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    Postfest III: Khuul, Witch Ghoul of the North
    Posted on Fri, December 10, 2004 by Dongul
    Dethand writes "The tale of Khuul is one of betrayal and revenge, fueled by the demonic double crosses so common in the Abyss. Here the tale of the Witch Ghoul of the North and how he was brought low and now again forments his revenge on the living and his former master. Beware the dreamer denied and the wrath of he who is filled with hatred for not only others but himself.

    Khuul, Witch Ghoul of the North
    By: Dethand
    Used with Permission. Do not repost without obtaining prior permission from the author.

    Khuul the Witch-Ghoul, male Fiendish Ghoul Sor18: CR22; Medium undead (5 ft., 7 in. tall); HD 18d12 (hp 184); Init +2; Spd 30 ft.; AC 25 (touch 15, Flat-footed 22); Base Atk: +9; Grp: +11; Atk +11 Bite melee (1d8+2+ paralysis); Full Attack: Bite +11 (1d8+2+ paralysis), Claws +9 (1d4+2+ paralysis); Space/Reach 5 ft./5 ft.; SA Ghoul Fever (Fort Save DC 28, 1d3 Con/1d3 Dex), Paralysis (Fort save DC 28 or be paralyzed for 1d4+1 rounds), Stench (Fort save DC 28 or be sickened for 1d6+4 minutes), Smite Good (+18 damage to good creature in melee once a day); SQ Darkvision 60 ft., Feindish and Undead Traits, DR 10/magic, Resistance Fire/Cold 10, SR 25, Turn Resistance +6; SV Fort +7, Ref +11, Will +16; AL CE; Str 14, Dex 16, Con --, Int 19, Wis 14, Cha 29
    Skills and Feats: Bluff +20, Craft (Alchemy) +10, Concentration +25, Gather Information +12, Intimidate +12, Hide +10, Knowledge (Arcana) +22, Knowledge (History) +10, Knowledge (The Planes) +15, Listen +8, Move Silently +5, Sense Motive +5, Spellcraft +25, Spot +8, Survival +2; Brew Potion, Craft Staff, Craft Wondrous Item, Eschew Materials, Greater Spell Focus (evocation), Scribe Scroll, Spell Focus (evocation), Spell Focus (necromancy).
    Possessions: Amulet of Spell Turning, Bracers of Armor +6, Circlet of Doom*, Censer of Crimson Death*, Mantle of the Ghoul Lord*, Rod of Undead Mastery*, Ring of Flying, Ring of Protection +3, Staff of Necromancy, Wand of Wall of Ice (33 charges), Wand of Greater Invisibility (12 charges), and numerous scrolls and potions as the DM sees fit.
    Sorcerer Spells Known (6/8/7/7/7/7/6/6/5/3), Spell DC 19 ((20 vs. Evoc., 21 Necro.) +Spell Level): 0th -- Dancing Lights, Daze, Detect Magic, Flare, Ghost Sound, Light, Open/Close, Ray of Frost, Resistance. 1st -- Erase, Magic Missile, Protection from Good, Shocking Grasp, Sleep. 2nd -- Alter Self, Flaming Sphere, Gust of Wind, Scorching Ray, Shatter. 3rd -- Fireball, Lightning Bolt, Slow, Spectral Hand. 4th -- Animate Dead, Ice Storm, Mass Reduce Person, Wall of Ice. 5th -- Cone of Cold, Hold Monster, Telepathic Bond, Waves of Fatigue. 6th -- Contingency, Create Undead, Greater Dispel Magic. 7th -- Delayed Blast Fireball, Finger of Death, Teleport, Greater. 8th – Horrid Wilting, Screen. 9th -- Crushing Hand.
    Languages Spoken: Abyssal, Auran, Ancient Suel, Common, Suel.

    In the Chapters of betrayal, Khuul ranks as a victim of tragedy and foolishness coupled with fiendish cunning. Khuul was a human sorcerer who was interested in undead and the spirts of the air. Alas, he lingered too long in an abyssal plane while trying to summon a powerful undead spirit and bind it into his vast array of magic items. Khuul was trapped in the nightmarish realm and was slowly transformed into an undead fiend with a craving for living flesh. Much to his horror, the powerful spirit was none other than Orcus himself. After being trapped and tormented by the powerful demon, Khuul struck a bargain with the hateful Lord of the Undead and become a servant of Orcus soon after. Khuul's knowledge of magic and magical lore greatly aided Orcus in his many endeavors in Orcus’ conquests and earned Khuul a place at Orcus’ side. Finally, after the name of Khuul faded from the memories of men, Orcus found a new role for Khuul and sent him to the Prime Material Plane again to establish a realm of evil and raise an empire of undead as a bastion to Orcus to gain a foothold upon Oerth. Khuul arrived in early 285 CY in the north hills near the Hraak Forest in what would become the Hold of Stonefist in latter eras. Under the dark clouds and fell winds of the north Khuul, the witch-ghoul, trapped and summoned many foul spirits to his service. Indeed the crimson death is his one lasting legacy on Oerth, as many of the Rovers and northmen still call the crimson deaths the Children of Khuul. With the aid of demons sent by his dark master, sorcery and cunning, Khuul made a dark tower jutting over the cold pines and stark peaks of the Hraak Forest and in the shadow of the Griff Mountains. In secret, with the aid of a small cadre of shadow demon spies and succubi assassins, Khuul was able not only to entrench himself firmly in the northlands, but also became known as the Witch Ghoul of Orcus. His quick rise and vile deeds brought him to the attention of a divine champion of Pelor, named Bane, who was a mighty foe of the undead and Khuul's master. Indeed in time Bane tracked the foul appartions and demonic presences to the northlands and there he single-handedly laid waste in a fornight to Khuuls’ minions in and around the tower's keep and dark realm. Khuul was forced to join battle with Bane - and once joined they fought furiously for over an hour, at which time Khuul was laid low. Khuuls spirit was cast into the planes and Bane would continue on through the Witch Ghoul’s gate towards Orcus’ home plane towards his fateful confrontation with Orcus himself.

    But, Khuul's spirit was not yet done, as Orcus’ greatest servant, Khuul had made many contacts with strange beings from the other planes and had planned for just such an occasion. Constantly plotting and scheming in secret, Khuul was closely watched by Orcus’ underlings for any sign of betrayal. The abyssal court is a miasma of fear and lies perpetuated by the Lord of the Undead to cull traitors from his ranks, and it was here Khuul grew to be a master of deception and subtltey, biding his time that he might one day be free of Orcus’ grasp and find his own way once again.

    Khuul bargained with a powerful daemodand, who in exchange for a few favors and blind eyes turned its way would provide sanctuary to the sundered spirit should Khuul fall to his doom. It was in this way that the Witch Ghoul would gain his freedom, seemingly trapped but able to escape and for once, be free. Khuul was not overly trusting, and had taken many measures to maintain the bargain, but the demonand was a far more cunning being than Khuul and worked the agreement against Khuul. This betrayal shocked his last senses of justice in this existence. Khuul was taken from the clutches of Orcus well and true, but was in the prison realm of Carcerai, fully imprisoned to suffer in caged torment until the End of Time in the shadowed cages near Mount Orthrys. Fully enraged and betrayed, not only at Bane and Orcus but now at the universe at large, Khuul's screams of rage rattled across the prison cells and barren wastes of Carcerai for a decade. The spirit form of Khuul lingered in dark self-hatred and loathing, alternating between his hatred of Bane and Orcus for almost three centuries before the cage was opened and Khuul’s new found freedom was realized in the newly ascended Ghoul King Doresain. Doresain, once a follower of Orcus himself, had remembered the witch-ghoul and gainsayed Khuul's freedom. Doresain called to Khuul not as a servant but as a kindred spirit. As not only did the Ghoul King need strong followers to marshal to his banner but to help him against a vengeful Orcus as well. All he asked was for Khuul too take his place not as a servant but a vengeful soul to use not only against the living and Orcus, but Bane as well. Khuul laughed with such evil that even the jaded Carcerai Lords shuddered as Khuul accepted his freedom and pledged to aid Doresain. Khuul, now freed, would wreak his revenge on all who had ever betrayed and thwarted him.

    Khuul now dwells in the Realm of the White King in the Abyss under the dark fluttering ghoul-fire pyres. There he plots his revenge on both Orcus and St. Bane and their followers. He watches closely the followers of St. Bane and those of Orcus, literally torn between who he should vent his long awaited hunger for revenge against.

    Khuul appears here as when he first fought against St. Bane in the far northlands. He appears a thin ragged figure, clad in rich garb wearing a dark crown and a thick veil to cover his long fangs. Were a stray wind will pull or reveal his sickly necrotic purple skin it shows his great age as a ghoul and his fiendish eyes burn with evil malice.

    Khuul pulls many knowledges of his past to bring greater evil and terror to all living things, taking great pleasure in even the most minor sufferings of living beings. Khuul’s favorite activity is to create cursed items that at first bear a benificial enchanment. He also enjoys scrying on them and seeing the shock and pain caused by his creations from time to time.

    New Magic Items

    Circlet of Doom: This dull silvery crown-like circlet is capped by a pale blue gem, and on command can cast Cone of Cold (10d6 DC 17) once per day and gives +6 enhancement bonus to Charisma.
    Strong Evocation: CL 19th, Craft Wondrous Item, cone of cold, eagle’s spelendor; Price 73, 850 gp.

    Censer of Crimson Death: This dark red iron and ruby censer resembles a hideous grinning skull. When fresh blood from a strangled victim is placed within the thruible and dark summoning words spoken, it summons forth a crimson death (MM2 pg. 53). Treat the crimson death as a summoned creature under the control of the owner of the censer in all ways. The summons takes one round to incant, if a LG aligned victim is used the crimson death has +2 hit points per die, if a LG cleric over 15th level is sacrificed the crimson death has maximum hit points and is treated as under the unholy aura spell.
    Strong conjuration (evil), CL 17; summon monster IX, unholy aura; Price 100,000 gp; Weight: 1 lb.

    Mantle of the Ghoul Lord: This unholy cloak is trimmed with blasphemous symbols and morbid symbols. When worn by an undead creature it gives a +3 profane bonus to saves and give a +4 bonus on turn resistance to the wearer.
    Moderate necromancy (evil) CL 14th ; craft wondrous item, resistance cast by a spellcaster with a vile feat from the BoVD and the ability to rebuke undead as a 14th level cleric; Price 32,000 gp



    "
     
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    Re: Khuul, Witch Ghoul of the North (Score: 1)
    by Thanael on Sun, December 12, 2004
    (User Info | Send a Message)
    Nice creature write-up there.
    There`s 4 references to Kyuss which should be Khuul i think.



    Re: Khuul, Witch Ghoul of the North (Score: 1)
    by abysslin (abyss@canonfire.com) on Wed, December 15, 2004
    (User Info | Send a Message | Journal) http://www.canonfire.com
    Ah-ha! I knew there was a reason I stay away from UnderOerth and the Hraak Forest!

    Heh, Pretty nice write-up, Dethand. Should I edit in any references from which you pulled this vile persona?



    Re: Khuul, Witch Ghoul of the North (Score: 1)
    by mortellan on Wed, December 22, 2004
    (User Info | Send a Message)
    Khuul is cool! Some day I shall use this for sure. The magic items are a nice touch too. EVIL.



    Re: Khuul, Witch Ghoul of the North (Score: 1)
    by Anced_Math (mlheath@mindspring.com) on Fri, January 14, 2005
    (User Info | Send a Message | Journal) http://www.greyhawkonline.com/granmarch/
    Khull gives me the heebies. I think I will introduce him with a funeral march to my poor unsuspecting players. Good job Deth



    Re: Khuul, Witch Ghoul of the North (Score: 1)
    by gunga55 on Fri, July 08, 2005
    (User Info | Send a Message)
    what a wus (b)rodain could easily destroy him
    Looks good




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