ghuul in some way. They are worshipped by those who wish to show a deference to the forces of death, and Sojourners may often pray to Ghuul, given they are the eldest born of Thanatos. The Selusian pantheon likens Ghuul to the elven goddess Vandria Silverbaen, who has a similar portfolio. Ghuul is often prayed to by those mourning the recently deceased and is often prayed to by judges. Travelers may offer up a prayer to the god of death for safe journey.

### Symbols

A skull is often used as the symbol for Ghuul as is a clockface of the Clocktower of Nirvana. Balancing scales and bones are other symbols often affiliated with the Pallid Knight.

### Temples

Temples devoted to Ghuul are often constructed as ossuaries, being constructed with the bones of the devoted dead as a major part of the temple's architecture and decor. Ghuul's temples often have some manner of a time-keeping device such as a sun-dial, set of hour-glasses, or a clocktower. Ghuul's temples are often constructed to be circular in shape.

### Notable Cultures

* Doomguide
* Neo-Gothic
* Sojourner

## History

### Background

Like the other gods in the Triad of Death, Ghuul was born as a child of the cosmic force of death as a manifestation of its forces marking them a child of Thanatos. They reside in the Clockwork Necropolis of Khazav where they watch over the secrets of the dead, aided by the shades.

It is said that Ghuul found Soul Reaper in the field that would become the Tundra of the Damned. Ghuul is often seen as the parent of Kabor and Kuries with some legends pointing to their other parent being of the elven Sel'Adrin.

Ghuul finds themselves opposed with whichever gods or beings are attempting to circumvent the sacred cycle of life and death. Verthae, being innately rebellious, often find herself clashing with the unwavering death god. As a member of the Triad of Death, Ghuul is seen as a force of death across the realms. Whereas Marlfax is the aspect of death by nature and Urboch the aspect of death by misfortune, Ghuul is depicted death by decree. Ghuul has a rivalry with their siblings in the Triad of Death.

### Campaign

It is suggested that during the events of *WovenRealm* that it was Ghuul who placed the Covenant of Service bounty on Oleander.

## Trivia

* Ghuul's name closely resembles the word 'Ghoul.'
* Ghuul's grim wanderer form is reminiscent of the Grim Reaper.